Do you want to own a profitable B&B?
Does your market niche have a narrow definition?
Answering yes to either or both of these questions means you are in luck. I have great news for you.
My B&B consulting services provide the secrets to your success.
Owning a profitable B&B is more than location, the number of guestrooms, or a beautiful house.
I can help you learn what else is involved.
My approach is unique to the B&B consulting industry. Success and profitabililty are much more than
following industry standards or rules-of-thumb. I work with your business concept to help you create a
viable bed and breakfast you'll be happy with.
|
"Kit Cassingham is the best source to go to for top-flight B&B information and insight. Of the
hundreds of hospitality consulting professionals whom I have worked with over the years, Kit stands
alone as the most resourceful, knowledgable and helpful advisor to the Bed and Breakfast industry.
She is truly the B&B Lady, and I encourage anyone working in this area of the hospitality industry
to call her first when you want to get it right." --Maurice Robinson, Maurice Robinson & Associates LLC, El
Segundo, California
|
Buying a B&B -- an all-too-common challenge
Most people need guidance when buying or selling a bed and breakfast. There are lots of questions
to resolve around legal issues like zoning, conforming to the ADA (Americans with Disabilites Act),
knowing how liquor laws apply, and following health and safety regulations. There are challenges in
deciphering the cash flow and how it translates to your situation. The value of the B&B you buy is tied to
all those issues along with the quality of life you seek.
I help buyers understand how to balance the issues surrounding their B&B purchase. I help sellers
understand pricing and issues surrounding their B&B sale.
|
"We hired Kit as we searched for our New England B&B. As we weighed the pros and cons of various
properties, wrote up offers, and progressed through our due diligence, her advice was very helpful."
--Gary and Sharon Coquillette, Former Innkeepers, Fitch Hill Inn B&B, Hyde Park, Vermont
|
Buying a B&B isn't as easy as buying a house.
Buying a house is easy because it's a common activity. There are lots of systems in
place to make it happen -- specialists in residential real estate, appraisal, and lending, for example.
Buying a B&B is a relatively rare activity. There aren't many systems in place to help it happen --
specialists in B&B real estate, appraisal, and lending are much harder to find.
Challenges in buying a B&B include analyzing the cash flow, determining the correct pricing, and knowing
how and where to insure the business and property. I have the background to help you with these issues and more to make your bed
and breakfast purchase easier.
|
"Your analysis was dead-on! We are back from our review of two inns that you studied
for us. Though we were emotionally attracted to one over the other, it was your numbers
that helped us put on the brakes before going over the edge. We did end up negotiating a
purchase price on a perfectly wonderful inn based on our gut feel AND the business numbers.
It was a pleasure working with you!" --Scott and Ellen Martin, Lightner Creek B&B, Durango, Colorado
|
Most aspiring innkeepers buy the wrong property.
Learn the differencse between the right and wrong properties -- for you. Evaluate size, location,
owner's quarters, and your fit into the community. Determine what style fits you, where you can be the
most hospitable, and where you can most easily succeed and be profitable.
In fact, most innkeepers don't earn as much with their bed and breakfasts as they would like and even
struggle to pay their bills or maintain their property. I can help you make the right choice about
which bed and breakfast to buy.
|
"We were looking for a professional who would not BS us, and would take us and our
needs seriously. We felt Kit was very diligent in giving us the 'inside scoop' on
properties and/or locations." --Linda Lentz, The Bross Hotel, Paonia, Colorado
|
There is more to your success than buying wisely.
Managing wisely and efficiently to maximize your profit margin is also key to your success.
Master daily operations so they don't get away from you. Understand how the phone is a marketing tool.
Your hospitality is another vital marketing tool. Learn to use those tools to improve your B&B business's
bottom line. Rely on my 19 years in the B&B industry to help you through the maze of possibilities.
What if innkeeping isn't the correct career path for you? I'll help you decide if innkeeping is really
for you based on
your personality and other pertinent facts. Some aspiring innkeepers come to the conclusion that innkeeping
really isn't for them after
working with me, saving themselves time and money by dropping the B&B dream and moving onto other options.
Not buying a B&B can be a wise decision too!
The secret of niche marketing
Niche marketing is a major key to your success. This is a simple business concept, yet the
most challenging task to accomplish. Knowing who your ideal guest is and what experience you are offering
helps all of your other decisions fall into place.
Determine your niche market -- your brand. Learn to write your B&B promotional material so that your guest
experience shines. That kind of writing speaks to your market and attracts them to your B&B. When a guest
feels you have created your B&B just for them you know you have succeeded in developing and communicating
your brand to your niche market.
