START YOUR DREAM BUSINESS: RUN A GLAMPING SITE

START YOUR DREAM BUSINESS: RUN A GLAMPING SITE On Tuesday, 17 June 2014, Kitchen Table Talent was joined by Jo Pilington and Sacha Morley, founders of...
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START YOUR DREAM BUSINESS: RUN A GLAMPING SITE On Tuesday, 17 June 2014, Kitchen Table Talent was joined by Jo Pilington and Sacha Morley, founders of Mad Dogs & Vintage Vans in Herefordshire, in a live Tweet Chat, to share their business advice and experiences. Read on to follow the discussion... Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m Hi, Jo & Sacha ready for @countrylivinguk @KTTalent Qs on how we set up the Mad Dogs vintage caravan glamping biz here, fire away! #KTTglamp Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 55s #KTTglamp Hello and welcome to our glamping Tweet Chat.Over to Jo and Sacha @MadDogsglamping who are here to answer your business-related Qs louise elliott @CLdeped 1m Hi there, I love the look of your glamping site. Would you ever consider expanding into franchises? Louise #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @CLdeped #KTTglamp we would consider franchises but the location and atmos here are the critical part of our product 1/2 Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 3m @CLdeped #KTTglamp 2/2 so keeping those values maintained would be essential to a franchise. #camping #glamping Thanks x Michele Jameson @MicheleJameson 27s Hi there, how have you made yourselves stand out against the competition around you? #KTTglamp Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 34s

So great to have you here Jo & Sacha.Must be lovely running a glamping business on a day like today.Can you describe a typical day?#KTTglamp Elen @elenwebbpage 1m Hi. I dream of running a glampsite. I have no land and no money. Do you think it's still do-able or am I just crazy? #kttglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 2m @elenwebbpage #KTTglamp Anything's possible Elen but our location is the key USP. Charlotte Dear @charlottedear 1m Hi Jo & Sacha, would you ever consider extending into the winter months? #kttglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @charlottedear #KTTglamp already in hand Charlotte as log burners going into the vans, this year we're open through Oct having opened April Ruth, Country Living @CLchick 1m Hi Jo and Sacha. How many caravans do you think you could have on site while retaining the unique atmosphere and charm? Thanks #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 2m @CLchick #KTTglamp Hiya, we're a two acre site with copse and we added a 4th van this season (called Monty) and so we're at capacity now 1/2 Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @damsonpr @countrylivinguk all over this beautiful country thanks to continual search and great contacts #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @KTTalent #KTTglamp Sometimes we pinch ourselves as it's SO gorgeous here, we never get tired of the views and it doesn't seem like work! X Elen @elenwebbpage 1m @MadDogsglamping thinking of approaching landowners and leasing. Would this affect permits? #kttglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 4m @elenwebbpage camping with owners permision upto 21 days then planning permision. local planning, AONB can be different #KTTglamp Country Living @countrylivinguk 1m Hi, do you find you have peaks and troughs of custom throughout the year? If so, any plans to even things out? #KTTglamp @MadDogsglamping Mrs Robinson @MrsRobinson1979 2m

Hello @maddogsglamping Is the trend for glamping is here to stay? And do you have any other ideas in case it loses popularity? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 3m @MrsRobinson1979 #KTTglamp YES! Glamping offers a new level of accom, like B&Bs, camping, budget hotel etc #familyadventure #forestofdean Damson PR @damsonpr 17m Hey @countrylivinguk @MadDogsglamping where do you find the vintage caravans? do you have to do a lot of work to restore them? Canopy & Stars @canopyandstars 4m Hey Jo, Sacha! Can you share your Top 3's re: what you enjoy most about running @MadDogs? #KTTglamp :) Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @canopyandstars #KTTglamp 1. Own business. 2. Working outdoors in beautiful location. 3. Flexibility for us working Mums. #mumpower! Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 4m How important has @sawdays been for the growth of your business? Any tips for getting included/passing their tests? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 5m @KTTalent @sawdays Yes, great footfall helped get us up & running (we launched half way thru a season) and effective pr. 1/2 #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 4m @KTTalent @sawdays 2/2 #KTTglamp Be sure your product fits their portfolio - a bit different, a bit special #glamping Ruth, Country Living @CLchick 4m Hi Jo & Sacha. The business and looking after your 7 daughters must be a balancing act. Do you take it in turns to do school runs? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 7m @CLchick #KTTglamp Yes, communication and diary management help the challenges #workingmum #ruralbusiness #ofsted! :) Damson PR @damsonpr 12m Can't decide whether to sneak away for a romantic wkend or bring the kids @MadDogsglamping @countrylivinguk #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 5m @damsonpr @countrylivinguk #lucky #familyadventure #honeymoon !! We offer such a tailored stay we fit the bill for both #KTTglamp Mrs Robinson @MrsRobinson1979 6m

Hello again @MadDogsglamping Running a home-based business must have many advantages, but do you ever feel cooped up as a result? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 5m @MrsRobinson1979 never, we are on location with ipad and diary in hand. #greatoutdoors #workingmum #KTTglamp #wyevalley #feelingblessed heartsumbrella @heartsumbrella 4m Have you stayed in vans yourselves?? @MadDogsglamping @countrylivinguk @KTTalent #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 2m @heartsumbrella @countrylivinguk @KTTalent #KTTglamp Yes, we love them and so do the children, we sneak a night in here & there! X Michele Jameson @MicheleJameson 2m Hi Jo and Sacha, are you ever tempted to extend the season or do you find it works ok as it is? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 35s @MicheleJameson #KTTglamp We have extended season to include Autumn half term. Logburners in most vans. Work with natural light. Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 1m #KTTglamp How did you go about sourcing all the basics - towels, plates, duvets etc - but on a budget? Any items you never scrimp on? Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 1m @KTTalent #KTTglamp Our favourite bit! Vintage fayres, reclamation yards, local dealers and great finds at car boots. #haydoesvintage Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 24s @KTTalent #KTTglamp Never scrimp on good quality bedlinen #goodnightssleep Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 2m @PlainUseful #KTTglamp We aim to be in profit by year 3. Although income seasonal, winter months used for planning & restoring vans. Ruth, Country Living @CLchick 2m @MadDogsglamping Ever considered running a course for those interested in setting up a glamping business? Could be very popular! #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 56s @CLchick #Kttglamp great idea, we would love to share our experience although no courses planned yet - Happy for group enquiry #glamping Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 1m And any plans to sell spin-off items? Recipe books for the homemade dishes you serve? Homemade preserves etc? #KTTglamp

Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 42s @KTTalent #KTTglamp This year we are selling our own cider, local produce & veg. More plans afoot for other glamping goodies. Mrs Robinson @MrsRobinson1979 37s Do your menfolk ever pitch in and help at the weekends and other busy times @maddogsglamping? #KTTglamp Mad Dogs glamping @MadDogsglamping 2m @MrsRobinson1979 #KTTglamp Absolutely! Very much a team effort. Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 42s #KTTglamp That's all we have time for. Thank you Jo & Sacha - great chat & so much info! Good luck for rest of the glamping season... 1/2 Kitchen Table Talent @KTTalent 29s #KTTglamp And to any followers who haven't booked a holiday already, why not give @MadDogsglamping a go?!! Visit kitchentabletalent.com for further practical business advice and inspiration.