Podcasts about hospitable

On this episode of the STL Bucket List Show, we sit down with Mohit Patel, the owner of Barrel Blends Wine and Spirits — the St. Louis bottle shop that's grown from one store in Bridgeton into four locations across the region, one barrel pick at a time.Mohit's path to running a liquor store started nowhere near liquor at all. He came to the U.S. from India in 2006 to study pre-pharmacy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, fell in love with research instead, and spent the next decade chasing two biotech startups and a PhD developing a new antimicrobial aimed at antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." When that work proved too slow a path to support a growing family, he pivoted to something that could pay the bills sooner.He opened his first Barrel Blends wanting to fix what felt like a broken retail experience — grab a bottle, get in line, check out, nothing more. Drawing on the hospitality he grew up with in India, where showing up at someone's door unannounced is normal and feeding guests is instinct, he built stores meant for people to linger: wide aisles, open bottles poured right at the register, and a team trained to be on the floor talking to guests instead of standing behind a counter.That philosophy is what turned the Valley Park flagship into what it is today — a small bar next to the register that grew into a full bar, a walk-in cigar humidor, and a golf simulator, built one guest request at a time. It's also why barrel picks are treated as a real commitment rather than a marketing gimmick: Mohit and his team travel to distilleries, taste barrels alongside guests and staff, and skip months entirely when nothing meets the bar.It's a conversation about building a business around hospitality instead of transactions, treating a barrel pick as a promise instead of a product drop, and what happens when a liquor store becomes a family's third home.They discuss:• Trading a career in scientific research for a shot at retail after two biotech startups and a PhD• Immigrating from India in 2006, learning to do his own laundry, and adjusting to life outside a joint family household• Developing a new antimicrobial aimed at antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" during his PhD, and why that work is still ongoing on the side• Opening the first Barrel Blends in Bridgeton to fix what felt like a mundane, transactional liquor-store experience• Bringing Indian-style hospitality into retail — wide aisles, open bottles poured at the register, and a team trained to be on the floor• How Barrel Blends actually earns a barrel pick — traveling to distilleries, tasting with guests and staff, and skipping months when nothing's good enough• Missouri's own thriving whiskey scene, from Ben Holladay to Still 630 Distillery• How the Valley Park flagship's bar grew from a small counter setup into a full bar, walk-in cigar humidor, and golf simulator• Discovering that more than 70% of Barrel Blends' revenue comes from returning guests• The Father's Day bourbon-and-food-pairing tradition Mohit built as a tribute to fathers, having grown up far from his own family in India• Where in St. Louis County Barrel Blends might plant its next flagSupport the show

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, our guest is Paul Buonopane, COO at Stay. We explore how Stay is revolutionizing direct bookings for vacation rental owners and managers. Paul shares insights on building trust, integrating with Hospitable, and strategies to diversify booking channels for resilience.For more information, visit: https://staywithstay.com/Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction0:53 - Direct Booking Channel Stay3:23 - Stay's Purpose6:00 - Building Trust with Travelers7:37 - Getting Listed on Stay8:51 - Diversifying Your Booking Strategy12:00 - Getting Started with Direct Bookings13:30 - Direct Booking Misconceptions15:15 - AI in Vacation Rental Business16:50 - Host Success Stories at Stay

At this Hospitable Town Hall, the team discussed updates on VRBO partner connection, Task App improvements, smart thermostats, new integrations, and more.

What makes a vacation rental business attractive to a buyer?Door count may get attention, but it does not tell the full story. Sustainable growth, clean financials, a trusted local brand, strong employees, and direct booking performance can all influence how a business is evaluated.In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Igor Simkin, CEO of Monarch Collective, for a candid look at what owners should understand before exploring a sale. Igor shares what Monarch looks for in a company, where sellers are often unprepared, and why the conversation should begin long before an owner is ready to step away.They also explore what happens after the transaction, from protecting the local brand and retaining employees to helping founders choose the role they want in the company's next chapter.Episode Chapters: 05:22 - Why Monarch Collective was created and the opportunity it saw in the market 08:07 - Preserving local brands, teams, and community relationships 11:12 - Anchor acquisitions versus tuck-in acquisitions 11:51 - The qualities Monarch looks for in an established business 13:57 - When owners should begin preparing for a potential sale 16:14 - Creating a transition plan around the founder's goals 22:16 - The performance indicators buyers consider 25:03 - Financial readiness, valuation, and common seller blind spots 28:04 - Building a shared data layer across different technology platforms 33:43 - How Monarch is approaching AI across operations and marketing 38:13 - What an acquisition can mean for employees and local leadership 46:48 - How owners can get feedback before they are ready to sellConnect with Igor:Email: isimkin@gomonarch.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igor-simkin-4902993/ Connect with Monarch Collective:Website: https://gomonarch.com/Thinking about the next chapter for your vacation rental business?Connect with Monarch Collective to explore what your options could look like and how to prepare before the time comes.

