How to Start & Run a B&B BandBED2eBook-1 | Page 10

The fact is that most people are attracted by a sense of order, tidiness and cleanliness –
it feels as if care has been taken to make things welcoming. Most people are put off,
even repelled, by strangers’ personal clutter, and by grubbiness. It gives the opposite
impression: that their hosts don’t care about making things “nice” for them.
Of couse, a certain amount of clutter could always be excused as part of the décor –
think “eclectic”, “chintzy” or “cottage style”. Now, though, guests are much more
style conscious and often equate stylishness with minimalism. So there is even less
excuse than there ever was for untidiness when you are expecting guests to pay to stay
in your home.
If in reading this, you feel shocked that people could be so judgmental, and think they
should chill out more and go with the flow, then our appeal to you is: do be open
minded enough to question whether you should run a B&B. You may not be suited to
it.
If however, you take pride in showing your home at its very best at all times, and are
the sort of person that can’t walk by a white thread on a dark carpet without picking it
up and binning it, then read on. You have a key quality for B&B ownership!
So liking people and being houseproud are two important characteristics for the ideal
B&B owner. There are others, too.
If you can’t ever manage to keep your diary up to date, often forget appointments and
keep losing the post-it notes you leave yourself all over the place as reminders, then do
take a long hard look at your organizational skills. If you run a B&B you must be very
methodical and organised with your diary, record-keeping and scheduling.
One of the worst things you can do is forget a booking, overbook or put it in for the
wrong date. Even being out when guests arrive because you forgot their arrival time
can lead to serious problems!
Are there any more aspects of your personality to look at? The last one we’d mention
is an even temper – or at least the ability to control your temper and keep your
emotions from flaring up. Things can get trying at times, and if you are likely to fly
into a rage or into floods of tears when provoked, maybe you should not be dealing
with the public in your own home.
Pass with flying colours so far? Don’t worry, nobody’s perfect. The important thing is
to think hard whether you really want to take in paying guests. Be honest with
yourself. Only you can decide.
Writing your Business Plan
There is a lot of needless mystique about Business Plans. If you wish you can buy
lengthy and complex books about writing business plans. Firstly: yes, it is very
How to Start & Run a B&B
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