Are you worried that partnering with family in real estate will strain your relationships? In this episode, I sit down with Annchen Knodt, a neuroscience researcher who joined my STR Accelerator program during its very first beta launch. Annchen’s story is a powerful example of how building an Airbnb business with family can work—even when things get messy. She opens up about the reality of partnering with her parents: the disagreements that got heated, what it felt like to be outvoted, and the boundaries they created to protect family dinners from turning into business meetings. Annchen also faced another challenge—having a spouse who wasn’t sold on the time and energy she was putting into real estate investing. She shares the loneliness of being the only one in her circle excited about Airbnb and short-term rentals, and how finding a community of like-minded women gave her the courage to keep moving forward. From waking up early to analyze deals before heading into the lab, to answering Airbnb guest messages between experiments, Annchen’s dedication shows what’s possible when you refuse to let excuses hold you back. She even reveals the breakthrough moment she realized she was much closer to financial freedom than she thought. Her journey proves that success in Airbnb and real estate isn’t always about scaling fast or building an empire—it’s about creating a business that supports the life you truly want. With the right systems, boundaries, and support, both family and business can thrive side by side. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:06] A short introduction about our guest Annchen Knodt and what she does outside the short-term rental space [05:38] Annchen shares how she overcame the common fear of partnerships especially when working with her parents [08:59] Annchen recounts the process of deciding to sell one of the long-term properties she co-owned with her parents in Texas [11:11] How a major challenge tested Annchen’s family partnership and revealed the importance of balancing values with business decisions [14:45] Annchen shares how blending business with family creates harmony rather than conflict [17:30] Annchen opens up about the challenges of pursuing real estate when her spouse shows little interest and how she found strength through community and mindset  [21:44] How accountability pods provided the structure, support, and community Annchen needed to set goals, stay consistent, and feel less alone in her real estate journey [26:20] How redefining success beyond rapid portfolio growth allowed Annchen to embrace financial independence more holistically and prioritize family, passive investing, and a fuller life  [30:05] Annchen shares how embracing pivots and diversification clarified her dream life, strengthened harmony at home, and renewed her joy in the process [35:59] How finding and building community has been essential for overcoming isolation in real estate investing and hosting [38:02] The lightning round  Golden Nuggets: “Life is way too short not to enjoy what you're doing.” “If you really want to achieve something that's beyond your comfort zone, that's pushing the boundaries of what you've done in the past.” “At the end of the day, living your best life is knowing what you want.” “Look for a coaching program. Join a coaching program. It's always worth the investment. Talk to other people who are already in the program to get some feedback. From them, you can learn pretty quickly whether it's worth the investment.” “Live below your means, something that I had been taught growing up, basically, but it's what's put me in the position, to be able to invest fairly early in life, and then to be able to achieve financial independence fairly early in life.” Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

What if the career you’d worked decades to build was the very thing holding you back from the life you actually wanted? In this episode, I sit down with Kerri Gibson, a former CPA who built a thriving hospitality empire in Quebec. After 22 years in tax and accounting software, Kerri’s breaking point became her breakthrough when a simple house flip spiraled into seven renovated ski chalets—and eventually a full-scale motel transformation. Kerri opens up about the toll of burnout and the moments she missed with family because work always came first. She shares how she and partner Philip navigated the tricky shift from colleagues to business partners to spouses working side by side, and how a few uncomfortable conversations ultimately strengthened both their relationship and their business. Most impressively, Kerri has achieved what many hospitality owners dream of: 70% direct bookings through her own website—without relying on OTAs. She walks us through the exact strategies she built from the ground up, plus how she infused their signature “hygge” concept into a roadside motel, transforming it into a place where guests connect and create lasting memories. Packed with real-world advice and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck—whether you’re plotting your escape from corporate life or striving to build a hospitality business that truly reflects your values. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:16] A short introduction about our guest Kerri Gibson and how she got into the world of short-term rentals [03:27] Kerri shares her journey from from CPA to tech leader in tax and accounting software [06:28] Kerri’s breaking point that pushed her to leave the corporate world [13:20] Kerri reveals her two-question strategy for making big decisions without a support system [21:06] Kerri recounts her journey from renovating distressed chalets to revitalizing a roadside motel  [25:39]  Kerri outlines her vision to reinvent the roadside motel experience through Scandinavian-inspired design and communal spaces [30:17] The challenges and growth that come from defining roles when running a business with a spouse [38:04] How Kerri shifted from relying entirely on OTAs to achieving 70% direct bookings [45:15] The power of starting early with a strategy and evolving it over time [48:08] Kerri talks about her self-taught marketing journey and how she strategically brought in outside expertise [52:39] The lightning round  Golden Nuggets: • “Find coziness, comfort and the simplicity of the small moments of life surrounded by those that you love the most.” • “I had to learn to find space for him to be a part of the business and flourish. And as we've defined, find our swim lanes, which is super important. It's allowed us to find, like these great things that go in sync together. You know, the Ying and the Yang.” • “Never, ever, ever build your house on someone else's land, no matter how small you are.” • “You have to create the strategy, then go implement the strategy. But without that strategy-first approach, it's just like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that something works.” • “There's nothing you can't do, or nothing you can't be, there's only what you're willing to work for.” This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 👉 Use the code STRSH20 at checkout for 20% off any yearly plan and start owning your bookings today. 🔗 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Lodgify.com Let’s Connect! LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kerri-gibson-cpaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerri_reinventedEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!