B & Bs have appeared several times on Trips with a Twist. We’ve told you about their charm, personalized service and the interesting folks you’ll meet while staying at them. We’ve given you resources for finding them nationwide and pointed you in the right direction for some of the best in the Midwest.
We’ve even written about the people who have taken on “inn sitting” as a vocation. But what about opening and running a B & B yourself?
Maybe you visited one and came away thinking, “This would be the life.” If you’ve ever been interested in inn keeping but don’t know where to begin, the Dummies book series has just the resource: “Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies.”
It’s written by Mary White, president and founder of the most authoritative go-to resource for anyone looking for B & B information.
White is an expert on B & B travel. She has been promoting and marketing B & Bs online for over a decade—so she knows what she’s talking about when giving advice on everything from choosing a location and drafting a business plan to furnishing tips and menu preparation.
At 334 pages, it’s a quick read, but don’t be fooled: “Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies” is chock full of tips, advice, samples, explanations and more. There’s not enough room in this post to relay all the practical and helpful information packed into White’s book, but read on for a preliminary sampling.
The book is organized into six large sections. Part one outlines the basics of the B & B industry—defining exactly what a B & B is, learning the traits of a successful innkeeper and thinking about size and location.
White also provides several resources you can contact with questions or to schedule a “test drive” before you jump in. Part two, “Transitioning from Inn Goer to Inn Owner,” is all about getting started.
White provides suggestions for launching your business, things to know when buying an existing B & B and thoughts to consider when building from scratch or converting an existing building (including your own home).
In Part three, you’ll learn all of what’s entailed in getting ready for your guests. You’ll have to establish your bookkeeping and property management systems, set your rates, design your Web site, create a marketing plan, furnish your B & B and plan your breakfast menus. White guides you along the way.
Part four is devoted to the day-to-day operation of your B & B. The four chapters in this section cover the reservations process, taking care of your guests (including what to do with problem customers) and inn maintenance (like cleaning, laundry and landscaping).
White also includes a chapter in this section about getting help when you need it—for hiring and firing, outsourcing and taking time off.
Finally, parts five and six take aspiring innkeepers beyond the basics and toward long-term success. White writes, “I make sure you don’t feel left on your own just because you’ve made it to the point of opening and running a bed and breakfast.
“I help you analyze your results and make future projections….I provide concrete marketing advice tailored specially to the bed & breakfast industry.”
For everyone who has enjoyed a getaway at a charming bed and breakfast and dreamed of opening one yourself, this book is for you. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order one online at Amazon or directly from the publisher.
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Article Comments
Bill says:
Great review of a wonderful book. It almost makes me want to start a B & B tomorrow. Just a thought, another place to search for this book would be at your local library.
Bobbi Truesdell, Small Town librarian
February 6th, 2010 at 8:34 pm ::
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