ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

Starting With Neighbor's Barn With $2,000, 32-Year-Old's Rental Set-Up Now Brings In $2.88 Million a Year

The company now employs eight full-time workers and approximately 60 part-time employees, managing various types of rentals.
UPDATED JAN 22, 2024
Cover Image Source: Facebook | Jamie Stark Inlow
Cover Image Source: Facebook | Jamie Stark Inlow

In June 2019, Jamie Inlow, a 32-year-old student program director at the University of Virginia, seized an opportunity that would change her life. Her neighbor mentioned that the apartment above his barn was vacant, and Inlow saw it as a chance to start a business. She proposed to her neighbor that she would furnish the apartment using Facebook Marketplace and list it for short-term rentals on Airbnb, with profits split evenly between them.

And so, 'Be Still Getaways' was born, CNBC Make It reported.

Inlow implemented a strategy that involved search engine optimization (SEO) and influencer marketing to attract customers. She started an Instagram account and designed a website. Inlow wisely enlisted the help of professionals to optimize her content and enhance her online brand. These efforts proved fruitful when Julia Randall, a prominent local influencer, began engaging with Be Still Getaways' Instagram posts.

Capitalizing on this opportunity, Inlow proposed a collaboration and offered Randall a complimentary stay in exchange for promoting the Airbnb listing on her popular 'Stays and Getaways' page. This partnership generated a remarkable surge in bookings for the apartment within two months of its listing.



 

Capitalizing on the initial success, Inlow approached her neighbor investor again, seeking $110,000 to purchase and furnish a tiny home. The same business model applied, with the neighbor funding the investment, and Inlow managing the listing. The tiny home went live on Airbnb in March 2020 and continued to generate regular bookings despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions.

As Be Still Getaways gained momentum, Inlow received inquiries from individuals seeking Airbnb advice. Recognizing an opportunity, she proposed managing their properties in exchange for a share in the profits. What started with one shared rental unit quickly grew to three. By the end of 2020, Be Still Getaways was managing 20 properties. Inlow spent extensive hours on research and managing the business while juggling her other jobs, totaling 30 to 40 hours per week dedicated to the company.



 

Growing from Side Hustle to Full-Time Business

By 2021, Be Still Getaways had expanded to managing 30 properties, prompting Inlow to hire an operations director and part-time staff for cleaning, staging, and repairs. Despite the growth, Inlow paid herself a meager $10,000 that year, reinvesting profits into the business. She acquired another property management company called Cape Charles Escapes, venturing into Virginia's coastal region. In March 2022, Inlow made the bold decision to quit her full-time university job, and and four months later, she was drawing an annual salary of $72,000.

Today, Inlow and her husband both work for Be Still Getaways, earning a combined income of $150,000 per year. The company now employs eight full-time workers and approximately 60 part-time employees, managing various types of rentals.



 

Looking Ahead

Inlow's business has achieved remarkable success, but she is still learning to be a CEO. Her current focus is on hiring more staff and streamlining workflows to create a better work-life balance. Inlow plans to attend business therapy sessions and implement strategies to achieve a healthier lifestyle. While challenges lie ahead, she remains dedicated to the growth and success of Be Still Getaways.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The player, Jeff Richardson put up a stunning performance to drive home a new car.
11 hours ago
Since Kevin O'Leary made the offer just to mess with Corcoran, the deal hit the Shark where it hurts.
13 hours ago
Harrison chose to pass on the most important item of the collection for a strange reason.
15 hours ago
The contestant, Alexa Kalanz was doing well throughout the game despite a rough start.
16 hours ago
Despite having just 25% ownership of her company, Meagan Bowman managed to bag a $400,000 deal.
1 day ago
In the end, Harrison felt like he hit the jackpot as he knew every collector would be after the item.
1 day ago
Former players and audience members shared how the show deals with controversial statements.
2 days ago
Fans were divided on whether Adam Wredberg's Bonus Round puzzle was solvable or not.
2 days ago
The lucky win delighted the fans as the contestant, Sunita Baru took home more than $50,000.
3 days ago
Chris and Jeanie Rodgers didn't just beat up the zombie on the show, but also had him present their product to the judges.
3 days ago
Fans on Reddit complained complained that some games are either overly difficult by design or favor only physically fit contestants.
3 days ago
Contestant Joey Sweet took the loss in stride, but the show's viewers weren't happy with the puzzle selection.
4 days ago
A lot of things on set were put to the test during the "Is it real or is it cake?" challenge, including the host.
4 days ago
Fans were left disappointed after the contestant, Alicia Slagle, failed to guess an easy phrase in the finale.
4 days ago
Jackie Fakhoury was also joined by her husband and son in celebration on stage.
5 days ago
The guest had no idea that her $30 ring was studded with diamonds and made of platinum.
5 days ago
In a rare event, Harrison didn't haggle the seller as he knew he had to make a deal for he coin.
5 days ago
The Bobek family, who came dressed in Polish Highlander attire, had the host grooving to their tunes.
6 days ago
Contestant Marie-Eve Augier’s smart letter choices turned the puzzle into an easy solve.
6 days ago