Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Doer of the Week: Jolene

Calling this Dreamer a Renaissance woman would be a vast understatement. Jolene is an event planner, an innkeeper, and a reporter, but that's just on a slow day.

When did you start your business?
In 2008.

What were you doing (careerwise) when you decided to create your own business?
Writing and property management.

What inspired you to do this?
Serendipity, along with a property and a dream too amazing to overlook.

How did you turn your idea into a business plan?
I am a creator and a visionary with a strong belief in “wicked good” serendipity. My passion is hospitality -- and vintage and bungalows. What better mix? I just formed a framework of an idea and began moving quickly, and the bungalow decor and vision was a second sense.

What was your start-up cost? How did you get the money and what did you use it for?
The total start-up was from a life savings ... from years of saving.

What was the biggest obstacle?
Rezoning properties and getting my ideas onto paper for the web pages of each specific part of my business.

Did your friends and family support your dream?
They go with me on this, for I am generally fearless and hugely optimistic in my endeavors. Some will fail, others will soar, is what I feel. Life is to be lived, no?

How did you maintain your confidence when doors were closed in your face, when people didn’t get it or said “no”?
“No” is a driving force that leads me to find an answer or alternate route!

How long did it take for your business to become a reality?
The guest bungalow was opened in three months. The night of the grand opening, while the cables for television were being installed, the first guests arrived. Oh, but the pictures they took! The year was quite remarkable.

What's the hardest part of what you do?
Setting any sort of limitations for the guests, from accommodations to their requests. I'm one who naturally thrives on offering hospitality.

What's the most fun part of what you do?
Meeting people and embracing vintage!

Where do you work from?
I work from a variety of my own offices, the bungalows, and the road -- the notepad and laptop follow. I am a person in constant motion. I usually sleep only four hours a night.

Do you have employees?
Yes, my planners and partners each partake of a percentage of profits.

How have you been using social media to grow your business?
I’m a networking maven!

Do you have entrepreneurial role models? What’s so inspiring about them?
I adore Martha Stewart, naturally. I also admire those individuals who take on the day and are fearless, as well as those who do something that gives back to those who are plagued with disease of the mind, heart, soul, or body.

How did you learn and acquire the skills you use to make your business successful? How do you continue to grow and learn?
Property management is the experience backdrop. I am always growing and seeking new experiences -- it’s never-ending!

What's the best piece of business advice you ever received?
“I am not afraid ... I was born to do this.” -- Joan of Arc

If you had it to do over again, what, if anything, would you do differently?
Get a crystal ball to foresee the economic slump that is impacting so many business and personal incomes!

See all Doers of the Week

Keep Up with Jolene the Bungalow Gal
Twitter: Jolenetwits; QuiteJolene; AmericanGIJO
Facebook: Jolene Bungalow Gal; Quite the Stir Bungalow
Inn: quitethestir.com; quitethestirbungalowandbreakfast.blogspot.com
Event Planning: creatingquitethestir.com; creatingquitethestir.blogspot.com

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Comment by Jolene on October 8, 2010 at 9:30pm: Thank you all so much, Dahlinks! Guess WHAT?! My Dress?! It is Vintage! Oh, yes!

Each one of YOU are PHENOMENAL entrepreneurs and huge hugs! The Sky is not really the limit, keep soaring! Isn't this the greatest site ever?!

Well, I'm off now in my vintage car...for my four hours of fearless sleep. Hoot!

Hubba, Hubba
Jolene

Comment by Ann R. Walsh on October 7, 2010 at 9:54pm: Woah, girl...so glad I saw this!! You are amazing. I am so lucky to have gotten to know you, as well as all of the dreamer/doer gals(as well as several guys!). What a fabulous group. Congrats to you, lady!!!! Hugs, A

Comment by Monica Greene on October 6, 2010 at 9:58am: Wonderful!!! Congrats!!

Comment by Kim M. Byers on October 5, 2010 at 4:53pm: Congratulations and "yay!" for being fearless!

Comment by Bird's Party on October 4, 2010 at 12:07pm: Congratulations! Always nice to hear about inspiring stories!!
xoxo
Bird

Comment by Rhonda Knauf on October 2, 2010 at 8:24am: Congrats! You really deserve it!

Comment by Kristy McCarthy~The Purple Pug on October 2, 2010 at 8:07am: Congratulations. What an interesting business! Wishing you much continued success:)

Comment by Kathy Hamrick on September 29, 2010 at 9:55pm: Ms. Molly & Company commernts : Jolene, I can only say from my heart and soul to a very inspirational woman and entrepreneur : "You look just wounderful my dear...."

Comment by Barbara Doran on September 29, 2010 at 9:04pm: Jolene, Love your photo, nice to see you out from the silhouette! I loved reading your story. You are an inspiration! Congratulations. Barbara

Comment by Cherrl-Lou Jacobson on September 29, 2010 at 8:01pm: Wonderful, WONDERFUL!

Comment by Meilie Moy-Hodnett on September 29, 2010 at 7:46pm: If you like vintage then it looks like your Inn is The Place to stay! Serene and old fashioned with a flair. A nice place to stop and smell the roses and let the world's chaos pass you by!

Comment by Jane Strauss on September 29, 2010 at 6:48pm: Congrats!
Janey

Comment by Mary Stanczyk on September 29, 2010 at 6:28pm: This is soooo Good! Doer of the Week!! Congrats Jolene!!

Comment by Victoria Silva on September 29, 2010 at 5:50pm: Jolene...This couldn't be more well deserved than for you to receive this honor...you are an inspiration to all women to be unique...and drum to your own drumbeat... not copying others creativity... but be the creatress yourself!!

Wish I could give you a big hug!!!
Victoria

Comment by Peggy Gaffney on September 29, 2010 at 5:41pm: Way to go Jolene! You look great!

Comment by Andrea Chocoholic on September 29, 2010 at 5:33pm: Congratulations Jolene! And you look lovely in your beautiful dress!

Comment by Rupa Wickrama on September 29, 2010 at 5:14pm: Congratulations!

Comment by Kate Sanner on September 29, 2010 at 4:58pm: WooHoo Jolene!! Congratulations!!

Comment by Lisa G.~ Polka Dot Pound Cake on September 29, 2010 at 4:52pm: Hooray for you sweetie!!! I am smiling as I type this......You look fabulous!!!
Hubba hubba ;)
xo