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Real-Life Tales from Running a Bed and Breakfast (and What You Can Learn)
In this festive episode, I share some of the funniest and most memorable moments from my 17 years of running an award-winning B&B in Shropshire. From spider mishaps to dog antics, and even a few guest mix-ups, this light-hearted look back at my time as a B&B owner is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Whether you’re dreaming about starting a B&B, already running a bed and breakfast, or just curious about the pros and cons of running a B&B, this episode offers a fun glimpse into the real-life experiences of a B&B host.
For a more serious podcast about the Pros and Cons of Running a B&B listen to this podcast.
Key Topics Covered:Introduction
My background running a successful B&B and teaching aspiring B&B owners since 2006.Why I decided to share funny anecdotes for my final podcast of 2024.The Realities of Running a Bed and Breakfast
The inevitability of things going wrong and how to prepare for them.Insights from Benjamin Franklin and Jay Shetty about preparing for the unexpected.How to navigate the challenges of running a B&B with preparation and a sense of humour.Spider Mishaps
The oversized spiders that come with living in a converted granary.The time a guest unknowingly carried a house spider on her shoulder at breakfast.How a disappearing spider in a pile of towels led to a neighbourly favour I’ll never forget.A particularly awkward post-shower encounter with an eight-legged visitor.Learning Point: While dealing with critters may not be glamorous, having a plan in place for pests is essential for maintaining calm and providing a great guest experience.
Dog Antics in a Bed and Breakfast
Mitsi and Murphy, my rescue dogs with big personalities.Mitsi's "goose" moment with a guest and her sleepover with a guest's greyhound.Murphy’s muddy paw prints, stolen croissants, and an embarrassing skirt-pulling incident.The accidental guest "in the lounge" misunderstanding that didn’t go quite as planned.Learning Point: Running a B&B with dogs can delight animal-loving guests but requires clear boundaries and preparation to avoid mishaps. Learn more in my blog posts: How to Run a Dog-Friendly B&B and Running a B&B and Owning a Dog.
Funny Guest Mix-Ups
Inviting a teenager looking for a party to his “room.”Mistaking two Jehovah’s Witnesses for course participants during a busy training day.Learning Point: Establishing a clear check-in process may not seem exciting but can save you from awkward situations and help create a professional first impression.
Running a Bed and Breakfast with Chickens
Managing chickens at a B&B and dealing with the aftermath of a fox attack.Puss the hen, her knitted chicken jumper, and a guest’s amusing question about “pregnancy.”Learning Point: Guests may not always understand the realities of keeping animals, but handling their concerns with empathy and sensitivity helps maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
Why Listen to This Episode?If you’ve ever wondered about the day-to-day realities of running a bed and breakfast, or you’re considering starting a B&B yourself, this episode offers a light-hearted but honest perspective. You’ll hear real-life stories that highlight the quirky, funny, and sometimes surprising side of hosting guests.
Resources for Aspiring and Current B&B Owners:
Mini Workshop: Basics of Setting Up a B&B – A great place to start if you’re dreaming of opening your own bed and breakfast.Full Online Course: How to Set Up and Run a B&B – Everything you need to know to turn your dream into a reality.Subscribe to the Podcast:Stay updated with new episodes packed with tips for marketing a B&B, improving your guest experience, and navigating the ups and downs of running a bed and breakfast. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very happy one! If not, I hope you enjoy some time to relax and recharge over the holiday season.
See you in 2025, and happy hosting!
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Behind the Scenes of Running a B&B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy
In this episode, I’m joined by Kate O’Donovan, owner of Maple Bank B&B in the stunning UK Lake District and a graduate of my B&B Academy course. Kate shares her journey from corporate life to running a thriving seven-room B&B and offers practical insights for aspiring and current B&B owners.
Whether you're dreaming of starting your own B&B or looking for inspiration to improve your guest experience, this episode is packed with valuable advice and honest reflections on what it’s really like to run a bed and breakfast.
Key Topics Covered:Introduction:My background and experience running a B&B and training owners since 2006.Introducing Kate O’Donovan, her background, and the story behind Maple Bank B&B.Choosing the Right Location:Why Kate and her mum chose the Lake District for their B&B.How location impacts year-round business opportunities and guest demographics.Creating an Exceptional Guest Experience:The importance of focusing on how guests feel during their stay.Practical ways to make guests feel at home, from thoughtful touches to dog-friendly amenities.The Realities of Running a B&B:Managing guest expectations and setting clear boundaries to protect your time and well-being.Strategies for dealing with negative reviews and unexpected challenges.The Importance of Work Experience:How real-world experience can help aspiring B&B owners decide if the lifestyle is right for them.Kate’s new mini work experience programme for potential B&B owners.Lessons Learned:Why it’s critical to delegate tasks and focus on what you do best.Kate’s advice for balancing the financial and emotional demands of running a B&B.Connect with Kate:Visit Maple Bank B&B at www.maplebank.co.uk for more information or to get in touch with Kate.
