In this episode of How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide. Together, they explore how to boost your reputation through: Crafting your own narrative Becoming an expert in the industry Communicating interesting information regularly with owners Jessica is Founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a specialist pub…

In this episode of How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Fred Boothby of Enjoy Unique Stays. Together, they explore: The value of mentorship across the vacation rental industry Why you should view each business operation as a separate entity The opportunities for inspiration that come from opening up your home In 2019, Fred co-founded Enjoy …

In this episode of How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Justin Ford of Breezeway. Together, they explore: Taking appropriate safety measures for hot tubs and pools Where the real risks lie with fire pits Guests’ increasing focus on safety Justin is the Director of Short-Term Rental Safety and Certification Programs Director at Breezeway, as…

This was another breakout month for me for buying groups as I was able to order over $200k worth of product, mostly from echo dots. I am very happy with the automation tools that I've set up for BGs and hoping for more deals like this in the future!By Connor

In this episode of How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Justin Ford of Breezeway. Together, they explore: Why accidents are so common in vacation rentals The most common causes of injuries and fatalities and how to prevent them The toxic mindset many are plagued with Justin is the Director of Short-Term Rental Safety and Certification Progr…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Mahwussh Alam, the CEO of One Perfect Stay. Join them as they: Dive into Mahwussh’s journey from starting in the vacation rental space during Airbnb's rise in Dubai to her aspirations of managing thousands of units across the Middle East Uncover the strategies…

Season 2 Episode 13 : Paying the price of silence (Guests Scott Fasano, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Amy Hinote)By Heather

In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Vickie Storm of iTrip. Together, they cover: Why to consider using a franchise model Key benchmarks when scaling a franchise Advice for switching to a franchise model How franchising often exceeds expectations Since 2016, Vickie has been involved with iTrip, i…

Out in the open! Straight Fire VR speaks with guests about their outspoken opinions on three very important players in the industry: the three V’s, VRMA, Vacasa, and VRBO. Joining us this week in the crossfire are two outspoken industry experts: the Founder of Seattle Vacation Homes, Andy Morris, and the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Manager at Shor…

In this episode I chat with a member of the Slack on how one might be able to leverage churning skills towards other "AP" ventures such as sports betting and casino games. Resources discussed in the episode: Risk of Ruin podcast Circles Off podcast The Unabated Podcast Be Better Bettors podcast Gamberly (message to get into the Discord) Betbash con…

Straight Fire VR is keeping an eye on the market that is heating up in time for summer. AirBnB’s stock prices have seen a rocket ride this past year and they have taken a bigger bite of the market share. Will it last and what does their high rise mean for the industry? Also, does Expedia need an exit ramp for VRBO? Our experts debate. And with more…

In this episode of How We Grow, host and vacation rental industry veteran Lynell Gordon is joined by Eric Goldreyer of bnbfinder. Together, they cover: Why property managers are driving direct reservations Eric’s advice for vacation rental managers: have a website How travelers are actively searching for the option to book direct Eric is CEO of bnb…

This month had it's ups and downs with some successes with Best Buy and Pepper but had a series of missing items shipping to buying groups. It was overall a solid month but I missed on a few key spots that could have made it even better. To join the free Slack group, head over to churninglife.com.By Connor

In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Adam Knight of Recreation Vacation Rentals. Together, they cover: The four ‘C’s of hospitality What makes good communication with owners How to grow when you can’t afford to hire new team members How negative experiences can improve your approach to hospitalit…

Vacasa, a onetime Unicorn in the Vacation Rental industry is now a struggling property management company. With prices as of April 9, 2021 of of over $200 a share to now trading under $6.00, where did it all go wrong? Straight Fire VR performs an autopsy to investigate the cause of death. Our Guests former Vacasa Sales Executive Dan Sawyer and Vaca…

In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Tim Woodward of Local Social. Together, they cover: Strategies for leveraging vacation rental analytics How to maximize property revenue in each quarter Demand and price sensitivity in revenue management Rental management differences in East versus West Tim se…

VRMA is the largest Vacation Rental Manager's association in the world. Recent low attendance and leadership shakeups has raised eyebrows in the industry. Our panel guests Scott Leggat and Amber Carpenter do a deep dive to try to uncover what is at the root of recent chaos.By Heather

