Alexis Goodwin on Texas Hill Country, the Hospitality Industry, and Following Your Heart

Alexis Goodwin is the General Manager of an independent, boutique-style hotel in Blanco, Texas. The Blanco River Hotel is our "home base" for Wine Camp this Fall (September 19-21, 2024) in Texas Hill Country!

Alexis and I discuss the area, including so many things to do, a variety of restaurants, some breweries and distilleries, and of course, we mention some of the wineries and prime locations for tasting!

For my "vino loving friends", Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area is the 3rd largest AVA in the US, with over 9 million acres and at least 100 wineries in the heart of Texas. And, Bell Mountain and Fredericksburg AVAs are microclimates within that large, Texas Hill Country AVA. Texas vineyards and wine makers produce varietals commonly found in Italy, France, and Spain. And, you can find many award-winning wines in the 30-some wineries situated in the 30-mile stretch of Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. 

Are you thirsty yet? I am!! For more information and to register for Wine Camp, visit: https://pennyforyourshots.com/wine-camp

For Reservations, call the Blanco River Hotel directly at (830) 833-5697 and mention "Wine Camp" to receive the $139 rate. That number, the link to register, and some additional information are in today's episode's show notes.

Alexis and I also chat about her career in hospitality. She is driven, and focused on following opportunities where they lead. And on following her heart! We chat about Alexis finding "her person". Or more accurately, about allowing your person to be revealed to you in the Right Time.

We also talk a bit about her mother, who as an entrepreneur AND a single mother, raised 3 kids in the 90s. She clearly set a wonderful example for her daughter. 

I hope you'll join me in Texas Hill Country this Fall and meet Alexis in person!

For Reservations for Wine Camp, call the Blanco River Hotel directly at (830) 833-5697 and mention "Wine Camp" to receive the $139 rate.

To learn more about Texas Hill Country Wineries:
https://texashillcountrywineries.org/pages/about-texas-wine

Wine Camp! It's a THING! Don't miss your opportunity to experience this Texas Hill Country retreat with your besties! To learn more and reserve your spot: https://pennyforyourshots.com/wine-camp
Stay up-to-date on details: wine-camp.pennyforyourshots.com

To connect with Penny or learn more, check out www.pennyforyourshots.com

Never miss an episode (and grab Penny's free Silky Harvest Soup recipe as a bonus): subscribepage.io/Silky-Harvest-Soup-Recipe

- Follow Penny on Instagram: @penny4yourshots
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Transcript

[00:00:36] Penny Fitzgerald: Alexis Goodwin is the general manager of an independent boutique style hotel in Blanco, Texas. The Blanco River Hotel is our home base for Wine Camp this fall. That's going to be held September 19th through the 21st in Texas Hill Country. Alexis and I discussed the area, including so many things to do, a variety of restaurants, some breweries and distilleries, and of course we mentioned some of the wineries and prime locations for tasting.

[00:01:01] For my vino loving friends, Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area is the third largest AVA in the U. S., with over 9 million acres and at least 100 wineries right in the heart of Texas. And Bell Mountain and Fredericksburg AVAs are microclimates within that larger Texas Hill Country AVA. Texas vineyards and winemakers produce varietals commonly found in Italy, France, and Spain, and you can find many award winning wines in the 30 some wineries situated in the 30 mile stretch of Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.

[00:01:33] Are you thirsty yet? I know I am. For more information and to register for Wine Camp, visit my website, which is pennyforyourshots. com slash wine camp. For reservations, call the Blanco River Hotel directly at 830 833 5697 and mention Wine Camp to receive the $139 rate. That number, the link to register, and some additional information are in today's show notes too.

[00:02:00] Alexis and I also chat about her career in hospitality. She's driven and focused on following opportunities where they lead, and on following her heart. We chat about Alexis finding her person, or more accurately, about allowing your person to be revealed to you in the right time. She's getting married in a very short time.

[00:02:19] We also talk a bit about her mother, who as an entrepreneur and a single mom, raised three kids in the 90s. She clearly set a wonderful example for her daughter. I hope you'll join me in Texas Hill Country this fall and meet Alexis in person. For now, enjoy our conversation. Here is Alexis Goodwin.

[00:02:38] Alexis Goodwin: Hi Alexis! Hi Penny, how are you? I'm good, how are you? I am doing well! It is so good to finally meet you! Yes, 

[00:02:48] Penny Fitzgerald: you too! Thank you! 

[00:02:50] Well, I'm grateful to meet you. I'm grateful 

[00:02:52] Alexis Goodwin: for your help too, for our retreat. I'm excited. Yes. We are so excited to welcome everyone to the hotel This September, right? Yeah, that's what It's okay. Perfect. We're so excited to have you guys out here. 

