The Human Side of Hospitality: Motherhood, Marketing & Managing It All | Ep. 29

19/05/2025 1h 16min
The Human Side of Hospitality: Motherhood, Marketing & Managing It All | Ep. 29

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Episode Synopsis

The episode opens with the hosts welcoming the audience back to the 'Hospitality Breakroom,' highlighting this as the ninth out of the tenth episode of the series. The focus of the discussion centers around 'certainty within' the vacation rental industry, featuring Ashley and Meaghan from Inhaven, along with Rachel, the co-owner of Abode Luxury Rentals in Park City. They share their childhood dreams and career journeys, with Rachel recounting her extensive background in ballet, journalism, and marketing before settling into the vacation rental business. Meaghan reflects on her various academic and career shifts before ultimately finding her place in the hospitality industry. The trio discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life and the importance of good childcare and shared responsibilities. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of working with family members within the business, emphasizing the importance of trust and the benefits of a close-knit team. Megan reveals her concerns about raising a family while managing a demanding career and the strategies she and her husband use to maintain a balanced relationship. Rachel shares her insights on how to keep children grounded in affluent communities like Park City. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions about the vacation rental industry, particularly the notion that all properties are just Airbnb listings. Meaghan and Rachel express their concerns about the industry's future, especially with the increasing professionalization and the potential loss of community spirit. They also highlight the need for better software and tools, like a comprehensive owner CRM and an effective dashboard for tracking key performance indicators. The hosts wrap up the episode with reflections on what advice they would give their younger selves, emphasizing the importance of not acting out of fear, understanding the business numbers, and focusing on relationships. Finally, they discuss the concept of standardization within the vacation rental industry, agreeing that consistent standards in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom can significantly improve guest experiences. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next and final episode of the series, which will cover a case study on the rise and fall of national property managers.


00:00 Introduction and Initial Setup

00:25 Welcome to the Hospitality Break Room

00:51 Today's Topic: The Certainty Within

01:00 Personal Therapy and Life Reflections

02:06 Interview with Rachel: Childhood Dreams and Career Path

05:15 Megan's Journey: From Childhood Dreams to Career

09:01 Family Backgrounds and Upbringing

15:48 Challenges and Strategies in Balancing Work and Family

18:10 Working with Family in Business

24:00 Living in Vacation Towns: Keeping Kids Grounded

28:19 Coping with Hard Days in the Hospitality Industry

30:16 The Importance of Boundaries and Personal Time

37:34 Ashley’s Background and Career Journey

39:15 Introduction to Family and Business

39:56 The Birth of Inhaven

42:52 Challenges and Misconceptions in Vacation Rentals

45:55 The Role of Technology in Business

48:32 Women in Business and Personal Reflections

01:08:00 The Importance of Standards and Certainty

01:14:26 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion



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