The first Black-owned hostel brand is celebrating its anniversary with its largest offering ever

Wanderstay, America’s first Black-owned hostel brand, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its boutique hotel. Founder Deidre Mathis is celebrating by announcing her biggest offering in order that recent customers can check out the space.

Curious travelers will reach Houston stay in one among Wanderstay’s themed rooms, inspiring with music, sports and even safari. Tucked away within the cultural district of the East End, Mathis intentionally designed this space to bring fun and excitement back to luxury adult accommodation.

Guests can enjoy this Black-owned oasis for over 50% off the regular rate, supplying you with a 2-night stay for just $149 plus tax. Although the possibility to get this deal ends on April 15, buyers have one yr to benefit from this never-to-be-repeated offer and participate within the Wanderstay. More information, including the discount code, may be found on Wanderstay’s social media accounts.

To highlight this recent offer, BLACK ENTERPRISES spoke with Mathis in a fast Q&A session about pursuing her wildest dreams, securing funding, and the hostel community.

How to get from the hostel to the hotel? It looks as if a very different ball game.

We opened the hostel in 2018. I made history because the first black woman to run and own a hostel within the US, but I already knew then that I desired to expand my hotel brand. As I got older, other travelers did it too and also you realize that hostels are mainly great while you’re younger. When I used to be older, I wanted something more upscale that would not break the bank. So I created a hotel that met what my friends and I were now searching for.

Explain your purpose and mission at Wanderstay. Many people hear the word “hostel” and have some negative associations in mind. How do you combat and dismantle the narrative? What could make a hostel feel prefer it’s five-star?

When we first opened, people asked, “Why a hostel and why Houston?” I replied, “Why not?” Honestly, there was no hostel option. I take a look at the statistics; There are plenty of tourists and events in Houston, but there are not any options for this kind of accommodation. When it involves breaking the stereotype, I didn’t need to do much because our target market, hostelers, were searching for us. But I still love introducing it to Black and brown individuals who would otherwise never give it some thought.

How has this experience before the COVID-19 pandemic shaped your enterprise journey?

We opened at a really special moment. Before the pandemic broke out, we had only been in business for a yr and a half. We just needed to turn around hard and we did it in a short time. We are positioned two miles from the medical center so we could accommodate nurses and family visitors. We all the time tell people who when the going gets tough, take into consideration how you may change to save lots of your enterprise. We maintain our brand standards of cleanliness and community, and folks proceed to make use of us.

Can you explain your view on raising equity funding for this enterprise, especially when this avenue for Black women entrepreneurs is in danger??

So I fully funded each of my projects with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, which is a unicorn, right? First of all, as within the case of the hostel, many start-ups use SBA loans, including people who open businesses in specific, area of interest industries. I used to be in the suitable place at the suitable time. When I moved to Houston, I began networking and met as many individuals as I could.

In 2016, I entered as many pitching competitions as I could. I did about 18 – and won all of them. People then began to take notice. So after I began searching for money for my business, I had local banks willing to support me. When I had my second location, I picked up the phone and said, “Hey, I’m ready to grow,” and the banks said, “OK, let’s do it.” So I tell people, if you happen to want an SBA loan, be energetic in your city and tell people what you do.

What experiences have you ever delivered to your guests? How do you would like to influence and shape the best way Black people travel?

I really like how most days I sit at my desk and talk over with my guests. They are so pleased with me and completely satisfied after they discover we’re Black owned. When you provide good customer support, skin color doesn’t matter, but guests know that you just appear like them they usually’re much more excited to share your story. We have also implemented many security measures to make sure this safety.

We are a hotel, but what we actually offer is a spot for the community.

What was the most important obstacle you overcame to realize this dream? Has it ever felt unattainable? What do you’ve gotten to say to other Black women who’ve lofty dreams?

Sometimes I believe: wow, not only did I even have this dream, but I made it come true. Not once, but twice… but I need people to realize it wasn’t easy. In 2014 I made a decision to open it and toiled for 4 and a half years. I didn’t earn or receive any rewards. But I made business plans, checked my funds and made contacts. Four years of achieving this goal gave me every part I needed when it got here time to finally open.

You bring the world to you with Wanderstay. What do you wish them to go away with?

We have so many things in common on this world, but I believe all of us feel alone and disconnected. When people can look me in the attention and talk over with me, they get something out of it. You do not get this in traditional hotels. I need people to go away Wanderstay feeling like they’ve just left a family or friend behind and might’t wait to see them again.