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I'M ANTHONY MELCHIORRI.
WHEN HOTELS ARE IN TROUBLE, THEY CALL ME.
BUT CAN I HELP THIS CHARMING VERMONT INN,
LOCATED IN THE RECREATIONAL CAPITAL OF THE NORTHEAST,
AVOID THE SLIPPERY SLOPE TO FINANCIAL RUIN?
LOOK AT THAT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INN, MAN.
IT'S DISGUSTING.
NONE OF US HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE.
I'M WADING THROUGH A SEA OF WEEDS HERE.
THIS POND'S FULL OF ALGAE.
OH, THAT WAS EASY.
YOU'RE WORKING OVER 100 HOURS A WEEK.
NO.
THERE'S GAS TANKS. THERE'S AN OLD COUCH.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS, YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING.
(voice breaks) ME AND MY SISTER ARE JUST FIGHTING A LOT MORE.
TIM DOESN'T FIGHT HIS OWN BATTLES.
'CAUSE IT'S MY SISTER, SOMEONE'S GOTTA TELL HER.
THIS IS GONNA BE ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGES.
(sniffles)
I'M ANTHONY MELCHIORRI.
OUTSTANDING HOTELS ARE MY WORLD.
AND AFTER 20 YEARS IN THE HOTEL BUSINESS,
THERE IS NO PROBLEM I CAN'T FIX.
ALL AROUND AMERICA,
THERE ARE HOTELS THAT ARE HURTING.
THEY ARE UNDERSTAFFED, MISMANAGED,
AND IN DESPERATE NEED OF A FACE-LIFT.
THAT'S WHERE I COME IN.
I'VE TURNED AROUND SOME OF
THE MOST FAMOUS PROPERTIES IN AMERICA.
FROM BOUTIQUE HOTELS TO BIG CITY LANDMARKS,
I'M ON A MISSION, AND I WON'T STOP
UNTIL EVERY HOTEL YOU CHECK IN TO
IS PERFECT.
Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC.
Captioned by Closed Captioning Services, Inc.
TODAY I'M HEADED TO THE VERMONT INN.
ONLY 9 MILES FROM KILLINGTON, VERMONT,
IN THE HEART OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS.
WITH 6 MOUNTAINS AND 140 TRAILS,
KILLINGTON IS THE LARGEST SKI RESORT ON THE EAST COAST,
AND DURING THE SUMMER, ACTIVITIES LIKE
BIKING, FISHING, AND HIKING CAN DRAW NEARLY 20,000 PEOPLE
TO THE AREA ON A BUSY WEEKEND.
THE VERMONT INN IS A FORMER FARMHOUSE
BUILT ALL THE WAY BACK IN THE 1840s.
TODAY THE INN HAS 16 GUEST ROOMS, A TAVERN,
AND A 40-SEAT RESTAURANT.
VERMONT NATIVES SAMANTHA McLEMORE
AND J.B. SMITH THOUGHT THEY HAD PURCHASED
A PERFECT TURNKEY BUSINESS THEY COULD RUN FROM AFAR.
MY HUSBAND AND I LIVE IN BALTIMORE.
WE OWN THE VERMONT INN, SO WE'RE ABSENTEE OWNERS.
SAMANTHA HIRED TIM, HER BROTHER-IN-LAW,
TO BE THE INKEEPER.
TIM AND SAMANTHA'S SISTER JENNIFER
LIVE ON PROPERTY WITH THEIR 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER SOPHIE.
I'M THE INNKEEPER. I AM A MAN OF MANY HATS.
BUT THE INN ISN'T ATTRACTING GUESTS,
AND THE RESTAURANT HAS NO ONE DINING THERE.
THE INN HAS BEEN LOSING MONEY SINCE DAY ONE,
AND IT'S BEEN A LOT OF STRESS AND A LOT OF WORK.
WE'RE REALLY HAVING TROUBLE GETTING OCCUPANCY UP.
(Anthony) TODAY THE OWNERS ARE LOST, AND THEY DON'T KNOW
HOW TO INCREASE BUSINESS.
IF I DON'T HELP THEM, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO SELL THE INN
AND PUT THEIR FAMILY OUT OF WORK.
I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE.
I CAN'T PICTURE US DOING THIS FOR MUCH LONGER.
WHAT BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS.
WHAT A GREAT VIEW.
I CAN SEE MYSELF HAVING SOME COFFEE IN THE MORNING.
LAWN'S CUT. FEELS REALLY GOOD.
BUT LOT OF WEEDS.
THIS SHOULD BE FULL OF FLOWERS. THIS SHOULD FEEL BOUNTIFUL.
WHAT'S THIS OVER HERE?
WELL, IT'S A NICE LITTLE POOL.
BUT AS I'M IN THE POOL, I'M LITERALLY LOOKING AT THIS--
I'M LOOKING AT A GARBAGE CAN.
THERE'S AN OLD COUCH, SHUTTER.
THERE'S A WEED WHACKER. THERE'S GAS TANKS.
IT SHOULD EITHER BE BLOCKED OFF WITH SOME TYPE OF LATTICE,
OR IT SHOULD JUST BE NEAT.
AND THIS IS THE INN.
VERY NICE. VERY QUAINT.
FEEL LIKE YOU'RE COMING INTO SOMEONE'S HOME.
SO FAR, SO GOOD.
THIS POND HERE IS FULL OF ALL KINDS OF ALGAE.
FEELS LIKE NO ONE'S PAID ATTENTION TO THAT.
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M WADING THROUGH A SEA OF WEEDS HERE,
UNLESS THERE'S AN HERB GARDEN I DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
THIS SHOULD BE FULL OF FLOWERS.
THIS SHOULD MAKE ME FEEL LIKE SPRING OR SUMMER.
SHOULD MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I WANNA STAY HERE.
THAT'S JUST NOT A GOOD PRESENTATION.
DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE VIEW.
NOW WHAT WILL WE SAY WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT'S BROKEN?
OH, THAT WAS EASY. I JUST WANTED TO SEE HOW BAD IT WAS BROKEN,
AND IT FELL OFF IN MY HAND.
I'M A DETECTIVE, AND THIS IS TELLING ME SYSTEMSA RE BROKEN.
I DON'T KNOW IF I PUT MY BUTT IN THERE,
OR I PUT CIGARETTE BUTTS IN THERE.
YOU CAN'T PUT CIGARETTE BUTTS IN THERE,
BECAUSE THAT'S A FIRE HAZARD.
THERE'S NOT EVEN A BOTTOM ON THIS.
LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS JUG. IT'S ROTTED OUT.
WHY CAN'T YOU JUST CHANGE THAT? THIS IS NOT EXPENSIVE.
I SEE THIS STOOP. AND LOOK AT HOW WORN THIS IS.
IT'S NOT PAINTED. NOW THIS IS MY FIRST IMPRESSION.
I HAVE A SCREEN DOOR THAT'S JUST IN BAD SHAPE.
IT'S VERY WORN OUT.
THERE ARE STICKERS THAT ARE A COUPLE YEARS OLD.
THERE'S WORN-OUT DOOR HANDLES.
THIS IS THE GATEWAY INTO MY HOME.
THIS IS WHAT'S TELLING ME, "WELCOME."
EVERYTHING SHOULD BE QUAINT, DAINTY, AND PRETTY.
AND I'M NOT FEELING PRETTY.
SO I WANNA FIND OUT WHY THIS LOOKS THIS WAY
AND WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THEM.
