Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

Meet The OG Women of Vacation Rentals! Before Airbnb became a household name, before online booking engines, and long before “PMS” meant software, these women were already defining the future of vacation rentals. Join us for a truly special episode as we sit down with three of the OGs of the vacation rental industry: ?? Jeanne Dailey (Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc.) ?? Valerie Hawkins (Perdido Realty ) ?? Audrey Leeds Miller (Cottage Connection of Maine, Inc.) These trailblazing women share their stories of building businesses from the ground up - long before technology, templates, or turnkey solutions. From navigating male-dominated markets to revolutionizing property management, they paved the way with innovation, courage, and heart. In this episode, you’ll hear: 1?? How spiral notebooks, bag phones, and gut instinct launched powerhouse companies 2?? What leadership looked like when there were no roadmaps - or role models 3?? Early lessons in marketing, technology, and customer loyalty 4?? Their personal take on advocacy, legacy, and the future of vacation rentals ?? Tune in now - link in the comments! ?? #vacationrentals #womeninleadership #shorttermrentals #propertyMmnagement #hospitalitypioneers #femalefounders #strindustry Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

?? Quick Recap: Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: How Jason Gann Used Humor & Authenticity to Build His Personal Brand ? This week, we sat down with ??Jason Gann??, Enterprise Account Executive at Beyond, to talk about his unconventional path into the vacation rental space, and how embracing humor, vulnerability, and authenticity helped him grow a standout personal brand. From battling imposter syndrome to going viral at conferences, Jason shares how small, consistent actions (and a few laughs) led to deeper industry connections and exciting new opportunities - including co-hosting VRNation 2025. ?? If you haven’t listened yet, check out the key takeaways below ?? #VacationRentals #ShortTermRentals #STRIndustry #PersonalBranding #RevenueManagement #AuthenticLeadership #ImposterSyndrome Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

?? Why Showing Up Matters More Than You Think In our latest episode, Annie Holcombe shares a powerful reminder, originally shared by our good friend Amber Hurdle, that speaks to anyone in business, leadership, or content creation: “You don’t have to connect with everyone. If you connect with just one person in the room, you may change their entire world.” Whether you're speaking on stage, sharing content online, or simply showing up for others, it's often the smallest moments of connection that make the biggest impact. Listen to the full episode through the link in the comments. ?? #personalbranding #authenticity #meaningfulconnection #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #strindustry Alex O. Husner????Jason Gann??

In our latest episode, ??Jason Gann?? shares a vulnerable moment many of us can relate to: imposter syndrome. Despite more than a decade in the vacation rental industry, Jason held himself back from creating content - unsure if his voice really matters. Spoiler alert: it does. So does yours. In this candid conversation, Jason opens up about the moment he decided to stop doubting himself and start showing up authentically. That choice led to deeper industry connections, unexpected opportunities, and a personal brand built on humor and authenticity. If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself or hesitated to share your story, this episode is for you. Link in the comments. ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #impostersyndrome #authenticity #vulnerability #personalbranding Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

?? What do hair-cutting shears, humor, and vacation rentals have in common? ??Jason Gann??! In our latest episode, we sit down with Jason Gann, Enterprise Account Executive at Beyond and a well-known voice in the vacation rental industry who has built a career blending sales, humor, and personal branding. From accidentally falling into vacation rentals to becoming an industry leader in revenue management, Jason shares his unconventional journey, expert insights on dynamic pricing, and how humor has helped him stand out in the industry. Tune in to the episode through the link in the comments ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #strindustry #revenuemanagement #dynamicpricing #personalbranding Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

?? Quick Recap: The New Standard: Why Smart Guest Screening is Essential for Short-Term Rentals with Ela Mezhiborsky of Autohost. ? Last week, we had an eye-opening conversation with Ela Mezhiborsky, Co-Founder & President of AutoHost, on how AI is shaping the future of hospitality security and why guest screening is now a must-have for operators worldwide. ?? If you haven’t tuned in yet, check out the key takeaways below! ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #guestscreening #guestverification #cybersecurity #AIinhospitality #badAI

We’re all excited about what AI can do, but in the race to embrace it, it's crucial to stay vigilant. ?? Ela Mezhiborsky, Co-Founder & President of Autohost, highlights a crucial conversation that the industry needs to have - the risks of “bad AI.” AI is transforming guest verification and security, but it’s also creating new opportunities for fraud and exploitation. While technology helps streamline operations, education and awareness are just as important. Operators need to be proactive in training teams, implementing the right tech tools, and ensuring that the human element in hospitality isn’t lost. We can’t afford to let innovation outpace security. As AI evolves, so do the risks. Listen to the full conversation through the link in the comments. ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #guestscreening #guestverification #cybersecurity #AIinhospitality #badAI Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

The way we verify guests in short-term rentals and hotels is changing fast. AI, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity are no longer optional - they’re essential. This week, we sit down with Ela Mezhiborsky, Co-Founder & President of Autohost, to discuss how technology is redefining guest safety and why screening is now a must-have for operators worldwide. Key discussion points: ? How AI is being used for fraud - and how to stop it ? Why guest screening is now an industry standard, not an option ? The impact of new guest verification laws (Arizona, Europe & beyond) ? What’s next for Autohost & the future of guest trust & safety Don’t leave your business vulnerable. Tune in to the full episode! Link in the comments. ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #guestscreening #guestverification #cybersecurity Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

?? One Industry, One Mission: The Power of Partnership Between Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) & VRNation ? Last week, we sat down with VRMA & VR Nation leaders Anne Gardner, MBA, Jodi Refosco, Matthew Tesdall, and Heidie Henriksen to explore how their collaboration is strengthening the vacation rental industry. From advocacy and education to upcoming conferences and industry-wide initiatives, these organizations are working to support operators of all sizes. ?? If you haven’t tuned in yet, check out the key takeaways below! ?? #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #strindustry #vrma #vrnation #collaboration Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser…??????? Today, we celebrate the incredible women in our lives—friends, mentors, and industry trailblazers who inspire us every day. From breaking barriers to lifting others up, you embody strength, wisdom, and resilience. ?? To the women who lead with heart, challenge the status quo, and support each other—this day is for you. Tag a woman who inspires you! ???? #internationalwomensday #vacationrentals #leadership #mentorship Alex O. Husner?? Annie Holcombe Sarah Franzen Valerie Gangas Amber Hurdle Lauren Madewell Rebecca Lombardo Tyann Marcink Hammond Elaine Mose Stitcher Natasha Osborn Cristiana Carpini Stacy Wesson Catrina Wakefield Amelia Melching Jenna Goedecke