[00:03:03] Penny Fitzgerald: we're really excited to have some fun and introduce our tribe to, Texas Hill country. Yes. I think 

[00:03:09] Alexis Goodwin: it's going to be a great hit, especially with wine included.

[00:03:12] What better way to have a great weekend? Yeah, 

[00:03:15] Penny Fitzgerald: for sure. For sure lots of, girl time, lots of shopping, lots of tasting wine. And we're even going to do A distillery and a brewery on Saturday as well. And then the hoedown on Saturday night. At the, Buggy Bar Museum. Yeah. 

[00:03:31] Alexis Goodwin: Okay. Well, great.

[00:03:31] You've got a full plan ahead of you. Yeah. 

[00:03:34] Penny Fitzgerald: It's so exciting. Yep. We're very, very looking, very much looking forward to it. 

[00:03:39] Alexis Goodwin: Okay. We are too. So we can't wait to welcome all of you. Great. Great. 

[00:03:44] Penny Fitzgerald: Well, tell me a little bit about 

[00:03:46] Alexis Goodwin: you. Like where are you from? Texas? I am not. So I am originally from Michigan, a small town in Michigan, and I actually attended college at a small university named Northwood University.

[00:04:00] So I went there for about four years, got my bachelor's degree in hospitality management. And I actually did a study abroad for a semester and that was my senior year. So it kind of got me thinking long term and what I want to do with my career and really being in so many different countries and cities throughout that study abroad trip.

[00:04:21] It was just learning all about the different cultures, over in Europe. And it was just something that excited me so much that when I got back, I was starting to, you know, get ready to start applying for opportunities outside of the university and I started looking outside of Michigan and I ended up, landing an opportunity here in San Antonio, Texas.

[00:04:43] So right after graduation, I moved down here in 2015. and I started, I mean, even with my career in college, I was working my way through that, but I started with the Marriott franchise and I kind of just started working my way up through Marriott. And then I kind of just told myself in that moment, I said, whatever growth opportunity comes my way, no matter where it's going to be within the U S just grab it and take it.

[00:05:07] And, you know, so it's something exciting. So, I mean, I was here for about two years in a role with Marriott, and then my career took me. up to Bloomington, Indiana for a few years and then out to Kansas City, Missouri, and then I relocated back here in 2021 and now I'm with my fiance, and we're getting married in the next three weeks.

[00:05:29] So we are so, Oh, my gosh. Congratulations.so we are actually both from Michigan and ironically enough, we met the last two weeks at Northwood University. And we found out we were moving to the same city within three months apart from each other and it was just like a meant to be kind of thing and we just remained as good friends over the years but then we kind of just reconnected throughout the years too just kind of checking in with each other and then in 2020 that's when we started dating and then I moved back down here in 21.

[00:06:02] Oh, wow. 

[00:06:04] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh, that's so fun. I mean, it does definitely seem like you were meant to be together. Yes, 

[00:06:10] Alexis Goodwin: it is. 

[00:06:11] Penny Fitzgerald: So excited. Very nice. So I'm thinking back to your, your study abroad program where you were in 

[00:06:20] Alexis Goodwin: Europe. We were in Europe. Yeah. What countries did you visit? So we went all over the place because we had the Euro rail pass.

[00:06:27] So we were somewhere different within like three to six days. And we were just jumping from stop to stop. Okay. And we first started in London and then moved our way to Barcelona. And then after that, we just jumped on the Eurorail and just took that throughout all the different countries. And it was just such an experience.

[00:06:46] I mean, we hit up Paris, we went to Florence, we went to Berlin, we went to Amsterdam, we went to Krakow and Poland. So we were all over the place. Holy cow. It just got me so ready to get going on to the next adventure when I got back. 

[00:07:00] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:07:01] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah. 

[00:07:02] Penny Fitzgerald: How did that work then with, okay. So is it a study abroad program?

[00:07:05] I mean, were you taking classes while you're 

[00:07:07] Alexis Goodwin: there? So we were still assigned assignments throughout that week, those months. And then, we were also attending classes. Like one of the places we went to was Wolfsburg, Germany. And we actually got to attend a class or a session during that week that like, five day week we were there with other German students.

[00:07:29] So we were able to partake in those types of, you know, activities as well. So it was definitely an exciting part for me at such a young age as well. 

[00:07:37] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, absolutely. And was, was it with the, were the classes and was the whole tour, was it kind of hospitality based? I mean, was it in your field? 

[00:07:47] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah. So actually the study abroad program was just all majors all around.

[00:07:51] You just had to apply to be a part of the study abroad program. And then they accepted you based off of that. And then, um, so it was all different majors throughout the university. So it really just was kind of focusing on really the cultures and what you were learning and had to submit, you know, certain papers back to your professors, back in Michigan.

[00:08:12] So it was kind of just like a whole range of all of these different things we had to do. Wow. 

