Meet Val Smith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Val Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Val, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in North Texas in a family owned and operated restaurant known for our Chicken Fried Steak and Famous Enchiladas. The whole family jumped in to help when we needed more hands on busy nights. At the age of 9, I was in the back of the kitchen rolling silverware and filling baked potatoes with butter and cheese, my older sister was seating people and my mom was making sure everything was running smoothly. It’s in my blood to be on the serving side of the restaurant and that’s where I’m the most comfortable.

After I graduated High School and was preparing for college, my Dad gave me one last piece of advice before I flew away from the nest. He said, “Always tell the truth and help other people.” With those words, and me proving to him that I can change a flat tire on my own, he sent me on my way. The simple wisdom from my parents and my experience in our restaurants have had a lasting impact on my hospitality business.

I am confident my calling is in Hospitality. I find so much joy in helping people and I am also excited to help a family plan their trip to the mountains. I get to provide peace of mind to someone who just purchased their mountain home and needs help taking care of it when they are away. I love getting to know my guests/clients and that helps me anticipate their needs and serve them well.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own San Isabel Home Services, a Property Management company in Buena Vista, CO. My main service is managing second homes. It can be overwhelming to buy a home in a town you don’t live in full time, that’s where I come in and can help. In our town, second home owners need someone trustworthy to keep an eye on their house while they are away and to prepare for their arrival. I offer peace of mind and a lightened load to homeowners. Services ranging from monthly house checks to cleaning, maintenance, grocery shopping, etc. The purpose of having a mountain home is to embrace the retreat, leaving the heavy lifting to me.

Most of my work experience is in hospitality. I enjoy being behind the scenes to prepare a space for guests to feel comfortable and cared for. I worked for the well known Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs in my early 20’s and really enjoyed the high level of customer service they offered. After that, I continued my experience to work in boutique Hotels and Spas as well as Guest Ranches and Camps in Colorado. I currently manage The Shorehouse Hotel, a Boutique Apartment Style Hotel in Buena Vista.

A lesson I’ve learned along the way is the importance of being on the same team as your guests. If I can prove to the guest that I want to help make their stay a success, it makes the host/guest relationship one that is built on trust and accountability. I like to take a very personable yet professional approach when I’m communicating with guests. I treat guests/homeowners as if they are my friends coming to visit.

One of my favorite quotes is by Donald Miller, “Be the Hero, not the Victim”. In the service industry it’s easy to feel over worked and under appreciated especially in a seasonal mountain town. I have found that shifting my perspective from the victim to the hero mentality has made a difference in how I treat guests and has a positive impact on their experience. My hope is that with my services, my guests/clients can show up to their home and begin making lasting memories with their friends and family.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, my best friend has come to visit and this is the itinerary I created for her and her family for their Buena Vista vacation.

Stay at The Shorehouse Hotel
Swim at Mt Princeton Hot Springs
Hike Lost Lake
Drink at The Terrace on Main
Eat at Wesley & Rose or Crave
Bring home a gourmet meal back to the Shorehouse Hotel from Spark Provision
Order a burger and tots from Buena Viking
Grab a homemade poptart and a latte from Veya
Rent a paddle board or surf board from CKS
Online order from The Blend on your way to adventure
Feed the chipmunks at St Elmo ghost town
Take a yoga class at the Studio on Railroad
Sit by the river and breathe in the fresh air

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Cheryl Richmond – Business Mentor/Friend – Owner of The OG (Original Goods) Consignment in Buena Vista, CO
Ashley Blazer – Friend/Life Coach in Buena Vista, CO
Jack and Mary Lou Sentz- Friends/Owners of Veya Coffee Bar in Buena Vista, CO
My Family – Supporting me and encouraging me
Friends who have gone on long walks and coffee dates with me and listen to my ideas. They have helped me brain storm and encourage me. I am blessed to have someone who is coaching me on finances, helping me with a business plan and growing in leadership. I want to be teachable and as soon as I opened the door to learn from others I have had a wave of information come my way.

Instagram: sanisabelbv

Other: info@sanisabelbv.com

Image Credits
Anna Stonehouse _ photographer
*Daisy Chain Suite at The Shorehouse Hotel