| Author |
Entrepreneurship:  Starting a bed and breakfast  |
|
|
Thistlewoodmanor
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Deb
Geneva
IA
USA
51 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 08:36:55 AM
|
I love reading about Mary Jane's outdoor bed and breakfast. She's really inspired me to do the same in my 8 acres of woods. Recently I started working for the school system, which means I have summers off and need to find income for those 2 1/2 months. I also have experience with canvas tents and think it would be a fantastic addition to our farm. I want to start slow, with just 2 furnished tents and an outhouse and shower next summer. Any suggestions and/or ideas?
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~annavon431/ |
|
|
NatureNymph
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Tracy
Barrie
Ontario
Canada
73 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 5:42:14 PM
|
I had never heard of that before but it sounds wonderful! Good Luck!
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park |
 |
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:53:45 PM
|
you could offer it as an artist's retreat, or \ if you have a working farm where things need tended to... such as garden/animals...offer a farm internship for the 2 1/2 months...you get someone to not only rent the tents but also an agreement that they help out on the farm a few hours a day.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:56:44 PM
|
also when listing it for rent you can post about it in your local paper or on a website/blog and mention the area attractions/things to do in the area.find a bed and breakfast website to post about your b and b also.
you can decide if you'll offer several meals a day...or just breakfast..or just a place to stay.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Thistlewoodmanor
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Deb
Geneva
IA
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2008 : 5:27:32 PM
|
Thanks for the ideas! It's not really a working farm, we have a lot of barn cats, two young goats, and will have chickens again next spring; but that's about it. I also have a big garden that will be even bigger next year as I sell at farmer's market. However, I do alot of quilting and sewing and have been asked to teach people; so a "quilting retreat" might be a good addition. We also have great hunting and fishing areas nearby, so there's something for everyone. The town I"m near is fantastic at promoting tourist and unique small businesses, and the newspaper is always looking for stories about hobbies and fun stuff; so I think once I get it going I can get alot of free publicity.
I live in the country, so I don't have many zoning or property use laws to deal with; but I don't know if I have to deal with any laws pertaining to allowing people to stay on my property. I'm sure I need to talk to my insurance agent, but I wonder who else I should talk to???
www.thistlewoodmanor.typepad.com |
|
|
|
sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2008 : 8:04:11 PM
|
Deb, I stayed at a wonderful place in Idaho last summer modeled on MaryJanes Tent and Breakfast.
It was the Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast. http://www.huckleberrytentandbreakfast.com/
Poke around on the site, you might find some wonderful inspiration. The family that runs it was great! We wish we could have stayed a week, it was so lovely.
When you get it up and running, maybe the Fella and I can make a road trip :)
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Sep 28 2008 : 11:08:30 AM
|
I would definitely do the quilting retreat.
You could do a all women one, and you could also do a couples one, where the women would be quilting the have something set up for the men to fish or hunt. I would imagine there would be less liability in fishing then hunting.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Humberd Customs
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Kelly
Cleveland
TN
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 2:02:45 PM
|
What a great topic! We are looking for ways to keep our land from development but wanting it to provide an income also. To this end we are considering advertising its availability for weddings, family gatherings/reunions, business picnics, and hopefully a "Farm Girl" retreat! How great would that be?
I'll be watching this topic closely and sharing any information I gather as well.
God Bless
Kelly
Proverbs 31:10-31
May we all be blessed.
KDH |
|
|
|
deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2008 : 2:13:31 PM
|
I would definately talk to your insurance agent regarding liability issues. The next step would be to retain an attorney...... more for YOUR peace of mind. I was "this close" to going inot the spa business with a friend and sooooo glad I got an attorney involved to bounce stuff off of. You'd be surprised at what you could hypothetically get sued for. I'd hate that to happen to a farmgirl.....
On a side note you mentioned chickens and a large garden, again along Tina's suggestion you could rent it out and allow them to work the land that way. Maybe they could earn a couple of chickens to put in the freezer for winter meals. I know I just earned a side of beef and 10 broilers.... I'm so glad for it now! They could also work in the garden with you. A lot of people dont realize where food comes from. I like the idea of a quilting retreat. Or maybe a cancer retreat for those recovering from chemo? Being in nature is so therapuetic. You have a ton of options and nothing to do but try!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com
www.harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
www.gypsycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
|
|
|
bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
|
|
K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 2:49:43 PM
|
What about checking with the local school chapter of 4H or Future Farmers of America. They could probably help you with lots of planting of the garden. Donate some to the food bank when harvest comes around or let the kids earn merit badges. I see A great opportunity awaits you...Good Luck
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
Edited by - K-Falls Farmgirl on Nov 08 2008 2:51:23 PM |
|
|
| |
Entrepreneurship: Starting a bed and breakfast |
|
Starting a bed and breakfast
