IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH KATE FROM THE ASBURY PARK INN, A BED & BREAKFAST IN ASBURY PARK FOR COASTAL NJ SMALL BUSINESS.
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Kate and her husband now own the Inn, but she was in private equity in NYC for close to ten years.
Kate wanted to do something more rewarding. She had gone to culinary school in NYC before focusing on client services and knew she wanted to do something like this that could combine these talents and interests.
Kate said, “Owning the Inn is great, because I can work in my own home on my own terms doing what I love.” She also recognizes the value of giving back through the community and environment.
She makes breakfast for her guests every day with local ingredients and food. She gets eggs, produce, and meats from a local farm in Howell and other ingredients from local small shops. This is just one way that the Inn stays green and local. By using locally grown products, the local businesses thrive and less harm is done to the environment.
She also meets many people. Most who stay there are from New Jersey. On this, Kate said, “The most rewarding part is meeting and spending time with guests; there are great people in New Jersey.”
The Inn is two blocks from the beach. Kate spoke about the changes she has seen in the community, “There is a huge revitalization in Asbury Park…It was grass roots getting it started. A small group of dedicated people invested in the city to help new businesses open up and making it a shore destination.”
One of the greatest lessons Kate has learned from being a small business owner is that giving back and being part of the community is important. She said, “You only get what you give. Putting your time in is important and really hard work. It has been eye opening how much work is actually involved in owning a seasonal business.” 
She added that she has great respect for people with seasonal business and that there is great morale with all small businesses and mentioned how the comradery that exists between small business owners is incredible. That is what keeps small businesses and communities thriving.
