I NEVER Thought I’d Quit Teaching to Manage Airbnbs (But I Did) | Colleen Coale

What happens when a lifelong teacher realizes the classroom isn’t the only place she can make an impact?

Today we sit down with Colleen Coale, co-founder of Hurford Place Hospitality, to unpack her journey from elementary school teacher to running 90% of a fast-growing short-term rental management company in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Colleen shares the mindset shift that moved her from “I’m just a teacher” to confident business owner, how joining a mastermind changed everything, and why it took nine months of persistence to land her very first client.

We dig into how community and education fueled her growth from one property to ten, what it’s really like building a values-driven business alongside her husband, and the deeply personal motivation behind her mission to create inclusive, ADA-friendly vacation homes. This is a candid conversation about identity, grit, and redefining success—on your own terms.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. 1. 1. Colleen’s shift from elementary school teacher to STR business owner.
      2. Jason’s own “chapter two” from media to short‑term rentals.
      3. What Hereford Place Hospitality does in the Poconos market.
      4. Colleen’s early doubts about masterminds and STR education costs.
      5. How the mastermind community provided support and first leads.
      6. The long ramp-up: nine months to their first management client.
      7. Their “ideal” owners: nervous, first‑time buyers who need guidance.
      8. Cleaners and local teams as major referral sources.
      9. The realities of building a business with a spouse.
      10. Colleen’s mission to create ADA‑friendly, accessible vacation homes.

Get in touch with COLLEEN:

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553603442076

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hurfordplacehospitality.com/

#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #STRBusiness #FemaleFounders #CareerPivot #HospitalityBusiness #MastermindGroup #AccessibleTravel #ADAFriendly

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