August 26, 2025

How Kerri Gibson Said Goodbye to the Corner Office—and Hello to 70% Direct Bookings

1 hour

What if the career you’d worked decades to build was the very thing holding you back from the life you actually wanted?

In this episode, I sit down with Kerri Gibson, a former CPA who built a thriving hospitality empire in Quebec. After 22 years in tax and accounting software, Kerri’s breaking point became her breakthrough when a simple house flip spiraled into seven renovated ski chalets—and eventually a full-scale motel transformation.

Kerri opens up about the toll of burnout and the moments she missed with family because work always came first. She shares how she and partner Philip navigated the tricky shift from colleagues to business partners to spouses working side by side, and how a few uncomfortable conversations ultimately strengthened both their relationship and their business.

Most impressively, Kerri has achieved what many hospitality owners dream of: 70% direct bookings through her own website—without relying on OTAs. She walks us through the exact strategies she built from the ground up, plus how she infused their signature “hygge” concept into a roadside motel, transforming it into a place where guests connect and create lasting memories.

Packed with real-world advice and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck—whether you’re plotting your escape from corporate life or striving to build a hospitality business that truly reflects your values.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:16] A short introduction about our guest Kerri Gibson and how she got into the world of short-term rentals

[03:27] Kerri shares her journey from from CPA to tech leader in tax and accounting software

[06:28] Kerri’s breaking point that pushed her to leave the corporate world

[13:20] Kerri reveals her two-question strategy for making big decisions without a support system

[21:06] Kerri recounts her journey from renovating distressed chalets to revitalizing a roadside motel

[25:39] Kerri outlines her vision to reinvent the roadside motel experience through Scandinavian-inspired design and communal spaces

[30:17] The challenges and growth that come from defining roles when running a business with a spouse

[38:04] How Kerri shifted from relying entirely on OTAs to achieving 70% direct bookings

[45:15] The power of starting early with a strategy and evolving it over time

[48:08] Kerri talks about her self-taught marketing journey and how she strategically brought in outside expertise

[52:39] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

• “Find coziness, comfort and the simplicity of the small moments of life surrounded by those that you love the most.”

• “I had to learn to find space for him to be a part of the business and flourish. And as we've defined, find our swim lanes, which is super important. It's allowed us to find, like these great things that go in sync together. You know, the Ying and the Yang.”

• “Never, ever, ever build your house on someone else's land, no matter how small you are.”

• “You have to create the strategy, then go implement the strategy. But without that strategy-first approach, it's just like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that something works.”

• “There's nothing you can't do, or nothing you can't be, there's only what you're willing to work for.”

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Let’s Connect!

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kerri-gibson-cpaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerri_reinventedEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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By Stacey St. John

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