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BLTnT Podcast

Episode 22

With Elise Fisher
January 29th, 2024

Scotty Buchzeiger

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In this episode of the BLTnT podcast, Matt Loria joins Elise Fisher, the spirited owner and chairperson of Nub’s Nob Ski Area. Elise shares her profound connection to the ski area she runs alongside her mother and siblings, Yvonne and Greg Fisher. Elise shares her multifaceted life journey from a young ski enthusiast to a pivotal community leader.   

As a mom, grandmother, philanthropist, and influential leader in both healthcare as a board member and local business owner, Elise weaves a story of deep community involvement, impactful leadership, and the timeless values of her family legacy.  

 

What you will learn in this episode:    

Family Business Dynamics: Elise offers a behind-the-scenes look at managing Nub’s Nob, sharing thoughtful insights learned by observing her father Walter charter the unique dynamics and shared responsibilities of running a family-owned ski area.  


Business Philosophy: Elise delves into the guiding principles behind her management style at Nub’s Nob, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and cementing meaningful community connections.  

The Future of the Ski Area: Looking ahead, Elise focuses on the future of Nub’s Nob, exploring the challenges and opportunities of generational transitions while emphasizing the importance of preserving both family values and the business’s core identity.  

This episode takes a look at the delicate balance of personal commitment and professional leadership that defines the ethos of Nub’s Nob and the community it serves.  

Let’s dig in!!  

I’m Matt Loria, and I’m here at one of my happiest places on earth at Nub’s Knob sitting in the basement at the Brown Bagger and (2:07) to my immediate left is Elise Fisher, the owner and chairperson of Nub’s Knob. (2:15) Hello Matt, how are you today? I’m doing great. Thanks for being here.

 

I’m so excited to be invited and included in this. It’s your place. (2:23) You granted permission and were invited, so this is great.

 

I’m glad you’re here. So you’re a mom, grandma, daughter, philanthropist (2:31) and not just a philanthropist with finances, but with also big time commitments. (2:35) I know with the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, which is we have some common friends over there, (2:41) and then of course the chairperson at Nub’s Knob ski area.

 

So you’re not even busy. I’m not busy at all. (2:47) No, I love everything I do and I love being a part of this community in so many ways.

 

As you mentioned, my (2:55) serving on the hospital board and the foundation board. I recently just became (3:00) chair of the Harvest Rings Festival of the Book Board and (3:04) I volunteer wherever I can. I’m part of Topenexis and Harvest Springs and some other things and (3:11) it’s great to be a part of this community.

 

(3:13) I actually did the same kind of thing when I was living in the Detroit area and you meet wonderful people and (3:20) you learn and you grow and give back at the same time. That’s amazing. What were some of the (3:26) associations or organizations you were associated with in the Detroit area? When I was living in Detroit, (3:31) I was very involved in Detroit Institute of Arts.

 

I was on several auxiliaries. I took leadership positions in those auxiliaries, (3:39) our local garden club, (3:42) Oakland Family Services and some other organizations of that type and very involved in my kids schools. (3:49) Okay, great.

 

Catholic schools, right? Yes. Okay, promoting the (3:54) promoting the charge. Yes.

 

So (3:57) walk me back. Let’s give people a little bit of color as to (4:02) kind of just your journey, (4:04) however deep you want to go, up to here. You are sitting here as the chairperson of Nubs Nob.

 

(4:09) So I don’t know if you want to start, you know, as a child before motherhood where you want to start, (4:14) but I mean, we’ll get to a lot of stuff too. So don’t don’t feel any pressure. Okay.

 

(4:21) I have to say at the stage in my life, it’s (4:26) reflective to look back to see where I am now, especially in this industry, in this business. (4:32) I never knew that I would be in this position. As a little girl, I (4:37) applied to one college, (4:38) University of Vermont.

 

And back in the day, you could apply to one college and assume you’re gonna get in. It’s not the case today. (4:46) But anyway, I applied to University of Vermont.

 

I got in because I wanted to ski. (4:51) I was not a competitive skier, but I knew I wanted to ski.(4:53) So my interest was sparked as a young person and (4:58) my dad actually brought me up north when I was six because he wanted me to learn, even though he was not an avid skier,(5:04) he thought it would be a good thing.

 

(5:06) So I’ve always had it in my blood, I guess, (5:09) recreational skiing, and (5:11) I never knew I would be in this position like I just mentioned. (5:15) But I can look back and see the progression and the leadership and (5:20) I’m very grateful for how I got here because I (5:26) worked into it as a family, as a daughter of a father who, as I said, was not an avid skier, (5:32) but he was really good in business and vision and thinking and (5:37) he fell into this (5:40) industry kind of by chance, just knowing people in the community how one thing leads to another and (5:48) he acquired Knupp’s Knob in 1977 and (5:52) he learned a lot along the journey. (5:55) As most everyone knows, he was an automotive and here he is now in the ski business (6:00) having to make snow and make different kinds of decisions.

 

(6:04) He fortunately was really good friends with the general manager at Boyne Highlands(6:09) and he wanted to come over and he did and he brought along his (6:14) understudy with him. (6:16) So I was really fortunate to have witnessed this as a college student at that time in my life, (6:23) knowing I love to ski, but just watching his business acumen and how we handle things and (6:29) I still attribute a lot of our success today is how we treat people and (6:36) how we grow our organization in a very organic way. (6:40) So (6:41) here again, I’m looking back and looking where I am now and I think that was very instrumental in how I (6:49) deal with things today and (6:52) we have managed growth and (6:55) managed change and (6:57) at Knupp’s Knob we (7:00) upgrade and improve things all the time, but our customer doesn’t necessarily know it.

 

(7:05) They want to come back to what they left last season. (7:07) They want the hot curly fries, the cold beer, the great soup, and I hate to even mention it, but (7:14) this Oreo fluff that Ralph puts out on the shelves. (7:18) Oh, yeah, you know.

 

My kids are addicted. There’s a support group for children addicted to Oreo fluff. (7:24) I know and it breaks my heart because Ben and I are more (7:29) healthy eaters, but that Oreo fluff goes out the door.

 

So anyway, (7:35) that’s kind of how I look back and look forward and I attribute a lot of (7:40) the culture of this company to its origins from my father. (7:45) Yeah, I was mentioning that(7:47) well to you and then to Ben and to others that I speak to that the the feeling here (7:54) we never I never feel like a customer here. I always feel like part of the organization and you know, (8:00) he said he said, you know the the essence of things is that the seasoned pass holders (8:04) they really feel like they’re like they’re owners and it’s it’s it’s really an interesting(8:12) culture that’s developed and I don’t I mean, I guess I don’t know if that’s the case at every other ski area.