HI.
I'M ANTHONY.
TIM. PLEASURE TO MEET YOU. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
I'M HERE TO HELP THE OWNERS. ARE YOU A FRONT DESK AGENT?
UH, INNKEEPER.
I DO. I DO.
SO THIS ALL FALLS ON YOUR SHOULDERS,
OR YOU HAVE OTHER PEOPLE?
I HAVE A PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPER,
FULL-TIME CHEF, AND JUST BROUGHT ON A FULL-TIME SERVER.
UH, THE BRUNT OF IT FALLS IN MY LAP.
IN AN INN OF THIS SIZE WITH AN ADJOINING RESTAURANT
SHOULD HAVE NO LESS THAN SEVEN EMPLOYEES.
TIM HAS A LOT ON HIS PLATE.
WELL, I'LL TELL YOU, YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL VIEW.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. SOON AS I PULLED UP,
I FELT LIKE I WAS IN HEAVEN. IT WAS GREAT.
AS I GOT A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE BUILDING,
OH, ABSOLUTELY.
UH, 16.
TODAY WE HAVE 12 VACANCIES.
UM, YES.
TELL ME WHAT ROOM DO YOU HAVE FOR ME TO SEE.
I CAN GIVE YOU "C," WHICH IS ONE OF OUR SUITE ROOMS,
HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES.
TIM GAVE ME THE KEYS TO THE BEST ROOM IN THE INN
THAT GOES FOR $230 A NIGHT
AND INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST.
THE ROOM FEATURES CABLE TV AND A LUXURY HOT TUB.
(exhales deeply) SO THE FIRST THING I SEE
WHEN I WALK IN THE ROOM IS THIS HOT TUB.
THERE'S A FAKE PLANT RIGHT HERE,
AND I'M GONNA GUESS I'M GONNA SHAKE IT,
AND THERE'S GONNA BE DUST ALL OVER IT.
I CAN SEE THE COBWEBS ALREADY.
I KNOW THAT THIS CARPET IS GONNA GET WET.
I SEE THEY HAVE A PLASTIC MAT THERE,
AND THAT LOOKS DIRTY. I WOULDN'T PUT MY FEET ON THERE.
IT DOESN'T SAY "HOT TUB."
THIS BELONGS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING,
NOT INSIDE THE BUILDING.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE GOT OUR FOCUS IN WRONG PLACES HERE.
THIS PAINTING ON THE WALL-- OKAY, NICE ATTEMPT.
I HAVE THIS OUTSIDE.
DON'T REALLY NEED YOU TO BRING IT IN,
AND IF YOU'RE GONNA BRING IT IN, BRING IT IN IN AN ELEGANT WAY,
NOT IN SUCH AN ART CLASS KIND OF WAY.
I DO MY USUAL THING AND START BY CHECKING OUT THE BED...
AND IT'S FINE.
IT'S CLEAN. IT'S FRESH.
THE BED'S OKAY. I COME INTO THIS ROOM.
IT'S BIG, AND I HAVE THIS LITTLE TABLE
WITH THIS LITTLE TV, AND IN A ROOM LIKE THIS,
I EITHER WANT A TV THAT LOOKS APPROPRIATE,
OR I DON'T WANT A TV.
AND IF I'M IN THIS BED--THIS--
WHAT LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMFORTABLE BED--
I-I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SEE THAT TV FROM HERE.
IF THIS IS THEIR BEST ROOM...
I'M NOT PAYING THE PREMIUM FOR THIS ROOM SO FAR.
I TEST THE BATHROOM.
(switch clicks)
I HAVE A CLOSET IN MY BATHROOM.
YEAH, I'M GONNA SAY THIS IS A FIRST.
IN SOME OF THE THREE-STAR HOTELS,
THEY HAVE THE CLOSET OPPOSITE THE VANITY,
BUT THE TOILET IS IN A SEPARATE ROOM.
I DON'T LIKE AT ALL. IT'S GROSS.
YOU ALWAYS EMPTY AN IRON AS A HOUSEKEEPER
BEFORE YOU SELL THE ROOM
BECAUSE THAT COULD BE SITTING THERE,
AND IT GETS YELLOW DEPOSITS, AND IT GETS ON YOUR SHIRT,
AND COUNTLESS TIMES WHERE I'VE STAINED MY SHIRT
BECAUSE THE IRON HAD WATER IN IT--DIRTY WATER.
LOOK AT THAT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INN, MAN.
IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DIRTY, FILTHY PLUNGER
RIGHT NEXT TO MY FRIGGIN' TOILET,
AND I THINK THERE'S WATER JUST-- UGH. OOF. THAT'S DIGUSTING.
COULD YOU IMAGINE THE DISGUST, THE FILTH, THE GERMS
THAT ARE ON THIS PLUNGER?
THE PLUNGER FAILS THE ROOM, FAILS THE RESORT,
FAILS EVERYTHING.
HELLO.
I NEED TO MEET THE OWNERS SAMANTHA AND J.B.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
YEAH? WHY?
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP.
NONE OF US HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE--
ME, MY HUSBAND, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW
WHO'S RUNNING THE INN.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW OFTEN I MEET OWNERS
WITHOUT ANY HOTEL EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER.
THAT'S CRAZY.
RUNNING A SMALL INN LIKE THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT.
ABSENTEE OWNER, DON'T GO INTO BUSINESS WITH FAMILY--
WE KNEW ALL THAT, BUT, YOU KNOW,
I GUESS WE WERE STUPID ENOUGH TO THINK WE'RE DIFFERENT.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION?
IT WOULD BE A BUSTLING INN
WHERE WE COULD INTERACT WITH GUESTS AND EMBRACE
THAT VERMONT EXPERIENCE THAT WE VALUE SO HIGHLY.
ONE OF OUR BIG PLANS IS TO FOCUS ON THE WEDDINGS.
VERMONT IS REALLY KNOWN FOR WEDDINGS.
WHY WOULDN'T YOU GO AFTER WEDDINGS RIGHT NOW?
YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS.
WELL, WE WANTED TO GO AFTER THEM RIGHT NOW,
BUT WE'VE NEVER FIGURED OUT HOW.
VERMONT RANKS AMONG THE FIVE TOP PLACES IN THE COUNTRY
FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS.
THE INN MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LUCRATIVE MARKET.
WE BOUGHT THE INN IN AN FORECLOSURE ACTION
LAST DECEMBER.
AND HOW MUCH DID YOU BUY IT FOR?
$270,000 WAS THE AUCTION PRICE.
WE PUT A LOT MORE THAN THAT INTO IT.
YEAH.
IN THAT DIRECTION, YEAH.
AND HOW ABOUT THE RESTAURANT? LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RESTAURANT.
LAST NIGHT WE DID TWO DINNERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT.
THEY ONLY SERVED TWO MEALS.
THAT BARELY COVERS THE COST OF THE GAS THE STOVE USED
TO COOK THE MEALS.
HOW'S THE INN RUNNING NOW?
TIM PRETTY MUCH DOES EVERYTHING.
WE WERE GONNA GET THE INN TO A STATE OF PROFITABILITY
AND THEN HIRE TIM SOME HELP.
SO... HIS WIFE...
IS YOUR SISTER.
AND IS SHE INVOLVED IN RUNNING IT, TOO?
SHE'S NOT.
BUT SHE HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED AT TIMES.