What makes a vacation rental business attractive to a buyer?Door count may get attention, but it does not tell the full story. Sustainable growth, clean financials, a trusted local brand, strong employees, and direct booking performance can all influence how a business is evaluated.In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Igor Simkin, CEO of Monarch Collective, for a candid look at what owners should understand before exploring a sale. Igor shares what Monarch looks for in a company, where sellers are often unprepared, and why the conversation should begin long before an owner is ready to step away.They also explore what happens after the transaction, from protecting the local brand and retaining employees to helping founders choose the role they want in the company's next chapter.Episode Chapters: 05:22 - Why Monarch Collective was created and the opportunity it saw in the market 08:07 - Preserving local brands, teams, and community relationships 11:12 - Anchor acquisitions versus tuck-in acquisitions 11:51 - The qualities Monarch looks for in an established business 13:57 - When owners should begin preparing for a potential sale 16:14 - Creating a transition plan around the founder's goals 22:16 - The performance indicators buyers consider 25:03 - Financial readiness, valuation, and common seller blind spots 28:04 - Building a shared data layer across different technology platforms 33:43 - How Monarch is approaching AI across operations and marketing 38:13 - What an acquisition can mean for employees and local leadership 46:48 - How owners can get feedback before they are ready to sellConnect with Igor:Email: isimkin@gomonarch.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igor-simkin-4902993/ Connect with Monarch Collective:Website: https://gomonarch.com/Thinking about the next chapter for your vacation rental business?Connect with Monarch Collective to explore what your options could look like and how to prepare before the time comes.

How do you know when it's time to stop pushing through and finally pivot—even when everything you've built looks successful from the outside? Most professionals assume scaling is a one-way street and that stepping back means giving up. In this episode, I sit down with Leah Yuhasz, a former nurse, mom, real estate agent, and short-term rental operator from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. We're unpacking what it really looks like to scale a management business, hit a personal breaking point, and intentionally choose a new season that puts family and sanity first.We talk about:Transitioning from a high-stakes nursing career into real estate, leveraging cost segregation and bonus depreciation tax strategies to scale a portfolio across Destin, Panama City Beach, and Asheville.The operational shift from managing personal assets to handling client properties using management software like Hospitable and OwnerRez to streamline guest communication and owner relations.Facing the invisible emotional load of property management—nonstop guest messages, constant maintenance logistics, and the silent strain it puts on a marriage and family life.Unwinding a business with intention by transitioning clients to trusted boutique managers, selling a primary investment asset, and utilizing house hacking along Florida's Emerald Coast to maintain wealth creation with far less friction.Navigating the psychological aftermath of a business pivot, including overcoming the impulse to constantly produce and learning how to reclaim personal energy without feeling guilty.Leah pulls back the curtain on the moment she realized her growing business was pulling her away from being present with her kids. You'll hear how she and her husband shifted their entire strategy away from high-volume operations and toward a sustainable, family-first model that honors their long-term wealth goals without sacrificing their daily peace.If you are a high-achiever wondering how to step off the hamster wheel of endless growth, realign your business with your true priorities, and make a courageous pivot, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:59] A short introduction about our guest Leah Yuhasz, and shares how early motherhood, financial curiosity, and exposure to investing conversations go her into short-term rentals[05:49] Leah explains how one investment property became the foundation for a short-term rental management business[10:09] Leah walks through how her portfolio expanded from managing her own arbitrage property and one additional owner relationship into a 10-property management portfolio[13:22] The hidden pressure that comes with managing multiple properties and the challenge of balancing high standards, business growth, and personal relationships[20:41] Leah shares the moment she realized she needed to slow down and rethink how she wanted to grow[23:43] Leah opens up about the difficult decision to step away from her management company after years of growth[28:08] Leah reflects on the emotional adjustment of life after stepping away from her management business[30:11] Leah shares how her pivot created space to be more present for her family while continuing to serve others in a new way[31:28] How stepping away from daily property management helped Leah transform years of short-term rental experience into a new opportunity to serve investors[35:00] Leah shares her advice for anyone who is questioning whether it is time to make a change in their business or personal life[35:31] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“Working with your spouse is very different from raising a family with your spouse, or being married to your spouse.”“To grow carefully is to do yourself and your property owners a favor.”“When we're giving other people our energy and we're not able to recharge ourselves, we're draining our own battery, and eventually it's going to give out.”“You're having to pivot, that's not failing at all, that's simply making a change. So many people look at pivoting as failure.”“I look at pivoting as a beautiful thing. It's an opportunity for us to, to change and also to grow and stretch in different ways, and oftentimes to recharge as well.”Let's Connect: Website : https://www.savvy.realty/meet-the-teamInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/leah.yuhasz/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

