Services We Provide
We provide consulting services for Owners and Investors, Innkeepers and Managers, and Aspiring Innkeepers involved in all aspects of the independent lodging industry including bed and breakfasts, inns, cottages and cabins, and small boutique hotels. Learn more about our various consulting offerings.
Consulting Services for Owners and Investors
Creating a property doesn’t happen overnight; in fact, the concepts for our lodging property were developed years before we opened. Through a business focus on creating and delivering an experience that would encourage guests to relax, enjoy, and return again and again, high occupancy and revenue levels were achieved in a very brief time compared to industry standards. Let us help you achieve your goals as new owners and investors in your property.
One-on-One Customized Coaching
Planning to build your small lodging property from the ground up or need to tackle a specific concern? Since we did the same thing, schedule a meeting to discuss the realities of “If we build it, will they come?” from experienced former innkeepers. Our point-by-point pre-opening checklist will provide the necessary guidance. From site visits to review your property to ongoing coaching in any of a defined area of focus, your program will parallel your timeline, budget, and objectives. This is very helpful if you are opening a new property or in the midst of purchasing a property.
Consulting Services for Small Property Owners, Innkeepers, and Managers
Are you truly operating your small lodging property as a business? Are you realizing the joys of hospitality that you anticipated when you opened your property? Is it time to share the responsibilities with a new staff person? Do you have an exit strategy in place? Let us help you with an individualized consultation plan to understand your concerns and share solutions.
On-site Property Review: Onsite consultation is advised for independent property owners and managers to assist in specific areas offering our view of your operations with the guest’s view in mind. Your understanding of the demographics of today’s travelers is key to the success of your property from the product you offer to how you deliver it. A visit to your property will be customized to meet your needs and may be necessary if you are just purchasing a property, hiring new managers that need training, or if you need to freshen your brand. Typically, two days onsite is suggested with a subsequent visit suggested three to six months later.
Systems Development and Implementation: Creating procedures and implementing coordinated systems for action with all staff members is essential to avoid burnout. Our past experiences as both the owners and operators of a busy inn and a restaurant allow us to understand your challenges and create organized solutions.
Physical Operations: Do you have a current operating manual? If you were away from your property for an extended time, can someone else run it the way your guests expect? We’re happy to use our past knowledge to create checklists, and operating manuals, share shortcuts, and reduce the time involved while ensuring that guest satisfaction in all areas will result in positive reviews.
Staff Selection and Development: Is it time to hire a manager or another position for your team? Understanding the staffing needs and business objectives of a property allows us to develop job descriptions and compensation plans, post ads, and help you interview candidates to find the perfect fit.
Business Planning 2.0™: How to do more with less in less time and still be successful in the upcoming year. “You cannot improve on the unknown…” Step back and gather essential facts about the prior year to determine where changes can be made in your business. This simple process will provide the data required to make educated decisions.
Consulting Services for Future Innkeepers
Unless you graduated with a degree in hospitality, you invested time and money in your initial career that you are now re-considering. That same focus is critical now. How can you become an educated innkeeper before you serve the first breakfast? Let’s talk about what’s involved in becoming the owner of an independent lodging property.
Five in Five Virtual Workshop – Five Sessions over Five Weeks $1500
Launched in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, we’ll select five areas of focus to discuss and develop in five one on one virtual presentations. Each week, you’ll complete pages in a digital workbook building your seasonal menu offerings, operational manuals, and checklists as you fine-tune your opening plan. All forms listed in the Start-Up Package are included. Any additional hours are billable at your contracted hourly rate.
Note: This workshop does require the completion of a first-level seminar or workshop offered by one of the industry consultants or attendance at an Association of Lodging Professionals Conference. For more information about a first level-seminar, visit these sites:
Marilyn Bushnell
The B&B Team: Eben Viens
White Stone Brokers: Allison Crumpton, Eliot Dalton, Chris Kelly
Let’s schedule your virtual workshop! Please email me for more information.
The Future Innkeeper Hands-On Workshop: Experience everything you can to validate your desire to be an owner of a small lodging property during this four-day hands-on workshop held at Foxfield Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, and at Armory Park Inn in Tucson, Arizona. Both owners are graduates of this workshop and are happy to share their experiences.
From prepping for breakfast, bed making, and housekeeping, to marketing tips and welcoming new guests, see, feel and touch methods used by successful innkeepers and their staff. As your instructor along with the inn owner and their staff, we will guide you through many of the daily activities throughout this workshop. This workshop is limited to just four participants.
Fees include hands-on training, (2) lunches, (2) dinners, a seminar binder, and 2 hours of consulting after the workshop. Lodging is not included and must be booked at the host property. Rooms are being held and reservations may be made after the workshop is confirmed.
Fees: $999 per person. $699 for the second person from the same property or related.
Lodging is not included in these fees. Rooms have been held at each property, ready for confirmation after registration is confirmed.
Please email for more information: lh@ijkpartners.com or click here to register.
2023 Dates and Locations:
August 24-27 Foxfield Inn, Charlottesville, VA
Sept 7-10 Armory Park Inn, Tucson, Arizona
“Thank you so much for a fun, educational, and inspiring Bootcamp. Bill and I feel duly enriched by the experience and ever inspired to look at an inn as a result.”
Sue and Bill – Fall 2022 Grads
Consulting Offerings: How We Work
One-on-One Customized Coaching
Whatever your need is, we are happy to either define a plan to tackle your challenges or connect you to an industry professional who can. Let’s talk! Plans begin at $350.
Please email me for more information.
