What’s your 60 second elevator speech about your property?
We are a 12 year-old mid-level brand hotel with 69 rooms. America’s Best Value Inn caters to business people who have to travel and need a comfortable, convenient place to stay at a great value.
We also work with people who are planning family reunions. We offer pool parties and places to have meetings of all kinds in our conference rooms that seat as many as 100 people.
We are located at 6075 Hill 23 Drive, Flint and our contact number is 810-233-9000. You can also learn more by visiting our web site www.americasbestvalueflint.com.
How has the business changed?
The hotel business is getting more and more competitive. It’s tougher and meaner in many ways. You have to work hard and learn in this business or walk.
What hasn’t changed?
Guests still want the best value for the dollar, they want more than what they pay for. In many ways the business is tougher now with the advent of the internet. It’s so easy for them to go on line and do a review or make comments on places they have stayed and the service they received. We have worked very hard to make sure our customers are satisfied and it has paid off. We are proud to be rated number two on the Trip Advisor online service.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I guess I say “I’m doing the best that I can” a lot, because I am.
How did you get into the hotel business?
It was on my “bucket list.” I dreamed about it for 30 years. When I was in 11th grade at Detroit Northeastern High School, I took a summer school class with Mr. Williams. I sat there and daydreamed the whole summer and made a list of all the things I wanted to do. I wanted to work in corrections and I did. I wanted to work in the mental health field and I got to do that too. I planned my whole life that summer!
What is your most marked characteristic?
I am pretty determined, casual, but determined. I guess I’m very goal oriented.
What lessons would you share with other entrepreneurs?
I’d tell people to look at everything with clear glasses, no dreaming here, not rose-colored glasses. If you use those rose-colored glasses you can get in a lot of trouble.
Keep your eyes wide open.
What are we likely to find you doing on a day off?
The only time I really get any time off is when I leave the area. I like to walk and hike and I really like live theater. I go to Stratford to see shows as often as I can. I like all forms of theater. I have even begun to see Shakespeare. They do much more than Shakespeare at Stratford.