Laura Fuentes, CHRO at Hilton, joined us on The Modern People Leader. We talked about Hilton's hospitality mindset, why great leaders should operate like great hosts, and how Hilton scales culture, listening, recognition, and purpose across more than 500,000 team members.----  Sponsor Links:

Nearly 300 episodes in, the Alex & Annie Podcast is entering one of its most exciting chapters yet.In this special mid-year episode, Alex & Annie are joined by Jinnie Randolph, who has been working behind the scenes to help shape the show's content, partnerships, strategy, and future growth.Jinnie shares her journey through vacation rental marketing, technology, and operations, along with the full-circle story of how she went from longtime listener and sponsor partner to becoming an important part of the Alex & Annie team.Together, Alex, Annie, and Jinnie reflect on the conversations and industry themes that have defined 2026 so far. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI, the continued importance of human connection, and why intentional growth, consistency, and education have become increasingly important across the vacation rental industry.They also take listeners behind the scenes of the show's evolution into Aha Moments Media. Alex & Annie share how the Growth Blueprint has shaped this year's content and how new recurring series, roundtables, on-site interviews, private podcasts, and thought leadership opportunities are helping the platform grow beyond its original format.Episode Chapters:04:19 – How Jinnie became part of the Alex & Annie Podcast team11:24 – The industry themes shaping the first seven months of 202616:14 – How AI and human connection are evolving together22:25 – Why smaller operators need better access to credible education15:56 – The Growth Blueprint behind this year's podcast content13:11 – How the show is expanding into Aha Moments Media27:30 – New series, roundtables, partnerships, and storytelling formats31:31 – What nearly 300 episodes have taught Alex and Annie about consistency36:46 – Alex's decision to dedicate more time to the podcast38:49 – Annie's work with Booking.com and smaller vacation rental operators49:00 – What the team is building for the rest of 2026 and beyondTune in for a candid look at where the show has been, what is changing, and why the second half of 2026 could be its most exciting yet. Enjoying the Alex & Annie Podcast?Leave a rating to help more vacation rental professionals discover the show:https://alexandanniepodcast.com/review✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Reach more direct-booking travelers with Savvy.List your professionally managed properties for free.

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, our guest is Sam Thrash, Head of Partnerships and Client Success at Ownwell. Sam explains how property owners, especially short-term rental hosts, can reduce their property tax bills through appeals and understanding assessments. Discover practical tips, common misconceptions, and how Ownwell simplifies the process.Go to http://ownwell.com/partner/hospitable for more information and 15% off.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:14 - What Ownwell does3:41 - Property tax assessment5:40 - Appealing the assessment7:08 - Property tax misconceptions9:10 - Potential tax benefits10:50 - Documents needed for the appeal13:10 - How Ownwell handles the appeal process17:15 - Pricing model and success-based fee18:43 - Partnership with Hospitable

Lord's Day Service with Pastor Beau Bekendam

In this Hospitable Town Hall, the team presented data on the success of early check-in and late check-out upsells, which generated significant additional revenue for hosts. They also announced the launch of the Nest thermostat integration, demonstrated improvements to the Tasks app, provided updates on the Vrbo partner connection, and more.

