by Steve Short | Feb 9, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #31 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Christa Freeland, an entrepreneur, former tech venture studio executive, and manager of the Founder House Austin. This is part two of our discussion with Christa, where she shares her insights into the millennial traveler.
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Much has been covered in the media about millennial travel trends, but it’s not often that you get to hear directly from an influential member of this generation. Christa Freeland is certainly on the cutting-edge of travel in her role managing the Founder House Austin’s co-working and co-living property for entrepreneurs.
As a millennial herself, Christa believes that this generation is very experiential, and they are seeking authenticity in all of their travel experiences. In addition, innkeepers should be open to seeking honest feedback from millennials, provide unique experiences, and be creative in their guest offerings.
Following are highlights from our interview:
- Christa’s perspective on overall millennial travel trends. (1:00)
- How other boutique hospitality providers should seek honest feedback from millennials. (6:47)
- Why innkeepers should focus on their unique selling propositions. (7:54)
- How millennials want unique experiences, as well as be connected with area attractions and businesses, during their stays. (11:26)
- How innkeepers should consider developing creative differentiators, and leverage technology, for their properties. (16:42)
- Why challenging times like the pandemic can be a catalyst for creativity in hospitality. (21:30)
We are very thankful to Christa for sharing her insights with us! You can learn more about the Founder House Austin here. And, please be sure to listen to part one of this podcast series, where Christa discusses how the Founder House Austin shifted into being a co-working and co-living space for entrepreneurs.
by Steve Short | Nov 24, 2020 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #30 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Wild Man Dan Tatarka and his wife, Terri Tatarka, the owners/innkeepers of WildManDan’s Beercentric Bed and Breakfast, a B&B with an onsite nanobrewery nestled in Nelson County, Virginia, about following their passion for beer and pleasing guests.
In many ways, success in life comes down to following your passions, and working hard to turn that passion into a viable livelihood. For Wild Man Dan Tatarka and his wife, Terri Tatarka, the owners/innkeepres of WildManDan’s Beercentric Bed and Breakfast, success comes from their passion for beer and being around great people.
After having careers in both fiber optical engineering and hospitality, Master Brewer Wild Man Dan and Terri decided to launch a unique beercentric B&B in 2015 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where they could offer specialized beer and accommodations for guests.
As a result of this focus on their passions, WildManDan’s Beercentric Bed and Breakfast, has been named the “Best of Blue Ridge,” has a 50 percent re-booking rate, and has received enthusiastic press coverage from beer-oriented media outlets.
The inn has also made some changes due to COVID-19. For example, in 2021 guests will need to rent out the full property of five bedrooms, and is exploring expansion and ways to serve non-guests at their bar. Currently, they are able to sell to-go crowlers.
Following are highlights from our interview:
- About Wild Man Dan and Terri’s backgrounds, and how they became innkeepers. (1:44)
- About the property, and how they are going through renovations right now to potentially expand their beer business. (6:07)
- What they offer to guests that revolves around their beer and beer classes. (13:49)
- How guests will need to book the full five-bedroom property in 2021. (21:48)
- How Wild Man Dan and Terri define the guest experience, and what strategies they have used to improve it. (26:05)
- The most important questions they would ask a leading expert/consultant in the B&B industry. (29:10)
- Age demographics for guests who stay at their property and how they are trending. (31:00)
We are very thankful to Wild Man Dan and Terri for sharing their insights with us! You can learn more about WildManDan’s Beercentric Bed and Breakfast by visiting their website.
by Steve Short | Nov 4, 2020 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #29 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Christa Freeland, who is an entrepreneur, former tech venture studio executive, and the manager of the Founder House Austin. Based in Austin, Texas, this innovative lodging approach shares a portion of an existing Bed & Breakfast to create a co-working and co-living space for entrepreneurs.
Known for its South by Southwest (SXSW) conference and festival, as well as its thriving music, food and culture scene, the city of Austin is a dream for young entrepreneurs, musicians and creatives.
Though just as the COVID-19 pandemic upended the entire globe, Austin was also heavily impacted with SXSW being
cancelled in early March, with travel restrictions making it difficult for people to visit this vibrant city.
For the
Adina Austin Bed & Breakfast, this was a challenging time, since the property officially opened in March right before SXSW – in anticipation of having full bookings during the festival and beyond.
With the cancellation of SXSW, the owners of Adina Austin decided to get creative and partnered with entrepreneur Christa Freeland to offer a portion of the property as the
Founder House Austin, which is a co-working and co-living place for entrepreneurs that opened in May.
