Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast Steve Short

ThinkReservations, led by CEO Richard Aday, acquired Acorn Marketing in April 2024, and proceeded to launch its latest major offering, ThinkWeb, soon thereafter.
Making a major acquisition and launching a new product around the same time required strong leadership to help ensure its success.
Richard discusses the Acorn acquisition, ThinkWeb launch, and the challenges of leading the combined teams toward his vision of the future.
We are very thankful to Richard for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about ThinkReservations at thinkreservations.com.
 

For state independent lodging associations to thrive, there’s a need to be nimble and continually provide value to their members.
The Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association recently rebranded itself as the Midwest Association of Independent Inns (MWInns) to expand its market to 13 Midwest states. MWInns also focuses more on marketing the region and offering property listings for travelers to book their stays.
 
We are very thankful to Kerri Thiel, Executive Director of MWInns; and Randy Bangs, who is the Board VP Marketing Chair of MWInns, for sharing their insights with us. 
You can learn more about the Midwest Association of Independent Inns at mwinns.com.
 
 

Providing high-quality bedding and linens is a critical part of elevating the guest experience to ensure a dream-worthy stay.
With a storied history in U.S.-based manufacturing since 1889, American Blossom Linens, a brand of bedding made by Thomaston Mills, is a pioneer in providing American-made bedding and linens for independent lodging.
 
We are very thankful to Janet for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about American Blossom Linens at americanblossomlinens.com.

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.