CASE STUDY:
Red River Gorgeous
About the Business
Red River Gorgeous
Industry
Hospitality and Tourism
Services/Niche
Short-term rental cabins, including off-grid cabins and treehouses
Location
Stanton, Kentucky
Company Size
7 - 18 Staff
27- 52 rental properties
My personal number of hours worked weekly has moved from 60+ to 34.5.
Doors Opened
June 1994
Began Running on EOS
2019
EOS Implementer
Meet the Integrator
amy dourson
Leader and Integrator, Red River Gorgeous
The current active owners are Amy and Aaron Dourson and Frances (Frannie) Kroner. Amy and Aaron took over business operations in 2010, and Frannie joined the team in 2023 and is the current director of operations. As the popularity of Airbnb and other hosting platforms soared, their unique business model grew faster than they could manage. When the stress grew too much for Amy, Running on EOS™ helped her cultivate calm, connection, and health for herself and the business.
Business Frustrations
Lack of Control
No Systems in Place
Without systems and boundaries in place, staff would haphazardly complete tasks without repercussions. Plus, Amy struggled to separate family and business life, sometimes literally when guests looking for the office would walk into her apartment while she was tending to family duties–including breastfeeding and homeschooling!
People
Failures to Communicate
Without understanding interpersonal skills such as Radical Candor, boundaries, and non-violent communication, Amy and Aaron often struggled to establish clear internal communication between themselves, and also within their increasing staff.
Hitting the Ceiling
Unsustainable Growth Frustrations
Aaron wanted to keep increasing the business's size, but with a young and expanding family, Amy couldn’t keep up with unlimited business growth. The stress from trying to clean rental cabins, homeschool and tend to her children, and work on administrative tasks in the evening was beyond desirable or sustainable.
Nothing is Working
One-Year Ultimatum
Amy gave Aaron a deadline: They needed to do whatever possible to lower her stress levels and improve their working relationship in the next calendar year, or she would sell her portion of the business. At that point, reclaiming her life finally felt more important than sustaining the status quo within the business. If she was working so hard for her business, then it needed to work harder for her, within the boundaries of her own personal wants and needs.
EOS Solutions
Amy was introduced to EOS through a business partner who recommended the book The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber. Not long afterward, she read What the Heck is EOS? and Traction, at which point she fully embraced the concept of The Six Key Components®. After self-implementing over the course of two years, Red River Gorgeous received the most impact from:
The People Component®
Right People in the Right Seats
With the right people in place, Amy learned to let go of the vine while addressing issues she previously would’ve skirted around. She grew more comfortable holding others accountable for staying focused and for the quality of their work.
The Process Component®️
Documented Processes
Through documented processes, Amy created a clear set of expectations for staff (and herself) that helped get everyone on the same page. The 3-Step Process Documenter gave Amy the confidence to let her staff decide how best to complete tasks.
The Traction Component®️
The Meeting Pulse®
Through regular meetings and Quarterly Conversations, using the 5-5-5 tool, Amy could share explicit feedback with staff on their performance. She also shared plans that present staff members with opportunities for growth within the organization.
Gaining Traction®
Running on EOS almost immediately lowered Amy’s stress levels while increasing her business problem-solving abilities. The clarity and common language helped keep Aaron and Amy on the same page while enabling them to offer explicit feedback to their staff. They also use their Core Values to make business decisions that work for them and their business. When Frannie joined the ownership team, having a rock-solid foundation of habits and standards made adding her passions and input much clearer.
Big Fish on the We Run on EOS Podcast
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Why We Run on EOS®
“I appreciate how much of what I’ve learned from EOS in the business context has affected my personal thinking. The thought processes EOS teaches can be applied to additional relationships and life beyond business. Everything is connected. Deeper meaning and life satisfaction are possible.” ~ Integrator Amy Dourson
Resources Mentioned
Find access to free chapters of these books and more in The Traction Library, or find these resources and others in the free downloadable EOS Toolbox™.
