When Tyann Marcink chose "cultivate" as her word of the year, she had no idea how far it would take her. It began as a commitment to focus on her family and business. That intention soon grew into leading a State Alliance, supporting new legislation, and launching an initiative to…
When every property starts to look the same, what makes one stand out? For guests comparing similar listings, included local activities can influence the decision to book. Xplorie helps operators create more compelling offerings by providing free curated activities that enhance the guest experience, increase the value of the booking,…
With hundreds of similar properties in any given market, curated local activities can be the key differentiator that gets a guest to book. For nearly 30 years, Xplorie has helped vacation rental operators deliver added value through curated experiences that make stays more memorable and properties more competitive. #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals…
What turns a good stay into a great one? For many guests, it’s the experiences they discover along the way. In this week's episode, we’re joined by Adrienne Clark (President & COO) and Caleb Yaryan (Chief Product Officer) of Xplorie to talk about how curated activities help property managers enhance…
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Adrienne Clark (President & COO) and Caleb Yaryan (Chief Product Officer) of Xplorie, a trusted partner for vacation rental operators looking to enhance guest satisfaction while gaining a competitive edge. For nearly 30 years, Xplorie has been connecting lodging providers with local attractions…
September kicks off with fresh energy and two exciting updates from inside the vacation rental world. 🎉 Annie Holcombe shares a major milestone! She’s officially launched Annie & Co. Solutions, a consulting business focused on helping property managers, vendors, and independents grow with clarity and confidence. After decades of leading…
In this special first-of-the-month bonus episode, Alex & Annie sit down with longtime friend and industry leader Tyann Marcink to talk about a timely and much-needed initiative to support host education. Tyann shares how she’s leading an effort to prepare short-term rental operators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,…
Airbnb recently introduced a "Reserve Now, Pay Later" policy. For guests, it means flexibility. They can book without paying upfront and cancel up to just days before arrival without penalty. But for property managers, it means greater uncertainty. A canceled booking just days out can lead to lost revenue, unfilled…
Airbnb’s evolving policies have become one of the most pressing conversations in vacation rentals today - sparking questions, frustrations, and new realities for property managers across the industry. In this episode, we welcome Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, to discuss what these changes mean for property managers and the…
Airbnb’s evolving policies have become one of the most pressing conversations in vacation rentals today - sparking questions, frustrations, and new realities for property managers across the industry. In this episode, Alex and Annie welcome Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, to discusswhat these changes mean for property managers and…
Most people treat rejection like a dead end. ❌ But in our latest episode, Alex Husner shares a mindset shift she learned from renowned entrepreneur and speaker David Meltzer — that rejection can mean you're being protected and promoted. Sometimes it’s a signal to pause. Other times it’s a sign…
If you’re feeling like an imposter right now… It might be the clearest sign you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. In our latest episode, Michelle Marquis challenges the idea that self-doubt is something to overcome. Instead, she shows how it can be a sign that you’re growing. Rather than…
What if imposter syndrome wasn’t a weakness, but a sign you’re growing? In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Michelle Marquis, founder of The Marquis Effect and now author of The Bossy Girl’s Guide to Leadership, which has just been released. Written for women navigating leadership and self-doubt,…
When life or business takes an unexpected turn, it’s natural to dwell on what’s slipping away. But Valerie Gangas has learned to focus on what those moments can open up instead. In our latest episode, we sit down with our dear friend Val to talk about finding direction in uncertainty,…
This week, Alex & Annie sit down with Valerie Gangas, Founder & CEO of Juniper Holiday + Homes, for a conversation that blends business, design, and deep personal transformation. Valerie shares how Juniper began with a personal real estate portfolio and evolved into a thriving multi-market vacation rental management company…
"Over the years, we’ve gotten so smart we’ve forgotten our heart." In the rush to scale, the vacation rental industry traded some of its community-driven hospitality for corporate efficiency. Technology brought growth and opportunity, but when profit takes priority over people, hospitality loses the very thing that makes it special.…
“Life is too short to deal with unpleasant people… but it’s also too short to be one.” In our latest episode, John Suzuki shares a reminder we all need, especially in a fast-moving, high-pressure industry. Lead with kindness. Lift others up. And stay scrappy enough to spot the opportunities most…
💡 What did we lose in the rush to scale? As vacation rentals went from mom-and-pop to mainstream, the tech got smarter but things also got a lot messier. In this week’s episode, we sit down with John Suzuki, industry expert and host of the Finding Better podcast, to talk…
What did it take to bring vacation rentals into the mainstream and what did we lose along the way? In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we’re joined by industry veteran and Finding Better podcast host John Suzuki, who reflects on the emotional and…
In our latest episode, Paul Kromidas, CEO of Summer, shares a powerful reminder for anyone building in the STR space: The ideas that succeed aren’t always the ones that get funded first. They’re the ones fueled by conviction, grit, and a clear sense of purpose. Whether you're growing a property…
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Paul Kromidas, Founder & CEO of Summer, for a conversation every STR operator, owner, and investor should hear: Why asset intelligence matters when evaluating vacation rental properties. As a former Airbnb product leader and experienced operator, Paul brings a unique lens to the…
In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Paul Kromidas, Founder & CEO of Summer, to talk about the growing need for asset intelligence in short-term rental investing, and why gut feel is no longer enough when deciding which properties to…
In our latest episode, we’re joined by Simon Seroussi, Co-Founder of SuiteOp, to talk about the often-overlooked post-booking experience and why it’s the key to guest satisfaction, team efficiency, and scalable growth. While most tech focuses on getting the booking, SuiteOp focuses on what happens next: automating check-ins, syncing smart…
In this episode, we’re joined by Simon Seroussi, Co-Founder of SuiteOp, a guest experience and operations platform built by operators, for operators. With a background in both hospitality tech and short-term rental management, Simon shares how SuiteOp was born from firsthand experience growing a 400-unit portfolio and the operational chaos…