This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an&nbsp;all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business.  In a thirty-year period, every industry will show massive change and it takes resilience, toughness, and a lot of flexibility to navigate through it in the way Valerie Hawkins has done with Perdido Realty. Valerie has been a prominent figure in the vacation rental business since 1994. Starting with just three properties, she has grown her business to 167 units, focusing on the importance of trust with property owners, guests, the local community, and her team. From the early use of paper catalogs to the current implementation of advanced property management systems. Valerie stresses the importance of adapting to new tools to improve efficiency but also underscores the necessity of keeping personal interactions at the forefront of guest services. She shares her experiences with implementing the Entrepreneurs Operating System (EOS) and updating HR practices to improve team management and company efficiency. She is justifiably proud of the reputable legacy she's building for Perdido Realty and reflects on how the company has evolved and how the team culture has shifted to include younger members, bringing new perspectives to the business. In this episode Valerie shares her 30-plus-year journey and why she’s just as motivated today as she was at the beginning.   ____________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training:&nbsp;  Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:

VRS554 - From Tape Charts to Technology: A 30-Year Journey with Valerie Hawkins of Perdido Realty Vacations

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an&nbsp;all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business.  Today’s guest is on a mission to solve industry- wide problems that few others are prepared to trial. She says it’s for good reason – because they aren’t easy. Undeterred (or just belligerent) Rachel rolls her sleeves up, weighs stinky bins, asks a lot of questions, raises funds and collaborates across the industry to create change. It’s a great story. In 2011, with a very small baby in tow, Rachel started renting her cottage. She ran it for 4 years before she set up New Forest Escapes, partly with the goal of encouraging more people to holiday in the UK, reducing travel emissions and making UK holidays an alternative to overseas family travel. Her experience in sustainable projects and travel over the years makes her uniquely suitable to be leading the way in greener tourism.&nbsp; We hear how and why she went down the route of gaining B-Corp certification and what she is doing now to ensure those who stay in her properties benefit from the work she’s done. The whole conversation about sustainability is so relevant to the work we’re doing on our THRIVE training system.&nbsp; In the module on Responsibility there’s a lesson on Environmental Responsibilities, and now I can put the New Forest Escapes website into the Resources section and include information on B-Corp Certification. This is the joy of continuous learning - that it never stops evolving as we come across new things to share.&nbsp; If you are interested in finding out more about THRIVE, just check below. In the episode, Rachel shares:   Her journey into sustainable rentals   Why you shouldn’t mention the ‘S’ word &amp; the better alternatives   What goes into B-Corp certification   A simple furniture change that will wow your guests (and their feathered friends)   How weighing stinky bins can help change minds   Simple things that make a real difference   Ways to help guests get greener   &nbsp; Links:        &nbsp;  ___________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training:&nbsp;  Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:

VRS555 - Sustainable Stays: Rachel Parsons and the New Forest Escapes Revolution

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an&nbsp;all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business.  Getting involved in advocacy means more than just making a token appearance at a council meeting when they are discussing short term rental issues. &nbsp;It means having a voice and getting a seat at the table. &nbsp;When Ben Pereira started to build his Yukon-based business, he took this seriously and realized that you have to show up to be heard.&nbsp; Now, as the Chair of the Housing Committee on Whitehorse City Council, he can make his stakeholders' views known and considered. In this episode, Ben talks about the uniqueness of his business, which involves a wide range of guest personas, from sports teams and adventure seekers to families preparing for imminent childbirth. &nbsp; It’s a fascinating look into a model of business that requires a good deal of flexibility, tolerance, and empathy.&nbsp; On top of that, there’s the ever-present threat of regulations, and we hear how Ben uses his position to share the benefits of short-term rentals in his community.  ______________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training:&nbsp;  Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:

VRS556 - Voices from the Yukon:  Ben Pereira’s Pioneering Approach at Neighbourly North

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an&nbsp;all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business.  Being a property manager is more than just acquiring homes, sourcing guests and creating experiences for them.&nbsp; It’s about making a mark in the local area and being seen as an effective community partner and advocate. In this episode, Heather is joined by industry veteran, Kirsten King from Curate Telluride, a vacation rental management company with a strong community focus. Kirsten shares her journey from starting Big Sky Vacation Rentals to her current venture, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of running a vacation rental business in small, destination towns. She draws on these experiences to share advice and suggestions for vacation rental managers who want to integrate community-centric practices into their business models. Kirsten talks about the strategic shift in her business approach towards community involvement, partnerships with local non-profits, and how these collaborations make the&nbsp; guest experiences so much better while contributing to&nbsp; community well-being. Heather and Kirsten delve into the dynamics of managing vacation rental properties in competitive markets, the role of trust and values in business operations, and the potential impacts of short-term rentals on local communities.  ______________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training:&nbsp;  Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:

VRS557 - Beyond Bookings:  Unlocking the Power of Vacation Rentals for Local Good with Kirsten King

Listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:  http://www.cottageblogger.com/vrs174

VRS174 - Digital Welcome Book wih Henry Bennett of Your Welcome

Listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:     Want to get access to some of our best tools?  Get The Toolbox &gt;&gt;

VRS354 – It’s Our Time – Why We Need A Route To Professional Development

VRS355 - A Short-Term Rental Advocacy Masterclass with Dana Lubner

VRS356 - The crazy summer of 2020 with Andy Meddick of Seachange Vacation Rentals

VRS357 - 2020 VR Tech Award Finalists

VRS358 - Knowing Your Numbers - The Metrics of Owner Acquisition

VRS359 - Are You Meeting Your Short Term Rental Hospitality Touchpoints?

Heather Bayer, Co-Founder of the Vacation Rental Formula Business School and creator of the THRIVE Training System shares her expert insights on the vacation rental industry, offering strategies, resources, and marketing techniques to give you an edge in your vacation rental venture.

Learn how to turn your vacation rental business into a profitable endeavor that affords you both time and freedom to pursue your passions.

Heather openly shares that she hasn't hit millionaire status (yet) but boasts a record of buying, staging, and managing up to six properties simultaneously, transforming them into profitable investments rather than financial burdens, all while dedicating just a few hours each week to the task.

After serving as the Co-Founder and CEO of one of Canada's premier vacation rental management companies for 20 years, Heather advised over 230 property owners while creating relationships with tens of thousands of guests. 

She covers a wide array of topics essential for vacation rental owners, including automation, property management, marketing, website design, SEO, building trust and relationships, social media strategies across platforms like Google+, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more, as well as podcasting, eBooks, and downloadable content. Heather's guidance aims to enhance occupancy rates and elevate your proficiency as a vacation rental business owner.

Discover how you can have a profitable vacation rental company that works for you, giving you the time and freedom to do what you love.

Vacation Rental Success

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