Business

Investing in Collective Holiday Spaces: Is It Right for You?

snowfield and brown wooden fence near mountain at daytime

Collective holiday spaces, also known as shared vacation properties or timeshares, have become increasingly popular over the years.

These are properties that are owned by multiple individuals who each have a designated period to use the property for their vacations.

With the rising cost of travel and accommodation, investing in a collective holiday space may seem like an attractive option for those looking to maximize their vacation budget.

However, like any investment, some pros and cons need to be carefully considered before making a decision.

Before delving into the advantages and disadvantages of investing in a collective holiday space, it is important to understand how these properties work.

Essentially, investors purchase a specific week or weeks at a particular property each year for a set number of years.

During their designated time, they have full access to the property and can enjoy a vacation without having to worry about booking accommodations or dealing with any other logistical arrangements.

To gain a better understanding of whether investing in a collective holiday space is the right choice for you, let’s take a closer look at the key considerations to keep in mind.

Advantages of Collective Holiday Spaces

Like any investment, there are several potential advantages to investing in a collective holiday space. These include:

Cost Savings

One of the biggest advantages of investing in a collective holiday space is the cost savings. By sharing the ownership and expenses with other investors, you can often enjoy a luxurious vacation property at a fraction of the cost. This means that you can potentially access high-end properties and locations that would otherwise be out of reach.

Convenience and Flexibility

Investing in a collective holiday space also offers convenience and flexibility. You have the security of knowing that you have a designated vacation time each year and do not need to deal with the hassle of booking accommodations or planning every aspect of your trip.

Additionally, some collective holiday spaces offer the option to exchange weeks with other properties around the world, giving you the flexibility to travel to different locations without having to invest in multiple properties.

Potential for Rental Income

Depending on the terms of your investment, you may have the opportunity to rent out your designated week(s) if you are unable to use them. This can provide an additional stream of income and potentially offset some of your expenses.

Disadvantages of Collective Holiday Spaces

While there are certainly benefits to investing in a collective holiday space, there are also some potential drawbacks that should be considered:

Initial Investment and Ongoing Fees

Investing in a collective holiday space often requires a significant initial investment, which can be a barrier for some individuals. Additionally, there are ongoing maintenance fees and other expenses associated with the property that need to be factored into the overall cost.

Limited Vacation Options

While some collective holiday spaces offer exchange options, there is still a limit to the locations and properties available. This may not be ideal for those who prefer to have more variety in their vacation destinations.

Ownership Responsibilities

As an owner of a collective holiday space, you also have certain responsibilities such as paying annual maintenance fees, adhering to property rules and regulations, and potentially participating in decision-making processes for the property. This may not be appealing to those looking for a completely carefree vacation experience.

Is Investing in a Collective Holiday Space Right for You?

Ultimately, the decision to invest in a collective holiday space depends on your personal preferences, financial situation, and travel habits. If

If you value the certainty of having a yearly vacation spot and are content with the destinations offered, a collective holiday space may be a beneficial investment.

However, it is crucial to consider the long-term implications, including your ability to bear the ongoing expenses.

For those who may anticipate changes in their travel patterns or financial circumstances, understanding the options for timeshare cancellation is vital.

It’s not uncommon for timeshare owners to find themselves in need of an exit strategy, making it imperative to research the cancellation policies and potential resale market of the property before making any commitments.

In some instances, timeshare cancellation can be a complex process, fraught with legal hurdles and financial penalties, so it’s advisable to approach such investments with a clear exit plan in mind.

Ultimately, investing in a collective holiday space can be a rewarding experience for those who enjoy the convenience, cost savings, and potential rental income.

However, it is crucial to carefully assess your personal needs and conduct thorough research before making any decisions.

With the right considerations in mind, you can determine whether this type of investment aligns with your vacation goals and financial objectives.

So, take the time to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision that best suits your unique circumstances.

Let your vacations be worry-free and filled with unforgettable experiences, whether it’s through a collective holiday space or other forms of vacation accommodation.

Ella Raven

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Business

The One Reason Most Small Businesses Fail. And No, It Isn’t Money

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

We’ve all heard the U.S. Bureau of Labor stats: 20% of small businesses fail in the first twelve months, and 50% in the first five years. They’re real numbers, but the commonly cited reasons are not why businesses actually fail.

The SBA’s SCORE program claims the number one reason is cash flow; 82% can’t pay this month’s bills and just turn in the keys. Other researchers, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) repeat this claim and then add management issues and ineffective planning as the second and third reasons business owners punch out. We’ve all heard a dozen more.

Table of Contents

Why do businesses fail?

I founded and built 13 businesses in 10 industries and professions on four continents and have advised hundreds of business owners personally. I can tell you that a business will very rarely fail because of any of the above. It just looks that way on the surface. They actually fail because the business owner is tired, and then everything else starts to fall apart around them. Those symptoms of fatigue get mistaken for the cause of failure.

