Rachele Hobbs was recognized with the Pioneer Award during the 2025 Vacation Rental Women’s Summit, held August 21 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Pioneer Award is presented to women whose leadership and innovation have created a lasting impact on the vacation rental industry. Hobbs, co-owner of Hobbs Realty in Holden Beach, North Carolina, was honored for her decades of service, her creative and operational leadership, and her enduring influence on the people and places she serves.
Hobbs formally joined the family-owned company in 1997, where she immediately began shaping both the guest and team experience. She launched Hobbs Realty’s first website in 1999, created the company’s iconic umbrella logo, and developed a series of memorable brand campaigns that became hallmarks in the industry. Her slogans—including “Once you’re booked, you’re hooked” and “Go the extra smile”—reflected a deep commitment to connection, service, and what she called “Hobbspitality.”
Though she had no formal training in marketing or operations, Hobbs took on nearly every role in the company over the years, from reservations to HR, housekeeping to accounting. She led the development of internal systems, including the company’s first employee handbook and HR department, oversaw the design of countless rental homes, and introduced hospitality features well ahead of industry standards—including stocked kitchens, keyless entry systems, and the area’s first guest loyalty program.
Her impact extended beyond the business itself. In 2023, Hobbs co-founded Hospitality Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting hospitality workers facing personal hardship. Her team describes her leadership style as one of “gracious professionalism,” a term reflective of her quiet strength and constant care for others.
Today, Hobbs Realty includes four generations of her family, with her grandson recently completing his first internship. Under her guidance, the company has grown into a widely respected name in the coastal vacation rental space.
Hobbs was honored at VRWS 2025 for her legacy of leadership, innovation, and compassion—a legacy that continues to shape the vacation rental industry from the inside out.
