I like giving out solutions for problems.
How ELApartments was born.
This is a simple story of a Small Business runs by a Polish woman living in Venice in Italy.
A short introduction of her business:
Elżbieta is the owner of two apartments in Venice. DaCarlo is situated at San Polo square in Venice, and the second one Da Elena in Venice-Mestre. The names of these apartments are derived frm her children’s names. Excellent standard and a nice comfort for four travellers who look for a convenience stay and a perfect location.
Before any step ahead
I went to see the apartments to feel the atmosphere, to be sure to take a part of the project. As an experience it was not new for me. For more than 5 years I used to work with properties like hotels, hostels and apartments as a Country Manager of Poland, Hungary, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and India. I am also familiar with tourists, their problems and needs while traveling. Just happy to step on the path again.
I became the perfect solution for her gap. No doubts – there is a match.
I have been asked many times by her to take action and help. Honestly, it was difficult to say yes. From one side I was not sure if I want to get back to tourism, on the other hand I was seeking to find a regular job. Meantime, I have always given tons of suggestions, but you know… runnung a company you cannot be an expert in everything and available non-stop. It’s a hard issue mainly, if you are a mother.
That’s I said – YES, let’s give it a try and fly!
At the beginning I have started to observe her. Her momements, how she communicates with her guests, how she plans her day, her priorities, difficulties. I wanted to create her portrait in my head to visualise her daily paths, have asked millions questions (How I love it). Once Elżbieta said: “please, enough” and I was repeating over and over –“Do you want to creat it perfectly or no?” and she laughted answering “OK… OK…”
ELA – is the key!
The first obstacle to jump over – a proper business name for both apartments??? OMG, nobody would pronunce her name Elżbieta properly and it would be a disaster if there is a need to concentrate on English speaking customers or locations where English is the mother tongue.
I got and idea and simplified the pronunciation of her name, which is also very easy to recognise by her Polish customers and at the same time the targer group.
ELA! – is the key. It must be ELA. Simple, only three letters, easy to spell – great! I got it!
Having met a couple of times and constantly speaking, we successfully decided about her logo and the company’s dominant colour (#aa0078) to underline what is important in her business. We have found some slogans to define her purposes and where she would like to go. And the most we have clarified her thoughts in many aspects of her tourism business.
There is still loads of work ahead, but happyly we have developed a plan for this week, next 3 months and defined the #ELApartments’ future.
