Person in a gray suit and rings browses Pinterest for an AirBNB decor guide on their laptop at a small table, with a cappuccino and a light-colored bag labeled “Praying” nearby. They are seated, wearing black pointed-toe boots.Person in a gray suit and rings browses Pinterest for an AirBNB decor guide on their laptop at a small table, with a cappuccino and a light-colored bag labeled “Praying” nearby. They are seated, wearing black pointed-toe boots.

What’s on *your* vision board for 2026? Maybe it’s starting a side hustle (hiii, Etsy bracelet biz), auditioning for the spring musical or finally publishing your poems for the world to see.

Dreaming big is one thing, but actually taking the leap? That can feel…kinda intimidating.

So we’re here to help: Welcome to Make It Happen 2026, your guide to glowing up your goals this year. All week long, we’re sharing real advice from GL girls who decided to go for it—whether that’s growing an online platform, writing a book or turning a creative hobby into actual income. Ready to get majorly inspired? Thought so!

A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a light blue floral dress, smiles while standing in a colorful garden—an inviting spot perfect for running an AirBNB and making money hosting guests among green plants and red flowers.A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a light blue floral dress, smiles while standing in a colorful garden—an inviting spot perfect for running an AirBNB and making money hosting guests among green plants and red flowers.

Meet Ava Y., 20, who’s making moolah by running her own rental home on Airbnb.

🏡 The Biz:

“When I was 16, I purchased a house in Tennessee to use as an Airbnb. I chose one in the Great Smoky Mountains because it’s the most visited national park in the U.S. I couldn’t afford to buy it on my own (and wasn’t old enough to get a loan!), so I made a slideshow explaining how my Airbnb would make money and presented it to a bunch of investors. Eventually, I got one! We split the profits 50/50, but it’s totally worth it because I wouldn’t have been able to buy the house otherwise.”

💰 The Bucks:

“In the first three months of my Airbnb being live, I booked more than $35,000.”

⭐ Your Turn:

First, get your parents or another trusted adult involved, since you need to be 18 to host on Airbnb. Then get educated about the business: Ava credits her success to reading Avery Carl’s Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth. It covers everything from how to pick a property, what you need to stock your Airbnb with and tips for keeping it up and running.

Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our June/July 2025 issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE! 

Want to check out more articles like these? Read on!
💰 5 tips about money that every teen should know
💰 Here’s what it’s *really* like to start a small business as a teen
💰 5 easy ways to make extra money this year

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