Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast (Start & Run ...) [Paperback]

Monica Taylor (Author), Richard Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Series: Start & Run ... | Publication Date: October 1999

This book offers practical hands-on help for anyone wanting to start their own business in a range of disciplines. If you are one of the thousands of people who have expertise you think you can turn into your own business, the "Start and Run" series shows you how to set about achieving your dreams. Written by experts in their respective interest areas, but always easy to read, these books provide step-by-step coaching for businesses as diverse as bed and breakfasts to teaching English as a second language. All Self-Counsel's "Start and Run" titles include a free CD with business and marketing tools to help you get going as soon as possible. It also focuses on choosing a location, budgeting and financing, hiring and managing, attracting customers, designing a menu, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Now includes a bonus CD-ROM with marketing and business tools to help you get your new company started successfully!

From the Back Cover

Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast and thought how exciting it would be to open your own B & B? It takes more than dreams and a spare bedroom to achieve success. With a keen business sense and the advice in this helpful, easy-to-read guide, you, too, can turn your home into a welcome place for visitors to stay.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: Self-Counsel Press; 3rd edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551802791
• ISBN-13: 978-1551802794
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,197,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The B&B Trade, June 20, 2001

By 

Beth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast (Start & Run ...) (Paperback)

The authors of S&R a Profitable Bed and Breakfast know the in's and out's of the B&B business. As they say in the introduction, "we were blissfully unaware of the many pitfalls and problems we would face." In this book, the authors cover the good and bad in the B&B trade, creating a thorough understanding for those interested in running their own B&B. Topics include: finances, business licenses and inspections, customer service, advertising and promotion, and much more. The "sweet" recipes at the beginning of each chapter, are an added bonus. Also included are worksheets to help you plan your B&B. If you want to open your own B&B and do it right, I recommend you pick up a copy of this book first.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The B&B Trade, June 20, 2001

By 

Beth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast (Start & Run ...) (Paperback)

The authors of S&R a Profitable Bed and Breakfast know the in's and out's of the B&B business. As they say in the introduction, "we were blissfully unaware of the many pitfalls and problems we would face." In this book, the authors cover the good and bad in the B&B trade, creating a thorough understanding for those interested in running their own B&B. Topics include: finances, business licenses and inspections, customer service, advertising and promotion, and much more. The "sweet" recipes at the beginning of each chapter, are an added bonus. Also included are worksheets to help you plan your B&B. If you want to open your own B&B and do it right, I recommend you pick up a copy of this book first.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, a bit dated, December 15, 2005

By 

Scott Thomas (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast (Start & Run ...) (Paperback)

I ordered this book based, in part, on the favorable review. However, it is very dated, though basically good. For example, this is the 3rd edition, and is obviously updated to include the importance of marketing on the internet. However, this conflicts with the strong emphasis in at least two sections on NOT getting a personal computer if you don't have computer experience (how will you answer email inquiries?).

It would also be helpful to know that most of the things discussed in the way of Market Research can now be found on the internet, yet this isn't even mentioned.

The CD was unexpected (not mentioned in the description), but a big disappointment. When I discovered it, since there are MANY forms and "surveys" to be filled out in the book, I assumed these would be contained on the CD. That is not the case. The CD contains generic marketing and info forms that are nearly useless. I found myself creating my own electronic forms from the book, which could easily have been included on the CD.

All that being said, if the reader keeps in mind that the book is a little out of date, the basic info is still very helpful. It provides a very thorough approach to determining the type of inn to consider, potential guests, estimating the season and volume of business, evaluating the competition, etc.