Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: How Jason Gann of Beyond Pricing Used Humor & Authenticity to Build his Personal Brand

Alex Husner  2:26
Welcome to Alex & Annie, the real women of vacation rentals. I'm Alex 

Annie Holcombe  2:29  
and I'm Annie, 

Alex Husner  2:29  
and we are joined today by Jason Gann, who is enterprise account sales executive for Beyond Pricing. But beyond that is also a content creator, and I would say rising comedic genius within Good to see you. Jason,

Jason Gann  2:47  
first off, I did not pay her to say that that was that was not written, but I'll say, I'm gonna put comedic genius in my signature.

Alex Husner  3:00  
Well, Blaine,

Jason Gann  3:03  
Alex Annie, thank you for having me. This is, I mean, this is big time. This is dream come true stuff here to be invited. Oh stop. Oh yeah, thanks for having me.

Speaker 2  3:15  
We've been friends, kind of through the industry, for a couple of years now. And it's, it's funny, because I remember, I just, like, boldly reached out to you several months ago because you were in a transition situation, and I think we just, we all started talking at that point, but I don't really know a lot about your total background. I know you've been in the industry for quite a number of years, so why don't you, like, bring us up to speed of your journey to today? Yeah, I'd

Jason Gann  3:37  
love to, yeah, first I got to thank you for that. That was huge, and it's crazy. We really didn't know each other that well. I mean, it's been, it was like, in passing at college, we knew of each other, yeah, of each other. Like, you know, pleasantries, like, hello, but yeah, you reached out at a time where I did not know what the next step was going to be. And just like, give your time. So anyway, thank you, and it was amazing. So, yeah, it's, it is? It's funny, because I have been an entry for a while, but just recently started to put myself out there. So a lot of people are kind of like, Oh, who is this? Who's this guy? But I accidentally stumbled upon, fell into the vacation hole by accident. This was January of 2015 so I just celebrated officially 10 years in the industry, which is a nice badge of honor. Very excited about, it's weird to see, like, how much it's changed in 10 years. Like, it's It's nuts. Like, it even just in the last five years, pre COVID, post COVID, we've talked about that quite a bit, but it was like the wild west in 2015 like, no, like, it still is, yeah, but, but this feels like the Jetsons compared to where we were the Flintstones back just 10 years ago. Just, you know, it's crazy, but I accidentally, I wanted a role where I could just be home every night with my kids I was doing. Outside sales. I was in the cosmetology industry, the hair industry, and I was letting my salt and pepper stay grow out. But yeah, I don't have blue or pink or purple hair this time,

Speaker 2  5:14  
you. Always have colored hair. 

Jason Gann  5:17  
That's pre conference. I would change it. Yeah. I was like, I've got to have fun with it while I still have it. I don't know what's gonna happen, but I was on the road every week. I was in a different state every week, and different city every day, and I was selling hair cutting shears, like the scissors that hairstylist used. That's what I did, and I was so I missed the whole first year of my oldest son's life. Really, I would see him on the weekends, but now we just go back out. So we moved to Dallas from Nashville. I used to my past life. I was playing music and played in bands and did that, but kind of getting to a point where it was like, I don't want to be on tour anymore. I don't want to be doing sales outside anymore. I want to maybe find something more stable. And came across real page, big property management company out in Dallas, and they just acquired Keigo, if we all remember from years ago. Yeah, that was my first start. So I got hired on as an SDR was making cold calls buddy John Flanagan that were mutual friends with. He was my account executive, so we sat next to each other. So he taught me, like, all the ropes of like, what this industry was, and I was so blown away by it, like I never thought coming from music that I would love anything other than that. I was like, I felt like I was a secret club. Was like, what world is this? Like, Airbnb was not a household name yet. I mean, it was like couch surfing on Airbnb, like it was really that kind of thing. And, yeah, God, I thought it was just so interesting. And the you hear growing up of like a neighbor or a friend that you hear about, oh, they have a beach house that they go to, right? That's all. You don't think of it as being a business, much less an entire industry sector of technology dedicated to, yeah. So when I was there learning that, like, oh, people have an issue syncing their calendars on at that time, like, hum away, flip key, yeah, so, and it's like, this is this? To me, feels like this should be solved for but it's not. And by people are just now starting with channel management, I was like this, so I loved it, and cold calling people. And by the way, cold calling into vacation rentals. And if you're watching this, and I've cold called you, I'm sorry I don't like when you really love something like this, you know, you have something that solves for a real problem. It's like you keep doing probably should. I really just want to help and see that change. And I was with keco for, probably for a little over four years, almost five years of solving for all the problems that a property management software does. And just Yeah, it was super cool. And so after Keigo and I moved on working at track for several years, consulting more like, kind of like the enterprise clients that track caters to, and went to a actually worked. I was like, You know what I'm gonna practice, what I've been preaching for years. So I went to the property management side here in Orlando, worked for property manager that was so hard. I knew how hard it was to be a vacation home manager, and at least I thought like I've spoken hundreds. I that

