How To Start And Operate Your Own Bed And Breakfast

Down to earth advice from an award-winning B&B owner. Illustrated with charming line drawings and lightened by real-life anecdotes, this is an easily accessible guide to an ever growing small-business niche.

In this book you'll discover the secrets of the best inns. You'll learn how to decide whether owning or renting an inn is right for you. You'll find out what business strategies characterise a successful inn and learn how to incorporate them in your own business. Chapters include information on all aspects of innkeeping.

Do you dream of escaping the rat race by becoming the proprietor of your own bed and breakfast inn? The lure of leaving the 9-to5 grind behind to live, work and play in a beautiful home nestled in a resort setting is a powerful one.When you can spend your days puttering about in the kitchen or garden, meeting new people, entertaining guests in a lavish and enviable setting, and collect and income while you’re at it, who wouldn’t leap at the chance? This guide, based on the experiences of scores of successful B&B operators, will tell you everything you need to know to make that dream a reality in an industry that has experienced 15% growth over the last five years. We give you the nitty-gritty, hands-on tasks, tips and tricks to successful B&B innkeeping. Secrets such as: • Finding the right location • Buying property • Licensing • Setting pricing policies • Promoting the business • Hiring good people • Using the internet for marketing Whether you have a spare bedroom or are looking for a small inn, this guide can help you earn a comfortable income by welcoming a steady stream of new friends into your home.

“This book dispels the myths surrounding the process of starting a business, and gives hope and encouragement to people who would like to give it a try.” –Tim Berry, Founder and CEO, Palo Alto Software Creators of the World’s Most Popular “Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s new book, What’s Stopping You? is an insightful and thought-provoking examination of nine common myths that discourage individuals from starting new businesses. ... This book is much-needed and long overdue.... The value of What’s Stopping You? is that it effectively debunks the false premises that too often preclude acts of business start up. What’s Stopping You? is an encouraging, instructive, and eloquently written book that would be a valuable addition to any aspiring entrepreneur’s bookshelf.” Jeffrey G. Covin, Samuel and Pauline Glaubinger Professor of Entrepreneurship, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana “Over the years I have observed many seemingly great business opportunities never get off the ground. Quite often, what holds these aspiring entrepreneurs back are common misconceptions about the difficulties and risks of starting a new business. In What’s Stopping You?, Professors Barringer and Ireland systematically break down the myths that hold many entrepreneurs back from pursuing their dreams.” Jeffrey R. Cornwall, The Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee “Barringer and Ireland simultaneously demystify start-up misconceptions and empower readers to explore their own opportunity with renewed passion. Many prospective entrepreneurs feel trapped by myths, the authors carefully detail the myth’s fallacies and encourage the reader to see beyond start-up stereotypes. Future and experienced entrepreneurs have much to learn from What’s Stopping You?” Sarah Schupp, Founder/CEO, University Parent Media, Boulder, Colorado “Creating your own business from scratch can be a mental, emotional, and financial roller coaster ride. Bruce Barringer and Duane Ireland’s book provides a ‘voice of reason’ and helps give you the confidence to realize you can do it. They recognize that starting a business is hard work, but that it is attainable–and that you should celebrate your accomplishments every step of the way.” Jan Stephenson Kelly, Cofounder/CEO, Spark Craft Studios, Cambridge, MA Business Plan Software Follow Your Dream! Start Your Own Winning Business—Now! •Get past the myths that keep you from making the leap •Gain the practical skills and confidence you need to succeed •Quickly evaluate business ideas and pick a winner •Launch your company and watch it grow and profit Build the business you’ve always dreamed of! Take control of your future and achieve the breakthrough success that’s only possible when you’re working for yourself. You can do it–and this book will show you how. Forget the myths that have been standing in your way. You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need extensive business experience. You don’t need to be a genius. You don’t need a revolutionary product or service. You can handle the risk, the competition, and the challenges. The proof’s on every page of this book: case studies of “ordinary” people building great businesses and practical techniques you can use, too–every step of the way!

Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast and thought how exciting it would be to open your own B&B? This book shows you the business side of opening your home to visitors. The clearly written text, along with dozens of easy-to-follow worksheets and explanatory samples, shows you how to plan everything.

Learn to: Choose a location and make it your own Create a profitable business plan Decorate and renovate your property Market your property for maximum occupancy All the tools you need to start and run a profitable B&B Do you dream of owning a B&B? This friendly, practical guide shows you how to make your dream a reality, with expert advice on everything from writing a business plan and finding the right location to handling situations you will encounter as an innkeeper. You'll make your guests feel at home, keep your inn in tip-top shape, and ensure your long-term success! Understand B&B basics get an overview of the business and see if you have the skills (and the desire!) to succeed Find a place to call home choose the location, style, and size of your ideal B&B Transition from visitor to owner create your business plan, secure financing, make an offer, and protect your investment Get ready for your guests organize your recordkeeping, set room rates and policies, furnish your inn, and market your services Set the breakfast scene decide the style of breakfast to offer, accommodate guests' needs and restrictions, create signature dishes, and serve refreshments and snacks Handle day-to-day operations take reservations, make your guests feel welcome, hire employees, and maintain your inn Take your business to the next level assess your success, expand your market, increase profit, and prevent burnout Open the book and find: How to transition an existing B&B or start from scratch The biggest problems new B&Bs encounter and how to avoid them The best ways to furnish your inn Tips for saving time cleaning and preparing breakfast What you must know to design and update your Web site Tried-and-tested sample menus and recipes Ways to guarantee a return guest How to get extra help when you need it

This series provides the tools to get a home-based business off to a great start and keep it running in this competitive environment. Like having your own business advisor, each edition features inside information from professionals along with easy-to-use planning charts and worksheets.

Thinking of opening your own B&B? Find out if it's really for you, then get advice on starting and maintaining your business. Advertising, promoting health and safety, managing finances, and creating an enjoyable environment for your guests are just some of the topics covered in this indispensable guide.