There are several reasons that we believe the concept of "Bibi's Bed & Breakfast" works well all on it's own.
- A Bed & Breakfast would be an opportunity for Bibi to get introduced to new people and new personalities. She is already a social bird and enjoys it greatly when people come over to visit.
- Starting up and running a Bed & Breakfast will certainly be challenging. Yet it is a realistic goal and one that many people have acheived.
- Over the years we have become comfortable sharing a significant part of our lives through Bibi's webcam. Running a Bed & Breakfast would extend that sharing and allow people who really wish to visit Bibi an opportunity to do so.
- Bibi would be more than a simple mascot. While we could never guarantee everyone would get to meet Bibi on a day she is talkative and interactive it is likely that a majority of the time people will be amazed when they meet her in person.
The Synergy with a Bibi Reality Show
Starting this Bed & Breakfast we will have many of the same opportunities and challenges as anyone else who has started a B&B. We need a good location. We need a place that is clean and well maintained. It needs to be marketed well on the Internet. Having much of the process of starting a Bed & Breakfast open to a live web cam and incorporating our progress into a reality show pitch can lead in a lot of different directions.
Producers want a show that has challenges and conflict
Pursuing the goal of starting a Bed & Breakfast provides purpose and direction for the 'reality show'. People who come to the Bed & Breakfast can have the opportunity if they wish to perhaps be part of the show. This introduces new 'characters' and chances for producers to come up with all sorts of ways to 'energize' the show. The obstacles and setbacks we will certainly face become opportunities in the eyes of a producer as will our success.
If we do a good job on the pilot episode, energize Bibi's wonderful fan base to help us with some promotion, and perhaps get a little bit of luck thrown in as well... it maybe possible that Animal Planet or another one of the many networks will work with us. If so then their producers may have an idea that will work far better than us starting a Bed & Breakfast.
Is this outcome a longshot? Yes, it probably is. But far crazier things have happened and I believe Bibi may just have the personality that will get a producer to give the idea a shot.
Launching the B&B
It is probably obvious to all of Bibi's fans that we particularly do not care to be on TV or be known by millions of people. Much of what motivates us is to share Bibi with others. Owning a nice B&B that can pay the bills and allow us live in a nice location will be worth the hard work and effort.
There are a few key "MUSTS" that we would have in place before we open for business.
- We require a location where Bibi & Gracie would both have an opportunity to spend more time outside in nice weather. This means that we will look to warmer climates.
- A qualified attendant will be hired to keep cages clean, interact with visitors, and make sure all birds including Bibi are well taken care of and looked after at all times.
- There will be an outdoor Aviary that is secure. We would perhaps consider adding a few other Greys or other birds if the B&B is proving successful.
- A competent and experienced manager would be employed to run day to day operations.
