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Bed & Breakfast Owner

Hospitality: 1882 Harvest House Bed & Breakfast, Eureka Springs, AR
  Book This Career Mentorship
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Do you want to become a Bed & Breakfast Owner?

Where do you see yourself in your retirement years? Are you thinking you definitely want to get out of your current career, but don’t ever see yourself not working? Do you want a fulfilling vocation that allows you the freedom to take a break, travel and avoid burnout? If you like this idea, maybe it’s time for you to test-drive your dream job on a VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Susan Chamberlain at the 1882 Harvest House Bed & Breakfast in Eureka Springs, Arkansas , in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.

Susan spent her early career training and managing employees with the national restaurant chain, TGIF. For fifteen years, Susan traveled all over the country, opening restaurants, training new staff, retraining old staff and “troubleshooting”. Susan especially enjoyed the training aspect of her job, as well at the travel.

Susan decided Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was where she wanted to retire. After opening so many businesses for other people, she decided she wanted a business of her own. However, she knew she didn’t want to work twelve months out of the year. She wanted to have time to continue her extensive travels – she has been to every state in this country except Alaska. The idea of a seasonal business sounded appealing and Eureka Springs definitely has its own tourist season, which typically lasts seven to nine months.

The 1882 Harvest House Bed & Breakfast is the oldest B&B in Eureka Springs. Its previous owner had to shut the doors abruptly due to a diagnosis of cancer. The home was eventually foreclosed on by the bank. Two years later, Susan purchased the historical site and the challenges that came with it. The inn was at risk of losing its grandfathered status. Susan overcame obstacles by working with the City’s planning commission, clerk and tax offices to preserve a longstanding B & B license. And then there was the leaky roof! But, Susan was able to restore and redecorate this beautiful piece of history, and a year later she was finally able to begin renting out rooms.

Susan has especially enjoyed the marketing and advertising of her property, as well as decorating. Her degrees in business information systems management and photography have helped her create marketing materials and her website. And she definitely has an eye for antiques and enjoys antiquing wherever she goes.

Susan wants to train people who are looking to find their “avocation” - not a job or hobby, but something they’re really good at and something they really enjoy doing!

While on your Bed & Breakfast Owner VocationVacations® career mentorship with Susan Chamberlain at the 1882 Harvest House Bed & Breakfast, activities will include some or all of the following:
  • Starting a bed and breakfast from scratch
    • First things first - where, when and how - the business plan, financing, local ordinances, research location & room rates, insurance, furnishings, etc.
    • Creating signage, logos, brochures, domain name, etc.
    • Finding your niche
    • Developing advertising, marketing, public & community relations plans
    • Setting up reservation and guest relation policies; determining services
    • Restoring, redecorating and maintaining the property
    • Identifying strong points and preferences to determine staffing needs
    • Understanding occupancy rates and alternative sources of revenue
    • Avoiding burnout & when to say when
  • Interviewing guests and taking reservations
  • Check-in preparation and guest orientation
  • Safe food handling and dishwashing crash course
  • Meal planning and prior preparations for food service
  • Preparing afternoon treats for guests
  • Catering to guest needs
  • Rising in time to shine for breakfast
  • Exit greeting and check out process
  • Post guest room inspections and housekeeping details
  • Establishing repeat clientele and follow up with valued guests
  • Details, details, details - owning a business is a 24/7 commitment
The Bed & Breakfast Owner VocationVacations® career mentorship with Susan Chamberlain and the 1882 Harvest Houser Bed & Breakfast includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a bed & breakfast owner
  • The option to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post- VocationVacations career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: Based on mentor's availability

Price: $799 Per Person

Book This Career Mentorship



Required Accommodations

1882 Harvest House Bed & Breakfast

(Minimum two-night stay required, not included in the price of the VocationVacations® holiday)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® adventure:
Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:
Full payment of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.