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The INNkeepers Letter

by Janet Rogers

 

What Is A B&B

 

A Bed & Breakfast is a private home (the majority owner occupied) that take in overnight guests, and serve breakfast the

next morning. For this overnight stay, a room rate is charged, and breakfast is included in this rate. A Bed and Breakfast

is also a home based business where you can earn additional income, be your own boss, and meet lots of interesting people.

It is also a business that does not let you clock out at 5:00, involves your entire family, lifestyle, and privacy. It is also a job

that I love, and one that you might find fascinating too!

 

So you want to open a Bed & Breakfast? Why?

 

1. Because you think it might be fun.

2. Extra income.

3 You just love people.

4. Your children are grown, and you have an extra room.

5. You love to cook.

 

Well let's start with "You think it might be fun."

 

You probley just stayed at a lovely B&B when you were on vacation, and thought how easy and fun it would be, to have

your own. What a great job she has! now how hard can this be? But in actuality, what really happened is that you had a

very professional host, who knew his or her job and in turn made operating a Bed and Breakfast seem easy. Owning an

operating a Bed & Breakfast can be fun, BUT...... it's also alot of hard work. There is laundry, cleaning, ironing, cleaning,

baking, cleaning, gardening, cleaning, paperwork, cleaning, phone reservations, cleaning, errands to run and more cleaning,

just to name a few. (Oh by the way did I mention cleaning?) BUT think about this, you can always hire someone to do the

cleaning for you! So this can still be fun right? right! It depends on what day you ask me.

 

Extra Income

Yes! you can make additional income. Enough to support yourself? Well that could be a another story in itself. There is know

definite "yes" or "no" answer to that question. So many factors come into play, your location, number of rooms, your furnishings,

how successful you become, and what your needs are. Let's just put it this way, don't both of you quit your jobs right off the

bat ok. Lets break this down even more.

 

Location:

Picking a location for your B&B is the most important thing you will do. Are you located in a tourist area? Near the beach?

College? Why would someone come to your town? Why would someone come to your B&B? All these decisions will determine

how much money you will make.

 

Number of rooms:

The more rooms the more money you make. (Unless you are in a bad location) then it doesn't matter how many rooms you have.

 

Furnishings:

I have seen some B&B's set up with the least amount of furnishings you can imagine. Some of them even say they don't like

clutter or "fluff" as they call it. (Does that mean a night stand or dresser is "fluff"?) Let's get real. What about that uncomfortable

mattress. When is that going to be replaced? Are they making money? They think they are! but they don't realize the "repeat"

business they are missing. I would lay odds they will run out of first timers. Remember your business is a Bed & Breakfast. So

you need to have a good comfortable bed, and a good breakfast.(to be continued)

 

You just love people

Well I just love people too, and this seems to be one of the main reasons in why most people want to operate a Bed and

Breakfast. But I must tell you, there are going to be some people that you just aren't gonna love. Sounds impossible doesn't

it? But the majority of the people you meet will be wonderful, and they will enrich your life. I guarantee it.

 

Your children are grown and you have an extra room

 

Well the good thing is your children are grown, and they actually moved out! LOL! But seriously, before you do anything find

out your city's zoning laws. Operate above board and keep good records. More & more Bed & Breakfasts are being audited

by the government. In fact we were audited one year. We keep accurate records, so everything went smoothly for us, we even

got more money back. Yeah!

 

Stay tuned!

 

How to open a B&B

What is an INN

The INNkeeper

Ohio licensing requirements Bill # 223

Towels

Beds

Is your Bed & Breakfast over priced?

Questions to ask when making a reservation

How B&B Owners look at other B&B owners

The Guest from Planet X

Guest Pet Peeves

 

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