Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 53 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz sits down with Mark Kombrink, founder of Host2Coast (also known as Hilton Head Vacation Rentals), to unpack the real-world lessons that shaped his journey in the vacation rental industry.
With a background in finance and a reputation as a true jack-of-all-trades, Mark built Host2Coast on one clear mission: to deliver exceptional service, peace of mind for homeowners, and unforgettable guest experiences. Whether it’s managing operations, crafting marketing strategies, or fixing something himself—Mark is always in the trenches.
In this episode, he shares the top 10 mistakes that helped refine his business model, leadership style, and ability to adapt to an ever-changing industry. From scaling challenges to missteps in service delivery, Mark’s transparency offers valuable takeaways for operators of all sizes.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 52 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz chats with Taylor Gates, founder and former CEO of Stay Duvet, to unpack the pivotal lessons, bold innovations, and entrepreneurial grit behind building Charleston’s most premier luxury vacation rental brand.
From launching in his 20s to overseeing 360+ properties, Taylor transformed Stay Duvet into a hospitality benchmark—known for its 4.9 average guest review score, 6+ year homeowner retention, and innovations like in-house concierge, hotel-style amenities, and Charleston’s first off-site guest resort.
In this episode, Taylor shares the top 10 mistakes that shaped his growth as a founder, operator, and community leader. But these weren’t setbacks, they were stepping stones to building a company that served guests, owners, and Charleston at the highest level.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 51 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz connects with Brandon Ezra currently Co-Founder at Stakeholders VR Group.
After 14 years growing and scaling Grand Welcome, Brandon has seen it all, scaled it up and then exited a healthy thriving business. He shares his lessons, mistakes and learnings along the way towards that exit along with a brand-new model that's win-win for vacation rental managers.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 50 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz connects with Andy Newman, founder & CEO of Newman Hospitality, to explore his unconventional journey from finance to short-term rentals—and the top 10 mistakes that shaped his path.
After spending 28 years as a portfolio manager, a vacation through Europe in 2012 introduced Andy to Airbnb—not just as a guest, but as an opportunity. What began as a favor for friends and family quickly evolved into a thriving business. Just 18 months later, Andy launched Newman Hospitality in 2014.
Now, with a deep focus on helping investors integrate STR strategies into their portfolios, Andy combines financial acumen with real-world hosting experience to drive scalable success. In this episode, he reflects on the missteps, mindset shifts, and operational lessons that helped him evolve from a solo host to a strategic industry leader.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 49 of the Vintory Podcast, we chat with Rachel Alday, co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, who—along with her husband Rob—has built one of the most respected high-end property management companies in the country. With over 200 luxury homes under management across Park City, Jackson Hole, and Sun Valley, Rachel brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to grow a purpose-driven, people-first vacation rental brand.
In this episode, Rachel reflects on the pivotal moments—not “mistakes,” but necessary learning curves, that shaped her path as a leader and entrepreneur. From operational challenges to moments of misalignment and growth through discomfort, Rachel shares how every step contributed to the company Abode is today.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling a luxury portfolio, Rachel’s candid, values-led approach is something every operator should hear.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this new episode, we sit down with Dawn Huff, a seasoned vacation rental entrepreneur with a passion for the outdoors and a legacy in the waterfront rental market.
Dawn shares the top 10 mistakes she made during her journey as the founder of Miss Kitty’s Fishing Getaways, a beloved property management company built for fishing enthusiasts along the Texas coast. From launching the business in 2003 to selling it in 2022, Dawn reflects on the hard lessons, the turning points, and the relationships that helped shape her path.
Now the founder and operator of Eagle’s Nest RV Park, Dawn brings a fresh perspective to outdoor hospitality, shaped by her past experiences and deep connection to nature.
If you're navigating growth, transitions, or thinking about long-term exit strategies, Dawn’s story will resonate deeply.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this new episode, we are joined by Chris Walker, founder of Luxury Homes of Hilton Head and a real estate expert with over 20 years of experience in the luxury property market.
