Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Robinson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I never set out to build a vacation-rental coaching, co-hosting, and design company. My journey began when my banking career ended and I found myself owning and managing one small property with a simple intention: to create a place where guests felt genuinely welcomed. I quickly discovered that what I enjoyed most was helping people feel safe, comfortable, and seen when they travel.
Over the past nine years—and especially during the last three to five years, when this became my full-time focus—my work has evolved from hosting a single listing in Wisconsin to relocating to Florida and formally launching the business.
My company, Welcoming Wow, began with the concept of “welcoming your guests with a wow.” I initially assumed my focus would be primarily on vacation rental design, but like many businesses, we pivoted. With my corporate background in banking—where I oversaw multiple locations and departments—the business quickly expanded into coaching hosts around the country as they launched their own vacation rental ventures.
What started with coaching and co-hosting soon grew into vacation rental design, accessibility-focused consulting, and inclusive hospitality training. My work with families on the autism spectrum—and my deep belief that every guest deserves to feel safe and comfortable—has shaped what is now becoming The Welcoming Wow Way: a design and hosting philosophy rooted in empathy, clarity, and intentional experience creation.
Today, I support owners launching their very first rental, investors transitioning away from large property-management companies, and established hosts who want to stand out in an increasingly saturated market. My team and I strengthen the business fundamentals—pricing, operations, marketing, and direct booking—while also transforming homes into spaces that feel genuinely welcoming for a diverse range of guests.
What began as one property became a mission: a mission to help owners build profitable, guest-centered businesses; to raise the standard of comfort and inclusion in short-term rentals; and to demonstrate that when you design and operate with intention, you don’t just “host” guests—you create moments that matter.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a perfectly smooth road, but I’m grateful for that. The challenges ultimately clarified my mission and strengthened my business.
When I transitioned out of a long banking career, I had to rebuild my professional identity from the ground up. Moving to Florida and relaunching my life and business in a new state was both exciting and overwhelming. I began with very little local support and had to learn everything—from new regulations to new guest expectations—while simultaneously building a brand that reflected my values.
As my business grew, so did the complexity. Managing multiple properties across several states required scalable systems, reliable teams, and continuous process improvement. There were staffing shortages, inconsistent cleaners, software gaps, and more than a few 2 a.m. problem-solving moments.
One of the biggest challenges was educating owners about the importance of quality, safety, and guest experience. Many were accustomed to bare-minimum hosting and did not understand the impact of design, accessibility, or operations on profitability. Helping them shift that mindset takes time, patience, and a lot of hands-on guidance.
There were also personal challenges—navigating the emotional toll of starting over, learning to trust my instincts, and balancing the demands of a rapidly growing business with real life. But each challenge pushed me to refine The Welcoming Wow Way and strengthened the conviction behind the work I do.
Today, those struggles inform the way I coach and support other hosts. I’ve lived the pain points, solved them, and now help others avoid the same missteps. The road wasn’t smooth, but it has been deeply meaningful—and it continues to shape the kind of leader, coach, and designer I strive to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Welcoming Wow?
Welcoming Wow is a coaching, co-hosting, and design consultancy dedicated to helping vacation rental owners create profitable, guest-centered, and truly memorable short-term rental experiences. We specialize in turning ordinary properties into intentional, welcoming spaces that not only photograph well, but also support comfort, safety, and inclusion for every guest who walks through the door.
At our core, we help new and existing hosts launch, operate, and scale vacation rentals the right way—from strategic pricing and operations to design planning, guest communication, marketing, and direct-booking support. I am known primarily for two things: my ability to simplify the overwhelming world of short-term rentals for newcomers, and my signature design philosophy, The Welcoming Wow Way, which weaves inclusive, autism-friendly principles into every property improvement plan.
What sets us apart is our belief that hospitality is not just operational—it’s deeply human. Many companies in this industry focus on efficiency, turnover speed, or maximizing nightly rates. We focus on people. On how a guest feels when they enter a room. On clarity, comfort, sensory considerations, safety, and thoughtful design choices that make a property accessible and enjoyable for families with diverse needs. That commitment has become a defining feature of our brand.
I am especially proud of how Welcoming Wow has grown into a trusted partner for owners who want to elevate their business beyond the basics. Whether someone is launching their very first Airbnb, transitioning away from a large property management company, or repositioning an existing rental to increase revenue, we offer hands-on guidance, strategic coaching, and design support tailored to their goals and budget.
For readers, the most important thing to know is this: Welcoming Wow exists to take the guesswork out of hosting. We help you build a stronger, more profitable business while creating homes that feel good for every guest. And we do it with intention, empathy, and a passion for raising the standard of hospitality one property at a time.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has absolutely played a role in my life and business—but I’ve learned that luck only matters when you’re prepared to act on it. Some of the biggest turning points in my journey came from moments that, on the surface, looked like coincidence: the ending of my banking career, the opportunity to buy my first property, the move to Florida, or meeting people who later became clients, partners, or supporters. None of those moments were planned, but each one opened a door.
At the same time, those “lucky” opportunities would have meant nothing if I hadn’t been ready to step into them. My corporate background, my natural inclination toward leadership and systems, and my passion for hospitality created a foundation that allowed me to recognize when a moment wasn’t just luck—it was an invitation to build something new.
There has also been what I’d call disguised luck—experiences that felt difficult in the moment but ultimately shaped the way I lead and serve today. Losing my long-term banking career, relocating, rebuilding, navigating early business challenges… none of it felt like good luck at the time. But those experiences forced me to evolve, to think differently, and to build a business that aligns with my strengths and values. I would not have created Welcoming Wow without them.
So yes, luck has shown up in different forms, both good and bad. But preparation, resilience, and a willingness to say yes when the door cracks open—that’s what turned those moments into something meaningful. My business today is the result of a blend of timing, opportunity, and the hard work required to turn luck into purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcomingwow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welcomingwow
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannehackerrobinson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@welcomingwow
- Other: https://linktr.ee/SuzRobinson
