Seva: The Art of Hospitality

Inspiring, authentic and personal. "Seva: The Art of Hospitality" is a wealth of knowledge into the philosophy, art, and mindset of service. Kiran's life events powers the book with depth. This is one of the best books in the field. (Ashley Copley, Hospitality Leader, Facebook)

If you truly want to master the art of service, look no further than “Seva: The Art of Hospitality”. You will surely be inspired and moved by Kiran's amazing life story. (Jennie Lynn, Best Selling Author)

How does someone share a passion for service, for hospitality, when life itself can be so inhospitable? Like many young Indian women of her day, Kiran’s life was shaped by family tradition and duty. Her life trajectory was pre-set. Yet, while still a young girl, the most unlikely of events ultimately shaped Kiran’s calling and ignited a passion for service. Her own grandmother’s inspiration would completely transform her life and her career.

As a young mother living in Hong Kong, Kiran faced personal struggles and an uncertain future. Unshaken, she was determined to make her own way. She drew on her instinct to serve and leapt into the arena she knew best — hospitality. Leveraging her cooking and design skills acquired as a young girl, Kiran launched a successful catering and concept design business, quickly followed by a specialty foods venture.

Prior to venturing out on her own, Kiran was a social mover and leader in her community. Now she found herself a hands-on leader in the “trenches”. She took on as much work as she could handle, from small weddings to lavish productions for thousands of guests. Kiran catered to financial elites and did pro-bono weddings for friends. Her work was diverse and exhilarating. Kiran found herself pitching her concept designs in a board room in the morning, and then standing on an eighteen-foot hydraulic lift completing decorations in a 5-star hotel late into the night. Her sheer tenacity and drive to share her gift opened up doors to some of Asia’s top restaurants, hotels and institutions.

After the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, Kiran’s family decided to relocate to San Francisco. The adjustment to a new life in completely unique surroundings produced another crossroad and a life-altering decision. Kiran was a self-made entrepreneur and artisan of service, but she lacked classical training. Should she pivot and recast herself in a completely different environment? Would her skills and experience translate to the competitive marketplace in the Bay Area?

In this reflective memoir, Kiran Robinson paints a portrait of service leadership, or Seva-leadership — a person who overcomes adversity to lead through selfless service. Imparting insight gathered over her 30-year career in the hospitality industry, Kiran draws on her personal journey to convey the key ingredients to becoming a leader in this field.