What does it take to build a vacation rental company that can grow, evolve, and remain successful for nearly seven decades? In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Rick Elliott and Brandon Cox of Elliott Realty to explore the people, systems, leadership decisions, and business fundamentals behind the company's longevity. Elliott Realty has been part of the Myrtle Beach vacation rental industry since 1959. Over those 67 years, the company has navigated new technology, changing traveler behavior, higher homeowner expectations, and an increasingly complex distribution landscape. Rick and Brandon share why long-term success requires a willingness to evolve, strong systems, careful attention to detail, and people who can grow with the organization. They also discuss Elliott Realty's approach to homeowner relationships, property standards, direct bookings, OTA distribution, brand development, and local tourism advocacy. Episode Chapters:06:42 - How Elliott Realty Has Evolved Since 195907:15 - Why Strong People and Systems Matter More Than Technology Alone12:20 - Hiring Intentionally and Promoting Future Leaders From Within15:59 - Understanding Individual Homeowner Goals and Expectations19:05 - Maintaining Property Quality Across a Large Portfolio27:52 - Balancing Direct Bookings With OTA Distribution35:56 - The Importance of Local Advocacy and Community Involvement48:00 - Why Investing in Your Brand Creates Long-Term Value48:47 - How Founders Can Step Back and Empower Their Leadership Team For vacation rental leaders thinking about the future of their business, this episode offers practical lessons on building a company that can adapt, develop new leaders, and remain strong for generations. Connect with Rick:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-elliott-192aba11/ Connect with Brandon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-cox-87930a56/ Connect with Elliott Realty:Website: https://www.elliottbeachrentals.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliottrealty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliottbeachrentals?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elliott-beach-rentals/about/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: List your professionally managed properties on VacationFinder.com with no listing fees or booking commissions.Join through the link below for a chance at featured launch placement and a $250 Amazon Gift Card. Drawing August 15, 2026.

Advocacy often stays on the back burner until a regulation directly threatens the business.For Tyann Marcink Hammond, that moment came when vacation rentals in parts of Missouri were reclassified from residential to commercial properties, causing some tax bills to rise dramatically.In this episode, Tyann returns to share how that experience pulled her deeper into vacation rental advocacy and showed her why operators need to get involved before policy decisions are finalized.She explains how relationships with local officials, Realtors, tourism organizations, legislators, and fellow property managers can help shape clearer, more reasonable regulations. Tyann also shares how collaboration in Missouri has supported progress on state legislation and the development of a model short-term rental ordinance.The conversation also covers Kansas City's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including how vacation rentals helped address the city's lodging needs and the resources created to help new hosts operate responsibly.We discuss:03:31 - Why vacation rental operators need to pay attention to local policy04:46 - How property tax changes affected Missouri vacation rentals14:05 - Why relationships are essential to effective advocacy20:28 - How operators can get involved in shaping local regulations25:51 - What Kansas City's World Cup preparations can teach other destinations36:43 - How last-minute bookings are changing operational planning 42:16 - Why human connection still plays an important role in vacation rental marketing If you want to better understand how local decisions are made and how operators can have a meaningful voice in the process, this episode is for you.Connect with Tyann:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyannmarcink/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Reach more direct-booking travelers with Savvy.List your professionally managed properties for free.

If you've ever had the fortune of being "taken care of" by a Chinese friend while in China, then you know how truly hospitable the Chinese can be. When it comes time to say farewell, though, you may have a little trouble expressing the depths of your gratitude. This Chinese lesson is just what you need. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/1775

Morning Worship: Psalm 23 & Psalm 68:1-6, Pastor Nameun Cho

On this Hospitable Town Hall, the team provided company updates and product announcements. They presented updates on the Task app, discussed progress on the Vrbo integration, announced improvements to owner payouts, and more. Several key updates were shared about Airbnb changes, including the retirement of split fees and the introduction of a new top-rated guest discount.

