Balancing family life and serviced accommodation
- Weston House Keith
- Jul 13, 2024
- 3 min read
Hello everyone! We’re thrilled to share our incredible journey of balancing a serviced accommodation business while creating a life centered around our boys. It’s been a wild ride, full of laughter, late nights, and lots of family fun. So, grab a cup of tea and join us as we take you through our story.
Our adventure began in August 2022 when we stumbled upon an opportunity to rent a 36-bedroom ex-care home that had been partially renovated. With 20 rooms ready to rent, we saw the potential and decided to dive in. But here’s the twist: we already had a business and lived in another town. How were we going to manage this? Enter the caretaker setup! We created a cozy area for a caretaker to live in and handle the day-to-day cleaning and guest interactions, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
We rolled up our sleeves, set a theme for the rooms, and got to work on a shoestring budget. We organized beds, bedding, and all the essentials we needed to get started. There were many late nights, lots of trips back and forth, and plenty of DIY fixes. Imagine us fixing leaks, repairing boilers, and painting walls while keeping up with school runs and football practice. It was chaotic but oh-so-rewarding.
The first few months were a bit hairy with only a few guests trickling in. But in November 2022, we hit a major milestone: a company rented out several rooms. Phew! The relief was palpable. We could finally stop panicking and focus on making Weston House the best it could be. We even closed our other business to put all our energy into this new venture.
By February, we felt ready to take the reins completely. We asked our caretaker to move on and decided to manage the property ourselves. Sean started staying at Weston House each night while we stayed home, balancing family life and business responsibilities. It was intense, but we were determined to make it work.
In April, we made a bold decision: we moved our family into the caretaker area at Weston House. It was a stressful move, and we had moments of doubt. But the charm of Keith, the beauty of the old building, and the opportunity to create a new life together convinced us to go all in. We sold our house and bought Weston House, officially becoming owners in April 2024.
One of the biggest motivations behind this journey was the desire for time freedom. We wanted a life that revolved around our boys, where we could spend quality time together without the constraints of a traditional job. Living and working at Weston House gives us that freedom. We get to be there for every milestone, every football game, and every bedtime story.
Balancing business and family life is an art, and we’re constantly learning and adapting. But we always make sure to prioritize fun and family time. Rainy days don’t get us down; instead, we make the most of them by exploring local swimming pools and building epic dens. These moments of joy and togetherness are what make all the hard work worthwhile.
1. **Set Clear Boundaries**:
Designate specific times for work and family. When it’s family time, be fully present.
2. **Involve the Kids**:
Our boys love helping with little tasks around the house. It’s a great way to teach them responsibility and spend time together.
3. **Plan Ahead**:
Use a family calendar to keep track of everyone’s schedules and important dates.
4. **Embrace Flexibility**:
Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. Adapt and find creative solutions.
5. **Celebrate Small Wins**:
Every achievement, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. It keeps morale high and motivates everyone.
We’re passionate about restoring the beautiful features of our historic home and making Weston House a welcoming haven for our guests. But more importantly, we’re building a life that aligns with our values and dreams. We envision a future where our boys grow up with a strong sense of family, responsibility, and the joy of living a balanced life.
We’re excited to share our ongoing adventures with you through our blog and social media. Follow along for tips on running a serviced accommodation business, stories from our family life, and plenty of laughs and inspiration.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to creating a life we love, one day at a time!
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We hope you enjoyed our story and found some inspiration in our journey. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for weekly posts!
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