Jen Ford’s Journey to Creating Work-Life Balance through Meaningful Career Choices

Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

In this episode of "Alex & Annie, The Real Women of Vacation Rentals," hosts Alex & Annie welcome back and dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Jen Ford, a trailblazer in the vacation rental industry. Join us as we uncover the highs, lows, and unexpected turns that shaped her remarkable career.

Jen's Evolution in the Vacation Rental Industry:

Jen shares her transition from the fast-paced world of high tech to becoming a finance executive at HomeAway, and her decision to take some time off from the industry after Turnkey Vacation Rentals was acquired by Vacasa in 2019. Get ready for candid insights into the challenges she faced, lessons learned, and the dynamic landscape of the industry.

New Ventures Post-Vacasa:

Jen opens up about her advisory role at CanMonkey, tackling logistical challenges in trash management for vacation rentals. Gain insights into her approach to helping founder-led companies scale up, and the benefits of fractional work that allows her to contribute expertise while maintaining a balanced life. Plus, get a sneak peek into her potential future endeavors, from running a company to embracing a nomadic lifestyle post-retirement.

Key Takeaways:

💼 Navigating Career Shifts and Personal Realizations: Explore with us as Jen reflects on the pivotal moments during Turnkey's acquisition by Vacasa and how it prompted her to reevaluate her work-life balance. Learn how personal events reshaped her identity beyond professional titles, giving listeners a glimpse into the real person behind the career.

🧘‍♀️ The Power of Mindfulness and Intentional Decision-Making: Jen takes us through her post-Vacasa journey, emphasizing the importance of self-care and intentional decision-making. Discover how being mindful of her experiences allowed her to connect the dots and pave the way for a more fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.

🤝 Family, Values, and a New Purpose: The conversation delves into Jen's role as a mother and how her daughter's diagnosis with type one diabetes became a catalyst for reprioritizing. Uncover the heartwarming story of how personal values became the compass guiding Jen toward meaningful work that aligns with her passions.

Join us for this inspiring episode, filled with wisdom, resilience, and the pursuit of a purpose-driven life. Share your thoughts with us and stay tuned for more captivating conversations with real women making waves in the vacation rental industry!

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Alex Husner | Annie Holcombe

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