Building Success Through Relationships with Kathy Kelly of DIGS Vacation Rentals
March 18, 2025
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon speaks with Kathy Kelly, the founder of DIGS Vacation Rentals who manages approximately 50 luxury vacation rentals across California's Central Coast, with several properties ranking in the top 10% worldwide on Airbnb.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon speaks with Kathy Kelly, the founder of DIGS Vacation Rentals who manages approximately 50 luxury vacation rentals across California's Central Coast, with several properties ranking in the top 10% worldwide on Airbnb.
Together they explore:
- How building authentic relationships with homeowners, staff, and guests drives business growth
- The realities of the post-COVID vacation rental market as "toe dippers" exit the industry
- Strategic approaches to managing widespread properties across a 72-mile radius
- The unexpected ways that community involvement generates valuable business referrals
- How personal connections create memorable guest experiences
- The importance of balancing technology with hands-on hospitality
- Navigating complex local regulations across multiple jurisdictions
- Building and retaining loyal cleaning teams in challenging labor markets
Kathy Kelly brings unique insights from her journey as a former Vacasa general manager who built her own company from scratch after being laid off. Her design background and hands-on approach have enabled her to create unforgettable experiences for guests while maintaining strong relationships with homeowners, many of whom have become personal friends.
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Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit, and many more.
Check out the three most downloaded episodes:
Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit, and many more.
Check out the three most downloaded episodes:
- Vacation Rental Stories: Episode 63 - Driving Innovation and Partnership
- Homeowners Become Family with Michael Godfrey, Owner of Michael’s Vacation Rentals
- Life in Maui as a Property Manager with Scott Jordan, Owner of Maui Life Realty
Are you a vacation rental industry leader looking to share your expertise? We're seeking innovative voices to join our conversation about growing and scaling vacation rental businesses.
The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow reaches thousands of property managers worldwide. We're particularly interested in perspectives on:
- Scaling your vacation rental portfolio
- Optimizing guest experiences
- Revenue management strategies
- Industry trends and market insights