Some of us have always dreamt of having our own business, but not all
of us go through with it. For those who do, it can be a real labour of
love.
Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) have been around for many years and
they’re a great alternative to hotels and hostels. Not only can they be
cheaper, but they are designed to be homely for all who sleep there.
Running one takes a lot of time and patience, and many things must be
considered for the small business owner.
First off, you need to be aware of your target market, because this
can greatly affect your success. You need to be able to stand out from
the crowd and be able to offer facilities and services best suited to
the type of clientele you wish to attract.
Next there is the building itself and there are a few options open to
you. You can buy an existing business and put your personal stamp on
it; renovate a building for use as a B&B; or build entirely new
premises. There are pros and cons to each and it all depends on what you
want and need from it. If you have a smaller budget you may want to
consider purchasing a pre-existing business, so you don’t have to worry
about any initial renovation or building costs. Also, you would be able
to open up for business sooner.
To make sure that everything is above board it would be wise to seek
the advice of the local planning authority. There are also certificates
to sort out, including a certified kitchen, a check from a health and
safety inspector and a visit from the environmental health agency. If
your business does not comply with their standards for whatever reason,
you will not be able to run the business until it is sorted and checked
again.
Research. Need I say more? It never hurts to look around at other
B&Bs nearby to see how they are run and whether they are popular.
You might just learn something valuable from the competition. You also
need to do your research on things like running costs, rules and
regulations, the local demographic and much more.
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