(laughs)
SHE DOES NOT--SHE'S NOT A HUGE FAN OF THIS LIFESTYLE.
SO IS IT CAUSING PROBLEMS?
YEAH, IT'S CAUSING SOME PROBLEMS.
IT'S NOT ONLY CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR THE BUSINESS.
IT'S CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR THE FAMILY.
FROM A FAMILY STANDPOINT, YOU'RE KINDA BANKRUPT.
AS FAR AS EMOTIONALLY, EVERYBODY'S JUST KINDA SHOT.
40% OF FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES DON'T MAKE IT
INTO THE SECOND GENERATION BECAUSE OF INFIGHTING.
I SEE YOU'RE A LITTLE GLASSY-EYED THERE.
WH-WH-WHY?
(voice breaking) THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS FAMILY.
AND YOU AND YOUR SISTER ARE CLOSE?
VERY. THEY'RE VERY CLOSE.
AND WHAT--WHAT HAS KIND OF BEEN THE BREAKING POINT FOR YOU?
(crying) THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I DIDN'T WANNA DO.
(chuckles) IT'S OKAY, BABY.
(sniffles)
I'M HERE TO HELP YOU. OKAY?
WHAT'S HAPPENING THAT IS MAKING YOU CRY?
ME AND MY SISTER ARE JUST FIGHTING A LOT MORE.
BEFORE THE INN, FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS,
WE WERE REALLY IN A GREAT PLACE.
HER FAMILY LIFE
IS SUFFERING BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE A SINGLE MOM.
TIM IS PUTTING A HUGE AMOUNT OF HIS TIME INTO THE INN,
AND THERE MAY BE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RESENTMENT.
WE'VE ASKED TIM, "DO YOU WANNA SELL?
DO YOU WANT US TO PUT IT ON THE MARKET?"
'CAUSE IF HE SAID "YES," IT WOULD BE ON THE MARKET.
BUT HE WANTS TO SEE IT THROUGH. HE LIKES IT.
IS SELLING THE BEST OPTION FOR US?
YOU KNOW? OR--OR IS THERE A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK?
I DON'T KNOW.
I THINK THIS IS GONNA BE ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGES.
OH. WHAT IS THAT?
IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING'S GROWING OUT OF THE WALL.
HAVE YOU MADE ANY MONEY ON THE RESTAURANT SINCE YOU OPENED?
THAT'S A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
WHAT IS THIS ROOM SUPPOSED TO BE?
I'M GONNA BREAK A WINDOW GETTING AN IRONING BOARD.
I HAVE MY FOOT IN A BOX.
I'M STRIVING TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY--
FAMILY, OWNERS.
(sighs)
I'M JUST OUTSIDE OF KILLINGTON, VERMONT,
WHERE I'M TRYING TO SAVE THE VERMONT INN--
A 16-ROOM COUNTRY BED AND BREAKFAST.
OWNERS SAM AND J.B. LIVE IN MARYLAND,
SO THEY HAVE LEFT THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS
TO SAM'S BROTHER-IN-LAW, TIM HAMMOND.
I WANNA CHECK OUT THAT RESTAURANT
THAT'S ONLY DRAWING A COUPLE OF DINERS A NIGHT.
WOW. YOU KNOW WHAT? I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS.
THIS IS WHAT I EXPECT FROM A FINE DINING VERMONT INN.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS SPACE-- IT CAN REALLY SUPPORT WEDDINGS.
YOU CAN HAVE A RECEPTION IN HERE.
YOU CAN HAVE CORPORATE MEETINGS IN HERE.
YOU HAVE 40 SEATS HERE.
IF THE RESTAURANT'S ONLY SERVING COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST
AND A FEW DINNERS A NIGHT,
TIM IS NOT MAXIMIZING THE USE OF THIS SPACE.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY
THEY'RE LOSING ON THIS RESTAURANT,
'CAUSE THIS TAKES A LOT OF WORK,
AND THE PAYROLL COULD BE PRETTY EXPENSIVE.
THE MAJORITY OF RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS DON'T MAKE MONEY,
SO THIS IS CONCERNING.
I WANNA MEET WITH TIM SO I CAN DIG A LITTLE BIT DEEPER.
(bell dings)
HEY, TIM.
HOW'S IT GOING?
SURE.
HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DOES THE RESTAURANT
TAKE UP OF YOUR LIFE?
AT LEAST SIX EVERY DAY.
ON TOP OF ALL HIS DUTIES AS INNKEEPER,
TIM IS SPENDING UPWARDS OF 40 HOURS A WEEK
WITH THE RESTAURANT.
THAT'S A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
HMM.
HAVE YOU MADE ANY MONEY ON THE RESTAURANT
I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE.
WE HAVE BUS TOURS COMING IN.
THEY'RE NOT STAYING HERE.
NET 4 OR 5 BUCKS.
(sighs heavily)
TIM IS FOCUSING ON MAKING $4 TO $5 PER MEAL.
HE COULD MAKE 50 TIMES THAT BY SELLING ONE HOTEL ROOM.
CLEARLY, HE'S SPENDING HIS TIME IN THE WRONG PLACE.
YOU'RE WORKING OVER A HUNDRED HOURS A WEEK. CORRECT?
NO.
I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TIM COULD SPEND HIS TIME WISELY,
OR THE VERMONT INN WILL BE OUT OF BUSINESS.
SO I GOTTA GET YOU MORE TIME.
I GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP YOU SUCCEED.
THANK YOU.
I HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW TO QUICKLY TURN AROUND THIS INN.
I WANNA START MARKETING THE VERMONT INN
AS A WEDDING VENUE, SO I NEED THE HELP
OF DESIGNER BLANCHE GARCIA.
OHH.
(door closes)
(both laugh)
IT FEELS VERMONT, BUT DATED.
WHAT I WANNA DO IS I WANNA MAKE THIS
A DESTINATION FOR WEDDINGS.
WHEN YOU COME INTO THIS ROOM,
YOU WANNA FEEL THIS IS A MOMENT YOU'RE GONNA REMEMBER
THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
THIS ROOM IS GOING TO SELL MY WEDDINGS.
SO YOU WANNA HAVE THE BRIDE GET READY HERE.
YEAH.
HAVING A WORLD-CLASS BRIDAL SUITE
IS VERY IMPORTANT.
NOT ONLY WILL IT WIN OVER THE BRIDE,
BUT AN OWNER CAN CHARGE UP TO 20% MORE
FOR A SPECIALTY SUITE.
SORT OF, MM-HMM.
THE BLUE CARPET IS DISGUSTING.
THE REASON I LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE SEE THIS?
THERE'S WATER ALL OVER THE PLACE.
IT'S GOTTA BE, LIKE, CAMOUFLAGED BEAUTIFULLY.
AND WHAT IS THAT?
THAT'S A PAINTING.
IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING'S GROWING OUT OF THE WALL.
IT'S A BRIDAL SUITE, SO I WANT IT TO BE CLASSIC.
CLASSIC, SPECIAL. YOU KNOW, VERY VERMONT,
BUT BRIDAL.
SO YOU THINK LIKE A BRIDE.
I'M GONNA THINK THAT THIS IS GONNA SELL MY HOTEL.
I'M GONNA THINK LIKE A BRIDE.
BLANCHE HAS A LOT ON HER PLATE,
SO I'M GONNA LET HER GET TO IT.
