In this episode of STR Booked, host Nihal Salah interviews Robin P. Bass, founder of Premier Properties USVI. Robin shares her inspiring journey from New York City's hospitality industry to building a thriving short-term rental business in St. Croix.
Key highlights include:
1. Robin's background in hospitality and fashion, and her decision to pivot careers at 40.
2. How she grew her property management portfolio from 20 to 40 properties in just three years.
3. The importance of kindness and technology in her business strategy.
4. Challenges of operating in the Caribbean, including cultural differences and unique operational hurdles.
5. Her approach to building strong relationships with local vendors and staff.
6. Strategies for managing seasonality and hurricane preparation.
7. The use of technology to streamline operations and improve accountability.
8. Her focus on direct bookings while also leveraging OTAs.
Robin's success story demonstrates how combining a strong work ethic with empathy and smart use of technology can lead to rapid growth in the STR industry, even in a challenging and highly seasonal market like the Caribbean.
What is STR Book:ed?
Welcome to STR Booked, the podcast that unlocks the secrets of short-term rental success. Each week, we chat with vacation rental owners, managers, and industry experts. We cover everything from marketing strategies and direct booking tactics to brand-building and demystifying technologies. If you're ready to boost your short term vacation revenue and scale your business, you're in the right place!