Durham Bed and Breakfast Owners Sweat, Blood & Tears Story Revealed
Durham, NC (PRWEB) September 26, 2013 -- Fifteen years ago, Phil and Gloria packed up their lives in the northeast to start a new adventure in Durham, North Carolina (http://www.durham-nc.com). Journalist Virginia Bridges explores their research and change to a new career as innkeepers and explains how they’ve succeeded in such a competitive area.
The Tebers were thankful the bank took a chance on them as first-time innkeepers. “It inspired us,” Phil Teber said. “It gave us hope.” Their first week of managing the Durham bed and breakfast (http://www.arrowheadinn.com) was Duke University’s graduation weekend – the Inn’s busiest weekend of the year. It gave the Tebers a taste of the multiple hats innkeepers are required to wear.
In their first 10 years as owners, the Teber’s focused on extensive renovations to the entire property. Sweat, blood and tears ensued and a stunning and polished property emerged. Phil not only serves as gourmet chef for the four-diamond establishment, but also master carpenter, maintenance director and gardener. Gloria is in charge of sales, marketing and accounting.
“We want them (guests) to have an experience as opposed to a stay,” Gloria Teber said. This concierge like service includes anything from a five-course wine tasting dinner and a Broadway show to relaxing events or a gourmet picnic in the gardens.
The Tebers list their top five tips for success as an innkeeper team.
• Determining division of labor
• Respect for each other’s feelings and ideas
• Having a healthy marriage before going into business together
• Pray together every morning for family and guests
• Work smarter by hiring out the right tasks to the right people
The recent success of the four-diamond property speaks for itself. This year, the couple enlisted the help of Whitestone Marketing of Colorado. Whitestone handles the online optimization aspect of the business so the innkeepers can focus on what they do best – Southern hospitality. As a result, Arrowhead Inn has enjoyed around a 20 percent increase in business this year.
As a result of the publicity in North Carolina’s News & Observer (http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/05/3085037/backstory-couple-give-guests-at.html), the Inn is offering a limited time Fall Dining Experience (http://www.arrowheadinn.com/specials.html) in the gazebo during the month of September.
The September Fall Dining Experience Includes:
• Chef Phil’s three course dinner
• Cuisine designed with seasonal local fare
• Dinner views of 6-acres of gardens from the Tiffany Gazebo
Arrowhead Inn is a Select Registry property and Four-Diamond Award Winner.
Allison Crumpton, Whitestone Marketing, http://www.whitestonemarketing.com, +1 (719) 465-2042, [email protected]
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