I did not realize. And now also being on the side of the fence of now all these salespeople calling me up, hey, you want to demo? Let me show you how cool my thing is. Oh, it's the worst, no, but it was cool being on that side, like understanding the tech side of it and getting to put the puzzle pieces together to get the right fit. That it's fun. It was fun, but it's tough, man. It was hard, but I got a taste of that, and kind of did my job that I was hired to do, which was to consolidate all the technology. And then I was like, I got to get back to the vendor side. So yeah, work for a small PMS to kind of get back into the end, you know, back on the vendor side, and then, yeah, it's when we met Alex to talk about, kind of, what the next thing is. And here I am at beyond. And I thought it was going to be tough, because I love the PMs side of like, solving. I mean, you guys know, it's like six or seven, eight different modules you'll have in a PMS alone or more. And I thought maybe I'd get bored just talking about only pricing, because that's usually just one sector that I usually will consult on and and, man, it like coming into beyond and learning, really the details of revenue management, and not just the dynamic pricing part, but revenue management as a Whole, like the intricacies of that and understanding, you know, those problems and how much time full time revenue managers are spending, like, just tweaking and pulling the right levers to make things happen. It's been so like, it's been filling up my time, just even at the time that I've been there, like, I feel like I could just now be, you know, know, enough to be dangerous. But. But it's been a blast. And also, like, beyond having not just the dynamic pricing piece, but like, the market insights, and we have websites and booking engines, and also tally, which is our payment processor, so I do get to have that fun of, like, talking about multiple things still, but yeah, it's, so that's 10 years in about just a few minutes, but it's been, yeah, I love doing it, and now I'm on the Alex and Annie show, so look at me now.

Alex Husner  10:27  
Wow. Well, so much to unpack there, too. And it's interesting, or just kind of funny, thinking back to your days when you were working with John Flanagan, who we love John, but talk about a great sales leader. So I think it was, it was a good thing that you got to work work with him in those early days to kind of get you hooked into this industry. But, you know, you really hit the nail on the head of when you're working for a PMS or a company that has so many services like that. I mean, you're, you know, as a salesperson, you're familiar with everything that it does, but it's like you don't ever really have the ability to go unless you've been there for many, many many years, but, like, totally deep into every single area, and also because it's, you know, constantly evolving and developing now that it's not the same product as it was, you know, a year ago. So I can imagine it probably is, is kind of fun actually, you know, focusing your efforts and beyond and seeing, you know, how they really master revenue management. And we're, we've had the opportunity this year with beyond, as one of the sponsors of the show, to get to talk to some of their clients, and, you know, really hear how it is changing their business. I mean, like, literally changing their lives, changing their businesses. And that's just really cool, you know? I mean, like that, it's great to it's great to hear that, and it's exciting. I love that it eliminates other tools that you need to use also, like I've heard a lot of managers say that not only they're using it for the dynamic pricing revenue management, they're also using the market insights and those you know, other data type tools within it that that's really cool to have it all in one place, yeah. And you

Jason Gann  11:59  
know, we're not out there to completely turn their world upside down, or say, like, oh, you know, you don't need that tool or that tool, like, if it works out, it works out. And if it that's what your goal is, is to consolidate. Some people really love having, like, their class little, you know, if they can piece it all together, right? But, yeah, we've got it if you need it. And yeah, and it's, it's one thing hearing a sales guy tell you, but like, when I can say, like, Hey, this is the real data. Like, this is, these are real people that we've we've changed their lives for the better, and heard some really cool case studies of, like, No, we increased our revenue, like, 25% like, seems like a made up number. I'm like, right? And like, Oh, this is real. So it's it's cool, and those that depends on, you know, company to company and market to markets different. But man, it has been a joy. And like, even when I was on the PMs side to see a company go, I'll never forget, he's one of my favorite people. His name's Bruno. He has a company called wonder vacation homes here in Orlando. I met him when I was at Keego, five units. He now has 200 plus. And it's just, really, I love this industry for the relationships and, like, if you're not in it for that, then it's like, why are you here? It's like, it's, it's so cool to then know him. Then I helping him get set up with Keigo. And he's like, Well, I don't even know, like, the fees, or how do you set up the efficiencies in the house you decide, like, really, you know, being nude, how you don't know what the answers are, and being a small piece of that. And his journey was, like, so rewarding to now, but like, he has a whole operation that's, like, you know, running smoothly and, and, yeah, it's so cool to hear him say he's, like, I credit that those first conversations we had, like, you got the ball rolling. It got me set up. And it's just like,

Alex Husner  13:43  
that's cool. Yeah, feels good. Yeah, yeah.

Annie Holcombe  13:46  
I wanted to. I wanted to go back to your intro. You talking about your journey, and you said that you got it. You were looking for something stable to get into. And we talk about vacation rentals is it's not that it's unstable. It's chaos. It's like manage chaos, total chaos, really. And it depends. But, you know, some people manage it better than others. So what was it that made you think this was a stable world to be in, right? Are you? Are you rethinking?

