We were lucky to catch up with Vivian Yip recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vivian, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When I was a little girl, I loved stories about Greek Gods. They were so powerful, exotic and romantic (sometimes tumultuous!). These Gods and Goddesses were so majestic to me and the names were so beautiful. As I was thinking about what I wanted my company to be, I thought it would be relevant to attach the meaning and mission of our business to the name of a Greek Goddess, which is why I love the name Hestia. She is the Greek Goddess of Hearth, Home & Hospitality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been hosting furnished stays for more than 3 years and I found that it was often very difficult for anyone to find a temporary housing solution when they are in a housing transition, for instance, displaced from their home due to insurance, relocating to the area or even simply a digital nomad.

The issue is that the online booking platforms for furnished rentals are dedicated to short stays and hard to find a long and continuous booking for greater than a month at a time and at a quality that can be trusted. I’ve come up with a way to work with other hosts that provide not only a beautiful and well maintained home for extended stays, but whom also believe in exceptional hospitality.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In our bustling world, it’s easy to get caught up in the race to achieve the “model minority” status. I, too, found myself fulfilling that stereotype, excelling in academics, and building a rewarding career at a renowned tech giant. But as time passed, I realized that this fast-paced corporate life was draining, especially with the responsibility of raising two young kids. It became clear that this lifestyle was not sustainable for the long term.

In late 2017, seeking an alternative path to financial security, I reached out to friends from privileged backgrounds to learn about their family’s wealth-building strategies. To my surprise, every single one of them mentioned Real Estate. Intrigued and hopeful, my husband James and I decided to explore this avenue as our gateway to intentional living. Leveraging our unique skills – his handyman expertise and my analytical abilities – we saw the potential in house flipping as a means to achieve our dreams: a life where we would never have to ask for a day off again.

With determination, we delved into the world of real estate. Months of research and networking taught us the ropes of purchasing properties, finding off-market deals, and working with contractors. Our first flip may not have been a jackpot, but the experience was undeniably enjoyable. Despite the challenges, we managed to complete six flips in our first year, all while maintaining our full-time jobs and raising our kids. By the following year, we had flipped another six houses, and the demand for our services grew exponentially.

As our expertise in real estate expanded, we discovered a new opportunity during the pandemic. We realized that some of the distressed properties we acquired could be transformed into attractive, furnished rentals, commanding premium rents. We carefully curated our portfolio, adding more furnished homes and enjoying the additional income.

However, the stress of juggling my corporate responsibilities, overseeing major projects, and caring for our children began to take a toll on my well-being. The anxiety and pressure caused my alopecia to worsen until I lost all my hair within weeks. This experience became a defining moment – a signal that it was time to make a change.

Thankfully, our passion for real estate had led us to create a successful side hustle, which we could now turn into our full-time gig. Looking into the mirror, I saw the reflection of stress staring back at me, and I knew it was time to prioritize my health and well-being. With clarity and determination, I made the decision to leave my corporate job ahead of schedule, embracing the life we had envisioned for ourselves and our family.

Today, I’m grateful to have found my true calling in real estate. We’ve built a thriving business and a life filled with intention and purpose. No longer bound by the constraints of corporate life, I am living life on my terms and will never have to ask for another day off again. As we continue to grow our real estate ventures, we cherish the journey that has brought us here and look forward to the exciting future ahead

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’ve always been one to approach life with a “can do” attitude, fueled by an insatiable curiosity. Taking on challenges and diving into problem-solving has been my forte, especially when working collaboratively. However, I soon realized that attempting to do everything was not the most productive use of my time, particularly when it involved labor-intensive or low-skilled tasks.

It was my brother Paul who opened my eyes to a more strategic approach to time management. He introduced me to a fascinating book on Strategy by Harvard Business Review. We would spend quality time together, sipping wine, exchanging ideas, and experimenting with the concepts outlined in the book, one of which was the “capabilities map.” This transformative way of thinking set me on a path to not only become more efficient but also remarkably effective in my areas of strength.

Fueling my thirst for personal growth, I delved into another book called “Who Not Who.” This captivating read further compelled me to challenge my limiting mindset. It became evident that I needed to break free from the notion of limited resources and focus on leveraging the right people and tools to achieve my goals.

If you’re eager to break away from the constraints of limited thinking and unlock your full potential, I wholeheartedly recommend both of these books. They have been instrumental in reshaping my perspective and empowering me to make strategic decisions that lead to greater success and fulfillment.

In the spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, let’s embrace efficiency and effectiveness as we journey towards our goals together. Here’s to a future of limitless possibilities!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CorporateRentalsUSA.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corporaterentalsusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corporaterentalsUSA
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianyiptx/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CorporateRentalsUSA