I'll work with you to hone your niche definition so you can communicate it effectively to attract the
kind of guest you want. That is the part of your formula for success.
|
"We were able to develop and market our B&B inn to gain a 4-diamond rating faster
than anticipated through Kit's quiet wisdom. What a fantastic way to learn what we needed
about successful innkeeping!" --Dave Williams and Keith Waterbrook, Founding
Innkeepers, The SunCatcher, Tucson, Arizona
|
There are other professionals you may need over time
Other professionals need expert B&B consulting services too. Attorneys and appraisers are hired to help
B&B innkeepers with legal issues or valuation concerns. Those professionals rely on me too.
I have helped numerous appraisers through the years as they struggle with B&B valuation. My expert
witness role helped a B&B case get dismissed from court to my client's benefit.
|
"With a combination of operational and consulting experience, Kit offers realistic views and
solutions to a full range of situations. I often consult with her when I appraise B&B
properties.." --Bill Hopping, W.R.
Hopping & Co., Littleton, Colorado
|
Whether you are an innkeeper, aspiring innkeeper, or an
attorney or appraiser seeking information, let me help you. Your success
depends on it!
Innkeeping is hard work, but wonderfully satisfying.
 Aspiring Innkeepers
Have you asked yourself if B&B innkeeping is the business and lifestyle for you? Are you asking yourself
how much money it takes to own and operate a B&B; what income level you can expect; how to find the best
property for your situation; and what price to offer on inns for sale you're considering buying?
"The B&B Lady" works with aspiring innkeepers from all over the country about the issues:
- preparing for a career and lifestyle change
- determining a market niche
- valuing the business of B&B inns for sale
- avoiding burnout
- developing menus
- staffing
- determining forms of ownershipand much more
Contact me, I have the experience to guide you.
|
"Kit helped us focus on our abilities, interests, and needs so that our goals could be realized."
--Jim and Amy Cremmins, Founding Innkeepers, The Adagio B&B, Denver, Colorado
|
Innkeepers
Are you asking questions like:
- is the inn's brochure or web site the most effective and eye catching it can be?
- can more money be made and less spent to increase the bottom line?
- is the business the best it can be?
- is the inn's furniture arranged and the decor geared toward maximum guest comfort and inn profit?
- is the advertising powerful and promotion budget properly balanced?
- how can I create a marketing budget?
"The B&B Lady" also works with innkeepers regarding these issues:
- staffing
- developing a market niche
- avoiding burnout
- tax-deferred exchanges
- B&B business valuation
- preparing to ready the B&B Inn for sale
- developing menus
- determining forms of ownership
- virtually any issue an innkeeper faces in this ever-changing business
Contact me, I am here to work with you.
|
"Kit has made excellent recommendations on effective and inexpensive advertising, proper
lighting and decor ideas, and business valuation on my B&B. Her services are valuable to this
industry as most innkeepers do not find the time to keep up on the changes in marketing techniques or
valuation of their properties." --Amy V. Kadrmas, Founding Innkeeper, Stonehaven B&B,
Fruita, Colorado
|
Appraisers and Attorneys
I know what is happening in the B&B field and can help appraisers complete their assignments and
assign fair, reasonable values to operating inns. I can provide information that helps your clients
when a B&B appraisal is required because they want to refinance, persue capital injection for changes or
expansion, or to prepare their B&B inn for sale.
I understand the B&B business and can help attorneys represent their client's needs. I provide
expertise when you are hired by an innkeeper because they need professional guidance on legal issues
or when courts need and want to know a B&B's market value. I am also available as an expert witness to
the B&B industry.
|
"Our experience with Kit as an expert witness on B&B issues in a federal action was a good
one and I do not hesitate to recommend her highly for similar projects in the future."
--Andrew D. Ringel, Esq., Hall & Evans, L.L.C., Denver, Colorado
|
"The B&B Lady" works with appraisers and attorneys who have clients needing professional assistance with
their B&B decisions. Contact me. My expertise will help you shine for your innkeeping clients.
Comments from some business owners and professionals to whom I have provided
expert assistance. Assistance with their B&B Inn for sale, shopping for B&Bs for sale, consulting the bed
and breakfast indestry, seminars for acquiring and operating a B&B, and educational materials to help them
acquire or operate a bed and breakfast.
|
Services
Articles
Consulting
Conversations
eBooks
Electronic Newsletter
Real Estate
Seminars
Background:
Portfolio
Qualifications
References
Links:
Industry
Fun
Suggested Reading
Green Hospitality:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
ECOnomically Sound
Green Innkeeping
Contact Us
|
