Cedars inn, zeballos expeditions
Business Name: Cedars Inn, Zeballos Expeditions Date: Jan 30/09
Interviewee Name: Christina Lepore
Tell me a bit about your business:
Motel-Tours-Restaurant-General Store; Family owned business
How did your Business get started?
Started with a kayak business and evolved to everything there is now.
What is the best achievement of your business?
Opening Zeballos up to more tourism opportunities. When started there were a few tourists and now thousands come to visit. Tourism is the business that will still keep going when others are failing.
What kind of challenges have you encountered operating your business?
Lack of infrastructure - it is hard to get people into business and it is very expensive.
How has Community Futures Mount Waddington helped you?
When I first wanted to get into this business I had tried to get a loan from a bank and they would not give me a loan. Then I went to CFMW and I was given the opportunity to succeed.
How has your business changed over the years?
The motel had gone from a budget motel to a midrange Motel. The restaurant went from a cookhouse to a nice restaurant serving lots of organic choices. Started from a sport fishing business to more of an Ecotours business. The demand came for more ecotours and less of the sport fishing,
What do you find rewarding about your business?
All the different types of people that I meet from all over the world. It is nice because when they come they are looking to have a good time so I am in a good mood all of the time.
What led you to get into business?
I was a really sport oriented person, outdoorsy type I moved up from Vancouver after my children had grown up. I wanted a different type of lifestyle.
Any advice you would give to potential entrepreneurs?
If you have a great idea, do all of your research first and possibly take a few business courses that would help you to learn about the basics.
What makes you business special and unique?
A client had once said “Cedar’s Inn is unique because it feels homey and friendly.”
It is special because of the great staff that I have and extra services that are available.
