Claim OwnershipFrictionless Innkeeper Podcast
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Interesting interviews with innkeepers and lodging experts, aimed to improve the challenging life of the independent innkeeper and lodging professional.
65 Episodes
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Often overlooked, having a professionally designed interior can make your property truly stand out, reflect your brand and maximize the guest experience. Starting out as a designer of home furnishings, James Kuester of Küster Design, transitioned his business to focus on interior design for the independent lodging sector. His firm’s focus is on interior branding in a way that enhances how guests interact with all aspects of a property. We are very thankful to James Kuester for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Küster Design at kusterdesign.com.
When it comes to elevating the guest experience, serving high-quality coffee can really make a difference. When Ann Brownell and Jeff Raybourn purchased the Cozy Cup Coffee Company in 2023, they had a vision of expanding their small batch roasted coffee beyond the walls of their coffee shop and into the innkeeping arena. They now have a customized innkeepers package that allows any property to provide the highest quality coffee. We are very thankful to Ann and Jeff for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the Cozy Cup Coffee Company at cozycupcoffee.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
A number of years ago, aerospace engineer Craig Steele’s frustration over a malfunctioning hotel shower head led him on a journey to design a better version of a device typically taken for granted. This quest led Craig to bootstrap Samson Shower Systems, which offers high pressure, water-saving shower heads that are made from quality, aerospace-grade materials and expected to outlast most products on the market. His offering can provide great value to lodging properties and his story should resonate with independent lodging professionals who will likely relate to his high level of commitment and persistence. We are very thankful to Craig for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Samson Shower Systems at samsonshower.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
From hosting expanded educational events, enhancing partnerships, advancing regional efforts to increasing membership and launching a new website, it’s been a busy first year for Sarah Gazi in her role as the CEO of the Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP). The must-attend 2024 ALP Conference & Marketplace is also around the corner on March 2nd to 6th in Orlando, Florida. In addition to the main conference, this year’s event will offer educational opportunities for new property owners, as well as culinary training in an on-site professional kitchen. We are very thankful to Sarah and Erik for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about ALP at alplodging.org. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has officially made its way into the hospitality industry with TakeUp, a recent start-up that offers a dynamic pricing platform which leverages the power of AI and machine learning to optimize room rates and increase revenue. Patty Sung, Founder and CEO at TakeUp; and Chris McPherson, Founder & CTO at TakeUp, tell us about their offering, explain how they leverage AI to help lodging professionals, and make an excellent case for why their approach is the way of the future. We are very thankful to Patty and Chris for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about TakeUp at takeup.ai. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Google Business Profile helps lodging professionals manage their business information across Google products like Search and Maps. In addition to ensuring that potential guests can find information about their property and eventually book, lodging owners can use their account to review traffic metrics, gather customer insights, as well as view and respond to Google Reviews. Annie Buck, Education and Local Marketing Manager at Acorn Marketing, breaks down everything lodging businesses need to know about leveraging Google Business Profile to maximize their bookings. We are very thankful to Annie for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com.
Independent lodging properties are ideal destinations for weddings and those that offer wedding services, regardless of size and complexity, can attest that they are an excellent source of revenue. There is a range of options for a property to consider when deciding to offer on-site wedding services. Lela Pohlmann is a Wedding Coordinator for Hermann Hill Weddings, which offers a full range of wedding services at Hermann Hill, a luxury boutique hotel in Hermann, Missouri. Hermann Hill hosted more than 130 weddings in 2022, and Lela’s experience provides great insights on how lodging professionals might start or expand wedding offerings at their property. We are thankful to Lela for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Hermann Hill Weddings at hermannmoweddings.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
State and regional independent lodging associations play a vital role in promoting properties in their areas, as well as ensuring quality lodging standards and providing educational opportunities for members. As former innkeepers who had successes in owning two properties, Donna and Byron Cain became Co-Executive Directors at the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association (MBBA) about two years ago. They discuss the role of the MBBA, the importance of communicating with members, and the MBBA Annual Conference 2023 being held in Grand Rapids at the end of this month, from October 30-31. We are very thankful to Donna and Byron for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the MBBA at laketolake.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lodging professionals often needed to find creative ways to incent guests to stay at their properties. Some owners and managers did so by developing new on-property experiences for their guests which they had never offered in the past. Doug Bagnasco and Jim DeBlasi, the co-owners of the Devonfield Inn, were among that group of astute lodging professionals who focused their energies on developing a wide-range of on-site guest experiences, by leveraging the strengths of what their property has to offer and partnering with local businesses to bring unique services and activities to their Inn. Most of these offerings became so popular that they live on today as essential ways of providing unique guest experiences. We are very thankful to Doug and Jim for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about the Devonfield Inn at devonfield.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Marty and Carmel Etzel bought the Flag House Inn in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2017, with no prior experience or even informal knowledge of running a lodging business. In less than five years, they were able to more than double their bookings and sell the property for twice the amount they paid for it. Marty discusses their journey, how they were able to accomplish this feat, and how he now parlays his experiences to help other lodging professionals as a consultant for Acorn Marketing. We are very thankful to Marty for sharing his insights. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Nothing quite entices guests to book better than high-end, professional photos of your property. Rather than relying on your mobile device for taking amateur photos, there can be a significant return to your investment if you hire a professional. Tom Krueger is a professional commercial photographer who is focused on the independent lodging niche, and has deep expertise in making any property shine online. We are very thankful to Tom for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Tom's professional photographer services at tomkrueger.net. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
