Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals Alex and Annie

Join Alex & Annie as they delve into the dynamic world of vacation rentals with Erin Booth, COO of Summit Mountain Rentals in Colorado. Erin's extensive background in the industry, from managing a single unit in Brooklyn Heights to her current leadership role, provides a wealth of knowledge and insights for listeners.

Erin's Background:

Erin Booth's journey in the vacation rental industry began with managing a single unit in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Her passion for hospitality and property management led her to tackle unique challenges, including managing properties in Fire Island—a car-free zone accessible only by ferry. Her tenure with Summit Mountain Rentals has seen her rise to the position of COO, overseeing operations in Summit County and driving strategic growth initiatives.

Mentorship and Professional Growth: 

Erin's emphasis on seeking mentorship and fostering professional development reflects the industry's collaborative nature and the benefits of learning from experienced leaders.

Strategic Expansion: 

Discover Summit Mountain Rentals' data-driven approach to expanding into new markets, including Florida, while maintaining a delicate balance between growth and respecting local market dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

💪 Overcoming Unique Challenges: Erin shares experiences from managing properties in Fire Island, New York—a car-free zone accessible only by ferry. Her journey highlights the resilience needed to navigate unique challenges in the vacation rental landscape.

📈 Adapting to Industry Changes: Erin's transition to general manager for New York underscore the importance of adaptability and strategic positioning in a constantly evolving industry.

📜 Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: Erin delves into regulatory challenges in Breckenridge, Colorado, emphasizing the critical role of active industry advocacy in shaping regulatory outcomes and protecting business interests.

Tune in to the full episode for an in-depth exploration of Erin's experiences and actionable insights for navigating the vacation rental industry successfully.

Connect with Erin Booth:

LinkedIn

Connect with Summit Mountain Rentals:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

In this episode of "Alex & Annie: the Real Women of Vacation Rentals," hosts Alex and Annie dive into the world of vacation and RV rental software with special guest Wes Smithe, the co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Direct Software. Join them as they explore Direct's evolution, innovations in direct booking, and Wes' entrepreneurial journey.

Direct Software's Impact:

Wes Smithe introduces Direct Software, a vertical SaaS platform revolutionizing asset management, booking, and back-office operations for rental managers. Learn about their direct integrations with leading channels like Airbnb and VRBO, their robust API, and their global reach supporting rental managers worldwide.

Innovations in Direct Booking:

Discover Direct Software's latest innovations, including a user-friendly content management system and a new direct booking engine designed for short-term rental managers. Wes explains how these tools enhance brand consistency, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness for rental businesses.

Key Takeaways:

💻 Tailored Solutions for Rental Managers: Direct Software offers tailored solutions for vacation and RV rental managers, with direct integrations and a focus on user-friendly technology.

⭐ Efficiency and Guest Satisfaction: The new content management system and direct booking engine are designed to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience.

💼 Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Journey: Wes Smith's entrepreneurial journey highlights the importance of mentorship, community support, and resilience in building a successful tech company.

Don't miss out on this insightful conversation!

Connect with Wes:

LinkedIn

Connect with Direct Software:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

Connect with Alex and Annie

Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, Alex & Annie welcome Rich Sippos, Head of Sales at Extenteam, to discuss how their dedicated remote staffing solutions can streamline vacation rental business. Rich shares valuable insights into Extenteam's philosophy, dispels common misconceptions, and reveals how they can support vacation rental businesses.

Rich brings a wealth of experience from the vacation rental industry, having transitioned from owning and operating his own vacation rental business to consulting and eventually finding his way to Extenteam.

Key Takeaways:

📞 Extenteam’s Offerings: Dive into the core services offered by Extenteam, focusing on full-time dedicated team members for remote work across various aspects of vacation rental management.

👨‍💼 The Evolving Staffing Model: Learn how Extenteam's dedicated team members integrate seamlessly into the business, offering a more flexible and scalable staffing approach.

🚀 Dispelling Misconceptions: Rich clarifies common misconceptions about Extenteam, emphasizing that they provide dedicated team members who integrate deeply into their clients' businesses rather than just functioning as a call center.