 

(8:19) You know, do you have do you have a comparative or are there others that have that same level of (8:24) kind of buy-in that you have? I don’t have a comparative other than when I talk to our customers (8:29) especially customers that maybe are a member of a private club somewhere. They feel like they have the same feeling here. (8:37) I would agree.

 

Yes, and so that makes me feel I mean, it’s very (8:41) complimentary of them to say that and I think it’s our size and we just (8:47) we take care of all the departments equally the same and(8:51) yeah, people feel like it’s a private club. Yeah, I would say it and not in a good way. No, no(8:57) Ben had mentioned (9:00) almost the that the focus if if you put the focus first on the seasoned pass holders and you get yourself kind of that (9:07) thousand fans that thousand raving fans (9:10) everything else really seems to fall in line, you know, and I think that’s that’s embodied here.

 

I see it happen. (9:18) What do you think about that? I totally agree with that and (9:22) And(9:24) It goes back to our our staff too, I think they’re (9:28) Brought into the whole program too in this community as you know in this era (9:33) people are searching for employees and we just have them knocking at our door because of the culture and and how we (9:41) treat people and empower them and enhance their environment to work in and (9:47) Yeah, I think we’re really blessed that way. Yeah, but I think that that doesn’t happen by accident (9:52) And I was talking to Ben about the fact that the the culture, you know (9:56) And let’s start it at the top with ownership and then let’s bring it all the way down to the little kid on the hill (10:01) The little kid on the hill here can can go out by themselves as soon as the parent is is ready (10:08) You know to kind of let them go and the culture here fosters one of that it is not (10:14) Abnormal, you know when no one’s looking at someone and saying oh my gosh, you let your kid go at nubs(10:18) No, as soon as the kids ready, you kind of let them go and it gives them that that first sense of freedom (10:25) that Ben was talking about and (10:27) You know, I kind of walk that back up the ladder all the way back up to ownership and go (10:31) okay, there’s something special here that starts there that allows that to happen for that little kid and (10:38) I’d like to talk about with you (10:41) some observations that I have which is (10:44) When I’m here and I’m watching you as the owner walk around I’m not watching the staff walk around on eggshells(10:51) It’s not like oh at least is walking through at least.

 

Oh, you know the whispers going on. It’s (10:56) You’re another person here. Obviously, you’ll do anything (10:59) I mean, I see you pick up trays in the cafeteria or whatever if if there’s one there, but where does that come from in? (11:07) You know whether it was the influence of your dad or you know things that you picked up along the way (11:11) How do you continue to maintain that where at the top? (11:16) No eggshells and instilling that all the way down to where that that kid is safe and can go experience some freedom.

 

I (11:24) Will (11:25) Comment on that and first I want to bring my mother into this too. It wasn’t all my dad (11:29) It was my mother and father they were a team (11:31) So I think we should know your brother sister and your mother and you yes (11:36) yes, and so I want to give you know a shout out to my mother too, but (11:41) We were raised to treat people (11:45) equally and as human beings and I think that starts with all of us at the top and I take a (11:52) Lot of interest in all of my employees. I try to know (11:56) Obviously, I can’t remember all their birthdays and all that kind of thing (11:59) But I need to know who their spouses are who their children are if one of their children just graduated from a particular school (12:05) I try to put that in my memory bank (12:07) Because it means a lot to me to be able to talk to them about that kind of thing because if someone asked me about (12:13) my children I want to say (12:14) Well, thank you for asking.

 

Yeah, so it kind of starts there and I work at it really hard and I (12:23) try to make face with every employee whether it’s a snowmaker or someone in rental or (12:29) the general store and(12:31) Really take interest in them and I think it comes back to me because they seem to be interested more in their job (12:36) maybe and (12:39) Because we don’t have a high rate of turnover of employees (12:41) When you do send your little toddler out on the purple lift or the now the new space worm (12:46) All the employees kind of know who these kids are. So I think that’s another reason why they feel safe (12:51) it’s still part of the big family and (12:54) I’ve had that experience with my own grandchildren who don’t live here (12:59) But when they come back for the winter all the staff is you know, hi hazy. Hi Helen (13:04) You know, I can’t wait to see you on the bunny hill or you know, whatever and they remember they care (13:11) So it’s you know, whatever starts at the top does go all the way through.

 

Yeah, I’m feeling cared for (13:18) Yes, just like hurt people hurt people take the thing cared for people care for people. Yeah, that’s interesting (13:26) We had we had chatted a little bit (13:29) Beforehand that we were talking about books. What what are what are any of the books or(13:34) podcasts or shows or anything that are maybe kind of shaping your (13:38) thinking or(13:40) Reinforcing or changing or you know, whatever whatever it might be doing with you(13:43) so I (13:45) Even though I’m involved in the harvesting special of the book (13:47) I can’t say I’m an avid reader, but I am reading more and when you asked me that off-camera (13:53) My first reaction and I hope (13:56) Everyone’s listening to this was (13:59) Green lights by Matthew McConaughey and I listened to it because it was his voice speaking now (14:04) I can’t say that was the only book in my life that you know made an impression or whatever (14:09) You did mention though.

 

I mean and I’m sure father Roman knows that the Bible was the first one and then you said, oh, yeah (14:16) Now you’re putting words (14:19) That’s okay. That’s okay (14:21) No, there’s lots of but I think that was a more recent book that I listened to and it was interesting (14:28) What did you pick up from? I mean it was a wild childhood wild childhood (14:36) Wild road, but he still had that center core (14:39) Yeah, that drove him to where he is today and you can deviate and go all over the map (14:44) But if you have that center, you know where you’re going and you he respects his mother to this day (14:50) Yes, and even his father who was a little out there. I mean there was still that respect and that loyalty (14:56) And I think that’s what was interesting because you see him as a celebrity and you’re like this guy, you know, right? (15:03) It’s going on but there’s some depth there for sure and some (15:08) Some strength what did they call they were calling it like outlaw logic.

 

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

 

Is there any outlaw logic in the in the Fisher family? (15:20) Another book. So what I’m reading another book I’m reading right now are listening to and the author is reading it is Barbra Streisand (15:28) Oh, that’s another really interesting now (15:31) I’m older than pardon me older than some of you all but you go back to her beginning (15:37) it she was, you know buying clothes in the thrift shops and trying to you know, she didn’t know if she wanted to be an (15:43) Actress or a singer that’s another interesting one. I’m really into historical biographies (15:49) Okay, that would be my go-to for reading and listening.

