Meet Cord Weiss

We recently connected with Cord Weiss and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cord, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Being a risk-taker has always been a part of my personality. I’ve played in touring bands practically living in a van; moved across the country without a final destination in mind; and proposed to my wife of over 20 years now after only dating for 3 months. I don’t take risks haphazardly, but rather jump into something that has the potential of greatness even though the road getting there isn’t exactly known.

Purchasing Tandem Bike Inn was also one of those risks. My family had lived in Austin, TX for 20, but were ready for an enormous change. Loading the kids, cats, and our belongings into our car, we set out across the country for a new life on the Jersey Shore. This risk has turned out to be the most rewarding. Working together in a family business is rewarding, bringing with it comfort of knowing that we all have each other’s backs.

I think my ability to take risks comes from not wanting to have regrets. I want to know that I’ve lived my life seizing opportunities and never being driven away from something because it seemed too hard or too scary to undertake.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My wife Dedra and I are the innkeepers and owners of Tandem Bike Inn in Belmar, NJ. Our inn is a historic building from 1889 that has been renovated and modernized. Our bed and breakfast is unique in that it’s not your average antique showroom. The Tandem Bike Inn reflects our modern taste and impeccable cleanliness. Oh, and we are minutes from Belmar beach, Main St, and the Marina, situated in a truly ideal location on the Jersey Shore. Ideally situated walking distance from the NJ transit coastal line train, guests can easily travel to and from Manhattan, Newark airport, and other trendy NJ Shore towns like Asbury Park and Point Pleasant.

Tandem Bike Inn is gaining a reputation for our incomparable homemade breakfasts, adorned with edible flowers and herbs that we grow right here. Both the taste of our food is exceptional and the appearance is artistic and unique. Breakfast is often served on the porch where guests can catch the breeze coming straight from the ocean only blocks away.

This sweet spot on the Jersey shore isn’t your typical bed and breakfast. The Tandem Bike is upscale and modern, with a minimalistic style. There aren’t old fashioned, antiques or weird shared bathrooms. Each beautifully designed room has it’s own bath and independent temperature control.

In addition to our exceptional service and upscale accommodations, we offer complimentary beach passes and bikes for our guests to explore Belmar, New Jersey. We have our many tandem bikes for use and are always willing to snap a picture of a happy couple before they peddle out on their coastal journey.

At Tandem Bike Inn, guests feel like they are staying with family. Open year-round, guests can escape to our boutique hotel and be embraced by the summer sun or witness the beauty of the beach coated in snow.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey were:

1) Service Industry and Hospitality Experience: This experience taught me invaluable lessons in customer service, problem-solving, and the importance of empathy and communication. Working in the hospitality and service industry environment provided me with a foundation in understanding customer needs, handling diverse situations, and cultivating interpersonal skills.

2) Marketing Savvy: Understanding marketing principles has been pivotal in shaping how I communicate ideas, products, and services effectively. To develop marketing skills, I started by learning the fundamentals of consumer behavior, market research, and digital marketing channels. I study market trends in my industry and network with other business owners in Belmar with the goal of collective growth.

3) Desire to Make Other People Happy: This intrinsic motivation has guided my decisions and interactions, fostering positive relationships. I try to cultivate empathy and compassion in all my interactions and to contribute positively to others’ lives. This quality not only enhances personal satisfaction but also builds trust and loyalty in both personal and professional relationships.

4) Technical and website development skills: As a web developer, I’ve built numerous websites. I created The Tandem Bike Inn, researching design trends and optimizing it for SEO. This skill is critical as it allows me to reach out to a targeted audience through SEO and to appeal to potential guests through the attractiveness of the web design.

For those starting out, I recommend focusing on gaining practical experience in customer service and hospitality, developing a solid understanding of marketing principles and techniques, and nurturing a genuine desire to positively impact others. These qualities and skills will not only enhance your journey but also contribute significantly to your personal and professional growth.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

The Tandem Bike Inn in Belmar, New Jersey emphasizes unique experiences and memorable stays over conventional chain hotels. Our ideal guest would possess certain characteristics that align with the offerings and ethos of our boutique hotel such as:

• Appreciation for personalized experiences – Those who value personalized experiences find joy at the Tandem Bike Inn. Here, they can be sure that we’ll know their name and have a genuine interest in “their” story. We offer more than a place to sleep here. Guests leave with an unforgettable memory.

• Curiosity and adventurous spirit – Guests who are curious about the local area, its history, cuisine, local people and businesses are perfectly suited for a stay at our B&B.

• Desire for authenticity – People who gravitate towards art, history, personal stories, and seek a genuine connection with their surroundings often find their way to The Tandem Bike Inn.

Belmar, which translates to ‘Beautiful Sea,’ captivates visitors with its coastal beauty, and our inn leaves a distinct impression of relaxation and comfort. We’ve welcomed numerous ‘ideal guests’ who have returned to visit us at the Tandem Bike Inn. We are as excited about their stories as they are about the Inn’s.

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