Get to Know the Hahn Family
Fourth of July Frenzy!
Buy One, Get One Free
Action City & Chaos Water Park Passes
Spring Break Isn't Over Yet
Our foundation of hard work and hospitality runs deep in our roots. Metropolis Resort founders, Tom and Shirley Hahn grew up on farms in Iowa where they learned the value of family and hard work. In the beginning, Tom’s parents sold their farm and opened a grocery store, Hahn’s Circle Foods, in a small town, Grand Mound, IA.
In the early years, Tom bagged groceries and learned the importance of customer service and hospitality from his parents. He married the love of his life, Shirley, in 19xyz. Tom was known for his meat counter and Shirley ran the books. They had two children, Brian and Kim, both raised in their parents’ business. They started bagging groceries and worked their way up into the business, just like their parents. Together these four Hahn’s worked hand in hand for years. They have many stories to tell, all of which end with laughter and fond memories of the people they have met over the years.
The Hahn’s went on many business adventures together. If you could sit and listen to them talk, you would hear stories of many grocery stores, an ice cream parlor, a motel, a laundromat, several Dairy Queens, a marketing firm, real estate and the joys of being landlords.
One of the great adventures started after Tom and Shirley retired. In 2005 they created Action City with another partner. After quick success they added on a Hotel and Waterpark. Now we have the Metropolis Resort, that boasts “Where the Fun Never Stops.”
The Hahn’s have a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome wherever they go. They are known for their hospitality professionally and personally. The legacy that they leave behind is fun. It’s established everywhere they have a presence. A culture of fun is known in each of their businesses. Through it all, you will always hear about how they wouldn’t be where they are today without their customers, family and the team that makes it happen.
You can learn more about the family by listening to a podcast called, Mixing Family & Business featuring an inside view of the Hahn’s family spanning multiple generations of business, family and fun.
Blogs
Scaling from One Store to Nine Locations - Strategies and Lessons Learned
Early Expansion Challenges
Starting with one store, operations were straightforward. As Tom reminisced, scaling to nine locations brought new challenges—coordinating vendors, managing diverse markets, and maintaining quality became crucial. Many businesses face this challenge: scaling requires more sophisticated systems and processes.
Delegation and Team Building
A significant shift was relinquishing control. In the early days, direct oversight was feasible. As Kim noted, expanding necessitated delegation. Bringing in a general manager for operational oversight allowed us to focus on strategic growth, trusting our team to manage day-to-day operations while maintaining our vision.
From Manual Efforts to Real-time Data
Technological advancements transformed our operations. Kim highlighted how she once visited each store to gather performance data. Today, server-based systems provide real-time insights, enabling quick decision-making and a comprehensive overview of the business—saving time and improving accuracy.
Utilizing Multiple Platforms
As operations grew, so did the need for efficient communication. Kim mentioned using Facebook Messenger groups for instant updates among managers. At our resort, we blend messaging apps with a weekly slideshow presentation to keep everyone informed about updates and news. Effective communication ensures consistency and high morale across all locations.
Biweekly Manager Meetings
We hold biweekly meetings with our management team to discuss strategies, share best practices, and address challenges. These sessions are crucial for continuous learning and development, enabling our team to handle their roles effectively and prepare for future leadership positions.
Inspect What You Expect
One lesson stands out: "inspect what you expect." This principle became evident when Dairy Queen Corporation found inconsistencies in our operations. We now implement regular inspections and feedback loops to ensure standards are maintained, promoting continual improvement.
Scaling from a single store to a multi location enterprise has been a journey filled with challenges and lessons. By adapting our management styles, leveraging technology, fostering effective communication, prioritizing training, and embracing continuous improvement, we’ve built a thriving business.
I hope these insights offer valuable lessons for your business. If you found this blog post helpful, share it and check out the Mixing Family and Business podcast here for more in-depth discussions. Until next time, keep growing and innovating!
Scaling from One Store to Nine Locations - Strategies and Lessons Learned
Early Expansion Challenges
Starting with one store, operations were straightforward. As Tom reminisced, scaling to nine locations brought new challenges—coordinating vendors, managing diverse markets, and maintaining quality became crucial. Many businesses face this challenge: scaling requires more sophisticated systems and processes.
Delegation and Team Building
A significant shift was relinquishing control. In the early days, direct oversight was feasible. As Kim noted, expanding necessitated delegation. Bringing in a general manager for operational oversight allowed us to focus on strategic growth, trusting our team to manage day-to-day operations while maintaining our vision.
From Manual Efforts to Real-time Data
Technological advancements transformed our operations. Kim highlighted how she once visited each store to gather performance data. Today, server-based systems provide real-time insights, enabling quick decision-making and a comprehensive overview of the business—saving time and improving accuracy.
Utilizing Multiple Platforms
As operations grew, so did the need for efficient communication. Kim mentioned using Facebook Messenger groups for instant updates among managers. At our resort, we blend messaging apps with a weekly slideshow presentation to keep everyone informed about updates and news. Effective communication ensures consistency and high morale across all locations.
Biweekly Manager Meetings
We hold biweekly meetings with our management team to discuss strategies, share best practices, and address challenges. These sessions are crucial for continuous learning and development, enabling our team to handle their roles effectively and prepare for future leadership positions.
Inspect What You Expect
One lesson stands out: "inspect what you expect." This principle became evident when Dairy Queen Corporation found inconsistencies in our operations. We now implement regular inspections and feedback loops to ensure standards are maintained, promoting continual improvement.
Scaling from a single store to a multi location enterprise has been a journey filled with challenges and lessons. By adapting our management styles, leveraging technology, fostering effective communication, prioritizing training, and embracing continuous improvement, we’ve built a thriving business.
I hope these insights offer valuable lessons for your business. If you found this blog post helpful, share it and check out the Mixing Family and Business podcast here for more in-depth discussions. Until next time, keep growing and innovating!
