Updated on February 3, 2025
Esmond Fountain had a sheltered upbringing, where journaling often replaced television as the main form of entertainment. Growing up as a military brat, he moved from base to base, adapting to new cultures and learning to embrace new faces and changes with a spirit of curiosity. Each move brought new people and stories, many of which he recounted in his journals. This nomadic lifestyle cultivated his remarkable ability to connect with strangers in ways that feel like reuniting with old friends.
Community support coordinator
Today, Esmond channels that same warmth and adaptability into his role as Community Support Coordinator at Rent Responsibly.
“I’m the guy who’s all over the Rent Responsibly Network, connecting users and members,” he said, referring to the company’s online community for short-term rental (STR) hosts, managers, and industry professionals.
Esmond’s efforts have transformed the RR Network into a welcoming space where newcomers feel seen and valued. He also supports STR alliance boards with member communications and responds to customer service requests from alliance services clients.
The most challenging part of his role? “Closing my computer! The work is so fun,” Esmond admitted.
A student of STRs
Ironically, Esmond’s journey to Rent Responsibly didn’t stem from a love for short-term rentals. Coming from NYC and LA, he initially viewed STRs with skepticism. “I believed that short-term rentals (STRs) were primarily harmful—disrupting the economy and reducing housing availability,” he said. “However, I was eager for a fresh perspective and a chance to learn more about this complex industry.”
“Through the webinars and meetings I’ve attended, my views on STRs have evolved significantly,” he explained. “I’ve come to appreciate the value that vacation rentals and STRs bring, not only to travelers but also to local communities.”
Esmond applied at Rent Responsibly to challenge his assumptions and broaden his understanding. His interactions with Co-Founders Dave Krauss and Alexa Nota reinforced his interest. “It wasn’t another impersonal process where I’d be rejected within hours. Instead, it seemed like a real opportunity to put my best foot forward,” he said.
Culture of kindness
Rent Responsibly’s authentic, innovative culture and remote workplace appealed to him immediately.
“What I love most about Rent Responsibly’s culture is how genuine the kindness feels,” Esmond shared. “It’s not forced—it’s real, and that makes such a difference. My boss, Abbi, has been incredible at giving me constructive feedback and helping me grow in my role while consistently recognizing my efforts. Within three months, she’d already used up all her shoutout cards for the year!”
A creative retreat
Before Rent Responsibly, Esmond managed events, membership, and food and beverage at Industrious, a coworking space in Brooklyn.
His sharp career turn into short-term rentals marked an unexpected direction.
“My family never stayed in [vacation rentals] growing up,” Esmond said. He got his first taste of vacation rentals when his wife’s family rented them for a family gathering. Most recently, they stayed in Blue Ridge, a mountain town in northern Georgia known for its stunning natural scenery.
Esmond’s attraction to the area spurred him to buy a piece of land in Blue Ridge, where he dreams of building a peaceful retreat for himself and other creatives.
“I would put it on Airbnb, but I’d also allow creatives to stay there free of charge to do a project,” he explained. “I don’t want to think of it as a purely cash investment.”
Since joining Rent Responsibly in September 2024, Esmond has won praise for his storytelling skills and thoughtful communication.
“Esmond has been an invaluable addition to the Rent Responsibly team,” said Abbi Booth, Director of Alliance Operations. “His kindness and thoughtfulness shine through in every project, and his dedication to improving alliance communication has been extraordinary.”
Moonlighting in stand-up
The remote nature of his job allows Esmond to pursue his other passion: stand-up comedy. During the day, he supports Rent Responsibly’s clients, and at night, he performs in cities across the country.
His comedy journey began in film school when a professor encouraged him to turn his journaling into storytelling. Performing at an open mic in Los Angeles for his thesis ignited his passion for stand-up.
“That was my first time ever going on stage. I was so nervous that I lost my voice the day before,” Esmond recounted. “I kept going, and now I get to do it in front of thousands, but it all started with me just getting out of my comfort zone.”
Improving the stand-up community
Inspired by Rent Responsibly’s mission to foster unprecedented advocacy in the STR space, Esmond is now seeking to improve Atlanta’s open-mic culture.
Open-mic events are “a way [for a stand-up comedian] to kind of get the reps in,” Esmond explained.
However, he noticed that the events often lacked engagement. Participants were more focused on preparing for their performances and leaving immediately afterward than on supporting others on stage.
To address this issue, he plans to host smaller open-mic events in his garage, creating a more intimate, attentive, and supportive environment for performers.
“I was really inspired by Rent Responsibly seeing a gap in a market where people aren’t communicating and just saying, I’m going to make something better,” he said.
At home in Atlanta, Esmond shares his space with his wife and their two feline “roommates,” Boo and Juice, who, as he joked, “do not pay rent, bills, or help out around the house and expect us to feed them three times a day every day.”
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