Publication: HatchInnovationHub.org
Publication Date: August 10, 2026
Author: Nanette Asbury
Process: I scheduled a Zoom interview with Ryan Appleton and had a great conversation about how his business evolved, including the challenges he faced navigating COVID and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I then wrote the article, which was published through Hatch’s email and social media channels.
Guests have access to shared gathering spaces, a communal kitchen, breakfast, and opportunities to connect naturally with fellow travelers.
Ryan believes one of the biggest misconceptions about hostels is that they're simply inexpensive places to sleep.
"The best hostels are so much more than that," he said. "They're about community." That focus continues to shape the way The Lazy Tiger operates.
After attending the North American Hostel Association conference this year, Ryan created a new digital guest guide and placed QR codes beside every bed. The guide includes local recommendations, answers to common questions, hostel information, merchandise, and a WhatsApp group that allows guests to connect with one another.
Behind the scenes, Ryan is equally focused on improving operations. In a recent newsletter, he shared that having his work/trade team fully staffed has allowed him to spend more time building operational reports with artificial intelligence. Those reports help automate booking updates, analyze website traffic, monitor marketing performance, and improve operational efficiency.
Like many entrepreneurs, Ryan's path to opening The Lazy Tiger wasn't without challenges.
COVID delayed the project by approximately 18 months before the hostel could open. About a year after opening, Hurricane Helene temporarily closed the hostel for several weeks. Although the building remained intact because it was built on stilts, tourism in Asheville slowed significantly in the months that followed.
"It was about six months before tourism really started coming back," Ryan said.
When asked what accomplishment makes him most proud, Ryan's answer wasn't financial.
"Resilience."
Today, Ryan continues to grow the business while building relationships throughout Asheville's entrepreneurial community. He became involved with Hatch through local connections, sponsors Hatch This events, and has partnered with organizations including Western Carolina University.
Ryan believes networking has played an important role in growing the business.
"When someone you trust recommends a business, it carries so much more weight than an advertisement," he said.
Looking ahead, Ryan's goal is to hire a full time manager who can oversee day to day operations. That would allow him to step away from living at the hostel and eventually explore additional hospitality ventures, including longer stay lodging options for travelers such as travel nurses.
Reflecting on his journey, Ryan says entrepreneurship requires hard work, but it also provides flexibility and the opportunity to build something meaningful. For him, The Lazy Tiger has become more than a place for travelers to stay. It's an opportunity to create the kind of experience that first inspired him during his travels through South America.
Every entrepreneurial journey has to begin somewhere. For Ryan, it began with the courage to step away from a familiar path, explore the unknown, and build something shaped by experience, curiosity, and community.
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~ Written by Nanette Asbury
Nanette Asbury helps organizations and founder-led businesses document their work and the moments that bring it to life through thoughtful content. Learn more at NanetteCreative.com.