The firestorm that the vacation world has seen in the last few years may have cleared the forest floor a bit and allowed the surviving players to grow. In this week’s episode, our guests speak about the players that are left on the board and the new moves they may take to raise capital and grow using a leaner and more profitable model. Guests Marcu…

In this episode I talk with Logan from Aligned Incentives about how he started his gift card brokerage and how it operates today. To join the free Slack group, head over to churninglife.com.By Connor

In this episode of How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit. Together, they cover: ● Inhabit’s history from start-up to industry leader ● How Inhabit is bringing products from residential properties to vacation rentals ● How Inhabit is solving property manager pain points Lisa is CEO of Inhabit, a leader in both the vac…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Jim Bizily of I Love Vacations. Together, they cover: Why a solid team and inventory are key to successful growth How to refine hiring to ensure the right people are in the right seats Why it’s crucial to define your mission and goals early Jim Bizily is Found…

Message Received? Answer: MAYBE. Have you noticed your emails falling short lately? Many property managers may have noticed their emails being sent coming up short, and this could be due to new changes over at Google. If undeliverable messages and email kickbacks seem like a real “kick in the business,” it could be that your marketing team is unawa…

Business is continuing to go well with Best Buy with laptops and this month I was able to buy Playstation Portals for the first time. I did have a few issues with packages not getting delivered and I had my first missing items case with Amazon. I also recap my experience with the Bank of America business checking bonus and how I eventually got it t…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Lino Maldonado of BeHome 247 at the Streamline Conference 2023. Together, they cover: How to use technology wisely Why you should be aware of Hilton Hotel Group’s partnership with Tesla Why now is the time to introduce electric vehicle (EV) charging into your …

If as a property manager you are feeling that the headwinds are quickly turning into a hurricane, you are not alone. Increasing labor prices, lowered ADR and shortened stays require a manager ro become more sophisticated with your marketing and data collection. Straight Fire VR Episode 6 goes in depth with Jeff Robertson and Co Founder of ShortCuts…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Rachele Hobbs of Hobbs Realty at the Streamline Conference 2023. Together, they cover: How to achieve high guest loyalty Why you need to know your business goals to grow Hobbs Realty’s unique care offering: Hobbspitality Rachele is CEO of Hobbs Realty, a famil…

Women make up 70% of the vacation rental industry workforce but hold only a fraction of leadership roles. In this episode we speak with two female business owners about the landscape of the changing industry and technology challenges. We also touch upon recent domestic violence claims in the industry and how speaking up and standing together helps …

A recap of our week-long trip in Miami and St Croix, USVI, where we had a really fun experience. I also discuss the latest Wyndham/Vacasa and Hyatt devaluations and what's next after Best Buy. To join the free Slack group and sign up for the mailing list, head over to churninglife.com.By Connor

Join Lynell Gordon as she sits down with Tiffany Edwards of Coletta Consulting LLC to ask Governor DeSantis to veto Senate Bill 280. This bill should be vetoed because it: Will harm Florida tourism and property rights Lacks consumer protection measures Makes it harder for families to find accommodation due to its maximum occupancy rules Allows a ta…

SPECIAL ALERT EPISODE! An urgent CALL TO ACTION is needed. Our latest Straight Fire VR episode outlines Florida SB 280 which passed the house and now threatens the industry if Governor De Santis signs it. Our fellow vacation rental owners and industry experts, Tiffany Edwards and Ben Edwards talk about the lobbying efforts being made on our behalf …

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by industry veteran Scott Leggat. Together, they cover: The current regulatory landscape facing short-term rentals The need for local alliances and trade organizations Why you can’t act like your business is safe from regulatory changes Scott is the Director of G…

Spring may be the time of the year that the weather finally thaws winter's stronghold on the ground. This spring, as the weather gently warms across America it is also the time we are seeing bookings start to increase. The cooler markets of the last two years may be seeing a warming up as ADR drops. Property manager are looking closely at where mar…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by John Suzuki of Finding Better. Together, they cover: The importance of setting goals Fostering inclusivity in the workplace Finding joy in work and personal life With a history in the vacation rental industry, John is now an Author and Speaker, committed to tr…

This month I didn't sign up for any new credit cards, but instead put a lot of effort into figuring out how to order from Best Buy and had good success with dropshipping Echo Dots. I also spent a lot of time at the Apple store on the Apple Vision Pros, which turned out to be profitable for me despite not being as good as we had expected. To join th…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Andy Newman of Newman Hospitality. Together, they cover: Why you need to learn how to delegate How Newman Hospitality has grown through playing The importance of knowing when to quit In 2014, Andy Founded Newman Hospitality, a Superhost on Airbnb and Premiere …

Season 2 Episode 2: Team Pink and the Pink Slip examines the recent layoffs industry wide. From #Vacasa, #Expedia, #Sonders and #Frontdesk have rattled the industry. Returning Guest Michelle Marquis discusses with Host Steve Milo what is rooted in these layoffs and what it means for the industry in 2024. First quarter of 2024 may almost be done, bu…

Straight Fire VR is back and no topic is safe from our sights. It is 2024 and we are ready to take score. In our sights this week we will be looking at women on the rise to powerful positions in the industry, decoding Airbnb “Hot Air” reports. We will also be taking a serious look at what the moral and ethical responsibilities for a company when cr…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Jodi Cleer of I Love Vacations. Together, they cover: How community relationships and technology can help with fast-paced growth Avoiding the growing pains that come from growing too fast The true heartwarming spirit of hospitality Jodi is Chief Marketing Offi…

I start with a deep dive into what happened with the crypto collapse and the bankruptcy of "crypto lending" platforms, then discuss what we can learn from them and how to think about the risk with churning-related activities. To join the free Slack group and sign up for the mailing list, head over to churninglife.com.…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Alex Zemianek of JZ Vacation Rentals. Together, they cover: How to sustainably grow a business Why knowing your end goal is imperative to growing your business The power of networking Alex is the Founder and CEO of JZ Vacation Rentals, one of the midwest’s lar…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by John Suzuki of Finding Better. Together, they cover: Why curiosity is key to growth How self-empowerment can change your life and your business Why change is not a bad thing With a history in the vacation rental industry, John is now an Author, Speaker, and Sa…

Amex continues to be very strong and will put me in a great position for the first half of 2024. It was another decent month for Amazon and I'm looking ahead to scale up WM & BB spend. I also discuss the Apple Vision Pro release and what's going on with Paypal Bill Pay.By Connor

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Sarah Bernard of Red Key Realty Leaders and Sonnenblick Chalet. Together, they cover: Real estate misconceptions How to make the leap to real estate Managing two businesses in COVID Sarah is a Realtor at Red Key Realty Leaders, specializing in home sales in th…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Rachel Alday of Abode Luxury Rentals. Topics they cover: Organic business growth Fostering authentic relationships Opportunities to learn from mistakes Rachel Alday is the Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, a Utah-based property management and va…

A recap of my recent trip to St. Anton, Austria to go skiing with my brother. The skiing was awesome and it was a really fun trip! Flights: PDX-SFO-FRA-INN on UA/LH/EN for 90k Aeroplan + $94. ZRH-LHR-LAX-PDX on BA/AA/AA for 57.5k AA miles + $102. Hotel: Omaela Apartments: $1,300 for 4 nights. Skiing: $243 for a lift ticket for 3 days (not per day).…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Francois Gouelo of Enso Connect. Topics they cover: The future of AI in hospitality Potential AI use cases Using AI to train your team Francois Gouelo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enso Connect, a guest experience operating software that leverages smart home de…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Fred Cercena of GetAway Vacations.. Topics they cover: The importance of branding Marketing to existing clients Software for building relationships with guests Fred Cercena is the CEO and Founder of GetAway Vacations, Killington’s Premier Vacation Rental Compa…

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Valerie Budd and Jessica Grogan from Rent Branson. Topics they cover: The importance of a good property management system Why you need to document and communicate your processes How Jessica learned to always ask questions Jessica Grogan is the Chief Operating …

This was the highest intensity month I have had to date, with a lot of great deals to wrap up the end of the year. The main ones were AirPods from Verizon and Capital One Shopping Portal referrals, but there were some other gift card deals mixed in as well as the usual Amazon BG stuff.By Connor

In this episode of How We Grow: The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Tiffany Hobbs Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and BIC at Hobbs Realty. Topics they cover: Growing your inventory by homeowner acquisition Strategies for dealing with difficult homeowners Revenue management and dynamic pricing A Holden Beach native, Tiffany was…