We like to speak with clients about their businesses, and what makes them tick, and hopefully inspire more entrepreneurs to take the next step.

CEDC: We’re very excited today to be speaking with a CEDC business partner Ruby Berryman, founder of Lancaster Motel in Lancaster, NH. Thanks for joining us. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

Answer: I am a wife, mother, citizen, business owner and artist. I have a BA in playwriting from the University of California San Diego and MFA in playwriting from Spalding University in Louisville, KY.

CEDC: How did you get started? What made you want to open your own business?

Answer: My husband Brian and I didn’t just want to open any business but wanted something that mattered to this community that we have been a part of for almost twenty years now. The Lancaster Motel is a local landmark whose location and history is central to the town.

CEDC: Tell us how you helped your business survive during the pandemic. Have you seen the community come together and support each other? Tips for other businesses?

Answer: The pandemic hit the hospitality industry hard closing all lodging in our state. We used this as an opportunity to service the traveling medical professionals that came up to work at the area hospitals and nursing homes. Because of the experience we were able to provide, our motel is now the preferred place to stay for traveling medical staff coming to the area.

The community came together to support us in many small ways like stopping in just to encourage us to large lifesaving moments like making major repairs on equipment to help us out. We supported other businesses such as the Polish Princess and Granite Grind to be our “breakfast partners” before our space was licensed for continental breakfast.

I would encourage anyone considering starting a small business or recently started to contact agencies such as the CEDC which has a wealth of resources including grants and loan funding in amounts that make sense to truly small businesses. The technical assistance and beautification grants alone are things that would help a new business get out of the gate much faster.

CEDC: Prior to becoming a Board Member, how did you hear about CEDC?

Answer: I heard about the CEDC from the previous Executive Director Lise Howson, who had the foresight to walk into my new business and introduce herself and the CEDC to me. This is how I learned about the grant programs and was a recipient of a beautification grant which help to provide my signage and patio in front of the motel. It literally changed the face of my business.

CEDC: Tell me more about what makes your business unique or fill a niche.

Answer: Our business is unique because of its location among the three lodging facilities in town. The location allows us to promote other Main Street businesses such as food and shopping opportunities including the Farmer’s Market. Our guests enjoy being able to walk to the Rialto theatre and outdoor concerts in the summer. In addition, we now have a retro-style cocktail bar and a speakeasy-style cigar lounge that has been a huge hit with locals as well as the wedding parties that stay with us.

CEDC: What advice can you offer other women that might be interested in starting a small business?

Answer: I would say tap into the resources that are available through CEDC, SCORE and the like. It will save them time and fewer start up mistakes will be made. Also do not hesitate to confer with other business owners even if they are not in your field. They can offer encouragement and insight on business cycles and the like. I was fortunate to be mentored and encouraged by Mike Kopp at North Country Ford and the late Greg Cloutier.

CEDC: What are you thinking about doing next? Any future plans or expansion?

Answer: I always try to include the arts in whatever I do, hence the Lancaster Mural on my building! As we build out our banquet spaces, I’m hoping to incorporate talks and exhibits of art, music, crafts and such particularly during the winter months when we are all going stir crazy and need an outlet and some indoor fun. I’d like to partner with area businesses on these things as well such as Wm. Rugh’s Art Gallery.

CEDC: This has been great! And as a recipient, I have to tell you- all of us at CEDC are very proud of all you’ve done. And as a Board member thank you for your commitment to this organization.

Answer: I am very proud to be a member of the CEDC Board. It is an agency that produces measurable results in people’s lives. Dreams are realized through the CEDC programs which gives many the needed funding and advice that’s needed to see a project get off the ground. I’m thankful to be able to participate in the process.

CEDC: Thanks again for your time today!

If you are in the area, be sure to check out Lancaster Motel, or if you are not in the area, find them on the shelf at your local beer store. To learn more, visit www.thelancastermotel.com or seek them out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLancasterMotel/

If you would like to have your business featured in our Small Business Spotlight, email us at execdirector@coosedc.org.