Hard work for sure pays off, in more ways than one, right?
Choosing the right career path is so important. I believe taking a gap year is not a bad idea. Some may say it breaks the rhythm of being in the study groove, but how many of us knew what we wanted to do for the rest of our life, at such a tender age?
We all come to many crossroads through the different seasons of our lives.
The very first one we face is when we leave school - what career path to follow? College, university, an apprenticeship, or find a job with an employer willing to take on someone who does not have the most wanted attributes - experience!
How do they expect one to get experience when very few are willing to employ someone without that magical attribute?
Many who further their education often end up in a career path far removed from what they studied! Why? As I said earlier, they're unsure, cannot find a position in their field of study, or grab the next best job!
That's another crossroad - take it or leave it?
It may not be their dream job, and they may find themselves in a job that does not fulfill those dreams.
I was happy in my job, but never quite fulfilled, something was missing! Yes, I worked with wonderful people and formed lifelong friendships with some, but the work alone was not enough.
When retirement started looming, hubby and I started our Airbnb.
The best move ever, as well as the very best experience, and in our autumn years of all time!
Our two bedroom cottage
Our studio unit
Both my late hubby and I had/have a love of people, and we built up a wonderful clientele.
Naturally one cannot run a successful BnB without reliable staff. My housekeeper and gardener-cum-handyman have worked for me for many years, both take pride in their work and have wonderful temperaments; people's persons for sure! We still manage to have some good laughs in between working!
When dealing with guests from all walks of life, all over the world, and all temperaments, one for sure has to keep your sense of humour! We are often left speechless by the antics of some, and then the generosity of others! Naturally, this mix of people makes for a very interesting job! Lily's Cottage has introduced us to a fascinating mix of people, and given us a glimpse of how different everyone lives their lives. What may seem normal to them, is quite foreign to us!
Real-time online guest reviews are valuable for marketing, and that is how we have managed to get our awards from the online booking portal booking.com, for a couple of years running!
I still page through our old guest book and it's wonderful looking back, reading the comments, and remembering the guests. Some are difficult to put a face to, but others are etched into our minds!
My staff truly agree that this has been their absolute best job ever!
Create your own Forever Memory Bank
Join our community of awesome content creators
right here on HIVE
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩
Join our Silver Bloggers community 
Artwork by @artywink
Join our Silver Bloggers community
Artwork by @artywink
Oh my gosh @lizelle, I wish I could visit your cozy, welcoming b&b. You and your hubby sure knew what you were doing when you began this wonderful journey called life.
Congratulations on your reward, well deserved.
It would be such a treat, my friend! I've been immensely blessed by having a man like him, and the wonderful people in our lives.
We've been getting these awards since we started listing on booking.com, very chuffed with my staff as well!
Have a lovely Wednesday Robin<3
❤️
Well deserved, congratulations to you, the team and hubby for doing this together.
When folk leave happy it's the best feeling one can have from running an adventurous business like this through good and bad years, yet keeping it on track!
Comments and word of mouth are truly amazing how often it spreads like a wild fire!
!LUV
!LADY
Yes Joan, as you know it was 2020 COVID lockdown, 2021 riots, 2022 mudslides, 2023 the loss of my man, not easy years, but I truly believe the bnb is what kept me sane through all that!
We've met the most wonderful people, awesome to see them happy and relaxed, and reluctant to leave when it's time to go home.
I hope you're keeping well and more settled after all your ordeal(s)❤️
Keeping busy I find keeps our mind from straying too much, the past years have been taxing, now recovery is slow but sure, till the next upheaval.
Lovely neat little BnB for folks to relax no wonder they reluctant to go home. Also good you no longer supply meals, takes a massive burden off the shoulders, unless they are special guests!
Yep, there are some who've become friends so for them I'll cook but not that daily grind! It was killing, especially the early morning hot breakfasts! It was crazy!
Much easier now😉
Always know when to call it a day, cooking in this heat not a walk in the park either. Right decisions and the right time! !LUV
(2/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily@lizelle, @joanstewart
(4/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily@lizelle, @joanstewart
View or trade
LOHtokens.@joanstewart, you successfully shared 0.0100 LOH with @lizelle and you earned 0.0100 LOH as tips. (2/19 calls)
Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in this post.
