When Life Changes Everything: Rebuilding, Resilience & Short-Term Rentals with Kristen Sluiter

What happens when life takes you somewhere you never expected—and asks you to build something new from what’s left?

In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Kristen Sluiter, a former educator, writer, and short-term rental owner whose journey into real estate began when she unexpectedly became the caregiver for her parents.

This conversation goes much deeper than short-term rentals. Kristen shares openly about caregiving, grief, losing her parents and brother, and rebuilding after a devastating house fire. Through all of it, she’s discovered something powerful about herself: she’s capable of handling far more than she once realized.

And that perspective has shaped the way she approaches her business, too.

In this episode, we talk about:How an unexpected season of caregiving led Kristen into real estate and eventually short-term rentalsNavigating grief, loss, and major life transitionsRebuilding after a house fire—and how the literal process of rebuilding became part of healingWhy difficult seasons don’t define who you areWhat to do when your STR business leaves you exhausted and overwhelmedWhy hospitality doesn’t mean you have to make everyone happySetting clear boundaries with guests and sticking to them, even when it feels uncomfortableTrusting yourself to handle the unexpected

One of Kristen’s simplest pieces of advice may also be the one you need most: Keep going.

When you’re in the middle of something difficult, it can feel like this is simply how life—or your business—is going to feel forever.

But it won’t.

You can have hard days. You can admit when you’re overwhelmed. You can set boundaries. You can make mistakes and deal with the unexpected without allowing any of those things to define you.

And perhaps most importantly, you can remind yourself of something Kristen’s parents instilled in her: There’s nothing you can’t do—but you don’t have to do it all.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:15] A short introduction about our guest Kristen Sluiter and how she got into the short term rental space