10 Dec 2013
Words Tim Admin

Redundancy is just one door closing but there are other doors that say come on in.

Shell-shocked workers with once -in -a -lifetime redundancy payouts are expected to jumpstart Australia’s next big boom in Motels and Management Rights as they turn their back on recruiters to operate their own businesses. Many laid off workers are prepared to learn new skills rather than fight for the limited jobs in their sectors. Managing Director Ian Crooks of Resort Brokers Australia remembers how “back in the last big recession in the early 90’s it was a Motel and Management Rights heyday, there were lots of redundancy packages around and many people bought accommodation businesses back then” he said. “We’re looking at a repeat of that now”. There are many people exploring their options and looking to take control of their own destiny by starting their own business. At the same time, operating your own business can be daunting, that is why Motels and Management Rights are such an attractive proposition. Many people in the work force already possess the skills required to operate an accommodation business successfully. The most important attribute is being a people person with an open -minded attitude towards all different type. Secondly organizational skills and a basic level of computer competency is required. Motels and Management Rights are usually established businesses, before purchasing one of these properties they are subjected to legal and finacial due diligence, so the risk is minimal. No other business opportunity offers both a home and business in one. Recently we spoke with two young couples living in Rockhampton who have successfully made the move from the mines to Motels. Jason and Ang Horn have operated the Mid City Motor Inn for the last 16 months, they have two children Kirby and Erin aged 31/2 and 1 ½ . They describe themselves as unabashed capitalists, hard working and entrepreneurial they always knew they wanted their own business. Before having a family they had good jobs. Jason worked in the mines for 13 years, on leaving school he did a traineeship, then worked as an operator for 9 years before becoming a pit supervisor for the last 4 years. Ang has worked as site administrator for Brambles Industrial services before moving to Dawson to work for Anglo – American for the last 7 years. The main reasons they bought a Motel were that they wanted to work together and spend time with their families, they were missing kid time. This is a common complaint about life in the mines, the shifts patterns are long and don’t fit well into a normal family’s routine that revolves around school and sports. The wives end up feeling they are raising the kids and the fathers feel they are missing out. They did their homework before they bought and decided that Motels rather than Management rights were best for their area but the Motel had to fit their defined criteria - no restaurant; 20-30 units was enough to start with; good living conditions essential ; good length in the lease; and some potential to improve the business through a more professional approach and giving excellent customer service. When they moved into the Mid City Motel each new what they were going to do, Jason runs the housekeeping side, makes the breakfasts and does any handiman work needed. Ang does all the marketing and bookeeping and they share front office duties. This has been a winning formula and combined with hard work, commitment to the business, good communication and joint -decision making success is inevitable. I asked them what their future held and they said that the business was performing above and beyond their expectations and was financially positive. Ang said “they are definitely staying in the industry”. The challenge they face is to get some time away from the business ,so they now have a receptionist for a couple of hours a day and have locked in leave every 3 months. All the skills they have acquired in past jobs they are now applying in a new exciting industry , rapidly they are becoming very professional moteliers. Another couple excited to be first time moteliers are Andrew and Andrea Shaw owners of the Cosmopolitan Motel and Serviced Apartments in Rockhampton. The have 22 motel units and 14 apartments for long term stayers. They choose a motel gives them much more time to spend with their children aged 15 to 20. Also they have friends in the business who stirred them in the right direction but they knew they have the skills to run a profitable business , Andrea is the friendly face who knows her guests by first name, long stayers appreciate her showing an interest in their lives. Having been a P.A and P.A. and in administration she is at home in the office. Andrew is a knock about bloke originally from the bush who had been a drive in -drive out miner for 15 years, based in Yeppon he worked a 10 days on 4 days off roster. The job was physically demanding as each cycle you had to adjust to the often long 12 hour and night shifts. A lot of the clientele who stay at the Cosmopolitan are miners and others who are family men away from home. Andrew and Andrea reckon they understand the needs of their guests and have therefore developed a very nice communal social area around the pool with a pool table and BBQ “I know these blokes, they enjoy at the end of a long day to have a chat and share a cold beer, like at home” said Andrew. The empathy they have with their guests will surely keep them coming back, in fact it is happening already the business is building nicely. Each operator brings their own unique personality, life experiences, work experience and ideas to their business and this is a good thing. When you pull off the road looking for a bed for the night or longer it is important you are made to feel wanted. That is what it is all about when you get down to the basics. If you a feel you enjoy could do this for your guests and are looking for a change of direction then running your own accommodation business would be perfect for you.