Since Thanksgiving is this week, we wanted to take a moment to be thankful for the many blessings that have come our way.  Just over three years ago we started this adventure of becoming the owners and innkeepers of the Franklin Street Inn Bed & Breakfast. Although we had much experience and background to draw upon, we had no idea if we would be successful.

We are thankful for the continued success of the Inn!  As we wrap up our third full calendar year, we also celebrate the 25^th year of the Franklin Street Inn. The Inn has provided us with a livable income, slow but steady growth, and the experience to know that we can continue to be successful running the B&B. We have learned how many people it takes to support even a tiny business like ours.  So we think it is proper to be thankful for them and acknowledge them.

Our Guests

The group we are most thankful for is the guests that have graced our Inn.  Without our wonderful guests, we would not be in business. With over 500 reservations this year (and counting), there are too many to note or thank individually.  Our guests in the three years we have been innkeepers hail from 38 states and 15 countries.  They come to Appleton and the Fox Cities for a variety of reasons and purposes. Overall, they are friendly, kind, gracious and are a constant reminder of the good in people.

 

Our Partners and Colleagues

Another group we are thankful for is our wonderful partners and colleagues. Several local vendors help us clean and maintain the Inn as needed.  They help us make the Inn a comfortable space for our guests. These people help us run an efficient and effective operation. They allow us to tend to our guests with confidence. Our local partners like the Fox Cities Visitors and Convention Bureau, Downtown Appleton, Inc., Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and Lawrence University refer guests and provide reasons for travelers to come to Appleton and the Fox Cities area.

We are also thankful for our online partners, Odysys and ThinkReservations and Brandefined, who help us keep up our website, make reservations easy and accessible for our guests, and help us to market our Inn.  They also provide great support through educational blogs, webinars and podcasts to help us maintain our online visibility.  Additionally, they are readily available when we have issues that need resolved, or questions for which we need answers.

We are thankful for our fellow innkeepers from the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association (WBBA). We have learned much from this group of folks, and through the association conferences.  The members are readily available to give advice or support to our initiatives. The WBBA also helps us and our associated Inns be visible across the state and online. Keith feels fortunate to be able to give back to the WBBA by serving on the Board as its Secretary for 2020-22.

Family and Friends

Finally, we are thankful for the love and support of our family and friends.  They give us the love, hope, and encouragement that everyone needs to be successful. We would not be successful without them!

We hope you are able to take some time to count your blessings.  Take some time to think about those for whom you are thankful this holiday season.  We also hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and are able to spend it with family, friends and the loved ones in your life!