Meet Sue Foster of The Cottages on Mill Creek in Round Top

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Foster.

Sue, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
People often ask if owning a B&B was a lifelong dream of mine. In actuality, it was an accident which started with a convertible I purchased once my kids were more independent. With everyone else in the family busy with their interests, I decided to start exploring mine by taking drives to the country to visit the small towns whose names had always interested me. The first was old Dime Box. When I arrived, all I found was a lovely old building with a sign outside “Jehovah Jirah,” “God provides.” Definitely an omen.

Personally, my husband and I were trying to decide what retirement would look like for him and eventually for me. We talked about possibly going into the mission field. I was a teacher and he is an extremely gifted manager with a special skill for people development. We had made no decisions, but since I was spending more and more time in the country, he suggested we get an actual house to accommodate BOTH of us. This property went on the market about three months after we began our search. I thought we were looking more out of curiosity than intent to buy, as the multiple cottages and rolling acreage was beyond the scale of anything I had imagined. As we walked through the cottages, I shared my vision of what I believed was possible in terms of income if we operated it as a B&B. As the realtor and I walked on, Jeff lingered and walked the entire fence line. When he arrived where we were standing, he declared that he loved it, and if we bought it he would always have something to do in retirement. We made an offer, and after a few tense weeks, it was accepted.

We began operating as a B&B five months after closing, almost three years ago. We added the Tin Barn as a flexible lodging/venue space between the first and second year and that was so terrifying and energizing and a great creative release! I love preparing the space for new guests, praying over each room and the coming stay. I enjoy sharing our peaceful haven with others who need it. It became clear shortly after guests began arriving that THIS was a worthy mission field and what we provide in terms of peace and comfort is healing too many who need it. It truly is a privilege. As long as I maintain that ideal as my goal, business continues to grow. We have now branched out into doing corporate retreats and events such as weddings, and I hope to add art, yoga and writing retreats and workshops as well. We are currently beginning some renovations and updates to the Main House and the Bliss Cottage.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The three years have flown by so quickly! The biggest challenge was finding balance. I have a clear vision of what I want the experience to be and with such a large property, I can see the many ways in which it currently falls short of the vision. The to-do list I carry around in my head could (and sometimes does) easily overwhelm my joy if I let it. I strive to be patient and take small bites at a time to focus on. Aside from Antique Weeks, when we are fully booked for about three straight weeks, I try to maintain time to write, work out and marvel at my surroundings at least a little bit each day. I have gotten much more efficient in the work of cooking, cleaning, etc., but I don’t want it to become mundane and burdensome, because that would affect the guests’ experience as well.

In addition, sharing your home and your space with so many people is a very intimate and personal experience, so the other challenge comes in taking criticism and suggestions in stride, without being hurt. Despite my best efforts to be sure the guests are getting what they seek and understand what we have to offer, on rare occasions, it is not a match. It’s hard for me to accept that I won’t always “wow” them.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Cottages on Mill Creek – what should we know?
We are a bed and breakfast and event facility on 35 acres just 6 miles from Round Top Square. We have 2 vintage cottages, a converted pole barn, and rooms in the main house that together lodge up to 23 people in 17 beds. Lodging always includes a daily home-cooked breakfast with the freshest local, organic and tasty ingredients I can find. We accommodate dietary requests including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. In addition to breakfast, which we serve from our outdoor kitchen, we offer afternoon snacks and social time.

For events and workshops, the barn is equipped with specially designed table/beds and half-size benches which give us flexible space for event seating for up to 60 people in the barn or beside the pond under the oaks. The barn lighting is workshop quality and we look forward to hosting a large variety of workshops. The covered back porch on the main house has a concrete floor and canvas drop-sides to protect from inclement weather while maintaining a view of the pond and acreage beyond. There are 2 fire pits, a creek, miniature horses, donkeys, and cattle on the property, as well as a stocked fishing pond. We are even listed on a camping website and offer individual or group camping with either use of the barn facilities or remote primitive camping.

As for my proudest moment, from the time I first went into the barn, I had wanted to transform it into a gathering spot and a showpiece for the property. I had no experience with a project of this type, and after being told by 2 contractors that the only viable way to make it work would be to tear it down and build a new structure, I was fortunate enough to find an expert craftsman who was willing to make it work and later an electrician who was genius at making the space useful and attractive.

The day my first bride exited the barn and walked to the altar by the pond, my vision was realized. It was beautiful and I cried. I had never dived in so deeply to something in which I had no experience whatsoever. It was scary and rewarding.

As an owner/operator, I feel like our specialty is definitely being able to provide a personal touch. Though we occasionally contract help, we do not have staff. My husband and I both wear all the hats required to make things run smoothly. Though that can be busy and stressful, it allows us to tailor each experience and become personally involved.

Another thing that sets us apart is our desire to maintain a high quality experience at a price point that allows everyone to enjoy the countryside we love so much. We COULD charge more, but we choose to remain accessible. I love to share my knowledge of the country with those who don’t have a chance to experience it often.

Image Credit:
Dixieray Photography
Trox Photography
Spectator photography

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