As a young, ambitious chap, I managed the Four Winds Motel on West Colfax in Denver while also starting a statewide sports magazine. The motel owner was an 80-year-old man named Jacob. He was a tough businessman and taught me important lessons I never learned at the Ramada Inn. The four biggest musts were:
1. Always provide fresh coffee by cleaning the huge coffee urn daily (and you, Don, will do the cleaning).
2. Don’t skimp on the toilet paper. Only provide the finest tissue money can buy.
3. Train the front desk staff to greet guests as best friends. Smile and make eye contact.
4. Don’t ever run out of ice on any floor.
Recently, I’ve been traveling around and staying at various motel chains. The managers never had the opportunity to meet Jacob. Fifty years later, they often fail at all four of Jacob’s principles.
Another thing. I was afraid to tell Jacob about my sports magazine venture. I thought I kept it a secret from the old guy. Guess who bought my first subscription. Yep, it was Jacob.
God bless him. He helped me grow up a bit.
Have it your way