Two Best Friends Bought a Motel — Then Netflix Called

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline is joined by Netflix stars and owners of The June Motel, April Brown and Sarah Sklash. April and Sarah are best friends who left careers in PR and government to pursue something entirely different: hospitality. In 2016, they purchased a rundown motel in Prince Edward County, Canada, rolled up their sleeves, and reimagined what a modern roadside stay could be—creating what is now known as The June Motel. The opening of their second location in Sauble Beach was documented on the Netflix series Motel Makeover, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of renovation, risk, and entrepreneurship—made even more complicated by the onset of COVID. Two years later, they added a third property in Beaver Valley, continuing to grow the June Motel brand with intention. In this conversation, April and Sarah reflect on the early days of The June Motel, the learning curve of entering hospitality without prior experience, and what it takes to build a brand with a clear point of view. They also discuss the dynamics of working with a best friend, the evolution of their roles as the business has grown, and how defining “June” as a fully imagined character continues to guide everything from design decisions to guest experience. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify!⁠⁠ ⁠Connect with April and Sarah:⁠ April's LinkedIn⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april101/ Sarah's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-sklash-71730831/ ⁠⁠The June Motel Website⁠⁠: https://thejunemotel.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