Meet Marta Miner | Short Term Rental Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marta Miner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marta, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I travel a lot and for the most part, I stay at Airbnbs and VRBOs. I am also an owner and host of several short-term rentals. So naturally, as a guest and a host, I started to notice more and more gaps in the market.

Vacation rental hosts need support and direction to grow their business. There are so many unmet needs and opportunities in this sector, especially around improving guest experience. This is something I am naturally passionate about and so I decided to do just that: Help hosts provide an unforgettable five-star experience for guests, while boosting profits and their overall enjoyment of this business.

I’m what some would call a ‘maximizer’ – I see things and immediately want to make them better than they already are. Things like home improvements, decorating and top-notch customer service light me up – and when people get to experience the end result of these things, it makes them happy too.

So, the best thing about what I do in my business is that it lets me make things better and people happier. In a small way I get to make the world of Airbnb’s a better place for both hosts and guests!

What should our readers know about your business?
What excites me most is helping people close the gap between where they are – and where they want to be.

I help vacation rental hosts – especially those who are newer to the game – avoid painful mistakes that have long term consequences. I work with them to optimize their listing, identify what’s not working for them – and help them create rental spaces and experiences that guests absolutely love and want to keep coming back to over and over again.

My degree is in hospitality and hotel management so I’m a passionate advocate for delivering five star customer service and going above and beyond to create unique and extraordinary experiences for guests that turn them into raving fans. Strategically this gives hosts a massive edge on their competition, especially right now.

In this new pandemic-era that we live in, customer service has deteriorated to become almost nonexistent. As a result, a business owner who understands the key role customer service plays in their overall success – is one who will get to stay and grow, generate profits and ultimately be an industry leader. It’s really that simple. If you want to stand out from the crowd of ordinary-to-awful experiences, you have to understand this principle.

People are tired of being pushed around, not getting what they paid for, and not being treated like the valuable customer they are. This applies to absolutely any business. If you appreciate this, you will be the king in your industry! 

What gets me up and motivated each day, is the opportunity to make the world a better place. Something that’s proven so powerful in both my experience and observation is aligning life and business with the Golden Rule : “in all things do to others what you would have them do to you…”

This approach has been a defining theme for me since I can remember. Through my career I’ve seen unhappy patrons turn into buyers-for-life by simply showing the same level of care I would hope to receive if it was me in their situation. People don’t realize how powerful this is – and in my business now, it works to compound everyone’s happiness by creating happy hosts and happy guests.

Like so many other women out there, I am also a mom – and my daughter is an adorably busy and beautiful three year old. Of course starting this business has meant caring for her, while also juggling my other business projects (short term rentals and flipping houses) and still traveling a ton – so it’s’ not always been easy…

Yet, I believe the old saying is true: ‘where there is a will there is a way.’

I believe if you have a vision there is always a way to bring that vision to life. If you are on the right path, doors will open, opportunities will come, and coaches will appear to make the journey easier and smoother. For any woman wondering if she should go for it, I say absolutely 100% ‘YES!’ Getting started is the hardest part, but once you put yourself out there, you will be so proud and happy you did!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends and family come into town I like to show them as much as possible but the reality is there is so much to see and do that it’s nearly impossible to do it all, Lol.

What people don’t always realize about Arizona is how diverse it actually is. So, what I love to do is take family or friends out of town for a few days and show them around Sedona’s Red Rocks which are beyond breathtaking — as well as snowy Flagstaff in wintertime.

I am also very much a spa-loving girl, so it’s lucky for me that Arizona has some of the best spas in the country if not on the planet. I travel extensively and visit spa’s all over the world – so I can really speak to this. My most favorite spa is Joya at the Montelucia. I adore the vibe of the hotel, the proximity to the mountains, the exquisite views, the pool at the spa and their delicious lunch menu. I have never had a guest that I did not invite there! It’s the first place I book when someone tells me they’re coming to visit.

Another great place is the Fairmont resort and their spa as well. Their winter light display is my favorite thing to do that time of year with friends and family from out of town. The Bourbon steak restaurant is also unmissable. When in the mood for a stroll, then the pond around the hotel is just perfect to walk around, especially with kids.

Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons are places I visit on a weekly basis. Since I’m from Europe, being outdoors and walking is what I love most and you can find a really nice mixture of restaurants, shopping and kid friendly actives there.

For family time, we enjoy strolling around the Desert Ridge Marketplace area as well. There’s the magic of the lights at night, live music or feature movies on the big screen at The District Stage – and just being able to soak up the atmosphere and hang out.

Hiking is naturally a huge part of living in Arizona and my favorite spots are the Camelback Mountain and Pinnacle Peak.

For those with kiddos I recommend the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park for a train ride or a picnic on their grounds.

I also have the best fun taking my daughter to the OdySea Aquarium, it’s always a great day out, especially in the hot summer months.

For big shoppers, Fashion square mall will not disappoint. I like to go there even just to wander around and get my walking in during summer time.

For photos, amazing views and lots of local restaurants and small shops, Arizona Canal in old town Scottsdale is beautiful all year round. Enjoy a relaxing walk with friends or family and check out the galleries and boutiques in that area.

As far as restaurants there are too many to mention. We go out to eat on a regular basis and are lucky to have such a huge variety. Favorite spots that we keep coming back to time and time again are Capital Grill in North Scottsdale (for amazing customer service); True Foods in Scottsdale Quarter (for yummy healthy food); Volanti (at the Scottsdale Private Airport for beautiful views of the mountains and planes taking off alongside you); Modern Market (their salads are unbeatable); Blanco Tacos (for crazy-good tacos, drinks and fun atmosphere), Steak 44 (for show-stopping steak.)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not have evolved into who I am today if I had not committed to continual personal growth. I have always been a reader and a student of self-development; investing in 77% of Airbnb guests want to live like locals.

What does this mean for you as a host? I’ll tell you! Include things they might want to see that are relevant to your town, neighborhood, surrounding cities! Go above and beyond the average brochure – make them a binder full of the best places to go, activities to try, and restaurants to eat at! Treat them like a new neighbor to the neighborhood! Is your town famous for something? Excellent wine, award winning jam, a fancy statue? Include an element of that in your welcome basket!

The more your treat your guests like family, the more they’ll want to tell their friends and come back time and time again!

coaches, mentors and attending seminars.

Early on, Tony Robbins had an immense influence on my approach to life and work. I also completed a series of Landmark Forum seminars – and as far as reading goes some of my favorite, most impactful books and authors include:

‘You are a Badass’ and other books by Jen Sincero
‘Happy Pocket Full of Money’ by David Cameron Gikandi
‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie
‘Wishes Fulfilled’ and all books by Wayne Dyer
‘The Power is Within You’ by Louise Hay
‘Discover Your Destiny’ by Robin Sharma
‘The Science of Getting Rich’ by Wallace D Wattles
‘You’ll See It When You Believe It’ by Dr Wayne Dyer
‘The Power of Habit’ by Charles Duhigg
‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill
‘The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success’ by Deepak Chopra
‘Lucky Bitch’ and all other work by Denise Duffield Thomas
And of course, all courses, books and events by Tony Robbins.

These are just a small sample of the influences that have shaped me.

Right now, I have an incredible selection of coaches I work with: Rebeca Storck Lima (business coach), Katie Mae Webb (life coach) and my new friend and manifestation coach, Laura St John, who has taken me to a whole new level.

Website: www.MartaMiner.com

Instagram: @marta_miner

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-miner-3b13307/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marta.fenton

Image Credits
Jane Z Photography (Arizona)