Rising Stars: Meet Aimee Bennett of Orange Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Bennett.

Hi Aimee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started renting as a necessity back in the housing recession ~2009. I wasn’t able to sell my home when I moved, so I rented it out. That started the itch that led to buying 3 more long-term rentals. Fast forward to 2023 when I got my first beachfront condo in Orange Beach!⛱️ I’ve spent the past 3 years honing my marketing strategy, interior design/presentation, and industry expertise to maintain status as one of the top 3 earners in our building! I quickly reverse-engineered to find out what helped me get there, and I now offer these same services of personally-handled interior design + implementation, coupled with regular property management for other owners. It’s been a win-win, and I can’t wait for what’s next!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In some ways, my experience in long-term rentals helped, but STRs are a different world. Much more fast-paced with variables that can initially seem out of one’s control (think, Airbnb controls this industry!). I have had a few bumps aka, dips in rental revenue, during months when Airbnb made a change they didn’t announce. Usually I dig in and figure it out pretty quickly, and I’m thankful I learned these lessons on my personal rentals first!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My corporate background is in digital marketing – email-focused. I decided to leave the world of corporate last year, in favor of my vacation rental management business. Additionally (same year I launched into the world of STR), I opened a glamping franchise in Cheaha State Park, Alabama – it’s the highest point in AL in case you didn’t know! 🙂 I have 8 glamping sites inside the state park, I LOVE it, and clearly, travel/rental/hosting is really my niche!

Any big plans?
Growing my vacation rental management company, with a brand that is unique from the many other options locally. I hesitated to even start one because there are already so many, but I found that a large portion (if not most) of their legacy clients feel under-served and over-looked. I’m taking on those clients, using interior design and styling to elevate their condos to compete in the current market, and provide more of a “guest experience” rather than “managing the guest” – in the way people currently want, offering a fresh approach to the check-in experience, offering customizations so guests can have a stay THEY want, and it’s different for everyone!

Pricing:

• varies – not sure what I should put there!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.peaceofthebeachcondos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaceofthebeachcondos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaceofthebeachcondos