Podcast Episodes

Welcome to our 1st of the month bonus episode. In this episode, Alex & Annie are not fooling around with April Fools' jokes; instead, they have significant announcements to share! Annie's New Role at NextPax Annie unveils her new role as the Director of Technical Supply for the Americas at NextPax. She discusses her responsibilities, the potential for growth in South America, and the importance of channel management in today's vacation rental landscape. Annie shares insights on NextPax's plat...

In this episode, we welcome Lynell Gordon – vacation rental expert, partner at Inhabit, and host of "How We Grow: the vacation rental show." Lynell shares her powerful personal journey and how the practice of writing down goals and intentions has positively shaped both her life and career. Meet Lynell: Lynell's vacation rental expertise shines through her work with Inhabit and her podcast, "How We Grow: the vacation rental show." Her dedication to sharing industry knowledge and personal exper...

Welcome to "Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals"! In this insightful episode, we sit down with powerhouse celebrity entrepreneur and personal development leader, David Meltzer. David reveals his profound journey and practical strategies for finding clarity, purpose, and unlimited potential. Learn the power of meditation to elevate your mindset, plus the value of a "be interested, not interesting" approach that will reshape how you live and lead. Key Takeaways: 🧘‍♀️ The Powe...

Get the inside scoop on the latest vacation rental technology trends! Alex & Annie are joined by DARM Battleground Baddies: Travis Wilburn, CJ Stam, and Julie Byrd to break down the groundbreaking innovations from this year's Battleground of Technology Providers. Learn why Key Data's data-driven tools were the clear winner and how AI is changing how properties are booked. Darm Conference Highlights Discover the standout technologies showcased at the DARM Conference and get the judges' expert ...

In this episode of "Alex and Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we embark on a fascinating journey into the vacation rental industry with a panel of seasoned experts known as the OGs of the Panhandle. Our guests, including trailblazers like Jim Olin, Steve Caron, Lino Maldonado, and Paul Wolford, share their personal journeys from the industry's early days to the dynamic landscape it occupies today. The Early Days: Dive into the challenges and triumphs of being pioneers in the vacati...

Join Alex & Annie with a cute participation of Chloe, newest furry member of the family, as they delve into the current vacation rental market trends. They share their insights on the fluctuating booking rates and the explosion of Airbnb listings, particularly in the Myrtle Beach area. The duo discusses the critical need for property managers to diversify their booking strategies and the importance of direct bookings as a way to build resilience in an increasingly competitive market. Key Take...

In this episode, Alex had the opportunity to sit down with Jonathan Ruggles, the Director of Partnerships at Flip.to. They discuss three key points in hospitality marketing: building your digital presence on your own land, leveraging guest-generated content and audiences, and the power of being a first mover in adopting innovative strategies. Alex shares insights from her experience in the vacation rental industry, emphasizing the importance of owning data, creating authentic interactions, and s...

Join Alex, Annie, and special guest Margot Schmorak in this episode of "Alex & Annie, the real women of Vacation Rentals," as they explore the captivating journey of Hostfully over the past year and the crucial aspects of building a supportive community for women in the vacation rental industry. Listen as Margot shares her experiences in a powerful group, emphasizing the importance of mutual support, advice-sharing, and mentorship for women navigating both personal and professional challenges. ...

In this episode of "Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we sit down with Vered Schwarz, the President and COO of Guesty, to not only delve into Guesty's new offerings but also shine a spotlight on the vital role of women supporting women in the vacation rental industry. AI in the Vacation Rental Industry: The implementation of AI goes beyond messaging for Guesty. We delve into how Guesty envisions AI playing a role in marketing and revenue management, personalizing communicatio...

In this episode of "Alex & Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," hosts Alex & Annie welcome back and dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Jen Ford, a trailblazer in the vacation rental industry. Join us as we uncover the highs, lows, and unexpected turns that shaped her remarkable career. Jen's Evolution in the Vacation Rental Industry: Jen shares her transition from the fast-paced world of high tech to becoming a finance executive at HomeAway, and her decision to take some time ...

In this engaging bonus episode of "Alex & Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," hosts Alex and Annie take you on a journey through their eventful month of January. From industry conferences to unexpected encounters, they share insights, challenges, and exciting plans for Aha Moments, the podcast's parent company. Conference Chronicles: IMN and STR Virtual Summit Dive into Alex and Annie's experiences at industry conferences like IMN and the STR virtual summit for women with Stacey St. J...

In this insightful episode of "Alex and Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we had the pleasure of sitting down with Katie Briscoe, the CEO of MMGY Global. Katie, a seasoned destination marketing expert with a wealth of experience, takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, providing insights into her role as the CEO of MMGY Global and shedding light on the evolving landscape of the travel industry. MMGY Global's Transformation: Katie detailed MMGY's growth from a hospita...

