From Restaurant Owner to Global Hotel Consultant: How EPIC Revenue Consultants Built an International Business from Scranton

Helping Hotels Make Smarter Decisions

Abe Salam is the founder and CEO of EPIC Revenue Consultants, a hotel consultancy company. Through his experiences and successes at EPIC, Salam has served as a valued entrepreneurial resource for small business owners in Scranton.

EPIC provides business intelligence tools for hotels all over the world.

“We are taking the data from the property management system, disseminating that data and making informed pricing decisions, which hopefully result in revenue increases for our hotel clients,” Salam explained.

Growing Beyond Northeastern Pennsylvania

Prior to founding EPIC in December 2018, Salam was operating a restaurant in New Jersey with his brothers and had over 20 years of experience in the commercial side of the hospitality industry. He also built up a substantial professional network.

EPIC’s rise has been dramatic over the past seven years. They now have clients in seven countries, including in the United States, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

“We’re expanding quite quickly,” said Salam, adding that EPIC will soon have a presence in Austria and Germany.

Aside from a satellite office in Panama City, EPIC’s employees are primarily working remotely. Salam himself is stationed at the corporate office on the second floor of the Scranton Enterprise Center (SEC).

Giving Back as IGNITE’s Entrepreneur in Residence

In Scranton, Salam is considered the IGNITE program’s “entrepreneur in residence.” His knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem makes him a sought-after resource of information for less experienced entrepreneurs in the SEC.

“I think it’s important to have an entrepreneur that has started from incorporating the company to going through the process of hiring, the KIZ process, the do’s and dont’s of starting a small business,” Salam said. “It’s always good to have some sort of support on the floor.”

Advice for New Business Owners

Salam’s advice for young business owners boils down to two key pillars: find a good accountant and find a good lawyer. This will keep a business financially stable and protected as they navigate their industry’s challenges.

How IGNITE Supports Entrepreneurs

The IGNITE program, according to Salam, has been instrumental in his network’s continued expansion. Information about grants and internship opportunities, as well as introductions to people who can help EPIC operate on the day-to-day, are among the benefits that IGNITE has brought.

“The IGNITE program is awesome, because what it allows me to do is focus on my business,” explained Salam. “There’s a ton of resources that have been brought to my attention because of IGNITE.”

How to Get Started

Want to get started on your entrepreneurial journey? Start by clicking the Request More Info button at https://ignite.scrantonchamber.com/