Jason Gann  14:20  
Annie, the joke's on me, really, you know, I I was just looking at first for stability of just being home for dinner, to see my family. Little did I know. I was like, Okay, I've got that. I get to be home. But, man, what a what a mess. But I loved it, because it was like this challenge. It's, it's, you know, earlier I talked about Office, it's like secret club. I felt like I had this tool that, like no one knew about. And I just was, it was this driver to like, I really wanted to like, spread the, you know, the gospel of like, what, what can what can happen here? Because again, like, when you see it happen, when someone does accept that meeting and go, You know what? Let's see what you have. And they see it, and they're. And you get to see their eyes open, you go, I didn't know this existed. So it's like, just bringing this light, so bringing some, like, make it a little bit more organized chaos than just, you know, crazy chaos is nice, but, yeah, it's still always gonna be a little chaotic, I think. And I think it just was a constant, constantly changing with them. That's the fun of it. That's what makes this interesting. And

Annie Holcombe  15:21  
I've just never heard anybody say that they got into this business looking for stability, you know, looking for that like,

Jason Gann  15:31  
that was me being naive. Yeah. I thought, Oh, this would be this. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Be very clear, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's like, I couldn't imagine if you going to a job every day where I just, you know what's what you expect. I always joke with people on my demos, property managers I speak with. I'm like, Listen, I've had hundreds of these conversations, but I always get thrown at least one curveball. So I was looking forward, like, whatever that curveball is, because it these managers, you guys listening to this. This is you guys do some wonky stuff. And I don't, I don't know how.

Alex Husner  16:03  
Nobody does it exactly the same. And

Jason Gann  16:07  
right, when you think that, like, there's no other impossible, yeah, they think out away, but they, but every most vacation managers live on their own island and have just, like, made up their own process that. And it just, yeah, and it's good, but it works for them. And if, you know, if it doesn't make their hair turn gray or whatever, like, let's, let's change it, you know, but yeah, it's, it's, it's pretty wild.

Alex Husner  16:32  
Yeah, that's very well said. So when we were at favor in September, that was, I think, the first time that I really remember having a conversation with you, besides just in passing. And it was after the conference that I saw that you had put together this work of comedic art. I would say that this was so funny that you did this video where you walked around and you asked you had the mic that you have in your hand right now, and you asked everybody to finish the lyric. And the lyric that you started with was just stop, and then you ask everybody finish. And it is the funniest video. And of course, it's everybody that we know in the industry. And oh my god, just absolutely hilarious. I have to say. Dennis coated, uh, wins it for sure. He never answered problems with

Jason Gann  17:21  
you had been my biggest fan of this video. You give me the most compliments. And I'm like, I thought it was just, it was gonna be a dumb thing. It was on a whim. I brought the mic to do kind of something. I was like, do I do, like, interviews? Like, I don't want to see that. It's like, I was like, what's just, you know, what this one even be beyond related, or vacation related? Let's just have fun. Yeah, we're vacation. Also have a good time. And, yeah, thought thought of that. I've seen these finished alert videos before. I was like, let's this will be a good one. We'll see what people come up with. And I was blown away with, there were some that I didn't even I would never have thought of. Some,

Alex Husner  17:53  
I don't think they were even really songs, like, I think, like, some people, just one guy, had, like, stop breaking my heart. Like it was not

Jason Gann  18:05  
really good. The answer was always, yeah, that's right, I'm sure that's yeah.

Annie Holcombe  18:10  
He's like, Don't worry, it's the right answer.

Jason Gann  18:14  
It was so much fun. There was, there was one. Chad Blankenship had stopped drop and roll. I'm like, I just, I don't, I don't think that's, you know what? Man, yeah, that's bust him a little bit. I put under his name Chad Lane ship, fire safety, fire safety. Fun time. And, yeah, I'm excited to do some more of that stuff here at VR nation coming up. But I'm glad you like that. You know,

Alex Husner  18:40  
what is really funny about it, though, it's little things like that that just make a conference fun, right? And it just, I mean, it added, it added some light to everybody laughing on the on the vendor floor. And, you know, looking back on that event, seeing that video as everybody was flying home the next day, like it just, it just made you laugh. I think it's the little touches like that that just, you know, it makes it enjoyable, but looking that was the goal, yeah, yeah, you

Annie Holcombe  19:04  
got people to your booth. Like, that's at the end of the day. Everybody's always looking for a hook to get people in. And when they're saying they're laughing, what a great way to, like, stick something in their

Jason Gann  19:15  
pocket, yeah, slip them something, yeah, a little brochure. How did I get this? I know. Where did this come from? Oh, that's reverse fit. Pocketing. Dennis was great. Though I had so much, so much footage of him just doing this. I was like, I have to use this. And just what you saw was just a portion of it. He was such a good sport, actually, for DARM, I was gonna do it. I wasn't gonna do another finish the Lyric, but he saw me, and I was holding the mic, and he

