WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…
In the best of times, the small business owner finds it difficult to break away and take any kind of a vacation. So in more difficult economic times, it stands to reason that most small business owners shouldn’t even consider it. Yet, according to Peter Hans of Resort Maps, creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England and Puerto Rico, that kind of thinking could end up costing the small business owner far more than he or she might lose by taking some time off.
“It’s the very nature of a small business owner to think that they’re indispensible and that if they take some time off, they will miss an opportunity. The truth is by not taking the time off to recharge your batteries, you run a bigger risk of not performing at the level you need to be at to be successful in business,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc.
So, how does the small business owner take a vacation and keep his or her business viable? Hans says there are ways to accomplish both, including:
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Planning to take one week off per year and budgeting accordingly. Make your vendors and customers aware that you will be taking time off for a certain period well in advance.
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Partnering with like businesses to cover for you while you’re gone (e.g. the owner of a telecommunications company services accounts for the owner of another telecom company, so he/she can take vacation). That favor is then returned so the other owner can take vacation.
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Bartering organizations – If money is an issue in taking time off, bartering organizations provide a way to get away without spending a lot of cash. In these organizations, you offer your product or service and receive bartering dollars in return. Those bartering dollars can then be spent on timeshares, condo rentals or any other vacation-related offerings offered by other members of the bartering organization.
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Staycations – many people think you have to get away to have a vacation. There are many hidden treasures within a 3-hour radius of your home which can make for a great day trip. While different from an extended stay vacation, a staycation can be just as much fun without keeping you away from your business for more than a day or two.
“Being your own boss is one of the rewards of running your own business. Yet if you worked for a boss who didn’t let you take some time off every now and then, you probably wouldn’t work for that person,” said Hans. “Sometimes the small business owner must realize that in addition to being their own boss, they are also their own employee and entitled to some time off.”
For those small business owners looking to take some time off, Resort Maps offer a number of ideas on possible local excursions. Colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort cities and towns across 20 states, as well as parts of the UK, Resort Maps advertise restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. With landmarks prominently displayed on the maps, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to plan a trip—whether you’re just visiting, new to an area or a longtime resident looking to explore what’s happening around your town.
To view Resort Maps cities and towns, please visit www.resortmaps.com. To inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise—an opportunity that frees its franchisees from the Monday to Friday, 9-5 grind, you can get more information on the Web site as well or by calling 802-496-6277.
About Resort Maps
Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises grown to nearly 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.
For more information on Resort Maps the company and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.
Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City, Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).
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