 

Yeah, I enjoy them, too (15:54) I I just enjoy and I’m gravitated towards anyone who’s a deep thinker (16:00) And not as soon as I can recognize that there’s something below the surface(16:04) I get real excited and want to learn more and want to talk to somebody or want to read their book (16:08) and so that was kind of the same thing about (16:10) Matthew McConaughey’s book where it was like wow, you know you (16:14) You get a couple (16:17) Chapters in this and you’re like this is really interesting and his ability to articulate was (16:22) pretty remarkable, you know, so (16:27) Yeah, I’ll have to I’ll have to so I’m a book listener more than I am (16:31) Okay reader and actually it’s pretty much your fault because I have to drive up here (16:36) You know, I have to drive a lot (16:38) So that’s I end up listening to a lot of books and so my older kids and my younger kids both have been exposed to a (16:43) lot of (16:45) Because of because of this ride, so yes, you’re responsible for a lot of miles on the on the Yukon and I (16:53) Did that for many years so I can appreciate it. Yeah, it’s (16:57) Quality time with your family it is (16:58) I mean you get to lock them into the car and you get to talk to them and as long as you (17:03) Shut the screens off, you know, you can get some of their attention (17:06) Mm-hmm, and some of those are the most fun rides up the kids and just the laughing and the stuff they come up with so (17:13) You have any memorable (17:15) ones that you could repeat I do and if my son is gonna watch this podcast he (17:22) The two of us drove up when he was in first grade and he got really into his (17:28) Phonics book. I don’t know what they call him at the time (17:29) But he got into his little workbook that he was doing in first grade and he was so into it in four hours(17:35) He completed the whole thing (17:36) and he got in trouble because he was only supposed to do the first two chapters or something like that and we laughed about it because(17:42) he just got so into it, but (17:46) It was just weekend after weekend and a lot of the times we would (17:51) two moms (17:53) Myself and another we put our kids all in the back of one car and drive up together and at the end of the season (17:59) We would count how many french fries are under the seats (18:04) Under the seats and and then we clean our car like in April and go oh my gosh (18:09) How many times do we stop at West Branch how many times we get you know (18:13) The fries and whatnot.

 

So there’s a lot of good times. That’s great (18:17) Yeah, we have we have too many too many fun trips with my cousins and brother and sister, you know coming up and (18:24) you know West Branch is (18:26) it’s the stop and I (18:29) remember some incidents with (18:31) Young boys ketchup packets in a bathroom. Oh, yeah, that’s a trouble.

 

So (18:37) Never arrested though, so they don’t really they don’t they don’t arrest nine-year-olds in West Branch, which is good (18:44) So (18:46) You know, you’re in a multi-generational business and the majority of our (18:50) viewers are (18:53) typically CEOs and leaders from kind of mid-market organizations, okay, and (19:00) you know a lot of people are in family business and I think we know the statistics are against us in terms of (19:06) you know, how many transitions does this place actually make but but (19:10) You are truly a legacy organization and you treat it as such (19:15) in your in your management style (19:19) How do you feel like you’re(19:21) Actually before I go there (19:22) Let me let me let me let me say something different for you is and I don’t know if I mentioned this already (19:27) I know I’ve I’ve thought it a thousand times is that it feels like you are stewards more than you are owners of the (19:34) Of this place is that that makes really good sense (19:40) And so (19:42) Okay, your your dad Walter well, first of all the the owner the original owners created something special (19:48) Your dad kept something special and then added special to it. You’re continuing to do that same thing (19:56) How do you feel like what do you feel like the longevity is for a place like this to truly maintain?(20:03) And do you think you think it can last into? (20:06) G3 g4. I’m hoping it lasts into g3 and g4.

 

I like what you just said a minute ago about we’re stewarding this (20:15) Organization or this area. I think that’s a really appropriate word. I (20:20) think (20:22) The third generation (20:25) Organically will come up through the ranks and and kind of find their way (20:30) My brother sister and I all (20:33) share in (20:34) equal exposure and equal opportunity for any of the kids and (20:39) Before I get into what I think is happening (20:42) I want to make a statement that my brother said my brother Greg (20:46) said many years ago and maybe my dad even said it but my brother keeps repeating it and (20:53) We love this business as a family (20:56) But when it ever (20:58) Distracts us to a point where we can’t sit down for Christmas dinner and we’re done.

 

Mm-hmm. So that (21:05) Kind of reinforces how we all work together and it’s worked really well, but that’s kind of the underlying statement (21:11) Okay, that would be so that would be the parachute that would be yes. Yep.

 

So so far it’s working (21:17) My children are the oldest and they were both very good ski racers(21:23) They’re all state four years in a row at Mary and brother rice my son his senior year did win (21:30) state championship in giant slalom Oh first brother rice (21:35) boy to ever win a state championship and so (21:40) This is just part of their you know (21:43) and so anyway, I don’t push or pressure but I (21:49) Inform them of what’s going on from what’s current event in the ski business so to speak and (21:55) my management style they also were fortunate to know my dad and how he did things and (22:04) A lot of times, you know will if the decision is to be made or something (22:08) It’s like what would Walter do and we look at each other and kind of chuckle (22:14) They (22:15) Are showing interest just on their own and I think I mentioned to you last week (22:20) My son Stuart just out of curiosity (22:23) Wanted to shadow a snow farmer. Okay (22:26) Can you explain what a snow farmer is just in case there’s just general business people who don’t know the ski business (22:32) so a snow farmer is a very dedicated group of(22:38) people employees that go out any time of night and (22:42) Make snow that entails(22:44) shifts from (22:46) 3 to midnight midnight to 8, you know 8 to 3 etc (22:50) And they are geared up and they are monitoring our over 180 ski guns (22:56) All night long all day long. The temperature has to be a certain temperature.

 

They (23:02) Have to move the guns around depending on the wind (23:05) They have to check the pond levels as we are drawing water out of our pond (23:10) They’re breaking ice off of the chairlifts that we create snow on by mistake not ice (23:15) Hard snow off the chairlifts that we kind of blast with snow. It’s a very (23:21) grueling cold (23:24) Amazing (23:25) opportunity and job so (23:28) Stewart wanted to he was just curious and wanted to shadow so he drove up from Detroit and (23:36) Joined the 3 o’clock midnight shift and then was so into it stayed from midnight to 8 and (23:43) He was just blown away (23:46) Not only by the crew and their devotion, but just the expertise and the skill that goes into making our snow (23:53) we take great pride in our snow and (23:57) He was very (24:00) Taken (24:01) by just the whole mechanics of it, but the people how they support and they’re they’re out there freezing and(24:09) They take such pride in the quality, too (24:12) It was pretty it was so that’s what a snow farmer does (24:15) That’s neat to be able to see that from the inside like there’s a whole different appreciation when you said he even trained to be (24:21) A firefighter as well. So he knows what yes, and he said this really hard work type of activity can be yes (24:27) Yeah, so and my daughter who lives in Denver Logan (24:31) She’s equally as interested in the in the industry (24:34) but of course she’s not here so she can’t really participate as much as she’d like to but (24:40) When she’s here, she’s here.

 

She’s very aware and has really great ideas and helps balance (24:47) Some of my thinking too. Okay. I appreciate that.

 

Well, how would you identify your thinking mate might? (24:53) Land is there is there a word that that kind of maybe describes and you could even start with your dad and say, okay (24:58) Hey when you say hey, how would Walt what would Walter do? (25:02) How did he kind of go about processing in his head when he was dealing with a business challenge versus maybe how you do? (25:10) he (25:12) Would capitalize and support (25:16) Things that worked that he knew we’re gonna work. He also (25:23) Financially would be the resource for any equipment we ever needed and (25:30) But in a very thoughtful way in a very realistic way he (25:38) He might not look at at the aesthetics like I might look at some of the aesthetics and (25:44) I (25:44) like working with Ben a lot because he can do both he can look at the (25:49) groomers and the(25:51) Snow guns and know the mechanics of it and the functionality and the efficiencies(25:56) But we have fun. For example when we had to redo the bar this past summer (26:00) We did new countertops a new signage and he gets really into that too.

 

So my dad was more (26:07) Let’s give him the best equipment to make the best product and treat our employees, you know the best we can (26:13) I’m a little more aesthetic and kind of looking at the whole space. That’s when we redid this brown bag room. Mm-hmm and (26:20) We’ve done some of the things upstairs some new tables and chairs and whatnot and we redid the (26:26) restrooms (26:27) So that’s kind of where I am to kind of keep it a little more aesthetically pleasing and up-to-date (26:35) Generation three being my children’s generation.

 

They’re looking at it more from (26:41) the experience (26:42) the marketing of it (26:45) it was actually my son who (26:47) We were talking about it a few years ago and (26:51) Lift tickets used to be the best margins in the business now (26:56) The season pass is bringing in so many more people (26:59) So when you look at it from a business point, you would say but mom look, you know (27:03) Yeah, you have more margin on a lift ticket (27:05) But if you sell more season passes people are coming so that paradigm kind of shifted a little bit (27:11) and so he is into thinking like that more okay and more of the experience and (27:18) With my daughter having two young little girls. She’s looking at it from (27:23) the ease of getting into the (27:26) Getting the kids dressed and getting them on the space where I’m getting them on the purple the ease of entry into the sport. Mm-hmm, so (27:33) That would be where we’ll sit down and have a conversation and I’m thinking oh, this would be kind of cool (27:38) And they’re like, well, no, did you think about you know, getting the skis off the car? (27:43) So you mix your your look at aesthetics and their look at you kind of utility utility (27:50) Especially for from a family’s perspective.

 

Yes (27:54) you mix those together and that’s where we kind of see the (27:58) kind of the gen gen 3 sort of viewpoint coming in but kind of watching that kind of yeah, right, but it all started with the (28:05) Quality piece of you know of Walters piece, right? (28:10) To you kind of let’s shine it up even more (28:13) And then let’s make it easy to use so I like the progression right you can see the you can see the growth and you can (28:19) see the (28:20) responsible (28:22) Nature of the growth here, right? I mean one of the things we talked about with Ben that I I’m sure (28:27) Resonates with you that I’d love to hear your perspective on is (28:31) This is one of those places. You can’t change it too much (28:34) Too fast it has to the people have to grow along (28:37) You’re those thousand fans have to come along come along for the ride, right and really buy into it and that’s where (28:45) generation three can bring in (28:49) Trendier things that hopefully are sustainable. Mm-hmm and (28:56) That’s what I’m looking at them for now I have to go back and just make one (29:02) Mention about kovat.

 

That was a hard time. Oh, yeah, but I’ll tell you we learned a lot some of the things (29:08) Yeah, obviously with a lot of companies. Mm-hmm, but we’re in the service food business and it was tough and (29:15) But we learned a lot (29:16) Everybody learned a lot from that and some of the things we still are adhering to what would what would be one main lesson? (29:22) I know Ben and I talked a lot about this and the learnings and the things that came out of it and the things that have (29:27) Stuck today, but what would be one that that stands out to you? (29:31) People are eating outside more (29:34) not because (29:35) Of the covert factor, but I think they had to eat outside then and now they’re realizing this isn’t so bad.

 

It’s enjoyable (29:42) It’s very enjoyable. Yeah, and it’s healthier and it’s more family oriented and whatnot. No good point (29:49) I didn’t I didn’t think about that one thing I did (29:53) Want to make sure that we mentioned is this? (29:56) One of the one of the pieces that makes nubs nub special or just the I want to maybe it’s not the culture just kind (30:03) of the (30:05) The way right the way is to fix things (30:09) Appropriately and to fix a mistake appropriately (30:12) One thing that I noticed that you guys did was during covered you made that really nice cement patio (30:18) With fire pits outside and everything to allow people have have a place to be(30:22) But then realized oh (30:25) We have to shovel this thing (30:26) and that’s not so bad except for that it cakes up around the tables and it cakes up around the chairs and they have to(30:31) move everything and so it’s a lot more work and (30:35) It’s almost like without missing a beat.

 

It was like the next year that was just done. It was a heated a heated (30:43) surface now and(30:44) Nobody’s out there shoveling and there’s never any snow or ice and but it just happened kind of silently and swiftly (30:52) Talk about that and maybe other things that we don’t see and that would apply to (30:57) Just business in general of what you don’t see and kind of how you do one thing is how you do everything (31:04) Okay, that’s a great example, and it just did happen and (31:09) Every year when we send out our letter for season passes, etc(31:13) We like to list all the things the fun things that we did over the summer improvements putting in heating coils and cement (31:21) Isn’t something that’s fun and sexy and attractive and but it worked. So we try to balance (31:28) our capital expenditures to that degree in the summer of what’s kind of fun and what’s not I (31:33) Think the biggest change we’ve had to make (31:36) Was replacing the green lift.

 

Hmm. That was a major (31:41) major (31:42) capital project (31:44) Let me back up. I have to say that removing the blue lift was probably another major (31:51) historical (31:53) Legacy challenge that was like that was like you cut off one of my legs (31:56) Yes, and that happened, but but I did get one.

 

I did get one of the blue chairs. Aren’t you? Okay now (32:02) Do you ever think about it anymore? (32:05) You don’t want to know what my therapist and I talk about but yeah, the blue chair is part of it (32:10) No, I don’t I don’t necessarily. I don’t I miss it from the nostalgia standpoint the the new so for anybody (32:17) Who doesn’t know about the green chair all the chairs here at nubs knob are a different color (32:22) Which makes it real easy for families to kind of find each other and easy to navigate the place (32:27) But it’s it is the main the main lift right when you pull in (32:31) That pretty much everybody rides up.

