Why I started Cowtown Concierge.

My contribution to the work force has been in the Hospitality industry managing Bed & Breakfasts, Small Inns & Boutique Hotels throughout Texas. Prior to that, I worked for the T&P Railroad, now the UP Railroad, in customer service. During the years of 1996-2001, I owned a business, "Inn Touch InnSitting Service", which offered property owners or managers, an opportunity to "escape" for a much needed vacation, all the while, knowing their "baby" was in good hands. Their trust and confidence were testaments to my honest and professional work ethic. Etta's Place, A Sundance Inn in Fort Worth, and The Nutt House in Granbury were two of the properties I worked.  I continue my innsitting position at The Hoopes House in Rockport, a Select Regisrty property. A little piece of heaven. The summer of 2011 marked my 13th year.  It is a comfortable & beautifully landscaped B&B.  Go Coastal!

Common responsibilities at every location were on-site property management, knowledge of business policies & procedures, daily sales revenue reports & banking transactions, booking all reservation requests (via phone, email, through on-line software, as well as, spur-of-the-moment guest walk-ins), overseeing housekeepers & schedules, as well as, menu planning, preparation & serving the guests that delicious breakfast that they so looked forward to! If you ever see a small -mini book entitled "Texas Morning Glory, Memorable Breakfast Recipes from Lone Star B&B and Inns" look for some of my recipes. Fort Worth's own, Star-telegram writer Barry Shlachter complied the book and asked me to write the introduction. It was an honor and my recipes weren't so bad either!

Common B&B guest requests were: locating a "perfect gift" for that special occasion; making dinner reservations; purchasing amusement tickets for a local play, music concert, or sporting event; arranging transportation; ordering "her" favorite flowers for delivery; scheduling massage appointments with lunch included, or preparing a "Dinner for Two" for a romantic, quiet evening alone. Directing guests for an adventurous afternoon "road trip", or to the local "hot spots," rushing clothes to a dry cleaner due to some unexpected "spill" or shopping for clothes items because someone "forgot" to pack. Haven't we all been there?

Familiarizing myself with the city or town, and making connections with the local merchants, enabled me to be the perfect hostess future travelers expected!

Interesting conversations circled the breakfast table of places they had been, where they are now and where they yearn to go.             I listened attentively, and encouraged them to focus on their vacation and enjoy their "time off" from work and daily responsibilities. When it came time to leave, some would say "Oh well, back to reality" and I would reply: "This vacation IS part of your reality. Did you have a great time and make memories?" I was well recieved with a hand shake when we first met, and often a hug upon departure. Many said I made thier stay so memorable. With those warm words, I asked myself how could I make a difference in peoples daily busy lives?

Appreciation of my interest, and concern for them to have the "best time" was my reward. Many signed my personal guest comment book with gracious and kind words. Strangers at first, friends at the end.

So, I found my niche - The position of an "InnSitter" required wearing many "hats", and I have found the same to be true as a Concierge.

One could define a Concierge as:
At someone's service, be helpful or useful, at one's disposal

I am a Concierge, at Your service, with a Serivce Heart, fulfilling Your requests that will make a difference in Your Life!

Remember to take TIME for You!