Unpaid calls to sex lines and the solitation of sexual favors are the exception rather than the rule at bed and breakfasts, say two Saskatchewan guest home operators.
Barb Clay of Brighton House in Saskatoon said housekeeping head-aches like broken items and makeup-stained towels pale in comparison with one well-dressed con artist who racked up $3,500 in phone bills to a sex line. Another guest who propositioned a co-worker for “a quickie” was promptly shown the exit.
Speaking at the Saskatchewan Country Vacations Association conference Feb. 5, Clay said most experiences are more positive.
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The association board member said guests are generally well behaved, often returning towels they inadvertently take or replacing broken goods.
“People are so respectful. You don’t have to worry about guests.”
Charlene Siemens, who operates the Longview bed and breakfast at Fiske, said operators quickly bond with guests.
“They might be strangers when they come to the door, but when they leave they are friends.”
Both women provided advice on running a bed and breakfast and what an operator needs to know before getting started.
“If you don’t like people, get out now,” Siemens said, stressing the need to make people feel welcome.
“You can have the most beautiful decor and gourmet breakfasts. It won’t mean a thing if you’re not friendly and hospitable.”
As a cattle producer, Siemens welcomes the chance to talk directly to consumers and find out what they want.
She used her own money to get started and has made sure the business has always paid for itself. A separate three-bedroom guest house that operates from May to October was set up as a part-time business close to a decade ago to add income to the 1,400-acre cattle farm
“It’s not a way to make a fantastic amount of money, but additional money,” Clay said.
It could take years to recoup the investment in adding bathrooms and renovating rooms, but there are some immediate spin-off benefits for the family home.
“While you’re doing it for others, you’re also doing it for yourself.”
She advised checking out local zoning requirements and building codes, and keeping open lines of communication in the community so that neighbors support the venture. The family must also support the business.
Siemens avoids large warehouse stores, preferring instead to shop locally for supplies.
“It builds good will with the community and you get business back from that.”
Clay said prices should be based on what the market will bear. They should be below local hotel rates and shouldn’t be changed too often.
Keep good records of expenses for food and utilities, because they can be claimed with Revenue Canada, said Clay, who regularly uses an accountant.
She told participants to expect higher utility bills, wasted food and advertising costs in publishing brochures. Keep track of how customers hear of the business so that advertising dollars are targeted at those markets.
“Make sure your ad reflects what you have,” added Siemens, who installed a large metal sign on the highway to attract new customers.
Both women advertise in the Saskatchewan Accommodations Guide, but Clay said the best advertising is “people going away having had the best time in Saskatchewan.”
Clay attracts mainly repeat customers like businesspeople, conference goers and out of town shoppers, while Siemens draws families looking for a farm getaway.
Siemens encouraged operators to build on their talents in areas like cooking or home decorating, and recognize their limitations. For her, that includes getting up early and cleaning bathrooms.
“Find something that suits your location, talents and finances and go with it.”
