Apr
29
Brian

We are putting the finishing touches on The Resort Life Insider and expect to launch in the coming weeks. Each insider page is devoted to a specific resort town or region and will be hosted by a long-time local resident. The Insider pages will feature a blog and Q & A section that helps the user understand the unique aspects of daily life in an area.

Mar
24
Brian

 If you are looking for a business for sale in a resort or vacation area it is imperative that you are patient and diligent during your search process. Over the years we have seen many people jump into businesses in which they had no prior experience. In fact, some had never considered owning or operating that type of business, or were only mildly interested in it, before they made the purchase. They were so anxious to move to their new dream destination and work for themselves that they simply took the best opportunity that...

Feb
26
Brian

When was the last time you heard that advice? Well, we’re going to tell you that when the time comes to scrutinize a business for sale in a resort or vacation area you need to follow the time tested parameters of business evaluation and valuation before you make an offer.  Do not allow the influence of the area and its emotional or aesthetic appeal carry any undo weight in the decision to buy a business.  Be careful not to be blinded by the Elysian Fields.

Jan
21
Brian

Many long-time owners of businesses in resort towns often to feel like they operate in a bubble, and in some ways they are correct. The rules of game are somewhat distorted in vacation areas due to the seasonal nature of the business and the reliance upon tourists for the majority of their traffic. However, the resort area business owner should also be aware of the fact that the bulk of their customers reside in the ‘real world’.

Jan
4
Brian

People long to live in and own a business in a resort or vacation area as a means to escape the trappings of modern life, which is increasingly influenced by our ‘connectedness.’  The person who does not own a smart phone, send text messages, or complain about the daily avalanche of emails is a rare bird indeed. Just as ubiquitous most people’s lives is social media. As a business owner, whether you are in Atlanta or Aspen, Minneapolis or Maui, you should not ignore the power and ease of Twitter and Facebook.

Dec
11
Brian

Over the years we have looked at hundreds, if not thousands, of websites of small businesses located in resort areas.  We’ve noticed that, in general, these sites tend to be less sophisticated, and therefore less effective, than their counterparts in more populated regions. We can venture a few guesses as to why this is the case, and we’ll explain why ignoring technology is an extremely bad idea, no matter how beautiful your natural surroundings.

Nov
1
Brian

Despite an economy that is still sluggish, ski areas are feeling positive and looking towards the future. Major projects are underway or recently completed in many Colorado areas and the entire Tahoe region seems to be...

Sep
19
Brian

Many thanks to the folks, and sponsors at Boulder Beta. Last Thursday's event was phenomenal, where hundreds of people in the Boulder startup community turned out to see what was happening on the cutting edge. As with everywhere we go, people were very enthusiastic about our vision of helping people live and work for themselves in the place of their dreams. We had lots of people searching for businesses for sale in their favorite resort towns as they were checking out our site...

Sep
10
Brian

Resort Business Opportunities has been invited to be one of the featured businesses at Boulder Beta on September 15. This is one of the premier startup events in Boulder, Colorado, which was named the best startup town in America by Bloomber BusinessWeek. We are very excited about this opportunity as this event is attended by over 300 people, many of whom are very well entrenched in this dynamic startup community. And, the event is a lot of fun as there are food and drinks served, music playing...

Aug
30
Reid

Users can now be notified via email every time a new business for sale that meets their criteria is listed on Go-RBO.com. Users can set up alerts by business-type, geography, outdoor recreation options, price, or any combination thereof.

Aug
7
Reid

At RBO our goal is to be the resource for those searching for a resort or recreation area business for sale. We want to help people realize their dream of living and working for themselves in that perfect place. To that end we are pleased to announce that we are preparing to launch the Resort Life Insider Network. This feature, which will be completely unique to RBO, will be hosted by a local expert from resort areas around the country. These “insiders” will essentially act as bloggers and forum moderators and...

