Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy & Jason Thomas.
Hi Betsy & Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Betsy has always had a love for homes which Jason supported and encouraged through analyzing the numbers, and that really sparked our journey into property ownership. We purchased our first long-term rental back in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2016 that things progressed any further. That year, a co-worker of Jason’s mentioned short-term rentals in Boyne Falls, Michigan, which immediately caught our attention. By then, skiing and snowboarding had become hobbies we loved—great ways to enjoy Michigan winters—and Boyne Mountain is a wonderful resort.
We reached out to a local realtor to explore the idea, and she confidently told us we could host guests ourselves, even though we lived a few hours away. We decided to take the leap and bought our first condo at Boyne Mountain in 2016—and we’re so glad we did! What started as an experiment quickly turned into something more.
Over time, we added two more condos at Boyne Mountain in 2019, one home at Shanty Creek, and a townhome as part of a partnership at Crystal Mountain that we later sold but still co-host. We managed them while balancing full-time jobs and a young family. It was busy—lots of late nights and weekends. For a short time, we tried using a property manager, but ultimately realized that we value being in control of our homes and the guest experience.
Since then, we decided that Betsy should make hosting her full-time focus. We now manage those five properties—the three at Boyne Mountain, one at Shanty Creek, and one we co-host at Crystal Mountain. As we’ve refined our systems and grown our experience, we’re excited to use that experience and start expanding our co-hosting work, helping other homeowners offer the same level of hospitality and care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! For a while, we were juggling quite a lot—both of us had day jobs, a young family, and the demands of managing multiple rental homes. Most guests are wonderful and a joy to host. However, some of the horror stories you hear about challenging guests and home damages are true. It reached a point where it became overwhelming, and we felt the need to step back and reevaluate what truly mattered.
At that time, we decided to work with a property manager. It was the right move for that season of life—it gave us the breathing room we needed and allowed us to learn from the experience. Through that process, we realized our goals had shifted and we valued being in control of our homes and the guest experience. We were no longer interested in climbing the corporate ladder; instead, entrepreneurship had become the new focus.
Taking back management of our homes was a turning point. It gave us renewed energy and direction, and from there we fully committed to growing our business intentionally. Looking back, those challenging moments helped shape who we are today and clarified the kind of balance and purpose we wanted for our family and our work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Thomas Family Rental. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Thomas Family Rental, we specialize in hosting vacation homes at some of Northern Michigan’s most loved destinations—Boyne Mountain, Shanty Creek, and Crystal Mountain Resorts. What began as our family’s personal passion for real estate and sharing welcoming spaces has grown into a small, family business centered on thoughtful hospitality, consistency, and care.
We’ve been hosting vacation rentals since 2016 and have successfully managed our own properties. Guests can find our homes on the major online travel agencies and through our direct booking website. That firsthand experience gives us a deep understanding of what it takes to create both a profitable and memorable short-term rental. The same proven systems and personal approach that make our own homes successful are what we bring to every property we manage for other homeowners. Our guests often tell us how much they appreciate the warmth and responsiveness they experience when staying with us, and that personal touch is something we take great pride in.
While our personal homes are based in Northern Michigan, we’re excited to grow throughout Michigan and into surrounding areas—helping more homeowners achieve success through short-term rentals, and sharing the joy of beautiful destinations with even more guests. We’re proud to help create stays that are as warm and welcoming as the memories we hope are being made within them.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
We don’t have a formal mentor and don’t do a lot of structured networking, but we have learned a great deal from the wealth of information available online about short-term rentals. There’s so much value in listening to others share their real experiences, and I’m always learning something new. You can learn something new from anyone you meet.
Despite not formally networking, we do enjoy connecting with other hosts when the opportunity arises—sharing ideas, answering questions, and supporting each other in the community. We believe that if you put good out into the world without expecting anything directly in return, it eventually finds a way to come back to you. For us, that genuine exchange of knowledge and kindness has been our favorite form of networking. We would love to connect with more hosts interested in open dialogue and mutual encouragement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thomasfamilyrental.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089638586755