Tune in to the episode and gain valuable insights into the world of vacation rental management and the innovative solutions offered by Extenteam. Don't forget to take advantage of the special offer mentioned in this episode!

Connect with Rich and Extenteam:

Rich Sippos | Extenteam Website

Connect with Alex and Annie

Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Welcome to our 1st of the month bonus episode. In this episode, Alex & Annie are not fooling around with April Fools' jokes; instead, they have significant announcements to share!

Annie's New Role at NextPax

Annie unveils her new role as the Director of Technical Supply for the Americas at NextPax. She discusses her responsibilities, the potential for growth in South America, and the importance of channel management in today's vacation rental landscape. Annie shares insights on NextPax's platform and strategic partnerships that ensure efficient service for property managers.

Alex's Entrepreneurial Journey

Alex provides updates on her role as a fractional CMO, highlighting the significance of strategic leadership in marketing. She shares how her expertise helps businesses create memorable guest experiences and achieve growth.

Upcoming Industry Events and Guests

Alex & Annie discuss exciting upcoming industry events, including VRMA Spring in New Orleans, where Alex will present a session on innovative marketing strategies. They also tease upcoming podcast guests who will bring diverse perspectives and valuable insights to the show. These guests will share their expertise and success stories in the vacation rental industry, offering actionable strategies to enhance your businesses.

Don't miss out on this episode for valuable industry insights and exciting announcements.

Connect with Alex and Annie

Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

In this episode, we welcome Lynell Gordon – vacation rental expert, partner at Inhabit, and host of "How We Grow: the vacation rental show."  Lynell shares her powerful personal journey and how the practice of writing down goals and intentions has positively shaped both her life and career.

Meet Lynell:

Lynell's vacation rental expertise shines through her work with Inhabit and her podcast, "How We Grow: the vacation rental show."  Her dedication to sharing industry knowledge and personal experiences makes her a compelling voice in the field.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: 

Lynell discusses how challenging experiences, from being in Israel during a bombing attack to overcoming abusive relationships, have forged her remarkable resilience and focus on what truly matters in life.

Key Takeaways:

🧘‍♀️ The Power of the Written Word: Lynell reveals how her daily practice of goal-setting has fundamentally improved her problem-solving skills and stress management. Learn how putting pen to paper can clarify your path and boost motivation.

🎯 Goal-Driven Productivity: Discover how Lynell's system of listing daily tasks increases her focus and helps break down ambitious goals into achievable actions.

📒 Journaling for Clarity & Calm: Understand the therapeutic benefits of journaling. See how Lynell uses this practice as a tool for stress reduction, emotional processing, and identifying solutions to life's challenges.

Connect with Lynell:

LinkedIn

How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show

Connect with Alex and Annie

Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

AlexAndAnniePodcast.com

Welcome to "Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals"! In this insightful episode, we sit down with powerhouse celebrity entrepreneur and personal development leader, David Meltzer. 

David reveals his profound journey and practical strategies for finding clarity, purpose, and unlimited potential.

Learn the power of meditation to elevate your mindset, plus the value of a "be interested, not interesting" approach that will reshape how you live and lead.

Key Takeaways:

🧘‍♀️ The Power of Meditation: David discusses how meditation has been instrumental in gaining clarity and awareness in his life. Learn how meditation can elevate your frequency and unlock your inner potential.

🆚 Being Interested vs. Interesting: David's philosophy emphasizes the value of learning from others and building a supportive community. Discover the importance of staying curious and engaged in personal growth.

🍃 Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Accountability: Explore David's approach to life centered on gratitude, forgiveness, and taking responsibility for our actions. Learn how these principles can lead to a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

David's message resonates with the idea of reducing interference in our lives and living in a state of "I am." Join us in embracing these principles and unlocking the abundance that surrounds us.

Exclusive offer for Alex & Annie listeners:

Receive $150 Amazon gift card when you try Turno and its Cleaner Marketplace:  https://turno.com/offer/alexandanniepodcast/

Get 50% off your onboarding fee when you partner with Extenteam using this link (offer is valid until April 30, 2024): https://www.extenteam.com/alexandannie 

Connect with David

LinkedIn

Connect with Alex and Annie

Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

AlexAndAnniePodcast.com