Ying Sun

Experience

1. Business Owner

   Old Monterey Inn

   May 2016 — Present · Monterey, CA, US

   At 19, I became the youngest bed and breakfast owner in Monterey after my family office invested in a historic 10-room inn. Now, over a decade later, I’ve grown the business not just as a hospitality operator—but as a product builder constantly experimenting with guest experience, emerging technologies, and local ecosystem partnerships- Repositioned the B&B as a user-centered product—conducting market and guest research, segmenting traveler types, and testing offerings post-COVID to meet evolving needs- Ran A/B tests on new technology integrations, including crypto payment, AI travel planning, and digital concierge tools to enhance pre- and post-stay engagement- Built partnerships with local small businesses and educated them on AI adoption—from using ChatGPT to analyze guest reviews to setting up AI-powered customer support bots- Implemented in-house AI tools to optimize pricing, automate guest communication, and personalize service offerings based on behavior and sentiment analysis- Created seasonal experience packages (e.g, romantic retreats, wellness weekends, founder residencies) to increase revenue during low-occupancy periods—each treated as an MVP with user feedback loops- Maintained the inn’s historical charm while turning it into a real-world testbed for blending human hospitality with intelligent systems.