Connect with Me:Visit Bed and Breakfast Academy for more blog posts, podcasts, and courses.
Check out the mini workshop for those considering starting a B&B.
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple to stay updated with new episodes.Enjoy the episode, and happy hosting!
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Eksik bölüm mü var?
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Choosing the Right Online Booking Platform for Your B&B | Bed and Breakfast Academy
Join me as I chat with Heather Scott from the International Booking Engine Platform, Freetobook, about the key considerations when selecting an online booking platform for your bed and breakfast.
Heather shares her wealth of experience as a former B&B owner and current account manager for Freetobook, offering practical insights for B&B owners at every stage.
Key Topics Covered:Introduction:My background and experience running a B&B and training owners since 2006.Introducing Heather Scott, her experience as a former B&B owner and her current role at Freetobook.What is a Booking Engine?Differences between booking engines, PMS (property management systems), and channel managers.How a booking engine manages bookings, payments, and guest communications.Why You Need a Booking Engine:The essential role booking engines play in guest convenience and business profitability.
Why not having an online booking system could hurt your business.
Key Features to Look for in a Booking Platform:Online booking capability for customers.Payment processing and security (GDPR, multi-factor authentication).Channel management to sync with platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb. Communication features to build guest relationships.Reporting and analytics for managing occupancy, pricing, and more.How to Choose the Right Platform:Practical tips for researching booking engines, including seeking recommendations and testing user experience.Understanding pricing models—monthly fees, pay-as-you-go, and hidden charges.Key questions to ask potential providers, such as support availability and flexibility with online travel agents (OTAs).Connect with Heather and Freetobook:Visit Freetobook at www.freetobook.co.uk to book a demo or contact their support team in Glasgow.
Connect with Me:Visit Bed and Breakfast Academy for more blog posts, podcasts, and courses.
Check out the mini workshop for those considering starting a B&B.
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple to stay updated with new episodes.
Enjoy the episode and happy hosting!
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Join me as I share my experience on creating a memorable welcome basket for your B&B guests. With over 17 years of experience running my own B&B and training hundreds of B&B owners since 2006, I provide practical tips and ideas to enhance your guest experience, ensuring they become loyal and repeat customers.
Key Topics Covered:Introduction:My background and experience in the B&B industry.Transition from in-person to online training.Why a Welcome Basket?Importance of making guests feel special.How welcome baskets can enhance guest experience and encourage repeat visits.What to Include in a Welcome Basket:Homemade treats like lemon drizzle cake and shortbread.Local produce and goodies.Options for guests with dietary restrictions.Examples of non-food items: toiletries, postcards, and local guides.Tailoring Your Welcome Basket:Adjusting offerings based on guest type and stay duration.Considering your budget and pricing.Reviewing and Updating Your Basket:Importance of guest feedback.Regularly updating the basket contents to keep them fresh and appealing.Offering Different Tiers:Creating special incentives for email subscribers and repeat guests.Examples of added benefits: early check-in, late check-out, and special treats.Charging for Extras:Balancing free items with optional purchasable extras.Encouraging guests to buy additional items without detracting from the overall experience.Resources Mentioned:Out of EdenBlog post on "How to Cater for Guests with Special Dietary Requirements"Lemon drizzle cake and shortbread recipes on the blogBlog post on "Choosing the Right Toiletries for Your B&B"Blog post on "What to Put in Your Guest Welcome Basket"Blog post on "Do you Need a Licence to Sell Alcohol to Guests"Connect with Me:Visit Bed and Breakfast Academy for more blog posts, podcasts, and courses.
Check out the mini workshop for those considering starting a B&B.
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple to stay updated with new episodes.
Enjoy the episode and happy hosting!
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Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.
I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.
Visit the Bed and Breakfast Academy Website for more information about the Online Course and Mini Workshop.
In this episode, which is #9 in the Taking Control of your B&B Marketing 2024 series, I delve into the significance of understanding your ideal bed and breakfast (B&B) guests to simplify marketing efforts. I emphasise the need for clarity in defining your ideal guest profile, enabling tailored marketing strategies and enhancing guest satisfaction.
