I’ve been asked to write more in my blog. Not just articles, but a day-to-day journal entry. Funny… I didn’t really think anyone would be that interested in the day-to-day workings of a bed and breakfast. The joys, the stresses, the worries and the responsibilities of making an Inn successful. Anyone who is even remotely aware of the immense responsibility of owning, operating and maintaining an Inn will laugh at the idea of an Innkeeper having the time to write a blog entry every day! Although there is no way I can promise an entry every day, I will do my best to post an entry weekly. So here we go…

            Most people hate Mondays. I feel like Mondays are a new beginning--a chance to start all over again--a chance to start anew. This past weekend was really slow for us. Not sure why, but our reservations seem to be down for this month compared to last September. Of course last September we had a large wedding here on Labor Day weekend so that of course helped.

            My Monday usually consist of stripping beds and doing all the laundry from the weekend’s guests and planning my week. However, this Monday I have no laundry, seeing it was done yesterday because it was a relatively quiet weekend. The weekend brought rain: the remnants of hurricane Gustav. Now the sky is still overcast and the temperatures have turned more seasonably cool in the high 60’s low 70’s. Some of the trees are already starting to turn, which gives that bitter-sweet feeling of loving the fall season in Vermont and knowing what looms ahead!

            It’s interesting how I look at the winter differently now that I am an Innkeeper. With mixed emotions I look forward to the snow and cold. Before owning the Inn I hoped for little snow so the roads would be clear to drive to work. Now I hope for snow for skiing and snowshoeing. The snow brings guests. As a business owner the snow also brings worries. Will guests be able to get here? Will I be able to clear all the snow so guests are safe under foot? What about high heating costs? What if we don’t get enough snow? Luckily the Donomar Inn offers much more than just outdoor activities in the winter. I think this is one of the keys to a successful Inn. You have to offer alternatives, not depend on the economy or the weather to bring quests.

            So today I am laying out my plans for the week. I will start with a major overhaul of the web site specials for winter. They will include ski/boarding specials for the snow lovers and several indoor activities such as specials that include dinner at a local restaurant, a massage, day passes to our local State college’s Shape Facility, etc. It is also time to update our business plan and projection spreadsheets. It’s important to make sure we are on track financially. I won’t lie… we have struggled to keep the doors open at times. We have some slow months that contribute to an Innkeepers stress—no doubt!

            But despite the economy, the weather and building a new business we are still growing, still building our guest list and having many return guests. I still love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My job this week is to offer our best product at a savings to our guests.  We are all affected by today’s economic woes. The trick is to make it affordable for our guests to travel here and for us to maintain a business. Everyone needs a vacation from their every day stress and responsibilities. My goal today is to make Donomar Inn that affordable vacation destination.