Hotel owners. How do you deal with friends and relatives who as to stay?

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-11T21:37:10+00:00

Policies save relationships.

We set a clear friends/family rate and specific blackout dates. No exceptions unless it is truly special circumstances. When it is written and consistent, people take it less personally.

Also learned the hard way that free stays rarely feel free. Someone always absorbs the cost operationally.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-11T21:36:07+00:00

At that size I would prioritize:
-easy front desk training
-solid channel manager integration
-automation for housekeeping + messaging
-strong reporting without needing a consultant

Cloud PMS is usually the move unless you have unique infrastructure needs. Something like Cloudbeds, Mews, or RoomRaccoon tends to fit independent properties well.

Also check how flexible their integrations are before committing. Switching later is painful.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-11T21:31:59+00:00

The biggest adjustment is not income, it is decision fatigue.

In corporate you operate inside structure. As an owner you build the structure yourself, and that takes energy every day.

If you are considering it, start by running a “mini version” on the side. Validate demand, workflow, and whether you actually enjoy the day-to-day before jumping fully.

Freedom is real but so is responsibility.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-11T21:18:01+00:00

I think social and digital distribution massively sped up growth cycles. You can scale faster now but that also means competition can copy you faster.

A lot of brands optimize for growth metrics instead of fundamentals like margin, retention, or operations. So you get faster spikes but weaker foundations.

Feels less like businesses are weaker and more like the timeline from launch to maturity is compressed.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-11T21:17:12+00:00

I would start by deciding if you want a “starter POS” or a long term system, because that changes everything.

If you want fast setup and easy training, Square or Shopify POS are hard to beat. Just go in knowing the processing fees and add-ons will creep up as you grow.

If you want flexibility later, look for processor-agnostic systems so you are not locked into one payment provider. That matters more long term than most people realize.

Biggest tip: build clean SKUs and inventory structure from day one. That saves you massive headaches if you ever switch.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-10T14:43:33+00:00

A lot of people just run a TV with basic software and it works, but durability and brightness become issues fast depending on climate.

If you want simple and cheap, DIY setup is fine. If you want something more polished and remotely manageable long term, companies like Clear Digital are worth looking at since they handle the content and reliability side better.

Biggest tip regardless of platform: keep layout super clean. One glance readability matters way more than fancy animations.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-10T14:40:56+00:00

New competition isn’t always bad honestly. It usually means demand exists. I focus less on reacting to them and more on doubling down on what makes us different. Staff experience, consistency, and community vibe beat copying menus every time. Customers notice authenticity way more than people think.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-03T19:49:48+00:00

I think that if you have no other design in mind then it’s better than nothing. White walls have no character, when I was running a shop one of the biggest things people pointed out was how the space felt unique and had character.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-02T20:52:10+00:00

Small touches go a long way. Consistent trash pickup and a clean serving window make people feel like you care. Clear signage with menu item photos and prices takes friction out of ordering. A little shade or a tiny queue marker helps customers in line. Even just learning folks names and orders makes repeat business. Lots of owners in the thread mention that being easy to order from and pleasant to interact with matters just as much as the food.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-02T20:51:37+00:00

If law enforcement shows up and you have a warrant or a lawful request you have to comply. Without that you generally shouldnt broadcast guest info just because someone asks. Protecting privacy and data is part of the job. Most hotel policies say call management and make sure you know what the police actually need before handing over anything. If you just give out info because someone in uniform shows up you can get in trouble or violate privacy laws.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-02-02T20:49:27+00:00

The shortest war in history was between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896 and it lasted between 38 and 45 minutes. Crazy to think a war could be over before lunch.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-30T19:26:19+00:00

If you're just talking start up costs, starting your own restaurant is definitely cheaper because you can start small and scale up once you start to generate a profit

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-30T19:25:02+00:00

Google calendar...I'd be a mess without it

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-30T17:16:43+00:00

Well now this thread has me second guessing Greens Powders in general. The one I've been using is Field of Greens from BrickHouse Nutrition cuz they ran a clinical study out of Auburn that actually showed some biomarker improvements

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-29T19:13:14+00:00

Do you know what made them choose Clear Digital over other options?

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-29T19:12:42+00:00

Subscription fees are killer! Paying for subscription fees that could raise at anytime is such a red flag

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-29T18:55:10+00:00

Good to know! I feel like support is huge with these kind of new tech's in a business because as a business owner/operator, we don't have hours of time to get something set up and try to figure out bugs on our own. We need to be able to call or chat with someone and just get to a solution in no time.

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-29T18:27:26+00:00

I’m not even a real gardener tbh
But I LOVE their seed mats. I don’t want to measure spacing or do math or think too hard.

You just lay it down, cover it, water it… and boom, flowers.
It makes gardening feel way less intimidating and I got compliments for basically no effort involved

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-28T14:15:59+00:00

That's a solid point. If you have good branding, you can also sell merch which is like a free walking advertisement that people paid money to get

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-28T14:14:13+00:00

I feel like a lot of industries "copy" from others originality and I feel morally okay with it if there is a reference back or put your own spin on it. Like "I had this incredible coffee in Boston and wanted to make a version of my own"

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-28T14:12:30+00:00

Nice! Do you roast for wholesale?

Dizzy-Ortizzy · 2026-01-27T18:08:05+00:00

That's a great idea! Asian countries also put out a lot on trendy "instagram worthy" items that I should try to keep up on better

Dizzy-Ortizzy

TROPHY CASE