Yujoy House
A training academy for B&B operations & management...
Yujoy House, one of the core projects in “Counseling Supports for Return-Home Employment and Entrepreneurship”. The goal is to bring the aboriginal talents back home for local employment and/or business entrepreneurship. The specific off erings are training and counseling services in all subjects relevant to bed and breakfast (B&B) operation and management.
The targeted attendees for the academy are local youths and the willing aboriginals that are currently employed away from home. Yujoy House, a real-life operational B&B, is the academy site. The focus of the project is offering a practical academy whereby participants can learn the needed skills and knowledge to develop a new business and/or to manage the ongoing operations, day-in and day-out. This project coincides with the vision of “localization of business activities”: operate locally, use local talents, grow local business and then expand outwards.
In the fall of 2011, during one B&B visit, the owner of Jen-Bin Original B&B, Mr. Jen-Jen Lin, revealed his intent to sell his ten-year old B&B business. In 2012, while attending a Huatung strolling journey organized by Alliance, Ms. Sandra Yu, the CEO of Group M, was introduced the concept of establishing a B&B academy by Alliance’s Chairman Yen. Being a native from Taitung herself, Ms. Yu immediately concurred; she offered to acquire Jen-Bin Original B&B and agreed to make it the academy site for “Counseling Supports for Return-Home Employment and Entrepreneurship” program.
Through Nein-Yan and Tsu-Bu, the owners of Sunny Buhouse, Alliance met a young Amis couple, A-Chung (Chih-Chung Chuang) and Banai (Chin-Mei Hsu). The young man worked as an electrician and she was a beautician at Hualien. They had long hoped to be working together at hometown and to take care of kids. Alliance choreographed the business plan: starting with the site of Jen-Bin Original B&B, offering career opportunities to a young and willing couple, and letting the venture begin from here and now. From one family and one business, the initial success will eventually bring about markets for dinning services, agricultural products and others in the region, providing massive employment opportunities soon.
To start the renovation of Jen-Bin Original B&B, Alliance immediately invited Mr. Wilang as the Project Manager. A-Chung was the natural lead worker and Banai herself became the first trainee. As a future manager, she joined the internship program at The Landis Taipei, for one month, learning housekeeping and reception. She then learned about B&B operations at the JJ-W Hotel, Tainan. After her trainings, Alliance’s board member, Mr. Patrick Su, arrived at Jen-Bin Original B&B to coach and mentor the operations on site, including front desk, reception, housekeeping, dinning services and furnishing.
In July 2012, Jen-Bin Original B&B reopened with a new name the Yujoy House, commencing its business operation as well as providing internship training.
Banai grew up in Jen-Bin Tribal Village. But, truthfully, her closer appreciation of the local people, events and matters was only initiated because of this project. She learned from the B&B experts on how to serve customers, how to maintain a warm attitude and how to share the local treasures with guests. She hopes her personal experiences and growth become a life model to other tribal members, and eventually, revitalize the regional economy.
Banai grew up in Jen-Bin Tribal Village. But, truthfully, her closer appreciation of the local people, events and matters was only initiated because of this project. She learned from the B&B experts on how to serve customers, how to maintain a warm attitude and how to share the local treasures with guests. She hopes her personal experiences and growth become a life model to other tribal members, and eventually, revitalize the regional economy.
The other B&B operator, Mei-Hui, was such an example. She and her boyfriend were working in Taoyuan, a city far away from home. Hearing of this program, they returned to the home land and started a career here.
Ms. Sandra Yu, the major contributor of the project, indicated that even though the program provides only 7 or 8 employment opportunities in the beginning, the message is loud and clear: our society is willing to act and to support such a seed program and we envision it to grow and expand very rapidly.
Ms. Sandra Yu, the major contributor of the project, indicated that even though the program provides only 7 or 8 employment opportunities in the beginning, the message is loud and clear: our society is willing to act and to support such a seed program and we envision it to grow and expand very rapidly.
Yujoy House offers A-Chung and Banai the opportunity for career development at home. It has also created various employment opportunities including landscaping, electrician and room services, to name just a few. After three years, it has become a sustainable business, and has successfully trained many young tribesmen/women, providing them B&B management skills. Additionally, every month, Ms. Yu contributes 10% of Yujoy House’s revenue to villages, to support more projects, such as a youth house in the Jen-Bin Tribal Village. The youth house is now a learning shelter, and recreational space. Yujoy House serves not only as a training centre, but a platform that is committed to creating positive returns to its communities.
Mei-Hui & Banai
