Our Story
Born in Heart. Built in Hustle.
In 2024, Charles and Lashawn Francis, parents to three young boys, made a conscious decision to pursue building a family legacy instead of focusing solely on traditional careers. Both shared professional backgrounds in design and business, along with a powerful shared vision: to achieve generational wealth while engaging in work they were passionate about. Their kitchen table discussions often circled back to how they could forge a future that allowed their family to truly thrive independently.
They found their answer in the short-term rental market. The couple saw an immediate opportunity to combine their unique skills – Lashawn’s design flair and Charles’s business expertise – to become active hospitality creators. Their goal became transforming regular properties into exceptional guest experiences, thereby establishing the independent and prosperous future they had envisioned for their family.
From Concept to Reality
With their three boys as their ‘why,’ Charles and Lashawn poured every ounce of energy into building Smart Stays Rental Group. They studied the market, refined their master-lease model, and designed their first property from the ground up—selecting every piece of furniture, every color palette, every amenity with both guests and property owners in mind.
Their first listing was more than just a business venture; it was a statement of faith in themselves and their family’s future. And when that first guest left a glowing five-star review, calling it ‘the perfect home away from home,’ Charles and Lashawn knew they were onto something special.
Building More Than Properties
Today, Smart Stays Rental Group is growing throughout Orlando, but the mission remains unchanged: create spaces that guests love, partnerships that property owners trust, and a business that provides for the Francis family and creates opportunities for others.
Every property they transform, every guest they welcome, and every partnership they build is a step toward the future they envisioned for their boys—a future where hard work, integrity, and hospitality create lasting impact.
This isn’t just business. It’s personal. It’s family. It’s legacy.
