Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast

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.

We are very thankful to Richard Aday for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about ThinkReservations at thinkreservations.com.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

We are very thankful to Paul Wegert and Jenifer Neptune for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Boutique Hotel Professionals at boutiquehotelprofessionals.com.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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 a wide-range of knowledge and insights that help innkeepers succeed, and she now offers online courses in today's COVID-19 environment.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

Sometimes location and timing can play a major role in gaining new guest bookings. For Trapper's Rendezvous, this was the case when managers Emily and Matthieu Monnier noticed a rise in local guests during the summer 2020 days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This unique property is comprised of six spacious cabins, and sits on five acres in the heart of the 'Gateway to the Grand Canyon' in the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona. Aside from being located within driving distance from Las Vegas, Phoenix and southern California, it also offers guests lots of outdoor activities, historical Native American sites, and socially distanced cabins.

But increased bookings have not been solely due to luck, as Emily and Matthieu have focused heavily on enhancing the overall digital marketing for the property. This includes creating a more modern website, enhancing social media and email marketing, as well as securing a Vox feature and leveraging word-of-mouth.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.

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.

Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.