Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

Alex and Annie
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With more than 35 years of combined experience in vacation rentals, Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe have teamed up to connect the dots between inspiration and opportunity, seeking to find the one story, idea, strategy or decision that led to their guests big A-HA moment. Join them, as they highlight the REAL stories behind the people and brands that have built vacation rentals into the 100 BILLION dollar industry it is today.

  1. From One Swiss Chalet to a Global Luxury Portfolio with Moriya Rockman of Smiling House Luxury

    4D AGO

    From One Swiss Chalet to a Global Luxury Portfolio with Moriya Rockman of Smiling House Luxury

    Send us a message! In this episode, we sit down with Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House Luxury, to explore how a single personal vacation home in the Swiss Alps became the starting point for a global luxury vacation rental portfolio. Moriya shares her journey from accidental host to global founder, including why she and her husband chose to stay hands-on operators while scaling internationally. She explains how staying close to hospitality standards shaped every stage of growth, from property management to technology. The conversation also explores Villa Tracker, a B2B-to-C platform she founded that connects luxury homes with travel designers, concierges, and advisors booking on behalf of clients. Moriya breaks down why this channel matters, how it opens untapped demand beyond OTAs, and what it means for hosts and property managers looking to reach a different tier of traveler. We also dive into global luxury travel trends, emerging destinations, and why private homes continue to outperform hotels for group travel, longer stays, and experience-driven trips. This episode offers a grounded look at scaling thoughtfully, building through relationships, and creating long-term opportunity in luxury vacation rentals without losing sight of hospitality. Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals 01:18 – Turning a Swiss Chalet Into a Vacation Rental Business 03:25 – How to Scale a Luxury Vacation Rental Portfolio 06:57 – Building a Global Luxury Brand While Staying an Operator 09:49 – B2B Travel Bookings for Vacation Rentals Explained 12:30 – Beyond Airbnb and OTAs for Luxury Rentals 14:33 – How Luxury Travel Advisors Book Private Homes 18:57 – Working With Individual Hosts and Property Managers 22:59 – Technology Partnerships for Luxury Vacation Rentals 25:57 – Is Luxury Travel Recession-Proof? 28:10 – Why Groups and Multi-Generational Travel Choose Private Homes 30:33 – Emerging Luxury Travel Destinations to Watch 33:59 – Experiencing Luxury Properties in the Off-Season 38:19 – Women in Vacation Rental Leadership Connect with Moriya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriya-rockman-a3467a13a/  Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiling-house/  ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Streamline your short-term rental operations with Hostfully. Mention the Alex & Annie Podcast when you sign up and get free onboarding ($1000 value). 👉 Click here to get started: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #luxuryvacationrentals

    40 min
  2. Culture Over Features: Building a Human-First Tech Company with Frank Bosi of Hostfully

    JAN 7

    Culture Over Features: Building a Human-First Tech Company with Frank Bosi of Hostfully

    Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Frank Bosi, Senior Director of Partnerships at Hostfully, to unpack what it really takes to build a tech company that people trust. Frank’s journey began in luxury hotels long before short-term rentals became a professionalized industry. That hospitality foundation now shapes how he approaches partnerships, leadership, and growth inside one of the most culture-driven PMS brands in the space. This conversation explores why culture scales faster than software, how AI can actually bring hospitality back into operations, and what property managers should be focusing on as expectations rise across the industry. You’ll also hear a behind-the-scenes look at Hostfully’s approach to partnerships, onboarding, and product development, including how real user feedback influences what gets built next. Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals 05:00 – Frank Bosi’s role at Hostfully and his focus on partnerships, education, and industry visibility 09:40 – Frank reflects on his hotel background and why consistency, care, and service still define great guest experience 21:17 – Inside Hostfully’s day-to-day culture, trust, flexibility, and leadership principles 15:14 – Why Hostfully feels different to operators and how people shape the product experience 10:43 – Using AI intentionally to preserve brand voice, personalization, and hospitality 40:28 – The biggest challenges operators are trying to solve right now 16:36 – Collaboration, ecosystem thinking, and why relationships still matter in tech 36:28 – How Hostfully supports operators at every stage of growth 26:00 – Hostfully’s funding story and choosing partners aligned with long-term values Frank also shares his perspective on industry consolidation, rising professionalism among operators, and why modern property management systems have become the backbone of scalable operations. This conversation explores what happens when technology is built around people, not the other way around. Connect with Frank: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-bosi-375a5817/ Connect with Hostfully: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hostfully-inc-/ Website: https://www.hostfully.com/  ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Streamline your short-term rental operations with Hostfully. Mention the Alex & Annie Podcast when you sign up and get free onboarding ($1000 value). 👉 Click here to get started: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #PMS

    54 min
  3. 1st of the Year Special Episode: Charging into 2026 — The Year of the Horse

