The View_September 2018_F_Web

Photo credit: Kym Gregory Photography
MEET A SATIC MEMBER – REDWING FARMSTAY
Located in a peaceful rural setting on
Yorke Peninsula, Redwing is a unique
farm-stay, offering an exceptional
standard of deluxe accommodation. We
caught up with Nicola Adams, who owns
Redwing with husband Damien, to learn
more about the business and their plans
for the future.
WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT?
Our accommodation is of a deluxe
standard, we have plenty of animals
and we do not offer Wi-Fi or any other
technology as we are keen for our guests
to detach from these sorts of devices
during their stay.
WHAT VALUABLE LESSONS HAVE YOU
LEARNT ALONG THE WAY?
We have learnt that it is ok to be different.
We still have locals who do not understand
what we do, or why we do it, but we
are proud to be different and to have
introduced a new experience to the area.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DELIVERING
SERVICE EXCELLENCE?
We listen to people. We make time
for people. Yes, we have our rules and
regulations as you have to with any
business, but we offer good, old-fashioned
service. If people want to see us on the
property, or chat to us on the phone,
we are happy to do that. We have
feedback books in the properties where
we encourage guests to tell us if there
were any issues during their stay, no matter
how small.
HOW DO YOU ADAPT TO CHANGE
AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE?
We embrace change and are lucky to have
made some great friends and contacts in
the industry that keep us in the loop with
new ideas, training opportunities and
developments. We find this really helps to
keep up on top of our game. It has been
really important to network for this reason,
and you really meet some great people
along the way.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE TIPS FOR
BUSINESS SUCCESS?
Dream it and do it! Do not look back and
wish you had done all those things you
thought of when you had the chance. If
you are going to do it, do it properly, do
not make it a half-hearted effort, because
every one of your guests or customers
will see through it. Secondly, there are no
mistakes, only lessons. Every part of the
journey has taught us something, whether
the results meant we nailed it – or needed
to re-look at something – it is all part of
the ride. Thirdly, make contacts in the
industry. There are lots of great people
to help you on your journey, so use them.
Do not ever be too proud, or busy, to
accept help when it is offered.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE?
We plan to expand our business by adding
more accommodation, convert our old
shearing shed into a function centre and
grow the education side of our business
in relation to agriculture. And who knows
what else will pop up. We just got offered
a 1950’s timber caravan – the perfect
couples’ farm retreat? Watch this space!
"WE ARE PROUD TO BE
DIFFERENT AND TO HAVE
INTRODUCED A NEW
EXPERIENCE TO THE AREA."
SATIC. SPRING 2018 27