Alex Husner  19:50  
not again. Oh my god, yeah. Well, and now looking ahead, I think that video and some of the other things that you've done kind of opened. The door for you to just kind of be seen again as this, you know, content creator, you know, interesting new face behind the mic that has, you know, personality and a way of making things fun for people. And you were asked to host VR nation, which that's a pretty big, pretty big role. I mean, considering this is something new for you to be doing, but tell us a little bit about that. Yeah,

Jason Gann  20:22  
I am blown away by this. Heidi Hendrickson reached out to me via LinkedIn, I think because of a video, if it was a video that I made for a past company, or if it was that. But this was several months ago, and she said, Hey, I just crazy idea. Nothing's official yet, before I bring this to the board, would you be interested in hosting VR nation? And I immediately meant, I've never responded to something so quickly. And this is, this is why I was, I was telling Alex from can monkey this last week. But like the serendipity, like it was just meant to be because my good friend Vance, I talk with him every day. We're we have this thread. I don't know if you guys use Marco Polo, it's a video messaging app. I don't you've ever but it's like a video walkie talkie. So it's so you just back and forth to messages, and it's just like an idea dump that we use. So dreamers, dreamers be dreaming. So we're just constantly throwing out ideas back and forth to each other. And my idea that week was, you know, this playing with this idea of just, I want to be more involved. I want to be I feel like I've got a lot to say, but I don't want to feel like, you know, because being a content creator is not something that I've ever cared to do. Like the word influencer makes me kind of feel weird and like, I never want to be that. It's just I want to bring some fun and light to the LinkedIn feed. And, you know, something that's like, talking shop, industry related, but like, something fun. So I'm, like, trying to, I was telling him, like, Man, I want to be more, doing a little more, that there's always this confidence thing that that's always hindered me. And then also, I was, I want to start speaking. I'm like, maybe doing, whether it's sessions or leading panels. I've done that over the years at conferences Representing the companies that I've been with. I've always felt so much joy from that. I love being up there. I tend to feel like I completely black out one up there, but by the end of it, I'm like, what happened? I'm like, was that great? And it was just this really fun thing. And emceeing and hosting is something that, for advanced he does conferences sound, and he's like, man, you could really do something like that. I'm like, I don't even know where to start. Like, we don't really have it. Really have, you know, firma, we've got that, but we don't have, like, a whole ton of conferences that where it's like, you know, that I could maybe submit to do that. Then two days later is when Heidi hit me up about VR nation, and I'm like to do the exact thing that I was just talking about and and hosting, like you don't really see it all of our conferences, a steady MC that you have throughout the whole show. Maybe you've got a keynote, or you got somebody that is like a welcome but to have someone who's there to kind of bring some brevity and have some fun, maybe, you know, do help with transitions, is something that we haven't really seen a lot of. And that was, that was kind of Heidi's idea. And I told her, absolutely. We chatted, I have a lot of ideas. She brought it to the board, and not only they say yes, they said, what else can we do with this? And we had the idea to help, kind of, especially taking some of the stress off of me, bring in a co host with Julie George, so it'll be me and Julie, and yeah, it's gonna be a lot of fun. So it's gonna be, hopefully, feel difference and that we've ever seen. So we're gonna, we've got some fun ideas that Julie and I've been collaborating. We'll bring, and bring some fun, some games and and also help kind of keep things moving. And so, yeah, it's, it's happening. It's, I kind of like to think that I know that we've got a plan, but I think everyone knows better than that. And we're going to be, might be some winging it. We'll just, we'll play it by here and see how it goes. Well, if you would

Annie Holcombe  24:07  
come out in a kangaroo suit with her, Yes, I think that would be, that would be amazing. She knows she she knows no fear. She will do anything like she's just the most fun, like energy to be around, and you are as well. So I think, like, people, people are really gonna, anything that you do is gonna, like, just knock the roof off. I hope so.

Jason Gann  24:33  
Or, you know what, or not. And you know, just, please laugh with Laugh with us. Really

Alex Husner  24:40  
bad, not in anywhere in the middle. Just, just,

Jason Gann  24:43  
just ask, don't throw anything at us, please. Just, yeah, no, but

Annie Holcombe  24:46  
people in the audience with scores on it like, please

Jason Gann  24:50  
do Yeah, please. I'm so excited to razz Julie as much as possible about just any all things Australia. Million She will. She will. I've learned this about her just the short time that I've known her. And, yeah, well, usually about this time of the day, I got like, five or 530 because she's just now waking up. She lives in the future. So, you know, she's in the future. She's in tomorrow. Yeah, and yeah, we'll, we'll collaborate via zoom and talk Thursday. I'm super stoked for what this is going to look like. Were you? Were you all at last year's show in Boise?