The Association of Lodging Professionals (ALP) has undergone some significant changes recently, including bringing on Sarah Gazi as its new CEO, taking over for the former Interim CEO, E. Scot Fuller-Beatty. Sarah has been in association management for more than 20 years and she envisions shaping a new direction for ALP through listening to its members and partners. The organization has already been expanding its membership, with a stronger focus around community and collaboration. We spoke with Sarah, Scot, and Conference & Events Planner Erik Spence about the future of ALP, as well as the upcoming, can't-miss 2023 ALP Conference & Marketplace in Phoenix, Arizona, February 25th to March 1st. We are very thankful to Sarah, Scot and Erik for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about ALP at alplodging.org. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Unbeknownst to many independent lodging professionals, Google Travel is playing a significant role in impacting booking by diverting potential guests from the Google Search into its online travel marketplace. Lisa Kolb, Owner and Co-Founder of Acorn Marketing, discusses everything property owners need to be aware of about Google Travel for maximizing their bookings. Acorn Marketing offers a comprehensive strategy for helping property owners to re-think traditional SEO and create new revenue opportunities with Google Travel. We are very thankful to Lisa for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Acorn Marketing at acorn-is.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Often the most significant business challenges can lead to true transformation. This was the case for Rita Sleys, owner and operator of the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast, who found her business at a crossroads. In 2019, she sought out help from Randy Bangs, owner of Get Heads in Beds, which led to a renovation of her property, an update to the property’s website -- and a complete re-focus on her approach to business. As a result, the property is thriving and has more than doubled its revenue. We are very thankful to Rita for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Rosemont Inn Bed & Breakfast at rosemontinnbb.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Working with a travel influencer may seem like something only larger hotel brands can afford. In reality, independent lodging properties can also leverage travel influencers to increase visibility for their area and bookings for their property. Valerie Stimac, a travel blogger and founder of Valerie & Valise, works with a variety of clients and offers an incredibly insightful perspective on how lodging professionals might best engage with travel influencers to benefit their property. We are very thankful to Valerie for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Valerie & Valise at velisemag.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
Enhancing direct and online bookings is paramount for any hospitality provider. Success often comes down to taking advantage of modern, digital marketing strategies. For nearly 14 years, Q4Launch has helped property owners leverage multiple channels for driving additional revenue. Service offerings include marketing strategy development, web design, content development, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, paid ads, email marketing, lead generation, and revenue management. We are very thankful to Ben Ollic and Kyle Collins for sharing their insights with us. You can learn more about Q4Launch at q4launch.com. Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
It is estimated that there are more than 10 million vegans in the United States. For Michele Salisbury, Owner & Chef of Salisbury House at Bethany Beach, this presents an opportunity for differentiation – as her property offers three-course gourmet vegan breakfasts for guests. Michele discusses her new vegan-only bed and breakfast, and how other lodging professionals can better accommodate their guests who are vegan. We are very thankful to Michele for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the Salisbury House at Bethany Beach at bethanybeachbb.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 during their stay, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests through text messaging. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
In a very unusual twist in the Frictionless Innkeeper podcast series, this special episode flips things around where the spotlight is being shown on Steve Short, Founder and CEO of the Frictionless Guest App. Samantha Irwin, owner of Kaizen Business Coaching and Consulting, interviews Steve about the Frictionless Guest App origin story, Steve’s love for B&Bs and why the guest experience is always paramount. We are very thankful to Samantha for hosting this podcast. You can learn more about Kaizen Business Coaching and Consulting at kaizen.zone, and the Frictionless Guest App at frictionlessguest.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 during their stay, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests through text messaging. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
In the lodging arena, an often overlooked and important aspect to enhancing a property’s overall aesthetic is outdoor lighting. Mike Glaeser, Field Support Consultant at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, works with many properties to develop customized outdoor lighting solutions that can transform any location. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is the number one low-voltage outdoor lighting provider in the United States. We are very thankful to Mike for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Outdoor Lighting Perspectives at outdoorlights.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 during their stay, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests through text messaging. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
The B&B Team provides real estate brokerage and consulting services in the lodging arena, and has its finger on the pulse of where the industry is headed. Eben Viens, the Owner of The B&B Team, works with a wide range of property owners and prospective innkeepers, and sees many younger buyers entering the market. Taking a page from boutique hotels, these property owners are challenging the status quo by selling experiences and creating memories – all great ideas to implement at any property. We are very thankful to Eben for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about The B&B Team at bbteam.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 during their stay, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests through text messaging. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.
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