Ep 45 Paul Holt- The Ugly Motel

🎙️ Brand Lincoln Podcast | Paul Holt – Breathing New Life into The Ugly Motel

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💡 Episode Overview:

In this episode of Brand Lincoln, we sit down with Paul Holt, the bold and relentlessly determined owner of The Ugly Motel—a historic Lincoln landmark (former Holidome and Howard Johnson at 52nd and Cornhusker) brought back to life with grit, creativity, and a whole lot of elbow grease.

From renovation nightmares to COVID curveballs, Paul shares what it’s really like to revive a property with history, heart, and no shortage of challenges. We talk about the emotional weight of owning a nostalgic space, the financial rollercoaster of the hospitality industry, and how he’s thinking way outside the box to grow—yes, skilled games and restaurant plans are in the mix.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, hospitality pros, and anyone curious about turning a struggling business into a community staple.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How Paul turned a neglected property into a unique hospitality experience
 ✔️ Smart pivots made post-COVID to keep the business alive
 ✔️ The emotional and financial weight of renovating a historic property
 ✔️ How innovative marketing and community events revived interest
 ✔️ Why skilled games became a surprising revenue stream
 ✔️ The power of networking and being the recognizable “face” of your business
 ✔️ Lessons in hotel management, tourism trends, and personal growth

💥 Why This Episode Matters:

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat the grind. His story is messy, real, and exactly what most business owners can relate to. Whether you're in hospitality, entrepreneurship, or just love a good comeback story, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and some raw truths about doing business in Lincoln.

📢 Stay Connected:

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👍 Like, subscribe, and share the episode to support local stories that matter

Keywords: Ugly Motel, hotel management, hospitality industry, Lincoln, business challenges, COVID-19 impact, renovation, entrepreneurship, financial management, marketing, business growth, restaurant plans, renovation challenges, personal development, networking, community engagement, skilled games, Lincoln Nebraska, entrepreneurship