Worldwide: STRz speaks to some of the ‘rentalpreneurs’ who contributed to the inaugural Hospitable Hosts book published in May this year, including its creator, Jodie Stirling.
Andrew Hanson, Pond Life Rentals [USA]:
- Please introduce yourself and your business.
Iโm Andrew Hanson, the co-founder of Pond Life Rentals, aย vacation rental management company and owner of CSย Companies, which is a family of specialised companies in the real estateย industry.
- Why did you want to contribute to Hospitable Hosts in theย first place?
I wanted to help educate and inspire others in theย industry, to show others that it doesnโt matter what yourย background is that if you go out and work hard you can rise toย the top!
- What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘rentalpreneur’?
This means everything to me, especially just being a recentย nominee for the ‘2022 Entrepreneur of the Year‘ here in Newย Hampshire. To me, it means that you have several differentย businesses and are making an impact in many ways on yourย local economy, all while having the ability to serve others andย make an impact on their lives.
- What is one notable passage or story from the book thatย readers should look out for in your contribution?
The sectionย where I share my top five quick tipsย for new hosts and property managers that are planning to getย into this industry. This is a must-read section of the chapter!
- If you had just one piece of advice to give to prospective orย new hosts, what would it be? Or looking back in hindsight,ย what would you have done differently as a host starting out if anything?
My advice would be to go out and buy Hospitable Hosts.ย That would be a great start with overย 40 expert authors giving out their advice, then start to networkย and join like-minded groups and masterminds that can help youย expand your context and reality. The best way to start is justย that “Start” and you can figure out the rest on the journey!
Tatianna Taylor-Tait, Tatianna Taylor-Tait Ltd [Canada]:
- Please introduce yourself and your business.
- Why did you want to contribute to Hospitable Hosts in theย first place?
- What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘rentalpreneur’?
- What is one notable passage or story from the book thatย readers should look out for in your contribution?
- If you had just one piece of advice to give to prospective orย new hosts, what would it be? Or looking back in hindsight,ย what would you have done differently as a host starting out ifย anything?
Tracey Northcott, Tokyo Family Stays [Japan]:
- Please introduce yourself and your business.
- Why did you want to contribute to Hospitable Hosts in theย first place?
I wanted to tell my story and hopefully inspire other hosts thatย despite setbacks, you can rebuild after a disaster.
- What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘rentalpreneur’?
- What is one notable passage or story from the book that readers should look out for in your contribution?
- If you had just one piece of advice to give to prospective orย new hosts, what would it be? Or looking back in hindsight,ย what would you have done differently as a host starting out ifย anything?
Toby Dore, Cajun Stays [USA]:
- Please introduce yourself and your business.
- Why did you want to contribute to Hospitable Hosts in theย first place?
- What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘rentalpreneur’?
- What is one notable passage or story from the book thatย readers should look out for in your contribution?
- If you had just one piece of advice to give to prospective orย new hosts, what would it be? Or Looking back in hindsight,ย what would you have done differently as a host starting out ifย anything?
Sean McGregor, SWAP CoHosting [USA]:
I am the chief experience officer of Stay Work And Play or SWAP CoHosting for short.ย SWAPย CoHosting has over 2,400 reviews, our SuperHosts have had aย 4.96 star rating since 2018, and SWAP is so confident in theย experience provided that it offers a five-star guarantee whereย no commission is owed if a guest leaves anything otherย than a five-star review.
Lizzie, Owl Valley Glamping [UK]:
- Please introduce yourself and your business.
Hi, Iโm Lizzie and I am a co-owner of Owl Valley Glamping, situated in North Devon, UK.
- Why did you want to contribute to Hospitable Hosts in theย first place?
My main reason for contributing to Hospitable Hosts was because theย idea of the book made me really excited. Itโs something really unique and itย really intrigued me.
- What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘rentalpreneur’?
To me, being a โrentalpreneurโ gave my family and I the time andย freedom to be together and help make some lifelong dreams a reality.
- What is one notable passage or story from the book thatย readers should look out for in your contribution?
Whilst we may not be the biggest or the most experienced, we are justย โnormal’ people who have jumped in with both feet and are enjoying theย process.
- If you had just one piece of advice to give to prospective orย new hosts, what would it be? Or looking back in hindsight,ย what would you have done differently as a host starting out ifย anything?
My one piece of advice is donโt sweat the small stuff. Not everything isย going to go the way you wished, hoped or planned for and thatโs okay. Also,ย hosting can at times feel like a really lonely profession – social media is yourย friend, network and connection. Youโll find the most amazing community ofย crazy, knowledgeable individuals to help guide you and be your biggestย cheerleaders along the way.
Jodie Stirling – “the visionary behind the book”
Stirling knows that beingย hospitable is about ensuring her guests have a wonderfulย experience, not just a place to lay their heads. She had the vision to share her story and the stories of others from around the world about their passion for the short-term rental industry. Each author shares their journey of how they got to where they are in the industry and who their mostย memorable guests were. Hospitable Hosts is also an education toolย as each author shares their top tips to inspire others.
Boostly, I-PRAC, SUPERHOG, Operto, Invested Talent, BNB Amplify sponsored the project. All proceeds from the sale of the book have been donated toย the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London andย WarChild.