The elusive closing is almost ours...

I'm sure that many of those reading this have experienced this feeling too... the felling of anticipation, combined with the frustration that things do not happen more quickly... Here we are--on the cusp of closing on the B&B we've been working to purchase since late last year... Funny how so much paperwork "appears" at the last second, eh? We're privileged to have a great team of people working on our behalf to get this deal done--but OMG, can we please close! Everyone in our bank branch knows me by first name now, the email folder for attorney, insurance, banker, broker, and other folks is one of the largest legitimate folders of email I have...
Oh, and we found out that instead of "just a few guests" on the weekend following closing, we'll be serving a full house this weekend. Nothing like high-diving into the deep end of the pool with only basic swimming lessons, eh? Great news for revenue, bad news for nerves.
I look forward to contributing a great deal here on innspiring.com and hope that I will find all of you patient as we embrace our new lives as B&B owners and ask for LOTS of advice.

Yes, this is a tough time! While you have some spare minutes, try to think thru how that first weekend will play out. Do you have staff? Will they be on board with new management? Will you do it all yourself? Have you tried to map out your game plan? Will the old owners be there to help? What do you want them to do?
Think it thru now while you have time.
It's a lot like having a baby - just before the birth you're all excited and can't wait, a day later you're in over your head!
Now's the time to think things thru. AND, go out for dinner, go on vacation, do something special with your partner because it can be a long time before you have the opportunity again.
We went on vacation and totally immersed ourselves in vacation. It was one of the better trips we took.

My advice - tell ALL your guests that it's your first weekend. They will feel special, they will feel like they can give hints, pointers, advice. They will forgive any minor issues and they will give you great reviews.
They will love feeling part of your new life and job.
P.S. When they do give advice, pay attention, take it all into consideration but don't assume they are right. Learn, but don't get defensive or stressed. One fix at a time.
P.P.S. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

TheBeachHouse said:

My advice - tell ALL your guests that it's your first weekend. They will feel special, they will feel like they can give hints, pointers, advice. They will forgive any minor issues and they will give you great reviews.
They will love feeling part of your new life and job.
P.S. When they do give advice, pay attention, take it all into consideration but don't assume they are right. Learn, but don't get defensive or stressed. One fix at a time.
P.P.S. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!.

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The first week, whenever anyone asked how long we had been doing this, I looked at my watch. Everyone who had a sense of humor laughed. Some guests were appalled.

Morticia said:

TheBeachHouse said:

My advice - tell ALL your guests that it's your first weekend. They will feel special, they will feel like they can give hints, pointers, advice. They will forgive any minor issues and they will give you great reviews.
They will love feeling part of your new life and job.
P.S. When they do give advice, pay attention, take it all into consideration but don't assume they are right. Learn, but don't get defensive or stressed. One fix at a time.
P.P.S. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!.

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The first week, whenever anyone asked how long we had been doing this, I looked at my watch. Everyone who had a sense of humor laughed. Some guests were appalled.
.

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That's perfect! I was a little disappointed when we could no longer claim newbie status. It helps when there is a problem.

Congratulations. All will be well. As pointed out - it is a lot like raising kids, there is no manual, you just learn as you go. Also like kids, just as you think you have it figured out, something new will come along to twist your tail - a guest, technology, a new trend, or some unexpected godawful maintenance issue. You will become well-acquainted with Murphy. So have fun and dive in - the water is fine.

And when it's done, spend a $1.99 and watch episode 8 of season 3 of Portlandia, about the "Soft Opening" of a Portland B&B. You'll either laugh or cry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv02Xoryeww

One thing that I might add. For the first time . Try and make your menu simple .Nothing fancy but good whole some food. Try and do all prep work the night before . All set out in the fridge ready to go in the morning. All dry ingredients mixed and sitting in the bowls. All liquid measured done and ready to go. If you are doing quiches then make some a head of time .All muffins if that is what you are serving.
Make batter up and freeze batter in paper cup cakes,put in muffin pans. Then when frozen take frozen muffin out of pans and put in zip lock bags and put back in freezer. In the morning put in muffin in pans and baked .Can do the same for scones.
What ever you are going to serve that day I am sure it will be great. I wish you and your team good luck and try to relax after the day is over. All the best wishes on your new adventure.

