Many people dream of a career that offers high pay, minimal work, proximity to home, freedom, fun, and growth. Most listeners would probably reply with just two words: “In your dreams!” I used to think so too. But ever since I officially transformed from a Xiaozhu guest to a host, I’ve suddenly realized that dreams can indeed become reality. Except for not having as little work as I expected, everything else is spot on.
Based in Beijing, I’m currently managing my third property. Interacting with adorable people from all over the country every day makes me feel younger and younger. Moreover, I can decorate each property exactly the way I envision—like playing house, but in luxury mode. After taking on several properties, what started as a part-time gig gradually evolved into a full-fledged career. I now list my properties on several major platforms, including Xiaozhu, Tujia, and Airbnb. Periodically, I carefully analyze user sources, demographics, and occupancy rates, then continuously refine my services based on user feedback. I truly find joy and endless satisfaction in it.
Why do I call this a career? Because aside from earning money, it also offers hope, helps improve various skills—such as basic aesthetics, communication, and adaptability—and even turned this lifelong scatterbrain of mine into someone incredibly organized. Now, I prepare everyday essentials that guests might need in every property, such as needles and thread, umbrellas, band-aids, sanitary pads, and anything else you can think of. These little details are something I never used to notice before, but now I’m especially considerate toward others. Of course, the returns are immediate—even if not everyone uses them, guests are often moved when they see these thoughtful touches. I believe this is the essence of why I run my homestays: although it’s a business, I treat it like my own home. Everything that a home has and needs is reflected in my homestays, and that warmth naturally shines through.
Through running homestays, I’ve also made many friends—guests, fellow hosts, or even newcomers hoping to get into the industry. I truly enjoy creating travel guides for guests, as it feels like seeing my supposedly familiar city again and again through their eyes and footsteps. I also love exchanging tips and innovative operational strategies with other hosts, then applying those ideas to my own properties. And I relish sharing insights with those who are still on the fence—both the good and the bad, objectively—helping them understand this line of work clearly, neither overly optimistic nor blindly pessimistic. If it suits them, they should give it a try; if not, they can keep being guests and enjoy the fruits of our careful craftsmanship. That’s perfectly fine too.
Homestays originally stem from the concept of sharing. Just like how I read the founding story of Xiaozhu’s CEO—he initially convinced his mother to share their home, but she was hesitant at first due to distrust of this unfamiliar model. If he couldn’t even persuade his own mother, how could he convince others? Fortunately, he persevered through the challenges, and now we have Xiaozhu. Over the past few years, China’s economic models have evolved dramatically, and the idea of the sharing economy has gradually gained acceptance. I believe this wouldn’t have happened without all those who dove in and practiced it firsthand. As both an advocate and beneficiary of this sharing model, I’m sincerely grateful for this era and deeply passionate about this career.
As for my next small wish, I hope to gradually grow this venture, to build my own brand in the homestay space. I know the beginning might be tough, but no rush—we only live once, so why not embrace the challenge? After all, life is about seeking new experiences, and doing what you love—regardless of the outcome—is happiness in itself.