Annie Holcombe  25:25  
No, we went to the one in Reno. That was, yeah, when it wasn't br nation, they were still Northwest, it just

Jason Gann  25:31  
changed it, yeah. So I was very thankful to be there in the room when they, like, made the big announcement from NW, VRP to VR, yeah, even though that was happening. And I when I got there, and I already was like, This is my first NW, VRP, and it just, it felt different as a vendor, being there, I feel like it was just, I don't know there was a lot of time given in the event, the way they even had everything set up. I was like, this is just the coolest that music playing while everyone was just like, taking their time in the vendor Hall is like, all right, what a vibe. All right, what a vibe. I love it. And then just the whole, their whole mission, it just was like, very ran by property managers and less from the vendor side. And I know that there was a mutual, really great respect. And when they said, Listen, we have some, some big news this at the very end, we're rebranding to VR nation. I was like, Oh, what a cool name. I was like, Yeah, I'm digging that. And like, and the biggest thing is, we're gonna go national. We're no longer gonna be regional. And I like, I was, I was the only one clapping, like, I don't know why. I was just like, yes. And now here that it's like, not only I'm getting to co host this first annual, like national show, it's, it's, it's, it's a weird place to be, but, yeah, I'm stoked to be a piece of that. You

Alex Husner  26:53  
know what they did? Really good for that too. They did a video, actually, Annie, you were in it of teasing, like the news of, you know what they were going to call it, right? I think Diane put it together, but it had a passion. Yeah, it

Annie Holcombe  27:05  
was, yeah, it was a lot of fun to do, because she sent out these, like, Were you in it? Jace, you weren't in it. They sent out, like, things that said, like, she said, like, say, Here's five questions that you have to pretend you're answering. And, like, just, this is the answers. And everybody had to do different things. So it was like, I remember, I was like, literally, she's like, I need you to do this, like, right away. Like, no makeup on, like, on a Saturday afternoon on my back porch with a cup of coffee. I'm like, did you hear everybody did these things? And she cut it all together. And it was just, it was awesome. Like, she's super creative too. So VR nation wants to be. They're not looking to be this, like, I don't say overlords, not the right word, but this giant association that has stuff that mandates down. You know, from top down, it's like, they want everybody to be equal footing in it and participatory, and it's and fun and

Alex Husner  28:00  
or an event that has personality, right? I mean, like something that like people know, I know how this event feels like even I'm in favor. For example, I think they did an excellent job with that conference last September, that there was, that was a fun conference, like they did a really good job with almost every part of the show, I would say. But I think the VR nation is definitely in that same in that same boat. And I know when we went to Reno it was, it was a great event, and we're super excited to be set up this year at VR nation. We're not going to be on the main stage like you, but we'll be, I think, right in front of the ballroom. So we'll be interviewing people as they come in and out. But it's going to be fun. That's

Jason Gann  28:38  
okay. I'll give you a shout out. I'll give the okay. No, I'm excited. You guys are gonna have a booth. Are you gonna be recording there as well? Yeah, that's amazing. So I'll sneak in, me and Julie will come in. We're gonna crash the party,

Unknown Speaker  28:56  
and we have to have

Alex Husner  28:58  
you and Julie. We'll be back in just a minute, but first, a message from our premier brand sponsor, track,

Speaker 2  29:04  
with a comprehensive suite of native tools and over 70 technology partners, track is the most complete property management system that helps you run your business faster, easier and more profitable,

Alex Husner  29:15  
built for the unique needs of enterprise vacation rental companies. Track delivers top tier features like trust, accounting, Owner, communications and the industry's most robust CRM to help you outperform the market

Speaker 2  29:26  
trusted by many of the largest and most successful vacation rental companies in the country. Chuck's full featured portfolio and integration ecosystem are designed to grow with your business

Alex Husner  29:36  
ready to take your operations to the next level. Visit t, N, S, I n, c.com/podcasts-alex-and-annie,

to learn more. That's t, N, S, I n, c.com/podcasts-alex-and-annie, to learn more. We

Annie Holcombe  29:56  
were talking off camera, and you were talking about how and I thought. This really interesting, because as women in the business, one of the things that we've always talked about is that imposter syndrome, that being, you know, being able to stand your ground and with men in the room. And Alex and I have interviewed a lot of men in the last year, I think more so, but that are very much of, like, well, I have imposter syndrome too. And I, honestly, I was like, What do you mean? I thought guys were pulled aside, like in elementary school on the playground that said, Look, girls are the ones that are like, they're the ones that are supposed to suffer, not you. But there's got guys have this issue too. And I think it's, I think it's amazing to want to acknowledge that. But what was it that you recognized about you that you were, again, you said you were in bands, so you were on stages. I mean, this wasn't anything new. How did you recognize it and and and reconcile with it and decide that this humor and what you're doing now is kind of your next thing. I'm