All the best, I read closing as in the inn is closing, you had me worried.
May you enjoy every butterfly as it propels you to success in your new role!

Morticia said:

TheBeachHouse said:

My advice - tell ALL your guests that it's your first weekend. They will feel special, they will feel like they can give hints, pointers, advice. They will forgive any minor issues and they will give you great reviews.
They will love feeling part of your new life and job.
P.S. When they do give advice, pay attention, take it all into consideration but don't assume they are right. Learn, but don't get defensive or stressed. One fix at a time.
P.P.S. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!.

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The first week, whenever anyone asked how long we had been doing this, I looked at my watch. Everyone who had a sense of humor laughed. Some guests were appalled.
.

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Mort, the more we chat, the more I want to visit your place. I'm pretty sure its you the multi-year stays return for.

Anon Inn said:

Morticia said:

TheBeachHouse said:

My advice - tell ALL your guests that it's your first weekend. They will feel special, they will feel like they can give hints, pointers, advice. They will forgive any minor issues and they will give you great reviews.
They will love feeling part of your new life and job.
P.S. When they do give advice, pay attention, take it all into consideration but don't assume they are right. Learn, but don't get defensive or stressed. One fix at a time.
P.P.S. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!.

Click to expand...

The first week, whenever anyone asked how long we had been doing this, I looked at my watch. Everyone who had a sense of humor laughed. Some guests were appalled.
.

Click to expand...

Mort, the more we chat, the more I want to visit your place. I'm pretty sure its you the multi-year stays return for.
.

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Sorry we couldn't stop when we drove thru near you 2 years ago. We had 2 weeks to travel and then, suddenly, we didn't!

fingers crossed for you both! I'm sure it will be fine!

We are all excited for you! I hope you have a few minutes to relax with your guests after breakfast. If they are kind people they will tell you nice things that will put you at ease for the next full house morning. Congratulations!

Oh what an exciting time. I look forward to reading posts about the beginning. It makes me take a step back and remember that time so many years ago now.
May only the kindest of guests darken your door.

Congratulations on your new journey.

Congratulations! You can do it! Just smile regardless. My aunt and I run my grandparents' inn. The inn is celebrating 40 years this year from when it was started by my grandparents.
We took over in Feb 2014 and had the place closed for remodeling until May 24th. June 10th my aunt went to the ER and ended up in the hospital for 3 weeks... That was my introduction to innkeeping.

Congratulations!

Yay! How very exciting and best of luck to you as you open ... and with a full house!
My first night open, new permits in hand, I had four guests and was so nervous. Four! I thought it was so difficult to make and serve breakfast for four strangers. But after just a few days I was buzzing along. By the end of the month, I was making and serving breakfasts for 18 to 21 (my max occupancy) like it was second nature. You will be great.
I felt like I was play acting at first but I did exactly what others have said ... I told my guests I was brand new and some became very interested, even protective, in the first season.
This is the best place to come for advice. Some random bizarre thing would come up with me and there was always a parallel situation another innkeeper could relate to.

Take it one day at a time. Always try to prep ahead. Stay on top of your laundry (personal experience) and enjoy yourself.
Oh, and make sure you have a good stock of wine in the house for those days that you're too busy to leave but really need that glass! Right Beachie?

2cat_lady said:

Take it one day at a time. Always try to prep ahead. Stay on top of your laundry (personal experience) and enjoy yourself.
Oh, and make sure you have a good stock of wine in the house for those days that you're too busy to leave but really need that glass! Right Beachie?.

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2cat_lady said:

Take it one day at a time. Always try to prep ahead. Stay on top of your laundry (personal experience) and enjoy yourself.
Oh, and make sure you have a good stock of wine in the house for those days that you're too busy to leave but really need that glass! Right Beachie?

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Absolutely!
Maybe that should be the innkeepers' motto: Laundry to fold, wine to be cold.