In this captivating episode of “Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Tom Goodwin, a seasoned professional in the vacation rental industry, to explore his remarkable journey and the transformative power of community and branding in business. Tom's Journey: Discover how Tom's unexpected entry into the vacation rental world, through his wife's family-run business in Gatlinburg, evolved into a thriving venture. His initial 18-month commitment turned into an 11-year...

Join Alex and Annie in this insightful episode of "Alex and Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," recorded live from Panama City Beach, as they welcome Michael, a seasoned vacation rental expert, to discuss his journey in the industry. From starting a business with a solid plan to exiting and now embarking on a new venture with a focus on accessibility, Michael shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. Michael's Journey: Michael recounts his move to the 30A area in 2004 and the lau...

Join Alex and Annie in this exciting episode of "Alex and Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," as they sit down with Assaf Karmon, the CEO and founder of Turno. Discover Assaf's journey from being an Airbnb host to creating a revolutionary platform that transforms the vacation rental turnover process. Assaf's Journey: Assaf opens up about his struggles managing cleaning and turnovers as a host, leading to the birth of Turno. The hosts delve into the challenges hosts face in finding relia...

In the latest episode of "Alex and Annie, the Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we’re in for a treat to an insightful conversation with the dynamic duo of 30A Beach Girls, Hollie and Lisa. Nestled in a stunning vacation home with the aroma of a chef's creation wafting through the air, the podcast delved into the secrets behind the success of this female-led empire in the vacation rental industry. The Founding Story: Hollie unveils the fascinating journey of 30A Beach Girls, from a humble houseke...

In this special first-of-the-month episode of 'Alex and Annie, the Real Women of Vacation Rentals,' hosts Alex and Annie take a nostalgic journey through 2023 and unveil exciting plans for the upcoming year. Book Announcement: Get ready for their upcoming book, "Connecting the Dots," where Alex and Annie delve into the biggest aha moments from their interviews with industry experts. Discover the insightful themes and lessons that will be explored in this must-read for anyone in the vacation ren...

In this insightful episode, hosts Alex and Annie dive deep into the world of vacation rentals with a special guest, Sarah Bradford, co-host of Sarah and T Podcast, and former owner of two successful vacation rental companies in the picturesque landscapes of Colorado. Journey Through Experience: Sarah begins by unraveling her rich background in the vacation rental industry, providing listeners with an intimate look into her entrepreneurial journey. She candidly shares her experiences in sellin...

Join us for an exclusive throwback to our most viewed episode of the year with Ben Coleman - Founder of Rev & Research, Vanessa Humes - Director of Sales & Marketing at InterCoastal Net Designs and Lance Stitcher - Broker/Owner at Seaside Vacations and Sales. In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by a panel of experts to help guide you on a pressing topic - How to Explain Changes in Revenue and Bookings to Your Homeowners. 2023 is not turning out to be as profitable as expected for vacation...

In this episode of Alex & Friends, Leslie Sonnier joins Alex for an in-person conversation set against the backdrop of Myrtle Beach. From a chance meeting three years ago in matching dresses at a conference, to reflecting on the emotional process of selling Rebl Rentals, a thriving vacation rental business in Scottsdale, Arizona, this episode is a rollercoaster of memories, lessons, and the excitement of new beginnings. Creating Memorable Experiences and Impact on Families: The conversation emp...

In this empowering episode of "Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals", we're reunited with a dear friend and the very first podcast guest, Amber Hurdle, the CEO and founder of Employer Brand Central. Together, the A.H. Trio dives deep into the transformative power of confidence and personal branding. The Fluidity of Confidence: The conversation delves into the concept of confidence not being static, but something that needs continuous work and self-awareness. They discuss the vulne...

In this captivating episode of "Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," we are thrilled to have Mark Simpson, the visionary founder of Boostly. Boostly is a game-changer for vacation rental hosts and managers, providing a unique blend of tools, tactics, and a supportive community. Boostly's Mission: Mark dives deep into how Boostly empowers short-term rental owners. The company focuses on securing more direct bookings, reaching the ideal guests, and giving hosts valuable time bac...

🎙️ Today we're in for a treat as we chat with the fantastic Stacey St. John, a powerhouse in short-term rentals and a great friend of Alex and Annie. From crunching real estate numbers to running a buzzing property management firm, Stacey's got stories that'll make you nod in agreement and maybe chuckle a bit. Stacey's Journey into Short-Term Rentals: In this episode, Stacey shares her inspiring transition from long-term real estate to short-term rentals amidst the challenges of COVID-19. She u...

In this engaging episode of Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals we are joined once again by Ben Coleman, the visionary founder of Rev and Research, alongside the Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Ballart. Rev and Research revolutionizes the vacation rental industry with their 100% done-for-you revenue management services. Beyond standard rate adjustments, the team, driven by a passion for data and numbers, conducts a comprehensive analysis of clients' businesses. From revenue disc...