[00:08:18] Penny Fitzgerald: What a great opportunity to meet other. like minded people, but yet also from different fields and different specialties. 

[00:08:26] Alexis Goodwin: Exactly. Yeah. And it was just such a fun time too, because it's like growing up in one state and just kind of knowing your own culture and where you were raised, but then branching out and, you know, learning more about, you know, another country's way on how they run that, how they run their culture and whatnot.

[00:08:44] It was just such an exciting thing to partake in and be a part of, and just kind of see all the. differentials that change between the U. S. and other countries, you know? I bet. 

[00:08:53] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Yeah. I grew up in a really small town in Iowa. Okay. And yeah, you get used to what you know, and you don't really realize what's out there, but what a great opportunity to go check other things out and see the other cultures and incorporate some of that into, you Into your vision.

[00:09:11] Alexis Goodwin: Yes, 

[00:09:11] Penny Fitzgerald: it was wonderful. Yeah, neat. How did you choose hospitality? What drove you to that? 

[00:09:17] Alexis Goodwin: You know going through high school I just kind of felt like you know, I worked through high school and I had customer service roles through high school I actually started an independent living facility right down the road from my house It was just a serving position and I go in and we we prep and serve for you know The elderly but it wasn't It was more of an independent living, so they could kind of do, you know, everything that they could still be capable of doing, but we were there to just serve dinner, clean up after, and it was really just an enjoyable factor for me, and I just felt like I had that personality, that kind of strived for, you know, talking with people, meeting new people, And, ironically enough, I have an older brother, so he also, was attending Northwood University.

[00:09:59] He also was in hospitality management. 

[00:10:01] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh, cool. 

[00:10:02] Alexis Goodwin: I in his footsteps as well. so we were able to share at least a year together at Northwood because he was a senior when I was a freshman. So it's kind of fun, too, to have that bonding experience together and go through kind of the same things. Mm hmm.

[00:10:15] But really, I mean, throughout my career and just everything that's involved with in hospitality. It has gotten me to meet so many people. It has gotten me out to network with so many individuals and make so many great connections in regards to finding that next job opportunity or, you know, meeting that great mentor that I don't look back to, you know, 10 years ago kind of thing.

[00:10:37] so it's just been a wonderful career for me. That's great. 

[00:10:41] Penny Fitzgerald: You seem very well suited to it. I mean, your personality, you're very welcoming and it just. Yeah, 

[00:10:46] Alexis Goodwin: I mean, it's just something that's kind of, you know, natural to me and it's fun. It's just fun to be able to conversate and, and have this, this part of my life.

[00:10:56] I've been in it for over 12 years now and you know, most of that has been with the Marriott franchise, but really stepping into this hotel here in Blanco. So we were living in San Antonio for a few years before moving up here. And then we, we started, Deciding on, you know, where we're going to go next.

[00:11:13] And, we decided to build a house out here in the Hill Country. Oh, nice. And we are both from small towns in Michigan. And, you know, we found this wonderful neighborhood on this 18 hole golf course out here. And it's just like a dream come true. And then, you know, I ended up leaving Marriott for a bit and I came across this hotel and To be honest with you, it's kind of more fun to do something like this because it's a independent boutique property where it doesn't have a brand tied to it.

[00:11:43] You can be more creative behind it. also too, with being a small property, we have 51 rooms. So I'm also responsible for the sales side of it. so I've, I've got to kind of manage the two between operations and sales, but I've kind of been gearing more towards the sales side of it because yes, in my previous roles, I have had a little bit of a sales role.

[00:12:05] This one would be more focused on getting out into the community and, and meeting new connections and, you know, people like yourself. It's been fun for me because it's like, you know, I live here now in Blanco. And what better way to make an impact on your city than work in the city and be able to, you know, you know, be a great impact, I guess, I'd say.

[00:12:25] Alexis Goodwin: Absolutely. Yeah, 

[00:12:26] Penny Fitzgerald: to be a true community builder. That's fun. Yeah. so, you were suggested to me by Kara Cleaver up at LaVie. Yeah. She, and I, she used to be on my wine team years ago. So that's how we connected, but we're really looking forward to seeing her property and, you know, several of them up in your area.

[00:12:48] But so you're in. Yes. And are you, how are you building your, network and your community there? What types of activities are you doing to meet new people and to kind of get involved? 

[00:13:01] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah, that's a great question. And really within the first 30 days of me starting this role, I started back in December.

[00:13:07] It was just something that I just had in my mind. I said, I really got to get out and start selling this place because it was really kind of just one of those forgotten properties. It used to be a Best Western and then new ownership got it in 2022 and they rebranded it to be its own independent brand.