Jul
6
Brian

Finding the perfect match- a fun, profitable business in a great resort town- is the ideal exit strategy that runs through many people's minds when they are daydreaming at their desks. Of course the reality is usually somewhat different. When searching for a business for sale in a resort or outdoor recreation area the fact of the matter is that the options are more than likely going to be limited.

Jun
6
Brian

Identifying the right resort area business for sale is just the first step on the path of realizing the dream of business ownership in an idyllic location. After the business purchase, (and most likely the relocation of yourself and/or your family to the area,) and the turnover of the keys, a new set of challenges present themselves. If the business requires employees to help with the day to day functions then staffing will often be one of the most demanding aspects of the operation.

May
13
Reid

Taking the leap and moving to a resort town is not a decision to be taken lightly, by anyone. Neither is buying a small business, in any location. Combining the two, at the same time, certainly takes some guts. There are risks that extend beyond financial concerns: you may not like the resort town that you had once found so idyllic; or the business you chose to buy and operate may not be as enjoyable, or easy to run, as you had anticipated. Both could be true.

Apr
13
Brian

If you are searching for the perfect resort or outdoor recreation business for sale then an RV park or campground may be the perfect opportunity for a number of reasons. First off, you get to spend a lot of time outside- and if the surroundings are pleasurable enough that people drive to there to camp, then we'll bet it beats any office. Second, the customers tend to be pretty laid back, and, for the most part enjoying themselves; after all they're on vacation or retired.

Apr
1
Brian

If you dream of owning your own business in a resort town you essentially have two options: find an existing business for sale; or start a business from the ground up. The general wisdom is that it is always less risky to buy an established business. There are many reasons for this, but it’s especially true in resort and vacation areas. We’ll explain why in a bit, but first, the basics:

Mar
12
Brian

Lately we’ve been doing a lot of analysis on business for sale trends in resort, vacation, and outdoor recreation markets. In our most recent study we looked at three distinctly different resort areas around the country: Winter Park, Colorado; Hayward Lakes, Wisconsin and the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Our goal was to determine how many businesses and commercial properties were for sale in these markets and exactly where those businesses were being advertised.

The results confirmed what we already knew, before the...

Feb
22
Brian

We recently came across this article in the Wall Street Journal, "Market for Vacation Homes Is on the Rise." We've been saying for months that if you are looking for a resort, vacation, or recreation business for sale then right now is the time to buy. The dramatic increase in second home purchases in resort areas, as shown in the Wall Street Journal article, is the most compelling evidence yet that...

Feb
16
Brian

Have you been looking for an Inn or B&B for sale, but are not quite sure if it is really what you would like to do as you new full-time job? Consider taking an "Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar." This is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the day to day realities of running a small hotel, inn, or bed and breakfast.

Jan
30
Brian

As we reported in a recent post, nowadays, given the difficulty of obtaining traditional financing to buy a business, many owners are offering to carry the note on their business for sale as a means of finding a buyer. This method of attracting potential buyers has certainly become more prevalent, maybe out of desperation, but it is important to remember that it is not without risks.

Jan
18
Brian

On Friday we were down in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado and met with Charlie Cole of Cole Acquisition Partners of Durango, CO. We were discussing the state of the market for vacation and outdoor recreation properties. His take: demand is very strong, supply is good, and financing is almost non-existent.

Jan
7
Brian

I attended the International Sportsman's Expo in Denver Yesterday and in-between drooling over lots of cool stuff (truck campers, drift boats, $1000 fly rods) I managed to talk to some people about their outlook on business in 2011. I spent most of my time speaking to the owners of outfitters, fishing guide services and hunting and fishing lodges, mainly from Alaska and Oregon. Every one of them had a positive outlook on 2011.

Jan
4
Brian

Snow's good. As in- the snowfall has been good, great, and even historic, throughout the West. As in- the snow is good for business.

