It's nearing the end of the busy season for us here in Estes Park. And my oh my has it been a busy season! Lots of new faces and new friendships, lots of return guests, lots of new memories made, lots of s'mores cooked and conversations shared, and looooots of rooms cleaned. We're grateful for yet another busy and exciting summer, but with that being said, we're ready for things to begin to slow down again. My family and I are very worn out to say the least--running this business full time is not an easy task. But, it certainly is worthwhile. With that all being said, I thought it would be fun to write about and otherwise compile my top three reasons why lodge owning is so rewarding, along with the top three reasons why it is so particularly difficult.
These pros and cons are somewhat unique to the motel business we own and operate; however I'm sure they also apply, in some way, to any other business owner out there reading this. You can relate to the hardships, troubles, and arduous experiences that a business can create. But I'm sure you also can relate to the unparalleled joys that a business environment also facilitates. As with most everything we take on in life, lodge owning has its ups and downs. But thankfully, while the downs definitely are burdensome, the ups always seem to outweigh them by a long shot.
Con #1: The Unexpected Yet Always Persistent Problems
When we first purchased the lodge, we felt overwhelmed by all the repairs, renovations, and remodeling the property needed. And unfortunately, quite literally with every project we began, we discovered numerous more things that required immediate repair within each remodel endeavor. Don't get me wrong, the long term results have been amazing and well-worth the work, but the hassle of always having to fix unexpected issues along the way never ceases to spring itself on us. You notice a slight squeak, sinking area in one part of a cabin's flooring and suddenly you find yourself completely ripping out and replacing the entire floor and carpet in that cabin. Not to mention realizing in the process that the joists supporting the cabin seem to be uneven and the electrical circuit and wiring within the cabin are old and also require updating.
It has turned into a family joke around here simply because of how many smaller projects end up happening within the process of one big project. Nothing ever goes according to plan and renovations are hardly ever finished at the expected time. Because all of our rooms are occupied during the busy season, we are forced to do our major repairs in the off-season, which is also our only opportunity to take time off and potentially take a long vacation as a family or just simply relax for a while. But because of the persistent pestering of unplanned issues, we still find ourselves tied down to lodge work. Also, think about and list all the hassles and repairs you've had to do on your own home over the years. Now add 19 other "homes" with kitchens, heaters, plumbing, electricity, etc. to that list and you'll soon see why we're so often having to fix things around here. The work never lets up but it also just comes with the territory of lodge/ motel owning.
Pro #1: The Skills Acquired
One good result of all these problems we often face, are the skills that we learn to deal with such issues. My dad's handyman knowledge and skills have certainly been useful over the years of living here. Additionally, Nathan has not only learned how to but now really enjoys things like electrical work, painting, construction, and remodeling in general. Mom's sewing and cleaning skills have been extremely beneficial to repairs and overall lodge upkeep. I've learned to love decorating and refurnishing rooms along with learning how to thoroughly clean and deep clean rooms to regular hotel standards. I now love homemaking and housekeeping and honestly can't wait to put these skills to use in the future whether I'm living on my own or married with a family.
Another major skill we've all learned is obviously the skill of actual business operation, which includes things like sales, marketing, staff management, website design and upkeep, filing sales taxes, managing business financials, social media targeting as a business, and so many other things. As my brother and I have discovered, all these aspects of the business are extremely useful to understand, regardless of whatever career we may end up in someday. Over the years of lodge owning we've also learned countless skills in customer service. Since the hotel industry requires almost constant customer interaction, you quickly learn many useful people-skills. And believe me, these skills have come in handy everywhere, not just at the lodge.
I used to be very shy when we first took up lodge-owning, but after being pushed out of my comfort zone many-a-time by continual interaction with strangers, I learned how to be open and friendly with all sorts of people. Small-talk isn't as scary as I thought, and as I've found out through many interactions, small-talk can quickly lead to something deeper, which then usually ends in wonderful friendships that continue to be fostered and fueled as guests keep returning year after year. I've also been able to take these skills and use them elsewhere, like when working downtown, interacting with strangers anywhere I may meet them, or even within my close friendships at school, dance, church, etc. I now love talking to people and getting to know them better, and I attribute that enjoyment mostly to the lodge. Whether it be people-skills or practical repair skills, owning and operating this business has taught my family and I lessons and abilities that would have been much harder to come by otherwise.
Con #2: The Restraint and Lack of Freedom
Another downside to lodge owning is the restriction it puts on our freedom, especially in the busy season. The summer is the optimal time for families to take nice, long vacations, but since we are a destination spot for such families, we ourselves have not been able to take a summer vacation in over 12 years. The only vacation we've known for the past several years is our annual trip to Illinois in the dead of winter to see family and friends. During the busy season, it also is practically impossible to go and do anything together as a family all at once. Someone always has to be attending to the office and the needs of customers. Therefore, we have to take turns getting away for a day or a couple hours periodically in the summer.
Our busiest day of the week in the busy season is Sunday when lots of people check out (meaning we have lots of cleaning to do) and lots of people check in for the week (meaning we have lots of office work to do and the cleaning has to be done quickly). As a result, we sadly almost never make it to church during the summer. It's safe to say, June through September we're never at church. It doesn't take long to miss the community, fellowship, and overall church environment. By this time of the year, we are itching to attend again. We miss our friends and obviously we miss the messages and teachings. While the lodge certainly brings many blessings, it also takes many away for a season.
The lack of freedom to leave and do fun things in the summer also greatly affects friendships. When school's out and many people have time off work, they quite obviously want to be hanging out with their friends. But for us, this again doesn't bode well since our craziest time of the year is during the summer months. Therefore, most of our friends end up having to come to us instead of us going to them. Of course they don't complain, as true friends wouldn't. They understand us being tied down to our work, but it always weighs heavy on us that we can't be apart of many community or friend get-togethers during the busy season, OR simply go to friends' houses for a change.