If finances, management, planning or other business elements were fine at one point but are now daunting roadblocks, these almost always point to fatigue on the part of the owner or leaders, who have just lost enough of their energy to begin to let things slowly decay.

I’ve been there multiple times. When a business is that far in the tank, recovery is not easy, but it has always been possible as long as I was honest with myself and did the work to get my energy back. One of the best self-awareness questions I’ve learned to ask myself over the years has helped me identify early-stage fatigue, “What am I pretending not to know?” Feel free to steal it, and then be brave and ask a friend to answer it for you.

Waiting until these classic symptoms of fatigue show up is not the best time to find out you’re in trouble. It’s a long road back from a lack of money, people mad at your leadership neglect or wandering without a clear vision and a plan. The good news is that there are solid early indicators of fatigue that show up long before any of these, and if you catch yourself early, getting back on track from these early indicators is more of a tweak than a turnaround.

Are you reacting to the world around you?

From my own experience and the experience of hundreds of others I’ve worked with, if we’re focused on any of the following reactionary attributes, it’s a counter-logical (but very intuitive) early indicator that you’re already experiencing creeping fatigue:

Toughness – The ability to endure difficult conditions without breaking.

Tenacity – The quality of being determined or persistent, especially in the face of adversity.

Stamina – The capacity to endure prolonged stress or exertion.

Endurance – The ability to withstand difficult conditions over time.

Perseverance – Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Grit – Courage and resolve in facing hardships.

Make no mistake, these are all great attributes, and I want every one of them. But for the most part, they are largely reactive or even defensive. If you need to put your finger in a dike, these attributes are your best friends. But if you’re regularly working from the mindset of any of the above and are being told by others how proud they are that you are withstanding all the storms, droughts and hardships coming at you, from my experience, you’re in the early stages of burnout.

Be proactive – Make your own business rules

What can we do? We need to adopt the mindset of a stream. A stream has all of the above attributes but only as a foundation for the most important indicator of success:

Relentlessness – showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength or pace: unrelenting

It might take you a minute to see this word differently because we’ve been taught that it is usually connected with something negative – “That salesperson is relentless,” “Our money problems are just relentless.” But if we see our lives and our business as a stream, you might join me in seeing that relentlessness is the defining hallmark of success and fulfillment, both as a business owner and as a human being.

Be the stream

A stream running downhill is relentless above everything else. Sure, it has grit, tenacity and all the other reactive attributes, and those defensive muscles provide a great foundation. But nobody ever won anything by just playing defense. Relentlessness is constantly moving forward and playing offense. I’ve seen countless great businesses reactively bracing against the storms with good cash, good leadership and a great plan, and they all fade against the forward energy of business owners with less going for them, but who are more relentless.

Vision is critical. A stream knows where it’s going – it is relentless about achieving its one goal – to get to the ocean. And Utter Clarity about where it wants to end up is the driving force behind its relentlessness. Every stream on the side of the mountain starts with the ocean as its goal, and it will do everything it has to in order to get there. If it runs into a beaver dam, it doesn’t get emotional because it understands it’s actually causing its own trouble by relentlessly moving forward. It just figures out how to solve problems while on the way to the ocean. If it has to fill up a lake, so be it. And make no mistake, if a stream appears to be meandering in a meadow, it isn’t. It relentlessly takes the shortest path to the ocean, even if sometimes it has to circle back right where it came from first.

Relentlessly toward the goal

Are we relentlessly moving forward, making our own business rules and causing our own trouble, or are we beginning to play defense with largely reactive attributes like toughness, endurance and grit? Streams and effective business owners don’t pride themselves in how they react. That would wear any of us out eventually. Streams focus on relentlessly moving forward and causing their own trouble.

We need the mindset of a stream.

Are you tired, or maybe not yet feeling tired but focused on the reactive and defensive attributes above? First, re-attach your business and your life to the end goal of what it will do for you when the business “arrives.” Then, start moving relentlessly forward again. Go cause your own trouble, stay in trouble and know that the trouble you’re proactively causing will lead you to where you want to end up.

Be the stream. Keep going!

Intellectual Insider

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A blog which focuses on business, Networth, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Self Improvement, Celebrities, Top Lists, Travelling, Health, and lifestyle. A source that provides you with each and every top piece of information about the world. We cover various different topics.

Business

One $28, Under-Appreciated Microsoft App Could Save You Thousands of Dollars

Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

The average salary of a software developer is around $132,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means outsourcing your coding can cost a pretty penny, and it may be time to learn to do it on your own. When you’re ready to get started, Microsoft Visual Studio Pro is where you’ll want to work.