 

You might you might go get to something else after that, but it’s the main it’s the main left(32:39) The blue chair was a faster shorter chair that serviced only a few a few runs (32:45) and and Ben kind of explained that to us that back in the day the (32:49) Ski areas would kind of just put a ton of lifts out there (32:53) And kind of anywhere and everywhere a lot of it was because they weren’t as reliable (32:59) And maybe not as expensive as they are nowadays, but but yeah, I mean certainly the the nostalgic piece (33:06) Is is is missing, you know, there’s a lot of great memories of riding that with you know, people who are now since deceased (33:12) But(33:14) But no from a utility standpoint, absolutely not, you know, it’s it’s amazing how you make that new chair just a little bit faster (33:21) you know a little bit (33:23) easier to load and (33:25) You’re you’re you’re up there and in no time and the other thing (33:30) That we had to be very careful about was our messaging when we did put in the new green chair lift (33:35) Because our competition is all into high speeds (33:39) Mm-hmm, and it did not make sense in any way for us to put a high speed in (33:43) So when we anything we do here at nubs knob (33:47) It’s always a hundred percent defendable and Ben and I talk about anything we do any kind of change (33:53) I said Ben if I’m on the lift with someone I have to defend it to the nines (33:57) And the green lift was we didn’t put in the high speed. It didn’t make any sense and (34:02) I think our customer got it. Well, I think they’d get it too because you’re you’ve done such a great job with communication (34:10) and that I think is one of the things that I I (34:13) told Ben you you guys were one of the influences of when we started to convert a lot of our business to(34:18) to video communication (34:22) Whether it was the raffling off of the blue chair to you know (34:27) Any messages during kovat all done with video you kept the rumor mill to a minimum and you gave a little bit of extra information (34:34) Which made everybody feel like they’re on the inside and I’m and I don’t think that was contrived in any way (34:40) I think it was it was just the right thing to do.

 

And so I think that people will see through (34:46) Everything that’s baloney, right? Everybody’s got a BS meter somewhere inside of them that that that works (34:51) And it might you know, some people’s work faster than others (34:54) but eventually the baloney gets gets all smoked out all the time and I do think that that’s the (35:00) That’s part of your magic sauce here is the communication slash over communication or more communication than what? (35:09) Than what someone else would would give (35:12) And I think I think you guys do that. I don’t think the mega or corporations can do it (35:17) I think there’s a lawyer in between there that stops them and says, you know, let’s let’s let’s not say that (35:23) Can you talk about that a little bit more and elaborate on yes, I can give you an example that happened a couple years ago (35:29) which speaks to (35:32) our management and our passion for our (35:36) customers (35:38) two years ago (35:40) Middle of holiday season the green lift went down. It was middle of the day.

 

We were just hacked and (35:48) We didn’t know what we were gonna do (35:49) We didn’t know if we had the parts to fix it or because this was brand new at the time (35:53) And so no one’s no one was truly the 30-year expert right on the we get the new green lift (35:59) We do practice runs on the whole thing. Everything’s great. And then the first week we open for Christmas (36:04) We’ve got two failures and it’s like what the heck so (36:09) Ben and (36:10) Marty our outside manager at the time (36:13) actually walked the parking lot walked our (36:16) Road out to the Pleasant View and talked to customers as they were driving up and said just want you to know (36:23) Our green lift is having an issue right now, and I don’t want you to get up here park (36:30) Buy a ticket and be disappointed.

 

We just want to be open and honest with you and tell you right now (36:34) This is what’s going on. Yeah, and fortunately within an hour and ten minutes (36:38) It was up and running (36:39) But they got out in front of it and I think we get out in front of it a lot when there’s things like that (36:43) going on (36:45) We were you know when we closed for kovat I’ll never forget it we were in the office it was five o’clock on that Friday and (36:54) What are we going to do and we all came together and said, you know (36:57) What’s best for our customer and that kind of leads us to making really good decisions. What’s best for the customer? (37:03) Yeah, and so we closed (37:05) yeah, the (37:06) The other thing you had mentioned and I’ve even witnessed it is when somebody calls and asks for a snow report (37:13) You’ll say you know what? It did rain last night.

 

It’s still better than then what you’ll get somewhere else, but you’re not you’re not (37:22) You’re not sugarcoating it right and saying it’s something that it’s not because I think you do respect the fact that (37:28) The person on the other end of that phone might be driving four hours from Detroit to get up here (37:32) to do that and the disappointment is not worth the (37:35) Right, you know the the lift ticket price I will make a mention to that (37:41) While our snow farmers are awesome. The guys in the kitchen are fabulous. I mean the whole team is (37:48) Remarkable, but I want to also say that our ski patrol is amazing, too (37:55) not that I want anyone to have to go through the ski patrols, but (37:59) They are amazing and how they work, you know the system (38:02) So my kids have tested the abilities of the ski patrol, okay, so yeah, we know about that (38:10) Let’s talk about safety a little bit I one of our friends his (38:15) son-in-law is one of the inspectors for chairlifts in the state of Michigan and (38:21) They basically chuckle, you know when they come here (38:25) They know what they’re getting right? They know that you guys treat safety (38:29) At the highest levels and your maintenance is off the charts (38:35) Can you talk about that and maybe relate it to other businesses where that could (38:41) You know where you could get away with you know (38:44) There’s there’s elements of those of the maintenance program that you exceed (38:50) the state requirements, right (38:52) Can you talk about that a little bit? Sure (38:54) There are standards in the ski industry (38:58) Testing lifts obviously is the biggest one and we go beyond the standards (39:03) so if for example the standard is to the way they test chairlifts is you put a (39:11) Garbage container full of water on the lift and you stop and start it as many times as you whatever the (39:17) Requirements are but we test every chair and we in you I think you’re (39:23) Supposed to test every five chairs or something like that.

 

So we go over and beyond. We also (39:28) Test every clip that goes into the chair at the beginning and end of the season (39:33) We don’t just test a few like you’re required to we test every single one (39:37) We as you mentioned we go over and beyond we do the same in our(39:44) Cafeteria cooking facility we are up to date on every new requirement or code whatever that comes along (39:52) And we go beyond and that too (39:56) Just cleanliness in general we try to go above and beyond I can’t I’m trying to think of an industry or something (40:04) that’s comparable where you might slip and (40:08) I mean that (40:10) Parking lot is loud. The sidewalks are shoveled.

