Karen du Four des Champs
VacationRentExpert, Property Manager, Marketing & PR for Vacation Rentals

MiKo's Guest House

Websites:

• Video of MiKo's Guest House

Transformed a dreary, dark cabin into a enchanting vacation rental "with rural rustic charm:" MiKo's Guest House on Vashon Island and realized a profit within 6 months of start-up. Consistently booked, far surpassing long-established competitors within local market. Recognized as a leader among vacation rental owners on an island of 11,000 with over 40 vacation rental options. Affectionately referred to as "the walking Chamber of Commerce" by colleagues and business owners. Delivered "best practices in marketing your vacation rental" to Chamber of Commerce members. Coach and consultant to vacation owners on all aspects of business: from start up, staging, marketing, managing, and partnering with businesses to boost sales. Ensure high quality, consistent customer-centered experiences. Consistently receive enthusiastic guest comments, direct guest referrals and recommendations from other vacation owners. Contact me for a 1:1 consultation on your property. (206) 679-1389 www.MiKosGuestHouse.com

• Have an eye for details while always looking at the big picture
• See possibilities
• Future oriented
• Optimistic, high energy, engaging
• Provide direct feedback
• Inspire, motivate and lead
• Supportive coach & advisor

I'm actually looking for a full-time job (yep, a job, job!) where I leave my house everyday and commute to a workplace with a highly talented and motivated team making a difference in the world! If you need a "Connector", "Maven" and "Salesperson" -- all wrapped up in one! -- give me a call (206) 679-1389 or drop me an email! This extrovert (ENTP) needs to be surrounded by others!

VASHON COLLEGE - Island Studies - Completed noncredited Island Studies course and declared an inaugural graduate of "Vashon 101: A Journey Just Begun" (November 12, 2006) - Completed 10-week "Artful Vashon" noncredited course (Jan-May 2008)

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Graduate of Context Associated, a personal development intensive

     1.  The Pursuit of Excellence
     2.  The Wall
     3.  The Advancement of Excellence
  

• Six-month solo travel in 1985 throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific: Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Australia, and New Zealand.
  
• Sabbatical: December 2001 - January 2002 in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
• Para-sailing. Ropes course.
• Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at 3400 feet!
  

HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH -- Advanced Leadership in Violence Prevention (Summer 1997)

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY -- B.A in Sociology / Cultural Anthropology; Teacher's Certification in Sec Ed (1986)

SEASSI -- Southeast Asian Summer Institute - Fulbright Scholarship (Summer 1986)

REGISTERED COUNSELOR -- State of Washington RC 00021466 (Active Status: 1993-present)

TEACHER'S CERTIFICATION -- Social Sciences for Sec. Education, State of Illinois - 1986.

LIFE LONG LEARNER: On-going, continuing education in cutting-edge principle-centered leadership, team-development systems, coaching, facilitation, L&D, OD, HR, and HPT performance-consulting strategies, theories, and applications.

Like many entrepreneurs I've worn--and wear--many hats...worked overseas for the United Nations for several years, returned to North America for a long stint in the social services... started my management consulting practice in the field of human resources, organizational development and learning & development and have worked with some big clients: Bank of America, Microsoft, Starbucks, T-Mobile, KPMG...keynote speaker and facilitator to groups over 100 and as small as five.... volunteer radio host with Voice of Vashon... creative director and emcee with the Vashon Film Society... vacation rental owners' liaison with the Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce... run successful MiKo's Guest House on Vashon Island (B&B without the breakfast) to share the bucolic lifestyle and beauty of this island in the middle of Puget Sound with visitors near and far...