AS I'M ON MY WAY TO MY NEXT TASK,
I SEE A DOOR THAT'S OPEN,
AND BEHIND THAT DOOR IS DEFINITELY NOT A GUEST SUITE.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
THIS IS BASICALLY A HOUSEKEEPING SUPPLY STATION
DISGUISED AS A JUNK ROOM.
JUST LIKE I OPENED THE DOOR,
A GUEST IS GOING TO OPEN THE DOOR,
AND THEY'RE GONNA LOOK FOR TOILET PAPER.
THEY'RE GONNA LOOK FOR LOTIONS, ESPECIALLY SINCE
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING HERE.
LOOK AT THIS.
THIS IS WHERE THEY STORE THEIR ROLLAWAY BEDS.
SO DO YOU WANNA SLEEP IN THIS ROLLAWAY BED
THAT'S NEXT TO ALL THIS DUSTY, FILTHY STUFF?
THERE'S ALL OPEN PIPING.
I HAVE MY TOILET PAPER.
I HAVE MY TOILET PAPER THAT'S IN THE ROOM.
AGAIN, I DON'T WANT MY TOILET PAPER EXPOSED,
WIPE MY BUTT WITH THIS.
A BUSINESS RUNS FROM IN TO OUT.
EVERYTHING'S GOTTA BE IN ORDER,
OR YOU CAN'T FUNCTION. YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT THIS.
IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS, YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING.
THAT ROOM WAS A DISASTER. THIS IS ANOTHER ROOM.
(switch clicks)
I SEE GARBAGE PILING UP RIGHT NEXT TO BLANKETS.
THERE'S BLANKETS IN HERE?
THIS IS MY HOUSEKEEPING THING WITH MY DIRTY BRUSH IN THERE.
OKAY, THESE ARE SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONER,
AND I'M TOUCHING IT WITH MY HAND,
AFTER IT WAS NEXT TO THIS. THAT--LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S DRIPPING.
AND LOOK AT HOW DIRTY THIS BUCKET IS IN THERE.
THIS HOUSEKEEPING CADDY AND THIS CLOSET
NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP AND ORGANIZED
SO THERE'S NO CROSS CONTAMINATION.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUAINT, LITTLE, CLEAN INN.
THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT AT ALL.
IT FEELS LIKE A HORROR SHOW RIGHT NOW.
I NEED TO CALL A MEETING WITH OWNERS SAM AND J.B.
AND INNKEEPER TIM, BECAUSE AS HARD AS TIM'S BEEN WORKING,
THINGS ARE STILL FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.
I ASKED YOU GUYS TO COME TOGETHER
BECAUSE I WANNA SHOW YOU SOME THINGS,
AND I'M GONNA TRY NOT TO GET ANGRY OR UPSET
BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE NEW,
AND I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING YOUR *** OFF.
THIS IS A DIRTY, FILTHY PLUNGER.
DISGUSTING.
THIS WAS NEXT TO A TOILET IN WHAT YOU SAY
IS ONE OF YOUR BEST SUITES.
ABSOLUTELY, I AGREE.
I WANNA SHOW YOU SOMETHING. LET'S GO.
WHAT IS THIS ROOM SUPPOSED TO BE?
IT'S BEEN A STORAGE AREA.
THIS ROLLAWAY BED IS COMING OUT OF THIS ROOM
AND IS GOING IN SOMEBODY'S ROOM,
AND I FOUND BLACK STUFF ON THIS, DUST.
IT'S DISGUSTING.
SEE? LOOK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
I HAVE MY FOOT IN A BOX.
LOOK AT THAT.
I NEED AN IRONING BOARD. LET ME GET AN IRONING BOARD.
LOOK AT THIS.
(squeaking)
LOOK. LOOK AT THIS.
I'M GONNA BREAK A WINDOW GETTING AN IRONING BOARD.
SO YOU HAVE TO BE A HOTEL GUY TO FIGURE THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE?
NO.
100%, RIGHT?
(voice breaking) 100%.
HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
IT'S TOUGH.
WHY DOES IT FEEL TOUGH?
UH... (sighs)
I'M HERE TO CHANGE SYSTEMS AND HELP PEOPLE.
SURE.
YEAH.
LIKE, I'M GONE FOR 100%,
CAN I GIVE HIM A HUG?
80%, SO...
I KNOW.
I'M STRIVING TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY--
FAMILY, OWNERS.
WHEN THEY SEE THIS, THEY SEE ME.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S--THAT'S WHAT'S THE STRUGGLE FOR ME, SO...
HAVE YOU SEEN HIM LIKE THIS BEFORE?
NOT OFTEN. HE KEEPS IT ALL IN.
(inhales and exhales deeply)
IF I DON'T FIND A WAY TO LIGHTEN TIM'S LOAD
AND TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF,
THIS FAMILY MAY LOSE THIS INN.
I MARRIED TIM TO BE AN EQUAL PARTNER.
(voice breaking) HIS JOB HAS PUT OUR FAMILY IN THE BACKGROUND.
ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE IS TO CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY.
♪♪
I'M AT THE VERMONT INN, WHERE IT'S BEEN
AN UPHILL BATTLE TO SAVE THIS FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS.
THE PRESSURE ON INNKEEPER TIM IS OVERWHELMING,
AND IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY--
FIRST AND FOREMOST, HIS WIFE.
JENNIFER, RIGHT?
I'M ANTHONY.
I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.
I KNOW YOU MAKE EVERYTHING RUN, RIGHT?
YOU'RE THE MAN, AND YOU'RE THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MAN.
(chuckles)
ONE BABY, AND ONE ON THE WAY.
THANK YOU. (chuckles)
JUST TELL ME HOW THIS WHOLE THING'S WORKED FOR YOU.
WELL, I MARRIED TIM TO BE AN EQUAL PARTNER,
AND LATELY, DUE TO HIS JOB...
(voice breaking) HE HAS PUT OUR FAMILY
IN THE BACKGROUND.
HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?
GUILT-RIDDEN EVERY DAY.
TIM DOESN'T LIKE TO SAY "NO" OR FIGHT HIS OWN BATTLES,
SO I COME OUT FIGHTING THEM.
HIS BOSS--MY SISTER.
SOMETIMES I'M NOT SURE IF SHE UNDERSTANDS
WHAT THE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IS FOR AN INNKEEPER.
SO IS IT YOUR SISTER, OR IS IT HIM?
I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION, YOU KNOW?
SHE ASKS, AND HE SAYS, "YES."
IT'S ALL ON YOU.
(sniffles)
I'M GONNA GET YOU TO GET OUT OF HERE BY 6:30.
THAT'S MY GOAL.
YOU DO YOUR JOB. YOU GO HOME.
YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR WIFE AND CHILD. THAT'S IT.
IF THEY LOSE THE HOTEL, IT'S ON THEM.
YOU CAN'T GIVE ANY MORE, 'CAUSE IT'S KILLING THIS WOMAN.
I CAN SEE IT IN HER EYES.
THIS PACE THAT WE'VE ALL TRIED TO KEEP UP IS UNSUSTAINABLE
FOR US AND A NEW BABY ON THE WAY.
I CAN'T PICTURE US DOING THIS FOR MUCH LONGER.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN SAMANTHA'S DREAM?
UM... NO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT WORKING OUT RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S A PART OF ME THAT SAYS, "PLEASE SELL IT."
WE CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
YEAH.
YEAH.
I'M HERE TO SAVE THE DAMN HOTEL.
I WILL SPEAK TO SAMANTHA. OKAY?