This app is ready to help you boost your productivity and write your own high-quality code, and a lifetime license is just $27.97 — $471 off the usual price — now through March 30 while supplies last.

Work smarter, not harder with this coding helper

Microsoft Visual Studio Pro is a software development tool that is ready to help you take your coding to the next level. You can use it to create apps, websites, or even software systems, ultimately saving you a fortune as it helps you tackle things yourself without hiring people.

Once you’ve learned to write and edit code, you can turn to Microsoft Visual Studio to help you write, edit, and debug on the same platform. It’s a 64-bit IDE (integrated development environment) that comes equipped with built-in integrations and helpful tools so you can tackle projects both large and small.

Microsoft Visual Studio helps you build across languages, allowing you to work with C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, and more. And Intellicode is there to help you type less and code more. It’s kind of like auto-complete for coding.

A debugger can identify and fix the errors in your code, which really helps those who are newer to coding by making troubleshooting easier. The app also includes CodeLens, which shows you recent changes, authors, tests, and commit history so you have a comprehensive overview of your codebase.

Take advantage of this limited-time sale on Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows, now just $27.97 (reg. $499).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Intellectual Insider

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Business

These Are the 3 Hidden Forces That Shape Startup Success — and How to Embrace Them

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Building a startup isn’t about chasing certainty — it’s about learning to thrive in the unknown. Growth, risk and opportunity collide at every turn, creating a dynamic that’s as exhilarating as it is precarious. Fragility, momentum and reinvestment aren’t just forces at play; they’re defining elements of the entrepreneurial journey.

My experiences, from building an early services business to co-founding Density and now leading Bread, have taught me that success doesn’t come from avoiding these forces. It comes from understanding their interplay and navigating them with intention.

Table of Contents

The fragility paradox

Startups are fragile by design. Whether you’re building a product, managing cash flow or growing a team, every move feels like stacking bricks on an unsteady foundation. Even when things are going well, fragility is always lurking beneath the surface.

Our first business, a services company, grew quickly. Within a year, we hit over $1 million in revenue, and by all appearances, it seemed stable. But services businesses are deceptively fragile. Revenue is tied to a handful of clients, and losing just one can send everything into freefall.

That’s exactly what happened. A major client left, and suddenly, we couldn’t make payroll. My co-founders and I stopped paying ourselves, cut expenses and worked to rebuild. We got through it, but the experience left an indelible lesson: Just because things are good now doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Fragility demands vigilance.

This reality became even more apparent as we reinvested profits into new ideas. Every project we launched was fragile — many failed outright — but fragility wasn’t a reason to stop. It was a reminder to focus, prioritize and act decisively in the face of uncertainty.

Momentum myopia

Momentum can feel like the antidote to fragility. When a product launch gains traction or revenue starts climbing, it’s tempting to think you’re on an unstoppable path. But momentum, left unchecked, can create blind spots.

At Density, we launched our first hardware product — a break-beam sensor for tracking foot traffic — amid a wave of excitement. Demand was growing, and the pressure to move fast was immense. But the product wasn’t ready. Accuracy issues in real-world conditions became obvious after deployment, and the flaws forced us into a costly reset.

We had let momentum dictate our decisions, pushing forward without questioning whether the foundation was solid. It was a painful but necessary lesson: Momentum is only valuable when it’s paired with reflection. Pausing to evaluate doesn’t kill progress; it ensures that growth is sustainable.

The reinvestment imperative

If fragility demands focus and momentum requires discipline, reinvestment is the leap of faith that drives discovery. Every dollar we earned in the services business went back into the company, not just to sustain operations but to fund experiments.

Most of those experiments failed. We built products no one needed, sunk time into overly complex solutions and made costly missteps. But one of those ideas — Density — stood out. It was fragile, like all early projects, but it had potential.

Its potential led to our decision to shut down the services business and focus entirely on Density. It wasn’t easy. Investors made it clear: If we wanted their backing, we had to go all in. Letting go of a profitable business to bet on an unproven product felt like jumping off a cliff. But without reinvestment — without those years of experimentation funded by services profits — we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make that leap.

Bringing it together

These lessons didn’t end with Density. At Bread, they shape how we think about building resilient businesses. Fragility, momentum and reinvestment aren’t challenges to be eliminated — they’re dynamics to be navigated.

Fragility forces founders to confront hard truths and focus on what matters most. Momentum provides energy but must be managed with reflection. And reinvestment, though risky, creates the conditions for transformation.

The journey of entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding failure — it’s about learning from it, adapting and taking intentional risks. At Bread, we approach each founder and portfolio company with this mindset, not to shield them from these forces but to help them navigate them successfully.

Fragility, momentum and reinvestment are constants. But when embraced, they’re not just forces to endure — they’re the foundation of what makes startups thrive.