[00:13:24] And I said to myself, I said, the biggest thing is to get out and get your name back out into the community because as I was meeting with the chamber, as I was meeting with local businesses here, they kind of were saying, Oh, you're not the best Western anymore. There was a lot of confusion. Okay, so it's been fun to kind of just get out there and start sharing the new news with the community, I mean, I just, I just went out there.

[00:13:46] I had my brochures. I had my business cards and I just did sales calls like for weeks on end just to get the information out. during the week, you know, it's tough because we're in such a small town that it's hard to find, you know, repeat business or consistent, but with being in the hill country, I mean, even the weddings are big out here now, getting in contact with a lot of the wedding venues out here, not only just in Blanco, but, you know, connecting with, you know, venues that are located out in Dripping Springs or Wimberly, you know, with only being 25 or 30 minutes out.

[00:14:21] I still want to create those relationships, but also too, even with local hotels in those cities too, you know, I've been trying to get out sales calls and with fellow general managers, fellow sales managers. So if they're ever in an oversold situation, Hey, send them our way just to kind of help with that as well.

[00:14:37] Penny Fitzgerald: Reciprocal and, and, collaborative. 

[00:14:40] Alexis Goodwin: Exactly. 

[00:14:41] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Nice. So, your Blanco is how far from, like, Fredericksburg? How far would you be? From Fredericksburg? I'd say like about 40 45 minutes. Okay. Totally doable. And lots of, wineries and lots of fun things to see in between as well. 

[00:14:58] Alexis Goodwin: And Johnson City is right up the road from us, maybe like 15, 20 minutes.

[00:15:02] And I don't know if you know, but Highway 290 is just packed with wineries. Like, Oh, it's got 30 plus wineries. You just drive down Highway 290. It's just got wineries on the left and right side. It's just like, you can't even keep track of. Oh my gosh. Yeah. It's crazy. And it takes you all the way out to Fredericksburg.

[00:15:20] So that's kind of the start of the winery tour. 

[00:15:23] Penny Fitzgerald: Wow. Well, I've been hearing many, many good things about Texas wine country, and it's always been on my list to go visit. And I'm so excited to actually do it now with people. So it'll be really, really fun to see. First time, Penny? Yes. 

[00:15:38] Alexis Goodwin: Oh, you're going to love it.

[00:15:40] Oh, I'm so excited for 

[00:15:42] Penny Fitzgerald: you. Me too. Me too. Yeah. I've heard so many good things about Texas. the wine and the, the area is so beautiful and you know, lots of my friends have been there. but yeah, I'm, I've, I've tasted some of the wines and I'm really impressed with a lot of the, the wines that I've tasted.

[00:15:56] So yeah, I'm really looking forward to it for sure. 

[00:15:58] Alexis Goodwin: You're going to love it. 

[00:16:00] Penny Fitzgerald: Very cool. So, Let's get back to you a little bit. So you're getting married in three weeks. We are. 

[00:16:08] Alexis Goodwin: That's so cool. We are. So we're actually getting married in a town called Boerne. so it's, it's about 45, 50 minutes from us here.

[00:16:18] So we actually have most of our family flying down for the wedding. So we're excited. it's going to be about 150 attendee weddings. So it's actually at a, at a resort, a golf course resort that I used to work at back in 2017, it's called, it's called Tapatio Springs. Okay. It's a beautiful resort out there.

[00:16:38] again, another Hill country town and it has, it has the rooms. It has. the, the pool, it has the clubhouse, it has the golf shop. So everything that kind of ties into all these out of towners that will be able to enjoy everything. Yes. 

[00:16:53] Penny Fitzgerald: I imagine that some will want to come and, you know, come in a day early or stay a day late and just, you know, keep exploring.

[00:16:59] Alexis Goodwin: There's some guests that are, you know, coming in a few days early, staying a few days later, so they can kind of, you know, tour the San Antonio area. Also hit up the Austin area. 

[00:17:09] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:17:09] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah. I've been a whole trip for a lot of these people coming in from out of town. Yeah, 

[00:17:13] Penny Fitzgerald: absolutely. Because you're only about an hour from either San Antonio or Austin, right?

[00:17:17] I mean, you could choose and 

[00:17:19] Alexis Goodwin: We're spot dab right in the middle, so it's perfect. 

[00:17:22] Penny Fitzgerald: Nice. 

[00:17:23] Alexis Goodwin: Yes. 

[00:17:25] Penny Fitzgerald: Okay. And Boerne, is that the way you pronounced? 

[00:17:28] Alexis Goodwin: So it actually looks like born. Yeah. It's B O E R N E. Okay. And it's called "Bernie". 

[00:17:35] Penny Fitzgerald: Okay. Good to know. 

[00:17:36] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah. 

