Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica James.
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story definitely didn’t start with a business plan. It started with curiosity and a desire for more.
After college, I followed the traditional path, working in corporate roles and doing what I thought I was “supposed” to do. On paper I was checking all the boxes but deep down something was missing. I wanted more freedom. More creativity. More ownership over how I spent my time and built my life.
So I started traveling.
As I traveled, I paid attention to the places I stayed. The Airbnbs that felt thoughtful and intentional completely changed how I experienced a city. They made unfamiliar places feel welcoming and personal.
When I came home to KC, that perspective stuck with me. I didn’t just want to consume those experiences anymore, I wanted to create them. I felt pulled to recreate the kind of thoughtful, inspiring hospitality I had experienced on the road and build a brand to help people feel completely at home in a new place.
Travel didn’t just inspire my business, it gave me the confidence to build it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. Building my business has come with difficult seasons I could never have predicted. Launching and growing during COVID, navigating rapid expansion, managing staffing transitions, and learning how to lead while also figuring it out myself.
There were moments when partnerships ended, when growth felt overwhelming instead of exciting and when burnout and self-doubt made me question everything I had worked so hard to build.
But every challenge forced me to evolve. I learned how to set stronger boundaries and trust my instincts. I learned how to lead with both conviction and integrity, ensuring that every business decision I make reflects the principles and values that matter most to me.
Challenges are inevitable and will undoubtedly continue. But so is my commitment to rise to them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Next Guest KC is a full-service short-term rental management company. We manage every aspect of the rental process including dynamic pricing strategy, listing optimization, guest communication, ID verification and renter’s agreements, revenue management, maintenance coordination, vendor oversight and financial reporting.
We oversee a professional cleaning team with quality control processes, implement property technology such as smart locks and automation systems, and ensure compliance with local regulations and tax requirements. We also assist with design consultation, furnishing, and onboarding new properties to position them competitively in the market.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Starting a business from nothing teaches you lessons you can’t learn any other way. There is no safety net and no certainty about what the outcome will be. You’re constantly making decisions, solving problems, and navigating situations you’ve never faced before. Along the way, I’ve learned to trust my intuition, take risks, and stay grounded in my values even when things get difficult. Every challenge has forced me to grow and evolve, and it is these moments that have shaped not only the business but the person I’ve become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nextguestkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextguestkc
