It's incredible to think it was 10 years ago that UnderTheDoormat took its first booking in Richmond at the beautiful home of Sandy Forster Faith F.! UnderTheDoormat Group was built by so many amazing people who have helped us along the way: Early owners helped review our contract Ann Marie Juliano Patrick Kelly and Tina Baker helped us build that first legal contract (still the framework today), we found our first partner company Deyan D. who still supplies our linens 10 years on, Ed Woodcock helped us work out our brand proposition, James Davies helped me with "license to occupy" , Ben Jay helped us resist building our own technology early days, all three still Board members and investors, Warren Clayton-Howe, CAIA built our first financial forecast, Martine Warburton helped us with our first website, and every brand evolution since, Steve Vickers helped us get an industry leading insurance policy, Sarah Miles helped developing our first marketing plans, Jonathan Wilkes advised us to set up EMI and access EIS and is now our CFO, Rossana Agolini helped me come up with the UnderTheDoormat name walking down New Kings Road, Taryn Byrne helped us ensure we had a name that we could get IP protection for and "City Chameleon" which was born on a ski lift, died a quick and very helpful death, Dessye, our cleaner joined us and is our longest serving team member(and a shareholder in the company), Russ Lynch who covered us in our early days in the Evening Standard, early investors who believed in us including Oliver Fryer Shauna Sweeney Annalie Howling Rory Hardick Derrick Gammage, Marriott chose to work with us early in their launch Chris Stephenson, Richard Bridger quit his corporate job to become the co-founder I always wanted, Hannah Davies MCIPD James Brown Evangelia Sigala joined the early team and have all contributed so much to the company while growing in their roles, Shomik Panda had the vision to work together and create our industry Association UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) together with industry leaders such as Jean-Philippe Monod de Froideville, Amadeus and Cvent believed in our vision for short term rentals to be available in the GDS and corporate market Riccardo Galanti Lionel Marmier Marta Martinez Contreras, Hashil Al Mahrouqi and Shabib Al'Maamari believed in technology helping countries open up to short term rentals, Tristan Gadsby Anthony Zebrowski-Rubin and Pierre Boulet believed in Hospiria as the PMS partner for their US venture, and most recently, Cris Young and Carl Michel believed in the power of the merger with Veeve I will have missed off so many people from this list who have helped us in large and small ways. Every person who recommends us, who stays with us, who trusts us with their home, building or as their technology or business partner all make a difference to building a business and a brand in our sector. THANK YOU! Here is to the years ahead of growth and innovation!
🎉 Celebrating a Decade of UnderTheDoormat 🎉 We’re thrilled to mark ten incredible years since Merilee Karr founded UnderTheDoormat in 2014! Last month, we celebrated this milestone at our new London office with our fantastic team, investors, suppliers, partners, and industry colleagues. If you’re curious about our journey from stuffing linens into suitcases to creating industry-leading initiatives like Homes for NHS and TrustedStays, read Merilee’s reflections on the past decade, our growth, and our vision for the future here: https://lnkd.in/exwdHVu8 Andrew Fenner, Brendan Geraghty, Charles Ward, Dave Butler, Ed Woodcock, Elizabeth Soehren, Etienne Renaud, Gerard Beelaerts, James Davies, Louise Birritteri, Martine Warburton, Mike Ortegon, Rebekah Tobias, Carl Michel #10YearAnniversary #Milestone #Growth #Innovation
Chris Stephenson
1mo
Huge congratulations! It’s been impressive to watch the company’s growth. Very well deserved and all the best for the future!
Congratulations Merilee Karr. I remember our Sunday catch ups poolside about how the first guest were settling, the linen change overs, you cycling from property to property. You should be incredibly proud. From small acorns. Here's to even more success. (And super proud to be an investor, even if it is just a small one).
James Davies
1mo
Very kind of Merilee to mention me and it’s been a pleasure being part of the journey.
Well done Merilee. Very inspiring
Adriana Saray
1mo
Keep growing! Congratulations, Merilee and UndertheDoormat team.
Andrew Hoyle
1mo
Congratulations Merilee Karr I remember accidentally booking one of your properties 3/4 years in. I still sing yours and the company's praises for the professionalism and excellent client service! (Separately hope you are really well and pedalling as much as you can!)
Natalie Delgado
1mo
Love this! Congratulations!!
Russ Lynch
1mo
Fantastic work - and happy birthday!
Nancy La Loggia
1mo
Impressive growth! Super congrats!!🥳
Narrative strategist. Helping to position brands for success through story.
1moIt’s been a hell of a journey for you and your team. Congratulations. Been a pleasure to help.