I would like to introduce myself and my business to you. My name is Michelle Bliss and I have “Harvest Moon Innkeeping” an Interim Innkeeping service. In the event that you would want or need to be away from your Bed and Breakfast/Inn, I am trained and equipped to step in and help you out. My professional services will allow you to keep your B&B/Inn open for present and future revenues and I will care for your guests and your business as if you were there.

I am an Iowa girl, born and raised in Des Moines. My husband, Dirk, and I have two grown children and a wonderful little grandson. After many years of employment in the Health and Human Services field, I was ready for my work in the world to take on a “less stressful” path. One summer, after Dirk and I had vacationed at a beautiful B&B on the North Shore of Minnesota, I began to investigate a career in the Bed and Breakfast industry. We attended a PAII conference for “Aspiring Innkeepers” after which I came home and “picked the brains” of the Innkeepers at the Butler House on Grand and The Cottage in Des Moines. I ended up interning and then working for the Cottage for the next two and a half years.

After reading an article in a PAII newsletter about Interim Innkeeping, I decided this was what I really wanted to do. I completed the Interim Innkeeping certification program offered through PAII (I am also certified as an Interim Innkeeper through the Interim Innkeepers Network and serve as their Vice President) then Dirk and I spent a week in Manitou Springs, Colorado in a very intense Interim Innkeeping training program. Having never owned a Bed and Breakfast I was quite serious about being professionally trained and strongly credentialed after all, I would be asking Innkeepers to be comfortable leaving “their baby” with me.

Harvest Moon Innkeeping has been in business for 3 years now and I have loved every minute of it.

Being an Innkeeper is a demanding lifestyle. It is important for Innkeepers to be able to schedule time away, but the B&B market is very competitive, so being unavailable at any time is risky and potentially costly. Guests will understand if you are booked, but will take their current and possibly future business elsewhere if you are closed. My services provide continuity and protect the income stream for your Bed and Breakfast.

When Innkeepers were recently asked how they benefited from hiring an Interim Innkeeper they ALL listed “peace of mind in knowing that things were being well cared for and the guest experience wasn’t compromised”. They also pointed out that there was “no loss in revenue and no loss in bookings current and future” Innkeepers often think they can’t afford to hire an Interim Innkeeper, but sometimes you can’t afford not to! I spent 3 weeks innkeeping in Galena, Illinois and booked over $6500. in reservations.

The next time you need a break for WHATEVER reason, consider working with me. I will visit with you about your B&B and your specific needs then, if you decide to use my services, I will spend some time with you in person or over the phone, getting to know you and your B&B. It is my goal to provide you with my professional services at a price that is mutually satisfying.

Regarding rates, no two Inns are the same. I prefer to quote rates based upon an evaluation of your needs and the size of your Inn. If you should choose to use my services, I would like to meet with you ahead of time to get to know you and the workings of your B&B/Inn (in person or by phone). You can get to know me and at the same time we can work out an agreement that is mutually satisfying. I look forward to talking with you.