Biography
For over 40 years, James Geier has been a champion of entrepreneurial hospitality. The Chicago native takes great pride in developing new businesses that leave lasting impressions and mentoring others who yearn to succeed in the industry. Geier’s enduring dedication to hospitality is evidenced in a multitude of businesses and practices, starting with 555 International, his Southside of Chicago based hospitality design and specialty manufacturing firm. As President and Founder, Geier leads his team in the creation of environments and the design and build of all the fixtures, furniture and custom features used to transform leading brand ideas into unforgettable, tangible guest experiences.
According to Geier, hospitality is the root of all successful business aspects. Take for example Morgan's on Fulton, the state-of-the-art dining and special events business he created in Chicago’s Fulton Market District. Situated amongst some of the country’s top culinary destinations and real estate developments, Morgan’s four levels of, a corner sit down dining spot, a fast casual restaurant, along with a lower-level night club and multilevel rooftop events venue make his development one of the top the city has to offer.
Geier is also the Founder of Ol’Style, a full-service business consultancy with a focus on the hospitality and retail industries. Ol’Style specializes in big picture thinking, grounded in Geier’s real-life experiences in property and new business development within the sectors. Ol’Style works together with property developers, business owners, restaurateurs, and global retail brands to assist with all components of the process, from strategic planning, programming, and brand concepting to environmental design and operations.
A lifelong arts benefactor and practicing sculptor, Geier is also a member of the Board of Advisors at Northwestern University’s Block Museum, helping steer the museum’s strategic planning and provide council for all aspects of the Block’s ongoing development. His work within the arts community led to the development of The Morgan Street Art Project, which provided young artists opportunities to show and exhibit their works at a top gallery location, often for the very first time. Geier abides by a business philosophy of, “teach, don’t tell,” one that celebrates a job well done from conception to execution. His devotion to mentoring young professionals, comprehensive industry expertise and diverse background in business, design, engineering and branding allow Geier to blend unique and thoughtful narratives that transform ideas into unforgettable real-life experiences.