THANK YOU.
THIS FAMILY REALLY NEEDS ME TO FIX THIS INN,
SO I'M DETERMINED NOW MORE THAN EVER TO FIND A WAY.
BUT FIRST I NEED TO CHECK IN WITH BLANCHE
TO SEE HOW THE WORK IS COMING ALONG
ON THE INN'S NEW BRIDAL SUITE.
HI, FOLKS!
HI!
YEAH.
IT LOOKS LIKE WOOD. IS IT GONNA HOLD UP?
YEAH. IT'S LAMINATE FLOORING.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE FLOOR YOU'VE EVER PUT DOWN BY FAR.
IT WAS GORGEOUS WHEN I SAW IT. I SAID, "THIS IS IT."
IT FEELS LIKE VERMONT. IT FEELS ROMANTIC.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S NOT TRADITIONAL.
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
THIS IS GREAT. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE TAPPING THE WALL?
TIM AND JENNIFER,
ARTISTS THAT I USE ON A LOT OF MY HIGH-END PROJECTS.
SO WE'RE, UM, WE'RE TAKING THIS.
THIS IS OUR BASE COLOR, AND, UH,
WE'RE PUTTING THIS SOFT GLAZE OVER IT.
IT'S A SOFT BACKGROUND FOR ANYTHING THAT WE PUT IN HERE,
BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO SHABBY CHIC
BUT VERY TONE ON TONE SO THAT IT'S BEAUTIFUL
ON THE BACKDROP FOR THE BRIDE.
SO IF YOU GO NEUTRAL, I NEEDED MOVEMENT.
AND THAT'S WHAT THEY BROUGHT-- IS MOVEMENT TO THE WALLS.
IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ENTIRE ROOM?
YEAH. THE ENTIRE ROOM. YEAH.
IT FEELS ROMANTIC.
YES. YES.
THERE'S A DRESSING TABLE COMING IN
FOR THE BRIDE TO SIT DOWN AND PUT HER MAKEUP ON.
IT'S A GREAT PHOTO MOMENT.
JUST LITTLE PIECES THAT ARE COMING IN--
COUPLE ANTIQUES, YOU KNOW, VERY VERMONT.
I'M IMPRESSED. SO WHEN I CAME IN HERE,
I WAS THINKING, IF IT'S UNDER CONTROL,
WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU--
I HAVE A SERIOUS PROJECT.
THEIR HOUSEKEEPING-- THEIR CLOSET--
WHATEVER THEY WERE USING IS A DISASTER.
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. THEY CAN'T FUNCTION.
TAKE A LOOK AT IT. SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
OKAY. I'M GONNA GO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
WHEN YOU OPEN IT...
BE CAREFUL.
AS BLANCHE AND HER TEAM FROM TIM MURPHY PAINTING
AND HARMON BUILDING AND DESIGN
GET STARTED WITH THE BRIDAL SUITE,
AND SHE GETS STARTED ON THE HOUSEKEEPER SUPPLY ROOM,
I NEED TO GO CHECK IN WITH THE KITCHEN STAFF
TO SEE JUST HOW MANY DINERS THEY'RE EXPECTING
FOR TONIGHT'S DINNER SERVICE.
SOMETHING'S WRONG. THERE'S NOBODY IN THE KITCHEN.
IT'S ALREADY KIND OF MID-AFTERNOON.
YOU HAVE A 40-SEAT RESTAURANT,
AND THERE'S NO PREP WORK GOING ON.
SO THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT EXPECTING A LOT OF CUSTOMERS.
THIS IS A RIDICULOUS WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS.
I HAVE TO COME UP WITH A DRASTIC SOLUTION.
I DID A LOT OF ANALYSIS,
AND YOUR FAMILY SITUATION--
I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT FIRST.
GETTING PRESSURE OFF OF TIM IMMEDIATELY
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. IS THAT--YES OR NO?
YES.
THEN I HAVE TO GO ABOUT MAKING YOU MONEY.
SO LAST MONTH, HOW MUCH YOU LOSE IN THE RESTAURANT?
LAST MONTH ON THE RESTAURANT,
WE PROBABLY LOST... $10,000.
SO WE'VE COME TO THE BREAKING POINT.
THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE
IS TO CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY.
OR CLOSE THE RESTAURANT?
♪♪
I'M AT THE VERMONT INN IN MENDON, VERMONT,
NEAR KILLINGTON. SAMANTHA AND HER HUSBAND J.B.
HAVE SUNK NEARLY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS
INTO THE PROPERTY.
THE INN AND THE RESTAURANT
ARE LOSING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY,
AND IT'S TEARING THE FAMILY APART.
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE.
THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE
IS TO CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY.
CLOSE THE INN?
OR CLOSE THE RESTAURANT?
THE RESTAURANT.
THAT'S THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE.
CAN WE STILL ATTRACT THE GUESTS TO THE INN?
THE ANSWER IS "YES," BECAUSE THIS IS AN AMAZING LOCATION.
20,000 PEOPLE GO PAST YOUR FRONT DOOR
GOING TO KILLINGTON IN ONE WEEKEND.
YOU HAVE POTENTIAL TO GET THOSE PEOPLE IN.
YOU'LL MAKE MORE MONEY SELLING ROOMS,
SELLING THE WEDDING VENUE.
MY ONLY FEAR IS THAT THE INN CAN'T BE FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL
WITHOUT THE RESTAURANT.
YOU STILL GOTTA USE THE SPACE.
USE THE SPACE FOR WEDDING RECEPTIONS,
FOR GATHERINGS, FOR CORPORATE MEETINGS.
YOU STILL USE IT. YOU CAN KEEP YOUR CHEF,
OR YOU CAN HAVE OUTSIDE CATERING COME IN,
AND YOU UPCHARGE, OKAY?
CAN I THINK ABOUT IT, AND...
YOU DON'T WANNA CLOSE THE RESTAURANT?
DON'T CLOSE THE RESTAURANT. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO--
WE'RE GONNA START MARKETING YOUR RESTAURANT,
WE'RE GONNA START HAVING PARTIES HERE,
WE'RE GONNA START HAVING INCENTIVES,
WE'RE GONNA START USING THINGS LIKE GROUPON.
HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE YOU
TO GET PEOPLE TO KNOW THIS IS A DESTINATION RESTAURANT?
OKAY, IS TIM GONNA BE HERE IN A YEAR?
NO.
NO, IT WOULD BURY TIM IF WE STAYED ON THE PATH.
OKAY.
WHAT I CARE ABOUT IS YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION
FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND TO SAVE THIS HOTEL.
THE RESTAURANT AT THE BEST IS A LOSING PROPOSITION, OKAY?
I WANT TO BE 100% CONVINCED THAT...
THAT THAT'S THE RIGHT ANSWER, TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT.
SO I JUST--I JUST NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT.
EVEN IF SAM DOESN'T WANT TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT,
I STILL NEED TO MARKET THIS INN
AS A DESTINATION WEDDING VENUE TO INCREASE REVENUE.
BUT THESE BRAND-NEW INN OWNERS NEED SOME HELP,
SO I CALL IN VERMONT WEDDING PLANNER SABRINA BROWN
OF WOODSTOCK PRODUCTIONS FOR A CONSULTATION.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAID TO ME,
"WE NEED TO DO MORE WEDDINGS."
YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANY?
WHY?
