Esther stood in the doorway of her tiny one-bedroom apartment, a mix of excitement and uncertainty buzzing in her chest. It was a modest space, nothing extravagant—just a small living area, a cozy kitchen, and a bedroom barely big enough for the queen-sized bed. But to her, it was a fresh start, an opportunity.

She had taken a risk, listing her apartment on Airbnb after reading about people making a living off short-term rentals. It started as a way to make some extra cash, just enough to cover rent while she stayed with a friend. She had spent hours staging the space, making it warm and inviting. Fresh linens, a basket of complimentary snacks, a handwritten welcome note—small touches that made guests feel at home.

Her first booking came within hours of listing. A young couple visiting for the weekend. She meticulously cleaned before their arrival, leaving fresh flowers on the table. The guests left a glowing review. Then another booking came, then another. Before she knew it, her calendar was full for months.

Encouraged by her early success, Esther decided to scale up. She negotiated with her landlord, securing another one-bedroom unit in the same building. The risk was nerve-wracking, but she trusted her instincts. With the profits from her first listing, she furnished the second unit beautifully, even better than the first.

Managing two units meant twice the cleaning, twice the guest communication, twice the stress. She spent her days answering inquiries, coordinating check-ins, and scrubbing floors. But it was paying off. She reinvested every penny into growing her little venture.

Within a year, she had another unit.

By then, Esther had mastered the art of hospitality. She knew which amenities made the biggest impact—luxurious bedding, locally sourced coffee, high-speed Wi-Fi. She installed smart locks for seamless check-ins and created a guidebook with local recommendations. Guests were happy about her attention to detail. Word spread, and demand grew.

As her business expanded, she faced new challenges. She needed help. She hired a cleaning crew, a virtual assistant to handle bookings, and even a handyman for maintenance issues. 

Then came the real breakthrough. She was approached by a property owner impressed with her success. He had a vacant duplex and offered her a lease agreement. It was a big jump, but Esther saw the potential. With careful planning, she turned the duplex into two high-end, fully furnished rentals. 

She was no longer just an Airbnb host; she was a businesswoman.

She invested in property management software, reducing the manual work involved in coordinating bookings. With technology handling the logistics, she had time to focus on growth.

In two years, she managed over ten units across the city. Some she leased, others she managed for property owners on commission. She had built a brand—Esther’s Stays, known for exceptional hospitality and beautifully curated spaces.

Her biggest challenge came when regulations on short-term rentals tightened. New laws required permits and restricted the number of listings per host. Many operators struggled, but Esther was prepared. She is adapting, pivoting to mid-term rentals and corporate stays. With this new plan, she's partnering with real estate investors to manage their properties under long-term agreements. With this change, she decided to go big and take her business worldwide by partnering with investors in different countries. As she is going big, she decided to incorporate her business and change the name to something that reflet more her style, her fitness and hospitality: Esty's Royal Retreat!  

Looking back, she realized that success wasn’t about luck. It was about persistence, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. And with Esty's Royal Retreat, she is planning to built and empire, all this from a single bedroom!