Making the right decisions when it comes to starting a short-term rental business can be overwhelming. This is why it’s important to have experienced and knowledgeable travel leaders you can trust. Travel leaders are experts in the field and understand all the details necessary for a successful trip.
This blog post highlights ten female leaders in the short-term rental industry today. These women have achieved success in their respective fields and provide invaluable knowledge to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their rental businesses. From property management software developers to real estate investors, these inspiring female business professionals share tips on how to run a profitable short-term rental business. Read about the accomplishments of these leading ladies and learn from their successes for a successful short-term rental business.
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#1 Jessica Gillingham – Abode Worldwide
Jessica Gillingham is a powerhouse in the short-term rental industry. She’s honed her years of experience in public relations to specialize in vacation rental companies and has become a leader among travel professionals.
Gillingham is the founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, a PR firm for lodging tech innovators. She has given talks at prominent industry conferences worldwide and regularly contributes to VRM Intel and VRMA Arrival magazines. As one of the top PR practitioners in the travel sector, Gillingham has helped shape the industry and is proud to be one of the leading voices in vacation rental technology.
She continues working with travel leaders to improve their public relations strategies and introduce new ideas and innovations. With her extensive industry knowledge, Gillingham is an invaluable resource for vacation rental professionals seeking to maximize their PR efforts.
#2 Yamaris Bonilla – Vacationhomehelp.com
Yamaris left Puerto Rico after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria. She took her passion for the travel industry and created a marketplace for hosts and cleaners in the Orlando area.
Since then, Vacationhomehelp.com has become a cornerstone of the Orlando area economy, creating jobs and opportunities for those looking to earn in the gig economy. Yamaris is proud to be one of the leaders positively impacting both local businesses and individual workers.
#3 Sara Karakaian and Annette Grant – Thanks for Visiting
Sara and Annette host “Thanks for Visiting,” a weekly podcast exploring all aspects of the short-term rental industry. Each episode begins with a spotlight on unique properties or individuals in the business, followed by an interview with someone involved in vacation rentals. The podcast also serves as a platform to showcase the best practices and strategies in the industry.
From interviews with travel experts to discussions on business trends, Sara and Annette serve as valuable resources for anyone looking to learn more about short-term rentals. They have become travel leaders in the vacation rental space and continue sharing their knowledge and insights with listeners weekly.
#4 Mercedes Brennan – 1 Chic Retreat
Mercedes is the queen of designing your direct booking website. As an interior designer, she knows all about creating stylish spaces on short-term rental sites and websites.
However, Mercedes also has a wealth of knowledge regarding marketing vacation rentals. Through her website, 1 Chic Retreat, she shares information on how hosts can use specific design strategies to increase website traffic and secure more bookings.
Mercedes also offers tailored interior design advice one-to-one to help people transform their properties into stylish retreats. She has become one of the leading travel professionals in the industry and is proud to be helping vacation rental owners succeed.
#5 Amy Hinote – VRM Intel
Amy Hinote is one of the most respected editors and travel leaders in the short-term rental business. She is both the founder and editor of VRM Intel Magainze, one of the most-read STR publications.
Amy is a strong proponent of encouraging guests to book directly with the host. In 2018 she launched an annual campaign called “Book Direct” that has since reached over 3 million travelers and 18.2 million consumers total.
During these uncertain times, Amy has provided countless resources and news for vacation rental owners to stay informed. In addition, with her extensive knowledge of the industry, Amy serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to maximize their PR efforts.
#6 Christine Myer – NoiseAware
If you’re using NoiseAware to prevent parties in your short-term rental, then you’ve already got a connection to Christine Myer. Christine is the VP of Sales and Marketing at NoiseAware, and she’s been a key player in taking the company to new heights since joining their team several years ago.
Since then, Christine has built the company’s infrastructure, go-to-market strategy, and brand. She also defined and developed their marketing planning and execution process, making them one of the major players in the travel industry.
Christine has become a leader in the short-term rental space, helping to provide a safe and secure environment for hosts, guests, and property owners alike. With her expertise and business knowledge, she is an invaluable resource to anyone working in the hosting community.
#7 Zoey Berghoff – TikTok and Airbnb coach
In the age of the influencer, TikTok can actually be an incredible resource for up-and-coming hosts. Zoey Berghoff is an example of how to do it right.
Using the Tiktok platform, Zoey provides valuable tips for hosts of all levels. From learning how to run your business remotely to discuss the latest industry updates and trends, Zoey has become the go-to source for short-term rental advice on social media.
In addition to TikTok, Zoey also offers Airbnb coaching courses that help hosts achieve financial freedom through investing in short-term rentals. With her unique perspective and knowledge of the industry, Zoey is a valuable resource for anyone looking to launch their own hosting business.
8. Rachel Gainsbrugh – Short-Term Gem
Another founder of an informative Youtube podcast show is Rachel Gainsbrugh. As the host of The Luxury STR Doctor Show, she brings her knowledge and insights to listeners weekly.
Rachel is a best-selling author, pharmacist, and real estate coach who has made it her mission to help people succeed in the world of vacation rental investing. Through her website Short Term Gems, Rachel offers training and courses that provide valuable insights and strategies for short-term rental owners.
By sharing her expertise, Rachel has become a travel leader in the vacation rental industry and an invaluable resource for those looking to take their business to the next level. Her honest advice and actionable steps have helped many hosts reach their goals through real estate investing.
#9 Julie Marks – Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance
The Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance (VTSTRA) is a nonprofit business association that was founded and directed by Julie Marks. Through VTSTRA, Julie works to represent and protect Vermont’s short-term rental industry, providing its members with educational tools and resources.
This alliance is a fantastic resource for vacation rental owners and hosts in Vermont, helping to raise awareness of the short-term rental industry. Julie’s dedication to the cause has helped elevate VTSTRA and become a go-to source for Vermont’s vacation rental community.
#10 Andrea Clarkson – Mamma Mode
More than “just a blogger,” Andrea Clarkson created the site “Mamma Mode” as an all-encompassing resource for short-term rental hosts. As an Airbnb Superhost herself, she teaches new hosts the ins and outs of the industry in an easy-to-understand way.
On the Mamma Mode site, Andrea offers a wide array of content to support rising hosts in their journey to become Superhosts. Andrea’s platform is a great resource for anyone looking to dive into the vacation rental world, from creative hosting ideas to her blog and an Instagram page full of helpful tips. She has become a leader in the travel industry and a valuable source of knowledge for aspiring hosts.
Final Thoughts
The travel industry is full of inspiring and knowledgeable leaders who are helping to shape the future of short-term rentals. Each individual brings something unique that contributes to the overall success of the industry. By tapping into these resources, hosts gain insights and strategies to help them achieve success in the world of vacation rental investing.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
