I warned you in my very first blog that I wasn't a computer gal nor "blogger"-Though I have enjoyed writing and getting your feedback! I live my whole life in waves, usually running on adrenalin from each new adventure. Then I tend to hit a wall when the mundane 'low tide' hits!! Yes, I hit low tide since my last blog-sorry it took me so long for the tide to come in.....
Such a whirlwind-and in the midst of it all Greg and I are trying to work hard at our regular jobs to help us pay for this new adventure. We met with our business councilor after the news about the business plan contest and found out it wouldn't be the best use of our time. The contest is designed for investors to find innovative 'new' business ideas with the 'X' factor, that will give them a huge return for their investments! Greg and I know that this dream will not create billows of greenbacks, we just see this as the next phase of our life-fulfilling in a myriad of other ways.
We are plodding along with the 'business plan',research strategies and the like-definitely Greg's side of the cranium-not mine! I will admit,however, it is still exciting. I just don't comprehend it as well so it can tend to drag for me! It will take more effort on my part-but I AM in it for the long run! Gleaning tons from our councilor, surely glad we aren't doing this alone!
Small setback....can't remember if I told you we put an offer on the property we really want for our location. The owner could not accept the offer-we were prepared for that because what is owed on the place is quite a bit more than what the tax assessment is showing its worth to be. I don't believe that is a completely closed door, let me clarify. We most certainly want to be wise in this decision and good advice has been given to which(especially in these times) you should never pay more then it is worth. For one reason it doesn't look good to the lenders, and we need them to loan us the money. So as we are taking in this advice, looking at not only other properties here but also outside of Hollister and even outside of california, we keep coming back to this place. Why?
What we know we have going for us:
*We know our county well(we've lived here 15 years)
*We know quite a lot of people here (best advertising is word of mouth)
*This particular place is in the heart of downtown(our city is behind us wanting to build up the downtown area)
*It has 8 rooms with the possibility of 2-3 rooms being added in the full upright attic
*house has almost 5000 sq ft
*our town has no current B&Bs (which is needed to help commerce )
Does this mean anything? well we still need to wait on the Lord, and He's been trying for years to teach me patience. But we also need to walk in faith. So we just need to really lean on the Lord daily, taking one step at a time and really listen to His leading. Easy easy to get ahead of Him and ourselves-which can result in being caught up in the undertow. (Back to my 'waves'!)
So except for a few little perks you haven't missed a whole lot in my lack of writing these past weeks. I will try to keep up a better pace-thanks for missing me!!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
just a tid-bit
I can't wait to tell you all that has happened in the last week-but I only have time for a quick tid-bit. Greg and I are getting involved with the SBDC Small business development center, and they are having a seminar this tues. to help kick off new businesses, with a contest on the best business plan. The winner will receive 50,000 cash and services to help with the start up of your business. And there will be angel investors and venture capitalists there looking at businesses to invest in!- What do you think about that?? Well I have to get back to the plan, but when I'm done I will tell you about the amazing deals I got last week to add to the tea room!! Ta ta!
Friday, January 28, 2011
would you like some tea?
Morning! It's another beautiful day in Northern California. I'm heading up to San Fransisco to see my son Phil. Going to pick his brain-since he graduated from culinary school and has a degree in restaurant management and hotel hospitality. Figured I could gleen from his expertise, enjoying 'catching up' while we are at it. He had said at one point if we got our B&B off the ground he would be our general manager.....wonder if he remembers saying that?! He's got a lot of experience in the field and it would be awesome to have him work with the family.
I met with the Small Business Development and finished my 1st course on "How to Write up a Business Plan" And now they will hook me up with a counselor to walk Greg and I thru each step of this venture....and don't forget-it's still free!! Anything from the financing to marketing and everything in between-this is so cool!!
As I promised in one of my previous blogs-"Marmalade Cafe and Tea House"!-Sounds silly you say? Well I have to live up to my reputation....but hey, it's a catchy name. Don't you think people will say "How fun-we need to try that place"? You know as it says, Bed and Breakfast, breakfast is part of the deal-and since you have it set up already-why not do lunch and tea too? We are trying to utilize different aspects to help build a 'total package' inn. This can help bring in customers while the B&B gets established. We know it generally takes a couple of years for businesses to get off the ground, so adding some fun fluff could fill in the void.