 

The bathrooms are maintained (40:19) I (40:20) Think you actually kind of said it, um, you know when you’re when you’re delivering a value in excess of what is expected, right? (40:28) That’s where the goodness really happens, right? (40:31) And so some of those things are just done in places that no one can see (40:35) But you end up feeling it somehow and I think that that’s where (40:40) You know kind of like it’s almost like back to like the doing doing the right thing is never wrong, right? (40:48) But we go over and beyond what we’re supposed to do, yeah, and I think you feel it, you know (40:53) You feel it in other ways. Um, you know, it’s just thinking about that. You know, you’re your family’s company (40:59) Was in the safety business for cars.

 

Yeah, there’s kind of a theme here (41:03) Yes, you know you picked up on that before I did carries through. Yes (41:07) That kind of are we gonna have seatbelts on the well now we have the bar, right? (41:11) You know the bar is all new so the as you know (41:14) The old chairlifts don’t have the bar (41:15) But the new ones have to have the bar which some of my friends still use them even though we’re only you know (41:20) 4.5 minutes on the left, but you know, that’s a good catch. Yes.

 

We’ve always been trying to protect. Yeah (41:27) I think something else that that that translates from (41:31) Let’s call it from ski business to regular business is is this whole (41:37) kind of knowing who you are knowing what you do and (41:40) Sticking to what you’re good at right because there’s a lot of temptation whether it’s in I’m in the IT business (41:46) Yeah, there’s a ton of temptation of shiny balls all around the IT business (41:50) But in the hospitality business(41:53) you have a lot of that too and this place has actually gone through some changes where(41:59) You did dabble with certain things and then really said no, this is what we are. We are a day lodge (42:04) This is what we do (42:05) Can you talk about that for nubs and then and then kind of parlay it into any (42:11) recommendations for other businesses that are (42:13) You know distractible (42:15) So as we grew as a company we started on the front side then we went to the south side and then pintail (42:21) but in all of that growth (42:23) We thought it would be really great to have a hotel and we looked we took a deep dive into looking into a hotel (42:31) We did have relationships with some of the surrounding inns where we would offer tickets(42:36) maybe at a discount or we take packages of tickets over to them, but we thought it would be really good to do that and (42:43) As I said, we took a deep dive and realized that’s not really who we are what we do (42:48) we also looked at maybe having a restaurant off-site and(42:54) We’re not in the restaurant business.

 

We are in the daily cafeteria food business and (42:59) That was something that my father said many many years ago (43:04) he said I want to be the best day area around and (43:08) We still hold to that and it works for us because we don’t have the expertise in (43:13) The other fields there are a lot of companies to go out on a limb and do other things and they’re not as successful. I (43:21) Can’t think of anything up here right now. I’m looking at like the boating industry up here (43:24) They do what they do and they do it.

 

Well, you’ve got one that is strictly (43:29) you know smaller boats and in sailboats and the other one that’s larger boats and they (43:34) They own what they do and they stick to what they do. Well, it’s really the only way to to become excellent (43:39) Yes is to specialize in in some way. I mean you have to be a specialist.

 

I mean in every single (43:46) Piece, but you really have to know who your market is what you’re serving who you’re serving why you’re serving them (43:51) You know does the product and market actually fit and I think I think that’s that’s important (43:57) I think also if I can add(43:59) In our business, we’ve always been you know had downhill skiing (44:03) We’ve expanded a little bit where our race program is huge, but we have to be careful (44:10) Not everyone out here races. Correct (44:12) You’ve got the recreational you have the racer and now our cross-country program is really grown in a huge way and (44:21) We’re thrilled because the entry into cross-country is a lot easier than into downhill (44:27) As far as expense and getting going and the whole and that has really taken off and I’m proud of that (44:33) Our cross-country trails are amazing. And I like the fact that we offer kind of those three (44:40) Different approaches to outdoor winter skiing.

 

Sure. Sure. Are you a cross-country skier? (44:47) And snowshoe.

 

Okay, if you want a good snowshoe go to the left of the purple and up to the race arena (44:53) Okay, and that’s all you need. It’s all you need (44:56) I’m gonna go do some telemark skiing for about an hour and count that as my workout today (45:00) You know, I would like to go back to the (45:08) The the management style discussion and (45:11) Why is it successful? (45:14) between you (45:16) You know your your partners obviously, but I think you’re the most visible partner in the organization on a day-to-day basis (45:22) You’re very much. I would call it nose in and hands out, right? (45:27) So, you know what’s going on, but you don’t meddle in the business of Ben, which is your general manager (45:33) So I I struggle with this in my own organization right where I’m the CEO of the organization (45:38) I have a president who is beyond beyond my qualifications in in running the organization, but (45:44) Every time my nose goes in my hands start to they start to pull in a little bit and I have to time behind (45:50) my back sometimes (45:52) Are you ever tempted to (45:55) Pull your hands out of your pocket.

 

I (45:57) Have to say in the beginning. I probably was before I really learned (46:03) How ineffective that can be? Okay. So now (46:07) I’m very aware.

 

I listen to everybody and I look him in the eye and I got mm-hmm (46:13) And I I’m listening to what you’re saying (46:16) I’m taking notes and I’m glad you feel open enough to talk to me and that I’m approachable enough that you can talk to me (46:23) but I said you need to take your ideas and you need to (46:29) Tell them to Ben and let I’m gonna run everything through Ben. So talk to me all you want (46:34) Yes, but it’s gonna go through Ben because he’s the general manager and he will listen to you (46:40) But I’m really appreciative of you sharing with me because every time you share something with me (46:45) I learn to I’m not in the kitchen, you know slice in the onions or whatever (46:49) So tell me what you need, but just know it’s gonna go through Ben. Mm-hmm and that half of communication (46:56) I think works really well and it’s clear and I’ve seen it in other organizations where it doesn’t work that way (47:02) Yeah, and it’s chaos.

 

Yeah. Did you did you ever have was there ever a misstep that you made where you go? (47:08) I wish I wouldn’t have done that and and had to kind of retract or just deal with the deal with the consequences (47:15) there were a couple of mishaps that I didn’t do personally, but I witnessed that happened and (47:22) It was a disaster (47:24) Yeah (47:29) If someone thinks they’re helping someone like for example (47:35) Someone had an old laptop and they thought oh, I don’t need this anymore. I’m gonna give it to one of the staff at nubs (47:42) But (47:44) the general manager didn’t know that this individual was giving the laptop to (47:50) another manager and that just created all sorts of (47:55) Small example, there’s a bigger example.

