Aspiring Inn keeper saying hello!

[user 26]

welcome! waffles are yummy. guests love them. but they also love eggs. if you can serve those, and from your own chickens! guests will be happy. even with just a couple rooms using software is the way to go in my opinion. you can still interact with your guests ahead of time as much as you want.

 

[scrambled_eggs]

I think if you offer the eggs like you say that will be a good thing. I can do without the meat but not with out eggs. Something about eggs just makes my brain work a lot better!

 

[undersea]

curious how you intend to inform future guests about the vegetarian breakfast. Probably useful to very clearly delineate this. Breakfast is a HUGE part of B&B, obviously. Some sites blog/include pictures of the breakfast they serve. Some nonvegetarians, are not always clear on the "ovo-lacto" vs. vegans and other shades of vegetarianism. If you serve eggs, cheese, etc. - good to have pictures of these to reassure them.
Also, clearly communicate whether you serve vegan only, vegetarian, etc. Don't surprise the carnivores who are looking at something like and superior to the Denny's breakfast. Many will be looking for the meat. People can leave negative reviews. Somewhere on this forum, someone posted that guests expect (53%) eggs and bacon on a buffet. You need to be ready for this and be flexible if people continuously expect/demand this.

 

[OnTheShore]

Marketing is as much about audience as it is message. If you market yourself effectively, you will not have many people showing up expecting something you don't offer (e.g. a meaty breakfast).

 

[dumitru]

Pauline welcome to the forum!
You will find that people here are very helpful and much more knowledgeable than some might expect. *cough*

 

[Ice]

Welcome Pauline. I came here 6 years ago when I was starting. You can learn alot here.

 

[gillumhouse]

ResKey will be the only "management" you will need. I DO talk to my guests because I do not take cc# with my online reservations. They get an e-mail saying they will receive a phone call within 24 hours. That is when I get cc# and pertinent info and impart info as needed.
Post Excellent (even it you have to PAY to get them), Good is not good enough, photos of the things you plan to serve and post them on your web site to show how wonderfully appealing Vegan food can be. I did not serve meat for years - so it can be done, but offering eggs is a good business move. YOU do not have to eat them, you are serving guests who may want them. It will, when it comes down to it, be YOUR business decision for your business. All we are/can do is give advice. Best of luck with it. Also BTW - re the ZONING - GET IT IN WRITING. As well as anything else of regs/rules.

 

[happykeeper]

Thank you all so much! I have been reading extensively and researching too. Plan on getting this project going early next year. My B and B will serve vegan breakfasts. Since I am vegan I dont cook meat . If this is a big deal for people, there is a Motel 6 and a Waffle House in town. I think stuffed french toast with vegan Nutella covered with fresh strawberries, fresh scones, savory home fries, tofu scramble in a wrap with homemade salsa and vegan sour cream, etc, etc... Will be an enticement. I'm not trying to make a fortune, just serve interesting and healthy food in beautiful surroundings with lots of hospitality.
I will read all the threads and educate myself. I'm sure we could keep manual records and I like the personal touch of speaking to people on the phone so if the software cuts me out of the process, it won't be right for me.
Nice to meet all of you! I look forward to someday being the one with wisdom to offer others.
Pauline..

I was giving this a bit of thought. I wonder if there are some ways for you to broaden your branding a bit. We have been quite successful with a "locally sourced" brand that appears to tap into the current and very large movement in the US. One of the biggest challenges when we travel is getting healthy whole grain choices and lean protein. Within these larger brands reside the vegan and vegetarian folks, who, from our experience are greatly benefiting from these trends. In example- We feature Feel Good Breakfasts with healthy choices that fit today's modern traveler. Travel healthy and enjoy whole grains, vegan options, and local specialties.
Just a brainstorming thingy, but you get the idea.

 

[Lea Ann]

Welcome!
We opened in August of last year and this forum has been great! Lots of great brains out there!

 

[MtnKeeper]

Marketing is as much about audience as it is message. If you market yourself effectively, you will not have many people showing up expecting something you don't offer (e.g. a meaty breakfast)..

Be certain to mention the vegan/vegetarian breakfasts as much as possible in your marketing as others have mentioned as it's not the "normal B&B breakfast". Keep this in mind - people don't read, people don't read, people don't read. I can't tell you how many people only look at my beautiful pictures and don't read that it's chef's choice. They think they can order off a menu when my website clearly states otherwise. I've gotten reviews stating that they wish they knew it was chef's choice - of course they'd have know if they only READ my website. I can certainly imagine guests not reading and showing up expecting to have a meat side with their breakfast because they only looked at your pictures. They will be disappointed (their own doing of course) but will review you like it was your fault.