Think of a 'tea house'. What do little girls like to do at tea houses? That's right...'tea parties'!! And not only what you would think of as normal-but how about 'princess tea parties' or 'teddybear tea parties' 'ladies fashion show teas' etc. get the picture?
I have an idea that has evolved a little over a couple of years with a little help from my friends. Being the 'ecclectic' non-tradtionalist that I am, I want to collect all different tea cups from around the world-but not only that-I want them labelled on the bottom with the name of the person I got it from and their favorite scripture as well-so that it can be a conversation piece as well as a special momento. My aunt Patricia who passed away last year loved the idea, and she gave me my first cup and saucer-which will be put in a special shadow box for display in the tea room! So-assignment america!!!: I need tea cups/saucers-if any of you out there have UNWANTED ones tucked away in the garage or attick. I'll start the garage sale circuit soon-once we sign on the dotted line! Then you can be a true part of this adventure!-Can't wait to have you over for tea!!
I met with the Small Business Development and finished my 1st course on "How to Write up a Business Plan" And now they will hook me up with a counselor to walk Greg and I thru each step of this venture....and don't forget-it's still free!! Anything from the financing to marketing and everything in between-this is so cool!!
As I promised in one of my previous blogs-"Marmalade Cafe and Tea House"!-Sounds silly you say? Well I have to live up to my reputation....but hey, it's a catchy name. Don't you think people will say "How fun-we need to try that place"? You know as it says, Bed and Breakfast, breakfast is part of the deal-and since you have it set up already-why not do lunch and tea too? We are trying to utilize different aspects to help build a 'total package' inn. This can help bring in customers while the B&B gets established. We know it generally takes a couple of years for businesses to get off the ground, so adding some fun fluff could fill in the void.
Think of a 'tea house'. What do little girls like to do at tea houses? That's right...'tea parties'!! And not only what you would think of as normal-but how about 'princess tea parties' or 'teddybear tea parties' 'ladies fashion show teas' etc. get the picture?
I have an idea that has evolved a little over a couple of years with a little help from my friends. Being the 'ecclectic' non-tradtionalist that I am, I want to collect all different tea cups from around the world-but not only that-I want them labelled on the bottom with the name of the person I got it from and their favorite scripture as well-so that it can be a conversation piece as well as a special momento. My aunt Patricia who passed away last year loved the idea, and she gave me my first cup and saucer-which will be put in a special shadow box for display in the tea room! So-assignment america!!!: I need tea cups/saucers-if any of you out there have UNWANTED ones tucked away in the garage or attick. I'll start the garage sale circuit soon-once we sign on the dotted line! Then you can be a true part of this adventure!-Can't wait to have you over for tea!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Taking the off the rose colored glasses?
Skeptics may not always understand why Greg an I would even want to have a bed and breakfast and tend to throw the 'negative' curve ball-however, that's not necessarily a bad thing, for a couple of reasons. One, it causes us to look inside and see if this is definatly what we want, and two, forces us to keep our feet on the ground addressing roadblocks and even the possibility of failure. Dreamers don't always like to take the rosy glasses off, but wisdom tells us in Proverbs 10:17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray-and Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidence the people fall, but in abundance of councilors there is victory.!
Does this mean the glasses come off and the dream is over-of course not!!! I want to encourage sceptics to keep asking the questions(though I would ask it be in a positive way-just my preference!!)because it helps us to grow and makes us stronger. But I also want to reassure you that this is not a "whim" or just something we fell into over night. I believe God has been preping us for years. We want to do it right and we value our friends and the wisdom you posses. We are asking you to share your knowledge and insights with us. Lord knows we all need more wisdom-don't we?
Does this mean the glasses come off and the dream is over-of course not!!! I want to encourage sceptics to keep asking the questions(though I would ask it be in a positive way-just my preference!!)because it helps us to grow and makes us stronger. But I also want to reassure you that this is not a "whim" or just something we fell into over night. I believe God has been preping us for years. We want to do it right and we value our friends and the wisdom you posses. We are asking you to share your knowledge and insights with us. Lord knows we all need more wisdom-don't we?
