posted on 8 March 2022
To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, we’ve reached out to two successful female hosts in the UK who are paving the way for car sharing. Entrepreneurs Valerie and Reanne share what it’s like to live life in the fast lane as a Power Host and All-Star Host on Turo.
Both Valerie and Reanne started out by listing their own cars on Turo. Today, they both own growing portfolios and are running successful Turo businesses. Here’s what they’ve learnt so far, along with tips for other women hoping to kickstart their very own business on the largest car sharing marketplace in the world.
How has being part of the Turo community impacted your life?
I’ve always wanted to run my own business but didn’t think it would ever happen. Turo has given me the opportunity to run my own business from home. For women who might feel intimidated by starting a business, I’m proof it can be done. Just start with one car and see how it goes!
It has also kept me very busy while giving me the freedom to work from home. For me, this is important as it allows me to spend time with my family and kids and it’s more enjoyable than my 9 to 5 job.
How did you turn sharing on Turo into a full time venture?
I started with one car, a Volkswagen Golf, and it was constantly in demand. This inspired me to get another Volkswagen Golf and it literally just grew like that, car by car. The more demand there was, and the more Turo guests were requesting my cars, the more cars I was able to purchase and list. I literally followed the demand. I also listened to my guests and what cars they were interested in and this helped me to think about what other cars to buy that were not just a Volkswagen Golf. Before I knew it I had a whole fleet.
Why did you choose to list with Turo over other peer-to-peer marketplaces?
Over the years I’ve been with Turo, I’ve seen constant improvements for both hosts and guests. I really appreciate how attentive they are as a business but also what’s great is the increasing customer base. It’s constantly increasing which means more earnings. I feel that as a host I’m prioritised and that gives me reassurance because I know if I have any issues then Turo has my back.
What are your top three tips for other female entrepreneurs considering hosting with Turo?
First of all I would definitely say to go for it. I say to all my guests that ask about hosting just to go for it. Start with one car and see how you go from there. Secondly, I would say you can be assured that Turo prioritises and takes care of their hosts. As a host, you will be looked after. Finally, even though it’s more of a male dominated space, women are more than capable of being successful in this field. The earnings potential is fantastic and the reason why I’ve been successful is a lot to do with having great ratings. I prioritise my customer service and I take care of my cars to make sure the guests have the best possible experience. This shows that any woman who applies herself can really do well on Turo.
Finally, what are the top three spots guests must visit this summer?
Last summer was my best summer ever, I was so busy hosting and my guests went to so many incredible places all around the UK. Based on their feedback, the places I’d suggest are the Lake District, the Cotswolds and Sandbanks. It seemed like UK beaches were also really popular!
Why did you decide to become a host on Turo?
My car was just being left on the drive as I was taking other forms of transport to work, so this is what made me think about renting out my car. I didn’t want my car just sitting there so I decided to become a Turo host.
How has being part of the Turo community impacted your life?
For the better. I’ve met interesting people that rent from me. I tend to see the same faces coming back to rent and I’ve been able to build friendships with them. It’s also impacted my life financially and it’s helped me do other things like buying other cars to put on Turo. This extra income has been very helpful, especially during the pandemic.
Why should guests opt for Turo over traditional car rental?
I think it’s the convenience. With traditional car rental there isn’t much flexibility and it’s more hassle. Turo gives you the option to have a car whenever it’s available, and you also get the opportunity to extend your trip, so it’s definitely more flexible and it saves money for the guest. You can also rent any type of car, it doesn’t need to be anything flashy, it can just be for the convenience. There’re also cars in lots of different locations.
What do the next 12 months look like for you?
I’ve got three cars now but within the next year I’d like to expand my fleet and add more. I’d like to grow to five by getting two vehicles on the road through the Turo app. I’m also thinking about different locations so I might keep one at my mum’s house. Right now, I’m on the lookout for good deals and I’m after something economical too with the new London travel zones.
What are your top three tips for other female entrepreneurs considering hosting with Turo?
I would say go for it. I think sometimes people can be hesitant about renting out their car. However, you have flexibility with the coverage from Turo and the guest has insurance too. If anything was to go wrong, you’re not alone and you get support so you won’t have to deal with anything by yourself. So, just give it a go really. It’s important to update your availability, don’t get distracted by other things going on, and make sure you’re friendly to guests when you hand over the keys as it’s an opportunity to build a relationship.
Become a host
Have you got a car sitting on your driveway that you’d like to start making a bit of extra cash with? List yours on Turo today for free. It only takes 10 minutes and you could be earning an average of £357 per month.
Natasha Aston
Natasha is a Business Development Associate on the Turo UK team. She works on host community engagement and account management and is the point of contact for growing your Turo business.
