FRICTIONLESS PODCASTS
Lodging Industry Interviews
#073: Coming to Iowa: MWInns 2024 Conference & Trade Show Preview with Kerri Thiel and Randy Bangs
#072: Perseverance in Action: From Navigating Cease-and-Desist Orders to a Successful Urban Property with Julie McAferty, Greenlake Guest House
#071: Simplify, Connect, Grow: One B&B Owner’s Secret to Success with Jan Smith, Maple Cove Bed & Breakfast
#070: Protect Your Lodging Business – Insurance Essentials with Mitch Pies, of Mitchell J. Pies Insurance Agency
#069: Top Strategies to Boost Your Property’s Value with Marilyn Bushnell and Chuck Anderson, Marilyn Bushnell & Associates
#068: Richard Aday, CEO of ThinkReservations, Discusses Acorn Acquisition, ThinkWeb Launch and Leadership
#067: State/Regional Spotlight: Midwest Association of Independent Inns, with Kerri Thiel and Randy Bangs
#066: From Anthropology to High-Quality American Made Bedding and Linens with Janet Wischnia of American Blossom Linens
#065: Designing Your Property to Maximize the Guest Experience with James Kuester of Küster Design
#064: Elevate the Coffee Experience for Your Guests with Small Batch Roasting with Ann Brownell and Jeff Raybourn, Owners of the Cozy Cup Coffee Company
#063: Money and Water-Saving Shower Heads from an Aerospace Engineer Turned Solopreneur with Craig Steele, President and CEO of Samson Shower Systems
#062: 2024 ALP Conference & Marketplace Preview with Sarah Gazi, CEO; and Erik Spence, Conference & Events Planner
#061: Increasing Room Revenue Through Artificial Intelligence with Patty Sung and Chris McPherson of TakeUp
#060: Maximizing Bookings Through Google Business Profile with Annie Buck, Education and Local Marketing Manager at Acorn Marketing
#059: Increasing Revenue Through Wedding Offerings with Lela Pohlmann, Wedding Coordinator for Hermann Hill Weddings
#058: State/Regional Association Spotlight: Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association (MBBA) with Donna and Byron Cain, Co-Executive Directors
#057: Creating Unique On-Property Experiences with Doug Bagnasco and Jim DeBlasi, Co-Owners of the Devonfield Inn
#056: How We Doubled Bookings and Our Property’s Value in Five Years with Marty Etzel, Former Owner of the Flag House Inn
#055: Why Professional Lodging Photography Matters with Tom Krueger, Commercial Photographer
#054: The Future of ALP with Sarah Gazi, New CEO; E. Scot Fuller-Beatty, Former Interim CEO; and Erik Spence, Conference & Events Planner
#053: The Unforeseen Impact of Google Travel on Bookings with Lisa Kolb, Owner and Co-Founder of Acorn Marketing
#052: Redesigning Your Property and Rejuvenating Your Lodging Career with Rita Sleys, Owner of the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast
#051: How Travel Influencers can Increase Bookings for your Property with Travel Blogger Valerie Stimac
#050: Enhancing Direct and Online Bookings with Ben Ollic, Sr. Digital Marketing Specialist, and Kyle Collins, Sales Representative of Q4Launch
#049: Accommodating Vegan Guests with Michele Salisbury, Owner & Chef of Salisbury House at Bethany Beach
#048: Why the Guest Experience is Always Paramount, with Steve Short, Founder and CEO of the Frictionless Guest App
#047: Why Outdoor Lighting is Important with Mike Glaeser, Field Support Consultant of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives
#046: Challenging the Status Quo with Eben Viens, Owner of The B&B Team
#045: Supporting the Entire Guest Journey with Christian Holmsen, CEO, and Jeff Hebrink, Customer Success Consultant, of rezStream
#044: Unleashing the Power of a Great Guest Service Experience with Samantha Irwin, Owner of Kaizen Business Coaching and Consulting
#043: Nathan Mayfield, Vice President of ResNexus, Discusses Their Extensive Offering
#042: Mark Reichle, CEO of Select Registry, Discusses Upcoming 50th Anniversary Conference and Gala, Feb. 5-6
#041: Tim Wilson, Director of Sales at bnbfinder, Discusses Platform for Direct and Commission-Free Bookings
#040: Kris Ullmer and Erik Spence of the Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) Discuss the Upcoming 2022 ALP Conference & Marketplace
#039: Randy Bangs, Owner of Get Heads in Beds, Discusses Marketing and Branding your Property
#038: Jim Snediker, Co-Founder and CEO of Stock Mfg Co., Discusses Branded Workwear for Differentiating Your Offerings
#037: Richard Aday, Founder, CEO & Principal Engineer at ThinkReservations, Discusses the Evolution of their Offering