I share insights on how guest demographics and preferences can evolve over time, influenced by factors such as changing trends and external events like the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on a few key guest profiles, B&B owners can streamline marketing efforts and create a more personalised guest experience.
I also highlight the significance of staying informed about discrimination laws and adapting marketing messages accordingly. Overall, the episode provides practical tips for B&B owners to attract and retain loyal guests while optimising marketing strategies.
Other blog posts mentioned in this episode:
Marketing Tip #6 - 6 Reasons to Write a blog for your bed and breakfast Marketing Tip #7 How does Pinterest work and why you need it for your B&BMarketing Tip #8 3 Reasons why email marketing is important for your B&BYou can find out more about protected characteristics on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website here in the UK >> Protected Characteristics.Thinking of running a dog friendly B&B? Check out this blog post here >> A practical guide to running a dog friendly B&BYour Smile File - Take control of your B&B Marketing in 2024Your FAQ File - How to use frequently asked questions for effective B&B MarketingAnd those negative reviews - Using negative reviews to market your B&B -
Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.
I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.
In today's episode, I share practical steps to take control of your B&B marketing in 2024. Learn more about how you can make more effective use of your website to get more direct bookings.
Visit the Bed and Breakfast Academy Website for more information about the Online Course and Mini Workshop.
Read the corresponding blog post
In this latest podcast episode,I delve into the art of turning negative reviews into positive marketing opportunities for your B&B.
Discover how to respond tactfully and professionally to criticism, even when it seems unfair.
From acknowledging guest feedback to highlighting your B&B's unique attributes, learn valuable strategies to enhance your online reputation and attract more guests.
Join me as I explore the power of constructive communication and the importance of maintaining a positive image in the competitive hospitality industry.
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Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.
I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.
In today's episode, I share practical steps to take control of your B&B marketing in 2024. Learn more about how you can make more effective use of your website to get more direct bookings.
Visit the Bed and Breakfast Academy Website for more information about the Online Course and Mini Workshop.
Read the corresponding blog post
Other blog posts mentioned in this podcast:
How to Use FAQs to Effectively Market a Bed and Breakfast
How to Use ChatGPT to Write Blog Posts Faster as a B&B Owner
Podcast Summary:
Introduction: Discuss the significance of a Bed and Breakfast (B&B) website and the need for regular evaluation to ensure it remains current and accurately represents the business.The Purpose of a B&B Website: Highlight the primary goal of a B&B website which is to generate business by converting website visitors into guests. Discuss how showcasing unique selling points and providing clear online booking options can facilitate this.Website Discoverability: Discuss the importance of website discoverability and how to determine if your website is being found.Use of Google Analytics 4: Explain how Google Analytics 4 can be used to track visits to your website and gather important data.How Guests Find Your Website: Discuss the various ways prospective customers might find your B&B website.Website Aesthetics and User-Friendliness: Discuss the importance of accurately portraying the B&B experience on the website and ensuring the site is easy for the customer to navigate.The Importance of a Blog and Email Sign-ups: Highlight the benefits of having a blog and an email sign-up form on your B&B website.Conclusion: Recap the importance of having a well-designed, user-friendly, and discoverable website for your B&B business. Discuss how each aspect of your website contributes to creating an online presence that fosters guest engagement and conversions. -
For more information about Bed and Breakfast Academy visit the website here
In this episode, Karen delves into the power of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for your B&B.
Learn how a well-crafted FAQ page not only streamlines guest inquiries but becomes a marketing goldmine.
From handling policy queries gracefully to boosting your online presence, FAQs are your secret weapon in 2024. Tune in for practical tips on turning FAQs into engaging blog posts and Instagram content.
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Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.
I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.
In today's episode, I share practical steps to take control of your B&B marketing in 2024. Learn more about using your "Smile File" to organise your B&B Marketing into content buckets.
Visit the Bed and Breakfast Academy Website for more information about the Online Course and Mini Workshop.
Read the corresponding blog post
Read the blog post about marketing a bed and breakfast with your lemon drizzle cake recipe >> 10 Ways to Attract More B&B Guests with your Favourite Cake
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes packed with valuable tips for B&B owners. Thanks for joining me today!
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In this episode, Karen shares her insights on how to take control of your B&B marketing and increase direct bookings. She emphasizes the importance of adopting authentic marketing strategies that not only yield positive results but also bring joy to the process.
Karen challenges the common perception that marketing is distasteful or spammy and offers a fresh perspective on how to market your business in an enjoyable and genuine way.
One of the key strategies Karen discusses is the concept of the "smile file." She explains how our natural negativity bias can often overshadow the positive reviews and feedback we receive from guests. The smile file serves as a powerful tool to counter this bias by collecting and storing all the positive reviews, guest book comments, and compliments you've received.
