Alibi Ike and Catlady,
Innsitting to me means first learning the ropes through apprenticeship/internship for awhile at an established inn/s. I understand that there are B&B owners out there who need a break and would rather not close down while they're gone.
I would be available to go anywhere anytime......and after 2-3 years of innsitting, I would possibly know for sure if I do want to acquire one of my own and where. Plus hubby will retire in that time frame, and we would do innsitting together or be inn owners...
I live in a smaller midwest town, and there just aren't many around.......thinking about choosing a city - say Kansas City, and just emailing them on their website touting my keen interest in learning the business plus helping them out at the same time. I already have the passion; I just need the venue..
karilyn said:
I live in a smaller midwest town, and there just aren't many around.......thinking about choosing a city - say Kansas City, and just emailing them on their website touting my keen interest in learning the business plus helping them out at the same time. I already have the passion; I just need the venue.
In re emailing out of the blue that you'd like to take up my time to learn my business and then open up a competing business- you need a bit more finesse than that.
First, go to the state association and ask them if they know of any innkeepers who are willing to work with you. Having someone call first and pave the way for you with an open-minded innkeeper is a much better way to go.
Second, what are you bringing to the table other than a desire to learn? What am I going to get in return? You will be taking up a lot of mental space while you are here working with me. I had better learn something, too. What can you share with me to make my business better?
'I love to cook and talk to people,' is not going to get you in the door here. (I don't remember if you said that or not, but it's what I hear all the time.) Just like any other job, what are you bringing with you to enhance my business while you are here?
Also, to yourself, define your passion. Is your passion for cleaning toilets? Unclogging toilets? Getting blood stains out of white comforters? Wine stains out of carpet? Knocking on doors in the middle of the night when there is a fight going on? Is it bookkeeping? Scaring off telemarketers? Designing and maintaining a website? Managing staff? Getting up at 5 AM to make breakfast after your last guest rang the bell at 2 AM?
It's easy to be passionate about the fun parts. But being dragged down by the unfun parts is what causes people to sell.
Is hubby on board? Gung ho? Ready to sacrifice his retirement days to doing this? Is he willing to trade 5 days/week for 7 days/week? Willing to forgo vacations in peak season?
When you take an innkeeping course, he should take it too. It's always bad when one partner can make time for the classes, but the other can't because whatever else they are doing is 'more important'. You'll put a lot of your money on the line in opening a B&B, so everyone needs to be on board. Even if hubby will only be a 'silent partner' he needs to know what you're up against every day. And how you can't just close up to go to a wedding or party.
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