RUNNING A B&B - WHAT I WISH I'D KNOWN | VEDA DAY 15

In the latest in my What I Wish I'd known series, I talk about running a B&B and the things I wish I'd known. It includes some tales of bad guests!
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[@stevejessemey8428]

I totally know how you feel, I did home stay here in Malta for Japanese people, basically bending over backwards for them, providing airport pickup, English lessons, sightseeing, breakfast and dinner. Basically a first class experience. But I had many people who were absolutely rude, always expected more than was agreed upon. The money was fantastic to be honest, but the stress was too much.. But as you mentioned, when you have a nice guest who is absolutely wonderful, then it makes your job that much easier. But I can tell you this because I did this for ten years, along with owning a Travel Agency here also, it is hard work trying to make all your clients and guests happy 24/7. You will find yourself hiding in your room, or like I did was ending up renting another place just to get away and to try to have some privacy.. Good luck and hang in there. Nice video by the way..

[@Hustwick]

It's the guests that you do the most for that critique you the most. Just be thankful that you're not in their daily circles.

[@HelpfulMum]

Yes, you might be right!

[@Nina5144]

Love the room behind you. Such a shame you started with negatives and stories of poor hygiene. There are many aspects to running a B&B and like any job, there are pros and cons. But it is a brilliant way to earn a living. We also run a successful B&B (that we own) in a lovely Devon coastal resort. We gave up our jobs in London when we just about reached 50 years of age. Haven’t looked back since. We love it. Once breakfast is over, guests waved goodbye to, rooms either refreshed or made up, new guests greeted........our times is our own. Yes, there’s the odd occasion when the guests need us for something, and they’ll be the odd late arrival, but we have a considerable amount of time for us. As we all know in any type of job, you meet all sorts of people - some lovely, and some not so. Also, you really can’t please everyone, and some don’t want to be pleased and like to moan whatever you do. There are also jobs that are not pleasant but, hey, you run a B&B toilets need to be cleaned! In my previous job I hated facing a PC full of emails and a tray full of paperwork, cleaning a yucky toilet is nothing. All B &Bs have horror stories (not everyone has the same standards of hygiene!), but that’s part and parcel of the job. You deal with it and move on - making a note of the guests name for future reference! Of course it can be hard work, but much better than working the long hours and spending time commuting as we did in our previous jobs. You DON’T have to be on site all the time if you have check in time slots as most do, which gives you time to pop out/do what you want to do. Wouldn’t change our line of work for the world. It can be hard, but the wonderful characters we meet, and the many friends we’ve made make up for it. Good luck

[@HelpfulMum]

Thank you. Yes, there are many pros and cons, I have in fact filmed a best bits and worst bits. It is a great job for me because I am able to be there for the children, but it is incredibly tying for me. Perhaps as the children get older it will be less tying. The school holidays are particularly tough. I definitely appreciate the good bits though.

[@mariarosaandrade4512]

Thank you very much for charing this video! We are in Mallorca next year we are gonna run a smaller place than yours. Yours comments are brilliants!

[@HelpfulMum]

Good luck with starting your place!

[@tracy-annmartin9875]

Thanks for the honesty and much what i would expect but all advice taken :)

[@HelpfulMum]

Thank you

[@Fermerswife]

I ran a b&b for a few years but stopped it when we had kids because I just couldn't deal with the stress of guests and babies making noise etc. it is hard work and 24x7 isn't it but it's also nice to able to be at home too.

[@stevedamien638]

Fermer-Finally you can afford your mortgage now,,

[@danicaproctor]

Thank you for the information.

[@gradethreegrammar3259]

Loved the video!

[@HelpfulMum]

Thank you

[@MummyMog]

one day we would love to visit. Hubby loves York and I want to visit Skipton for the wool festival!

[@lilijamarzan5528]

Mummy Mog I

[@lynneacevedo6641]

Advice needed please!!!.... My grandmother passed away a few years ago and left a home. The mortgage is only 400$, it's a small 3 bedroom home on the island of Puerto Rico very near tourist attractions. Would this be okay for a B and B. Also, what do you serve for breakfast?

[@stevedamien638]

Include morning blowjob with breakfast. You'll see the light.

[@thecprvibe9156]

Oh a blessing!! Did u find out more information

[@navedkhan6430]

I would like to start B&B thank you madam for information, 🙏

[@danwilson1983]

Is it worth doing I own a big exstion to my house with 5 rooms?

[@HelpfulMum]

It depends entirely on you and if you think you will enjoy it. It can be very rewarding.

[@JodieAMaySmith]

I want to stay at your b&b. But I think our girls would terrorise everyone. 😂

[@stevedamien638]

You on that pic? That's enough there 🤢

[@2012funfamilytimes]

Can someone from the USA purchase a place in the UK and run a b&b from it or are there rules prohibiting it?

[@HelpfulMum]

+Erin Schneider I have no idea I am afraid, you would have to look into it.

[@dianaschmitt8854]

Have you leaned anything about someone from USA running a B&B? Am also interested but don’t know the hoops to jump through.

[@michiejewel5989]

Taylor 😂😂😂

[@andreaobeng-appiah4308]

Thanks for sharing. However, it sounds like you need a team. No man is an island and even though I'm currently not running a B&B, hire help with cleaning my home and watching my kids. Perhaps giving guests a background check might avoid further issues like this from happening again as well. You say that this is also where you live and just like you wouldn't invite every Tom, Dick, and Henrietta to your home must apply the same principle when taking guests. As you rightfully said and have really learned (the hard way), you can't be all things to all people. Good luck with your B&B and I wish you all the success for your hard work!

[@VoltairesRevenge]

Background checks? This is a transient business? Ugh. I’ll be at the Marriott.

[@elmiguel6725]

People are animals, I owned 2 small apartment buildings and while coast to coast and border to border landlords get a bad rap(not saying some don't deserve it), while tenants from hell get a free pass. I can tell a few stories and show some photos about how people live. Some just aren't civilized. I will leave it at that.

[@islandgirl3330]

This seems to be more challenging than I though.

[@HelpfulMum]

It is definitely more work than I thought, but having two children in the mix makes that tougher.

[@mikejennings4495]

Dealing with the public sucks.

[@kilcar]

There are, unfortunately, professional Parasites who take a sociopathic pleasure in tormenting hotel, guest house and retail staff in stores, they are what they are, on a " power trip", and it's best to share with other firms their names so one can say: " sorry, no vacancies". I say push back against these parasites, which indeed they are. That being said, the average guest can often be delightful, leaving thank you notes, gratuities, and wonderful reviews. You want to do extra things for them on their next visit.

[@islandgirl3330]

Can one have a B&B and not have kids. I think if you have older people especially those who did not have kids, they may not have the patience to tolerate the crying and running around. Would this be considered discrimination.

[@HelpfulMum]

I think most people are fine having children in their B&B, I merely meant from the position of having little time to spend with my own family.

[@zakiranderson722]

Shit the bed!

[@PatrickPrejusa]

you are such a cutie.

[@annaangol1748]

Poo on the bed?🙈 uff

[@susanspencer9538]

I suggest buying Bed Matts for those who leak or for those who dont care if they leave a Charlie Brown in the Bed! And perhaps ask them if they have any "Leaks"... sorry my Husband does now & then, oh it makes me so darn mad... Ask if anyone wears Diapers. My goodness, your trying so hard dear. How much do you charge per night? It might be easier renting Rv spots, then if they wanna leak pee, poo charlie brown they mess their own bed, & sheets.... good greif🤯💩💩💩💩🙉🙊🙈

[@VoltairesRevenge]

That’s none of anyone’s business. Health matters are private.