by Steve Short | Nov 1, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #37 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Richard Aday, Founder, CEO & Principal Engineer at ThinkReservations, about his company’s origin story, and how listening to customers has driven the evolution of the company’s solutions that help property owners to streamline operations, while also enhancing revenue growth.
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Sometimes company origin stories can be the most inspirational, especially when an entrepreneur’s love for travel translates into the creation of a next-generation property management and booking system.
When Richard Aday was working as a computer engineer at Amazon in 2012, he went on vacation to Puerto Rico, and on the fly, he pitched the idea of a next-generation reservation system to the hotel manager, which would ultimately become ThinkReservations.
From there, Richard and his twin brother, Alfred Aday, focused all of their energy on building a product exclusively based on listening to what customers want, which has been the key to their success. Today, the company’s lodging reservation software is used by more than 1,600 properties in 48 states – serving over two million guests each year.
For lodging professionals, these insights reinforce how solutions like ThinkReservations are designed with them in mind, and how the company’s solutions can help drive revenue growth.
We are very thankful to Richard Aday for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about ThinkReservations thinkreservations.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 1, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #36 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Paul Wegert, Chief Executive Officer and Jenifer Neptune, Chief Investment Officer, and both Co-Founders at Boutique Hotel Professionals, a management company specializing in boutique properties and unique, curated guest experiences.
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When it comes to creating a truly unique boutique property, it’s vital to provide a one-of-a-kind luxury experience that is individualized, and offers local market flare for sophisticated travelers.
Boutique Hotel Professionals helps boutique properties to gain this level of differentiation through its disciplined property management capabilities – which spans from experience curation to property development and management. The company’s flagship property is The Inn at St. Johns, a AAA four-diamond resort and conference center located in Plymouth, Michigan.
There are many insights from this podcast that are certain to help lodging professionals develop curated guest experiences at their properties.
We are very thankful to Paul Wegert and Jenifer Neptune for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Boutique Hotel Professionals here.
by Steve Short | Aug 13, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #35 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Karen Thorne, Owner of the Bed and Breakfast Academy, which offers training and ongoing support for aspiring and existing bed and breakfast owners.
The secrets to successfully running a bed and breakfast can often be elusive, especially for aspiring innkeepers. Fortunately, Karen Thorne, the owner of the UK-based Bed and Breakfast Academy, provides a wide-range of tools, trainings and courses to enhance marketing, operations, and increase overall bookings for any innkeeper.
As an innkeeper for 17 years, Karen brings knowledge and insights that help innkeepers succeed, and she now offers online courses in today’s COVID-19 environment.
We are very thankful to Karen Thorne for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Bed and Breakfast Academy here.
by Steve Short | May 5, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #34 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Darci Bartlett, President of the Interim Innkeepers Network, a nonprofit organization that helps to place short- and long-term temporary innkeepers at properties where the owners need to take time off.
Being an innkeeper is a 24/7 job that can be all encompassing, where taking time off is a luxury that does not happen very often. Whether you need to attend an important event, supplement your existing staff during peak periods, or simply get away to recharge, the Interim Innkeepers Network connects innkeepers with experienced temporary staff across the United States and provides a seamless transition for a wide range of needs.
This episode will certainly give innkeepers a sense of relief to know that there’s a trusted staffing service that can help in many situations.
We are very thankful to Darci Bartlett for sharing her insights with us! You can learn more about the Interim Innkeepers Network here.
by Steve Short | Apr 26, 2021 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For episode #33 of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, we speak with Wendy Kelly, the owner of the Wall Street Suites and the Agate Beach Motel – two independent/boutique properties in Oregon – who discusses her unexpected innkeeping journey and secrets to success.
It’s often the unexpected things in life that can both challenge you, and provide a path to long-term prosperity. When Wendy Kelly and her husband acquired the Agate Beach Motel in 1990, they had zero experience in hospitality, and the property required massive renovations for it to even be guest ready.
Fast-forward 31 years later, and the Agate Beach Motel is now an award-winning destination by the sea. Wendy and her husband parlayed their lessons learned to also owning the Wall Street Suites, a boutique property in Bend, Oregon that is ranked #1 in the region by TripAdvisor.
This episode of the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series will inspire any new innkeeper to keep on keeping on!
We are very thankful to Wendy Kelly for sharing her insights with us! You can learn more about the Agate Beach Motel here, and the Wall Street Suites here.