WE JUST REALLY WEREN'T SURE WHERE WE WOULD EVEN START
TO TRY TO GET WEDDING BUSINESS.
SO WEDDINGS IS NOW ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST,
AND BANKRUPTCY'S ON TOP OF THE LIST?
MORE OR LESS.
YES.
SO YOU KNOW WHAT I DID? CALLED SOMEBODY,
THAT I KNOW THAT CAME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT IN VERMONT EITHER...
BUT SHE DOES.
A COUPLE COMES HERE,
YOU FIND OUT WHAT THEIR VISION IS,
AND THEN WE PULL TOGETHER THE RESOURCES,
AND THERE ARE A LOT HERE IN VERMONT.
YEAH.
AND YOU PROVIDE THE HOME BASE. WHAT I SEE RIGHT HERE
IS A BEAUTIFUL, FLAT SPOT FOR A TENT.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NOT EVERY PROPERTY HAS.
RIGHT.
I'M SEEING BEAUTIFUL LITTLE PLACE
FOR SOME TALL COCKTAIL TABLES.
YOU'VE GOT A KITCHEN.
AND THAT'S A KITCHEN
THAT ANY CATERING CREW CAN COME INTO
AND WORK OUT OF.
YOU'RE GONNA FILL YOUR ROOMS.
WHAT YOU NEED IS FOR PEOPLE TO BE IN YOUR ROOMS
TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW.
THEY ARE GOING TO BUY OUT, IN ESSENCE,
32 ROOMS THAT WEEKEND.
BECAUSE YOU ALSO HAVE A TAVERN AND A DINING ROOM,
YOU HAVE THE SPACE TO HOST
THAT LITTLE WELCOME RECEPTION THE NIGHT BEFORE.
ONCE YOU REALLY GET ROLLING,
YOU COULD DO ONE WEDDING EVERY WEEKEND.
WOW.
IF A WEDDING GROUP BOOKS ALL OF THE ROOMS
FOR TWO NIGHTS EVERY WEEKEND,
THAT WOULD TAKE THE VERMONT INN OUT OF THE RED
AND PUT THEM ON THE ROAD TO PROFITABILITY.
HOW WOULD SHE MARKET THIS PLACE?
ONLINE--SOCIAL MEDIA AND PICTURES.
HOW DO WE GET WEDDING PICTURES ON HER SITE?
LET'S DO A WEDDING.
(laughs)
REALLY?
IN A WEEK--IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
IN A--IN A COUPLE OF DAYS?
I'M LEAVING IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. OKAY.
AS A WEDDING PLANNER,
I HAVE LOTS OF BRIDES IN MY BACK POCKET,
AND I WILL FIND THE RIGHT BRIDE AND GROOM
TO COME HERE AND BE A PART OF THIS.
WOW. (laughs)
THE GOAL OF THIS WEDDING
IS TO GET AMAZING WEDDING PICTURES ON THE WEB
AND TO GENERATE GOOD PUBLICITY FOR THE VERMONT INN.
LET'S MAKE IT AN AFTERNOON WEDDING. 3:00.
SO WE HAVE TO BE READY AT NOON.
(voice breaking) THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
WHY ARE YOU CRYING?
BECAUSE WE WANTED-- AND THAT WAS, LIKE,
WHEN WE DREAMED THE DREAM, THAT WAS--THAT WAS PART OF THE DREAM.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TIM, AND...
AND IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
WOW. YOU'RE CRYING.
(laughter)
WHEN WE GOT INTO THIS,
IT WAS ALL ABOUT, LIKE, THE POSSIBILITIES.
(voice breaking) AND, YOU KNOW,
WE'VE JUST BEEN ON THE WRONG PATH.
SO THE FACT THAT WE CAN DO A WEDDING,
AND PROVE THAT WE CAN DO IT,
IT'S JUST--IT'S AWESOME.
WITH THE REAL WEDDING HAPPENING IN JUST TWO DAYS,
WE NOW HAVE TO KICK THINGS INTO OVERDRIVE.
I'VE GOTTA LET BLANCHE KNOW WHAT'S IN STORE.
ALL RIGHT. I LOVE IT. IT LOOKS GREAT.
BUT SINCE THE LAST TIME I LEFT YOU,
I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF STUFF.
IN TWO DAYS, THERE'S GONNA BE A WEDDING HERE ON THE PROPERTY.
YEAH. SO THERE'S GONNA BE A BRIDE IN THIS ROOM.
OKAY? NOW WE HAVE TO SHOW THIS ROOM TO THE OWNERS, ANYWAY.
SO IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT MUCH MORE PRESSURE ON YOU.
IT'S JUST A LOT MORE THAT...
THE PAINT AND EVERYTHING HAS TO BE COMPLETELY DRY,
RIGHT.
RIGHT.
SO YOU HAVE 48 HOURS TO FINISH THIS ROOM.
WHILE THE PREP WORK FOR THE BIG EVENT CONTINUES,
SAM'S FINALLY MADE A DECISION ABOUT THE RESTAURANT.
I WANT THE WHOLE FAMILY TO HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY.
SO MY SUGGESTION WAS TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT.
FOCUS ON WEDDINGS, FOCUS ON MARKETING,
FOCUS ON THE BABIES,
AND THEN WHEN YOU LEARN HOW TO RUN AN INN,
YOU CAN THEN LEARN HOW TO RUN A RESTAURANT.
SO DO WE HAVE A DECISION?
I TRUST YOU. I TRUST YOUR OPINION.
WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND SHUT DOWN THE RESTAURANT.
THERE'S NO SENSE IN BEATING OUR HEAD AGAINST A WALL
WITH SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GONNA WORK.
SAM'S MAKING A BIG JUMP TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT.
THIS NOW COMES DOWN TO ONE PERSON--HIM.
TIM HAS GOT TO STAND UP TO YOUR SISTER. PERIOD.
AND YOU HAVE TO BE FAIR.
I WILL DEFINITELY BE FAIR. I MEAN,
WHAT I'VE TOLD JEN AND WHAT I'VE TOLD TIM IS,
IF YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED,
I WILL WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE RESTAURANT OFF MY BACK,
I'M MORE THAN CONFIDENT THAT I CAN MAKE THIS PLACE ROCK.
I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT,
AND IT'S ON US TO PROVE TO YOU THAT IT CAN HAPPEN.
TIM SEEMS TO BE OPTIMISTIC,
BUT I SENSE THAT JEN'S NOT ON BOARD.
NOPE.
I BELIEVE THEY'LL SHUT THE RESTAURANT DOWN,
BUT THEN I THINK THE INN WILL TAKE OVER,
AND I DON'T THINK TIM WILL SAY, "THIS IS MY SCHEDULE."
I DON'T SEE HIM SAYING "NO" IF SAM CALLS HIM AND SAYS--
LIKE, IS WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING.
RIGHT.
IF I CAN'T CONVINCE JEN
THAT HER FAMILY IS TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF,
THEN THE FUTURE OF THIS INN IS IN JEOPARDY.
AT THE EVENT, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A REPORTER
FROM "BRIDES" MAGAZINE.
IT HAS TO LOOK PERFECT. WE GOT ONE SHOT.
WHAT DOES THE WEATHER LOOK LIKE?
THEY'RE CALLING FOR SOME THUNDERSHOWERS.
I'M JUST OUTSIDE OF KILLINGTON, VERMONT,
WHERE I'M BEGINNING TO TURN AROUND THE VERMONT INN.