Jason Gann  30:51  
still trying to reconcile it like I even being weird today. It is so weird being and this is actually something that Steve Sims, who's our keynote for day one, if you're our nation, talks about how he's an introvert, but he's this guy who travels the whole world. He's this public speaker, and he talks about it, he's, you would think it's the most confident guy in the world, and he's actually quite introverted. And I'm not like a, you know, and, you know, with imposter syndrome, yeah, I did the thing where I played music on stage in front of 1000s of people that what? But it was like a, I love being on stage. I was a theater kid in high school, but like, as I've gotten older my I feel like in my 20s, I was very extroverted. I always loved being the one in the room that would be like, telling a story or entertaining or or, you know, but I it's like, pretty crippling. Now I'm 38 and now I'm like, something happened in my 30s where I'm just like, I just want to be like this in the room, and so it I have to kind of put my conference mode on, and there's a switch that I literally I'll breathe before I walk into a conference now and and just like, okay, here I am. It's still me. It's just that it takes a little more effort to to kind of get out there. When I've been on stage in the past, or if I'm doing a session, or I've done a speaking events, I love the speaking part. I love being able to bring whatever I'm bringing, but there's still this element of like, showing me my personality, of like my true self. There is a divide. I see this on LinkedIn all the time. It's like, I don't know if this is appropriate, maybe not a LinkedIn post, but wanted to share this screw that this. So Alex, you sent me this podcast with Gary V about you just like your personality to the professional world, like breaking down the barrier between personal and professional. And I've had a hard time with that, because I feel like I am I able to be myself, like when I first started at Keigo, years ago, 10 years ago, I, like, took my earrings out by first. I didn't know if I could have earrings, have that or, like, having the colored hair over the past few years. And like, you know what? No, it's like, this is me, and I can be a professional and have very, you know, serious conversations and help businesses and still have some flair and be fun and be funny. And so I'm still wrestling with that a bit, but it has. It's been over the last really month that I'm like all right? Because for years I have wanted to do a podcast. I've wanted to do all these things, but it's, it is the imposter syndrome is so real. It's like, Jason, no, you're not going to bring anything new to the table. There are great people that are already doing this. Like, what value are you going to bring? It's all, it's like, all the negativity. It just really creeps in there. And, yeah, it sucks. I think I just got to a point where I'm just so tired of of hearing that and and going, you know what? Even if I if one person, if one person enjoys it and it brings some value to their their business, some light to their day, it's worth it doing something. So these silly little videos that I'll make, or maybe it's a vulnerable video where it's just me sitting in this exact spot, just talking. And it's not necessarily, you know, a podcast, but just a clip, a one two minute clip of me just brain dumping and talking, and just like, This is what's in my head right now. This is how I'm feeling. And, man, I've gotten DMS and even comments of like, I'm so glad you posted this. I've been feeling the same. And I'm like, oh, okay, maybe there's something to this, and I should be beyond. Has been really supportive of it, because I was afraid, like, going into doing this VR nation thing, I'm not necessarily representing beyond, I mean, beyond a part of me, I'm there, but I'll be, you know, the MC, or CO MC for VR nation. I almost was a little nervous. I was like, I talked to my my boss, like, Hey, this is something I've been asked to do. Is it Is that weird? Or can I do ask permission? Is? And they're like, oh my gosh, amazing. Please do that. Yes. Do that. Because it's, I mean, it's an it's amazing opportunity. And then at the beyond, we had a sales kickoff. So fortunate. It, and I want to rub it in. Ladies, they sent us to Barcelona. They sent us to Barcelona, the whole sales team, and I got to see meet our team that that works over our whole European team. And one of the sessions that we had helping kind of encourage us for the year was about building your personal and professional brand on social media, whether, whether, whether it's making videos like, Listen, you might not, you know, want to make videos. Maybe it's just being more engaged in a comment or the conversation, just putting yourself out there. And, yeah, that was, that was my absolute favorite session. We had a lot of great sessions, but that, to me, hit home. It was that week I got back and I made the first video of kind of this run of what I've tried to do one a week. But that was, yeah, that was the push I needed to just say, You know what? I think people will might like this, and if they don't, sorry, I'm gonna, I'm gonna keep posting it. And, yeah,

Alex Husner  35:55  
if nothing else, to help you and your journey. And I mean, it is. It's kind of like a your own online diary of your thoughts, right? And that's that's also very powerful just to look back on. But I think you know, when you posted that video about just being nervous about putting yourself out there, it's it was so real and authentic and you, and that's what people that's what people like. I mean, they they don't want to hear scripted things. They want to hear real stories of people. And that's when we first started the podcast that was kind of the the, you know, main mission of our show was to tell the real stories of the real people, and not, you know, this just triumphant hero story of how everything worked out perfectly. And we didn't want to be scripted. We wanted it to be, you know, authentic and down to earth. And there's, there's just something to that. And I think the way that you're approaching it, it's gonna, you're gonna end up inspiring people that see you doing this and are just happy that you've put that content out there. So I think it's, it's definitely a good thing. And you know, I go back to, I've been in that situation a few times now that you know the podcast, and when you start putting yourself out there personal brand. Sometimes people don't like that. Sometimes it makes them uncomfortable. And you know, from a from a business perspective, you know, I think all the research in the world will tell you it's actually very, very good for a company to have people that their employees do have personal brands, that they're representing the company, but they're also representing themselves and their values. And you know, when you have a good personal brand and you work for a company that you care about, your values should be they don't have to be identical, but they can never be in conflict, Right? Steve Schwab used to always say that, that they don't have to be the same, but your personal and business value should never be in conflict. And so they typically, they are fairly similar, right? So you want to as a company. You want people that people want to get to know because they authentically believe in them as a person. So when you have a personal brand and you have a microphone like you have now, and the things you're doing, that's it's going to end up benefiting any company that you're with, yeah,

