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Step 1
Research and tour other bed and breakfasts within a 100-mile radius, noting what works and what does not. Take pictures, if you can, and look through them later for inspiration. Figure out what is missing from each one that you can offer at your establishment to set it apart.
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Step 2
Scout locations. Most bed and breakfasts are beautiful, old homes; however, you can utilize space in a spacious, centrally located house. Your other option is to build a facility from the ground up. You'll get the exact layout you want, but it is far more expensive. Note, however, that you still will have renovate an existing house to fit your guests. You may have to add bathrooms to bedrooms, for example, or establish an open common area.
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Step 3
Focus on financing, bearing in mind that most of your startup money will go to renovations and décor. Either way, raise enough cash through loans or investors to carry through the first 6 months to a year while generate interest from potential guests.
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Step 4
Line up commercial insurance that is particular to the hospitality industry to protect you from liability in case something happens to your bed and breakfast or a guest gets hurt during his stay. State Farm and Allstate offer such policies. If your bed and breakfast is on or near a coast, however, expect to devote more time and effort to finding coverage; some companies have backed away from offering coverage in coastal areas.
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Step 5
Establish a theme. Many bed and breakfasts are romantic with whimsical décor, elaborate bedding and antique furnishings. Others are indicative of their areas--for instance, tropical decor for southern locales or cozy, warm themes in the mountains. Make sure your furnishings are comfortable and clean. Don't invest in too many breakable items.
Scour antique shops, specialty boutiques, websites, flea markets and garage sales for decorative accents and furnishings to accentuate your theme. Remember that the décor of a bed and breakfast is one of its biggest selling points. -
Step 6
Develop a menu that complements the style of your new company. Bed and breakfasts are known for serving home-cooked, gourmet-style meals. Unless you're a great chef with knowledge of many culinary styles, hire a chef who is trained in preparing such meals for large groups. Check nearby culinary schools or gourmet restaurants to find candidates.
The food itself should not be the garden-variety fare found at chain restaurants. Menu examples might include coffee and beignets with shrimp-and-crabmeat omelets for breakfast; Reuben sandwiches on fresh marble rye for lunch; and smothered pork chops with raspberry chutney and red potatoes for dinner. The idea is to offer quality of choices, not quantity. While the ideal menu is limited, its offerings are delightful and elaborate. -
Step 7
Figure out how much money you need to earn monthly or annually to make your business viable. Set your nightly rates based on these figures and on seasonal demand in your area. Most bed and breakfasts charge higher rates during peak times, and lower rates in the off-season to entice guests who ordinarily might not travel at that time.
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Step 8
Set up a website. Photos of your establishment's rooms, common areas, exterior, grounds and locality are important to display, along with all the specifics a guest needs to know. Advertise your need for a Web designer on websites and job boards that web designers are likely to visit. You can contact a local Web design company to help you with your site, but you can expect to pay more taking this avenue. In any case, ask for a contract that clearly delineates responsibilities and costs to set up, maintain and update your site.
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Step 9
Promote your establishment in whatever way you can. Offer giveaways at community events. Invite community dignitaries to stay at your bed and breakfast, and encourage the local media to take note. Submit press releases about your grand opening to local media. The more publicity you can generate, the more guests you are likely to receive.
