Greg Martin of Demeure

In 2008, a group of 30 friends started a vacation home exchange program because they wanted to see more of the world. Peter Schwartz, one of the original members, created an investment fund to expand this opportunity and brought in fellow member Greg Martin as CEO. Then in 2010, armed with new technology and deep expertise in both travel and yield management, they purchased the assets of Ultimate Escapes. UE was at the time the 2nd-largest destination club in the United States — but had just collapsed under a mountain of debt, due to the flawed business models of these types of organizations.

Thus, Demeure was born.

In its brief history, Demeure has experienced great success with $2M in annual revenues. Although the company has only 12 employees, its reach spans the globe. Demeure offers upscale vacation home rentals from Miami to Bali, and everywhere in between. These homes act as an alternative to crowded all-inclusive resorts, and to destination clubs that require long-term membership commitments that cause financial anxiety. Demeure travellers receive a full-service experience, but can leave all the stress at home — while still having the feeling of “home” on vacation.

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Recently, I was reading the blog of one of my favorite tweeters. (Yes, I have favorite tweeters and you should to) Bryan Espiritu also known as @legendsleague wrote about how he got the capital to start-up his brand, The Legends League. For young creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs, it is a highly recommended read. He gives advice others have given me over the years.

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When you see enough entrepreneurs and their executive teams, you start to get a sense about the businesses that are going to make it and the one’s that are going to flame-out before they even get off the ground.   If success comes fast and easy, less-than-desirable personalities are tolerated because everybody’s making money.  It’s when startups have long periods of tough slogging that the antics of these usual suspects drive the others crazy, often resulting in the death of the nascent business.  Building a team for your startup?  Avoid these characters!  (I use ‘guy’ but this could easily be a lady as well).

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