The work done with dedication and love pays off. And I am more than sure that the awards and the grateful comments from your guests are more than deserved.
If I weren't so far away, you don't know how much I would love to have a getaway for a few days in Lily's cottage.
Thank you for the kind words Eli, it has been a fabulous journey!
It would be an absolute delight meeting and hosting you❤️
Friendly people are precisely what makes everything work. People who combine kindness and good humor attract others.
I work in marketing, and something that always works is this combination: attention and a smile, a good product and excellent service are the key to a business.
Excellent advice @lupega, a surefire recipe for successful, thank you for sharing this!
Wow 9.7 on booking com is a fantastic result. That must help with the occupancy rate. We usually check out everything above 9 even if it a bit further away than were we are hoping to stay.
Thank you @new.things! I also won't stay at any place below 9, for sure worth driving a little further.
Well deserved award @lizelle for you and your team. You have dedicated yourself entirely to this project and here is the fruit. That now commits you even more but do not neglect your health. Many congratulations.🥰❤️❤️
I have to start looking after my health!Thank you dear @mamani🥰 I'm still keeping my options open for a change, just glad we have built it up to what it is today. Hopefully new owners continue, it's running well, a good income generator.
Have a great day.
Silver Mama Chef is very busy in Cape town at the moment.Lol.It's definitely the best BnB in Durban @lizelle. You and Arthur were the best hosts ever, such a privilege to have known him, and as for you my dear friend, are the best, most awesome person I know.
Oh wow, I forgot you're there already! Enjoy the kiddos and don't forget to show us what you're up to. Angie's artwork as well🥰
Hehe. That's the real question to be asked from employers.
It is quite a case that many of us start from one stop and end upat a place entirely different and yet our souks are empty and dreams unfulfilled. As your experience is a testimony, I believe, there is no limit to explore our desired job. We may find it anytime.
The award is well deserved, Liz. Hope you are doing well 😊
Don't even talk about that word 'experience', I feel for young people starting afresh!
Enjoy the rest of your day or is it evening by you? Lovely seeing you Amber🥰Thank you @amberkashif, yes it's never too late to start anew! I've been super blessed👏
It was late night at my side. Now it's morning 😀
It's always a great delight coming across you, sweet Liz 💖💖
Congratulation dear Lizelle, well deserved! Looking at the photos make me want to visit the place, but most of all, meet you, of course.
Wishing you a wonderful evening. I hope your health is improving 🤗
Thank you dear Erika! That would be a bigger award meeting you in person and hosting you!
Physio seems to be making a difference, holding thumbs! Thank you for the wonderful wishes.
A lovely evening for you as well💞
wow! well done you Missy x
To be fair it does look a gorgeous place to stay
Thank you young man😉, it will be our 10th birthday in October. It's been way better than having tenants, our best decision ever! The cottage charms everyone who walks through her door <3
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!
cheers @lizelle you too
What an award. ❤️
Thank you @mnurhiver!
You are welcome, my brother.
Congratulations @lizelle
It is well deserved, with all the work, effort and love you put into it 👏
Thank you @mipiano, it has been and still is a job of love❤️
Maybe upon reading your costumers and guest reviews you would have 2nd thought in giving up your business.😬.
You are so right @asiaymalay, it's going to be a very heartwrenching parting, but will have to happen sooner or later!😔
Congrats! It's always nice to be happily acknowledged.
Thank you Jacey, I have wonderful staff, can't do it without them!
Congratulations Lizelle! I really wish we could visit and experience your hospitality.
Congratulations @lizelle! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)
Your next payout target is 41000 HP.
The unit is Hive Power equivalent because post and comment rewards can be split into HP and HBD
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCheck out our last posts:
Thank you @hivebuzz 🤗
Congratulations @lizelle! You received a personal badge!
Wait until the end of Power Up Day to find out the size of your Power-Bee.
May the Hive Power be with you!
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
Check out our last posts:
Thank you @hivebuzz 😊
May I ask you to support the new proposal (#329) so HiveSQL can stay free for the community?
Thank you!