# Graduate Hotels: Ben Weprin

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-09-23
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin

## Summary

Ben Weprin, founder of Graduate Hotels and AJ Capitol Partners, explains how he transformed a dilapidated Days Inn in Chicago into Hotel Lincoln, establishing a design-driven model that reflects local university culture. He details the creation of the Graduate brand, which uses specific alumni and local history to differentiate each property, and describes how the chain survived the COVID-19 pandemic by securing capital to pay mortgages. Weprin ultimately sold the Graduate brand to Hilton for over $200 million to resolve debt, while his firm AJ Capitol retains ownership of the real estate assets.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=0) Introduction: Ben Weprin and Graduate Hotels
- [6:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=392) Early Career: Real Estate Brokerage and Nashville Ventures
- [18:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=1119) Working for Larry Levy and Buying Auberge Interests
- [27:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=1660) Acquiring Auberge and the Failed Raleigh Hotel Deal
- [37:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=2253) Creating Hotel Lincoln and the First Graduate Property
- [45:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=2705) Developing the Graduate Brand in College Towns
- [58:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-09-23-graduate-hotels-ben-weprin#t=3494) Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic and Selling to Hilton

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Graduate Hotels (product)
- Hilton (company)
- AJ Capitol Partners (company)
- Auberge (company)
- Marcus and Millichap (company)
- Hotel Lincoln (product)
- Angelo Gordon (company)
- Reyos (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#246 - BevNET 101 with John Craven](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-28-246-bevnet-101-with-john-craven) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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