If you’ve been lucky enough to catch the Netflix series that is Schitt’s Creek, you’ll notice that it springs from one location: The Rosebud Motel. If you haven’t seen it yet, you're missing out: Schitt's Creek is one of the most uplifting, entertaining shows ever to exist, hands down. Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek has stole the hearts of thousands as it follows the Rose family’s adventures in being broke. After their fall from great wealth, the Rose family has to navigate a new way of life, start over in a run-down motel. As I watched (to be fair, binged) the series, what stood out to me as a turning point was how Johnny Rose gradually learned how things worked at the motel and became personally invested in helping the motel succeed.
How does this translate outside of Schitt’s Creek? How can you set up your small Motel business and participate in its growth and ensure your customers have a good experience?
Insure Your property
When Moira’s crocodile handbag goes missing, (with her son David), Moira is, for good reason, panicked. The family heirloom was passed down from her great-grandmother for emergency funds, or more specifically if the women of the family need to flee from their husbands in the middle of the night. If she had insured the bag from the get-go, she wouldn’t have had to worry about the financial consequences of losing it in the first place. An insurance policy can cover the cost of stolen valuables and save you a lot of time and money. So you can focus on the important things like... loooking for your son when he goes missing.
Embrace Technology
Johnny Rose is frequently perplexed by technology. These struggles include basic computer skills, such as navigating the Internet, and the use of social media to help expand the Motel Buisness. Guests staying at Rosebud Motel have to come down to the front desk with their service requests. A frustrated David Rose calls Stevie thrice to ask for extra towels. This is not only old fashioned, but highly inefficient as well (Just ask David). TripKit brings all the service requests made by guests, right to the staff that need to respond. By solving your guests’ problems via a mobile app, you are saving money and time. Your front desk won’t have to answer questions like “where to eat lunch” or requests like “bring me more towels”. Our App can put the power in the hands of the guest, allowing them to order room service without ever making a phone call or coming down. The best part? You don’t have to be at the front desk to complete any of those tasks.
You have to spend money to make money
Guests are looking to be impressed and swept off their feet during their stay and it's up to you to make it happen! Properties that deliver a memorable experience through unique amenities, personal touches, and excellent customer service will be rewarded with repeat customers, word-of-mouth referrals, and positive reviews on social media. Offer personalized service; leave a small welcome gift in each room, offer free refreshments in the lobby. Comfort and pampering goes a long way, luxury linen, thick towels and other simple indulgences are what sets a Hotel apart. You can one step beyond by greeting your guests with a welcome drink when they arrive. Most hotels offer toiletries, like shampoo and conditioner free of charge. However, you can make your guests feel extra-special by providing luxury toiletries. Being a good host is all about little few, important details that let guests know you’re happy they’re there and want them to be comfortable.
Always be fully staffed
People book a hotel for a relaxing getaway. Good service can make the difference between a relaxing stay and a stay that makes your guests feel anxious. Most common bad reviews hotels get are about issues with staff. It is likely that your hotel staff will become irritated or annoyed with guests they are understaffed. Where staff feel like they have too much to do while working long shifts, this frustration gets taken out on guests. Guests rightfully expect a high level of service. This can only be provided when your hotel has a sufficient amount of staff.
Work with professionals—especially if you’ve never cleaned a sink, let alone installed one.
A small leak in your sink or may not seem like much, but the amount of water that is wasted can be large over time. You will pay for that water from your water bill. It’s best to fix a problem rather than ignore it and have to pay more for it later. The number one reason to hire a plumber is that water is a force of nature and, when not properly controlled, it can wreak havoc. Whether this havoc is fast (as from a broken pipe) or slow (from an improperly installed one), water in the wrong place will mean mold, decay, property damage, and hazards to health. A professional plumber knows how to handle water and make sure that it goes where its supposed to, and does not leak or flow where it should not. If you cannot say that about yourself, protect your property by hiring a professional when your next plumbing crisis occurs
Hire a PR pro
Alexis doesnt wait a minute after graduating from before jump starting her own PR (Alexis Rose Communications), and buries herself in organizing a Singles Week for the town and also acting as her mother’s publicist during the press tour for Moira’s new film, The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening fortifies her business. Have a point person on your public relations strategy at all times; you never know when you might receive a media request or a customer complaint that needs to be attended to in a timely manner. Make sure you PR officer is representative of your brand and is well-versed in what to say and what to avoid when speaking to the public. Unlike Moira, your point person should always be up to date with the latest company product offerings, and always share factual information with consumers.
Partner up with Local Vendors
No longer just a buzzword, demand for immersive travel continues to grow. Hotels can provide outstanding experience by connecting their guests to authentic, local experiences. Hotels should partner up with local vendors and businesses. Besides the benefits of cross-promotion, hotels can market themselves as local curators. This could mean using local suppliers for food & drink offerings. It could also mean partnering with a local tour guide to create a truly authentic experience for your hotel guests. Rose apothecary proved to be successful because their business model takes into account one of the strongest consumer trends of the past few years: the need for authenticity. One recent survey found that an astounding 91% of consumers reported that they were more likely to make purchases from authentic brands. Supporting local vendors and forming strong partnerships has been a great way for them to connect with the community and create something truly magical.
Get to Know Your Audience
Like all of the Rose family, David Rose is a little out of touch with reality. In Season 1, he finds himself short of money and in possession of too many luxury sweaters. To try and make some money, and free up some closet space, he decides to sell some of his designer labels to a local thrift store. Unfortunately for him, he is not successful in selling a $840 shirt at a rural second-hand shop. The fact that he thought he would means he was out of touch with his audience. Are you in sync with your customers’ desires, motivations and actions? If you feel out of the loop, start by spending time where they are so see what types of content they are liking, sharing and engaging with. If possible, offer a customer survey where you can learn more about what products they like and areas where they see room for improvement within your company.
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