[00:17:37] Penny Fitzgerald: We 

[00:17:37] Alexis Goodwin: can 

[00:17:37] Penny Fitzgerald: talk like a local when we get there. Very cool. Okay. So, and your fiance 

[00:17:41] Alexis Goodwin: is from Michigan as well.

[00:17:43] Yes, he is only like an hour away from where my hometown. Oh my goodness. But you didn't know him before. No, we did not know each other before. We both grew up Catholic too. So it's been a wonderful experience. 

[00:17:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh wow. Yeah. Yeah. It's funny how, the universe pulls, you know, puts us with who we need to be and when in the right timing.

[00:18:06] You know, it 

[00:18:07] Alexis Goodwin: really is because it's like, even, you know, being in my twenties, like, it's just like, you were always trying to find that person. I feel like, because like, you know, I always had the dream of getting married one day and I'm 31 now and it's just like, I'm just so grateful to have taken this time to await it.

[00:18:26] Yes, I've met people along the way, but just to know that in the back of my mind, like he was always just this one that I was like, he's got to give me this chance. And he finally did. and it just, it's just worked out so well for the both 

[00:18:39] Penny Fitzgerald: of 

[00:18:39] Alexis Goodwin: us. 

[00:18:40] Penny Fitzgerald: That's awesome. Congratulations. That's just, that's amazing.

[00:18:44] And 

[00:18:44] Alexis Goodwin: we're so excited. A few days later, we head out to St. Lucia for our honeymoon. Oh, nice. We just counting down the days. So , 

[00:18:53] Penny Fitzgerald: yeah, you probably could use a little break, I'm guessing . Yeah. There's a lot to do in planning. And then your hotel is all new, I mean, yes. Yeah. Oh, tell me about that. 'cause you are going through a renovation right now too, right?

[00:19:05] Alexis Goodwin: We are. So when I first started back in December, the rooms were already complete renovated. So phew didn't have to worry about that. And then about a month or two in, they started on the public areas. So our meeting room was just completed about a week ago. We've got brand new tile in there. Freshly new painted walls.

[00:19:25] We are just starting to receive the furniture for in there. last week they started retiling the lobby. So I'm really kind of hoping that end of summer. This will all be complete, but they are actually looking to add a full-sized bar in our breakfast area. We're really trying to upscale this little independent hotel Yeah. Also to, we have an outdoor pool it's just right out front of our property and they just recently renovated the entire pool area as well.

[00:19:58] So def has a great kind of atmosphere when you arrive

[00:20:02] So ladies, bring your swimsuits.

[00:20:05] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh gosh. And all, all kinds of opportunities for relaxing and hanging out together. And yes, very nice. Okay. And then, okay. So talk to me a little bit more about Blanco. You're not too far from. the Buggy Barn Museum, which also has the old West Town where we'll have our hoedown. That's, is it, it's right across the street or kind of just down the street, right?

[00:20:25] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah, it's right across the street. So we're walking distance. And then also too, we have a few distilleries here. We have got the, the whiskey distilleries. So we've got Milam and Green right across the street from us. Really good whiskey. If any of the ladies are fans of whiskey. I'm sure they are. As well, only like 10, 15 minutes.

[00:20:46] We got Andalusia. So that's another whiskey distillery. Okay. Mm-Hmm. . but also too, I mean, there's just such a cute little downtown area. Yeah. It's got a few shops, a few antique stores, but alsoa lot of options for for food. So you've got it kind of more of an upscale place called Uptown Blanco for more of like a fine dining experience.

[00:21:07] Okay. Then you also have Red Bud Cafe. which offers kind of a variety of everything from salads to sandwiches to soups to burgers. they have live music every Friday and Saturday night, kind of fun to go out there and experience that. And then they have a local, Texas Cannon Brewing is a restaurant downtown as well.

[00:21:29] So there's, there's definitely some great, great food options. and then actually our hotel is located right next to Real Ale Brewery. So that's actually a very famous, brewery here in Texas. Okay. Also too, if I need a little, like, not so much wine, but maybe a beer option right, right next 

[00:21:48] Penny Fitzgerald: to Real Al's.

[00:21:49] Little palate cleanser here and there. 

[00:21:50] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah. 

[00:21:53] Penny Fitzgerald: So if, if somebody wanted to, go out to eat one of the evenings or came in early or whatever, would you recommend that they get reservations at any of these places or are they just, can you pretty much walk in and, 

[00:22:05] Alexis Goodwin: You can pretty much walk in with us being such a small town.

[00:22:08] There's really not many too, long wait times. Okay. Also had this new restaurant just open, right on the river too. It's called the Bistro. So that might be another great option for ladies to check out while they're here, because they've got a great patio seating area out back, that overlooks the Blanco state park and the river sounds lovely.

[00:22:28] Okay. 

