My father was a past Santa Rosa City Council member and Mayor of Santa Rosa. In the 1950’s, he built what we called “the play house” in the back of our childhood home so my brother and I would have a place to play during the Polio Epidemic.  In 1997, one of my sons became a quadriplegic after a cycling accident, so my husband and I converted the “play house” into a handicapped accessible unit so he could visit us on Holidays and family occasions.

Now I’m retired, my husband has passed away, and I came to the realization that I needed to earn extra income so I could stay in my home. I cannot rent out my cottage full-time because my son stills needs a place to stay when he visits, yet I need to earn extra income so I can afford to remain in my home. I discovered that I would have to choose between providing a place to for my son to stay or earning an income so I can remain in my home.

In 2017, I joined Airbnb and I decided to offer the main house as a vacation rental to guests and I’d live in the guest house in back. This has help me tremendously. The money that I have earned has afforded me the ability to meet my expenses and make needed repairs to my 120 year old home. I have also met the most delightful people through Airbnb. They've come from New York, Canada, LA, and everywhere. They enjoy our city. They take part in the activities the city has to offer. I have paid my TOT text and I have been able to enjoy life more.