Honestly I had to say that Karen Thorne’s Bed and Breakfast Academy course has been the single most important thing we have done to make our business a success"

Karen gives endless practical advice, built from years of running a beautiful B&B and also from her previous career in marketing. But she does this in a way that is not over-whelming; everything is presented in a way that feels manageable and encouraging. She really cares about the well-being of those she helps, and understands how daunting running your own hospitality business can be. So it really goes without saying, that I cannot recommend Karen and her courses more highly.

Caroline Howarth, The Mount Bed and Breakfast, Keswick

What You'll Learn in this online B&B course

By the end of this course, you'll have all of the tools and confidence to run a successful bed and breakfast, including how to:

• Create a Clear Vision for Your Ideal B&B
  Design a bed and breakfast that aligns with your lifestyle and business goals, ensuring it’s something you’ll enjoy running every day.

• Join a Supportive Community of B&B Owners
  Be part of an amazing community where you can ask questions, share experiences, and get advice from others on the same journey.

• Avoid Expensive Mistakes
  Get a clear roadmap on how to set up your B&B for success, so you can avoid costly errors and build a business you love.

• Understand the Legal Essentials
  Learn the key legal requirements to ensure your B&B stays compliant and on the right side of the law from day one.

• Master Your Finances
  Discover how much you can earn, what to charge, and how to take payments from guests, ensuring your business is profitable and sustainable.

• Leverage Reviews and Star Ratings
  Decide whether to pursue a star rating and learn how to use guest reviews to boost your reputation and attract more bookings.

• Streamline Your Operations
  Set up systems and processes that make your B&B run smoothly, reducing the risk of problems and freeing up your time.

• Prepare for Your First Guests
  Learn exactly how to get your B&B ready to welcome guests, so you can make a great first impression and deliver a memorable experience.

• Master Day-to-Day Operations
  Gain a deep understanding of everything involved in the daily running of a bed and breakfast, from guest check-ins to managing supplies.

• Attract and Retain Your Ideal Guests
  Discover proven marketing techniques to attract your ideal guests and turn them into loyal, repeat customers.

• And Much More!

How You'll Benefit From Taking THE Bed and Breakfast Course

WHAT STUDENTS OF THE COURSE ARE SAYING:

Two coaching calls with Karen

As well as being able to ask questions in the course itself and the Facebook group, you'll also have the opportunity to book upto 2 x 45 minute calls Karen over Zoom. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you have or to bounce around your B&B ideas.

Comprehensive course workbook

Everything covered in the main lesson videos (excluding bonuses) is also available in a detailed 230+ page course workbook.

You can easily download it, read it online, or even print it out for handy reference, ensuring you have all the valuable content at your fingertips whenever you need it.

Bed and Breakfast Business Plan Example

In this course, you’ll gain access to a fictitious example business plan that serves as your roadmap to establishing a successful B&B. While I'm not a business planning expert, this example has been put together from the real-world business plans of past course attendees who have successfully launched their own B&Bs.

Starting to write a business plan from scratch can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a blank piece of paper. This example provides a framework to guide you through the process, breaking it down into manageable sections. You’ll gain a practical understanding of what a successful business plan looks like, learning essential components like market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies—all tailored specifically for the B&B industry.

By studying this business plan, you'll not only save time but also gain valuable insights into the key factors that contribute to a thriving bed and breakfast. You'll feel confident in your ability to create a solid business plan that meets your unique vision and goals.

I strongly recommend that you also consult with a financial advisor and, if necessary, a specialist mortgage advisor. Their expertise can provide tailored guidance, ensuring your financial strategy aligns with your business plan.

A huge thanks to Karen for her very thorough online B&B Academy course, for passing on her wisdom and for her encouragement and support.

I feel I am now confident in what I am doing and offering to my B&B guests. The reviews are encouraging and the guests are complimentary about the rooms and all the detailed little touches. I am happy I stuck to the continental ‘breakfast in a basket’ idea and it is working really well.

Karen really encouraged me to do what was best for me and not what everyone else was doing/offering, and to give it a go. Not one guest has complained about the lack of a hot breakfast or a dining room, which is great. I have been attracting the type of guests I thought I would in my guest avatars, (an exercise you do as part of the course) which has been encouraging. So thanks Karen, once again for giving me the confidence to go ahead with my plans, it has been a great start to my hosting business

Linda Read, Maple House Bed and Breakfast, Hay on Wye

B&B bedroom & bathroom design checklist and the ultimate kitchen equipment list!

room design checklist

You probably already have a Pinterest board full of ideas for your B&B rooms. But this 27-page checklist ensures you’ve covered all the practical essentials for your bedrooms and bathrooms—beyond just choosing the right wallpaper!