[00:22:30] Penny Fitzgerald: Wow. Great. I'm so excited to come to your location, to the hotel and to the town. I can't wait to see the town. What's the population in Blanco? 

[00:22:39] Alexis Goodwin: It's roughly around 2, 500.

[00:22:42] Penny Fitzgerald: Okay. That is really close to the size of the town that I grew up in, but it sounds like 

[00:22:47] Alexis Goodwin: yeah, 

[00:22:48] Penny Fitzgerald: you have, wow. Many restaurant options. It's touristy, right? It's a touristy area. 

[00:22:54] Alexis Goodwin: It is because also another big thing we're well known for is lavender here. It's freshly grown here. So we've got the hill country lavender just right down the road from us.

[00:23:04] So we put on a, lavender festival. I think it's the first or second weekend of June. It's June 7th through 9th. Okay. so they do a huge market in the little downtown area and then you can drive out to the lavender farm that smell the lavender thing from their little shop there. so it's a cute aspect of this little town as well.

[00:23:25] Penny Fitzgerald: Wow. So what I'm hearing you say is save room in your suitcase for 

[00:23:30] Alexis Goodwin: Most definitely, especially to bring back some, you know, fun little pieces as well. 

[00:23:36] Penny Fitzgerald: Absolutely. And the wine that you purchased. 

[00:23:39] Alexis Goodwin: Gotta 

[00:23:40] Penny Fitzgerald: do the wine. Yeah. Maybe a bottle of whiskey. Yeah. 

[00:23:44] Alexis Goodwin: You're like, maybe two suitcases. I'm 

[00:23:46] Penny Fitzgerald: thinking, yeah, if you, you know, okay, so pro tip here.

[00:23:49] If you pack, All your clothes in a small suitcase and then put that in a big suitcase and check that. Yeah. Pro tip. And then, you know, put some packing materials in there, like bubble wrap that's lightweight. so that you can wrap glass and get your wine home safely. That's a 

[00:24:08] Alexis Goodwin: great idea. I love that.

[00:24:10] Maybe I'm going to have to do that when we go to St. Lucia. There 

[00:24:13] Penny Fitzgerald: you go. There you go. Cause you're going to want some of the, you know, little fun things. Probably some jewelry. I'm guessing. I know. I think it'll be beautiful. 

[00:24:22] Alexis Goodwin: I just can't wait to just kick back, relax and enjoy it. So. Toes in 

[00:24:26] Penny Fitzgerald: the sand.

[00:24:28] Sunshine on your face. Yeah. Okay. So that brings up another good thing. What is your favorite cocktail or glass of wine? What do you like to drink? 

[00:24:38] Alexis Goodwin: My favorite cocktail, I've got to say a Moscow Mule. I love Moscow Mules. The Fever Tree Ginger Beer is my favorite. Okay. With the Tito's Vodka from Austin, Texas.

[00:24:52] Can't go wrong with that. Of course. And then, you know, I have not been a big wine drinker, but ever since moving in with my fiance, he has been like, just taste, just taste. Yeah. And I really started out as a sweet white wine, but now you can't even catch me drinking white wine. I am such a red wine girl.

[00:25:13] Cabernet Sauvignon. I am all about that. Okay. 

[00:25:19] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. Big and bold and great with a steak or burger. Yes. Yes. Little cheddar cheese. Mm hmm. Yes. Very nice. Yeah, Moscow meals are so refreshing. They're a great summer. 

[00:25:35] Alexis Goodwin: They really are. Yeah. 

[00:25:36] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:25:37] Alexis Goodwin: And I love kind of the tie and the twist that a lot of restaurants and bars kind of put on them because it's kind of fun to try like a different flavor one or even try to, pull away from that fever tree and try a different type of ginger beer just to kind of open up your palate a bit.

[00:25:52] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. 

[00:25:52] Alexis Goodwin: So, yeah. Do you have a favorite cocktail, Penny? 

[00:25:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh, gosh. I love them all. I'm not a fan of really sweet things. So I tend to like the more drier kinds of cocktails, but I do love a Moscow mule in the summer, especially. yeah, that's a really good question. I know. 

[00:26:12] Alexis Goodwin: I thought I just had an answer on the tip of my tongue.

[00:26:14] I was like, Oh, that's a 

[00:26:16] Penny Fitzgerald: great question. You know, and I ask it all the time, so I should have an answer when it comes back. But yeah, I just love them all. I mean, some depends on what I'm in the mood for, you know, I might want a martini. Yeah. But yeah. And. I'm kind of particular about. 

[00:26:33] Alexis Goodwin: That's how we women are very fancy.

[00:26:36] Yeah. Yes. I'm precious like that.

[00:26:40] Penny Fitzgerald: So some of the other Moscow mule flavors, what ones have you tried that you really like? 

