VRS563 - Human Trafficking and the Vacation Rental Industry: What You Need to Know with Catherine Ratcliffe

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ In this episode Heather Bayer and Catherine Ratcliffe discuss the pressing issue of human trafficking within the short-term rental industry. Catherine shares insights into the prevalence of human trafficking, including both sex and labor trafficking, and its impacts on the industry. She highlights the importance of recognizing signs of trafficking and the role of vacation rental operators in preventing these activities. Catherine emphasizes training for property managers and staff, and the need to establish standard operating procedures to handle suspicious activities. The discussion also covers the responsibilities of hosts in ensuring their properties do not become venues for such exploitative practices. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar. Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS563

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, Heather Bayer sits down with Andy McNulty, co-founder of Touch Stay. They delve into the intricacies of building and managing a remote team that spans across the globe. Andy shares his experiences and insights on fostering a dynamic and committed team culture despite the challenges of remote working. This conversation is a goldmine for short-term rental managers and hosts who aim to create vibrant and effective remote teams. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS562

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ In this solo episode Heather Bayer delves into the transformative concepts from the book "10X is Easier than 2X" by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy. Heather shares her personal journey of embracing a 10X mindset, recounting pivotal moments in her career that led to exponential growth. She provides practical examples and strategies for vacation rental managers to apply 10X thinking, from creating unique guest experiences to leveraging technology and forming strategic partnerships. Heather emphasizes the importance of a mindset shift, focusing on core strengths, simplifying operations, and continuously innovating to achieve significant business growth. The episode is a motivational guide for those looking to make bold changes and elevate their vacation rental business to new heights. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS561

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ In this episode, host Heather Bayer welcomes back Matt Landau, a seasoned mentor and coach in the vacation rental industry. He shares insights from a transformative event he attended in Morocco, which inspired him to rethink traditional conference formats and foster deeper business interactions. The conversation delves into the significant role of retreats in fostering personal growth and professional development. Matt highlights how well-designed, intimate gatherings can spur creativity and innovation, allowing participants to step away from daily routines and reassess their business strategies and life goals. Matt also introduces his new venture, "Here Goes Nothin'," a series of retreats, workshops, and discussions designed to equip business leaders with the tools to navigate the future creatively and courageously. He stresses the importance of taking creative risks and stepping out of comfort zones to propel business success. Additionally, the discussion touches on the concept of experience design, which Matt believes is crucial in planning the customer journey to enhance satisfaction and loyalty, particularly in the vacation rental industry. The episode concludes with Heather and Matt reflecting on the need for continuous innovation and creativity to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving vacation rental market. They encourage listeners to embrace new ideas and approaches, emphasizing the importance of being open to change. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS560

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ There’s been a lot of talk over the airwaves recently about the value of conferences - why we attend them, what makes some more unique than others and what the industry could do differently. It’s a conversation we need to have. Fresh from the VRNation event in Boise, Heather shares her thoughts on the new look for the former Northwest Vacation Rental Professionals(NWVRP) and talks to outgoing President, Brian Olson and the new executive - President Matt Tesdall and Vice President Tera Lorimer. She also explores the innovative platform Scouted.com, which has partnered with VRNation to offer unique local experiences to travelers, and speaks with their CMO, Jess Fuhrman. ______________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS559

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ Trust is the cornerstone of our business.  Owners needs to trust managers and OTAs to market their properties successfully, guests have to trust their hosts to deliver on their promises, and mutual trust underpins the relationships between the community and the short-term rentals that operate in their locales. In this episode Heather delves deep into the concept of trust with Dr. Yoram Solomon, an innovator and globally recognized thought leader. Yoram, celebrated for his extensive work on trust and its pivotal role in organizational success, brings his insights into the vacation rental industry, sharing invaluable strategies to build and maintain trust with guests and property owners alike. He discusses the essential nature of trust in all business interactions and its profound impact on a company’s reputation and operational success. With his rich background in technology, business management, and as a prolific author, he offers practical advice that can be implemented immediately by vacation rental managers. Whether you’re a seasoned vacation rental manager or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help you set your business apart by cultivating a trustworthy brand. Dr. Solomon’s advice will not only help you improve your interactions with guests and owners, but also boost your overall business performance by fostering a culture of trust. ______________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS558

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ Being a property manager is more than just acquiring homes, sourcing guests and creating experiences for them.  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  guest experiences so much better while contributing to  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: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS557

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today ______________________________________________________________________ Getting involved in advocacy means more than just making a token appearance at a council meeting when they are discussing short term rental issues.  It means having a voice and getting a seat at the table.  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.  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.   It’s a fascinating look into a model of business that requires a good deal of flexibility, tolerance, and empathy.  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: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS556

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today 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.  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.  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.  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 & 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   Links: New Forest Escapes B-Corp Certification Intrepid Travel Exodus Travels Pura Aventura Much Better Adventures Sawday’s THRIVE  ___________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS555

This episode is sponsored by Lodgify, an all-in-one solution that will help you start, manage, and grow your short-term rental business. Use Code VRF10 for 10% off their Professional and Ultimate yearly plans > Click here to visit Lodgify.com to start your free trial today 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: https://thrive.vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS554