Name: Company Information: A.G. Thompson House Historic Bed & Breakfast Inn

Location: Duluth, Minnesota

Company Web site: http://www.thomsonhouse.biz/

Number of employees: Two to four (depending on the season)

Year Founded: 2007

2009 Revenues: $250,000

What were some of the challenges in getting your business started? “Getting the financing was a huge hurdle. We were told no probably 20 to 30 times until we finally got a maybe from someone. It was so frustrating.”
What was the key to the success of your business? “A lot of hard work and persistence. The military teaches you about hard work and to not take no for an answer, and that helped a lot.”

What advice can you share with other veteran business owners? “Try unconventional things, if you have to. Keep throwing offers until something sticks, and don’t ever give up. There is something special about working for yourself.”

Name: Tim Allen

Age: 49

Service branch: U. S. Air Force

Military Service: 1984-2007

Highest Rank Attained: Major (O-4)

Kids: One

Age(s): 19

How Do You Unwind? We unwind by visiting the many places we send our guests. We love going to restaurants and bars. And we also love to explore Duluth and Minnesota’s North shore.

Three things you’ll always find in your refrigerator: Wine, Diet Coke and breakfast items.

Beer or Wine: Wine

Chicken or beef: Neither. My wife and I haven’t consumed meat in over 20 years.

Favorite movie: “The Princess Bride”

What do you drive? Mercury Mountaineer and a Ford Explorer.

Biggest regret: Honestly, I don’t have any big regrets.

What about your business keeps you up at night? The fear of being unsuccessful as innkeepers.

How many hours per week do you put in at your business: 80

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