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Meet Tely Nagle, and her husband, Jim—partners in both life and business—who have taken on the monumental task of restoring the historic Drake Oak Brook Hotel. Born and raised in Mexico, Tely’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on as she climbed the ranks in the hospitality industry and later opened her own security alarm business. Jim, meanwhile, had a deep connection to The Drake from childhood, and when the opportunity arose to rescue the hotel from the brink of disaster, the couple dove in headfirst. They rolled up their sleeves, and worked alongside a loyal crew to not just revive the landmark, but breathe new life into it.
Their journey has been anything but conventional. From handling everything from drywalling to decorating, and even launching the hotel’s first new restaurant in over 50 years, the Nagles' hands-on approach has been the backbone of their success. Whether it’s cooking meals for the crew or finding inspiration on their travels, Tely and Jim’s story is all about teamwork and shared vision. We chatted with Tely and Jim about building a business with your life partner—how they balance marriage and work, keep communication open, and stay grounded by their shared values of family, faith, and a passion for real estate.
How did you meet and how long have you been married?
We’ve been happily married for 16 years. We met at a birthday party—Jim spotted me in the crowd and immediately started talking to me. The very next day, we went on our first date, and that’s how it all began!
What inspired you to be business partners as well as life partners?
We knew from the start that we shared similar values around family, roots, and faith, which not only made our marriage strong but also created a great foundation for business. Our passion for real estate and renovations connected us, and we realized we could complement each other’s strengths in a big way.
Why did you decide to venture into the hotel business?
For Jim, The Drake Oak Brook holds a lot of sentimental value—he worked there with his brother growing up and attended events there. When the chance came to save the hotel from a Ponzi scheme, we knew we had to do it. We rolled up our sleeves from day one, working with our hands—drywalling, painting, designing interiors, and more. We even trained a small crew of workers who pledged their loyalty right from the beginning.
What are your roles in the business?
We wear a lot of hats! Owners, operators, decorators, landscapers, hosts, contractors—you name it, we’ve done it. But we find so much joy in being hands-on and working closely with our team, who we consider family. It wouldn’t be possible without their dedication and talent.
Did you worry that working together would put added stress on your marriage?
Not really! We knew going into this that we shared a strong passion for real estate, so we were in sync from the start. Of course, there are moments when we don’t agree, but we made a pact early on to keep communication open and never take anything personally.
Do you have children? How do you balance family life with running the business?
Yes, we have adult children and granddaughters. While our kids are grown, we love spending time with them, and they’re a big part of our lives. It’s also a family business, so we’re lucky to have our relatives working alongside us, which makes balancing everything easier. We enjoy fostering the next generation of leaders within our own family.
The Drake Oak Brook has a storied past, how did you renovate the property to embrace this rich history while also catering to the modern customer?
For us, it’s all about honoring the legacy while creating a vision for the future. We’ve brought back some of the hotel’s original grandeur, but we’re also pushing boundaries to modernize it. Whether it’s our Bridgerton-themed high tea or a lavish $1,893 version of the hotel’s historic Bookbinder Soup, we’ve woven new elements into the hotel’s traditions to keep things fresh and exciting for guests.
Wow, you've added some innovative touches... who came up with the $1,893 bowl of soup?
Honestly, it’s a team effort! We involve everyone in the creative process, and it was a labor of love revamping the historic soup. The Drake is a place where everyone on our team feels a sense of ownership and pride. That’s why, when the pandemic hit, we kept everyone employed—and it shows in the way our staff embrace the brand and continue to generate fresh ideas.
How do you make decisions as a couple?
We agree to disagree when we need to! The key is listening to each other, and to those with experience in hospitality. At the end of the day, we’re both focused on what’s best for our guests, and that keeps us aligned.
How do you “turn off” as a couple? Do you schedule dates or have “no business talk” rules?
It’s hard to fully “turn off,” and honestly, we don’t really want to. Even when we’re on vacation, we’re constantly thinking about new ideas for the hotel. But we enjoy that part of our life—it’s fun for us!
What’s the best part of working with your life partner?
We both love art and travel, and The Drake has given us the flexibility to spend time together doing the things we enjoy. Plus, we’re always finding new ways to elevate the hotel based on the experiences we’ve had while traveling. Sharing these interests makes working together feel even more rewarding.
What’s the most unexpected thing about working together?
We didn’t realize just how much fun it would be! Watching our ideas come to life and celebrating milestones together has brought us so much joy.
What’s next for you and The Drake Oak Brook?
We have more energy than ever to pursue new ventures. With The Drake Luxury Yacht brand partnership in Cabo San Lucas up and running, and our new restaurant Coa open, we’re now focused on the development of the Residences at The Drake. Exciting times ahead!
What’s your best advice for couples thinking of going into business together?
Your word is your bond. Be honest, work hard, and always treat each other with respect. Oh, and travel together often—you can’t know what you want to create until you’ve experienced the world together!
What is your morning routine like?
We start with a green smoothie, then coffee and cardio. After that, our favorite part of the day is walking the property in the morning. It gives us a chance to check in with guests and our team, and take care of anything that needs attention.
What do you do for self-care/exercise?
We walk the property a lot, which keeps us moving, and we also make sure to do cardio in the mornings.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?
We’ve heard a lot of “that’s not going to work” or “don’t do it.” But we never listened to that negativity—and we’re glad we didn’t!