Southwest Pond Cabins
Doris Bartlett was a resident of St. Lunaire-Griquet but after finishing
high school she moved to Brampton, Ontario where she became the manager of Pizza
Hut for ten years. She became homesick for Newfoundland life and moved back home.
There wasn’t much to do here for her so one night,
sitting at the dinner table, Doris and her
family discussed looking into the
tourism business. She did a feasibility study and saw potential in this
business. So she went ahead and did it.
Doris started her establishment in 1990 and opened in the spring of 1992. It
took her two years to obtain land and construct the buildings. She decided to
start the business because she said there weren’t many accommodations in this
area and she thought tourism would be a good investment, so she went with
building cabins because there were no cabins around here in the community.
Doris employs three full time workers and one part time worker. In this
establishment she accommodates tourists from all over the world for lodging, a
convenience store and a laundry facility is in the main building for anyone who
cares to use it.
"I took the responsibility with running a business and the day to day
challenges," says Doris.
Ms. Bartlett says while her business is only seasonal she gets to spend time
with her friends and family. She is opened is from the beginning of May
to the end of October.
"In this business there are some skills required, like dealing with the
public in a kind and mature manner. Some bookkeeping skills and day to day
duties of running a business", says Doris. "I really enjoy working
with tourists because I get to meet people from all over the world and learn
about their lifestyles, some of them you get to know personally and keep in touch
with them for years.
Ms. Bartlett says that in the future she would like to expand her business.
She opened with six cabins and has already expanded to eight but would like to
add more. The advice she gives to anyone who would like to start this kind of
business is the main thing to do would be a feasibility study, if you think the
proposal is a good idea, then start with a business plan and keep trying until
you reach your goal.
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