With over 25 years in property management, this Isle of Palms host has turned a lifelong passion into a thriving vacation rental business. From managing luxury homes in Costa Rica to overseeing more than 55 upscale beach rentals with IOP Escapes, Amy combines her marketing background and hands-on experience to create exceptional guest stays and tremendous results for her property owners.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I’ve been in the property management field for over 25 years, starting at a young age when my parents managed mobile homes on our family property in Florida. After college, I began managing my own personal rental portfolio, which naturally evolved into professional roles, including managing luxury properties in Costa Rica. When the Costa Rica market shifted after COVID, I partnered with my current business partners to launch IOP Escapes, where we now specialize in managing luxury beach rentals on Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

What is your background?

I’m a wife and mother with a degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Florida, and I’ve built my career around my passion for property management and travel. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, I’ve lived in the Charleston, SC area for over 25 years and have worked across nearly every aspect of the industry, from long-term rental management to vacation rentals to full-scale travel planning. Today, I’m fully dedicated to the management and growth of IOP Escapes.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

I’ve always been involved in property management in some form. From childhood, helping my parents manage properties, to purchasing my first rental property after moving to Charleston, I’ve steadily built experience. Over time, I’ve progressed from managing mobile home parks to overseeing luxury vacation rentals in Costa Rica, and now to owning and managing a portfolio of over 55 luxury properties on Isle of Palms.

If a later career, what did you do before?

Property management has been a constant throughout my career, though I also worked as a luxury travel advisor for over 15 years. That blend of experience, combining deep knowledge of the travel industry with hands-on short-term rental management, gives me a well-rounded perspective and allows me to approach the vacation rental business from both the guest and operational sides.

Are you from that geographical area, or did you move there later?

I’m originally from Florida but have called the Charleston, South Carolina area home for more than 25 years.

What do you love the most about the VR business?

I genuinely love the hospitality side of the business, knowing that our team plays a meaningful role in helping families create lasting memories. There’s something deeply rewarding about being part of someone’s special vacation experience.

What do you dislike the most about it?

I feel fortunate to work in a field I’m passionate about, but if I had to name one of the more tedious aspects, it would be the trust accounting and bookkeeping side of the business. As we’ve grown from managing just eight properties to over fifty, this administrative work has become more time-consuming, though, of course, it’s a critical part of running a smooth operation.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

For our team, OwnerRez is truly our operational backbone. We rely on it as our central resource, encouraging team members to start there whenever they have questions. We fully utilize its features, from QuickBooks syncing and owner statements to channel integrations, and we’ve developed a customized OwnerRez-powered website that supports all aspects of our business.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

For me, the standout feature is the ability to access the full power of OwnerRez from the mobile platform. As a small, hands-on team, we’re constantly in the field and on the move, so having the ability to quickly pull up reservations and make real-time changes from a mobile device is invaluable. The software’s fast load and response times are critical as well, we appreciate not being slowed down by delays when we need information at our fingertips.

From managing her own small portfolio to growing IOP Escapes into a leader in luxury beach rentals, Amy has built a business rooted in hospitality and efficiency. OwnerRez is proud to support her continued success and looks forward to seeing IOP Escapes continue to set the standard for exceptional stays on Isle of Palms.