by Adrian Manygoats, Native American Business Incubator Network
Shash Dine Eco Retreat is located off the beaten path, on a rural homestead surrounded by natural beauty, fresh air and open skies. It is the home of Paul and Baya Meehan – local entrepreneurs who’ve capitalized on their ability to provide travelers passing through Northern Arizona with a peaceful, off-grid experience that allows the opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature. Near the western edge of the Navajo Nation, this bed-and-breakfast affords the opportunity to experience this iconic part of the once wild West. Guests sleep in a traditional earth-floor hogan, are served a traditional Navajo breakfast, and they are encouraged to roam the ranch as they please. Sheep, horses and chickens can be seen on the grounds, and local attractions such as Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon are only minutes away.
As owners, the Meehans believe in living simply and stress sustainability on all fronts of their business operations. As Native American Business Incubator Network clients, they are working to establish a brand and grow their business to accommodate guests year-round. We talk with Paul and Baya about the challenges of small business start-up, the joys of off-grid living, and upcoming projects on the horizon for Shash Dine Eco Retreat.
Baya: Paul and I saw the opportunity when we came to live in the Page, Arizona area. There are B&Bs here, but nothing like what we offer. As people who appreciate the simplicity of desert life, we are in a unique position to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers and passers-by who enjoy the outdoors, but do not want to sacrifice amenities such as showers and cook stoves. That is where the ‘glamping’ aspect came in. We did research on glamping B&Bs and decided that was the style that best fit our vision, because it is not too rugged, nor to sheltered – but, it adds significantly to the Southwest experience.
Baya: We were both tired of living in the rat race. To us, there had to be more than working just to survive. Though we'd gained a wealth of experience co-managing a café, working in real-estate investment, doing construction work, and coordinating logistics for military personnel, there was always that longing. We wanted to do something that allowed us to practice green living and be self-sufficient.
Paul: Baya’s family has fourteen generations of ancestors who lived on the land where Shash Dine Eco Retreat now resides - the hogan alone is about 60 years old, and has housed many family members and celebrated many new beginnings. It was built in the 60s, out of set materials of the Hollywood epic, "The Greatest Story Ever Told". The pull and potential of the area was irresistible! One day, we decided that we didn’t just want to talk about our dream, we needed to live it! So, we moved back to rural Arizona, to the Navajo Nation, and we feel like this is where we are meant to be.
We both wanted something greater – a life with purpose and meaning. We are contrarians at heart. We've had professional success prior, but both desired a back-to-basics approach to life and work. We feel we are stewards of this land, for it is here, that numerous generations of Baya's ancestors lived and thrived.
Baya: Our family life has been enriched by this opportunity because we can now raise our children while building our business. Being able to live and work at home has been a major motivating factor, and we love the autonomy it has afforded us as business owners. Case in point, my 6 month old son is currently sleeping a few feet away as I’m doing this interview.
Baya: We are guided by the Navajo values concerning stewardship of the land versus ownership of the land, which influences our decision-making and business operations. We don’t want our descendants having to live with something we built that would scar the land forever. We want them to see this land as we see it, and how our grandparents saw it.
Baya: We believe that the world today is full of so much unnecessary ‘stuff’. We are bombarded with ads and propaganda from the media – online, in the papers, on television. Even as we drive down the road, we’re inundated with signs and advertising. All these things are meant to catch our attention, sway our opinions and guide us to purchase and consume. Here, at Shash Dine Eco Retreat, we want the only focus to be on Nature and the simplicity of being in it.
Paul: NABIN gave us the opportunity to work with people who gave a burst of creative energy when we needed it. They made us step back and look at our business in a professional way. For example, their team helped us with the re-branding process, connecting us with a graphic designer to create a new logo, website and marketing materials. Their business counseling services helped us strategize and think objectively about how we want our business to grow, and because we’re so close to this project, we sometimes overlook minute details that can have a huge impact, so working with a team that streamlines the process has been beneficial.
Baya: Our goal is to expand on the sustainable features available for guests’ enjoyment. We want to build more traditional log-and-earth hogans for guests to stay in, complete with outdoor showers made of all-natural materials such as stone or cob. We want to create little places hidden in the surrounding rocks and trees that hikers can ‘stumble’ on, where they just relax in nature. We want an easy-going, artistic feel to Shash Dine Eco Retreat – a place that seamlessly blends into the environment and doesn’t stress the ecosystems. We want our guests to leave feeling refreshed and a little more knowledgeable about Navajo land and culture.
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