Secrets to a 4% Employee Turnover Rate: Here's How We Earned Inc. 500 Best Places to Work Recognition

Secrets to a 4% Employee Turnover Rate: Here's How We Earned Inc. 500 Best Places to Work Recognition - Lisa Karvellas, Cedar Lakes Estate

Show Notes
Guest Profile

In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares insights on how she and her sister transformed a former summer camp into a high-end retreat and built a remarkable workplace culture that earned them a spot on the Inc. 500 Best Places to Work list.

Approach to hiring and staffing (01:51) - Lisa explains their unique hiring strategies, including the benefits of hiring locally and the importance of giving employees multiple chances to succeed.
Interview process and key questions (04:11) - Discover the fun and insightful questions they ask during interviews to determine if a candidate is a good fit for their culture.
Creating a culture of fun and excellence (05:38) - Lisa shares practical ways they foster a fun yet high-performing work environment, including allowing staff to be themselves and encouraging creative programming ideas.
Community engagement and employee pride (08:25) - Understand how Cedar Lakes Estate engages with the local community and instills a sense of pride in its employees, making it a magnetic place to work.
Intensive training programs (09:38) - Learn about their rigorous training programs, including the two-day "Camp Cedar," which ensures all employees meet their high standards of service and excellence.

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Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Lisa Karvellas

Owner of Cedar Lakes Estaet

Cedar Lakes Estate co-owner Lisa Karvellas took over the family business with her sister Stephanie and decided to build a business where they could foster their love for food, event planning, and affection for their childhood home. They spent the first year perfecting their business plan and building charming cottages, a modern barn, and stunning venues for weddings and retreats. They work each day to share their combined passions with their visitors and have meticulously curated on-site offerings, weaving in programming based on staff’s passions and hobbies. Its dedicated staff, involved leadership, inviting accommodations, and exquisite event spaces create a memorable and refined escape in a picturesque natural setting. Lisa is married with two kids.