(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 03, 2008 ) Fostoria, IA -- Bed and Breakfast operations come in many forms, from elegant Victorians to remodeled pullman cars. In the mid-western states it might be overnight stays in a sod house or log cabin, in the east it could be a uniuqe caboose or a carriage house, in the west the property could be found on an expansive ranch, and in the northern states it could be a convenient in-town location or remote natural setting in the mountains. Each B&B is unique and offers comfortable and safe accommodations and unmatched hospitality.

Basically, this is a transplant of European Hospitality, adapted and refined to the American way of doing things. To foreign visitors, it's the comfort and hospitality of home - staying overnight "with people of the land" and enjoying a hearty breakfast - without the traditional gaudiness and plastic feelings visitors get from most big cities in the United States. To Americans, it is a welcome alternative to the same old hotel/motel circuit. Now, all it takes to qualify is "an innkeeper's personality," a spare bedroom, good cooking skills, and the willingness to become a professional in the industry.

For home-based business in the travel industry, operating a B&B from means a low-stress “commute” from the kitchen to the home office. With gasoline prices rising (and continuing to rise!) a B&B is an outstanding home-based business that can be operated almost exclusively from home. In addition, bed and breakfast owners enjoy the benefits of owning an independent or family-run business, having creative freedom and serving other people.

If you have an extra bedroom, a large home, or extra space in your farm house, you have the necessary beginnings to start making extra income as a Bed and Breakfast. One of the beautiful aspects of this idea is that so long as you're hosting "overnight visitors" on a small scale few to no licenses will be required, depending on the city, the county and the state regulations. A quick phone call to your local authorities will give you a good idea of the legal requirements.

Once you know where you stand legally, it is time to investigate the industry and explore the career possibilites of an innkeeper.

There are a number of good books on the market to help you jump on the learning curve. One of the best is "Opening and Operating a Bed & Breakfast in the 21st Century" by Amelia Painter. This book covers innkeeping basics, but addresses the Internet topics in detail and helps the reader understand the steps necessary to successfully market a B&B on the Internet. An innkeeper said of it, "Amelia Painter's book has been a great asset to me and my B&B business. I frequently use it as a reference. I recommend this book to all people who are thinking of becoming B&B owners, all who are starting a B&B and all people who have been operating a B&B. Opening and Operating a Bed and Breakfast in the 21st Century needs to be in all innkeeper's libraries!"

"So - You Want to Be an Innkeeper" by Jo Ann M. Bell (Author), Susan Brown (Author), Mary Davies (Author), Pat Hardy (Author), Mary E. Davies (Author) is another good resource recommended by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) -- two of the authors of this book, Jo Ann M. Bell and Pat Hardy, are the founders of this national organization. This book will give you a good idea of what it takes (personality-wise) to become a successful innkeeper and it includes charts and worksheets for financial planning, property evaluation, and cash flow projections that will keep potential innkeepers' feet planted firmly on the ground. (PAII also offers a membership plan for aspiring innkeepers.)

State Bed and Breakfast Associations are also an excellent resource, practically all in the United States have "aspiring innkeeper" membership levels and educational programs.

Another research source is in-person interviews with professional innkeepers. Not only will you enjoy the time you spend overnight at exisiting B&Bs, you will also realize that innkeepers love to share their knowledge about the industry. If you can plan a stay during mid-week, when there are fewer guests to care for, you can learn the nitty-gritty of innkeeping first hand.

In many ways, starting a bed and breakfast in your home can be one of the easiest home-based businesses. It can be a low start-up investment, and it is possible to parlay it into a very interesting and comfortable income producing business - all from the comfort of your own home!

Contact Information:
Amelia Painter, author
Amelia Painter
Tel: 712-260-5372
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