Once a Management Consultant with a busy travel routine, Saad discovered the potential of short-letting thanks to his friends’ success on Airbnb.
Inspired but unimpressed with the service he received from property managers, Saad knew there was room for improvement. It wasn’t long before he discovered Pass the Keys and joined as a franchise owner – and he hasn’t looked back since.
Here’s his story.
Spotting the opportunity
Before joining Pass the Keys, Saad travelled extensively for work and was sometimes away from home for months at a time. He saw the profitability of short-letting thanks to his friends who were doing well renting out their homes on Airbnb so he hired a property management company he thought would do the job. Despite earning good money, he noticed areas for improvement in the service he received.
When Saad began searching for his next career move, he came across an online ad for Pass the Keys and decided to learn more about the franchise opportunity. After attending an interview, he felt a strong alignment with the company’s focus on local expertise, its enthusiastic team, and its proven business model.
His gut instinct was to go for it, but his analytical side pushed him to dig deeper before making a decision, so he conducted meticulous research to evaluate the opportunity.
Saad explained “Because of my management consulting background, although my gut felt that I wanted to do this, I had to go back and create several spreadsheets and do all the business analysis. All of my analysis also showed that it was a good idea.”
Choosing Pass the Keys
Several key factors influenced Saad’s decision to become a franchisee:
Strong team and support network
Saad was impressed by the supportive and collaborative culture at Pass the Keys. The creativity and shared commitment to success within the team stood out and he believed this strong network would be crucial in overcoming the challenges of starting and running his own business.
“I knew that I would get a lot of support from them. The idea of starting your own business is a very big task. It’s very daunting, especially if you’ve done nothing like that before yourself…,” Saad stated. “To have a support network, a knowledge base and to have people that have been doing this and doing it well… that’s the main reason why I joined Pass the Keys.”
Established reputation
In the competitive short-let market, Saad recognised the importance of partnering with a trusted brand. Pass the Keys’ national presence added a level of credibility that would have been hard to achieve alone.
“The reason I stay with them even four years later is because of the brand name. We are a local company but we have the knowledge and the standards of a very large national UK wide company. So, you know that when people see us they see a reputable company.”
A typical day
Saad’s workday has changed a lot since his management consulting days. Here’s a peek at his daily routine:
- Starts work at 9am
- Checks messages and catches up on anything from overnight
- Attends a daily team meeting at 10:15am where they discuss cleaning, guest, host, and maintenance issues
- Attend viewings for potential clients, offering advice on how to make their properties suitable for Airbnb
- Joins a meeting with his Franchise Success Manager who helps him track progress towards his goals
- Cycles to more viewings
Benefits of joining Pass the Keys
Since joining Pass the Keys, Saad has experienced a number of professional and personal benefits:
Improved work-life balance
His previous job as a Management Consultant involved frequent travel and long hours, In contrast, his current role allows for a much more balanced lifestyle.
He mentioned, “Since joining the Pass the Keys network, my office is a seven minute bike ride from my home. Nearly all of the properties I manage are about a 15 to 20 minute bike ride from my home!”
A positive work environment
The supportive and collaborative atmosphere at Pass the Keys has brought Saad great satisfaction. “I have colleagues that I love”, he added – many of whom share his love for dogs.
Saad also finds great joy in working with his team to maximise hosts’ rental income, and finds it equally rewarding to create positive experiences for guests.
Exemplifying success
Saad’s dedication and professionalism haven’t gone unnoticed. He regularly receives glowing reviews from satisfied hosts, like Marie, who praised his care and attention during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It felt really nice to be recognised for that, because that’s exactly true,” he stated, referring to how much he cares about hosts’ properties and contributing to their financial success.
The positive feedback he gets from hosts, guests, and employees reassures him that he has found the perfect career path.
As he looks to the future, Saad is dedicated to growing his business and continuing to provide exceptional service. His story is an inspiration to others considering leaving the corporate world, and proves that it’s possible to build a business that aligns with personal values and professional goals.
If you’re thinking about making a similar change, request your free information pack here.
