We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexandra Arama. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexandra below.
Alexandra, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
Being a business owner has brought me an incredible sense of happiness and fulfillment that I would not trade for anything. I love having the freedom to make my own decisions without having to first go through a system of checks and balances.
I have spent my entire adult life working in hospitality, in various hotels, high-end vacation rental companies, luxury real estate, etc. I was ready to make a change to have more autonomy in my own life to enjoy Colorado for everything it has to offer.
Owning a catering business comes with its challenges as well. Vail itself is a small, seasonal, mountain town and the success of our business weighs on some very unpredictable factors like weather, traffic, events, etc. You have to adapt to a seasonal business structure and plan in advance for the slower months during the non-peak seasons.
Alexandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I moved to Vail, CO from Florida in 2014 and entered the world of catering after many years of working in hospitality, food & beverage and real estate. At the time I was presented with the catering opportunity, I was an assistant to an incredibly successful LIV Sotheby’s real estate broker. After a few years, I did not see a future for myself in real estate but I was grateful for the experience and transferable skills learned.
When the opportunity to purchase this business was brought to my attention, I knew it was the perfect moment for me to embark on the path of entrepreneurship. I felt pretty strongly that this catering business was a better fit for me than a career in real estate. Especially because this was already an established catering business here in Vail, that I was familiar with. I worked with the previous owner many times assisting with various catered dinners and events. My goal was to eventually become a business owner and this was an ideal way to get started. With the purchase came an existing client-base, a website, a social media following and local knowledge of the company, to name a few. Though it was nerve wracking to leave a steady job, these benefits made the decision easier.
To give readers a little bit of background on my business, Rocky Mountain Raclette offers a unique dining experience that celebrates the authentic Swiss raclette tradition but with a Rocky Mountain twist. Raclette is an interactive meal where diners are grilling food and creating unique flavors at the table, making the dinner extremely memorable and fun! It is a very versatile meal with something for everyone. Raclette is a Swiss dish, meant for sharing ingredients and stories while relaxing around the dining table. Rocky Mountain Raclette is not only about the delicious cuisine and fully catered dinner, but also the social aspect of spending time together with friends and family. These elements all come together to create a unique and enjoyable experience setting us apart from other dinner options here in Vail.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think some factors that helped us build a reputation within our market is how Rocky Mountain Raclette is a unique dining experience that brings intimacy and memories to your ski trip that restaurants simply cannot offer. We are available year-round but are especially popular in the winter. What is better than a private, interactive meal with your loved ones around a hot stone with warm, melty cheese after skiing!
Additionally, we only have so many restaurants to choose from here in Vail. Getting a reservation, especially for a larger group or during the peak season, is sometimes difficult to obtain and often has to be reserved months in advance. Our clients love that they do not need to worry about transportation to and from a restaurant and can enjoy a fully catered meal in the privacy and comfort of their own home or rental property.
It is incredibly important to me to prioritize exceptional customer service, be kind, courteous and exceed their culinary expectations. This mindset carries over into all aspects of my business, whether dealing with clients, staff, vendors, etc. Our team is professional, consistent and always goes above and beyond for our guests. Our goal is to not only provide a great service but to create a Rocky Mountain Raclette brand advocate and repeat customer for years to come.
Word of mouth has also been a source of new clients in my case. Living in a small mountain community is helpful because we really get to know a lot of the employees at many of the hotels and rental companies. Concierges and front desk staff really help spread the word of everything RMR has to offer and we are grateful for those connections.
Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?
I was lucky enough to have known the founder of my company for several years before purchasing the business from her. When she decided to take on a new venture in life and move out of state, she reached out to me about purchasing the company. I had experience working with her over the years and knew some aspects of the business. Since I was close with the owner, the acquisition process was pretty straightforward. We had attorneys to review the paperwork and create a purchase agreement. She notified her closer clients of the transition, some who I had met in previous years and were excited to see a familiar face.
The most appealing aspect of purchasing the business was not only that I was familiar with it, but that I was purchasing a brand – existing clients, a website, social media presence, equipment, food vendors, local knowledge of the business and great opportunity to expand and grow. The developed infrastructure allowed me a great starting point for a first time business owner while being able to plan the future and seek opportunities for improvement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rockymountainraclette.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockymountainraclette/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockymountainraclette/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-arama-98a44a80/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rocky-mountain-raclette-vail-2
Image Credits
Dominique Taylor