Airbnb changed my life, how has it changed yours?

[Sorcha3]

Hey all! 

   My name is Sorcha, I am a host based in Portland Oregon. Airbnb completely changed my life.  The income from my Airbnb and those that I manage have created so much financial freedom for me and my family. The expansion in our income and the connections I've made with guests have brought so much joy, freedom, and richness to my life. And now I am kind-of obsessed with helping others do the same. I am also a realtor. I specialize in teaching regular humans how to identify, purchase, set up, and cashflow investment properties, specifically Airbnb's in the Portland Metro Area.  Focusing on that as my business model has increased our income even more and I think I am about a year to a year and a half away from my husband being able to quit his job as a full time DevOps Engineer. 

  I would love to hear how the platform has changed your life for the better and connect with other hosts! I have a couple clients right now who are contemplating taking the leap to Airbnb their homes and while I can tell them about my experience until the cows come home I find sharing the stories of others, and being able to see how the platform is used across the world to create freedom and help people belong anywhere is super powerful! 

Peace, love and big adventure! 

-Sorcha

[Patricia2526]

Hello there @Sorcha3 

Welcome to hosting! 

I am Patricia, hosting since 2019. As a visual artist, my passion for creating art has led me to explore unique avenues.

Little did I know that this venture would not only inspire my artistic endeavors but also intertwine seamlessly with a completely different realm – the world of hospitality.

However, the life of an artist is not without its challenges. The process of creating commissioned artworks demanded a patience akin to the slow, deliberate strokes of a paintbrush. Revisions were an inherent part of the journey and the client's desires. It was a delicate balance, a process of understanding and adapting.

As my artistic journey continued, an unexpected opportunity presented itself  “The world of Airbnb hosting”.  The parallels between my life as an artist and a hospitality entrepreneur became evident, financial freedom? definitely a YES for me,  and I embraced this new venture with the same passion and dedication.

Becoming an Airbnb host, much like creating art, required attention to detail, a keen sense of aesthetics, and a commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience. I found that the patience I honed in the studio was an invaluable asset in the world of hospitality. Just as I delicately adjusted colors to suit a client's vision, I tailored the ambiance of my Airbnb space to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

In the realm of both art and hospitality, the pursuit of perfection was elusive, but the commitment to improvement was unwavering. Constructive feedback from clients and guests became the brushstrokes that refined my craft. I learned to appreciate the nuances of individual preferences, recognizing that, like art, the beauty of hospitality lay in its subjectivity.

So excited for upcoming listing will be an “Art Apartment” a sanctuary of creativity, featuring Frida Kahlo-inspired textiles, artworks, prints and vibrant hues that reflect the passion and resilience of this legendary artist. It's a space where dreams and artistic visions intertwine, inviting guests to embrace the unique energy of Frida's world.

And to enhance the immersive experience, we will provide guests with art supplies, encouraging guests to tap in their own creative spirit during their stay. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a unique and inspiring getaway. 

[Sorcha3]

OMG I WANT TO STAY AT THE ART APARTMENT!!! That sounds DOPE AS HELL! You know Patricia, I think it's so interesting that so many of the most successful people I know are artists in one medium or another! My mentor who now owns the most successful real estate brokerage in Portland started her life as a punk rock singer and textile artist, both passions she still does, while simultaneously kicking ass in business and supporting loads of amazing female entrepreneurs. I think Artists often make amazing hosts because so much of what we do (I am a musician, majored in music, now I do real estate consulting lol) requires us to connect with people creatively and that's what makes for great guest experiences! 

[Allen336]

I am based in Vancouver, British Columbia and my home is my airbnb space. This adds a layer of complexity to my schedule with organizing the cleaning necessary, to relocating for the duration of the stay, to ensuring my guests have an overwhelmingly positive experience. I have two businesses (not including the airbnb business), so managing my time and life around the business of bookings is always a fresh challenge. I am a chef by trade and my food business requires me to travel between my own bricks and mortar locations as well as perform food tasting demonstrations of my products in supermarkets like Whole Foods, so I am constantly on the move. 

I thrive on positive feedback in all my businesses and with airbnb it has been my experience that the only sub five star reviews i have received have come from offering discounts at certain times. I rarely use the smart pricing suggestions, because i live and work out of my home, i choose to more or less double my pricing compared to smart pricing suggestions, and  have received nothing but amazing feedback from my guests. I find i reach a certain customer for whom price is not really an issue, but the space, style and unparalleled views from my decks separate me from the crowd. I have chosen to be picky, charge more, be discerning, because that provides maximum income with minimum disruption. when guests show up i have a bottle of bubbly waiting with a meat and cheese platter, wine on racks for my guests to drink at their pleasure, beer stocked in the coolers outside, basic food staples in the fridge and in the freezer i offer a selection of my sausages and bone broth that i sell into supermarkets so they don't have to spend money eating out if they don't want to. Its all about providing the luxury service that matters to me so my guests feel welcomed and comfortable and have the best time in my space. My other businesses struggled through Covid and also construction directly outside my first store which has severely impacted my ability to make sales, so this platform has been a lifesaver to me in surviving through that chaos and delivering essential income to keep me going. I also find that compared to other platforms that pay later, are way more susceptible to scams, and generally don't offer the support i get through airbnb that i couldn't be happier with the customer service and intelligence they employ to deliver a premium product. Its why i'm here and i love it!

[Sorcha3]

This is such a valuable perspective! I love how you've assessed and created a clear business model that works WITH your life rather than against it. I also super value the piece about other platforms. I haven't experimented with others because frankly I haven't had to so sharing that feedback you've given with my clients and friends is SO helpful! THANK YOU!