Meet Kristi (Kay)

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristi (Kay) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kristi (Kay) with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I come from a hard working family. I have six successful siblings, and a mom that showed us that hard work and resilience leads to great success. I began working when I was a young kid, selling golfballs and turkey sandwiches to the golfers in our backyard. This led to nanny jobs in my early teens, and working at the mall doing open to close shifts for $6.00/hour when I was old enough to drive by myself. My work ethic comes naturally, in a sense, the more I work, the more I fall in love with what I am doing. I have an intrinsic drive and desire to achieve my goals, which fuels my strong work ethic. This inner motivation stems from a sense of personal ambition, a desire for success, and the satisfaction I derive from accomplishing tasks.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m proud to say that I created StayEasy LLC a couple of years ago, and it has been an incredible journey of growth and success. We have expanded exponentially, managing rentals both near and far from our hometown in Southern California. What makes this job so exciting for me is that I built it from the ground up, starting with my own vacation rental.

One thing that will never change is that StayEasy will always be a family-owned and operated company. We believe in maintaining that personal touch and providing excellent communication and quality customer service. Our clients can always reach us with just a call or a text, and we value the importance of keeping that direct line of communication open.

Looking ahead, our future goals are focused on growth, establishing a strong StayEasy product brand, and expanding both in the marketing field and geographically. We want to continue growing our business, reaching more customers, and becoming a recognized name in the industry. It’s an exciting time as we set our sights on expanding our operations state and nationwide.

I’m passionate about what I do, and seeing StayEasy thrive and evolve is incredibly rewarding. I am dedicated to delivering the best possible experience for our guests and clients, and I’m confident that our commitment to excellent service and personalized communication will continue to set us apart.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are:

Resilience and Perseverance: One of the most important qualities I’ve cultivated is the ability to never give up, even in the face of challenges or setbacks. It’s inevitable that not every guest will leave a 5-star review, and there will be obstacles along the way. However, by remaining resilient and persistent, I have been able to navigate these hurdles, learn from them, and improve my business.

Continuous Learning and Adaptability: I strongly believe in the power of learning from others and constantly seeking knowledge and insights. Throughout my journey, I have actively learned from colleagues, fellow hosts, and various resources available. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning and staying adaptable to new information and industry trends, I have been able to enhance my skills, refine my strategies, and make informed decisions to grow my personal portfolio.

Possibility Mindset and Entrepreneurial Spirit: A crucial quality that has shaped my journey is the belief that anything is possible when it comes to starting a business and expanding a personal portfolio. By maintaining an optimistic and innovative mindset, I have been able to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and explore new avenues for growth. This entrepreneurial spirit has fueled my motivation, enabled me to think outside the box, and has been instrumental in the success and growth of my business.

These three qualities, resilience, continuous learning, and a possibility mindset, have been instrumental in overcoming challenges, staying adaptable, and achieving success in my journey of building and expanding my business.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth and improvement has been developing a mindset that allows me to focus on being the best management company, the top choice for my clients, and the ultimate host for my guests. This growth has been particularly evident in my ability to handle less than 5-star reviews or constructive criticism from guests without taking it personally.

In the past, negative feedback or less-than-perfect reviews might have affected me personally. However, I have learned to separate myself from these criticisms and understand that they are not a reflection of my worth as a host or as a company. Instead, I view them as valuable opportunities for improvement and a chance to enhance the guest experience.

By adopting this mindset, I have become more open to receiving feedback and actively seeking ways to address any shortcomings. Rather than dwelling on the negative aspects, I focus on understanding the guest’s perspective, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to better meet their expectations in the future.

This growth has allowed me to approach feedback with a more constructive and positive attitude. I now see it as an essential tool for progress and refinement, enabling me to continually evolve and provide an exceptional experience for my clients and guests.

By embracing this mindset shift, I have not only strengthened my ability to handle criticism but also fostered a deeper commitment to self-improvement and a dedication to consistently deliver the best possible service.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Dina Fisk (mom/role model)

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