A special thanks to Heather & Bob Newman of The Granaries on Bear Mountain for taking the time to answer our questions.

1. How long have you been in the B&B and/or hospitality business?
We opened summer 2003.

2. What is your favorite part of the job?
Attending to the little details to personalize each stay and make it special.

3. What is your least favorite part of the job?
Closing up at the end of the season, ensuring everything is in order for the long winter, and, mechanical problems.

4. What is your best marketing tip?
Our first summer, we offered our gardens and the B&B for the annual Horticulture Society Tea and Tour. People had no idea what to expect and were simply amazed by what we had done with three old granaries. Nearly 500 people wandered through and went away and told all their friends about it.

5. Do you have a staff or do everything yourself?
No staff. Most things are done myself. My husband and daughters help with some of the gardening and maintenance chores and occasionally help deliver breakfast .

6. What type of marketing do you find most effective?
Word of mouth is always the best and maybe slightly easier if you live in a smaller community. Having an open house, hosting a garden tour, giving away nights for non-profit events, networking with other related businesses, all help start the ball rolling. As well, capitalize on any news or occasions that can be publicized by submitting a story to the local paper. We invited the newspapers to our open house and scored a front page article with picture. The other winner is to have a great website that will wow people .

7. Do you attend seminars? Buy B&B Guides?
I’ve attended regional Tourism conferences and read some good books on B&B’s and marketing. I make sure I keep the local tourism office up to date on what’s happening and utilize any research and statistics they collect. It’s their job to promote tourism related businesses so they can be very helpful.

8. Which recipe do you always get rave reviews for?
I like to meet people before I decide what to serve them . That way I hope to match their personalities to their breakfast and get rave reviews for everything. My favorite is an orange cream stuffed French Toast and it’s always a hit.

9. If you weren’t a B&B Innkeeper what would you be doing?
Some other creative venture be it polishing my French,trying to pick up other languages, taking art classes, designing things, writing, traveling,hiking and getting involved in whatever offered an opportunity to learn something new. I’m planning to squeeze some of it in during the off season so I’m not really missing anything.

10. Tell us about your most memorable guest?
We have enjoyed all our guests but especially connected with a german couple who experienced a fall, winter and summer holiday all in the space of 4 days. We outfitted them with extra clothing for their touring and invited them for a family supper. They took some amazing photos that we’ve shared on our website’s “Guests Gallery”. Since their visit, we’ve been in touch several times. They truly did come as guests and leave as friends.

11. Do you have any horror stories from past guests?
The only horror story stemmed from a miscommunication. I was all set up expecting a couple and they didn’t feel the reservation was confirmed so had made other plans. I now make copious notes to self to make sure I follow through and remember all the details of the initial booking conversation.Advance payment also makes sure they turn up.

12. What do you think the biggest misconception is about staying at a B&B?
That you’d feel uncomfortable staying at a strangers home with even more strangers staring at you round the breakfast table. B&B hosts are in the business of looking after guests and putting them at ease. BB’s are so varied you can almost always find one that appeals to your particular needs.

13. What would you like to change about the industry?
I’d like to see more B&B owners take their business seriously rather than just as a take it or leave it sideline.There is a need for more accommodation in general in our community and it would be nice to see more enthusiastic B&B owners join the scene.

14. Do you have any time saving tips or marketing treasures that you would like to share?
Doing as much as possible the night before eases the breakfast panic in the morning, even if it’s only visualization of what needs to be done. We deliver the breakfast to guests so how to fit it all on the trays and carry it without mishap is a big consideration.

15. What makes your B&B unique?
Unique setting, unique architecture and unique art. We imported three vintage wooden prairie granaries to our rural acreage and crafted them into a unique and luxurious retreat set in beautiful private grounds by a garden lake. It a real draw for locals who think it’s great fun to sleep in a granary. It’s a novelty for travelers too.