[00:26:45] Alexis Goodwin: You know, I have tried the strawberry ones, which are a little bit sweeter. Um, I have also tried, there's an orange flavor one too, that kind of has a hint of orange in it. And I can't remember. I just had one this past weekend.

[00:26:59] I can't remember what it had in it, but I think, you know what, it was more of like a cucumber. Yes. Refreshing one. So, and they kind of added it with that kettle one, the cucumber and mint vodka to kind And that was a super tasty one. Just again, another refreshing cocktail at the pool. It was just, it was great.

[00:27:17] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. A little lighter and well, it's got cucumber in it, so it's healthy. Yeah. That one's one of my favorite. versions of the Moscow Mule too. Yeah. A little mint in there. Yummy. Lime and cucumber. 

[00:27:37] Yeah, I did think of another question for you too. Yeah. So,Are you a member of an, is there a chamber of commerce in Blanco? 

[00:27:45] Alexis Goodwin: There is. So it's located in the courthouse. So right when you come to the square, the courthouse is right in the middle of the square.

[00:27:52] Yeah. So, and then also, we're a part of the Blanco chamber, but we're also a part of the Johnson city chamber just because we're close in distance to them.

[00:28:01] So it kind of helps to be so close to two, smaller cities and kind of connect with both of them based on the business that is brought to both areas. but yeah, and I know too, like my mom, she owns her own moving company up in Michigan. So I know just kind of her being on her own independent. business and running that for the past 30 plus years.

[00:28:20] I just have heard her, you know, growing up alongside her. She was a single mother doing it all on her own with three kids. And it was just her talking to me about the chamber, like make sure you have that strong relationship with them. Make sure you reach out to them periodically because they are your big.

[00:28:38] resource. on getting your name out there. So Libby is the president of our Blanco Chamber here and she has been absolutely wonderful to really kind of work with me and the hotel to getting the word out there for the properties as well as, you know, the new renovation. so it's been, it's been wonderful.

[00:28:57] Wow. That sounds like a 

[00:28:59] Penny Fitzgerald: great network of well, and 

[00:29:02] Alexis Goodwin: it's fun too, because it's such a small town that everyone kind of knows everyone. And, you know, sometimes that has its downfalls as well, but being in such a small community, it's been so fun because really, it's all about relationship building in this small town, rather than, you know, doing it in a bigger city where there's so much to hit up in a big city where here, it's very kind of easy to know who you're dealing with and what type of relationships you need to build.

[00:29:27] because of how small it is. 

[00:29:29] Penny Fitzgerald: Well, really, even in a big city, don't you feel like it's, it's all about relationship building anywhere? 

[00:29:37] Alexis Goodwin: Yeah, it's just so much more overwhelming because it's like, okay, what is on my agenda today? What do I need to plan today? Kind of thing, because there's so much more going on in a bigger city.

[00:29:47] So, right. 

[00:29:48] Penny Fitzgerald: Well, in a small community too. If you don't vibe with somebody, it's not like you can just, you know, talk to the other person that you do vibe with. You, you, you really are kind of not really forced, but you're, you learn, how to vibe with everybody, I guess, or you learn how to have relationships with people.

[00:30:10] Yeah. That's a good skill. And I, I mean, you want to, I feel like you want to lift everyone up in one way or another. And some people it's just super easy because you vibe with them so well. Yeah. Yeah. 

[00:30:22] Alexis Goodwin: I agree. 

[00:30:23] Penny Fitzgerald: Nice. Tell me a little bit more about your mom. My kind of lit up when you started 

[00:30:29] Alexis Goodwin: talking about her.

[00:30:30] It's fun. She is a wonder woman. She, so her and my dad divorced back when I was nine years old. So I'm the middle child of three. So I've got an older brother and a younger sister and watching my mom raise us at such a young age, but also being her Own business owner of this moving company. it was just incredible to look back at it and see what she's done and what she's overcome in her career, but I think it's really instilled a lot of drive and passion in her three kids.

[00:31:05] We have all relocated out of Michigan, so I've got my brother up in Indiana, right outside of Indianapolis, which he's with my sister in law, and then they have a two, my two year old niece. My younger sister, she just got married last July. So her and her husband are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. my mom is now with my stepdad.

[00:31:22] We've actually known him for 10 plus years. So it's just been a wonderful kind of father figure for us. And they run the company together. I actually have it up on the market right now. So they're hoping to retire here soon. Um,and. Excitingly enough, they bought a lot in our neighborhood here in Blanco.

[00:31:42] Penny Fitzgerald: Oh my gosh. They 

[00:31:43] Alexis Goodwin: are planning to build a home here within the next year or so. So hopefully when we decide if we, um, want a kid or two one day, um, they'll be here to, to help us raise. 

[00:31:55] Penny Fitzgerald: Yep. And they, I'm sure they will welcome that. 