 

[Aussie Innkeeper]

Welcome VFG! I'm wondering what area of the country you are in and if the Vegan breakfast thing will be well-received. It will, undoubtedly, narrow the pool of potential guests. OTOH, it may attract some that might not have thought of a B&B before.
A local innkeeper friend of mine found out that sometimes marketing focused on a certain group like this can really bring the eccentrics out, too. The previous owners of her inn advertised that they catered to environmentally sensitive guests and used only organic everything - from cleaning products to laundry soap to food. And you would not believe what other 'issues' these people come with! One guy put aluminum foil on his window and then proceeded to shut off the electricity at the circuit breaker. Another person wanted the previous innkeeper to go across the road and stop the farmer on his tractor and ask him exactly what was in the stuff he was spreading on the field.
So now my friend is trying to 'un-market' to these people. She's thinking of getting a cat!

All I'm saying is be cautious.

 

[JBloggs]

There was a Vegan B&B near Walton's Mountain in Virginia. They even had a resident pig.
I thought it was a wonderful idea, and the whole niche worked well for them.
It is now closed. Did that mean it failed? No. Did it mean there were not enough vegan guests to pay the bills? No. Maybe they moved, maybe they died, maybe they got tired of running an inn. I don't have the answer, but I do know that the Vegans who went there had to be in hog heaven! (yeah I am being funny for those who can't translate what i write) in other words, they were super happy to have a place that catered to their needs, 100% of the time.

There is room for everyone at the inn of innkeeping.

 

[Vegan Farm Girl]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!

 

[JBloggs]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!.

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!

What? You are listening to an insurance guy?
No way. Who are they?!

 

[Breakfast Diva]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!.

You have to go to a company that specializes in these types of properties. Be prepared for the cost, it's a lot more expensive than personal property insurance.

 

[Vegan Farm Girl]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!.

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!

What? You are listening to an insurance guy?
No way. Who are they?!
.

Our State Farm Insurance. I've got calls out to specialized insurance agencies. They want a resume. All I've got for a resume is 35 years as an RN. No experience in management at all but I can manage a household and children and a budget and sick people and snot 30 staff members. Wonder if THATS good enough for 'em?!!! I won't go down without a fight!!
They also want a business plan. I'll be figuring that out and getting it in writing. Sad about the pool . May have to put in a hot tub someday instead. How can I have people look at the pool on 95 degree days and tell them they can't use it?

 

[Vegan Farm Girl]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!.

You have to go to a company that specializes in these types of properties. Be prepared for the cost, it's a lot more expensive than personal property insurance.
.

I'm on it Diva. I'm not a quitter. If it's possible to open one, I'm gonna do it!! Maybe they'll cut me a little slack with a rate decrease once I've been open two years? A girl can hope

 

[Anon Inn]

We have had luck with Country Financial in our area.

 

[Joey Camb]

We use NIG - http://www.nig.com/ price is excellent and they specialise in B&B's all over the world do know the drill - no experience or business plan required.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

Hey guys. Husband went to pay an insurance bill and while there I told him to ask about insurance for a bed and breakfast. They said the underwriters will not insure us without 2 years of experience!!! AND we have a built in pool that is too deep (8 feet) and it has no lift for disabled people. There goes my dream. I'm crushed! Any ideas? So BROKEN-HEARTED !!.

You have to go to a company that specializes in these types of properties. Be prepared for the cost, it's a lot more expensive than personal property insurance.
.

I'm on it Diva. I'm not a quitter. If it's possible to open one, I'm gonna do it!! Maybe they'll cut me a little slack with a rate decrease once I've been open two years? A girl can hope
.

I'm on it Diva. I'm not a quitter. If it's possible to open one, I'm gonna do it!! Maybe they'll cut me a little slack with a rate decrease once I've been open two years? A girl can hope

That's the aspiring innkeeper spirit!
If you're not going to open for 2 years, lots can change. At least you'll know the ballpark amount that insurance will cost you which is what you'll need for a business plan. Even if the next insurance company doesn't require a business plan, it's a really great thing for you to do for yourself. Things like knowing the cost of website design, hosting, advertising, licenses, etc. will really help you budget.