    JAN 1

    1st of the Year Special Episode: Charging into 2026 — The Year of the Horse

    Send us a message! Welcome to the 1st of the year special episode. Alex & Annie are kicking off 2026 by looking back at the moments that shaped 2025, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and the intentions guiding the year ahead. They share how the podcast evolved over the past year, including more on site recordings and conference conversations than ever, plus why storytelling is becoming a bigger advantage for vacation rental brands right now. You’ll also hear Alex’s personal announcement, perfectly timed for the Year of the Horse, and the top episodes of 2025 that listeners loved most. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the First Episode of 2026   01:05 Why This Annual Episode Matters   02:45 Reflecting on the Moments That Defined 2025   06:10 Taking the Podcast On Site and Into Conferences   08:50 Travel Stories, Italy, and Unexpected Highlights   13:20 What’s Coming in 2026 for the Podcast   16:45 Words of the Year and Personal Intentions   27:30 Alex’ Personal Announcement and New Chapter   35:50 The Top Episodes of 2025   52:10 Gratitude, Community, and Looking Ahead What’s your Word of the Year for 2026? Send Alex and Annie a message on LinkedIn. They genuinely want to hear what you’re focusing on this year. ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Streamline your short-term rental operations with Hostfully. Mention the Alex & Annie Podcast when you sign up and get free onboarding ($1000 value). 👉 Click here to get started: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #strindustry

    54 min
  4. From Rocks to Remarkable: The Making of Destin Dreamers, with Arlen Busenitz

    2025-12-31

    From Rocks to Remarkable: The Making of Destin Dreamers, with Arlen Busenitz

    Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Arlen Busenitz to talk about his unconventional path from a Kansas farm to pastoring a small-town church, volunteering as an EMT, working with NASA through a defense contractor, and ultimately becoming CEO of Destin Dreamers.  Before he was running a luxury vacation rental company on Florida's Emerald Coast, Arlen was hauling 500-pound rocks in a 1976 Jeep pickup to pay for college. It's an unlikely origin story but one that laid the foundation for everything he's built since. Packed with practical frameworks, hard-won wisdom, and what Annie coins "Arlenisms," this is the story of how grit, perspective, and a relationship-first philosophy built a standout brand in one of the most competitive vacation rental markets in the country. We cover: 1️⃣ Why people do not buy stays, but experiences, outcomes, and peace of mind 2️⃣ How calm leadership changes the way teams, guests, and owners respond under pressure 3️⃣ Why simplifying operations is the real foundation for scalable growth 4️⃣ How to identify owner fit and why saying no protects your team and your culture 5️⃣ Practical frameworks for preventing issues and responding clearly when they arise 6️⃣ How Destin Dreamers balances systems, structure, and human judgment 7️⃣ Where AI fits in guest communication and where it should not 8️⃣ What it means to lead in a competitive market without panic or burnout Connect with Arlen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abflorida/ Website:https://www.destindreamers.com/  Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement

    53 min
  5. Sarah Bradford Unfiltered: Fix These Vacation Rental Mistakes Before 2026

    2025-12-24

    Sarah Bradford Unfiltered: Fix These Vacation Rental Mistakes Before 2026

    Send us a message! In this unfiltered conversation, Sarah Bradford joins us once again to break down the most common and costly mistakes she sees vacation rental operators still making today. Drawing from more than two decades in the industry and her experience building, scaling, and ultimately selling two successful vacation rental companies, Sarah revisits pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, operations, and decision-making.  This episode is practical, direct, and rooted in real situations. From financial missteps and weak owner communication to outdated technology, unhealthy competition mindsets, and tolerating the wrong homeowners, Sarah shares what she would fix immediately if she were starting again today. As the industry heads into 2026, this conversation offers a timely reality check on what needs to change and what operators can no longer afford to ignore. We cover: 1️⃣ The financial habits that quietly put operators at risk 2️⃣ Why trust accounting, budgeting, and clean books are non-negotiable 3️⃣ Common owner relationship mistakes that lead to unnecessary churn 4️⃣ How silence from homeowners can signal problems long before complaints 5️⃣ Why competing on commission is rarely the right move 6️⃣ The danger of delaying technology and PMS upgrades 7️⃣ How weak company culture shows up in performance and retention 8️⃣ When to say no to homeowners 9️⃣ Why outdated homes hurt your brand more than you think 🔟 What operators should fix now to stay competitive heading into 2026 Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bradford-032129b1/  Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement

    59 min
  6. DARM 2025 Fireside Chats: What the Industry Is Finally Saying Out Loud

