Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Fitzgerald.
Elaine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my first career as a news reporter and anchor at several major U.S. radio and television stations, including 11 years as a freelance reporter for CNN. Then I came to South Florida and operated a public relations firm with clients nationwide. Locally, I publicized the Fort Lauderdale Air & Sea Show from its 1995 inception through 2006, helping it to quickly become one of the world’s largest spectator events. I am a past president of the South Florida chapters of both the Public Relations Society of America and the Association of Women in Communications.
Prior to retiring from my PR firm, I started my present-day company, Beach Vacation Rentals. Over time, it became a group of top-rated, multi-unit boutique inns by the beach. They are all designated as Superior Small Lodgings in a program administered by Broward County.
In the early 2000s, I saw the tremendous potential for Pompano Beach to become the beautiful city that it is today. I chose to invest here at a time when the city was still suffering from decades of neglect. I tried to improve neighborhoods as I bought distressed vintage and historic properties and restored and rebuilt them. I preserved their original charm but added modern amenities for tourists, business travelers and visiting friends and families of local residents. This collection of fully outfitted apartments and cottages has won multiple Superior Small Lodging White Glove Awards with 100-percent scores in annual surprise inspections.
To help the City on a broader scope in its goal of making improvements for economic prosperity and better quality of life, I began serving on the Pompano Beach Economic Development Council in 2008 and still serve today. I also served many years on the Pompano Beach Chamber board and continue to serve as Tourism Chair. I also teach annually for each new class of Leadership North Broward.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a new business is never easy. My stories of tears and cheers are too many to describe here. But I have always believed that those who get ahead in life are not afraid to take educated risks. You have to take a gamble on yourself, knowing that you are willing to work hard and not quit when things get tough, and they will. New challenges need to be met with the right attitude. I try to think of problems that arise as “interesting bumps in the road.” Basically, a chance for self-discovery as to how I will try to effectively handle something new.
I started with an investment of $60K, and parlayed it into a portfolio of investment properties that produce income and appreciate in value. When I bought my first multi-unit property, it was deplorable by anyone’s standards, but in a great location. My best friend thought I had made the worst investment ever. But I happily pictured it as it is today — a top-rated place for tourists. Despite a big learning curve, and many tales of rebuilding and challenging tenants along the way, it turned out to be a worthy investment beyond all expectations. I couldn’t wait to do the next one. And the ones after that.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Beach Vacation Rentals – what should we know?
Our properties include Cottages by the Ocean, Bahama Beach Club, Sunny Place, Pineapple Place and Pelican Place. As members of the Superior Small Lodging Association, Beach Vacation Rentals’ boutique properties have to meet much higher standards than traditional hotels to qualify for inclusion. We are extremely proud to have won that organization’s highest honor – the White Glove Award – year after year, scoring a nearly impossible 100-percent in annual surprise inspections. We also achieved top reviews from travel guides such as Fodor’s and Lonely Planet, and on rating websites such as TripAdvisor, which awarded us Certificates of Excellence.
Years before Airbnb ever launched, I saw a need for people who wanted more than just a hotel room when staying at the beach. I found an untapped and ready market for people who wanted to rent fully outfitted apartments for as few as three nights. Back then, there were no extended stay hotels by the beach. They were way out by I-95, and that’s where most of them still are today. My mission was to created properties that I would love to stay at myself, so I thoughtfully equipped my apartments and cottages with many more of the comforts of home than you would find at a timeshare or extended stay.
Guests appreciate finding things like a pizza slicer, an ice cream scoop and a wine bottle opener in the kitchen drawers, and books and puzzles on the shelves. We strive to offer comfort, charm and value at all of our lodgings with apartment rates that would compare to those of a single room at a business class hotel. I’ve always kept our rates the most reasonable in the area because I am both the owner and operator with no middleman.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I’m proud when guests point out my amazing staff who always go the extra mile for them. My team makes me proud every day, and I’ve had no turnover in more than five years. We are always on the same wavelength as to placing safety and comfort of our guests first.
Pricing:
- We accept small dogs under 20 pounds with a pet fee
- Free wi-fi, free parking, no resort fees
Contact Info:
- Address: We have five locations by the beach in Pompano Beach.
Our corporate office is located at 112 S Federal Hwy, First Floor, Pompano Beach, FL. 33062 - Website: https://4rentbythebeach.com
- Phone: Reservations: (954) 283-1111
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4rentbythebeach/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/beach-vacation-rentals-pompano-beach
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2tx5D0kD0E
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
