We recently connected with Erica Razek and have shared our conversation below.

Erica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I was living in New York and had just divorced an emotionally abusive husband and was out on my own for the first time since I was 25. I was 53 at the time and had few marketable skills other than secretarial work. My ex insisted that I leave work when my son was born, I was 38. So needless to say, I was sitting in a tiny apartment in Yonkers, wondering what to do. I knew that I had to have a plan for retirement after my ex stopped paying child support and alimony when my son turned 18. I decided that the best venture for me was to attempt innkeeping.

I am originally from New Orleans and my parents were very hospitable and welcoming people. We always had a house full of friends and my mom fed everyone (who adored her.) I decided that my talents lay in that direction and knew that since I would be 55 by the time my son turned 18, nobody would want to hire me in a high-level professional capacity. I knew that I would be taking a big risk, but it was something I knew I was capable of.

I started looking for a place in the “temperate” south since I had lived in NY for over 25 years and always swore I would go back. I wanted a place that I could have a business that was also my home, so I could afford to live there regardless of whether I had guests or not. So, I started looking for available turnkey properties. This was during the Covid epidemic, and everything was completely shuttered so I was alone except for visits from my son for about 18 months. I spent a great deal of time fantasizing about being free from the cold and of having my own home for the first time in my life.

One evening (after some wine) I accidently clicked on “abandoned” properties and my house popped right up. I thought it was beautiful because I love abandoned, creepy and haunted places, but immediately went back to the turnkey properties because I couldn’t fathom how someone who had never purchased a house, restored a house or started a business would be able to do the “next to impossible.” That was when my problems began…

I started having dreams about the house and felt a presence urging me to go see the it. Apparently, it was MY house and I was continuously urged subconsciously to go see the house. I was not a big believer in the spirit world or hauntings, etc. but after much aggravation, I contacted a high school friend who lived a couple hours away from Newberry to come see the house with me. It had been abandoned for 30 years and still had a lot of the furniture in it! My friend conveniently enough is a medium so she went with me.

After visiting, she told me that there were spirits there (most notably the previous owner) who were absolutely adamant that I purchase the house and restore it. She said that they knew my family somehow and that they said they would “help” me get it together. So I hired a team of contractors and traveled back and forth between NY and SC twice a month for the weekend to manage the work and furnish the house. It took two and a half years to get the house in shape for guests, but I am happy with the way it turned out. I am also doing well in the business side and am loving my clients, my house and my life.

I urge people to dream big. It is the small steps you take every day toward your goal that are the most satisfying. Listening to people who have done similar things and asking for advice is key. Also, It never hurts to ask for stuff. If the person can’t give you what you are asking for, ask them who can. I got very far that way.

Erica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the owner of The Gilded Bat, a Gothic Victorian/horror themed bed and breakfast in Newberry SC. I have 4 rooms available, and each room is designed with a different theme. The names are Medusa, Lillith, Jeckyl & Hyde and The Bride of Dracula. I personally designed each room as well as the rest of the house to reflect the dark grandeur of the Victorian era.

The house itself was built in 1850, but I have restored it to 1900. This means that when you walk into my space, you will step back in time to enjoy the quiet simplicity of the age.

In addition to the room rentals, I also have murder mystery parties, horror movie screenings and paranormal investigations. The past year, which is my first, has been so much fun. I am looking forward to many more!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I always give more than people expect. When I started my business, I looked at the economic profile of the area. In the state of SC, you have to charge reasonable prices. Most people can’t drop $400 or $500 a night on a place to stay like they can in the NYC area. The character of the community is important too. My area is largely agricultural and deeply held religious beliefs. At first, I was afraid that I would not be welcomed by the community and be thought of as a weirdo or worse. I made it a point to go out and meet the members of the town and to join local organizations so they would see that I was a nice person.

In addition to a reasonable rate, I always offer high quality items, All my sheets are 100% cotton and no expense is spared in order to give my guests a wonderful night of rest and a great hearty breakfast in the mornings with local and organic ingredients. I let them know that they can ask me for anything they need and I am on site so I can attend to their needs right away. I also act as a concierge and offer suggestions to my guests about where to eat and direct them to things that match their interests.

The main point is that people get so little for their money these days that having excellent customer service and giving them the feeling of being spoiled for a reasonable rate has given me a solid 5-star rating. I love my guests and they have been so nice in return.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

My website is through Wix Hotels and is very professional. I use the platform to send bulletins about my upcoming events and to let my previous guests know what is new and deserves another visit. I also go to Horror and paranormal conventions where I spend my time talking to people and giving out cards. I ask everyone who passes to sign up for my emails and 99% of them do!

I also use social media. I have a Facebook page that I keep people informed with and clients and potential clients can message me through my website as well on a form. Fostering brand loyalty is about open communication and dedication to giving each and every guest my absolute best.

It is much easier to foster loyalty when it is the owner who deals directly with the public. I imagine it is much harder when you have a large business who hires employees hourly who are not as excited about the business as you are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gildedbatbnb.com

Image Credits

I own the rights to all images used in this application.