We were lucky to catch up with Anita Kudasik recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Anita with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
One of my favorite stories to tell about how I ended up in hospitality goes all the way back to my parent’s journey searching for careers as young adults. My parents are both Polish immigrants who moved to the United States in their late teens. After moving to Colorado, they purchased and began to operate a motel in a small mountain town. At that time they were the 25th Polish owned hotel in the state…today there are over 650 Polish owned properties in Colorado. Needless to say, becoming a hotelier has become vastly popular and proven to provide a comfortable lifestyle for many different Polish families all throughout the state. But that success is earned with something that I believe most of these families have in common: their immigrant work ethic. A hard working Pole really is an individual that will find a way to be accomplished. And because this is the work ethic that I was raised around and exposed to as a child, I attribute many of my own achievements to the immigrant work ethic that my parent’s worked so hard to demonstrate.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We are FAR from your cookie-cutter corporate chain! We are family owned and operated and pride ourselves on doing things a little differently. We have taken practices from traditional hospitality and blended them with modern trends from current travelers to create a hosting experience that is unlike any other motel!
Friendly service, unique amenities, and an ideal location in the heart of the Colorado Rockies make AMERICAN CLASSIC MOTOR INN a must-see for every American road trip!
We have re-designed the typical motel room from a dull and cold environment, to a colorful and fun space that will keep you coming back for more! Classic retro feels mixed with a distinctive flair create nostalgic memories! Our motor lodge layout lets guests park directly in front of their rooms!
From our drive-thru check-in to our morning grab’ n ’go and snack room – we are reshaping the guest experience.
We are always working towards keeping our accommodations up-to-date and innovative. Our exclusive style, attention to detail, and commitment to guest satisfaction will ensure a one-of-a-kind experience!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three areas of knowledge that have been most impactful over the years include the importance of flexibility / patience, the fact that the customer is NOT always right, and not to fret or give too much attention to negative reviews. Flexibility has proven to be an essential part of not only our daily operations but also a fundamental aspect of how we deal with major projects. The same could be said of patience: I’ve been reminded that anything worth having is worth working and waiting for. Almost everyone has heard the saying “the customer is always right”, but today many guests can’t see past their preconceived conceptions of what a motel “should” be, and don’t understand how much goes into the daily operations. Therefore, we do not allow the customer to tell us how to do our jobs or change our policies to fit each traveler’s requests. Finally, in this time of keyboard warriors and easy access to public forums, many businesses have lost control of their service / product in fear of negative retaliatory reviews. I am here to remind you that the more you give into the pressure from customers threatening reviews, the more control over your product you lose.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I think that most kids will say that to an extent their parents have had some sort of influence or impact of their lives. To say I would be where today I am without the help of my parents would be a complete lie. Everything they have done throughout my life was intended to help me become the best version of myself and the motel is no exception. From their immigrant work ethic to their genuine ability to be spectacular hosts, they have imprinted on many of my beliefs and actions. So much so, that I followed into their footsteps as hoteliers. My mom is the brains behind our entire village and can accomplish the unthinkable when it comes to making sure the business side of everything she is involved in is taken care of. My dad is the definition of a “Jack of all trades” and the most handy, handy-man I have ever met. Whenever and whatever obstacle I have been faced with here at the motel and as young entrepreneur, they have been an essential backbone in ensuring I had the support I needed to overcome any hurdles and become successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.americanclassicinn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanclassicinn/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanclassicinn
- Other: TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehappyhotelier
Image Credits
Sagebrush Souls Photography Amanda Schwengel