Friday, January 21, 2011
What's next?
Lot's of things swimming in my head, what do I do next? I like to skip the mundane and go right to the exciting,artist that I am, but...focus! I'm now needing to do the steps that cause me indigestion!! (It's the anxiety-which I don't want to admit I have-because it says in the bible "Be anxious for NOTHING, but with prayer and petition let your requests be made known to God; and the peace that passes understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!" Thanks-Lord, I needed that!!
Information! That's what I need now-We have to get 'comps' to find out where the market is and what the house will appraise for. We know it has dropped dramatically along with interest rates, which is great for us-but not for the homeowner. Who doesn't want a good deal? But we don't want to underbid either. Things to consider * it was turned into offices-they removed the kitchen(which for us is not a bad thing considering we will need a commercial kitchen and probably would have had to gut it anyway)
* It only has half baths, same reason-they removed all the full baths.
* Needs new roof and exterior paint job
* Redecorating the entire inside-(My favorite part!!)
* Not to mention all the permits, start up costs, furnishings-including top of the line beds, bedding, pillows-because without comfy beds-who'd want to sleep there?!
All these things affect us, but on the sellers side since there are offices inside, he is charging rent and that can be very profitable for him. Oh the wonder of it all!!!!!
I am now trying to educate myself on the 'Grant' world. I know that there is money out there available to help with the start up-especially for historic homes, It's just a matter of finding it. And as the Lord would have it, my friend Cindy has a daughter who works with grants-just praying she will want to work with me on finding and applying for them.
On the lighter and fun side, I've been enjoying thinking of the theme of some of the bedrooms. Yes, I know this is the icing on the cake and the batter is not even made yet, but artists have to have some color to get thru all the black and white of life!!! So, that being said, I want the inn to be foremost-classy. I enjoy a romantic flair without being too 'Victorian'. I am very eclectic, but still enjoy the style of the late 1800s early 1900s. I'm thinking one room romantic beach cottage, with soft washed out colors, shells, whitewashed furniture. I know, in honor of my mother who collected giraffes, I would like a safari room-same era-like something from "Out of Africa", which just brought to mind another room idea-antique train car room, and I have always wanted to do an old ship cabin.(I've wanted that long before Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean.!) Next blog I will tell you some of my visions of the tea house, which I'd like to call The Marmalade Cafe?
I suppose nothing will get done if all I do is write about it! Talk to you tomorrow!
Information! That's what I need now-We have to get 'comps' to find out where the market is and what the house will appraise for. We know it has dropped dramatically along with interest rates, which is great for us-but not for the homeowner. Who doesn't want a good deal? But we don't want to underbid either. Things to consider * it was turned into offices-they removed the kitchen(which for us is not a bad thing considering we will need a commercial kitchen and probably would have had to gut it anyway)
* It only has half baths, same reason-they removed all the full baths.
* Needs new roof and exterior paint job
* Redecorating the entire inside-(My favorite part!!)
* Not to mention all the permits, start up costs, furnishings-including top of the line beds, bedding, pillows-because without comfy beds-who'd want to sleep there?!
All these things affect us, but on the sellers side since there are offices inside, he is charging rent and that can be very profitable for him. Oh the wonder of it all!!!!!
I am now trying to educate myself on the 'Grant' world. I know that there is money out there available to help with the start up-especially for historic homes, It's just a matter of finding it. And as the Lord would have it, my friend Cindy has a daughter who works with grants-just praying she will want to work with me on finding and applying for them.
