We just received our official Guest House Authorization the other day, so now it is time to open a new vein of the business. I am very excited about that, knowing it will probably increase our cooking school business. So excited to finally be official and start to advertise.
That means it's website-building time. Getting the frame will be the hardest part. All the content will be fun.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Any day now!
I should have official Guest House authorization any day. Once that happens, it's time to set up my new website and post many pics of the rooms. I am so excited about finally getting to advertise and expanding this business.
One of the great things that I have heard recently is about an adoption program based in my city. Someone from the US Consulate called me and explained that folks are adopting babies and need a place to stay for a longer period of time (2 - 4 weeks). Our place is perfect for those kinds of stays. We are much better than the Ibis or other hotels around, in that we have a floor people can rent with a full-scale kitchen, a washing machine and multiple pack-n-plays. What a great business opportunity, as well as a blessing to those adopting kiddos.
Once we get that authorization (I think on Monday), we will start rejoicing.
One of the great things that I have heard recently is about an adoption program based in my city. Someone from the US Consulate called me and explained that folks are adopting babies and need a place to stay for a longer period of time (2 - 4 weeks). Our place is perfect for those kinds of stays. We are much better than the Ibis or other hotels around, in that we have a floor people can rent with a full-scale kitchen, a washing machine and multiple pack-n-plays. What a great business opportunity, as well as a blessing to those adopting kiddos.
Once we get that authorization (I think on Monday), we will start rejoicing.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Authorization & the Police
We are so close to having our full authorization to be an official Guest House. Just a few more days and we are good to go! The architect drew up the plan of our house and we got it approved. Our fiduciare then headed over to the Fire station to get their authorization on the fire safety of the house. At the station, we were then told we needed stabilization authority after the mosque in our city fell a few months ago. Any old building now needs that authorization. It's down to the final authorization from the local government. That is being worked on today and should be complete at the beginning of next week.
Oh what a relief that will be. I am so excited to start advertising as an official guest house and venture into a new aspect of this business. It's going to be fun. The past few weeks filling the house with numerous decorations has been envisioning.
Then the trip to the police station a few days ago was quite the adventure. I just had a large group come through last week and take several classes. About 13 of the students stayed the night. According to the police, a group like that needs to stay at a hotel. To them, they aren't considered friends or guests, just tourists. I got a nice slap on the hands by having to wait to talk with the Chief for 2 1/2 hours, and the time I spent with him was less than 5 minutes.
Here soon, I won't need to worry about that. Once I am official, I can advertise and anyone can stay at the place. Will keep you updated...
Oh what a relief that will be. I am so excited to start advertising as an official guest house and venture into a new aspect of this business. It's going to be fun. The past few weeks filling the house with numerous decorations has been envisioning.
Then the trip to the police station a few days ago was quite the adventure. I just had a large group come through last week and take several classes. About 13 of the students stayed the night. According to the police, a group like that needs to stay at a hotel. To them, they aren't considered friends or guests, just tourists. I got a nice slap on the hands by having to wait to talk with the Chief for 2 1/2 hours, and the time I spent with him was less than 5 minutes.
Here soon, I won't need to worry about that. Once I am official, I can advertise and anyone can stay at the place. Will keep you updated...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Authorization ... Take Two
We have started the process of getting authorization for our Guest House again. I don't know how long it is going to take or how many papers need to be filed, but I am unleashing my fiduciare (tax accountant) to take care of it all. He told me to give him some money and he'll get it done. He also joked about me having to buy him a new pair of shoes at the end because he is going wear down the souls of his making this happen.
I sure can't wait to be an official registered Guest House. That will be great to advertise and get folks in the door. Guess I need to start thinking of a name for the house.
Maybe ... Riad Padgett
I sure can't wait to be an official registered Guest House. That will be great to advertise and get folks in the door. Guess I need to start thinking of a name for the house.
Maybe ... Riad Padgett
Constantly Growing
It seemed to take forever to hit the century mark (class #100), but since we did, we have been racing toward #200. In the past few weeks, we have been holding classes at break-neck speeds. Early this morning, we had a delightful couple in from New Mexico (#108). From now until the end of the month, I think we have 10 more classes already in the books.
A few weeks ago we had "Aussie week." On Tuesday, a dude named Isaac came through on his travels from Sydney. Two days later, a fun couple from Melbourne ventured through our school. I almost lost my Texas accent and headed Down Under after that week.
In two weeks we have "Foreign Tongue week" if it all works out. There are two classes slated to be in French, then four classes to be held in Modern Standard Arabic. Guess I will just sit in the corner and pick my nose for those. Not gonna be able to understand much. But washing dishes is an international language.
Sorry about the delay between posts. I hope to become more regular in recording all the fun events of our school. I need to do this more regularly so I don't forget all the fun that we have with each of our clients.
A few weeks ago we had "Aussie week." On Tuesday, a dude named Isaac came through on his travels from Sydney. Two days later, a fun couple from Melbourne ventured through our school. I almost lost my Texas accent and headed Down Under after that week.
In two weeks we have "Foreign Tongue week" if it all works out. There are two classes slated to be in French, then four classes to be held in Modern Standard Arabic. Guess I will just sit in the corner and pick my nose for those. Not gonna be able to understand much. But washing dishes is an international language.
Sorry about the delay between posts. I hope to become more regular in recording all the fun events of our school. I need to do this more regularly so I don't forget all the fun that we have with each of our clients.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
If I could turn back time...
A few days ago, we had a delightful group come through our cooking school. They contacted us at the last minute, but we were able to make something work for them. And I am glad that we could, because they are doing something that I wish I would have had the opportunity/ability to do.
They have quit their jobs and taken some time to travel the world.
Alys & Alex said "sayonara" to their incomes for a year and have traversed the globe. And they are only half way through their trip with all of Europe waiting for them. It was pretty neat talking with them and their friend Meg, who also quit her job to travel before moving back to her home state of Virginia.
If you are interested in reading more about their travels, take a look at their blog: www.alysandalex.com
One of their coolest adventures came in Laos (chronicled at the beginning of their trip).
They have quit their jobs and taken some time to travel the world.
Alys & Alex said "sayonara" to their incomes for a year and have traversed the globe. And they are only half way through their trip with all of Europe waiting for them. It was pretty neat talking with them and their friend Meg, who also quit her job to travel before moving back to her home state of Virginia.
If you are interested in reading more about their travels, take a look at their blog: www.alysandalex.com
One of their coolest adventures came in Laos (chronicled at the beginning of their trip).
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Repainting ... Again
How many years will it take before I figure out how to correctly paint my guest house? Every single year at the end of the rainy season, the paint on the ceiling starts to peel and "snow" down on the couches and beds.
Yesterday I spent several hours scraping paint and plaster off my ceiling in a discouraged mood...cuz it's not the first time I've done the same thing. Insanity?
Next week, I am going to get a "professional" painter to come over to the house and give me his opinion on what I need to do. Whatever it is, though, I am already thinking it's not going to work. Where is the optimistic side of me in this whole mess?
At least we just held class #95. That will help and pay for the repeat work next week.
Yesterday I spent several hours scraping paint and plaster off my ceiling in a discouraged mood...cuz it's not the first time I've done the same thing. Insanity?
Next week, I am going to get a "professional" painter to come over to the house and give me his opinion on what I need to do. Whatever it is, though, I am already thinking it's not going to work. Where is the optimistic side of me in this whole mess?
At least we just held class #95. That will help and pay for the repeat work next week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