Jason Gann  37:56  
well, thank you for saying all that. It's you two have been very encouraging toward me, and it's nice i and I've needed that, I've needed that to get the React, those reactions to feeling okay, maybe I'm I am in the right direction here. And so, yeah, thank you for that. And I totally agree with it. It's like, if you have a if you have a confident person who, like, is believes in their personal brand that can build that up. It's one of the same. It's like, beyond, like, I am a part of that. I'm a part of that story and journey right now to help build that and kind of spread the news of how that can help people. And that's what it comes down to, is like, I just want to help property managers be the best versions of themselves and help their, you know, make their work to life, balance the best it can be and generate them the most money they can so they can, you know, buy a new laundry facility, and, like, grow and and, and build their team. And, yeah, it's, it's, it's cool. And if you could just be your authentic self, your most genuine self, always like people, and it's never to be used as as a sales tool. Like, Oh, I'm gonna do this to, like, make money, or, like, I'm gonna build right

Alex Husner  39:04  
right now, like you said, authenticity and reality for sure. Yeah,

Jason Gann  39:08  
if you can just do that. And that's kind of what I'm doing now, is it's really, it's therapeutic for me just to kind of step out there, but also, I think, along the way, making genuine connections and, like, I tell people talk, I'll meet with you when that, like, if you just want to meet and talk, want to meet and talk, like, hit me up on LinkedIn. Like, what's just chat and and eventually, like, if you're a property manager, like, there have been so many times where some will reach out and I'll say, Hey, this is not the best fit for you right now. Whatever that thing may be that I was the time, but guess what? You're like, so thankful. Like, I'm so glad you told me no. That would have been the such a bad thing at the time, but they come back a year later, two years later, Hey, Jason, remember me? Like, oh yeah. Like, how's it going? Like, hey, it's time. And because you were so honest with me and genuine, like, I want to work with you. And I've had people tell me, I don't care what you're selling, whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it. And then, like, that's the biggest comment. In the whole world. Holy crap, I've made that impact. So, like, I, like, start checking myself. Like, wait, okay, yeah, all right, sure, whatever, whatever I can do to help. So yeah, it's, yeah, it's, it's really fun. Yeah, that's makes it easy. It's less pressure to, like, if you, all you have to do is just be yourself, show up and do that thing, then everything else is easy. Yeah, you

Annie Holcombe  40:23  
don't have to worry about what you've said or what you've done, because, you know, it's authentic for you. And I think you hit a good point, you know, you hit a good point. And I and I finally, it took me several years to kind of adopt this mentality, but it was like, if you're always there for people, you know, they're, you know, just be there and offer yourself for whatever it is, and they are going to remember that. And it's cut that theory of like, you know, people don't remember what you did. They may remember how you made them feel, and that's the thing that will pay off in spades. And I think you're doing that. You're doing that every single day. You're doing that with every video. You're doing that with every interaction. You are, you're kind, you're funny, you're personable. I mean, you're all the things that people are attracted to. And our really good friend Amber hurdle had told us, you know, years ago, like when you're presenting on stage and you're doing something, you don't have to connect with every single person in that audience. If you can just connect to that one person, you may change their entire world with one thought or one statement or one action, and that really just matters, because it's a ripple effect, you know? It just grows. It goes within itself. And so all of this is happening for the right reasons, because you put it out there, and Alex and I are big believers in that, like, put it out of the universe, and it'll work itself out. So good for you. And it's happening, right?

Jason Gann  41:41  
Yeah, it's happening, yeah, thank you. It's i, and it feels like the right time I do. It's you will cripple yourself if you go back. Oh gosh, if I just would have done this, like the would have, should have, if I would have only, yeah, if I would have only done this two years ago when I really wanted to. It's like, where could I have been now? It's like, that's the worst. Like, that will keep you up at night. And I just feel like, if it would have happened, then it would have been right, like, I needed to have the experiences up to this point to then put out the exact type of content that maybe people need to see, whatever. Maybe it's just for me to put it out there. But I would, you know, at some point, would love to do more of this, and hopefully be a face and a voice that that, you know, people can trust. And, yeah, it all comes down to this, people helping people. Let's just, like, make this initiative as it can be and and what's really cool is that there's this whole new wave of like, people who've discovered us in vacations since COVID, like, they've they've now heard how cool we are, and now they want in. And now it's these kind of the noobs who are now, like, by the way, the fact that like, Gen Z is old enough to now be like, have their own companies and have right now crazy, if Gen Z is just there, they should still be in high school. Like, Oh no, it's not. But, yeah, this new wave of Gen Z professionals that are stepping in, and they're showing up these conferences now they're the ones speaking. It's like, really awesome to like, yeah, like this. This community is building even, even bigger, and it's exciting. It's like this new wave.

