JOIN MBBA AS AN ASPIRING INNKEEPER

After their opening weekend in May 2021, Joanne posted in MBBA’s private member forum, which is open to Aspiring members: “Our opening weekend, although small, went very well. Our guests enjoyed their rooms and their meals. We received lots of compliments on our attention to little details. Many of those details were inspired by you all and your willingness to share your ideas and challenges. We thank you all. Joining MBBA is the single most important thing we did to ensure our success. Again, THANK YOU!”

Starting your own bed and breakfast can be a daunting task, but with the help of our members and their resources, the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association can assist you in making your dream a

Benefits of Aspiring Innkeeper Membership:

• Listing on the Aspiring Innkeeper webpage
• Notices of and invitations to meetings, webinars and conferences
• Subscriptions to eNewsletters and other special mailings/alerts
• “Shadow” veteran innkeepers for on-the-job training (See “Become a Shadower,” below)
• Participate in educational webinars as scheduled
• Access to the private online member Facebook forum 24/7
• Waive the $50 non-member guest fee for the annual MBBA innkeeping conference

Annual Dues:  • $99
For a membership application,
Jump to Form  or call or email the office.

Note: If you open your inn and join as a full inn member before your aspiring membership year ends, we will pro-rate your $99 membership fee against your $150 start-up fee. Full inn membership is REQUIRED within 30 days after you open your doors to your first guests. Your aspiring innkeeper membership status will be revoked if you choose not to become a full inn member within the 30-day grace period.

Note: Aspiring Innkeeper Membership is as an associate member and is non-voting.

Find B&B Purchase Opportunities Here.

Become a Shadower – Learn the B&B Ropes

There’s no better way to decide whether innkeeping is right for you than by trying it on for size. And there’s no better way to learn what to do and how to do it best than by doing it — under the guidance of an innkeeper who lives it every day.

MBBA is the only Michigan organization that offers aspiring innkeepers the chance to shadow a professional innkeeper at a working inn. A list of those participating in the program is below. NOTE that each innkeeper and each B&B is different. Each has its own shadowing protocols. To the extent possible, each will tailor those protocols to suit your situation and availability. Some may charge you a fee (but only for an overnight stay), especially during their busy times. Others may offer only a mid-week and/or a daytime-only experience. Some have lots of time and space, while others are more limited. But ALL will welcome you with open arms. Don’t be shy: if you are an MBBA-member aspiring innkeeper, call or email to set up your personal shadowing experience.

Our shadowing program is a 24-hour experience if you decide to stay overnight or an 8-hour day with the inn you decide to mentor with.

Elk Rapids:  Darci Bartlett l 231 264 6282 l  email

Grand Haven:  Looking Glass Beachfront Inn  l  Brian King  l  231-588-6304  l  email

Ludington:  Lamplighter B&B  l Jen Hinderer  l  231-843-9792  l  email

St. Johns:  Nordic Pineapple B&B  l  Kjersten Offenbecker  l  989-292-4178  l  email

Torch Lake Torch Lake B&B | Deb Cannon | 231-599-3400 | email

Whitehall:  The Lewis House B&B  l  Debi Hillebrand  l  844 -854-6424  l  email

Great Print and Online Learning Resources

Setting Up and Running a Successful B&B
How tough is it? Can you cut it? Find out from Karen Thorne, innkeeper and founder, Bed & Breakfast Academy

B &B Team Resources    From the 1980’s on Bill Oates and Heide Bredfeldt ran master classes for aspiring Innkeepers.   Two Generations later, their grandson, Eben is now helping the industry.

Articles and help on financing B&Bs, inns and boutique hotels. Authored by Richard Newman, InnFinancing.com 

Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies
Learn to * Choose a location and make it your own * Create a profitable business plan * Decorate and renovate your property * Market your property for maximum occupancy. Authored by Mary White, former president of BnBFinder.com.