For skiers and snowboarders the early season accumulations are blanketing ski areas with a feeling of euphoria; especially after so many years of drought in a number of regions. For business owners there is a sense of relief. After two recession-winters nothing (short of global financial reform and sky-rocketing consumer confidence) is more important to a ski area business owner than...

Dec
13
Brian

I came across this article recently on Yahoo! (courtesy of CNN Money.com): "I Started a Business in Paradise!" We've seen dozens of these types of pieces in mainstream publications over the past few years. After all it is the goal of our website- to help people make the transition into the business and lifestyle of their dreams- so we are always...

Nov
29
Michael

Resort Community spirit, and how to capitalize from it

Part of living in a small, resort town is the enjoyment of getting to know your neighbors and feeling like you're part of a community. In a small town, there's the sense that you're all in it together. People help each other, lending a hand where it's needed. What you might not know is that that community spirit can also help you build and launch your business!

Nov
18
Brian

Inspiration.  It’s the underlying theme of this blog, and in fact the whole website. We want to help people step out of their ordinary lives… and make a giant leap into a new one. We want to inspire people to live the kind of life that they have always fantasized about.  Most people have this dream, (myself included) but not everyone has the cajones to make it happen.  Here’s an example of a couple who did make it happen.  

Nov
13
Brian

Plan to Buy a Ski Business While Skiing

It’s mid-November and the snow is starting to fall and the lifts are slowly beginning to turn. In another 10 days nearly every ski resort in the country will be open for the Thanksgiving holidays. For the owners of businesses in these areas they are gearing up and anxiously awaiting their busy season. Selling their business is the last thing on their mind right now- they’re focused on training staff, upping inventory, and watching the weather forecast. You should be...

Nov
2
Brian
Oh isn't life going to be grand? You've finally decided to pull the trigger, buy a business in a resort area, and become an RRE (Rat Race Escapee). Most of your friends and family are excited for you and your new adventure. Other's think you're insane (though they are secretly jealous of your audacity). There will be all of the standard arguments against the move: 1) what do you know about operating a resort business? 2) What will your kids do-whether grown or still at home? 3) What if you don't like it? 4) What if you get sick? 5)...
Oct
11
Brian

So you are considering moving to a Rocky Mountain Ski Town? For nearly everyone who has ever considered it, or actually gone through with it, it is no light matter.  For most it is akin to moving to a foreign country. 18 years ago I cashed my last pay check from my first post-college job. Life in cubicle in New Jersey was not for me and I knew it before I started! I packed up my 13 year old Toyota Tercel, stopped in Kentucky and picked up a friend I had met while doing a semester abroad in college, and headed west.

1
Sep
21
Michael

Ever wonder how to build a business that works well during all seasons? Given the large number of resort-style businesses that cater to single-season vacationers, I thought I’d focus today’s blog on building an all-season business.

Aug
24
Brian

A recession-proof resort/vacation business? Is there such a thing? In this economy isn't everyone, everywhere, (with the exception of pro-athletes, celebrities and the just-plain-wealthy) tightening their belts, spending less and not going on extravagant vacations? Sure, that's accurate too a degree, but the operative word is extravagant. Life is tough and seemingly getting tougher, but people still need to get away. So where are they going? Camping. That's right, in this economy campgrounds are doing extremely well. It doesn't...

3
Aug
24
Michael

Preparing for the perfect life isn’t all fun and games, but it isn’t all tedious work, either. I’d rather be planning my life and business in paradise any day rather than spend another day in the concrete jungle. Here are eight steps toward creating a plan and building your business. These steps should help guarantee that the road to paradise isn’t too bumpy. We want to hear from you about your questions and experiences, so please join in on the discussion in the comments section.

Aug
20
Brian

Thanks for visiting our site and for your interest in this, our first post on the Resort Business Life blog - an excited series of discussions about life and business in resort towns. It is also the first block laid in the foundation of our "resort business community". We aim to be much more than just a place to buy or sell a resort area business. Our goal is to eventually be THE place to find relevant information regarding resort lifestyles and businesses.

2
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