After three decades of municipal service, Darnell Hatcher, Sr and his son, Darnell Hatcher, Jr made the bold decision to relocate from a chilly, smalltown, in Pennsylvania, to pursue their lifelong dream: starting a family business in the Sunshine State. This father-son team pushed in their chips and are betting big on themselves. "It might be a risk, but we don't see it as a gamble. This is what we were meant to do."
DAYTONA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / SkyRun Vacation Rentals:
BURN THE BOATS
For nearly three decades, Darnell Hatcher, Sr worked in facilities management, across a governmental municipality, in Pennsylvania. He clocked in each morning, never called out sick, built a leadership team, managed a budget, and was a human metronome of consistency and reliability. "I loved my job," said the elder Hatcher, "especially the connection I built with the community. I started from the ground up and worked hard for several decades, but I got to a point in life, where I realized I needed to start channeling that hard work toward a vision and business of my own."
Hatcher grew up vacationing in Florida and always had a vision of moving down south upon retirement. As his son got older, that retirement vision gradually evolved into something much bigger. "I built my career on project management, customer relations, and community engagement. I wanted to parlay that experience and skillset into building my own company. I enjoy travelling and I've always loved Florida, so I decided to enter the vacation rental market and provide that same experience for others."
After months of due diligence, Hatcher discovered SkyRun Vacation Rentals. "I wanted to pursue my dream of running my own business, but I also wanted the security and support that comes from partnering with an established entity. When I researched SkyRun, I felt like they were a perfect match in every aspect. They were created 20 years ago, by two young entrepreneurs, in Colorado. They built that vision 'brick by brick' and over the course of two decades, SkyRun is now a nationwide brand. There were no shortcuts, just hard work done by good people."
Darnell and his son partnered with SkyRun Vacation Rentals and secured the franchise rights for the Daytona region. SkyRun was founded in 2004 and now manages over 1,500 vacation rental properties across the United States. The Hatchers will draw on their shared project management and customer service experience-along with SkyRun's vast network of resources and best in class capabilities-to develop and manage a growing portfolio of properties.
"I love the idea of not just getting to work with my dad, but getting to build something together," added Darnell, Jr. "We've always been close as father and son; now we're committed to curating and managing a portfolio of top-tier properties, so that others can enjoy Florida like we do. We're a tight-knit family and we've always had deep connections within our community. We look forward to building that same network and experience, here in Daytona."
Daytona is often referred to as the "World's Most Famous Beach" and for good reason. The 23-mile stretch of coastline features tightly packed sand, which allows beachgoers to drive and park at the edge of the water. The birthplace of NASCAR, Daytona has long been home to racing, recreation, and generations of vacationers from across the United States. In 2024, the regions saw 4.5 million overnight visitors, which created an estimated $5.5 billion in total economic impact.
"We are thrilled to welcome Darnell, Sr and Darnell, Jr to the SkyRun family," said Cord Thomas, President of SkyRun Vacation Rentals. "Darnell embodies all of the characteristics you could possibly look for in a team member: reliable, responsible, proactive, and he always puts the needs of the client or customer first. I can't think of a better team than the Hatchers to build out the Daytona portfolio. Their sense of professionalism is admirable and their enthusiasm is truly infectious. We are proud to partner with them moving forward."
"My son and I decided to burn the boats; we are fully committed to making a life and growing a business, in Daytona," added Darnell, Sr. "It might be a risk, but we don't see it as a gamble. This is what we were meant to do."
About SkyRun Vacation Rentals
SkyRun is a rapidly growing vacation rental property management franchise with over 1,500 homes under management, in over 50 independently owned and operated locations. The brand itself represents the best of both worlds when it comes to vacation rental management, by combining the advantages of local ownership and management with efficiency, technology, and the support of a national brand. The company has been recognized as one of the Fastest-Growing Franchises in North America, by Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as one of the country's Top-Emerging Franchises. SkyRun has been featured across a variety of national media outlets and platforms, including: FOX Business, Travel + Leisure, Staycation, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and others. Whether you are a guest, a homeowner, or a franchisee-with SkyRun, your vacation dreams can become a reality sooner than you think. Visit: SkyRun.com.
CONTACT:
Doug Eldridge
+1 202.680.9375
doug@achillespr.com
SOURCE: SkyRun Vacation Rentals
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/father-son-duo-commit-to-burning-the-boats-in-pursuit-of-their-entrepreneurial-dream-in-1138036
