Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Bailey.
Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our journey into short-term rental management began with curiosity and a simple dream: to one day create a peaceful retreat where we could share our love of the Minnesota Northwoods with others. As we explored that idea, Maria came across a short-term rental property manager who helped owners care for and share their spaces as vacation rentals. That discovery opened a new door for us and reshaped what our dream could become.
Around the same time, we were starting a family and searching for more flexibility so we could better balance work and home life. We began educating ourselves, built a very simple first website, and officially filed our business with the state. That same month, COVID-19 arrived. What we had imagined as a gradual side venture quickly became our full-time path when we both lost our previous jobs. Overnight, Grand Rapids BnB went from “someday” to “now.”
Despite the uncertainty of that season, we kept moving forward. We navigated shutdowns, regulatory requirements, and the realities of growing a family—welcoming our second baby—while building relationships and preparing our first properties. In May of 2022, we welcomed our very first guests.
Since then, our growth has exceeded anything we initially imagined. Today, we manage 26 short-term rental properties, 13 timeshare properties that serve as short- and medium-term rentals, and 11 long-term rental properties. Along the way, we’ve continued to refine our systems, simplify our processes, and stay focused on creating thoughtful, high-quality experiences for both owners and guests.
At the heart of everything we do are relationships. We’re incredibly grateful for the trust of the property owners we partner with and inspired by the unique spaces they’ve created. We also love hosting guests and having the opportunity to be part of their stories—whether they’re visiting for rest, celebration, or connection. Our hope is that every stay leaves people feeling a little more grounded and cared for, just as we feel through the community we’ve built.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any new endeavor, our path hasn’t been entirely smooth. While we brought many transferable skills from our previous careers, stepping into a new industry meant learning a great deal along the way. We’ve refined our systems and software more than once, rethought how we manage properties and inventory, and continually looked for better ways to streamline our processes so we can spend our energy where it matters most—creating an exceptional guest experience.
One of the biggest challenges we didn’t fully anticipate was supporting both properties and guests across such a large and often remote geographic area. Operating in the quiet, pristine corners of northern Minnesota is part of what makes our work so special, but it also means fewer readily available services and a much smaller labor pool than what exists in more populated markets. We’ve had to be thoughtful and creative in finding, training, and supporting our team, as well as maintaining properties and inventories spread across a wide region.
We’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with dedicated, talented individuals in each area we serve, and our growth has required us to continually evolve—adding new people, systems, and structure along the way. While the short-term rental industry is often built around dense, service-rich markets, we’ve learned how to adapt that model to fit our rural landscape. Those challenges have shaped how we operate today and have ultimately made our business stronger, more resilient, and more intentional.
As you know, we’re big fans of Grand Rapids BnB. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its core, our business is a small, family-owned company built around service, community, and the belief that it’s possible to create a version of the American dream that supports not just us, but our team, our partners, and the people we serve. We don’t claim to be perfect, but we are deeply committed to showing up, working hard, and meeting each owner and guest where they are. Every property, every stay, and every partnership is approached with care and intention, because no two situations are the same.
We specialize in thoughtful, hands-on short-term rental management rooted in relationships. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model, we provide customized support tailored to the unique needs of each property owner and each home. We also place a strong emphasis on guest experience—believing that feeling welcomed, supported, and cared for can turn a simple stay into something memorable.
Community is central to how we operate. Whenever possible, we look for ways to lend a hand—whether that means supporting our service team with fair compensation, partnering with local vendors, or encouraging the growth of other small businesses in the areas we serve. We believe that when the local community thrives, everyone benefits.
We’re proud to work with a wide range of properties, from accessible value-focused stays to premium, one-of-a-kind experiences. Our owners’ stories are as varied as their properties—some are working to keep a beloved family cabin in the family, others are building a hospitality business of their own, and some are restoring architectural gems to offer an elevated lodging experience. No matter the property, our goal is always the same: to provide a high-quality stay for every guest and thoughtful, personalized service for every owner.
More than anything, we want readers to know that our brand is built on care—care for people, for places, and for the communities we’re fortunate to be part of.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that a strong start truly sets the foundation for long-term success. With every new property and partnership, this lesson is reinforced. There’s always a temptation to move quickly or let small details slide in order to get things up and running, but we’ve learned that thoughtful, thorough preparation makes all the difference. Taking the time to do things well from the beginning leads to smoother launches, stronger relationships, and better experiences for owners, guests, and our team alike.
We’ve also learned to view every new property, project, and guest as an opportunity to keep learning. Each experience helps us refine our approach and move into the next chapter more prepared, more intentional, and better positioned for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grandrapidsbnb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandrapidsbnb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandrapidsbnb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@grbnb_rentals
