We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, how do you think about risk?

“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.” -Denis Waitley
This quote is a good reminder of how we should be consistently taking risks in life. Most people fail to see the benefits that come with taking risks, and it prevents them from being presented with amazing opportunities. It can be hard to step out your comfort zone, especially when it involves finances, but you can’t bloom into your full potential by playing it safe. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without taking the risk of starting my own luxury Airbnb business. One day, I realized I didn’t want to be in the same repeating cycle of always working and spending money. I knew in order to get the life I wanted and become financially free, I needed to invest in something that would bring me consistent passive income. Taking the risk of investing my money into something I was passionate about has been very beneficial to my life and my career, because it has made me independent and more resilient when difficulties arise.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Our business consists of doing short and long term rentals on Airbnb. Unlike most Airbnb hosts, we offer other services such as mentorships, partnerships, and property management. We also cater to our guests as well by offering to decorate the Airbnb for any special events.
I got to where I am today by making the decision to jumpstart my career in Airbnb. I have always been interested in real estate, and I saw Airbnb as an opportunity to start off my passion for the field. I knew that I wanted to be my own boss and have another source of income. It was not easy getting to where I am today. I realized that having your own business comes with a lot of challenges, and you have to make difficult decisions that can impact your life significantly. I learned to overcome those challenges by staying positive, using my connections, and came up with new ideas that led me to be even more successful. You must stay focused on what your end goal is and adapt quickly in situations that arise in order to maintain that goal. I want the world to know that anything is possible if you believe and push yourself. There is nothing that can’t be accomplished when you put your heart into it. Our business is open to helping others see this about themselves and create their own empire.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston has such a big variety of different places to eat, drink, and vibe out. I definitely recommend going to Taste Bar & Kitchen, Lost and Found, KISS, Thirteen, Crafty Crab, and Turkey Leg Hut. All these places are located in the heart of Houston by the galleria, midtown, and downtown areas, so you can get nice views while enjoying tasty food. I would also recommend visiting interactive and iconic spots such as Seismique, Discovery Green, The Graffiti Wall, The Butterfly Museum, FAO HTX, and the Water wall for a good photo op! If you are looking to kick off the night, have fun, get good drinks, and really see what Houston’s urban nightlife is like – I would suggest Kamp, Space, Atomic Bottle, Playground, Prospect Park, and Spire. As an outgoing person, I like to go with the flow, find new places, and constantly meet new people so I can ensure my itinerary is always full and worth while.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give recognition to my business partners and close friends, Gabriela Desousa and Adrianne Nicome. Throughout my journey, they have been nothing but supportive and encourage me to reach my goals everyday. When I first started my business, I faced several obstacles. They were both there to help me with decision making and give me fresh ideas to help overcome challenges. They alleviated some of my stress by helping me take on tasks. Whenever I realized that we accomplished more as a team, we solved more problems. We each had our own set of skills, so I decided to bring them onto my business formally. I feel like working together has diminished the possibility of making mistakes. We always hold each other accountable and push each other to be the best version of ourselves to have a successful business as a team.

Website: https://linktr.ee/deluxerentals

Instagram: @theshelbyj, @deluxerentalshtx

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.