Pro #2: Always Working as a Team
Although the lodge definitely makes it hard being able to go places together as a family, one of the greatest blessings of what we do is the simple fact that we do it together. Being a part of a family business means operating the business as a family. In the summer, we work together as a team of employees. And in the winter, we get to regroup and reconnect as just the four of us again. But through every season, we're a family first and a business second. Many guests comment not just on how they love that we're a family working together to run the lodge, but that they themselves feel like they're a part of the family. Our whole goal at the Misty Mountain Lodge is to treat people like long-lost friends and family and to make them feel welcomed like they would at home (hence our logo "welcome home").
Now, do we get sick of each other because we're always together? Of course. All families experience this, and since we're around each other 24/7 working together, quirks are often amplified and buttons are easily pushed. But, hear me out, I would much rather know everything about my family members than know nothing of them. Lots of times, family lifestyles can unfortunately foster distance in a family rather than closeness. Therefore, I'm so grateful that our lifestyle has forced us to be close, whether we like it or not. Within the business, we're able to magnify each other's strengths and assist one another's weaknesses. We know each other and can find ways to cover for someone who's sick or simply needs a couple hours of freedom. With that being said, we also depend on each other to do their job well since we know what each person is particularly gifted at.
Con #3: The People-Pleasing Element
Quite possibly the most exhausting part of the lodge business is the people-pleasing aspect that shadows it. Not only are you constantly interacting with new people on a daily basis, but moreover you're in an industry that requires you to please these people also. Both my mom and I have flesh patterns of always wanting to please people, regardless of what it may take from us, whether that be best friends or strangers. And a lot of that is rooted in the business, I'm sure. As a business owner, you obviously want your customers to be happy at all times, and we strive to make that a reality for everyone. But as a consequence, that also keeps us in a constant mindset of needing to please everyone, which quite frankly, one cannot do.
What's more is that our business performance and presentation are also constantly being judged by customers. If the rooms aren't clean and pristine, it most likely will show up as a bad review. If we don't act welcoming, we'll probably be labeled as overall "unfriendly and unaccommodating". Everything we do or don't do are being closely examined by everyone who passes through. Of course, who could blame them? They're paying for a enjoyable, exceptional vacation. But the reality is that it certainly takes its toll on us as owners and workers. Simply put: pleasing people is wearying. Being in the customer industry is something we can't change (or wouldn't change as you'll see in my next point) but it definitely has its negative consequences that we must deal with each day.
Pro #3: The Friends and Opportunities Provided
I saved the best for last. Nothing, in the realm of business owning, comes close to beating or ruining the simple yet incredible joy of meeting new people and making lasting friendships with them. My family and I have many, many friends whom we've known for so long now that we often forget we even met them through the lodge. The friendship with these people has simply become so genuine and close that the lodge has faded into the distance of ever small details within the relationship. And because of the steady, constant stream of new people always flowing in, these connections and friendships always keep abounding.
Thanks to the lodge fostering friendships and God bringing so many great people to our door, we now can confidently say we have friends from all over the world. Outside of the United States, we have lots of tourists come from Australia, China, England, and various places in Europe. Just this past summer, we met a family from Israel who offered us a place to stay if we ever visited their country again. We also had some good friends come stay from England that we hadn't seen in a while. They were also very insistant that if we ever traveled out their way, we should stay with them. We have homes open to us in Norway, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Belarus, Greece, and the Ukraine just to name several others. And all of these opportunities would not be accessible to us if we didn't first own this lodge and seek to connect with our people.
I'm smiling as I finish writing this. Half-way through writing this post, an older couple who checked in just a little while ago came and sat next to me outside while I was in the middle of this. We chatted for over an hour. They've been here numerous times before and I've come to see them as another set of grandparents. I thought while we were talking, "what a perfect testament to the words I was just writing." I've come to know guests that have passed through here as my now extended family and every time they come, it's easy to forget they're coming for a vacation rather than just a happy visit. God has blessed us beyond measure when it has come to connecting with people and creating lasting relationship with them.
One other sub point I'd like to bring up within this same topic is that of the amazing opportunity God has provided us to share Jesus with passerbys. It's amazing to me how God has so keenly woven the lodge to match my family's different giftings and desires when it comes to ministering to people. None of us have an extreme itch or desire to travel the world sharing the Good News as missionaries. Rather, we tend to be homebodys who connect with people better and on a deeper level on familiar soil. What a perfect match to a business that brings in thousands of various people from all over the world every year. The Good News doesn't loose its power whether its being taken out into the world or the world is coming to it. The message of "Christ is life" remains the same, regardless of circumstance or location. Guests often comment about the "homey life" they feel when coming to the lodge, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Jesus has made His home inside us and now we seek to make a home for all who choose to come and stay with us. Our prayer is that it makes a lasting impact in each of their hearts and minds as they journey on.
To say the least, I'm so thankful for the outlet and opportunity God has provided us to share about Him through the platform of the Misty Mountain Lodge. Through it all, the good certainly outweighs the bad, despite the bad being extremely grueling and burdensome at times. The skills we've learned, bonds we've created as a family, and people we've met and connected with have made this huge endeavor worth all the while. Owning a lodge business as a family is definitely not something you come across everyday, yet it has become such a vital part of who we are as the Reinertsens. I often think about what it will be like to tell my own kids one day about how it was growing up in such an industry... one thing's for sure, I'll tell them that their grandpa Peter made the best s'mores in the whole, entire world! ;-)
That's all for now,
-Sarah