If you’ve been craving more flexibility, dreaming of financial freedom, or wondering what kind of business you could start without burning out or breaking the bank—this one’s for you.

There’s a growing number of women turning to entrepreneurship not just for income, but for freedom—freedom to work from home, to pick up their kids from school, to stop asking for vacation time, and to build something meaningful on their own terms.

In the latest episode of the Self StartHER Podcast, I sat down with Madeleine Raiford-Holland, who made that dream her reality. She left her corporate career and built a successful short-term rental business—and the kicker? She didn’t even own property when she started.

So many women believe entrepreneurship requires a huge investment, a perfect plan, or years of experience. Madeleine’s story is proof that you can start small, start now, and still create something incredible.

How to Start an Airbnb Business Without Owning Property

Let’s get one thing straight: You don’t have to own a house to get into short-term rentals. There are three main ways to break into the Airbnb space:

1. Rental Arbitrage – Renting a property long-term and re-listing it as a short-term rental (with the landlord’s permission, of course).
2. Property Management – Managing short-term rentals for other owners and earning a percentage of the profits.
3. Co-hosting – Partnering with an Airbnb host to help them manage listings, guest communication, and logistics.

These options make short-term rentals one of the most accessible ways to dip your toe into entrepreneurship—especially for women looking to start a side hustle or create passive income with low risk.

Why Women Are Turning to Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals aren’t just a trend. They’re a smart business opportunity for women who want to blend life and business in a way that feels aligned.

Here’s what Madeleine shared as keys to success:

• Have a clear “why” – Your purpose will fuel your persistence.
• Learn from others – Surround yourself with mentors or coaches who have walked the path.
• Pick the right location – The area you choose can make or break your profitability.
• Design matters – People book places that feel elevated, intentional, and Instagram-worthy.
• Build a direct booking strategy – Don’t rely solely on Airbnb. Creating your own booking system increases your control—and your profit.
• Automate where you can – Use tools and systems so you’re not glued to your phone managing bookings all day.

For the Self StartHER Ready to Begin…

The idea of starting something new can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re juggling family, work, or maybe even burnout. But what if your “next thing” didn’t require you to quit your job tomorrow or invest thousands of dollars?

Madeleine’s story shows that you can start before you’re ready. You can take one small, smart step and begin building something that gives you more flexibility, joy, and confidence.

And that’s what being a Self StartHER is all about—starting where you are with what you have, and trusting that the next best step will lead you somewhere better.

🎧 Want to hear Madeleine’s full story?
Click here to listen to the episode and learn how she went from corporate to hosting, how she built her business without owning property, and how she’s now teaching other women to do the same.

P.S.
If you’re curious about building a business like this—or any business that fits into the cracks of your day—sign up for Self StartHER’s TogetHER community. You’ll be connected to real women who are in it – while also having access to resources that will help take your business to the next level.