Hi all!
I'm Paula - new here...aspiring innkeeper looking to do a career change in the next few years (leaving corporate america) to open/run a B&B. To that end, I'm taking a hospitality class at the local community college. Part of what we need to do is interview B&B owners - and there aren't many in the Chicago area (where I'm from). I've heard from one who doesn't want to help and a second one who wants to help but "life" is getting in the way (which I understand).
So I'm taking a different route - I am going to post my questions here and hope that someone - or even multiple people - will take a few minutes to answer them. This is the only aspiring innkeepers forum I've found, so if there are others, please let me know!! Thanks for helping a potential newbie
PS - I will be using any information you provide me, however, that is limited to a 10 page report for my professor and a 5 minute presentation to the class (which probably won't get into details)
Questions:
1. Name of B&B (optional)
2. How long you have owned/run the B&B
3. Did you build the B&B or did you buy an existing one?
4. Location of B&B
5. What made you decide to open/run a B&B?
6. Had you previously stayed at B&B's?
7. Do you have "help" (i.e. cleaning people, substitute innkeeper, maintenance, lawn etc)?
8. This question is optional, I know financial information can be senstitive..
a. # of rooms
b. average price of room
c. average daily occupancy
d. guest rate retention percent
e. percentage of new guests per year
9. Do you accept reservations online? What is your average response/turnaround time to online reservations?
10. Do you have contacts in the local community that sends business your way (i.e. churches for weddings, hotels for overflow guests)
11. Type of breakfast offered - and how often do you repeat the menu?
12. How do you handle cancellations?
13. Do you live onsite?
14. Do you do anything special for repeat guests?
15. Do you have items personalized for your B&B (i.e. pens, notepaper, bags, robes, etc)?
16. Can you give me a brief overview of your day? (i.e. breakfast 6-9am, reservations and checkout 9am-11am, cleaning 11am-3pm, checkin 3pm-9pm)
17. Do you decorate for the different seasons?
18. Are there any certifications you have?
19. Does being a part of the local area associations (i.e. visitor bureau, chamber of commerce) provide access to new customers?
20. What type of taxes do you have to pay?
21. Are there any legal issues an aspiring innkeeper should be aware of?
22. And finally - can 1 person do this without losing her mind????
Thanks in advance for any help you offer - I'm excited to hear what everyone has to say!
Regards,
Paula
I'm Paula - new here...aspiring innkeeper looking to do a career change in the next few years (leaving corporate america) to open/run a B&B. To that end, I'm taking a hospitality class at the local community college. Part of what we need to do is interview B&B owners - and there aren't many in the Chicago area (where I'm from). I've heard from one who doesn't want to help and a second one who wants to help but "life" is getting in the way (which I understand).
So I'm taking a different route - I am going to post my questions here and hope that someone - or even multiple people - will take a few minutes to answer them. This is the only aspiring innkeepers forum I've found, so if there are others, please let me know!! Thanks for helping a potential newbie
PS - I will be using any information you provide me, however, that is limited to a 10 page report for my professor and a 5 minute presentation to the class (which probably won't get into details)
Questions:
1. Name of B&B (optional)
2. How long you have owned/run the B&B
3. Did you build the B&B or did you buy an existing one?
4. Location of B&B
5. What made you decide to open/run a B&B?
6. Had you previously stayed at B&B's?
7. Do you have "help" (i.e. cleaning people, substitute innkeeper, maintenance, lawn etc)?
8. This question is optional, I know financial information can be senstitive..
a. # of rooms
b. average price of room
c. average daily occupancy
d. guest rate retention percent
e. percentage of new guests per year
9. Do you accept reservations online? What is your average response/turnaround time to online reservations?
10. Do you have contacts in the local community that sends business your way (i.e. churches for weddings, hotels for overflow guests)
11. Type of breakfast offered - and how often do you repeat the menu?
12. How do you handle cancellations?
13. Do you live onsite?
14. Do you do anything special for repeat guests?
15. Do you have items personalized for your B&B (i.e. pens, notepaper, bags, robes, etc)?
16. Can you give me a brief overview of your day? (i.e. breakfast 6-9am, reservations and checkout 9am-11am, cleaning 11am-3pm, checkin 3pm-9pm)
17. Do you decorate for the different seasons?
18. Are there any certifications you have?
19. Does being a part of the local area associations (i.e. visitor bureau, chamber of commerce) provide access to new customers?
20. What type of taxes do you have to pay?
21. Are there any legal issues an aspiring innkeeper should be aware of?
22. And finally - can 1 person do this without losing her mind????
Thanks in advance for any help you offer - I'm excited to hear what everyone has to say!
Regards,
Paula