Meet Meredith Rumsey, co-founder of Vacation Rental Co. With more than 13 years of experience in the STR industry, she has used OwnerRez to help scale her business to more than 50 properties in just three years.
Can you tell us a little bit about your history?
We started Vacation Rental Co about 3 years ago. It was the marriage between me, versed in the front-of-house side of vacation rentals, and my partners, who own a large housekeeping company in Steamboat, and handle more of the back-of-house bits. Not to mention my partner's career history as an accountant, which has come in handy!
Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?
This is down the road in terms of career, but I've been in hospitality most of my life. I started waiting tables back in Chicago when I was 13 years old (the legality of that is definitely questionable). Then, in my adult years, I developed a national meat sales program for a local grassfed buffalo ranch. Restaurant management was always used to fill the gaps. Then, about 12 years ago, I started working for a local Steamboat vacation rental company, and that's where this particular path began.
Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later?
I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago, but I left there as soon as I could at the age of 17. I moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University, and other than a few stints in other states and some time living overseas, Colorado has been home. I've called Steamboat home for about 18 years now, and that is where my company and our portfolio are based.
If later, is there something that drew you to that area?
The mountains, simple as that. I was living in Summit County and wanted to be in a town with a bit more local culture. Steamboat was the perfect fit with the deep-rooted ranching history, local foods movement, and the best mountain biking in the state (in my humble opinion).
What do you love most about the vacation rental business?
I like meeting people from all over the country and all over the world who are coming here for their holiday. I get to share what I love so much about our community and what our spectacular outdoors here has to offer.
What do you dislike the most about it?
Reviews. I am completely for people being able to share their opinions of their stay, but the people in this industry, and almost all hospitality these days, are held hostage by reviews. I have had guests whose experience was awful because a water heater burst, yet they were understanding and kind, and we compensated them fairly for something completely out of our control. Then I've had that guest who found a single hair in the home and felt like that was justification to slam everything we've worked so hard to build.
How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?
We primarily use OwnerRez for operations. It really is our mothership. I am not the most tech-savvy, but OwnerRez is so easy to navigate and customize.
What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?
Customization. Often, I'm looking for a workaround for an issue, and I can find a way to make it happen in OwnerRez. Even if it's not obvious at first, there is almost always something that can be done to solve the problem.
Meredith has done an impressive job of quickly scaling her business while not losing her love for the industry! We look forward to seeing how Meredith continues to grow Vacation Rental Co. and to helping her solve problems along the way.