Direct booking has been part of the vacation rental conversation for years, but one challenge remains hard to solve.Travelers are not always searching that way.In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Eric Goldreyer, CEO and founder of Savvy, to talk about why direct booking has struggled to become a consumer habit and what needs to change for travelers to find, trust, and use it more easily.Eric shares how Savvy evolved from BNB Finder into a book-direct marketplace for professional property managers. The conversation gets into why lower fees alone are not enough to change booking behavior, how OTAs have shaped traveler expectations, and why direct booking needs a better discovery path if it is going to scale.Episode Chapters:06:21 - How professional property managers can build stronger guest relationships06:53 - Why repeat business starts with owning guest data07:56 - Why direct booking has struggled to reach the consumer09:04 - How traveler behavior has been shaped by OTAs18:16 - Why property managers still need OTAs while building a stronger direct strategy20:55 - How destination content can support discovery and conversion27:05 - Why property managers cannot rely on direct booking websites alone33:28 - How trust, reviews, verification, and clear pricing influence conversion34:18 - Why saving money is not always enough to win the booking42:00 - What AI and structured data could mean for the future of travel searchIf you are a vacation rental operator trying to reduce OTA dependency, build more repeat business, or understand how travelers are discovering and booking stays today, this episode is for you.Connect with EricLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgoldreyer/ Connect with Savvy:Website: https://www.savvy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stay-savvy/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvy_stayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvystays ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Reach more direct-booking travelers with Savvy.List your professionally managed properties for free.

Series: Host SeriesSpeaker: Isaac Chong

He is counted as one of the Holy Unmercenary Physicians. "This saint was born of rich and eminent parents in ancient Rome, where he studied all the secular wisdom of that time, devoting himself in particular to the study of medicine. Sampson was a compassionate and liberal physician, and gave the sick medicine for both soul and body, counselling each man to fulfil the requirements of the Christian faith. He moved to Constantinople, where he lived in a tiny house from which he distributed alms, comfort, advice, hope, medicine and all possible aid to those suffering in spirit and in body. The Patriarch heard of Sampson's great virtue and ordained him priest. At that time the Emperor Justinian the Great became ill with what his doctors believed to be an incurable disease. The Emperor prayed with great fervor, and God revealed to him in his sleep that Sampson would heal him. When the Emperor summoned Sampson to court, the old man had only to put his hand on the diseased place and the Emperor was healed. When Justinian offered him an immense sum of money, Sampson thanked him but would accept nothing, saying to the Emperor: 'O Emperor, I had silver and gold and other riches, but I left it all for the sake of Christ, that I might gain heavenly and eternal wealth.' When the Emperor insisted on doing something for him, Sampson asked him to build a house for the poor. In that home, Sampson cared for the poor as a father cares for his children. His compassion for the poor and weak was second nature to him. This holy man, filled with heavenly power and goodness, entered peacefully into rest on June 27th, 530. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Martyr Mocius, his kinsman. After his death, Sampson appeared many times to those who called upon him for aid." (Prologue)

In this Hospitable Town Hall, the team provided product updates and answered user questions. The updates included significant success with the Vrbo Partner Connection launch, new features for the Hospitable Tasks app, trip insurance improvements, and more.

Send us a message!In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we are joined by Bob Milne, President and COO of First Chair Destinations.Bob has spent decades in the vacation rental industry, with leadership experience across Steamboat Resorts, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Vacasa, Casago, and now First Chair Destinations. His career has taken him from building a local vacation rental company in Colorado to helping lead large-scale portfolios across some of the most recognizable names in the industry.Now, with First Chair Destinations, Bob is returning to a more focused, locally grounded model of vacation rental management.Throughout the conversation, Bob shares what he has learned from building and scaling vacation rental companies, what the industry can take away from the Vacasa to Casago transition, and why the future of vacation rental management still depends on strong local teams, trusted owner relationships, and consistent guest hospitality.He also discusses the role of technology, AI, distribution, OTAs, private equity, and consolidation in shaping what comes next for the industry.Episode Chapters:03:22 - Bob's path through Steamboat, Wyndham, Vacasa, Casago, and First Chair06:26 - What the Vacasa to Casago transition revealed about the industry10:25 - How First Chair is approaching its next chapter15:29 - What rapid growth has taught the vacation rental industry16:18 - Why local teams still matter in a scaled industry17:05 - How hospitality can get lost as companies grow23:56 - What operators can learn from the Vacasa to Casago transition27:51 - What consolidation could mean for the industry30:06 - Where AI can support vacation rental operations33:16 - Building a hospitality-first culture across local teams40:47 - Why OTAs still play a major role in distribution46:56 - How owner expectations around channel visibility are changing49:34 - Why the future of vacation rentals is still local51:57 - How guest expectations are changingConnect with Bob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertemilne/ Website: https://www.firstchair.com/ ✨ Exclusive Offers to Alex & Annie Listeners: Thinking about the next chapter for your vacation rental business? Connect with Monarch Collective to explore what growth could look like with the right platform behind you.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the qualities and characteristics of those who should become pastors within a congregation.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=25930The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

This week, Peter Walsh and Elizabeth Garnsey explore how hospitality, welcome, belonging, and small acts of kindness can transform both individuals and communities. From Abraham's hospitality to the challenge of modern isolation, they invite us to see Christ in those we welcome and to become people who help others belong.Questions for Further DiscussionThemes and ApplicationHow does Jesus redefine discipleship by emphasizing receiving and welcoming rather than simply going and doing?How can seemingly small acts of kindness become spiritually significant?What does it mean to recognize Christ in "the little ones" among us?Personal Reflection QuestionsWhat "cups of cold water" have others offered you during difficult seasons of life?Where in your life are you being invited to practice greater hospitality?Who are the "little ones" in your community who may need encouragement, support, or recognition?Broader Spiritual ConsiderationsWhat does it mean to say that Christ is present in those we welcome?How do churches balance radical welcome with the realities of human differences and disagreements?What kind of world would emerge if hospitality became a primary spiritual practice?Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

Send us a message!AI is changing the way travelers search, compare, and book vacation rentals. But what does that mean for direct bookings, local brands, and the websites operators have spent years building?In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Richard Vaughton of Yes Consulting and Mark Simpson of Boostly for The Great AI Debate. After taking this conversation to the stage at the Host Planet Roadshow in London, Richard and Mark continue the discussion around what AI could mean for vacation rental marketing, website strategy, and guest acquisition.Richard argues that AI will reshape websites, search, and distribution in ways the industry has not fully prepared for yet. Mark makes the case that strong website infrastructure, brand strategy, PMS connectivity, and niche positioning still matter, especially for operators who want to grow direct bookings.Together, they explore whether AI search will create new opportunities for independent vacation rental companies or make it even harder to compete with OTAs.Episode Chapters:05:29 - How AI is changing the future of vacation rental websites07:10 - The debate between WordPress websites and AI-built websites10:00 - Why website design alone is not enough to drive direct bookings28:25 - How Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia continue to shape guest behavior36:29 - Why broad search terms are becoming harder for local operators to compete for18:00 - How AI search could make niche positioning more important21:53 - The growing role of TikTok, creators, and social media in travel discovery46:03 - Why brand trust still matters in an AI-driven search environment48:22 - How PMS data, integrations, and distribution may evolve53:22 - What vacation rental operators should be thinking about now as search changesAs guest behavior shifts, vacation rental operators are being pushed to think more carefully about how people find them, what makes their brand memorable, and how they can stay visible beyond the major booking platforms. Connect with Richard:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardvaughton/ Website: https://yes.consulting/ Connect with Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarksimpson/ Website: https://boostly.co.uk/ ✨ Exclusive Offers to Alex & Annie Listeners: Thinking about the next chapter for your vacation rental business? Connect with Monarch Collective to explore what growth could look like with the right platform behind you.

On this Hospitable Town Hall, the company launched their new Vrbo Partner Connection. It's built on Vrbo's latest APIs and offers self-serve onboarding, faster connection speeds, and better reliability compared to the previous legacy connection used by most hosts. The integration is available across 44 countries on day one, including the United States, Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and Asia Pacific regions. Key features include fully integrated listing management from within Hospitable, payment terms with installment options, and the ability to set Vrbo discounts and promotions directly through the platform. Hospitable also announced its merchant-of-record capabilities for Vrbo payments in the US, UK, and Australia, where it will process payments, handle taxes and chargebacks, and provide chargeback protection.

