All the tools you need to start and run a profitable BandB Do you dream of owning a BandB? 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 BandB 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 BandB 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 BandB or start from scratch The biggest problems new BandBs 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
Mary White is the go-to source in the bed & breakfast industry for opinions and advice. A noted expert on B&B travel, she has been involved in promoting and marketing B&Bs on the Web for more than a decade and has appeared in dozens of media outlets. Her site, BnBFinder.com, is hailed by professionals and consumers alike as the most informative B&B site on the Web.
Introduction
Part I: Inn the Beginning
Chapter 1: So You Want to Open a B&B
Chapter 2: Deciding on the Location and Style of Your B&B
Part II: Transitioning from Inn Goer to Inn Owner
Chapter 3: Creating the Plan for Your Business
Chapter 4: Purchasing an Existing B&B
Chapter 5: Starting a New Inn from Scratch
Part III: Getting Ready for Guests
Chapter 6: Organizing Your Record-Keeping
Chapter 7: Setting Rates and Establishing Policies
Chapter 8: B&B Marketing 101
Chapter 9: Furnishing Your Inn
Chapter 10: Making Breakfast a Memorable Meal
Part IV: Up and Running: Day-to-Day Operations
Chapter 11: Communicating with Potential Guests and Taking Reservations
Chapter 12: Taking Care of Guests
Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Inn
Chapter 14: Getting Help When You Need It
Part V: Taking It beyond Breakfast and the Basics
Chapter 15: Assessing Your Success and Building on It
Chapter 16: Keeping Your Most Important Asset (You) Fine-Tuned
Chapter 17: Looking into Your Future
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 18: Ten Cleaning Tips to Save Time, Money, and Your Inn
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Guarantee a Return Guest
Index.