Charles Hissestad thinks B & B marketing concept as a four-legged stool with one leg being the architecture, decor, and amenities, another being service and hospitality, the third being food, and the fourth being location. His point is that if one leg is weak, the other three better be very strong. The stool cannot stand if two or more of the legs are weak. – Source: Developing a Bed and Breakfast Plan

B and B Consulting’s financial checkup is available for the buyer, seller, and competitive innkeeper.  For the buyer, the financial checkup recommends a maximum purchase, financial readiness and resilience, cost of acquisition (including start up costs), estimating annual room revenues, running a projected Income and Expense Statement.   For the innkeeper or seller, our evaluation points to financial red flags – excessive [or too low] operational expenses, income issues, and recommendations which will improve the Income & Expense statement.

Efficiency should prevail in the daily life of the B&B host -- logistics, details and social relations – reservations, greeting guests, scintillating cuisine, housekeeping, staffing, maintenance, policies, credit card processing, room comfort, house rules, payment politics, and more.

Marketing addresses (1) Concept/Service, (2) Market Research, (3) Pricing, (4)
Promotion, and (5) Sales.  Extendedly, it addresses perception, aura of the business, positioning in the marketplace and tools that are in place or should be in place.  

Home-like hospitality is winning new audiences. Bed and Breakfast lodging is being rediscovered by both business and pleasure travelers, making Bed and Breakfast lodging one of the fastest growing markets in tourism.  Several factors are at play --  a desire to experience small town America first hand, a desire to “do” and experience not just “see,” the influx of foreign visitors are choosing European-style B&Bs in the U.S., and a desire to travel without leaving the comforts of home.

Marketplace includes the location, community and neighborhood.  Location in a highly popular destination city or town is only one criterion we recommend.  The exception to location would be that the Bed and Breakfast and its offerings ARE the top attractions. It takes objectivity to determine the community’s abilities to enhance and entice a B&B business.  An informal market study gives answers to important questions regarding marketplace location, location, location and appeal, appeal, appeal.  Community offerings and appeal of the neighborhood are comparable factors to being at the right place at the right time wearing the right attire … and, in the south, the right offerings of something to eat or drink to your guests.   “Sweet Tea or something more substantial?”