By referring to the smile file whenever negative comments start to affect your mindset, you can regain a sense of positivity and focus on the many positive experiences you've had with guests.
But the smile file isn't just a tool for personal well-being; it also has practical applications for your marketing efforts. Karen explains how analyzing the recurring themes in your smile file can provide valuable insights into what your customers appreciate most about your B&B.
These insights can guide your content creation for marketing emails, blog posts, and social media. Whether it's highlighting your delicious breakfasts with recipes and photos, showcasing specific ingredients and where you source them, or incorporating guest quotes that capture the essence of their experience, the smile file becomes a rich source of inspiration and authenticity.
Tune in to this episode to discover Karen's ideas for taking control of your B&B marketing, increasing direct bookings, and creating an authentic and enjoyable marketing experience.
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What makes a good bed and breakfast? 10 tips for running a successful B&B
When I was setting up my own bed and breakfast, my focus was very much on those added extras that would turn it into something special; the very expensive welsh blanket, the eggs benedict at breakfast and the huge brass bed to name just a few.
And if you want to create a B&B that stands out from the competition, all of those are important.
But before you start to think about any of the bells and whistles you have to make sure you get the basics right first.
In this episode I walk you through the 10 basics to running a successful B&B.
First Steps to Owning a B&B Workshop at £30 -First steps to owning a bed and breakfast
find out more about the complete online B&B course >> How to set up, buy, run and market a bed and breakfast
Blog Posts mentioned in this episode:How to buy the best beds for your B&B
Top 10 tips for cleaning your bed and breakfast
How to cater for B&B guest’s dietary requirements and restrictions
Do you have to serve a cooked breakfast in a B&B
How to deal with difficult guests
Do you need a licence to serve alcohol at your B&B
How to respond to a negative review about your bed and breakfast
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In this podcast, I'm chatting about getting your B&B ready for the low season. If you're running a bed and breakfast in the Northern Hemisphere, chances are your business is slowing down for winter or maybe you're closing altogether until spring.
Whether you're just getting fewer guests or taking a complete break, there are a few things to tackle to prep your B&B for the quieter times. First off, make sure to carve out some time for yourself—rest and recharge after a busy season.
Next up, practical stuff: save some cash, keep your place safe, and make sure everything's in tip-top shape.
The quiet season is the ideal time for reviewing your marketing. Maybe write all those blog posts for the upcoming year or finally kickstart that email newsletter you've been meaning to do.
You can read more about the blog posts mentioned here:
Out of Eden Hospitality Suppliers
Preventing Legionnaire's disease at your B&B
How to prepare your B&B for the quiet season
3 Reasons why email marketing is important for your B&B
First Steps to Owning your own B&B Workshop - just £30!
How to Set Up, Run and Market a B&B - online course
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When bed and breakfasts opened following the first Covid lockdown, many B&B owners, myself included, stopped offering the room tidy.
Now Covid rules are being relaxed and life is starting to feel a bit more normal - in the UK at least.
There have been a few discussions in my Facebook Group for Course Attendees about what happens to room tidies going forward. So I thought I'd use this podcast to discuss:
What is a room tidy and how long does it take?What does a room tidy involve?When should you change the bed linen if guests are staying more than one night?What if guests leave the room in a mess? What happens if the guests don’t go out?What happened to room tidies during Covid?What’s the future of the bed and breakfast room tidy?Quick tips for managing your room tidiesIf you find this podcast useful, you’ll discover everything that’s involved in running a successful B&B in my online course
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If you’re a bed and breakfast owner looking to do more of your own business marketing and reducing your reliance on the online travel agencies, then reels can be a really effective way to showcase your business. In this blog post, I’m going to give you 10 creative ideas for using reels to promote your B&B, that you can create and post quickly, so that you can get on with the fun part of the business such as cooking breakfasts and welcoming guests.
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It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about New Year's resolutions and personal goals.
But it’s also important to take some time out to reflect on and set goals for our business too.
When I was running my B&B, I was guilty of having a wishlist in my head of things I'd like to happen for my business, without actually getting my goals down on paper and figuring out what I needed to do to make them happen.
But by setting goals, writing them down and deciding what actions you need to take, you’re far more likely to actually turn them into reality. For example, maybe you often think that you’d like to get more direct bookings for your bed and breakfast. That’s far more likely to happen if you have a plan of actions in place rather than just hoping it might happen.
If you have yet to set up your B&B, then you will need a Business Plan. Goals are a big part of your business plan and showing any potential bank or other lender that you have a clear plan of action for creating a profitable B&B.