From making sure there are enough electrical sockets for vacuuming, to choosing the best flooring for guest comfort (and easy cleaning!), I’ve got you covered. You'll also find tips on making sure guests can read comfortably in bed, ensuring the rooms are dark enough for a great night’s sleep, stocking your B&B "forget me not" box, and assembling a welcoming tea tray that guests will love!

ultimate B&B kitchen equipment list

This 16-page guide has everything you’ll need to stock your B&B kitchen and create breakfasts that your guests will rave about! Each item comes with direct links to the best products to buy, featuring my personal favourites as well as top recommendations from past course attendees.

Whether you're looking for the perfect coffee maker or the best pans for a full English, this list takes the guesswork out of equipping your kitchen like a pro.

Editable documents

Save time by using these documents that you can quickly edit in Canva to create your own:

• Welcome poster
• Do not flush sign
• Dog rules
• Guest registration form

Additional useful templates and documents

• Example B&B Terms and Conditions
• Guest Welcome email - template
• Cleaning Checklist
• Guest Information page
• Guest Registration form
• Breakfast Menus - Vegan, vegetarian, standard
• All my Breakfast Recipes
• Natasha’s Law Allergen training workshop
• Pricing workshop
• Suggested questions to ask when you’re buying a B&B

"Our guest said the course must have been amazing. Our place runs like clockwork and he couldn’t think of any negatives. They’d thought we’d been doing it for decades!"

A compliment to your course this morning, Karen, from one of our guests leaving today after a week long stay. He said the course must have been amazing our place runs like clockwork and he couldn’t think of any negatives. They’d thought we’d been doing it for decades! So thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, for being there for that extra advice when needed, for setting up the ‘B&B Academy’ family FB group no one could have planned for what this year has thrown at us all but we definitely couldn’t have got/get through it with out you and everyone in this group. 

Catriona Haskell-Ward, Millburn Bed and Breakfast, Skye

30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Do you HAVE to take a B&B course?

No, you don’t HAVE to. But would it benefit you? Absolutely, YES!

Setting up or buying a bed and breakfast is a significant investment—both financially and in terms of lifestyle. It makes sense to invest a little time and money upfront to ensure you’re getting it right from the start.

Sure, you could spend countless hours Googling for information (or using your preferred search engine). But this approach can waste your time, and worse yet, the information you find might be outdated or flat-out wrong.

The biggest issue with relying on online research? You need to know what questions to ask. One thing I hear from course attendees all the time is, “I hadn’t even thought to ask that question!”

And if you’re borrowing money to fund your B&B dream, most lenders will want to see proof that you’ve taken the time to get proper training. This course is a fantastic way to show that you're serious and prepared.

One of the things I hear very often from course attendees is "I hadn't even thought to ask that question!"

If you need to borrow money to set up or buy your B&B your financial lender will probably want to see proof that you've done some sort of training. 

Module 1: What Makes a Successful Bed and Breakfast?

In this module, we’ll dive deep into the essential ingredients for a thriving B&B and what it takes to be a successful B&B owner. You’ll explore the core elements every bed and breakfast needs and take an honest look at how running a B&B can impact your lifestyle.

You’ll gain crystal clarity on what makes a great B&B and begin crafting your vision of the ideal bed and breakfast you want to create.

Here's what you’ll discover:

• The key fundamentals every successful B&B must have.
• The essential skills and experience of successful B&B owners—and what to do if you're missing any of them!
• How running a B&B can affect your family, partner, and friendships—and how to manage those impacts.
• Whether you should buy an existing B&B or start one from scratch.

Module 2: How to Do Your Research and Avoid Expensive Mistakes

Thorough research is key to setting up or buying a B&B successfully. It not only shows the bank (and yourself!) that you're well-prepared but also ensures you're creating the right B&B to maximize your success and happiness.

In this module, you’ll uncover:

• The essential elements that every B&B business plan needs to include.
• Your personal why for running a B&B, and you’ll craft a detailed description of your perfect bed and breakfast.
• How to identify the critical research you need to do—and the most effective ways to do it—so you can avoid costly mistakes.

Meet the Trainer Behind the Course

Hello! I'm Karen Thorne 

Experienced Bed and Breakfast Owner | Trainer | Dog Lover | Proud Mum & Grandma | Avid Knitter | Bird Watcher

Welcome to Bed and Breakfast Academy! I’m Karen Thorne, the founder and owner, and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you. As a seasoned B&B owner and passionate trainer, I’ve dedicated myself to helping aspiring B&B owners like you create the life you've always dreamed of.

My background? Well, I spent 16 years with British Airways as an IT manager, trainer, coach, and facilitator before I took the leap to escape the rat race. In 2004, my family and I made the exciting move to the beautiful Shropshire countryside, where I established my own B&B. Back then, there was hardly any support or information available for those looking to start a B&B, and I quickly learned that the journey could be filled with costly mistakes—ouch!

That's when I decided to combine my training expertise with the hard-earned lessons I learned along the way. I wanted to create a course that would empower future B&B owners and help them avoid the pitfalls I encountered. And that’s how Bed and Breakfast Academy was born in 2006!

I’m here to cheer you on as you embark on your B&B adventure. It’s lovely to meet you!

Karen x