From Task-Doers to Game-Changers: Building a Team That Grows With You
In short-term rentals, your team can make you—or break you. I learned this the hard way, but it’s also been one of the greatest blessings of my STR journey. My corporate leadership background—hiring, training, and developing talent at scale—taught me something invaluable: whether it’s one cleaner, one handyman, or one VA (Virtual Assistant), you’re building a team that will either lift your business up or drag it down.
And just like in the corporate world, I’ve learned to be picky. Not everyone is the right fit—and that’s okay. Sometimes they move on because my standards are too high. Other times, I realize I’ve made a hiring mistake. Either way, every experience is a lesson, not a failure.
One of the biggest lessons? Stop hiring for tasks and start hiring for impact.
Hire Problem-Solvers, Not Task Rabbits
When I hire a VA, I’m not looking for a button-pusher. I want a mini–chief of staff. Someone versatile enough to evolve as my business evolves.
That’s why I don’t just hand out checklists. I give my team ownership of functional areas. I share goals, challenges, and wins—and expect them to show up as passionate, creative problem solvers. When they connect the dots, their work stops being ‘tasks’ and becomes fuel for growth. That’s where the magic happens.
“Build people, not just processes—and they’ll build your business with you.”
Why Training Mindset Beats Training Skills Every Time
Yes, I can teach how to write a guest message or update a pricing rule. But what really matters is the training mindset.
When mistakes happen—and they will—I don’t want a meltdown. I want someone who can bounce back, learn, and move forward. So I train for resilience and problem-solving, not just SOPs.
Sometimes, I assign projects I know they might fumble. Why? Because great team members are sponges. They stretch. They surprise you. And sometimes, they knock it out of the park in ways you never expected.
Build a Two-Way Street
Leadership isn’t just me talking down—it’s me listening up.
I ask my team for feedback constantly, because I know I have blind spots. Their fresh eyes catch things I’d miss, and their outside-the-box ideas make my business stronger.
From day one, I tell my VA: “Everything you learn here is for you, too. My goal is that one day, you’ll be training your own team—or even running your own business.”
And we don’t just grind—we celebrate. We laugh over wins, shake our heads together over tough guests, and keep moving forward.
Set the Bar High—and Lift Others Higher
I set a high bar for who gets to stay on my team. Skills matter, but integrity matters more.
I help them shape a vision for their own careers and push them to tap into their full potential—often more than they thought possible. I back this up in practical ways too: sending referrals to my best handymen and cleaning teams, and being a reference on speed dial.
Because here’s the truth: building a team isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about building people. When you invest in their development and support their long-term growth, you attract and keep the right people. The best ones don’t just work for money—they work for knowledge, purpose, and the chance to grow alongside you. And when you invest in people the right way, they’ll build your business right alongside you.
But leadership isn’t perfect, and neither am I. Do I make mistakes? Absolutely. The wrong hire doesn’t just weaken your business—it drains your energy. Once I realize I’ve made that mistake, I set emotions aside and reset quickly—finding and training the right replacement while addressing the gaps I found in my process.
“When you invest in people the right way, they become your greatest ROI”
At the end of the day, your rentals don’t succeed because of software, pricing tools, or even great décor. They succeed—or fail—because of your team.
👉 Struggling to build a strong team to manage and scale your STR business? Savvy Breezy STR Consulting is here to help.