Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

Alex and Annie
  • 5.0 (34)
  • BUSINESS
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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. London Calling: A Preview of the Short Stay Summit with Leo Walton & Sarah Nan DuPre

    1D AGO

    London Calling: A Preview of the Short Stay Summit with Leo Walton & Sarah Nan DuPre

    Send us a message! In this episode, we’re joined by Leo Walton, Co-founder of Truvi, and Sarah Nan DuPre, Strategic Partnerships Director at AirDNA. Leo and Sarah are also the co-hosts of The Check-In Podcast, and they join us for a conversation about the upcoming Short Stay Summit in London and the industry conversations surrounding it. Leo and Sarah will be serving as emcees for this year’s event, and they share why the Short Stay Summit has become such an important gathering for the industry, especially as regulation, technology, and market dynamics continue to evolve across different regions. If you’re curious about the conversations shaping the industry today, this episode offers a preview of what to expect from one of the sector’s most talked-about gatherings. Episode Chapters: 06:34 – What attendees can expect from this year’s Short Stay Summit in London 07:06 – What makes the Short Stay Summit different from other industry events 14:43 – Why bringing operators and policymakers together matters 14:56 – Key conversations happening across the short-term rental industry 25:13 – Differences between US and European operator mindsets 25:13 – How operators approach technology and tech stacks in different markets 30:35 – The growing role of AI in hospitality operations Connect with Leo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-walton-aa59bb25/ Website: https://truvi.com/  Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-nan-dupre-86815828/  Explore Short Stay Summit: Website: https://www.shortstaysummit.org/  ✨ 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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/  Reach more guests across top travel sites with BookingPal. Alex & Annie listeners get onboarding fees waived + 20% off the first two months. 👉 Click here to get started: https://alex-and-annie-offer.bookingpal.com/  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #shortstaysummitlondon

    41 min
  2. The Future of Vacation Rental Distribution with Blake Warner of BookingPal

    MAR 4

    The Future of Vacation Rental Distribution with Blake Warner of BookingPal

    Send us a message! Distribution in the vacation rental industry has never been more complex. Property managers today are balancing major OTAs, niche platforms, emerging luxury channels, and an increasingly layered tech stack, all while trying to deliver exceptional guest experiences. In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Blake Warner, CEO of BookingPal, to talk about how distribution is evolving and what it takes to build scalable infrastructure in a rapidly maturing industry. Blake shares how BookingPal operates at the center of the ecosystem, connecting property managers, PMS platforms, and global channels, and offers his perspective on where the industry is heading. The conversation explores how distribution strategies are expanding beyond the traditional OTA landscape, the opportunities emerging in luxury and niche channels, and why technology innovation must balance efficiency with simplicity. Drawing from his background in investment banking and capital markets, Blake also discusses the realities of scaling technology companies in the vacation rental space and why consolidation across the tech landscape may be inevitable. Episode Chapters: 03:01 Introducing Blake Warner, CEO of BookingPal 03:44 Blake’s background in investment banking and capital markets 04:26 What BookingPal sees across distribution channels heading into 2026 06:07 The realities of running a channel management business 12:32 New BookingPal features and product developments for 2026 15:30 Is vacation rental tech getting better or more complex? 17:05 The explosion of software tools in the STR tech stack 20:03 How many channels the average property manager distributes to 21:21 Which distribution channels are gaining traction 22:53 Luxury platforms and the blurring lines in the ecosystem 24:41 Why helping managers focus on hospitality still matters most 28:13 Travel agents, discovery, and how distribution expands the market 30:05 Why it’s difficult for vacation rental companies to go public 35:44 How the industry has evolved since pre-COVID Connect with Blake: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakewarner/ Website: https://bookingpal.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/  Reach more guests across top travel sites with BookingPal. Alex & Annie listeners get onboarding fees waived + 20% off the first two months. 👉 Click here to get started: https://alex-and-annie-offer.bookingpal.com/  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #distribution

    43 min
  3. 1st of the Month Bonus: Intentional Growth in a Rapidly Evolving STR Market with Carly Traub

    MAR 1

    1st of the Month Bonus: Intentional Growth in a Rapidly Evolving STR Market with Carly Traub

    Send us a message! Growth in short-term rentals often gets framed as a numbers game. More properties, more markets, more tech, and more scale. But what if growth isn’t about doing more but choosing better? In this 1st of the Month Bonus episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Carly Traub, Co-Founder and CEO of Lazy Sunday Rentals, to talk about what it really looks like to build a business intentionally in a fast-moving, information-heavy industry. Carly launched her company in 2022 alongside her husband, starting with a single property and quickly scaling to a growing portfolio. Like many operators, she said yes to everything early on. Over time, she realized that not all growth is aligned growth. This conversation explores the shift from reactive expansion to thoughtful refinement. Episode Chapters: 04:53 Moving from channel-dependent to brand-driven 06:15 Why saying “yes” to everything works at first and why it eventually doesn’t 07:15 Maximizing your existing tech stack before adding more tools 6:26 Evaluating return on time, not just return on money 18:23 Building a direct booking strategy that reflects your identity 27:58 How to define the kind of guest experience you actually want to deliver 31:59 Why smaller operators need a seat at the DMO table 41:26 The realities of operating in a “hot” investment market 45:29 Unrealistic investor expectations and the myth of easy remote hosting If you’re building in a crowded market and want growth that fits your vision, this episode will help you pause, refocus, and move forward with intention. Connect with Carly: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-traub-6a402325/  Website: https://lazysundayrentals.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/ #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #intentionalgrowth

    49 min
  4. The Virtual Property Management Model Explained with Tim Hubbard of Corzly

    FEB 25

    The Virtual Property Management Model Explained with Tim Hubbard of Corzly

    Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Tim Hubbard, CEO of Corzly, to break down how a virtual property management model actually works and what it takes to make it successful. Tim started in long-term rental investing before shifting into short-term rentals more than a decade ago. As his portfolio grew across multiple states, and eventually internationally, he built the systems needed to manage properties remotely. That operational backbone became Corzly, a virtual management partner now supporting property managers in more than 40 cities. Tim shares how their white-label backend model works, how they collaborate with on-the-ground teams, and where AI fits into real workflows. Not just automated check-in messages, but layered operational processes that involve owners, cleaners, early check-in requests, and revenue decisions. Episode Chapters: 1:04 – From Long-Term Rentals to a 40-City Virtual Operation 4:02 – The Idea Behind “Core Operations” 5:28 – What Virtual Property Management Actually Means 6:08 – Why 10–60 Unit Managers Are Their Sweet Spot 7:22 – Running the Backend Without Owning the Listings 11:17 – How Much Can You Really Automate With AI? 11:58 – The Early Check-In Example That Shows How Complex Workflows Get 15:55 – 225 Units Today… 10X Growth This Year? 19:58 – The Hardest Part of Scaling Across Markets 22:21 – Building Culture With a Fully Global Team 27:44 – Developing a 20-Unit Resort in Medellín 29:08 – Two Years of Permitting and What It Took to Launch If you are exploring growth, efficiency, or a different structure for your management business, this episode offers a clear look at another way to build. Connect with Tim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hubbard-str/ Website: https://corzly.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/ #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement

    35 min
  5. Boss Lady Energy: How Krista Goodrich and Kymberlee Nguyen Built Salty Dog Vacations

    FEB 18

    Boss Lady Energy: How Krista Goodrich and Kymberlee Nguyen Built Salty Dog Vacations

    Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Krista Goodrich and Kymberlee Nguyen, the duo behind Salty Dog Vacations, to talk about what it really takes to build a vacation rental company that guests remember and a team that is proud to be part of it. They share how Salty Dog grew from early investing decisions in Daytona Beach into a full-scale operation, and how their approach to branding goes beyond design choices. It shows up in the details, the guest experience, and the way they protect their people. The conversation also expands into Krista’s work in local advocacy and zoning, their broader mission to help more women build wealth through real estate, and how their community has grown through retreats and education. Episode Chapters: 08:20 – How local rules, zoning, and community involvement shape what it takes to operate responsibly 15:07 – Building a brand guests remember: personality, pet-friendly touches, and guest joy 19:37 – Krista’s “Boss Lady Investor” work, and why real estate education needs to feel accessible 25:00 – How retreats and community experiences can become part of a bigger platform, not just a side project 33:32 – What it looks like to build a company culture where your team feels protected and respected 35:44 – The moment they fired an owner, and why that decision mattered for the business long term 40:25 – Why consistency matters more than “cute ideas,” especially once you are scaling If you’re trying to build a stronger guest experience and a business that holds up as you grow, this one’s worth a listen. Connect with Kym & Krista: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-goodrich-2823198/ Podcast: https://www.thebossladyinvestor.com/ Website: https://mysaltydogvacation.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/ #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #bossladyenergy

    48 min
  6. Jeff Hurst on Why Midterm Rentals Are Gaining Ground in a Mature STR Market