Following are highlights from our interview:
- About Christa’s background as an entrepreneur. (1:26)
- How the idea of the Founder House Austin came about during the peak of the pandemic in Austin. (3:48)
- The types of services and activities that take place for entrepreneurs at the Founder House Austin. (9:00)
- How Christa and her mentor Ying McGuire were able to move quickly, and still maintain revenue for the property through the co-working and co-living offering. (11:36)
- Christa’s perspective on how the state of the workplace has changed due to the pandemic, and about her company ATX Kit. (20:15)
- How other innkeepers can learn from the Founder House Austin when it comes to pivoting quickly to provide new offerings. (25:58)
We are very thankful to Christa for sharing her insights with us! You can learn more about the Founder House Austin here. And, please stay tuned for part two of this podcast series, where Christa shares her insights into the mindset of the Millennial traveler.
by Steve Short | Sep 16, 2020 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #28 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Marilyn Bushnell, the founder of Bushnell Services, and Eliot Dalton, who are both innkeeping consultants and brokers specializing in helping people buy and sell inns, about the state of the hospitality marketplace.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a varied impact on innkeepers around the U.S. In rural areas, there is plenty of activity – both from increased guest bookings and the buying and selling of inns – while urban environments are being challenged.
There are also an increased number of prospective buyers looking to acquire rural properties, and start their lives as innkeepers away from larger cities. In addition, mortgage rates are ideal right now, and some smaller inns are being marketed to large families that aren’t looking to be innkeepers, but looking to live and work remotely in these properties.
For Marilyn Bushnell and Eliot Dalton, who are innkeeping consultants and brokers working with property buyers and sellers, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an interesting time. They have a real “feet on street” perspective on the state of the marketplace, which they share in this podcast.
Following are highlights from our interview:
- About Marilyn and Eliot’s backgrounds as former innkeepers. (1:35)
- About both Marilyn and Eliot’s broker and consultant services. (4:53)
- What both of these experts are seeing in the marketplace with regards to COVID-19. (8:09)
- How there are actually new buyers coming into the innkeeping arena. (10:50)
- How the pandemic has impacted urban and rural properties differently, and how more buyers are pivoting to the rural market. (12:10)
- Marilyn and Eliot’s perspective on travel trends happening right now. (15:53)
- How the ongoing pandemic is impacting the hospitality sector overall. (17:00)
- How larger families are purchasing smaller B&Bs as their new homes – in areas away from big cities. (18:22)
- Marilyn and Eliot’s perspective on this recent AHLA study, and how properties with more privacy options for guests, such as AirBNBs, are all doing well. (20:14)
- Why mortgage interest rates are ideal now for buyers. (27:09)
- What the future holds for this unusual time for innkeepers, and “this too shall pass.” (31:23)
We are very thankful to Marilyn and Eliot for sharing their insights with us! You can learn more about Bushnell Services here, and Eliot Dalton here.
by Steve Short | Jul 24, 2020 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #27 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Jim Meade, the owner and operator of Bear Lodges, and author of the book “No Cooked Breakfast,” who discusses his non-traditional approach to innkeeping.
Editorial Note: This podcast was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the innkeeping world, it’s often assumed that things need to be done in a certain way. From serving breakfast to continually socializing with guests, these are all great things to do – though this may not be the ideal path for all property owners.
For Jim Meade, the owner and operator of Bear Lodges, which is comprised of Bear Mountain Lodge, Bear Meadows Lodge, and 131 Main Street – three non-traditional B&Bs in the mountains of northern Pennsylvania – he chose to do things his own way.
He is also the author of “No Cooked Breakfast,” a book that offers a practical guide infused with a personal narrative about his life before, during, and after opening his B&Bs. The book also offers guest feedback from their in-room journals – and it shares his philosophy about why he does not offer a cooked breakfast. The book also discusses how following your own passion can lead to success as an innkeeper.
Following are highlights from our interview:
- About Jim’s background as a fisheries research biologist, and how he transitioned into being an innkeeper. (1:30)
- About the Bear Lodges portfolio of properties. (4:03)
- What drew Jim to innkeeping, and how his non-traditional approach to running his properties came about. (8:12)
- What Jim offers to guests instead of providing a sit-down, cooked breakfast. (11:20)
- About Jim’s book “No Cooked Breakfast.” (16:40)
- Jim’s tips for aspiring innkeepers, and why following your own passion is important for achieving long-term success. (25:04)
- How Jim defines the guest experience, and what strategies he has used to improve it. (31:40)
- The most important questions he would ask a leading expert/consultant in the B&B industry. (34:36)
- Age demographics for guests who stay at his properties and how they are trending. (35:30)
We are very thankful to Jim for sharing his insights with us! You can learn more about Bear Lodges by visiting their website.