Alex Husner  43:17  
It means that we're turning into the old people now,

Jason Gann  43:22  
the we're the veteran. Okay, the veterans, all right, we're the wise. But you know that going like, VR nations got this, and it's more than a motto. It's, it is a mission statement of Out with the old and with the bold, and we're not trying to get rid of anybody. It's not that. It's just, it's out with this old mentality of like, hey, things can be different, and, and, and it's in a No way. I've heard this for a couple people, and I want to make it very clear that this is not the case. If you're like, Oh, you're replacing anyone or any other organization. Is not it's an and it's not an or it is something that's just an addition to and think about how many conferences that other industries have, like we do have. We do have a lot of conferences. I think for vacation rules, everyone has their own user conference. But really, I mean, there's, there's space and for everyone, but there is just a it's a different vibe. It's a different feel. You're going to get things at this conference that are different than other conferences, and we say, hey, like, you know, and what's cool with with VR nation? Yeah, it's going to be fun. It's going to be bold and different, but you're going to see speakers that you have never seen before. You're going to have all the favorites that you love. There's a lot of great like all our friends, they're going to be there. They're going to talk about the things that are really important, that we'd love to hear from them, but we talk about, like, Gen Z folks, some even just newer property managers, they're going to be there and they're going to share their perspective. Because, like, even if you've been doing this for 1015, 20 plus years, you will learn something no matter what. If you show up, you're going to you're going to find something. New. So that's this industry is ever changing. We talk about it all the time. I mean, I've heard you two talk about this is just, it's a constant, just revolving door of just new and, and, yeah, so let's get some new folks up there and hear what they have to say, which is pretty exciting, absolutely.

Alex Husner  45:16  
Well, we are super excited for VR nation. We will be there. The dates are, it's April 20

Jason Gann  45:23  
april 27 and April 28 Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's gonna be awesome. We're gonna kick things off. Host GPO has a pickleball tournament, so we're gonna have that the day before, and then we get into day one. Steve Sims is gonna kick us off the day two. We've got Brian galke. He's gonna be our day two keynote. He's gonna talk about things. I don't know if you've heard of him, but he does, like facial tells, facial recognition, like, maybe able to, like, tell her, like body language, to help kind of professionals in that way and having those meetings very I'm very excited. I do. I think you may know this, but I dabble in the dark arts with some card magic and some things. So I always joke about doing card tricks, of like facial tails, of body language. It may be all made up. Don't tell anyone, but, but his is, his is real. But the sessions are going to be amazing. The networking is going to be great. I think Steve Sims is going to have, like, a bourbon and brainstorming the end of day one. I know, I'm very excited about that. And then what's the, oh, the housekeeping Olympics, I don't know. So I don't know if you

Annie Holcombe  46:30  
know. Yeah, they talked about it last year. I think was the first year that they did last year was the first year with a shower curtain. Heidi said, so I'm curious. Yeah, yo, yo.

Jason Gann  46:42  
You'll see. Hopefully we'll bring all that back and then maybe then some. But it's and because it's Olympic themed, I'm really hoping to get Julie George, and I really want to dress her up as ray gun from the Olympics. You guys remember the break dancer from Australia?

Alex Husner  46:55  
Oh, wow, that'll be fun.

Jason Gann  46:58  
She doesn't know her yet. She's gonna find out when she watches this. Yeah, she'll find out soon enough, but I'm gonna see if we can find a ray gun outfit. We got to get her doing some break dancing, but it's a good

it also to feature, featuring the department of your company that is, like, the least desirable, like no one wants to go scrub toilets and make beds, but making some really fun games out of it is fun, and yeah, Dirk Johnson is gonna have a couple housekeeping certifications. Like, bring the whole team, if you're watching this in your property management company, just don't bring the leadership. Bring, like, your your housekeeping leaders and that team. It's gonna be a good time for everybody. And yeah, we're gonna, we're gonna close the show out really nice and maybe some fun along the way, some giveaways. But I'm super stoked, and I can't wait. There's still room to book. I've got some room block deals, but also some promo codes. I don't know if you guys have it, they can hit me up for discounts. Love to see you there. It's limited. It's working fast, so hope to see you all there. 2728

Alex Husner  47:58  
Yeah, absolutely. Well, we will include all the links in the show notes. And in the meantime, if anybody wants to get in touch with Annie and I, you can go to Alex and Annie podcast.com and thank you, Jason, we will see you in Texas. You

Transcribed by https://otter.ai