In the online course there is example Business Plan to get you started. In this week's podcast ( and accompanying blog post ) I've put down some ideas for creating some goals for your B&B and creating an action plan to achieve them. I'm using the example of getting more direct bookings to show you how you could build up a set of SMART achievable goals for your business.
In this episode of the podcast I also mention my marmalade recipe - you can find it here
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It’s Karen here, I’m the owner and founder of Bed and Breakfast Academy.
I provide training and ongoing support to aspiring and existing bed and breakfast owners, helping them create a B&B lifestyle they’ll love living, with guests who become repeat fans!
In this week’s podcast, I discuss the best fish finger sandwich I’ve ever had and what that has to do with getting recommendations and reviews for your B&B.
I've included a few tips for increasing the number of recommendations and reviews you receive for your B&B.
Here are a few other posts I think you'll find useful:
How to respond to a negative review about your bed and breakfast
Why repeat guests are so important to most B&Bs
Complete bed and breakfast training course
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With increases in the cost of living; energy bills, fuel, food and supplier costs increasing, many bed and breakfast owners are bracing themselves for potentially difficult winter.
Whilst we have little control over rising costs, now is the time to be thinking about taking positive action to help your business through this period. At our latest B&B community meeting, we talked through ideas, both for saving money by reducing costs and also ideas for generating more income.
This podcast includes some of those ideas. I hope you find it useful and are able to implement some of them in your own business.
Find out more about signing up for our online course and joining our B&B community here >> Sign up for the online B&B course and get immediate access
Here are the blog posts and products I referenced in this week's bed and breakfast academy podcast.
Note that the product details contains affiliate links - I receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase the item. Any commission I receive goes towards the costs of providing this free podcast for you!
Recommended ProductsRadiator Thermostats
Tower Air Fryer
Ninja 9 in 1 air fryer
Panasonic bread machine
Blog PostsHow to reduce food waste at your B&B
How to have freshly baked bread every morning
Bed and Breakfast Academy recipes
Is it time to put on a summer duvet yet?
10 ways to attract more guests to book directly with you
Pre packaged food legislation
Do you need a licence to sell alcohol at your B&B
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How to stay fit as a bed and breakfast owner, especially as you get older.
This week's podcast episodes is a bit of a step away from talking about B&Bs, but it really is relevant for bed and breakfast owners, especially those of us who are over 55, even if you're not a B & B owner and never intend to be one, I believe this episode will be of interest.
In the B B course, I go through all of the skills experience and attributes that you need as a Bed and Breakfast owner. And one of the most important of those is being physically fit and strong and maintaining that fitness and strength as we get older can be a real challenge.
So this week I'm joined by a guest, Ollie Halliday from BeMobile physiotherapy, which provides online exercise programs for the over 55s.
I've been a member of BeMobile myself for near a year. And I'm a huge fan. As I've seen great benefits.
You can find BeMobile, at www.bemobilephysio.com.au. And they're also on Instagram and Facebook where they share lots of useful tips daily.
I really hope you enjoy this week's podcast.
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Buying or setting up a B&B is not a cheap business so you need to do your research very thoroughly to ensure you’re not about to make a very expensive mistake. If you’re having to borrow money to acquire your business, you will have to prove to the lender that it will be a viable business and that you can keep up on the loan repayments.
Knowing who your customer is is key to running a successful business. Once you know who your customer is you can create and run a B&B experience that matches their requirements, expectations and dreams. You’ll have B&B guests who love your business. They’ll write you great reviews, recommend you to their friends and keep coming back.
Find out more about the Bed and Breakfast Course here >> B&B Academy Training
Running a B&B and owning a dog blog post
Linda's B&B >> Maple House B&B, Hay on Wye
Sign up for my email list and download the free "Is running a B&B the right business for you" work book >> Sign up today
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In this podcast I talk you through one of the most popular posts on my Bed and Breakfast Academy Blog - the Top 8 Mistakes I made when starting a bed and breakfast.
You can read the blog post here >> Top 8 Mistakes I made when starting up my B&B
I’ve set up 4 B&B rooms in the 16 years I’ve been running a B&B. And I'm not too proud to admit that I’ve made a fair number of mistakes along the way.
Some of these mistakes have cost me time - an awful lot of time over the years - and others have cost me money.
Hopefully by sharing my mistakes it will help you avoid the same mistakes, save you money and time when setting up your own B&B!
Just a note to say, that whilst some of the things I've done were wrong for my B&B, they may be exactly the right thing for your B&B. It's up to you to assess your potential market and decide.
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