Buying
a campsite could give you a better work/life
balance
Owning a lifestyle business is something many of us dream about. But, in
the cold hard light of day, the realities of becoming a business owner prevent
lots of us from realising that dream. And it’s true that, when running your own
business, you can work longer hours for less money than the hordes who remain
in a PAYE situation. Reality checks aside, though, there are some lovely
businesses out there that do provide a great work/life balance. Take campsites
as a perfect example. They’re popular holiday destinations here in the UK,
typically located in beauty spots or in rural settings. And, given the type of
custom they draw on, owning a campsite shouldn’t be a 24 hour-a-day,
365-day-a-year occupation.
Why a campsite is the perfect lifestyle business – if it fits in with
your life
There are lots of lifestyle businesses out there – from bed and
breakfast businesses through to dog-walking franchises. But few of them offer
all of the benefits of running a campsite. Imagine waking up in the
countryside, being outdoors most of the time and greeting holiday-makers who,
in the main, will be in good spirits – they’re on holiday, after all!
And then imagine doing that every day – even Sundays and Bank Holidays –
from spring through to the end of summer.
For that’s what a lifestyle business, like a campsite, entails. It will
take over your life for at least half of the year. There’s a big hint in half
of the word itself too; a lifestyle business is about marrying your business
with your life. Whatever lifestyle business you choose then – whether it’s a
campsite or not – make sure it fits in with your life.
No two lives are exactly the same, of course. And one person’s idea of lifestyle is going to be quite different from that of somebody else’s too. You’re not going to enjoy walking dogs if you’re allergic to all things canine. By the same token, you’re not going to find a campsite the perfect lifestyle business if you don’t enjoy dealing with people – or being outdoors!
What makes a good campsite owner?
Like any business owner – whether in a lifestyle business or anything
else – you’ll need to possess certain character traits to make it successful.
We’ve covered off dealing with people, but there’s more to it than that. A
campsite is delivering on a promise to its customers. A promise that they’re
going to be able to relax, stress free, and enjoy their well-earned holiday.
So, it’s all about customer service and delivering above and beyond what those
holiday-makers expect. That way you’re more likely to enjoy repeat business and
attract positive reviews on websites that can make or break a campsite or
holiday park.
You’ll also need good organisational skills to be able to manage operations. If your campsite is busy when it should be, you’ll be running what might be a 24-7 business. You won’t need to be awake for all of those hours, of course, but somebody might be. And you’ll need to ensure that everything, from the catering to the cleaning and the cash flow to the health and safety compliance, runs smoothly. The only thing you won’t be in control of is the weather!
How do you buy a campsite?
If you’re organised and committed, and you’ve decided that being
outdoors and dealing with people is the type of lifestyle business you’d thrive
in, how do you go about buying a campsite? DaltonsBusiness features thousands of businesses for sale at any one time, and has a
section dedicated to campsites for sale.
Location is going to be key, and you should look for a business that
will appeal to holiday makers as well as you and your family. Think national
parks, forest holidays or anywhere near to the coast. The great news for
campsite owners is that British holiday makers are choosing to take their
breaks here in the UK. The ‘staycation’ has become increasingly popular. Whether
that’s down to the poor exchange rate, a desire to support homegrown businesses
or, simply, better weather these days, it’s certainly a boost for the UK
tourist industry. And it’s another reason why running a campsite could be the
perfect business and lifestyle decision for you.
For more useful articles on becoming a business owner, and seeing a
better work/life balance, take a look at the advice section on DaltonsBusiness.