On the lighter and fun side, I've been enjoying thinking of the theme of some of the bedrooms. Yes, I know this is the icing on the cake and the batter is not even made yet, but artists have to have some color to get thru all the black and white of life!!! So, that being said, I want the inn to be foremost-classy. I enjoy a romantic flair without being too 'Victorian'. I am very eclectic, but still enjoy the style of the late 1800s early 1900s. I'm thinking one room romantic beach cottage, with soft washed out colors, shells, whitewashed furniture. I know, in honor of my mother who collected giraffes, I would like a safari room-same era-like something from "Out of Africa", which just brought to mind another room idea-antique train car room, and I have always wanted to do an old ship cabin.(I've wanted that long before Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean.!) Next blog I will tell you some of my visions of the tea house, which I'd like to call The Marmalade Cafe?
I suppose nothing will get done if all I do is write about it! Talk to you tomorrow!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
An "average but friendly" story
I would love to hear some of the fun quirky B&B experiences you have had, this is one of mine.
Some years back my friend Deanna and I accompanied our friend Janet to PEI-Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia. Her nephew was getting married which was a great excuse to travel,and being the birthplace of one of Deanna's favorite authors-Lucy Maude Montgomery-"Ann of Green Gables" country, we made a mini vacation out of it.
For the wedding itself we stayed in a beautiful lodge-but while in PEI we got to stay at this quaint inn on a sheep farm right next to The School Of Piping (bagpipes not tobacco pipes!) The host family was very sweet, and the daughters were on there way to Irish Dance lessons. We checked in, noticing a young man also checking in. Cordially, we said "hello" and went upstairs to our room to unpack. Janet had to retrieve something from the car so she started descending down the stairs and heard the young man we met on the way up on the phone. Not wanting to disturb him, she did the only right thing to do in this situation....eavesdrop! She had to hold in the laughter 'til she got back upstairs to enlighten us with what she overheard. Apparently his phone buddy was asking him questions about the accommodations and who else was staying there,to which he replied" Just some girls from California" and his friend on the line must have thought'oh California girls!!then asked him something to which the young man replied " Average...but friendly!!!"
As you can imagine we have never forgotten that and my friends and I are happy to be 'average but friendly'!!!!
Some years back my friend Deanna and I accompanied our friend Janet to PEI-Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia. Her nephew was getting married which was a great excuse to travel,and being the birthplace of one of Deanna's favorite authors-Lucy Maude Montgomery-"Ann of Green Gables" country, we made a mini vacation out of it.
For the wedding itself we stayed in a beautiful lodge-but while in PEI we got to stay at this quaint inn on a sheep farm right next to The School Of Piping (bagpipes not tobacco pipes!) The host family was very sweet, and the daughters were on there way to Irish Dance lessons. We checked in, noticing a young man also checking in. Cordially, we said "hello" and went upstairs to our room to unpack. Janet had to retrieve something from the car so she started descending down the stairs and heard the young man we met on the way up on the phone. Not wanting to disturb him, she did the only right thing to do in this situation....eavesdrop! She had to hold in the laughter 'til she got back upstairs to enlighten us with what she overheard. Apparently his phone buddy was asking him questions about the accommodations and who else was staying there,to which he replied" Just some girls from California" and his friend on the line must have thought'oh California girls!!then asked him something to which the young man replied " Average...but friendly!!!"
As you can imagine we have never forgotten that and my friends and I are happy to be 'average but friendly'!!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
enjoying the ride!
The beginning is exciting, but it's the ride that enriches us. Watching God at work never ceases to amaze me. You may say "karma" "coincidence" "it's in the card's" but if you look closely enough you can sometimes see God's hand at work-unfolding the plan for your life, taking you step by step, guiding us. for example:
* It was interesting to me that I was thinking about it the week before it would start to unfold(I believe God prepares us ahead of time)
* Last year when I was knee deep in all my research, I had talked with a friend who had a limo service(whic she stopped because of cancer) She was excited with me and said if I ever got this off the ground she would arrange trips from the inn to wineries or fun attractions . While starting things up again her number fell out right in front of me.We reconnected(her cancer is in remission thank the Lord) her business currently is in marketing and advertising-starting up campaigns for new businesses.Well do you think I could use that? She then referred me to the CEO of one of our local golf clubs who talked with me for over a half hour with advice assuring me this town needs this and he would be 100% behind me, trying to work out golf weekend packages with the inn!
* Knowing money is an issue-a dear friend who is a realitor said she would walk me thru the process gratice(no charge!)