BUT A LOT HINGES ON THE BIG WEDDING TOMORROW.
NOW I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR SAMANTHA AND TIM
THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK
THE FUTURE OF THEIR BED AND BREAKFAST.
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IN MARKETING?
PUT A PLAN TOGETHER.
AND WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?
WE DON'T HAVE ONE.
FIRST THING YOU NEED, YOU NEED A WEB SITE.
YOU GOT A WEB SITE.
YES.
WE WANT TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT YOU DO WEDDINGS.
AT THE EVENT, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A REPORTER
FROM "BRIDES" MAGAZINE,
THE MOST IMPORTANT MAGAZINE FOR WEDDINGS IN THE COUNTRY.
WOW.
"BRIDES" MAGAZINE HAS OVER 400,000 READERS,
WITH NUMBERS LIKE THAT,
IT COULD PUT THE VERMONT INN ON THE MAP,
AND REALLY FILL THE ROOMS.
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE A REPORTER DOING A STORY
THAT'S AMAZING.
THIS DOESN'T COME ALONG EVERY DAY.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
THE FLOWERS HAVE TO LOOK GOOD, THE DOOR HAS TO LOOK GOOD,
IT HAS TO LOOK PERFECT, BECAUSE YOU GOT ONE SHOT.
WE'VE GOT A LOT TO DO.
WITH ONLY ONE DAY OF PREP LEFT BEFORE THE BIG DAY,
SAM'S CALLED IN MORE FAMILY MEMBERS TO PITCH IN.
WE'VE GOT J.B.'s MOM AND DAD,
MY DAD, TIM, ME, J.B., THE WHOLE CREW'S OUT HERE,
WORKING HARD IN THE RAIN
TO TRY TO GET THIS PLACE READY FOR THE WEDDING.
WITH THE FUTURE OF THE INN AT STAKE,
EVERYONE RACES AGAINST TIME AND THE WEATHER.
AFTERWARDS, I WANT TO REWARD EVERYONE FOR THEIR HARD WORK
BY SHOWING THE FAMILY HOW BLANCHE HAS TRANSFORMED
THEIR NIGHTMARE OF A SUPPLY ROOM
INTO A WORK OF EFFICIENCY.
THAT HOUSEKEEPING CLOSET-- IT WAS A MESS.
SO I WANT TO SHOW YOU
WHAT A HOUSEKEEPING CLOSET'S SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE.
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO.
(Samantha) WOW!
IS THAT SLIGHTLY BETTER?
YOU FIXED IT.
NOW I CAN WELCOME SOMEONE TO COME IN
AND GRAB AN EXTRA TOWEL.
OH, YEAH.
THIS WASN'T JUST PUTTING SHELVES ON THE WALL.
THIS IS NOW SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
I GAVE THIS TO YOUR HOUSEKEEPER,
WHERE SHE CAN SAFELY TAKE ALL OF HER CHEMICALS
AND CLEAN IN THE BATHROOM,
AND ALSO TAKE ALL THESE LOTIONS.
OH, WOW.
YEAH, THAT IS GREAT.
LOTIONS AND SOAPS ARE IN THERE,
ALL HER CLEANING RAGS HERE.
AND THIS TOILET BRUSH IS IN THIS PLASTIC
THAT GETS CLEANED EVERY DAY,
SO YOU DON'T HAVE THIS DIRTY TOILET BRUSH.
SO EFFICIENT FOR YOUR HOUSEKEEPER,
EFFICIENT FOR YOUR GUESTS.
THIS ROOM PROVIDES THE SYSTEMS AND THE STRUCTURES
TIM NEEDS TO BE EFFICIENT.
IT'S NOW A FUNCTIONAL SPACE, AS OPPOSED TO A SAFETY HAZARD.
WITH THE WEDDING LESS THAN 24 HOURS AWAY,
WEDDING PLANNER SABRINA BROWN
SEEMS TO HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL--
EVERYTHING BUT THE WEATHER.
SHE'S CONDUCTING HER PRE-WEDDING WALK-THROUGH
AND WE WANT TO SEE WHAT SHE HAS PLANNED.
(Samantha) SO WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS AREA FOR THE CEREMONY?
(Sabrina) I CHOSE IT BECAUSE IT'S FLAT ENOUGH,
AND IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINS.
WHEN IT'S CLEAR, THEY'RE GONNA SEE THAT VIEW.
(Anthony) WHAT DOES THE WEATHER LOOK LIKE FOR TOMORROW?
UM, THEY'RE CALLING FOR SOME THUNDERSHOWERS.
I THINK THAT, UH, WE'RE GONNA BE OKAY.
WE NEED REALLY NICE PICTURES FOR OUR WEB SITE.
WHAT TIME ARE THEY SAYING THUNDERSHOWERS?
IT'S THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
WE HAVE A BACKUP PLAN TO DO THE WEDDING INSIDE IF NEED BE.
AND THEN EVERYBODY WILL BE COMING UNDER PERRY'S TENTS
FOR THE COCKTAILS AND RECEPTION,
SO EITHER WAY, WE'RE COVERED.
THIS IS WHERE THE TENT'S GOING,
AND IF THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM,
THE TENT'S NOT GONNA FALL ON EVERYBODY?
(laughs)
IF THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM, YOU CAN'T BE IN THE TENT.
(laughs) NO. IT'S NOT SAFE.
'CAUSE A TENT'S NOT A BUILDING.
SO YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN.
THE TAVERN AND THE RESTAURANT
ARE WONDERFUL BACKUP SPACE
FOR ALL OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THIS WEDDING HAS GOT TO GO OFF WITHOUT A HITCH,
AND THAT INCLUDES
HAVING PICTURE-PERFECT WEATHER TOMORROW.
BUT WITH THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST,
OUR WHOLE MARKETING PLAN COULD FAIL.
♪♪
IT'S MY LAST DAY AT THE VERMONT INN,
AND J.B. AND SAM'S FAMILY
DID A GREAT JOB SPRUCING UP THE LANDSCAPING...
AND CLEANING UP THE EXTERIOR OF THE INN.
SABRINA, THE WEDDING PLANNER,
IS BUSY WITH THE LAST-MINUTE PREP
FOR THE AFTERNOON CEREMONY.
BUT WITH THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST
AND THE WEDDING ONLY HOURS AWAY,
WE CAN ONLY HOPE FOR THE BEST.
WEDDING DAY.
TODAY'S WEDDING DAY, AND IT'S ALSO THE BIGGEST DAY
IN VERMONT INN'S LIFE AND FUTURE.
EVERYBODY HAS GOTTA BE ON POINT.
YOU HAVE THE REPORTER FROM "BRIDES" MAGAZINE HERE,
AND SHE'S HARDER THAN A BRIDE TO PLEASE.
LET'S GO MEET HER.
HI, ANTHONY.
NICE TO SEE YOU, TOO.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
OF COURSE.
I BASICALLY CHECK OUT HOTELS ALL THE TIME
TO SEE IF THEY WORK FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING.
I'M GONNA BE IN THE BACKGROUND,
JUST SORT OF WATCHING, OBSERVING,
SEEING HOW THINGS GO.
AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THINGS FLOW WELL,
SO THE GUESTS ARE HAPPY,
THE CEREMONY LOOKS AMAZING,
AND LETTING EVERYBODY KNOW ON brides.com HOW IT ALL WENT.
SO IT'S NOT ENOUGH THAT WE THREW A WEDDING IN 48 HOURS,
YOU'RE GONNA GRADE US, TOO?
