Rebuilding Hospitality - Joe Balcken and Shelton Steele - Defining Hospitality - Episode # 186

Defining Hospitality

Hospitality is key, especially under hardships and destruction, something Joe Balcken and Shelton Steele, Co-Owners of the Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins in Asheville, North Carolina are passionate about. They discuss their unique urban campground hotel and the challenges they've faced. The conversation explores the definition of hospitality, the building of their flood-resilient property, and the impact of a recent historic flood on their business and the local community. The duo share their entrepreneurial journey, the human spirit of resilience, and the importance of tourism in revitalizing Asheville post-disaster. The episode is a testament to perseverance, community, and the spirit of hospitality in the face of adversity.

Takeaways:

• Incorporate local culture and unique features of the area into the business, as shown by Joe and Shelton's emphasis on Asheville’s outdoor personality and countercultural vibe.
• Build emotional connections with guests by highlighting the distinct aspects and personal stories associated with the property.
• Ensure infrastructure is resilient to natural disasters by adhering to local zoning and building laws.
• Utilize existing local networks and connections with other businesses to offer comprehensive guest experiences, whether extreme activities for the adventurous or more relaxed, outdoor-curious activities.
• Foster strong community bonds and be a part of local recovery efforts, which can also lead to supportive relationships and collaborations.
• Make every guest feel special and connected to the place by providing immersive and memorable experiences, such as customized murals that resonate with the property's theme.
• Promote group activities and communal spaces to enhance guest interactions and create memorable experiences. For example, having shared spaces like campfires and communal dining areas.

Quote of the Show:

“ It's my backyard and I wanted to share it with everyone and create an experience that aligned with my version of Asheville.” - Shelton Steele

“ It's part of our mission to connect people with the outdoor experience, whether they be one of those people that's outdoor active or someone that's curious about it.” - Joe Balcken

Links:

• Joe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbalcken/
• Shelton’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelton-steele-39521566/
• Website: https://www.wrongwaycampground.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrongwaycampground/

Shout Outs:

• 0:59 - All Forward Outdoors https://www.allforwardoutdoors.com/
• 1:24 - Independent Lodging Congress https://ilcongress.com/
• 7:33 - Pleb Winery https://www.pleburbanwinery.com/
• 13:49 - French Broad River https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Broad_River
• 15:37 - Starman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starman_(film)
• 16:26 - Amy Michaelson Kelly https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-michaelson-kelly-a547a717/
• 37:51 - Hurricane Katrina https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
• 39:58 - Meg Gutowski https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-gutowski-09b33972/
• 45:43 - Wedge Brewery https://wedgebrewing.com/
• 46:00 - Biltmore Estate https://www.biltmore.com/
• 49:34 - Western Carolina University https://www.wcu.edu/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1s
• Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419
• Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/