When Communities Unlimited (CU) first introduced Mildred Smith from West Columbus, Mississippi, she had just taken a major step toward fulfilling her retirement dream. She had built a cozy, inviting cottage behind her home, Jim & Noots Cottage, to host family and friends during visits. But what started as a warm family retreat quickly turned into something bigger. Mildred saw its potential and launched MelRon Special Events, transforming the cottage into a successful Airbnb rental.

Since then, Mildred has flourished as a top-rated Airbnb host, earning Superhost status and consistently maintaining a perfect 5.0 rating. Recognized as being in the top 10% of hosts on the platform, she’s reaped the benefits of her exceptional service and attention to detail. Airbnb’s Superhost badge isn’t just handed out — it’s earned. To qualify, hosts must maintain a 90% response rate, a cancellation rate of 1% or less, and a rating of at least 4.8 while meeting booking requirements.

For Mildred, those milestones came naturally as she created memorable stays that kept her guests returning and raving.
For Mildred, those milestones came naturally as she created memorable stays that kept her guests returning and raving.

Her Airbnb income has allowed her to hire a professional cleaning service to keep the cottage in pristine condition, relieving her of day-to-day upkeep. But the real milestone is what’s on the horizon: Mildred is saving her earnings for a down payment on a second cottage, which she plans to build in 2026. While the additional income isn’t something she depends on, it has certainly added some flexibility to her retirement lifestyle.

“It’s good to know that I have that extra income for personal trips or vacations—that’s nice,” Mildred said.

As her business grows, so does her connection with CU’s Entrepreneurship Team. Mildred regularly meets with Area Director Brian Wells and Training Coordinator Latoyia Morgan, who help her navigate her business journey by providing advice, support, and resources like Wave, an accounting program tailored to small businesses.

“I’ve found CU to be incredibly helpful and hands-on,” Mildred shared.

“It’s a relief knowing someone is there to assist me.”

But Mildred’s success hasn’t stopped with her. Her thriving cottage has inspired others in her community to consider similar ventures, proving that even in rural areas, there are opportunities for growth, creativity, and entrepreneurship. With her sights set on the future, Mildred is living proof that a retirement dream can evolve into something much bigger.