For Small Business Week, we’re celebrating tourism entrepreneurs across Nova Scotia and the passion they bring to creating memorable visitor experiences. We asked Stephanie Wessoleck, owner of Albert’s Inn what makes working in Nova Scotia’s tourism industry rewarding and about a guest experience that has stayed with them.
What do you find most rewarding about being an entrepreneur in Nova Scotia’s tourism industry?
"I've spent my entire life in hospitality. I was practically born into it, and I truly breathe and feel it with my whole heart and soul. Now, having my own business, I finally get to put everything I've learned over the years into creating the kind of experience I've always believed hospitality should be about: people.
For me, this job genuinely fills my cup. Every little laugh shared in the hallway, every hug, and every “welcome back” makes me incredibly happy. Honestly, it doesn't even feel like a job. It's welcoming strangers into my home and watching them leave as friends. I feel incredibly grateful to work in an industry that allows me to do something I love so deeply while sharing a little piece of Shelburne and Nova Scotia with people from all over the world."
Can you tell us about a recent memorable experience with a guest? What made that interaction special for you?
"There are so many stories I could tell, but the moments that stay with me most are when guests allow me to become a little part of their lives. Whether it's sharing in their special moments, being a safe place to land during a difficult time, or simply keeping in touch long after they've gone home, those connections mean the world to me.
Recently, a guest wrote a review that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. She told me she couldn't wait to return, probably for the rest of her life, and that she'd talk about Albert's Inn until the day she died. I honestly didn't know what to say. Knowing that someone could feel so much love and warmth in a place I've poured so much of myself into was incredibly emotional.
I think that's the beautiful thing about hospitality. You never really know what a connection might mean to someone, or how long it might stay with them. We open our doors not knowing who will walk through them, and somehow, strangers become friends. The hardest part is saying goodbye, but there's something incredibly special about knowing you've become a little part of someone's story."
When tourism operators love what they do, visitors can feel it. That genuine care turns a stay into a connection and helps create the experiences guests remember long after they leave Nova Scotia.
Related resources:
Alberts's Inn - https://www.alberts-inn.com/
Albert's Inn listing on NovaScotia.com - https://novascotia.com/listing/alberts-inn/
TNS Tourism Digital Assistance Program participant - https://tourismns.ca/tourism-digital-assistance-program