#036: Paul Wegert and Jenifer Neptune of Boutique Hotel Professionals Discuss Boutique Lodging Differentiation
#035: Karen Thorne, Owner of the Bed and Breakfast Academy, Discusses Training for Innkeepers
#034: Darci Bartlett, President of the Non-Profit Interim Innkeepers Network, Discusses Temporary Staffing Options
#033: Wendy Kelly, Owner of Wall Street Suites and the Agate Beach Motel, Discusses Her Unexpected Innkeeping Journey
#032: Emily and Matthieu Monnier, Managers of Trapper’s Rendezvous, Discuss Increase in Bookings
#031: Christa Freeland, Manager of the Founder House Austin, Provides Insights Into the Millennial Traveler (Part Two)
#030: Wild Man Dan Tatarka and Terri Tatarka, Owners/Innkeepers of WildManDan’s Beercentric Bed and Breakfast, Discuss Their Passion for Beer and Pleasing Guests
#029: Christa Freeland, Manager of the Founder House Austin, Discusses Her Innovative Shared-Use Lodging Concept
#028: Marilyn Bushnell and Eliot Dalton, Innkeeping Consultants and Brokers, Discuss the State of the Lodging Marketplace in the Face of COVID-19
#027: Jim Meade, Owner/Innkeeper of Bear Lodges and Author of “No Cooked Breakfast” Discusses his Non-Traditional Approach to Innkeeping
#026: Teresa Luttrell, Enliven B&B Innkeeper and the “Queen of Hygiene”, Provides Amazing Suggestions for Truly Effective Cleaning in the Post-COVID-19 World
#025: Brian Ontiveros-Kersch with Bed Bug Advisor Discusses Bed Bug Mitigation for Innkeepers
#024: Kent Schnepp, CEO of Odysys, on the Top 3 Marketing Topics that Innkeepers should Focus on NOW as COVID-19 Winds Down
#023: Teresa Luttrell, Owner/Innkeeper of Enliven Bed and Breakfast, Discusses Her Healthy, Chemical-Free Inn
#022: John Smallwood, Founder and CEO of ExpressRez, Discusses His New Specialized Reservation Service for Innkeepers
#021: Monique Greenwood, Owner/Innkeeper of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns and Star of Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Checked Inn” Reality TV Show (Part 2)
#020: Monique Greenwood, Owner/Innkeeper of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns and Star of Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Checked Inn” Reality TV Show (Part 1)
#019: Monica Edwards, Successful Innkeeper and Director of the African American Association of Innkeepers International
#018: Linda Hayes, Renowned Innkeeping Consultant, Discusses Creative Investor/Innkeeper Start-Ups, Opening New Boutique/Upscale Properties, and Hiring GMs
#017: Megan Smith, Renowned Innkeeping Consultant, Discusses How to Increase Revenues and Improve Operations
#016: Rob Fulton, CEO of AIHP, Discusses the 2019 State of B&Bs Report and the Future of Independent Hospitality
#015: Brian Coleman, GM of the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel, Discusses His Service Mentality
#014: Rob Fulton, CEO of AIHP, Discusses the Recent AIHP Summit and the Overall State of B&B Industry
#013: Peter MacLaren, Owner and Operator of the West Hill House B&B, Discusses Ingredients for Being an Award-Winning Property
#012: Tim Piper, B&B Expert with The Hearthside Group, Discusses Realities of Buying and Selling a Property
#011: Wendy Collins, Co-Owner of The Mission Inn, Discusses Her “High-Tech, High-Touch” Approach to Guest Satisfaction
#010: Kenni Ball, Hired Innkeeper for the Wallingford Victorian Inn, Discusses Her Role as an Outsourced Employee
#009: Isabelle Chicoine and Karim Houry, Owners of the Woodstocker B&B, Discuss Their Property Selection Process and Transition to Being Innkeepers in New England
#008: Linda Smith, Owner and Operator of Rachael’s Dowry Bed & Breakfast, Discusses Airbnb Legislation in Baltimore
#007: Elaine Herbert, Owner and Operator of the Yelton Manor, Discusses Why Millennials Are Her Ideal Guests
#006: Elaine Herbert, Owner and Operator of the Yelton Manor, Discusses How Airbnb Has Ruined Communities Worldwide
#005: Debbi Fotsh, Owner and Operator of Woodridge B&B, Discusses Challenges Innkeepers Face with OTAs
#004: Tom Werman, Owner of Stonover Farm, Discusses Transition from Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Producer to Innkeeper
#003: Jim Belote, Owner of The Beall Mansion, Discusses Secrets to Running an Award-Winning Property
#002: Christine Boeke, Owner of Westcott House Bed & Breakfast, Shares Her Story of Becoming an Innkeeper After a High-Profile Media Career
