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Entrepreneurship:  Starting a tent and breakfast  |
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Christine in Clark Fork
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Christine
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
34 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 10:44:03 AM
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I am planning to open a tent and breakfast in North Idaho by May 2007. I am looking for ideas, suggestions and advice. I was inspired after reading Mary Jane's book and visiting her farm last July. What a great home based idea.
I live on 52 acres in the mountains. I am surrounded by forest land and the property borders a 14 acre beaver pond that is big enough to canoe/row boat on. The nearest power is almost 2 miles away. Few neighbors close by. It is very serene and quiet. I plan to erect 4 tents, 1 screened dining room, 3 outhouses and a woodshed. I plan to keep it small (no more than 8 visitors),natural and low tech. The site will be perfect for this sort of business.
Currently, I am working on the paper work for the county so I can get a conditional use permit. (Gotta love the red tape.) My husband is using his sawmill to cut the lumber for the buildings. I am gathering the furnishings. A neighbor is starting to design our web page and I am networking like crazy.
I believe I stand a good chance of making this work. My only concern is expensive/excessive county requirements. Unfortunately, they normally deal with big development not someone trying to put up 4 tents. They don't quite know what to make of this.
I need advice on advertising, what makes an attractive web page, things that you have liked/not liked at a bed and breakfast, how to sell the pioneer setting (i.e. no running water, no electricity, very, very limited cell phone service), furnishings, amenities, etc.
Any ideas and/or help would be greatly appreciated.
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 11:13:10 AM
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When I see the pictures of MJ's tents and how they are decorated, to me it is very inviting. Simple, but beautiful with the beauty of flowers and nature. I think make good selling points. Quiet, serene and low tech get-a-way, who wouldn't want to come.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2006 : 4:02:38 PM
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we stayed in a similar 'tent and breakfast' on St. John's Island .. it was lovely! (even our 'pet gecko that scurried here and there!)
i don't have a lot of info on the 'logistics' of doing this .. but will excitedly look forward to your adventures and any advice the girls give to you. xo
True Friends, Frannie |
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NicoleG
True Blue Farmgirl
92 Posts
Illinois
92 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 9:19:58 PM
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| That sounds beautiful! What a great idea. I would definitely come and stay at your tent and breakfast when it is set up! It sounds like a camping trip meets girl scout mess hall but more beautiful and vacation-like (and quiet). Good luck in the planning and crazy legal matters. Keep us updated! |
Edited by - NicoleG on Mar 17 2006 9:21:49 PM |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 07:44:49 AM
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A "back to nature retreat" theme, for marketing purposes, might really appeal to those from the larger cities wanting to escape. And if they can do it with a few amenities, like a real bed, so much the better! You might want to consider adding a shower room to your plans; however simple it might be, because most people like to freshen up more than with a sponge bath. There are camping type shower kits out there that are solar powered. Something like this might work well in your situation. Best of luck in getting this venture going! 
Humor is the prelude to faith and Laughter is the beginning of prayer. -- Reinhold Niebuhr
http://farmstyle.blogspot.com
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AnneElizabeth
Farmgirl at Heart
6 Posts
Anne
Freeland
Michigan
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2006 : 08:38:45 AM
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| I think the idea is wonderful! I also think that if you capture that feel and style of maryjanesfarm.org at all that it will be a beautiful website. I think magazine style with large, close up photos of the tents, romantic fonts, beautiful browns, beiges with a nice accent color throughout to tie in to the theme..like a spring green or a deep blue...have fun planning! |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 05:30:21 AM
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This sounds wonderful. I wish there were something like this here. Good luck!
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 11:58:06 AM
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Great idea! Best of luck in making it happen.
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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Christine in Clark Fork
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Christine
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 08:29:57 AM
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Thanks for all the input. I am planning on showers but I don't know whether to go with the black bag solar showers or a Zodi (a propane camp shower). A lady in New York who runs a back-to-the-land camp facility said the Zodi was a challenge for some of her city folks. Anyone ever use one of these?
I have found someone to start designing my web page. My husband is Scout Master and one of the boy's mother runs a server and does all that computer stuff.
I have looked at many bed and breakfast websites and I agree that Mary Jane's is the best. You can just imagine yourself in the pictures.
Thanks again for all the encouragement. |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 08:48:21 AM
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We have Zodi on-demand hot water in our cabin. We like it. Before the heater we had a tank on the roof and depended on solar heat. In the morning the water was too cold and by 11 a.m. it was too hot. The Zodi has been very dependable.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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Christine in Clark Fork
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Christine
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 08:59:08 AM
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Robin--how do you have it plumbed in to your water. A bucket, with plumbing?
I have seen them advertised in Sportsman's Guide for a little over $100. Is this a good price?
Thanks. |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 12:17:21 PM
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You know, I always dreamed of having an out door shower. Of course it would be best used during the summer. But like it could surounded by bushes or lattace with vine growing for privacy. If you need any advise about website design email me because that's what I do - design websites and other graphics. We can talk design.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com
www.smallsqrl.blogspot.com
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 12:45:35 PM
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| I am soooo going to have a portable shower this summer. I just looked at the Real Goods catalog, and the really basic solar ones are like $25. For some reason I thought these were expensive things. I do have a question, though, that neither the Real Goods or the Zodi catalog description answers. Can you shut off the stream of water while you lather up, and then switch it back on again? Otherwise, what a waste of the precious water! A four gallon tank/bag doesn't seem like much, although they do promise that you can get more than one shower from that. Can anyone out there who's used these let me know? |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 1:03:06 PM
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We (well I should say my husband--I went to town for my shower) used a solar bag shower for three months. The brand we had did have an on off switch. I found it at a thrift store but I think it's like the one you find in the sporting goods dept.in any of the big box stores.
I've always been called a dreamer, but I never listened. I did what others dare not do--lived my dream while they watched. Unknown |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2006 : 1:29:24 PM
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| Thanks, JoAnn. I've never seen a solar shower in a store. Guess I'm shopping at the wrong kind of stores! |
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Christine in Clark Fork
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Christine
Clark Fork
Idaho
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2006 : 9:03:05 PM
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Thanks for all the post. Every day I seem to move a little closer to my dream. I found out that a local "historic" hotel is closing and I was able to buy old farm chairs, dressers, parlor tables, mirrors, and new towels, mattresses, quilts, blankets and pillows. A mother at my son's preschool told me about it before they advertised.
I meet with the planning department this week and everything is looking good. I should be able to turn in the paperwork next week.
Still looking for answers on showers. I just found out that the Zodi propane shower comes with a single or dual propane bottle. I have no idea which one works better. Anyone have any experience with the different types? I am also having trouble finding iron beds. What price range is fair and where besides antique and garage sales should I look?
Thanks again for your help and encouragement. |
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Entrepreneurship: Starting a tent and breakfast |
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Starting a tent and breakfast
