When Zach and Katie Vavak launched Grand Welcome Lake of the Ozarks in August of 2023, they didn’t come from the vacation rental management industry. At the time, Zach was leading a corporate sales team for a Fortune 200 company, while the couple owned and managed vacation rental properties themselves while living in St. Louis.
As they began exploring how to turn their experience into a business, they worked with a franchise consultant to evaluate different opportunities. As Zach explained, “we hired a franchise coach, actually,” which ultimately led them to discover Grand Welcome.
Their experience as vacation rental owners helped them understand firsthand what homeowners look for in a property manager—and ultimately led them to build their own business.
Today, their company has grown to 75 signed properties and continues to grow.
Building a Presence in the Community
From the start, Zach and Katie knew that building trust in their local market would be essential.
They became actively involved in their community through networking groups, helping establish both visibility and credibility for their new business.
“I joined a BNI (Business Networking International) group,” Zach explains. “Business networking and then Katie joined. So I’m actually president of mine and she’s the vice president of hers.”
That early involvement helped them connect with other local professionals and begin building their reputation in the Lake of the Ozarks market.
A Clear Marketing Approach
Zach brought a strong marketing mindset to the business from the beginning.
“We started off with the basic principle that everything had to run to our website,” he says.
From social media to community outreach, the goal has always been to create awareness and guide homeowners and guests back to their brand.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
As their business grew, Zach says one of the most important lessons has been learning to truly listen to homeowners.
“You’re going to get a ton of feedback from people when you get a phone call,” he says. “And it’s important that you listen to that feedback.”
He notes that those conversations often reveal what homeowners really want from a property manager.
“If someone is calling you, they’re in need of a service. It’s different than a cold call. They’re either in need of the service or thinking about it, so they’re worth listening to even when they don’t say yes.”
The Value of the Grand Welcome Network
For Zach, one of the most valuable aspects of joining Grand Welcome has been the support and experience of other franchise owners.
“The network of franchisees was good, and it helped me grow and learn. The franchise already had a basic framework in place, and it would have taken me years to figure that out on my own. It really expedited my ability to grow the business.”
That combination of support, systems, and shared experience allowed the Vavaks to focus on what matters most—serving homeowners and growing their local business.
Looking ahead, the Vavaks are continuing to expand their business and invest in the infrastructure needed to support their growing portfolio.
“The first phase is we’re gonna get to 100 properties.”
As their portfolio grows, they are also making strategic investments to support operations and improve the experience for both owners and guests.
“We are building a commercial laundry facility now.”
By building systems that support scale and focusing on operational excellence, Zach and Katie are creating a strong foundation for continued growth in their market.
Stories like Zach and Katie’s show how entrepreneurs can build and scale a successful vacation rental management business through local relationships, operational focus, and the support of the Grand Welcome franchise network.
Interested in Building Your Own Vacation Rental Management Business?
Entrepreneurs like Zach and Katie Vavak are building successful local businesses while growing their vacation rental portfolios and investing in the infrastructure needed to support long-term expansion.
With proven systems, operational support, and a network of experienced franchise owners, Grand Welcome provides a strong foundation for entrepreneurs looking to enter or grow within the vacation rental industry.
Learn more about becoming a Grand Welcome franchise owner: GrandWelcomeFranchise.com