Chamber News
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY | SB Stays
8 December 2024 • Sarah Medcraf
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY!
We caught up with Angie of SB Stays
What inspired you to start your small business?
We wanted to provide high-quality accommodation, particularly for contractors visiting the Huntly/Keith area. For several years, we’ve offered our own home as an Airbnb for guests attending weddings and family gatherings, recognising the limited accommodation options compared to the past. With SB Stays, we strive to cater to everyone, offering choices ranging from luxury stays to cosy, home-like environments, ensuring all our guests can enjoy their time in the beautiful North East of Scotland.
What’s been the most rewarding moment in your journey as a small business owner?
The most rewarding moment was helping a property owner transform their house in Keith into a beautiful space ready for serviced accommodation. Since the owners live in the South, they couldn’t manage the refurbishment themselves. We took care of everything—from painting and installing a new kitchen to upgrading carpets and furnishing the entire property. Seeing the transformation was incredible, and it was even more rewarding to see how thrilled the owners were with the results. We’ve since obtained a Short Term Let Licence from Moray Council and will be fully managing the property, allowing the owners to enjoy a completely hands-free income.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge is currently underway: transforming a 4-bedroom house into a 3-bedroom flat and a 1-bedroom flat. The project has been more extensive than anticipated, requiring us to strip the property back to the brick. Additionally, working within a conservation area has presented unique obstacles. However, thanks to the dedication of our skilled team—including joiners, our electrician, plumber, architect, and especially my dad and his team—we are on track to refurbish the properties to a high standard. Once completed, these flats will become valuable additions to our serviced accommodation portfolio. Property development is always full of challenges, but we’re learning the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and maintaining a positive attitude to overcome obstacles.
How has being a small business shaped the way you approach customer relationships?
As a small business, we prioritise building genuine, one-on-one relationships with our guests, offering a level of personalisation that larger companies often can't match. Whether it’s accommodating specific check-in requests or providing tailored recommendations, we strive to make every stay unique. We take the time to get to know many of our guests by name, listen attentively to their feedback, and respond promptly to their needs. This personal touch not only fosters trust and loyalty but also creates meaningful connections, and we’re grateful to have many guests who choose to return to our properties time and again.
What do you do to stay motivated and inspired?
To stay motivated and inspired, we make a conscious effort to surround ourselves with others involved in serviced accommodation and property. We are part of several networks and groups where members share their successes, discuss challenges, offer advice, and support one another. This sense of community has been invaluable, especially when running a business can feel overwhelming. Knowing there are people further along in their journey who are willing to share sound advice and guidance is incredibly reassuring. Hearing their stories and learning about their experiences not only provides inspiration but also motivates us to keep pushing forward.
How can customers best support your business, both during the festive period and year-round?
We strive to offer the best deals when guests book directly with us. If anyone would like to stay, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our website at www.sbstays.scot. We truly appreciate referrals, and word of mouth has been an invaluable way for us to connect with new guests, whether it is family and friends looking for a break away or contractors coming to work in the area. We would be incredibly grateful if people share SB Stays with others who might benefit from our serviced accommodation.