(laughter)
I'M NERVOUS, BUT WE'RE READY. WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT HAPPEN.
THERE'S THREE THINGS I'VE LEARNED...
OKAY? FIRST,
SOMEBODY'S GOTTA WATCH THE BRIDE AT ALL TIMES.
SECOND--ALWAYS MAKE SURE THERE'S ENOUGH ICE.
THIRD--ALWAYS MAKE SURE THERE'S ENOUGH GARBAGE CANS,
BUT NOBODY CAN SEE 'EM UNTIL YOU NEED 'EM, OKAY?
BRIDE, ICE, GARBAGE CANS.
THOSE ARE THE SECRETS.
THE BRIDE'S HAPPY AND YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ICE
OKAY.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SECRETS?
I THINK THOSE ARE GREAT. I THINK THOSE ARE GREAT SECRETS.
THE WEATHER FINALLY CLEARS UP,
WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN FOR THE WEDDING,
BUT WE'VE STILL GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.
WHILE SABRINA'S TEAM RACES
TO PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES IN PLACE,
IT'S FINALLY TIME FOR ME TO SHOW EVERYONE
THE VERMONT INN'S NEW BRIDAL SUITE.
YEAH, IT'S...
(Samantha) THIS IS AMAZING.
NOW THIS IS A ROOM I WOULD WANT TO STAY IN. (laughs)
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
(Samantha) THAT MURAL IS GONE!
NO, IT'S PERFECT.
UNTIL YOU NOTICE THE TV.
AND ALL THE DETAILS ARE PERFECT.
THAT ROOM IS A PERFECT ENCAPSULATION
OF THE DREAM FOR THE INN.
IT BLEW ME AWAY.
WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT,
IF WE DO WEDDINGS, WHAT CAN WE OFFER THE BRIDE,
AND HOW CAN WE COMPETE?
SO THAT IS HOW WE CAN COMPETE.
THIS HAS REESTABLISHED OUR VISION
OF THE POTENTIAL THAT THIS SPACE HAS.
WHAT BRIDE WOULDN'T WANT TO GET READY IN THAT ROOM?
(Samantha) IT'S COME A LONG WAY IN A FEW DAYS.
I WANNA DO THIS WITH EVERY ROOM.
I DIDN'T DO THIS ALL MY MYSELF. IT TAKES A TEAM.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO BLANCHE GARCIA.
THIS WAS HER VISION.
AND HERE'S BLANCHE. (laughs)
I LOVE IT!
I'M GLAD YOU LIKE IT.
(J.B.) IT'S PERFECT. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED.
WE WORKED REALLY *** THIS.
I WANTED TO GO SHABBY CHIC A LITTLE BIT,
SO YOU SEE IT WITH THE OPEN FRAMES.
ALL THE FURNITURE HAS BEEN DISTRESSED.
AND THEN THIS IS WHAT WE THOUGHT OF
AS A BABY HOPE CHEST.
SO THAT EVERY COUPLE THAT STAYS HERE,
(Samantha cries)
OF WHAT THEY HOPE THEIR WEDDING TO BE LIKE.
IT'S OKAY.
MY MOM PASSED AWAY A COUPLE YEARS AGO,
AND SHE HAD DECORATED HER HOUSE IN SHABBY CHIC,
OH, MY GOD!
I KNOW.
SO IT'S LIKE...
AND SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN AN INN.
I KNOW SHE'S HERE WITH US.
I CAN JUST HEAR MY MOM TALKING TO US.
AND I--I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SHE'S SAYING.
SHE'S SAYING, "GIRLS, STOP FIGHTING."
IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE,
UM, AND PUT ASIDE EVERYTHING ELSE AND MOVE FORWARD.
THIS IS ABOUT TRANSFORMATION. TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE.
YOU SAID YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP HERE.
DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT MAYBE THIS COULD HAPPEN?
DEFINITELY.
I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD! (laughs)
WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD AND RUN THIS INN TOGETHER,
ONE TEAM.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY IS STARTING,
AND THE STAKES ARE HIGH.
THIS IS THE INN'S FIRST WEDDING,
AND THEY NOT ONLY HAVE A BRIDE AND GUESTS TO PLEASE,
BUT ALSO A REPORTER FROM "BRIDES" MAGAZINE,
WHOSE REVIEW COULD DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF THIS INN.
(man) A GOOD RELATIONSHIP HAS A PATTERN, LIKE A DANCE.
THE JOY OF SUCH A PATTERN--
IT IS ALSO THE JOY OF LIVING IN THE MOMENT.
THE WEDDING TODAY WAS JUST A SPECTACULAR EXPERIENCE.
IT WAS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THE FUTURE CAN BRING FOR US.
(Samantha) SEEING A BRIDE BE HAPPY
AND WALK OUT OF OUR INN,
THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN COMPARE TO THAT.
(J.B.) THE WEDDING SHOWED ME THAT IT'S FEASIBLE.
IF IT CAN BE DONE IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME,
THE POTENTIAL IS AMAZING.
THE CEREMONY WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH
AND EVERYONE SEEMS HAPPY.
SO JUST WHEN THE OWNERS THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OVER,
I HAVE A SURPRISE WEDDING GIFT FOR THEM.
EVERYONE HERE IS FEELING IT,
BUT THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE IT.
SO I WANNA SHOW YOU A GIFT THAT WE GAVE YOU.
(laughs)
I WAS HOPING FOR THIS!
THAT IS THE PICTURE OF YOUR BRIDE AND GROOM
ON YOUR WEB SITE PROMOTING WEDDINGS.
WITHIN A HALF-HOUR, IT WAS UP ON YOUR WEB SITE.
DOES THAT LOOK LIKE A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION?
YES.
THANKS TO A WEB SITE
REDESIGNED BY OPEN HOSPITALITY IN NEW YORK CITY,
SAM AND J.B. NOW HAVE AN AMAZING NEW MARKETING TOOL
THAT WILL PROMOTE THEIR INN
AS A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING VENUE IMMEDIATELY.
I'M SO EXCITED!
WE WERE AT A DESPERATE TIME WITH THE INN.
WE WERE READY TO MOVE ON
AND JUST HAD LOST ALL OUR VISION AND PASSION FOR THIS.
AND ANTHONY CAME. HE'S SHOWN WHAT'S POSSIBLE
AND GOTTEN US EXCITED AGAIN.
NOW I CANNOT IMAGINE SELLING THE INN.
I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB.
HONESTLY, THIS PLACE HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL.
FOR YOUR VERY FIRST WEDDING, IT WENT INCREDIBLY WELL.
WOW. THAT'S SUCH A RELIEF TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT.
(J.B.) WHAT DID YOU THINK OF OUR BRIDAL SUITE?
OH, IT'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I WOULD STAY THERE.
I CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE ABOUT IT,
PUT PHOTOS ON brides.com
SO PEOPLE CAN REALLY SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.
(Anthony) WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED HERE,
THE VERMONT INN WAS A WEDGE DIVIDING A FAMILY.
TODAY, IT'S THE REASON THE FAMILY'S COMING TOGETHER.
THEY HAD TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS AND WORK REALLY HARD,
BUT THEY DID IT,
AND THE VERMONT INN IS ON ITS WAY TO SUCCESS.
(clink)
YES. THANK YOU.
SALUD.
WE REALLY CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
THANK ME WITH SUCCESS.