 

I don’t need to share. No, that’s okay. Yeah, but (48:02) Ben had talked a little bit more about this that and I would love to know how it impacted you (48:07) The the good thing that came out of Kovac was his ability to articulate and clearly communicate better with the team (48:14) Do you feel like you’re? (48:17) more intentional on your communication paths or maybe more intentional to move things back to Ben or (48:23) what might have come from that and I’ll give you the example if you want a little color to that is (48:28) Ben had said that you know, he would he would have a conversation with someone and he’d be moving kind of so fast and (48:35) Go in he thought he had a certain conversation (48:38) But that person didn’t it didn’t translate the same way or someone else thought they heard it differently (48:43) And so he’s moved to a crew email that goes out every every Monday (48:48) for clarification and he just said he’s he’s just taking every extra step to (48:54) make certain that he’s (48:56) very clear (48:57) Confirming back with the other person what they heard (48:59) Are you finding any of that with with your communications I’m feeling that I (49:07) am involving myself in more of the (49:11) Presence of the organization and by that I’ll give you an example (49:15) So when we had an insurance meeting about a month and a half ago, I didn’t have to be there (49:20) It was all of our management staff and an insurance (49:25) Provider came in it was explaining different benefits, but I was there to show that I care (49:30) I’m interested and I want to learn about the new benefits with all of you and I think (49:36) Ben’s (49:37) management style (49:39) Welcomes me into the fray more than the other management style was so people feel I’m more(49:46) Interested I care more even though I’m not messaging them or (49:52) I’m just there to listen and hear it just like you got it (49:55) But it feels like it’s coming from it’s almost coming from that and not Ben’s not at the bottom (50:00) But it’s coming bottom up to you though.

 

It’s coming from from below you to you the welcoming and that’s kind of an interesting (50:07) way to put that and I would say I share that with with my president where she’s bringing me into an (50:15) Appropriate amount of information that I need. I never feel like I’m getting blindsided(50:21) Right. In fact, I know when she calls me in the morning and says (50:25) She’ll even start the call and say this is not good news or nothing.

 

Everything’s good (50:30) She’ll start the the conversation so I don’t even have to wait for the that Oreo sandwich of you know, here’s something good (50:36) I’m gonna say well, I deliver you the garbage and then I tell you something good again (50:40) I’m getting right to the the okay(50:42) The tone of this conversation is I’m about to deliver you bad news and here’s what it is(50:46) And so I feel very plugged in I never feel distracted or what’s the word you used you said he kind of pulls you in (50:53) I never feel (50:55) Pushed out right, you know as the as the owner and that’s a it’s a challenging, you know, it’s a challenging (51:03) Personification to take on I guess you could say because (51:06) you you want to make sure that you’re putting all the right elements into things and that it’s getting done right for the customer and (51:14) The way that the leadership can interpret your (51:19) Just one bit of overstep right can just undo so many great things, right? (51:24) You know in a lot of the boards I serve on I struggle because I am more of a governance board member (51:30) Okay, and I deal with a lot of boards that are want to be management operational and it doesn’t work (51:35) So I can see that kind of fine line as we’re in this part of the discussion (51:39) Where I want to be there and listen and grow and learn with them, but remember I’m governance (51:44) I’m not management. So you need to okay into the nitty-gritty (51:47) Then you need to talk to Ben. I like that.

 

I mean even putting a different word to it, right? (51:53) everyone’s always so (51:56) The board sounds so (51:58) ominous when someone talks about the board (52:00) but then when you say, you know, it’s it’s a governance panel or you say just the word governance is a lot different than(52:07) The board, you know or the owner right and this is what the owner (52:11) Yeah, it’s like I’m a little bit of a little level of an oversight here (52:15) peppering in my you know, my pieces of this but but I’m not here to (52:21) Pull all the puppet strings, right? And I also (52:25) Want to be aware of everything that’s going on because of the small community (52:29) People will hear something on the street and they’ll be like well (52:32) I just heard this or that or someone’s and and sometimes I didn’t know about it, right? (52:38) And I’d be like, oh, yeah, we got it handled and I had no clue sure what was going on (52:43) Sure, so I’m so sensitive to that because it happened (52:47) Before yeah, and I don’t want it to happen again. Yeah, and so I (52:53) Very deliberately try to inform my brother Greg and my sister Yvonne and my mother who’s 92, but(53:02) Of all this like undertones because I don’t want them to be cut off-guard (53:05) Yeah, all the way walk in and all of a sudden they’re blindsided by right? Yeah. No, that’s um, it’s it’s an interesting (53:13) piece of growth and I and I think the way I’m hearing you say it is is (53:17) It’s almost like with all respect of previous management.

 

This is something we learned with this management, right? (53:23) And we just every time we just get better and better and so it’s not necessarily even saying that the management is better(53:30) It’s you’re in a you’re in a different spot. You’ve grown you’ve learned (53:34) To be able to know. Okay, I can even now tell (53:37) The manager what I need, right? I feel like I’m a better owner now with at this point, you know (53:43) Then I was five years ago, right? And so I always think that’s (53:47) Interesting.

 

In fact, that’s my advice to younger people is is look at you from five years back (53:53) And how many things do you just literally laugh at you know and say oh, I thought that was important, right? (53:58) I thought whether it’s a maze, you know, whether it’s a car. I thought that car was so important (54:03) I thought that title was so important and then you grow up five years and you’re like (54:08) Wow, that was silly right the things that matter (54:11) Yeah (54:12) What would you say? (54:15) Matters the most to you, you know at this stage in your career in your life in terms of this business (54:22) Like you said, I want to steward this business not only(54:28) For the employees who I think really depend and are hopeful that it will stay in the family(54:35) because they like working for our family I (54:40) Want the (54:41) Insurance that it will be steward the way that we’ve been doing it for generations. I (54:48) Wanted open to the g3s(54:51) But if someone organically comes up and really has the interest and has the skill set(54:57) I’m looking forward to that and I’m looking forward to getting to a point (55:02) Where I can watch it too and just see it unfold because I think my dad saw it a little bit in me (55:09) mm-hmm, but (55:11) He didn’t really see the whole product of me.

 

He didn’t see he might have seen the flower, but he didn’t see it open up (55:17) Yeah, okay, and I wish he would have and I’m hoping I can see (55:24) What I’m planting? Yeah, really bloom. Yeah, that’s a really neat kind of wish (55:28) I guess if you if you will right or a dream and what are you doing? (55:33) What are you doing to tomorrow now that you’ve said this because I’m sure you’ve believed it (55:37) But what might you do different tomorrow now that you’ve proclaimed this to make sure that that that that happens (55:43) well (55:44) What I’m gonna do tomorrow and what I’ve been doing actually just as recently as this week is when something unusual comes up. I (55:52) Let my two children know in (55:55) Not that I’m trying to say to the others (55:59) You know, you’re not privy to this information, but as a mother I want my two children to learn (56:06) From what I’m dealing with so that if it ever happens again, or if it happens in a different way (56:11) They have a little bit more experience a little more background to go.

