Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hilliard.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband and I took over the business from Marsha Ingram who is James’s mother. She has previously owned the business for about 30 years including the cafe that is also on the property. The cafe has been closed for approx 10 years due to Marsha wanting to transition to retirement. We officially took over and reopened the motel in April 2026 as it has been closed since fall 2025. As Marsha is retired now the business needs to keep up and the community needs this business, so we felt that he had to step up and get it back running. Both James and I are working our full-time jobs still and managing the motel with the best we know how. I am a RN at our local hospital and James is a contractor. Which with our personalities and our profession, both defiantly helps the business! Our son Noah who is 12 occasionally helps too! Since opening we have boughten some new beds, linens, towels, pillows, TV with Roakes, some new air units (mini-splits) and also some new decor. It is still a work in progress on updating and freshening up the place to keep up comfortability, cleanliness and keeping the home away from home atmosphere. We will and still are always trying to improve the business to accommodate guests and to attract new guests, which includes possibly new services and/or amenities. We live in International Falls, which is about 20 minutes away from Littlefork, so we are not onsite all the time. We are always available to give recommendations of the area as this has been home for us all our lives. We can’t wait to see what the future will hold as we learning this new adventure and hoping to add so much more for the little town of Littlefork!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been very smooth. We both never imagined owning our own business especially a motel, but we are learning. The most challenging part of this, the technology of the new website and online reservations/payment system. We both aren’t the “techiest” people and learning the computer and systems have been difficult. We had to change a couple times of the set up and process to make it more user friendly for guests and for us. Also, as this has been a new adventure and both of us working full time at our other jobs, we rarely get time to just “unwind”. I am sure it will get better with time!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
James has been in the contractor business locally for approx 25 years. He is very experienced and knowledgeable in any building, design, remodeling, creativity, I would say he can fix and build anything. He has helped build beautiful homes on the lake, local business and home remodels and I have to add he made our home and back yard a place I would have never imagined it. He brings his experiences to the motel as he can pretty much to anything and maintain the property. With his creativity, he plans on bringing new ideas and projects for the business. As for me, I have always been a people person. Always great customer service. I have been in the nursing field for about 22 years with various fields. Currently working at the hospital for 6 years as a ER/Medsurg and lead nurse. Which with my experience and personality gives the motel the great customer service it gets, I believe anyways! I have lived in International Falls my whole life so it is fun to talk to guests about their travels and give them some guidance and recommendations.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I think I would have loved to have got some education on computer and systems. Managing different spreadsheets and just general knowledge about computer services. Also to get a financial advisor or accountant. Which may be in the works soon in our future.
Pricing:
- 80.00
- 100.00
- 110.00
- 130.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Littleforkhometownmotel.com
- Facebook: Hometown Motel
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hometownmotel
