<description> &lt;h2&gt;Behind the Scenes of Running a B&amp;amp;B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;In this episode, I’m joined by Kate O’Donovan, owner of Maple Bank B&amp;amp;B in the stunning UK Lake District and a graduate of my B&amp;amp;B Academy course. Kate shares her journey from corporate life to running a thriving seven-room B&amp;amp;B and offers practical insights for aspiring and current B&amp;amp;B owners.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Whether you're dreaming of starting your own B&amp;amp;B or looking for inspiration to improve your guest experience, this episode is packed with valuable advice and honest reflections on what it’s really like to run a bed and breakfast.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Key Topics Covered:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Introduction:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;My background and experience running a B&amp;amp;B and training owners since 2006.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Introducing Kate O’Donovan, her background, and the story behind Maple Bank B&amp;amp;B.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Choosing the Right Location:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Why Kate and her mum chose the Lake District for their B&amp;amp;B.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;How location impacts year-round business opportunities and guest demographics.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Creating an Exceptional Guest Experience:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;The importance of focusing on how guests feel during their stay.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Practical ways to make guests feel at home, from thoughtful touches to dog-friendly amenities.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;The Realities of Running a B&amp;amp;B:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Managing guest expectations and setting clear boundaries to protect your time and well-being.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Strategies for dealing with negative reviews and unexpected challenges.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;The Importance of Work Experience:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;How real-world experience can help aspiring B&amp;amp;B owners decide if the lifestyle is right for them.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Kate’s new mini work experience programme for potential B&amp;amp;B owners.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Lessons Learned:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;Why it’s critical to delegate tasks and focus on what you do best.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Kate’s advice for balancing the financial and emotional demands of running a B&amp;amp;B.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Connect with Kate:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;Visit Maple Bank B&amp;amp;B at &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.maplebank.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt;www&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;.maplebank&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;.co&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;.uk&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; for more information or to get in touch with Kate.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h3&gt;Connect with Me:&lt;/h3&gt; &lt;p&gt;Visit &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.bandbacademy.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;&lt;span&gt;Bed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; Breakfast&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; Academy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; for more blog posts, podcasts, and courses.&lt;br&gt;Check out the &lt;a href="https://www.bandbacademy.co.uk/first-steps-to-owning-a-b-b-mini-course-find-out-more-evergreen-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"&gt;mini workshop&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;for those considering starting a B&amp;amp;B.&lt;br&gt;Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple to stay updated with new episodes.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Enjoy the episode, and happy hosting!&lt;/p&gt; </description>

The Bed and Breakfast Academy Podcast

Karen Thorne

#27: Behind the Scenes of Running a B&B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy

NOV 21, 202456 MIN
The Bed and Breakfast Academy Podcast

#27: Behind the Scenes of Running a B&B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy

NOV 21, 202456 MIN

Description

Behind the Scenes of Running a B&B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate O’Donovan, owner of Maple Bank B&B in the stunning UK Lake District and a graduate of my B&B Academy course. Kate shares her journey from corporate life to running a thriving seven-room B&B and offers practical insights for aspiring and current B&B owners.

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own B&B or looking for inspiration to improve your guest experience, this episode is packed with valuable advice and honest reflections on what it’s really like to run a bed and breakfast.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction:

  • My background and experience running a B&B and training owners since 2006.
  • Introducing Kate O’Donovan, her background, and the story behind Maple Bank B&B.

Choosing the Right Location:

  • Why Kate and her mum chose the Lake District for their B&B.
  • How location impacts year-round business opportunities and guest demographics.

Creating an Exceptional Guest Experience:

  • The importance of focusing on how guests feel during their stay.
  • Practical ways to make guests feel at home, from thoughtful touches to dog-friendly amenities.

The Realities of Running a B&B:

  • Managing guest expectations and setting clear boundaries to protect your time and well-being.
  • Strategies for dealing with negative reviews and unexpected challenges.

The Importance of Work Experience:

  • How real-world experience can help aspiring B&B owners decide if the lifestyle is right for them.
  • Kate’s new mini work experience programme for potential B&B owners.

Lessons Learned:

  • Why it’s critical to delegate tasks and focus on what you do best.
  • Kate’s advice for balancing the financial and emotional demands of running a B&B.

Connect with Kate:

Visit Maple Bank B&B at www.maplebank.co.uk for more information or to get in touch with Kate.

Connect with Me:

Visit Bed and Breakfast Academy for more blog posts, podcasts, and courses.
Check out the mini workshop for those considering starting a B&B.
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple to stay updated with new episodes.

Enjoy the episode, and happy hosting!