We were lucky to catch up with Liz Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?

I was 34 and had been in hospitality my whole working life. The opportunity came to me to take over the innkeeper postition on a boat I had worked on before. When I first worked here at the Covington Inn the No Wake Cafe was here on board and I was a waitress there with a bunch of my best friends and my two sisters. The previous owners closed the restaurant down in 2000 and asked me to take over as Innkeeper in 2002. I could live on board, be (mostly) my own boss and make a living? I was fully on board-sorry about the pun! I worked here as Innkeeper for almost two years and then bought the boat and business in 2004. It was scary and stressful but it was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been here 20 years now and there’s been lots of trials and tribulations but I’ve loved almost every second! I’ve been thru record breaking flood events, holes in the hull, sewage overflows, crazy guests and I’ve learned from all of it. I became a minister online so I can marry guests here at the inn and that’s been such a blessing! I’ve performed weddings for some of my best friends and close family members.

Liz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The Covington Inn is a Bed and Breakfast about a renovated towboat permanently moored on the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. There are 4 guest rooms all with private bathrooms and gas fireplaces. The views of downtown from the deck are unbeatable and the river is so peaceful and mesmerizing. The people who come to the Covington Inn like the adventure of staying on a boat on the mighty Mississippi. This is a romantic place for couples and we’ve had countless proposals, anniversaries and I’ve performed about 70 weddings here.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am an Innkeeper of an Inn on the river so the best amenity is my worst enemy. I’ve had to close down 5 times in 20 years because of river flooding. It’s heartbreaking to have to cancel on my guest’s big plans that they had been looking forward to. It’s also heartbreaking to lose the money and business I could have earned if it wasn’t for the flooding. What can I do? we can’t hold back the river and so, it is what it is. To get too worked up about it is futile-the mighty Mississippi River will not pay attention to my guest reservations and so I let my worries flow like the waters right outside my door.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Whenever you do business, get everything in writing. I learned that the hard way. I got a contractor to install outside piping to the boat and then insulate the pipes for winter. I had just bought the inn and didn’t get a clear price and then the price was over $10,000! I wound up taking the contractor to small claims court and won a bit because the price was crazy but a lot of it was my fault for getting taken advantage of. From then on I get eveything in writing and make sure parameters and guidelines are crystal clear.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.covingtoninn.com
• Instagram: the Covington Inn Bed and Breakfast
• Facebook: The Covington Inn Bed and Breakfast
• Yelp: The Covington Inn Bed and Breakfast

Image Credits
the interior shots are Xyn Ti but are not copywrited