Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies »

Mary White is the go-to source in the bed & breakfast industry for opinions and advice. A noted expert on B&B travel, she has been involved in promoting and marketing B&Bs on the Web for more than a decade and has appeared in dozens of media outlets. Her site, BnBFinder.com, is hailed by professionals and consumers alike as the most informative B&B site on the Web.

All the tools you need to start and run a profitable B&B

Do you dream of owning a B&B? This friendly, practical guide shows you how to make your dream a reality, with expert advice on everything from writing a business plan and finding the right location to handling situations you will encounter as an innkeeper. You'll make your guests feel at home, keep your inn in tip-top shape, and ensure your long-term success!

• Understand B&B basics — get an overview of the business and see if you have the skills (and the desire!) to succeed
• Find a place to call home — choose the location, style, and size of your ideal B&B
• Transition from visitor to owner — create your business plan, secure financing, make an offer, and protect your investment
• Get ready for your guests — organize your recordkeeping, set room rates and policies, furnish your inn, and market your services
• Set the breakfast scene — decide the style of breakfast to offer, accommodate guests' needs and restrictions, create signature dishes, and serve refreshments and snacks
• Handle day-to-day operations — take reservations, make your guests feel welcome, hire employees, and maintain your inn
• Take your business to the next level — assess your success, expand your market, increase profit, and prevent burnout

Open the book and find:

• How to transition an existing B&B or start from scratch
• The biggest problems new B&Bs encounter — and how to avoid them
• The best ways to furnish your inn
• Tips for saving time cleaning and preparing breakfast
• What you must know to design and update your Web site
• Tried-and-tested sample menus and recipes
• Ways to guarantee a return guest
• How to get extra help when you need it

Introduction.

Part I: Inn the Beginning.

Chapter 1: So You Want to Open a B&B.

Chapter 2: Deciding on the Location and Style of Your B&B.

Part II: Transitioning from Inn Goer to Inn Owner.

Chapter 3: Creating the Plan for Your Business.

Chapter 4: Purchasing an Existing B&B.

Chapter 5: Starting a New Inn from Scratch.

Part III: Getting Ready for Guests.

Chapter 6: Organizing Your Record-Keeping.

Chapter 7: Setting Rates and Establishing Policies.

Chapter 8: B&B Marketing 101.

Chapter 9: Furnishing Your Inn.

Chapter 10: Making Breakfast a Memorable Meal.

Part IV: Up and Running: Day-to-Day Operations.

Chapter 11: Communicating with Potential Guests and Taking Reservations.

Chapter 12: Taking Care of Guests.

Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Inn.

Chapter 14: Getting Help When You Need It.

Part V: Taking It beyond Breakfast and the Basics.

Chapter 15: Assessing Your Success and Building on It.

Chapter 16: Keeping Your Most Important Asset (You) Fine-Tuned.

Chapter 17: Looking into Your Future.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten Cleaning Tips to Save Time, Money, and Your Inn.

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Guarantee a Return Guest.

Index.