* I called the EDC(Economic Development...) that was so encouraging last year-and low and behold, they are bringing in one of the top spokespersons on how to start up and run your own B&B for a FREE-yes that's what I said...FREE seminar and with her will be city and county representatives to advise on how to get permits and which ones you will need!!(Anyone who has started up a small business knows it can be a hassle trying to get city or county to cooperate)Oh and they will hook me up,again with the FREE, with personal counselling from the Small Business Development Service to walk me thru the whole process!
I forgot something kinda' impotant......is the house even for sale? This is getting to the good part,hehe
* We located the owner out in Santa cruz, I called him and he made me feel like I was part of his family. He and his sons own and run a wonderful restaurant in Scott's Valley, he would love to meet Greg and I at his home so we could meet his family. We hit it off right away, sweet family from Greece,they loved our idea of turning it into a B&B and would certainly like to help us work out all the details, encouraging us to get our plan together of what we can doIn other words "Yes he'd like to sell to us!".He told me he keyed into one comment I made that 'I had prayed about it and knew if it was meant to be God would work it out'.Oh and something also important to him do we cook good? I let him know I could but that my son Phil was a great chef and had gone to culinary school for restaurant and hotel management. He was satisfied! I knew he couldn't be all that bad because he was a fellow 'artist' and showed me some of his beautiful art work!
There are more details that just seem to Greg and I that God is indeed walking us thru this. Where will it lead us? We don't know, but The Creator of the universe does! Doesn't that take ALL the burden off us-you bet it does. We just keep walking thru each door, taking it one step at a time,not worrying or fretting about tomorrow-for tomorrow will work itself out!!!
* It was interesting to me that I was thinking about it the week before it would start to unfold(I believe God prepares us ahead of time)
* Last year when I was knee deep in all my research, I had talked with a friend who had a limo service(whic she stopped because of cancer) She was excited with me and said if I ever got this off the ground she would arrange trips from the inn to wineries or fun attractions . While starting things up again her number fell out right in front of me.We reconnected(her cancer is in remission thank the Lord) her business currently is in marketing and advertising-starting up campaigns for new businesses.Well do you think I could use that? She then referred me to the CEO of one of our local golf clubs who talked with me for over a half hour with advice assuring me this town needs this and he would be 100% behind me, trying to work out golf weekend packages with the inn!
* Knowing money is an issue-a dear friend who is a realitor said she would walk me thru the process gratice(no charge!)
* I called the EDC(Economic Development...) that was so encouraging last year-and low and behold, they are bringing in one of the top spokespersons on how to start up and run your own B&B for a FREE-yes that's what I said...FREE seminar and with her will be city and county representatives to advise on how to get permits and which ones you will need!!(Anyone who has started up a small business knows it can be a hassle trying to get city or county to cooperate)Oh and they will hook me up,again with the FREE, with personal counselling from the Small Business Development Service to walk me thru the whole process!
I forgot something kinda' impotant......is the house even for sale? This is getting to the good part,hehe
* We located the owner out in Santa cruz, I called him and he made me feel like I was part of his family. He and his sons own and run a wonderful restaurant in Scott's Valley, he would love to meet Greg and I at his home so we could meet his family. We hit it off right away, sweet family from Greece,they loved our idea of turning it into a B&B and would certainly like to help us work out all the details, encouraging us to get our plan together of what we can doIn other words "Yes he'd like to sell to us!".He told me he keyed into one comment I made that 'I had prayed about it and knew if it was meant to be God would work it out'.Oh and something also important to him do we cook good? I let him know I could but that my son Phil was a great chef and had gone to culinary school for restaurant and hotel management. He was satisfied! I knew he couldn't be all that bad because he was a fellow 'artist' and showed me some of his beautiful art work!
There are more details that just seem to Greg and I that God is indeed walking us thru this. Where will it lead us? We don't know, but The Creator of the universe does! Doesn't that take ALL the burden off us-you bet it does. We just keep walking thru each door, taking it one step at a time,not worrying or fretting about tomorrow-for tomorrow will work itself out!!!
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