- Starting a B&B Business - Image: V. Cross
Bed and breakfasts are private residential housing that include a private room and breakfast. Many travelers seek B&B lodging because of its home-like atmosphere, great breakfasts, creative interior designs, and the priceless referrals to local outlets often readily available from the B&B operators. A bed and breakfast lodging facility is a good start-up business operation for an outgoing person with an extra bedroom and a flair for designing beautiful home decors.
Conduct a Business Feasibility Study
According to "A To Z Entrepreneur In Practice: Business Feasibility Study," by Harmaizar Zaharuddin, a business feasibility study answers the crucial question: "should I even start this new business?" For a B&B business operation, a number of questions should be considered. Be honest at this stage. Ask yourself if your personality is suited for the hospitality industry.
Additionally, conduct an assessment of the personal finances of the start-up owner and the condition of the residential facility. While facility upgrade costs will vary for each entrepreneur, fundraising will be important if the start-up owner's personal finances are insufficient to invest in preparing the home into a bed and breakfast.
The business feasibility study should also answer the question of whether there is a market (clients/customers) for the B&B service. Who are they? Clearly determine who is the target market for the business, e.g., business travelers, family travelers, and how can they be reached and convinced to chose to reside at your B&B.
Draft a Bed and Breakfast Business Plan
A start-up business plan is an opportunity to flesh out the business roadmap. It identifies the entrepreneur's needed start-up resources and available assets. A start-up business plan should also clearly state the business goals, breakout the start-up capital needs (human and financial), and identify the most important actions needed to get the business up and going.
Facility upgrades should be addressed and included in the financial section of the business plan. Check out the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for templates on drafting a business plan and for SBA financial resources available to entrepreneurs through its Guaranteed Loan Programs.
Complete Start-up Business Administrative Tasks
Register for a government license to operate a new business within the jurisdiction where the bed and breakfast is located. Find out if local government regulations require a special permit/license to operate a lodging business. Also, check with the state's health department to find out whether operating the B&B residential kitchen for service of breakfast to lodgers is subject to further regulations. Typically, this will be the case.
Prepare the Bed and Breakfast Facility
The key to building loyal customers is creating a lodging experience that they love and can recommend to others. Prepare all areas of the home where the guest may come into contact. In addition to the rented room, this will include the kitchen, bathroom, and common areas such as living room and dining room areas.
Keep everything open and fresh. Creative decorating ideas are available by reviewing books such as The Inns & Outs of Collecting: How Bed and Breakfast Owners Use Collections to Decorate, by Sherry White. Check for local regulations that may apply regarding B&B facility safety standards in your locality.
Create a B&B Business Brochure for Guests
A B&B brochure welcomes guest to the bed and breakfast and provides a peek into the local flavor of the residence. It should make clear all of the services and facilities included in the bed and breakfast accommodations, such as laundry facilities. The brochure may also list such information as the time breakfast is prepared each morning.
Unless there is an emergency situation or it has been pre-arranged, having guests come in and out at 3:00 a.m. may pose security and communal residential problems. Use the brochure to communicate important bed and breakfast rules such as curfew times.
Design a Business Website and Advertise the Business
An Internet website is an opportunity to present an online glimpse of the bed and breakfast decor. Many people look for themed experiences. For instance, if lodging in Taos, New Mexico a traveler may seek accommodations that highlight's local abode architecture and Native American-influenced arts and design elements.
Advertise in newspapers, magazines, and newsletters that reach the targeted B&B guest. Also, a timely press release is an opportunity for free publicity in travel sections of Sunday newspapers, and in local travel magazines.
Join organizations for lodging operators. Membership in organizations such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the American Bed & Breakfast Association (ABBA) provides information, networking, news and trends to B&B operators.
Further B&B Business Resources
- Bed & Breakfast Inns Online offers a directory of worldwide B&Bs and country inns at BBOnline.com
- The Professional Association of Innkeepers International provides members industry news, reports, and conference & seminar information at Innkeeping.org.
General Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal or tax advice.
Vanessa Cross - Vanessa Cross is a freelance writer who specializes in small business, international trade and legal issues.
