11. Merryn Tuck - Love and Connection as a Business Strategy

Disillusioned with the education system, Merryn Tuck decided in her mid-50’s to leave behind 20 plus years of teaching. This was a mighty tough decision, because as a teacher she had few peers. Students adored her. Parents loved her impact on their children, but she could not continue to serve a system that challenged the manner in which she connected with her classroom. She decided to become an Air BnB agent. Someone who manages the properties of owners and creates experiences for their guests.

When I first met Merryn and her business partner Alison, they were managing just 3 properties. I have since learnt that two of them were their own!! Her competition were big agencies flushed with technologies that could analyse data and identify precisely the financial yield of that property at any time of the year. I chose Merryn’s Host Your Home Airbnb Property Managers Sunshine Coast because it was obvious that these two ladies were hungry and keen to serve, serve, serve. Wind the clock on two years later and Merryn Tuck has become an Air BnB global phenomena.

Recently, she was featured in a global launch of HOSPITABLE HOSTS … STR Owners, Airbnb Hosts, Vacation Rentals Owners - Hospitable Hosts … a book recognising the very best Air BnB hosts on our planet. So, what is her secret? Why has her business already attracted nearly 80 properties already? Why does she receive weekly requests to manage more precious homes and beach abodes? In this podcast, you will hear of a business leader who manages her staff with love, nurture and connection. She empowers her staff. They are not cleaners. They are presentation specialists. They do not see her as the boss, at times she can be one of the girls! Don’t misconstrue this message, she also knows what ‘tough love’ looks like. She has asked four staff to leave.

Merryn identifies the value she derived from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and the Japanese Philosophy of Ichigo Ichie presented in book format by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia. She buys the latter book for new staff as their welcome gift. This is the story of a woman, who is unafraid to be herself in all dimensions of her life. Her work is merely an extension of who she is and what she values. It works! Host Your Home is flourishing.