Personal Background

I joined the Innkeeping world in the early stages of the B&B business -1984.
Those were the days of the Bob Newhart syndrome – “Gee, wouldn’t it be fun to run an Inn! Just like Bob!”

Yes, I became caught up in the excitement. However, reality set in very quickly. It was fun, but it was also a business. Fortunately, for me it was a very successful business. So successful, I owned five Inns between 1984 and 1996. Was that a wise thing to do? Yes and No. I received more experience then I could have possibly received by any other means. Were there negatives? Yes, those are the kinds of things that I will impart to you in order to make your experience a success. With my experience, I will help you over the obstacles to ultimate success. I will also impart the strong positives of the business. And there are many.

My Inn Ownership:

1984 – 1986 The Lindenwood Inn in Southwest Harbor, Maine
A start-up property that helped to pave the way for my future successes. A highly successful Inn, today.
1985- 1996 The Inn at Canoe Point in Bar Harbor, Maine
A start-up property that was successful beyond my wildest dreams. The property was sold in 2001 as a beautiful oceanside private home.
1985 – 1988 The Inn at Southwest in Southwest Harbor, Maine
A guesthouse conversion to a B&B. Still going strong.
1989 – 1991 The Maples Inn and The Ridgeway Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine
I ran the two back-to-back Inns as one business. Individually successful Inns today.

My Tourism Experience:

1984 – 1986: President of the Southwest Harbor Chamber of Commerce
1986 – 1994: President of Inns of the Island – a local Innkeeper’s group
1988 – 1994: Member Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Board (President for 3 years)
1996 – 1997: Chairman of the Maine Tourism Commission
1989 – Present: PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) member and workshop speaker 1989 – 1996

My Real Estate Experience:

1995 – Present: Inn/B&B Buyer’s Specialist – The Swan Agency Sotheby’s International Realty
Involved in over 100 statewide Inn/B&B sales

My Teaching Experience:

1993 – Present: Inn Your Dreams – Aspiring Innkeeper’s Seminars
supplying the tools to help aspiring Innkeepers make that all-important decision –“Is Innkeeping Right for Me?” www.innyourdreams.com.