Challenger Spotlight: Michael Edwards, The Collins House Inn Bed & Breakfast

The Collins House Inn Bed & Breakfast provides 5 star lodging accommodations for the leisure traveler and business guests journeying through Southwest Virginia. Business owner Michael Edwards says, “The Inn is a place that our guests can avoid the hustle and bustle and impersonalization of a typical hotel or motel stay—guests are pampered in a quiet, relaxing, comfortable environment—enjoying Collins House Inn hospitality and memorable breakfasts that are hallmarks of the Collins House Inn.” Trip Advisor users rated it a 5.0 out of 5.0, making it the #1 lodging venue in Marion, Virginia. The Collins House Inn is also a tourist destination for outdoor recreational activities, including hiking and fly-fishing. Educational programs are offered at the Collins House Inn by private and public partnerships with local experts and the Henderson School of Arts and Music in Marion, Virginia. The Collins House Inn hopes to expand soon. “Expansion plans include focus as a tourist destination for motorcycle and car club tours,” says Michael. With this expansion, jobs will be added through contract services that specialize in motorcycle touring, fly-fishing, and day hiking. Along with these new services, a division of the Collins House Inn will be opened in Marion, Virginia. Future funding for the Inn would include the ability to purchase inventory to support fly-fishing, day hiker and AT hiker sundries, as well as offer stipends to interns who will be working on the focused programs.