Optimizing Human
Potential
OPTIMIZING
HUMAN POTENTIAL
Alex HAS BEEN FEATURED IN
Who Is Alex?
Alex Atwood is a multifaceted, purpose-driven leader with more than 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur who helmed four startups in the hospitality and staffing space. He’s also a coach in the emerging psychedelics field whose focus is on optimizing human potential. Other roles include podcaster, public speaker, angel investor in firms that help build a better world, and philanthropist with a soft spot for owners and operators of family businesses.
Opportunities for Collaboration
My Startups
GravyWork
GravyWork connects hospitality businesses to an experienced on-demand workforce.Our streamlined staffing technology serves DC, Virginia, Maryland, and Central FloridaWe partner with our talent, clients and the community to create opportunities for growth and mutual success.
Sanistaff
Sanistaff was my response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This service connected businesses with disinfection technicians and supplies which allowed them to keep serving customers safely. Sanistaff also provided disinfection training and employment to displaced hospitality workers.
Hospitality Training Institute
I founded this school to provide skills & experience to new hospitality professionals. Students received training from professionals with extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
HTI was involved in the Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and The National Restaurant Association (NRA)
Penguin Services Group
Penguin supplied trained professionals to private events, hotels, caterers, and managed food service providers. Our services encompass staffing, training, and executive search services for the hospitality industry.
Penguin Service’s talent base served as the foundation for my other staffing startup, GravyWork.
Testimonials
Testimonials
In the Media
The Alchemist Lounge
038: Connecting the Golden Thread of Humanity with Jeff Scult
We live in a society where we’re taught that our clothes are disposable. 80 billion new pieces of clothes are made every year and 87%
037: The Alchemy Behind Startups with Sophie Theen
A lot of founders tend to have this excuse that since they’re leaders, they don’t have to be great managers. But just as much as
036: A Journey to Your Higher Self Through Plant Medicine, Yoga, and Breathwork with Pablo Lucero
For many people, the journey to oneself is a road less traveled. It doesn’t cost anything but the price you have to pay to reach
035: Disrupting the Landscape for Transparent Healthcare with Dr. Jawad Arshad
Whether you’re an employee or an employer, are you paying for or receiving health care that you actually use? Does it even fit your lifestyle
Articles
Bob Weir’s crippling stage fright offers a survival guide
Even though Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir has been performing for 57 years, he admitted in a new Guitar World interview to still getting stage
Locus of control can be a game-changer for leadership
I’m often inspired by the talks David Lynch Foundation CEO Bob Roth gives prior to his daily meditations, one of which was about the locus
The Alchemy Behind Startups with Sophie Theen
A lot of founders forget that being a great leader and a great manager are both important. But they tend to have this excuse that
Colorado and Oregon continue to lead the way on psilocybin therapy
One of several positive midterm election stories that have emerged is that voters in two states embraced the idea of psychedelics as a more viable