sherri chasse

Burlington, CT (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Florida Paradise Villas, LLC

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Location: Burlington
Industry: Hospitality
Year Founded: 2004
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Business Stage: Growth (not profitable)
Entity Type: Limited Liability Company
Description: I have been running this vacation rental agency for condos and homes in the Disney area up to 8 bedrooms in Orlando Florida, since 2004. It is a short term rental agency, our guests mainly rent by the week. I'm looking for an investor in either the business, our upscale rental property in Orlando area, or a loan of $60,000 which will be used to modify the terms of the loan to reduce it's future income/debt ratio, pay off the 2nd lien on both the rental property and our primary residence (both of which offered a settlement of $19000 each)--putting us in a much better financial position immediately; and the additional funds would be used for advertising (known to work in the past). In turn, would offer 2nd lien position or ownership interest in a 6 bedroom resort pool home located in Windsor Hills resort. This home is currently worth about $465,000, with first a mortgage balance of $368,000. Rental income on the property (before expenses) is normally approximately $50,000 per year, with a net of about $20,000. Values just a few years ago, prior to the crash, were approximately $800,000 for the same floorplan in the same resort. There is huge potential here for this property to nearly double over the next few years. I am interested in ideas you might have as well. For many years, we invested in various advertising programs with Orlando CVB and Visit Florida, reputable companies that have their own marketing team. We used their expertise and co-op opportunities to grow the business, very quickly. Unfortunately, such campaigns are pricing, and although spending approximately $20,000 a year on marketing doubled sales, in recent years other expenses were reaching into the advertising budget and we began to see a drop in sales. I would like to have some extra funds available to take advantage of an advertising matching grant that Visit Florida is offering right now of $5000, I would need to compile $10,000 in ads, and they would pay half of it. This is a great opportunity to launch the business above and beyond anything it has done in the past 10 years. As well, and as part of this grant, I would be focusing campaigns on Facebook, viral marketing. I have also have begun to try a QR code direct mailing campaign linking to a mobile site in which clients would receive a discount offer for liking us on Facebook. After using Facebook's professional advertising assistance, in one month, after just starting to market the business on Facebook, incurred nearly 7000 followers, I would like to continue those campaigns, there is extreme growth potential there. Thank you for your time and any help you might be willing to provide.