Hackett: I Started My Own Business Because of Innis

PORTSMOUTH, NH — I first met Dan Innis five years ago when he hired me to work at the Ale House Inn, one of the two boutique (and incredibly cool) hotels Dan owned in downtown Portsmouth. Anyone who is familiar with Portsmouth over the past decade knows he didn’t just own them; Dan completely transformed both properties from tired after-thoughts to stunning destinations in our city.

I never had the opportunity to have Dan as a business school Dean or hospitality professor (other highlights in Dan’s resume), but I received an invaluable entrepreneurial education during the time I worked for Dan. He was a fantastic employer, and the small businesses he grew (Ale House Inn and The Hotel Portsmouth) were masterfully created. His commitment to consistently delivering the best customer service and highest quality product is unsurpassed, and the Seacoast has benefited tremendously!

Watching Dan successfully grow the Ale House Inn inspired me to start my own small business in New Hampshire, and I am honored to support Dan as District 24’s GOP nominee for state Senate in the upcoming state primary election on Sept. 13. District 24 is comprised of Stratham, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, New Castle, North Hampton, Newton, Rye, Seabrook, and South Hampton.

Instead of just talking about the importance of creating jobs in NH, Dan has done it, and he employed many people, like me, who were fortunate to work for him. He doesn’t speak from ignorance about how critical it is to nurture an environment in which small businesses can thrive; he actually took the risk to start his own small businesses and has a very personal understanding that small businesses must be helped, not hindered, in order to have a strong, local economy.

Dan is unquestionably the right person to represent District 24 in NH’s state Senate. New Hampshire deserves his leadership and experience; he is a wonderful example of the entrepreneurial spirit that makes this country so special.

Thank you for voting for Dan Innis in the state primary election on Sept. 13.

Abbie Hackett lives in Portsmouth.