Doggiegirl
New member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2008
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi Everyone,
First off, I wanted to introduce myself and tell you all that I've really enjoyed reading the topics on here, they're all very interesting and informative, and you seem like a great group sharing ideas and stories of your B & B's. I started out by doing a google search on 'starting a B & B' a few days ago. I first got to About.com, which I then somehow found myself on here and have enjoyed reading this forum thoroughly!
I am an inspiring inkeeper, I've been thinking (and researching) B & Bs for awhile now and trying to decide whether I should, where, how..etc. I've learned a LOT on here, especially the thread 'If you had to do it again, would you', and others that discuss the pros and cons of running a B & B. I've had the dream of starting my B & B for a long while and I know that it's hard work but can also be very rewarding. There seems to be so much to do and so little time. So I'm not walking into it all with rose-coloured glasses, at least..I do know there are challenges and it can be a tough (and competitive) biz. It sounds like many (if not most) of you enjoy running your B & B and I think that's fantastic!
I do have sort of an idea of the pros and cons and a bit of related experience as I run a Doggie B & B (for canines, a 'Bed and Biscuit') in Ontario, Canada. My partner and I started a dogwalking business several years ago and started to take in boarding dogs a few years ago in addition to daily dog walks. LIke a regular B & B, we often have dogs stay in our house, so although it's not nearly the same (we don't do as much house work as we're out in the park more than inside for example) and we only bake dog treats, not breakfast so there's only very little cooking/kitchen work. However we still have to deal with similar issues such as clients asking for discounts, booking last minute (and shocked we don't have room haha), showing up hours later than planned, a dog making a mess in our place (happens rarely, thankfully), getting last-minute cancellations, email and paperwork galore, website design and marketing, and many other facets of running a boarding-related business in the home. Fortunately most of our clients are great, but sometimes we do get clients who are inconsiderate of our time etc (Or their dog is insane! lol) but we deal with these things as they come.
Anyway, I am really glad I found this forum! Hopefully you won't mind a Doggie B & B owner joining this board and perhaps one day soon I'll finally make the change from a canine to a human B & B
I look forward to learning more!!
Cheers!
First off, I wanted to introduce myself and tell you all that I've really enjoyed reading the topics on here, they're all very interesting and informative, and you seem like a great group sharing ideas and stories of your B & B's. I started out by doing a google search on 'starting a B & B' a few days ago. I first got to About.com, which I then somehow found myself on here and have enjoyed reading this forum thoroughly!
I am an inspiring inkeeper, I've been thinking (and researching) B & Bs for awhile now and trying to decide whether I should, where, how..etc. I've learned a LOT on here, especially the thread 'If you had to do it again, would you', and others that discuss the pros and cons of running a B & B. I've had the dream of starting my B & B for a long while and I know that it's hard work but can also be very rewarding. There seems to be so much to do and so little time. So I'm not walking into it all with rose-coloured glasses, at least..I do know there are challenges and it can be a tough (and competitive) biz. It sounds like many (if not most) of you enjoy running your B & B and I think that's fantastic!
I do have sort of an idea of the pros and cons and a bit of related experience as I run a Doggie B & B (for canines, a 'Bed and Biscuit') in Ontario, Canada. My partner and I started a dogwalking business several years ago and started to take in boarding dogs a few years ago in addition to daily dog walks. LIke a regular B & B, we often have dogs stay in our house, so although it's not nearly the same (we don't do as much house work as we're out in the park more than inside for example) and we only bake dog treats, not breakfast so there's only very little cooking/kitchen work. However we still have to deal with similar issues such as clients asking for discounts, booking last minute (and shocked we don't have room haha), showing up hours later than planned, a dog making a mess in our place (happens rarely, thankfully), getting last-minute cancellations, email and paperwork galore, website design and marketing, and many other facets of running a boarding-related business in the home. Fortunately most of our clients are great, but sometimes we do get clients who are inconsiderate of our time etc (Or their dog is insane! lol) but we deal with these things as they come.
Anyway, I am really glad I found this forum! Hopefully you won't mind a Doggie B & B owner joining this board and perhaps one day soon I'll finally make the change from a canine to a human B & B
I look forward to learning more!!
Cheers!