Avery: Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of the Short Term Show. I know a lot of you have questions about design, and today I have a really awesome guest to help us out. Paige Hayes is here!

Paige: Hi, thank you for having me!

Avery: You’re very welcome. Let’s jump in. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into real estate, particularly into short-term rentals.

Paige: Sure! I’m Paige, and I’m from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I grew up there, and so did my husband. I’m an interior designer, and that’s how I got into short-term rentals. I worked for my mom, who’s been a designer for about 11 years. I learned everything from her. But my background is actually in anthropology and archaeology.

Avery: That’s quite a background—anthropology and archaeology? How did that lead you to real estate?

Paige: I know, right? It sounds a bit odd, but it really ties into what I do now. What I love about short-term rentals is the stories of people, places, and how they come together. It’s like creating a living experience for guests, and that excites me. I’m a huge story person.

Avery: That’s really unique. So, you’ve been working with your mom in Steamboat, doing some high-end work?

Paige: Yes, exactly. We did a lot of high-end second homes and ski condos. Before Airbnb was a thing, we were already doing vacation rentals, which was just something I loved because it brought together design and the guest experience. It’s always been a passion for me.

Avery: That’s awesome. And what happened next?

Paige: Well, my mom retired last year, and my husband and I decided to do our own thing. I knew I didn’t want to take over my mom’s business, and my husband was ready for a change from his job at the power plant, so we jumped into this together.