The Epilogue—Chateau Mcely & The Michelin Key
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Chateau Mcely’s Pictorial Strategic Plan From 2002
Dearest Friends:
I want to express my deep appreciation to all of you who sent heartfelt congratulatory thoughts for the Michelin Key award to Chateau Mcely. The past nearly quarter of a century have been quite a ride with Chateau Mcely, one of the most significant in my life.
It was at 1:00 pm on January 9, 2002, when I met a lovely princess, Inez Šipolova, at my home in Ojai, California. But that’s a long and very special story. What isn’t a long, yet also a special story is that she shared with me her dream to resurrect a nearly-demolished chateau to its initial magnificence and provide a place that would enable guests to be properly pampered and feel much better when they left—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was immediately inspired by Inez’s thoughts, passion, and her deep commitment to this project.
After a wonderful visit to Prague—my first—it was clear that I had fallen in love with that magical city, with Inez, and with her dream, and I wanted to help her make it a reality. She worked for months at our home in California on the renovation plan for the chateau and the two of us developed a strategic operating plan with the help of Jim Channon, a talented business strategist and a dear deceased friend from Hawaii. After 24 years, that plan is still pretty much the same. Thank you, Jim. See the attached figure.
Inez and I were married in Montecito, California on July 9, 2003, and returned to Prague to get things moving. Of course, no one creates a project of excellence without a talented, motivated, and committed team—all earnestly invested with the same set of values. We were most fortunate to meet Vlasta and Eva Plchova, who helped us plan the logistics for our opening and operation, including bringing on board other talented team members. Vlasta and Eva are still with us, leading our team and helping us consistently recreate and refine our collective dream.
We opened in May of 2006. Our first guests were an international group of CEOs, members of the Young Presidents Organization(YPO) from a number of countries around the world. They were directed to Chateau Mcely by our dear friend, Jan Sykora. What a fantastic week that was—especially at the end of their stay when Jan and another dear friend, Sanjiv Suri, asked Inez, Vlasta, Eva, our team, and me to join their group in the dinning hall.
Our guests enthusiastically honored us with a standing ovation for our service and performance. We have recollected their incredible positive energy a number of times over the last 24 years whenever faced with a significant challenge.
All of us at Chateau Mcely feel deeply privileged and grateful for having the opportunity to offer our dedicated service to our guests, and know that some how, we are making a difference.
Thanks again from the entire Chateau Mcely Team for your kind thoughts.
Namaste,
