About
I was owner/operator of the Aaron Court Motor Inn in Hamilton for 10 years. During this time I was very involved with the Waikato Motel Association, holding various positions including secretary and vice president. I was also elected to the national body, the Motel Association of New Zealand as a board member. Outside of the motel but still in the tourism industry I served as a member of the “Tourism Waikato Advisory Board” and The “Waikato University Hospitality Advisory Board”. Throughout my time in the motel I helped many a new motelier settle into the industry and gained a valuable insight into the motel industry and the uniqueness of individual motels. I believe my past experience enables me to provide professional and informed advice on both the day to day running of a motel and the other wider ranging issues which will relate to people as motel owners. I also believe that to make an informed investment you must deal with a professional who knows and understands motels. The skills and knowledge I have gained, allow me to help people buy and sell motels and for them to be comfortable and confident about that decision.
If you would like help with any aspect of the motel industry whether it be buying a motel, selling a motel, operating a motel, or just wanting to learn what is involved and what the industry is all about please feel free to contcat me. I woudl love to help you. Enmail kathie@shepard.co.nz Phone: 021-979249 Office 07-8564331 Home: 07-8287849
August 04 2008 05:13 pm
Colin Kelly on 23 Mar 2009 at 1:26 pm #
Hi
Just discovered your site!
Great articles.
We operate somewhat in the same area, keen to chat if you are…always have succeeded on the basis that thre is plenty of work for good operators, & different clients like different types of service.
I currently operate in the lower North Island. Look forward to hearing from you.
0800 111 366
021 439 727
04 589 2841
Cheers
Colin Kelly
Sherraline Shi on 07 Mar 2011 at 10:21 pm #
Hey I have just found your website…Great stuff…
very useful..
Tess Mickelsen on 16 Oct 2012 at 10:29 am #
Hi Kathie,
I’ve just found you blog site & must congratulate you … it’s just lovely. I like the clean lines & easy to find content. You are making me want to live in your country instead of my own though!
I found you searching on “should I buy a motel”? This subject just keeps coming round & round with my husband & I, as we get closer to “retirement”. We think we want to, but we’re really scared to death. We live in Michigan, USA … there seems to be no such site as yours that I’ve yet found in the US. Perhaps I should start one.
You’ve amassed a ton of great info here, and I’ve not read it all. But here’s what I want to know. First off, can I get a copy of that biz plan you’ve discussed with others? That may answer lots of the questions I have. Will your info apply to me here in the US as well? But the burning question cannot be answered probably … what is the secret to a “mom & pop motel”, as they are called here, making it or not? Why are there just tons of them on the market? This is just scary to us, and I don’t know how we would decide because of that. What do you think?
Thanks for any info! And thanks again for your site.
Tess Mickelsen
Redford, MI
Kathie Shepard on 16 Oct 2012 at 10:33 pm #
Hi Tess
Thanks for your nice comment.
I have sent the business plan to you and hope it is of some help. it is a generic template so you should get something out of it.
Also my personal opinion is that the secret to a good motel is the people. Moteling is about cleanliness and friendliness. If you keep everything in your motel in a good working condition and have the complex spotless both inside and outside then treat all your guests with friendship and respect you should be fine. People will continue to come to a motel not because it is the newest or flashest or has the biggest TV’s or a swimming pool but they will continue to go to a motel because they like the people operating it and are made to feel special when they are there.
Think about the businesses you use and why you use them. Although businesses may sell different products the principles are the same. If you can watch the successful people around you and learn from what they do then you should be fine. I guess the question you need to ask yourself is would you rather try to operate a motel business and then decide its not for you and sell or get to the end of you life and wonder what it would have been like if you had done it. Good luck for whatever your future holds.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me I am more than happy to help where I can.
regards
Kathie