This is a reset episode. After months of working behind the scenes, Heather and Mike Bayer come together to do something they have not done for a while: reintroduce themselves, take stock of where the Vacation Rental Formula Business School is now, and talk honestly about what they are building next. If you have been a long-time listener, this is your update. If you are new, this is the best place to start.

The conversation covers the full VRF ecosystem, from the just-completed first cohort of the AI Ambassador Program and what Heather has already learned from running it, to the newly launched THRIVE Essentials onboarding course, the opening of five consultancy slots, and the decision to build community through Substack rather than another standalone platform. 

What comes through clearly is that the focus has sharpened. VRF is no longer trying to serve everyone in the STR industry. It is building specifically for professional operators who are ready to bring AI into their businesses in a structured, responsible way, and who want experienced guidance rather than just another tool recommendation.

About Heather and Mike Bayer

Heather Bayer spent 20 years managing CottageLINK Rental Management in Ontario, growing it to nearly 200 properties before selling the business  in 2022. She has hosted the Vacation Rental Success Podcast since 2014, making it the longest-running podcast in the STR space, and has spent the last two years building a focused AI education practice for property management professionals. Mike Bayer is CEO and co-founder of the Vacation Rental Formula Business School. He works across strategy, marketing, technology integration, and community, and joins Heather on the podcast periodically to discuss direction and new programs.

Key Takeaways

• The AI Ambassador Programme just completed its first cohort. Heather is already rewriting Module 2 because the tools she built the course around have shifted in the months since she wrote it. The second cohort launches in May and will include returning members alongside new participants.
• A knowledge base is the non-negotiable foundation for any meaningful AI adoption. Before touching any tool, operators need documented business context that gives the AI something real to work with. Without it, output is generic.
• The AI ambassador role is not a tech job. It is the person in a company who understands the business well enough to see where AI can reduce friction, and who has the trust of the team to guide adoption without creating resistance. Think orchestra conductor, not programmer.
• THRIVE Essentials is a short onboarding course for new STR employees who may have no background in property management. It covers industry structure, operational roles, technology foundations, values, compliance, and a new AI-in-the-workplace module focused on ethics and safe use.
• The consultancy model is a 90-day intensive period followed by nine months of monthly coaching. It is capped at five clients at a time, starts with a free hour-long discovery call, and is specifically designed around AI adoption and integration. It is not coaching in the general sense; it is bespoke problem-solving for a specific business.
• Community is now on Substack, specifically the Grounded in AI Group. After trying several platforms over the years, Heather and Mike landed on Substack because it combines articles, short notes, and a chat forum in one place with a genuine mobile app, which has consistently been what makes community work for people who are managing a business during the day.

Resources and Links Mentioned

• AI Ambassador Program - vacationrentalformula.com/AI 
• THRIVE Essentials 
• Grounded in AI Substack Community - free subscription
• Consultancy inquiry/free discovery call 
• VR Nation Conference - 28–30 April, Heather presenting on AI foundations
• Scale UK Conference - Brighton, 9 June, Heather presenting on AI adoption foundations

Connect with Heather and Mike

The best place to connect is the Grounded in AI Substack community, where Heather posts daily and responds to comments. If you are curious about the AI Ambassador Program, THRIVE Essentials, or consultancy, reach out directly through Substack:

‍Heather’s Substack

Vacation Rental Formula Business School

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