 

Oh, okay this happened once before I can see (56:19) That maybe we could tweak it and solve it another way (56:23) But at least they’re familiar with the problem that might have come up before (56:28) Yeah, I mean the I think the the real (56:33) Trick in your world is to is to remain as thoughtful as possible at all times, right and then to (56:40) message that as directly and quickly as you can to that to that next group so they can use it because I mean (56:46) I think we all have this wish for our kids or in anything. We see our kids going through we’re like (56:50) I already know the answer to this. I want to just give you the answer (56:54) I know you have to get there also, but there are some cheat codes right along the way if you’re willing to listen(57:00) I’m willing to tell you this, you know, if you’re willing to listen and believe right that this is how these things often go down (57:08) so (57:10) It sounds like you’re inspiring and working towards inspiring the actions of your own actions being an inspiration to your children (57:17) Just like you had with your dad.

 

So right. That’s a that’s it’s a wonderful legacy (57:23) One thing I want to go back to as well is the the (57:28) Matthew McConaughey book. Okay.

 

Okay, and so (57:31) All right. All right. All right (57:33) Yeah, I don’t want to we’re not going to talk about the age of know how they keep stand the same age and whatever (57:40) No, but he talks about green lights and in the in the in the world of acting, you know green lights (57:47) It means, you know a project gets gets green lit and gets it gets approved and moved on (57:52) I’m doing an interview with a fella named Sandy Genaro.

 

Sandy’s a former (57:57) Drummer, he was Cyndi Lauper’s drummer (58:00) amazing story all(58:02) His whole life really has this theme of doing the right thing has really kind of just always come together and worked out for him (58:08) and being very attentive to others and listening to them and and (58:13) It just really has worked out, but he he calls green lights God winks, you know (58:17) so like maybe you’re maybe you’re pulling in the parking lot and you know, you get the spot in front, you know kind of opens right up but (58:25) Whether it’s a green light or a God wink (58:28) What are some of the things that have kind of? (58:32) Just wow that really worked out, you know along the way (58:38) What were your what are some green lights for you (58:46) That’s a really interesting question because some of my green lights (58:52) Are pretty private. Yeah (58:56) in all fairness (58:57) I (59:01) Think self-discovery and awakening in the last ten years. Okay has been a real (59:11) Interesting green light.

 

Okay, and when I say green it is been really green and it’s like go. Yeah (59:20) So it has to be self-discovery and really taking a look (59:26) Inside and out and I don’t know if it’s age-related. Maybe it is.

 

Maybe it isn’t (59:34) but (59:35) Just encompassing and being aware of all your surroundings and the universe and how supportive that is (59:43) to (59:44) Going forward in a very honest and authentic way. I think being really authentic (59:53) Is so valuable to where I am today and how this organization is running. Yeah (1:00:00) That’s a really (1:00:02) Multifaceted question and I’ve got I’m gonna like write that down ago.

 

Think about it. What are my green lights? (1:00:07) And what ones can I share publicly? Yeah(1:00:10) you know, I think that the (1:00:12) what you’re saying there about (1:00:16) Regardless(1:00:17) Of how you get there, right it’s this it’s just going deeper and being authentic (1:00:22) I think in the word authentic is is I mean everybody’s using it, right? (1:00:26) Every every influencer on tik-tok is using (1:00:31) But if if I just kind of take a step back and I look at whom who do I gravitate towards? (1:00:37) It’s not the bullshitter. No, it’s always the one who’s like who’s authentic and it’s the person (1:00:43) It might not even be the person with the fanciest of something.

 

It’s the person who’s totally true to themselves and I (1:00:50) I made myself for breakfast something really odd and I laughed this morning because I’m staying at our (1:00:57) At our house up here by myself. My wife couldn’t couldn’t come up this time and (1:01:03) I had an English muffin with a piece of low-fat American cheese and cucumbers (1:01:08) You know, and I was laughing because I’m thinking about Matthew McConaughey’s book and how he’s eating(1:01:16) Tuna fish sandwiches with extra pickles and ketchup on the side and I’m going and what’s what’s one of our attractions to him? (1:01:23) It’s this authenticness and I’m laughing at myself going. I’m gonna tell this today like what I ate for breakfast (1:01:29) you know, what a what a weird breakfast, but it was like (1:01:34) I’m glad to learn that about you because people think that I eat weird (1:01:39) I do I put peanut butter on absolutely everything (1:01:42) And I’m always grabbing the peanut butter little packets because they put them away at breakfast and I’m like John (1:01:51) And so I’m glad to know that because I eat very unusual combinations, but I think that’s what makes life kind of fun (1:01:58) Yeah, it does.

 

Yeah, but I think that book right? I mean and just that like like whoever you are, right? (1:02:04) Whatever do you do you right to to a degree where it’s not obviously harming somebody else(1:02:10) But you know, I think those are the people that we just we all look at you know go. Oh, wow (1:02:16) There’s such an individual they’re doing it their way. You made me think back my(1:02:21) When I graduated from high school (1:02:23) You had to have a little saying underneath your name in the book (1:02:25) Yeah, and I can my saying was be who you are and be that perfectly (1:02:30) And I mean back then that’s how I kind of thought about things and that’s who I am (1:02:36) I love it.

 

I think that’s that’s I think we ended on that. No, hey say it one more time (1:02:41) So be who you are and be that perfectly love it. Love it.

 

Thank you so much. Thank you (1:02:47) This is a lot of fun. Thank you

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Elise Fisher

Guest Bio: Elise Fisher

Elise Fisher is a business owner, board member, volunteer, mother, and grandmother. Born and raised in suburban Detroit she now resides in Northern Michigan and is President of the family ski business, Nub’s Nob.

Elise received her Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Vermont in Housing and Residential Environment and later earned her MBA from University of Michigan. Between degrees she worked for an automotive supplier and was responsible for textile color development from design to production.

Elise has volunteered her time with many organizations including the Detroit Institute of Arts where she chaired three Auxiliaries, was President of Women’s National Farm and Garden Association’s local branch, President of the Little Harbor Club and chaired Kensington Academy Board of Governors. Presently she is serving as Chair of the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital Foundation,  is a member of the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital Board and chair of the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book board. She has received the Jack Clark Philanthropy and Service Award for her philanthropy work in Northern Michigan and the Matilda Wilson Award given by the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan.

Elise remains active enjoying all the winter sports northern Michigan offers including Alpine and Nordic skiing. Boating, swimming, tennis and golf are make-up her summer activities. Elise also enjoys reading, drawing, cooking and taking classes as ‘you can never stop learning’.

Guest Bio