In this Radical Hospitality Podcast episode, host Zeke Freeman talks with Kerri Gibson, co‑founder of Chalet Hygge and Motel Boutique Hygge, a growing boutique hospitality brand in Quebec’s ski country. Kerri explains how she walked away from a top general‑manager role in a multinational tech company, reinvented her life and career, and built a hands‑on portfolio of chalets and a boutique motel grounded in hygge‑inspired design, disciplined numbers, and intentional lifestyle choices.
You’ll learn how she and her husband Philippe structure deals, renovate while cash‑flowing, use government loans and grants, and create guest experiences that consistently outperform the local market on ADR, occupancy, and reviews
Key topics covered
Kerri’s journey from CPA and software executive to full‑time boutique hospitality owner in Quebec
How a winter trip to Norway and discovering “hygge” reshaped her design philosophy and lifestyle priorities
The three‑phase model they use for every project: acquisition and underwriting, renovation, and property management/operations
Why they chose to renovate their 16‑room roadside motel while keeping it open and cash‑flowing—and how that reduced long‑term debt needs
Creative financing strategies: personal savings, pulling equity from existing chalets, and leveraging Quebec and Canada government programs for a 20‑year loan and grants
The operational reality of running short‑term rentals versus a motel: guest planning behavior, communications, staffing and guest expectations
KPIs they track (ADR, RevPAR, occupancy, pacing) and how they lifted ADR from ~139 CAD to ~189 CAD in 18 months, with even higher rates in peak summer
Building a cohesive brand across multiple properties, staying within a tight “buy box,” and leading with passion and guest experience in every acquisition decision
How local and regional tourism boards and influencer collaborations drive “warm” demand for their properties
Kerri’s “life 2.0” reflections on leaving corporate, redefining wealth, and designing a business around her strengths and values
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