    2025-12-17

    DARM 2025 Fireside Chats: What the Industry Is Finally Saying Out Loud

    Send us a message! This episode was recorded live at DARM 2025, right in the middle of the event, while the conversations were still unfolding and the energy was still fresh.  Alex & Annie sit down for two fireside chats with Alex Cisneros (StayTerra) and Dennis Goedheid (Casiola) to talk through what’s showing up in the industry right now, and what operators are being asked to decide even when the path forward is not perfectly clear.  If you were at DARM, this conversation will likely put words to what you were feeling. And if you weren’t, it offers a clear window into the discussions that mattered most this year. What you’ll hear in this episode: 1️⃣ Why StayTerra targets reputable, community‑rooted operators 2️⃣ Where centralization helps, and where local teams must stay empowered. 3️⃣ Why multi-brand scale starts with getting data into one place 4️⃣ Why loyalty is still tough to crack in vacation rentals. 5️⃣ A more grounded take on luxury: less formality, more ease. 6️⃣ How Casiola is building growth through partnerships and ambassadors. 7️⃣ AI guest service that anticipates needs and raises expectations fast. 8️⃣ The next challenge: being discovered when AI gives only a few options.  Connect with Alex Cisneros: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjcisneros/ Website: https://stayterravaca.com/  Connect with Dennis Goedheid: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisgoedheid/ Website: https://www.casiola.com/  Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #DARM2025

    44 min
  7. Reinventing the Backend: Jim Devos Debuts VRWorks

    2025-12-10

    Reinventing the Backend: Jim Devos Debuts VRWorks

    Send us a message! In this episode, we are joined by Jim DeVos, industry veteran, former co-owner of Best Beach Getaways, for the first public reveal of VR Works — the backend system he spent years building to fix the operational pain points he couldn’t ignore. Jim breaks down how VR Works evolved from an internal solution into a fully integrated platform, how it nearly doubled their profit, and why an operator-first mindset shaped every design decision. He also explains the onboarding and pricing philosophy behind VR Works, and why he believes now is the right moment to introduce it to the wider industry. If you’re curious how seasoned operators who have lived every operational pain point design systems that make teams faster, owners happier, and scaling far less chaotic, this conversation is a must listen. We Discuss: 1️⃣ The operational challenges that sparked VR Works 2️⃣ How building internally led to faster, clearer workflows 3️⃣ The specific efficiencies that nearly doubled their net profit 4️⃣ Why an operator-first mindset shaped every design choice 5️⃣ Reducing migration pain through smarter data import and onboarding 6️⃣ Why he’s introducing VR Works now 7️⃣  Updates on Swanky Vacay and his continued operator journey Connect with Jim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-devos-35254912/  VRWorks: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vrworks-llc/  Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. Considering an exit strategy? Discover how Nocturne Luxury Villas helps vacation rental founders protect their legacy while unlocking new opportunities. 👉 Contact anthonybarrera@nocturneluxuryvillas.com  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #hospitalitytech

    37 min
  8. The Guest-First Strategy: How Brandon Hall Built a Scalable Vacation Rental Brand

    2025-12-03

    The Guest-First Strategy: How Brandon Hall Built a Scalable Vacation Rental Brand

    Send us a message! In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Hall, Founder and CEO of Hallson Hospitality, to explore how a guest-first philosophy can become a true engine for growth in the vacation rental industry. Brandon’s journey into hospitality began long before he managed homes. After co-founding OneHope Wine and spending 15 years growing a nationally recognized brand, he developed a deep understanding of customer experience, brand building, and emotional connection. Those principles shaped the DNA of Hallson Hospitality and helped him grow from three homes to eighty while keeping hospitality at the center. That approach earned Hallson Hospitality national recognition, including being named 2024 Vacation Rental Management Company of the Year by VRMA - a clear testament to the power of guest-first thinking at scale. Across this conversation, Brandon shares the mindset, touchpoints, systems, and leadership decisions that allowed him to scale without losing the heart of his brand. We cover: 1️⃣ How a guest-first philosophy creates long-term scalability 2️⃣ The role of brand standards in building a portfolio that performs 3️⃣ Why he turns away owners who don’t align with the guest-first model 4️⃣ Small touches that create big loyalty 5️⃣ How team culture supports hospitality at scale 6️⃣ The tech stack behind the scenes 7️⃣ His approach to responsible scaling in 2026 Connect with Brandon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonhall/ Website: https://hallson.co/ Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value). 👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025. Considering an exit strategy? Discover how Nocturne Luxury Villas helps vacation rental founders protect their legacy while unlocking new opportunities. 👉 Contact anthonybarrera@nocturneluxuryvillas.com  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #guestexperience

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

With more than 35 years of combined experience in vacation rentals, Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe have teamed up to connect the dots between inspiration and opportunity, seeking to find the one story, idea, strategy or decision that led to their guests big A-HA moment. Join them, as they highlight the REAL stories behind the people and brands that have built vacation rentals into the 100 BILLION dollar industry it is today.

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