How an Unexpected Move Turned Into a New Passion
- Sophie Langis-Lauzière
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Here's the origin story how I went from a career with Fortune 500 companies, to managing and advising short term rentals.
When our family suddenly had to relocate from California to Colorado , selling our house felt like the obvious next step. We wanted to buy a new house in a lower cost market, and we wanted the equity for our new house cashdown. But the timing (end of the summer + very high interest rate + lot of house on the market in our area) was not right. The offers were not where we knew the home should be, and emotionally, we were not ready to let it go for less than its true value.
We decided to transform our house into an Airbnb.
At first, it was simply a way to give ourselves time. A way to cover costs while we figured out the next chapter. I did not expect it to become something that would genuinely change how I think about real estate, business, and even lifestyle.
What made all the difference was finding the right partner.
We worked with our realtor, who made the suggestion to convert to an Airbnb initially. Herself a Super Host on the platform, she became our house manager and our coach who helped us understand how short-term rentals actually operate. Not just the logistics, but the mindset. The systems. The guest experience. The financial realities.
Having someone experienced guiding us through pricing, turnovers, guest communication, and property standards made everything feel manageable. Having someone locally available to drive to the house if / when needed also reassured us about managing a property while living out of state. It turned what could have been a stressful situation into something empowering.
One of the moments that truly confirmed we had made the right decision happened during our recent spring break. We were able to go back to our house, sleep in our own beds, reconnect with neighbors and friends, and revisit the memories we had built there. And we could do it without the financial pressure we would have felt if the home had been sitting empty or sold in a rush. We didn't have to pay for an hotel, we were able to use all the amenities of our amazing neighborhood. Talk about a cheap trip with a very high level of satisfaction.
That experience changed everything for me.
As a CPA, I have always been passionate about helping businesses make sound decisions. My career has taken me through advisory, consulting, risk management, accounting, and tax. Over time, I also gained exposure to both real estate and hospitality environments. But living this transition personally gave me a new level of understanding.
Short-term rental is not just a business model. It is a powerful tool for flexibility. It allows homeowners to protect long-term value, generate income, and make thoughtful decisions without being forced by timing or market conditions. It allows to mix our asset portfolio, spreading our risks, improving our tax strategy opportunities.
Today, what started as a practical solution has become a true passion. I am deeply interested in how short-term rentals can be structured, optimized, and managed in a way that supports both financial goals and life goals.
This journey is what inspired the vision behind StayLab. Helping owners navigate transitions, create sustainable systems, and make confident decisions about their properties.
Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities begin in moments we did not plan. This was one of ours.
If you would like to know more about my journey and discuss some of the advantage of short term rentals I mention above, please schedule some time for us to chat! I would love to share 1 on 1 why this may be an amazing opportunity for you as well!
Comments