In a twist of fate, Annie Holcombe's journey in the vacation rental industry began unexpectedly, as she found herself working at a hotel front desk while recovering from knee surgery. Little did she know that this serendipitous turn would ignite a lifelong passion for hospitality. But what challenges did Annie face along the way? And how did she overcome them to become a respected figure in the vacation rental community? Stay tuned as we dive into Annie's inspiring story of perseverance, mentorship, and the unexpected path that led her to success. “I think there has been a notion for a long time that you had to be enemies with the person that was running a competitive business, but they're really not. I mean, they're your partner in the industry, in the market. You're both trying to get the same thing to happen for people to come to your destination.” - Annie Holcombe In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the power of mentorship for accelerated growth in the vacation rental industry.Learn how collaborating with competitors can lead to mutual success and increased market share.Harness the networking potential of LinkedIn to connect with other vacation rental professionals and expand your industry reach.Unlock the personal and professional benefits of mentorship, including enhanced skills, confidence, and career advancement.Cultivate a culture of kindness and grace in your business relationships, leading to stronger connections and shared success. My special guest is Annie Holcombe Annie Holcombe is a highly experienced professional in the vacation rental industry, with a remarkable career spanning over 30 years in hospitality. She began her journey working at a branded franchise hotel in Florida before transitioning into sales and eventually finding her niche in vacation rentals. Annie's expertise in the industry expanded as she worked with a company that managed thousands of units and played a key role in establishing them as the largest management company in their region. Her impressive track record caught the attention of Expedia, where she served as a market manager for the Gulf Coast region, handling vacation rentals and alternative lodging. Annie's dedication to education and mentorship led her to co-host the "Real Women of Vacation Rentals" podcast, where she shares valuable insights and experiences to support and uplift professionals in the vacation rental industry. With her extensive knowledge and passion for mentorship, Annie is a trusted resource for those seeking growth and success in the field. Connect with Annie: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-holcombe-vrgal/ The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:08 - Introduction 00:01:27 - Annie's Background in Hospitality 00:05:49 - Passion for Mentorship 00:09:27 - Women in the Vacation Rental Industry 00:10:07 - Conclusion 00:14:02 - Learning from Others in Your Market 00:15:32 - Putting Yourself Out There 00:16:46 - The Power of Mentorship 00:19:19 - Finding Purpose and Positivity 00:28:10 - The Myth of Passive Income 00:29:01 - Mentors and Mentees 00:30:00 - Building a Network of Experts 00:30:46 - The Power of Helping Others 00:33:05 - What Direct Booking Success means to Annie Show notes are available at: https://directbookingsuccess.com/podcast/ Follow Jenn on Instagram:...