In this member spotlight interview, we meet Bridgette Pakizer, the talented designer at Hillside Amble LLC. With the support of HostGPO, Bridgette is able to transform properties into cozy and luxurious getaways while saving on renovations. Join us as we delve into her passion for creating beautiful spaces, and the whimsical charm of her favorite rental property, the Bee.
How many years have you been in the short-term rental industry and how did you get started?
Almost a year. My husband had been doing long-term rentals for a long time. Our youngest was almost kindergarten age and we started brainstorming ideas about what I wanted to do after she went to school. I had been a stay-at-home mom and wasn’t ready to give up summers with my girls. My husband has never worked a nine to five so I didn’t want to either. So we talked about what if we did short-term rentals together. It was a perfect fit. I get to be creative, assist people, and am able to do it from home for the most part. He has loved the construction process and is really good at problem-solving and dealing with urgent issues.
What do you find most rewarding about your career?
I love creating beautiful places that others can come to, relax and make memories. We have taken some really ugly ducklings and transformed them into luxury stays. Hearing people gush over the design in their reviews has given me a lot of validation as I have never worked in design and have been out of the workforce for more than 10 years raising our daughters.
What is your favorite rental property you have and why do you love it?
My favorite is the Bee and my husband’s is the Wren, but I think the one we are both most excited about is the one we are working on now the Goat… okay but that isn’t super helpful to you. So we will go with the Bee. I love it because it is full of whimsy. The kids’ room is a secret room opened through a bookcase. We had an artist paint a wildflower mural and we add a perch that kids can climb up on and read a book or just dream. We also planted a couple of acres of wildflowers surrounding the cabin.
What’s the craziest story you have from hosting?
So far we don’t have too many crazy stories. We have had really fabulous guests. Our biggest hurdles have come with dealing with power outages from windstorms, stink bug infestations, and neighbor’s dogs.
What’s one “pro-tip” you’d be willing to pass on to the community?
When you are planning your design, think of one thing that you would go crazy for if a short-term rental had. Something that you would probably tell all your friends about. If you add a ‘cool factor’ like that, your guest will advertise for you.
What’s the most recent item that you can remember that you’ve ordered from HostGPO?
I just purchased my second Lubek Sectional from Article for our latest place. It is comfortable, low (which is important when you have big windows), and has held up great so far.
What would you tell others about whether to join HostGPO?
I have had many people ask me about what resources I would recommend for getting a short-term rental started. HostGPO is always one of the top things I tell people to look into. The discounts and ease of reordering are amazing.