    FEB 11

    Jeff Hurst on Why Midterm Rentals Are Gaining Ground in a Mature STR Market

    Send us a message! Midterm rentals are moving from a side option to a real strategy. In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former HomeAway and Expedia Group leader, to explain why 30+ day stays are gaining traction as many STR markets move into a more mature phase. Jeff breaks down what makes midterm rentals different from short-term rentals, what demand is actually driven by, and why midterm can be a strong fit for operators looking for stability, fewer turnovers, and a guest profile rooted in real-life transitions. Episode Chapters: 01:04 – Jeff’s background and how he views category shifts in rentals 06:16 – What Furnished Finder is, and what “midterm” means in practice 07:24 – Why the category is still early, and what professionalization looks like 08:35 – Who midterm guests are and what they need from a stay 12:01 – How midterm works operationally: screening, leases, deposits, and payments 22:48 – “Return on furniture” and the investment logic behind midterm 26:58 – Regulation, market maturity, and why more operators are taking midterm seriously 32:15 – Why midterm is gaining ground in saturated (mature) STR markets 33:21 – What types of properties fit midterm demand, and what does not Connect with Jeff: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hurst-atx/ Website: https://www.furnishedfinder.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/ #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #MTR

    50 min
  7. Are DMOs and Vacation Rentals Finally Ready to Work Together? with Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker

    FEB 4

    Are DMOs and Vacation Rentals Finally Ready to Work Together? with Stuart Butler and Adam Stoker

    Send us a message! Destination marketing is in a pressure test. Short-term rentals have become a major part of how people travel, yet many DMOs still struggle with how (or whether) to include them. At the same time, AI is speeding up the research-to-booking journey and forcing destinations to rethink what “relevance” even means. In this episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Stuart Butler (President of Visit Myrtle Beach) and Adam Stoker (President of Brand Revolt) to unpack what’s getting in the way, what alignment can look like, and why the next version of destination marketing is going to require better coordination across the whole destination economy. You’ll hear practical takes on funding dynamics, stakeholder value, the “illusion of relevance” in reporting, and why the future may turn DMO websites into something closer to infrastructure than a traditional marketing channel. Episode Chapters: 00:54 – Stuart’s background and how he landed in destination work 02:27 – Adam’s background and how he sees the DMO landscape 05:37 – The “illusion of relevance,” metrics, and why DMOs feel behind 07:44 – The Indianapolis example, why some DMOs leave STRs out 09:28 – Can DMOs stay relevant without vacation rentals 11:53 – Why STRs need a seat at the table and what it takes to get one 14:34 – What STR operators can do in markets without big PM groups 19:16 – Funding reality, stakeholder influence, and how STRs earn attention 22:27 – Why getting involved with a DMO teaches you more than you expect 23:51 – The bigger DMO question, purpose, scope, and identity 30:31 – How performance reporting shaped destination websites 30:54 – Why the booking engine path can be a strategic dead end 36:49 – Stewardship, community trust, and what destinations are accountable for 50:06 – AI as a watershed moment for travel discovery and decision-making 57:59 – What destination content needs to look like in an AI-first world 1:02:21 – Closing thoughts on websites, infrastructure, and the road ahead Connect with Stuart: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-butler-50aaa45/ Website: http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/ Connect with Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstoker/ Website: https://thebrandrevolt.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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/  #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #DMO

    1h 4m
  8. 1st of the Month Bonus: Bridging the Gap Between Resorts and Vacation Rental Channels with Jetstream CEO Emmanuel Lavoie

    FEB 1

    1st of the Month Bonus: Bridging the Gap Between Resorts and Vacation Rental Channels with Jetstream CEO Emmanuel Lavoie

    Send us a message! Condo-hotels and resort-style properties sit in a tricky middle ground. They are not traditional hotels, but they are not quite vacation rentals either. Many still run on hotel tech stacks, charge hotel-style commissions, and operate with hotel mindsets. Meanwhile, guests are increasingly searching on vacation rental channels, homeowners are asking why they cannot find their units online, and off-site managers charging half the commission are pulling inventory away. In our February First-of-the-Month bonus episode, we sit down with Emmanuel Lavoie, CEO of Jetstream, to unpack why so many condo-hotels and resort operators still resist distribution on channels like Airbnb and Vrbo, what it really takes to service this category well, and how AI is starting to reshape channel management. Episode Chapters: 01:17 - Leaving a 10-year engineering career for travel tech 03:33 - How a Canadian OTA accidentally became a channel manager 9:43 - Why resorts still hesitate to embrace Airbnb and Vrbo 12:00 - What full-service channel management actually includes 13:42 - Why a $10 billion company chose service over cheaper tech 15:18 - Off-site managers are winning the homeowner battle 16:56 - The challenge of selling non-unique inventory on Airbnb 24:12 - Why one listing with 300 reviews beats 50 identical listings 30:42 - Building an AI-powered guest communication system 35:27 - Using AI for listing content creation at scale 38:21 - Empowering frontline teams as AI champions 42:09 - The human side of AI disruption 44:02 - Where Jetstream is heading next Connect with Emmanuel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-lavoie-5b89b924/ Website: https://jetstreamtech.io/ ✨ 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://www.hostfully.com/influencers/alex-annie/ #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #distribution

    49 min
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5
out of 5
34 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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