[00:31:58] Alexis Goodwin: They will. They will for sure. So. 

[00:32:01] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah. We have three little grandbabies of our own, but they're like four hours away.

[00:32:06] They are in a suburb of Chicago. Okay. Yeah. So we get to see them on holidays and we zoom with them and that sort of thing, but it's, yeah, it's not the same as being, you know, around the corner. Like you're 

[00:32:19] Alexis Goodwin: not at all. Like us being here in Texas, we've got, we've got no. Well, the only family we have is we've got two aunts up in Austin, but that's our, that's our family.

[00:32:29] That's just a bit. And so it's like, you know, who's going to be our support system when we want kids one day. But it's like, you know, I've, I've talked to many couples that are able to do it and they kind of just build their own family, you know, where they live and that's kind of our plan. So 

[00:32:41] Penny Fitzgerald: family you choose, yeah, exactly.

[00:32:45] And again, it's all about relationships and people that you have in your circle and support each other. Yes. Absolutely. 

[00:32:51] Alexis Goodwin: We're excited. 

[00:32:52] Penny Fitzgerald: Yeah, I'm sure. Wow. And so being an entrepreneur and a single mom, you know, 20 years ago. Yes. That's she's wow. 

[00:33:05] Alexis Goodwin: Send us all through Catholic school, all 12 years. Wow. It is incredible.

[00:33:11] We had, we had a nanny that was kind of with us to kind of help us, you know, through the times where, you know, she couldn't be there, but. Man, whenever she could make it to a sports game or maybe a school play, she was there. She made it happen. And I can't even imagine what her feelings were inside or how stressed she was or how overwhelmed she was, but it's just, you know, she made it through and she's still pulling strong.

[00:33:34] Yeah. Well, just 

[00:33:36] Penny Fitzgerald: thinking about that, that is a whole, that's a next level kind of juggle, you know, keeping all of that. I can't imagine 

[00:33:44] Alexis Goodwin: doing that myself, but I praise her for how she did it and how she got through it. So. 

[00:33:50] Penny Fitzgerald: What a great example she set for you. Yeah. For your siblings. Yeah. Wow. Very cool.

[00:33:57] Yeah. And well, and I'm kind of of that age where, you know, I probably grew up the same era. Our kids are very close in age to you. yeah. Just thinking through that, that I was at a, you know, not anywhere near. That level of, strength and courage. 

[00:34:15] Alexis Goodwin: Oh, I'm sure you were Penny, but always our hardest critic, you know?

[00:34:18] Well, that's true. 

[00:34:19] Penny Fitzgerald: But yeah, in internally I'm thinking, wow, that would have been really, she's, I commend her for, all of that. Oh yeah. She's a wonderful woman. Ah, sounds like it. Yeah. Aren't we all? 

[00:34:35] Alexis Goodwin: That's right. Women need to talk higher and more confident about ourselves. That's 

[00:34:40] Penny Fitzgerald: right. Exactly. And support each other.

[00:34:42] That's, you know, and that's a lot of why I do this podcast. I 

[00:34:46] Alexis Goodwin: love that. Yeah. And you know, Penny, this is my ever first podcast I've ever done. Really? Doing this today with you has been such an exciting time. Like, Even just leading up to it. Like I'm like, my podcast is today. I'm so grateful that you even asked.

[00:35:04] And I'm just so grateful that this has been something we could do. So Thank you. I'm grateful 

[00:35:10] Penny Fitzgerald: to tell your story and I'm really excited to bring people to your hotel and Hill country. It's going to be so fun. It will be. Yes. Nice. Okay, well, you did think of anything else you wanted to share? 

[00:35:24] Alexis Goodwin: I don't think so.

[00:35:25] we are so excited to welcome your group here in September. Oh, it's great. We're, we're stoked to. Perfect. And don't hesitate to give me a call. I'll

[00:35:34] Penny Fitzgerald: 

[00:35:34] what, what number would you like people to call or would you like them to visit your website, to book rooms? How do they get in touch with your hotel? 

[00:35:42] Alexis Goodwin: So for them to book the rate under Wine Camp, the group block, they will call into the hotel directly and they'll reach the front desk.

[00:35:51] And the phone number to call is 830 833 5697. 

[00:35:59] Penny Fitzgerald: And when 

[00:35:59] Alexis Goodwin: they call in, just refer, I'm, I'm coming in for the wine camp. There's a, there should be a group block at your hotel, over these dates. And then the front desk, will be able to assist them in blocking that group rate for them. Wonderful. Thank you. so much.

[00:36:14] It's my pleasure, Penny. And you have a wonderful day. All right. Thanks. You too. Bye. Thank you. 

[00:36:19] Good luck and congratulations again. Thank you. Talk to you soon. Bye.