All images © The Society Hotel.
This April, Res Nova Law is continuing its Small Business Spotlight series by chatting with Jessie Burke, one of the co-owners of Portland, Oregon's trendiest boutique hotels, The Society Hotel.
Modern Design in a Historic Building:
The Society Hotel, located in Portland's historic neighborhood of Old Town Chinatown, is a place of contemporary beauty in what was once a sailor's hotel. In 2013, its owners—Jessie Burke, Jonathan Cohen, Gabe Genauer, and Matt Siegel—set out to create a place of high style and low cost that celebrated the history of the once-popular and later forgotten Mariners Building. (Learn more about the history of the hotel and its top-to-bottom renovation here.)
The Society Hotel Café and Lounge. Photo by @marshallsteeves on Instagram. All other photos courtesy of The Society Hotel.
The Business of Professional Risk-Taking:
Jessie Burke, who is also the owner of Posies Bakery & Cafe in Kenton, sat down with us to reflect on her experience as a self-described "professional risk taker." After college, Jessie started what she thought would be a career in public administration with an internship at the Portland Development Commission. She soon realized, however, that she could make more of an impact on community development by working through the private sector. And that is exactly what she and her business partners have done in Old Town with The Society Hotel.
Something for Everyone:
The Society Hotel caters to lovers of adventure; whether through sightseeing in Portland, extreme sports in the Gorge, or culinary adventures in Oregon wine country. These adventurous spirits tend to be millennials, or those that are simply young-at-heart, and they most often hail from the tech, graphic design, and apparel industries. Like its patrons, the Society Hotel seeks to be innovative and always on the cusp of something new. An example of this innovative spirit is the three different offerings of accommodations for their guests: bunk rooms for the affordable community experience; private rooms with shared bathrooms for comfort without excess; and suites for a bit of affordable luxury.
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. ”
— Muhammed Ali, whose words provide Jessie with endless inspiration
Dare to Take Risks:
When asked what her goal in life is, Jessie responded without hesitation that she wants to “do whatever I want, all of the time”. We think she's on to something there and we're excited to see what's next for The Society Hotel. After all, impossible is just a dare.
Res Nova Law is an intellectual property and business law firm based in beautiful Portland, Oregon, and serving both Oregon and Washington. We're your go-to lawyers for startups and small businesses in every stage of business growth. Our legal services include business formation, contract drafting, intellectual property advising and litigation, business advising and litigation, and more. We also offer outside counsel plans for businesses with ongoing legal needs.
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