It is notoriously difficult for women to juggle a career and having a baby. Many feel too torn and make the decision to put their career on hold while they stay home to look after their child, while others make the brave decision to leave their children in the hands of nursery nurses and return to work.
However, there could be a way to be financially independent without having to let go of your child. Have you ever considered starting up a Bed and Breakfast? They can be very lucrative businesses and being your own boss means you get to decide whether or not your child stays with you. The added benefit of your business being a B&B is that your child will be in a homely environment instead of an office.
Here, we run through some pieces of advice if you do decide that this could be a great path for you.
Create great accommodation
First and foremost, if you want your B&B to do well it must be somewhere that people actually want to go to. Invest in creating beautiful bedrooms and communal areas such as dining rooms and sitting rooms that will give people a little slice of luxury. It is notoriously difficult to find attractive accommodation so this can really help you to stand out from the crowd. And don’t forget to look after your outside spaces such as lawns and plants, why not check out a website like Lawncare.net to give you a better idea of how you can look after your lawns and plants.
Target Market
Early on you need to decide on your target market so that you can tailor every decision towards them. From decorations to the cosmetics you supply and the kinds of beds you’ll need. You might aim towards a more elderly generation, young couples, or families with children. Or maybe even all three.
Standing Out
With any business you need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Think of little things you could do to make your guests remember your B&B over the others. This could be anything from little greeting gifts to making special arrangements to accommodate pets.
Feedback
Guest feedback can be a brilliant way to make improvements to your B&B and the service that you and your staff provide. Third party companies like TripAdvisor can be your best friend when it comes to building a great reputation but be careful as they are also a platform for people to voice their complaints. If you do receive a complaint, make every effort to rectify the situation publicly and change their minds.
Accounting & Admin
Running a B&B can be fun; getting to know the guests and looking after them. But don’t forget the more mundane everyday tasks like accounting and admin. If you let these slide you could see everything fall apart.
Marketing
As with any business, you have to get yourself out there with innovative marketing. Make sure you build an online presence as this is where most people look nowadays. Have a great website that shines your B&B in its best light. But don’t forget the old school ways of attracting guests too such as having a roadside board; there are still people who drive up and down looking for places to stay and your board needs to catch their attention.
Starting a B&B can be a great way to combine being a businesswoman and being a mother, and by following this advice you could see yourself making a great profit too. For more great tips on running a business when you have children, visit businessplusbaby.com .