Chris has spent decades navigating the high-end real estate and vacation rental space on Hilton Head Island, and in this episode, he shares the top 10 mistakes he’s made along the way and the game-changing lessons they taught him.
From underestimating owner expectations to navigating luxury guest demands and learning the hard way about scaling operations, this episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone managing or marketing high-end vacation rentals.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this new episode, we sit down with Brian Zerges, CEO of Finger Lakes Premier Properties, who brings over three decades of experience in the vacation rental industry to the mic.
After 32 years navigating the ups and downs of property management, Brian gets candid about the top 10 mistakes he’s made and the lessons each one taught him. From early tech missteps to leadership challenges and scaling stumbles, this episode is packed with actionable insights for operators at every stage of their journey.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 45 of the Vintory Podcast, we sit down with JJ King, co-founder of Beachside Vacation Rentals, for an unfiltered look into the top 10 mistakes he’s made in his vacation rental journey, and how each one became a critical learning experience.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this episode of the Victory Podcast, Dana Moraru, founder of Tahoe Signature Properties, shares her incredible journey in the vacation rental industry—including the top 10 mistakes she’s made and the lessons that shaped her success.
From scaling too quickly and hiring missteps to team building and embracing change, Dana’s story is packed with real-world insights that every vacation rental owner and manager can learn from.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to grow smarter, this episode is full of actionable takeaways and powerful mindset shifts.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this episode of the Victory Podcast, we chat with Chad Phillis of Checkmate Rentals, who shares his top 10 biggest mistakes in vacation rentals and the lessons that came from them. Success in the vacation rental industry isn’t just about what you do right—it’s about what you avoid doing wrong.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. This week, we sit down with Buck Cumbo of Sea Mountain Vacations, who’s opening up about his journey in the vacation rental industry. From scaling challenges to operational missteps, Buck shares the top 10 mistakes he made—so you don’t have to!
If you’re a vacation rental host or property manager, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you avoid costly errors and set yourself up for long-term success.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this episode, we sit down with Tony Stancato, founder of Book N’ Gather, as he takes us through his journey in the vacation rental industry—the highs, the lows, and most importantly, the top 10 mistakes he made along the way.
Learning from failure is key to success, and Tony’s insights could save you time, money, and stress as you grow your own vacation rental business. From operational missteps to marketing blunders, this episode is packed with lessons that will help you avoid common pitfalls and build a thriving rental business.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In this insightful episode, we are joined by Roman Tomkiv of Casago North Hill Country. Roman shares his journey in the vacation rental industry, discussing key strategies that have helped him build a thriving business.
From creating exceptional guest experiences and optimizing operational processes to fostering community connections and mastering local market dynamics, Roman offers actionable insights and strategies to help you take your vacation rental business to the next level.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. Join Brooke Pfautz as he draws from his Amazon best-selling book, Vacation Rental Secrets, revealing the top 10 mistakes that defined his career and the lessons that led to his success.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes! In this special episode, we are joined by Mike Harrington, who dives deep into the mistakes he made in the vacation rental industry.
From scaling challenges and trusting your team to community involvement and staying focused on your goals, Mike shares invaluable lessons and practical takeaways to help you avoid common pitfalls and grow your business with confidence.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. We are thrilled to have Clark Twiddy on this new podcast episode as he takes us through the Top 10 mistakes he made in the vacation rental business and the key takeaways that helped him evolve.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. This week, Casago's Steve Schwab joins us to share his vacation rental mistakes, how he learned from each one, and the strategies that helped him grow his rental business.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. Andrew Pokrzywinski reveals the Top 10 challenges he faced in vacation rental management and how he turned those obstacles into stepping stones.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale your vacation rental business, this episode is packed with actionable tips and hard-earned wisdom. Hit play and learn how Andrew overcame the tough moments that shaped their journey.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. Join Brian Olson as he reflects on the growth that emerged from his vacation rental management misadventures.
Enjoy!
⭐️ Links & Show Notes
🔗 Connect With Vintory
🚀 About Vintory
Vintory is the first and only platform designed exclusively to help vacation rental managers recruit new homeowners and add more properties to their management program.