Send us a message!The vacation rental industry has gone through major waves of change over the last two decades, and AI is quickly becoming one of the biggest shifts yet.In this episode, we are joined by John Suzuki, Chief Technology Evangelist at Staylist, for a conversation about the evolution of vacation rental technology, the pace of innovation, and what this next chapter could mean for property managers.John brings a long-term perspective on how far the industry has come, along with a thoughtful look at where it may be headed as AI becomes more deeply connected to the way operators work, serve guests, and build their businesses.Episode Chapters:02:46 - John's 20-Year Journey in the Vacation Rental Industry03:31 - How Vacation Rentals Moved From Phone and Fax Reservations Into the Mainstream of Travel04:47 - Why John Came Back to the Industry After Retiring09:20 - How AI Is Changing Property Management Technology10:53 - Why Property Managers Need Systems That Help Them Move Faster21:22 - The Importance of Connected Operations, Accounting, Reservations, Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Guest Communication27:17 - How AI Can Support Call Tracking, Reservation Inquiries, and Guest Service28:43 - Why Guest Data Will Play a Bigger Role in Travel Personalization35:06 - The Ethical and Security Questions Surrounding AI42:54 - How Robotics Could Affect Hospitality, Housekeeping, and the Workforce46:16 - Why Professionals Need to Stay Curious and Keep Learning48:55 - How AI Can Help Property Managers Get Back to the Human Side of HospitalityIf you are trying to understand what AI means for the future of vacation rentals, this conversation offers both perspective and practical insight from someone who has seen the industry evolve through multiple waves of change. Connect with John:Website: https://www.johnsuzuki.com/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

On this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, our guest is Jonathan Sukhia, CEO of Topkey. Jonathan shares insights on expense management, trust accounting, and financial automation for short-term rental operators. Discover how to streamline your financial processes, avoid common pitfalls, and scale your business effectively.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:50 - Why Topkey was created7:53 - The importance of financial management11:25 - Understanding trust accounting15:06 - Keeping STR accounting organized17:43 - Integration with Hospitable

This Hospitable Town Hall covered various product updates, including the launch of Optimize for Airbnb, updates to the MCP (AI integration) server, recent improvements to app performance, particularly in inbox load times, Vrbo official integration, and more.

Send us a message!In this episode, we are joined by James Smith, CEO of InvitedHome, for a conversation about focused growth, luxury vacation rental operations, and what it takes to build a more sustainable business in high-end destinations.James shares how InvitedHome evolved from a broader multi-market vacation rental company into a luxury brand focused on ski markets. After operating across different types of destinations, the company made the decision to narrow its focus and go deeper in the markets where it could build stronger operations, deeper owner relationships, and more consistent guest experiences.That shift became one of the central themes of the conversation: bigger is not always better. James explains why going deeper in the right markets can be stronger than expanding everywhere at once, and why sustainable growth requires the right homes, the right owners, strong teams, and the operational discipline to support the experience being promised.Episode Chapters:04:00 - Choosing Focus Over Footprint05:39 - The Challenge of Scaling Luxury Vacation Rentals16:59 - Working with the Right Owners20:04 - What Consistency Means in Luxury21:32 - AI, Technology, and High-Touch Service27:36 - Direct Bookings and Luxury Travel Advisors39:22 - Regulation in Ski Markets46:12 - Why Undercharging Can Hurt the BusinessConnect with James:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesalansmith/ Connect with InvitedHome:Website: https://invitedhome.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invitedhome/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InvitedHomeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/invitedhome/✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

We round out our K2 coverage with two final disastrous expeditions, including the deadliest day in the history of the storied mountain. Imagine funneling several groups of climbers through a bottleneck on the side of a steep cliff requiring constant attention lest something horrible happen. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, actually. Listen in to find out!K2 Info2008 K2 Disasterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_K2_disaster2021 K2 Disasterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_K2_disasterAll about The Climbhttps://www.eliteexped.com/how-long-to-climb-k2https://www.reddit.com/r/climbing/comments/3ptdn2/how_long_would_one_train_to_climb_k2/And once again, check out Michelle vs. Humanity on Instagram for more mountain madness!https://www.instagram.com/michelle.vs.humanity/#deathiseverything #DeathIsEverythingPodcast #DIEwithMarianne #DIEwithMarianneandChris #DIEwithMCA #deathinpsiration #deathpodcast #LApodcast #takingchances #landoftheliving #K2 #MtEverest #mountaineering #mountainclimbing #WorldsDeadliestMountain #MountainsAreEverything #serac #bottleneck #ButtcrackOfTheMountain #TheHAPSKnowWhatTheHapsIs #ButThePermits #TimeToPanic #TheyBecameASpider #FrozenCorneas #BirdsAreCoolThanks for listening, Land of the Living! Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram @die.podcast for updates! Check out deathiseverything.com for merchandise, our mailing list, and more!

Send us a message!In this episode, we are joined by Paul Wohlford and Amanda Szubert of Call Center Solutions to talk about staffing, guest services, AI, and the growing need for reliable support in vacation rental operations.Paul and Amanda share how Call Center Solutions grew out of a real hospitality staffing challenge and how their nearshore team in Montego Bay, Jamaica now supports vacation rental and hotel companies with reservations, outbound calls, after-hours support, back-office work, and more.The conversation also explores why human connection still plays such an important role in hospitality, even as AI becomes a bigger part of guest communication. Paul and Amanda break down how operators can use technology to support their teams while still creating the kind of guest experience that builds trust, drives bookings, and keeps people coming back.We discuss:05:59 - How Call Center Solutions got its start in the hospitality space05:59 - Why staffing continues to be a challenge for reservation and guest service teams12:00 - How nearshore support can help operators improve consistency and coverage10:20 - The role of redundancy during storms, outages, and operational disruptions14:40 - Where AI fits into guest communication and agent support16:01 - Why human connection still matters in vacation rental hospitality13:20 - The importance of training, knowledge bases, and quality assurance44:41 - How support teams can help identify gaps in the booking experience28:21 - What operators should consider when outsourcing guest servicesConnect with CCS:Website Link: https://www.ccssuccess.com/LinkedIn Link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-call-center-solutions/Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/ccssuccessInstagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/call.center.solutions/Connect with Paul:Email: paulw@ccssuccess.comConnect with Amanda:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-szubert-8b26a033/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Improve efficiency and customer engagement with Call Center Solutions.Get all setup and implementation fees waived when you let them know you heard about CCS from Alex & Annie.

Administration is more than paperwork—it's a spiritual calling. Jana Holiday, author of Taking Good Care: Administration for Christian Formation, explores how stewardship, imagination, and hospitable leadership can transform administration into a ministry of care and Christian formation.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Jana Holiday explains that she loves administration because it involves solving problems and collaborating to move people, resources, and projects toward fulfilling a mission.Administration centers on stewardship—taking good care of people, resources, and projects.Jana Holiday connects the idea of stewardship to Genesis 1, positioning it as an expression of imago Dei and a pursuit of good work and good results.Effective administration requires reflection, intentionality, and love.Jana Holiday cautions against letting the pursuit of productivity override empathy and care in leadership.Administration works best when it is open-handed and welcoming, rather than controlling and restrictive.Administrators must choose between stewardship—an open invitation—and dominion, which relies on control.Jana Holiday warns that exercising dominion in administration risks missing out on the collective wisdom and creativity of a group.Administrative work is not unspiritual; all good work—including administration—can be ministry and part of Christian formation.Jana Holiday introduces three categories related to work: jobs, callings, and invitations, suggesting that many administrative roles may function as invitations from God more than callings.Approaching administrative work as an invitation can lead to a more purposeful and responsive engagement with people and resources.Markus Watson and Jana Holiday discuss the importance of boundaries for administrators and the need for leaders to help protect staff from being overloaded by excessive demands.Over-functioning and under-functioning both erode trust in organizational settings.Jana Holiday suggests administrators regularly audit their responsibilities and seek feedback from colleagues to maintain a healthy balance in their roles.Hospitable administration involves creating belonging and valuing people as part of stewardship, not just completing tasks.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryIDEO (Design & Innovation Firm)Books mentioned:Taking Good Care, by Jana HollidayDesigning Your Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave EvansDesigning Your Work Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave EvansThe Art of Innovation, by Tom KelleyRELATED EPISODE'S:Healing Workplace Wounds, with Meryl HerrTrust, Teams, and Transformational Leadership, with Mike BonemPursuing Your Purpose, with Nicholas PearceSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

This Hospitable Town Hall covered company updates following their recent retreat in Montenegro and new product features.Key product updates included Hospitable MCP (Machine Learning Connect Platform), which allows integration with AI agents like ChatGPT; improvements to the Tasks app with a new list view and upsell displays; and updates to the Vrbo official integration, launching June 10th.

Send us a message!Many vacation rental operators are working to grow direct bookings, but the real opportunity is not just driving more traffic to their website. It is understanding what happens once guests get there.In this episode, we are joined by Chris Walker, Owner of Luxury Homes of Hilton Head and CEO of Direct Booking Tools.Chris shares what he has learned from nearly two decades in property management and how his experience as an operator led to the creation of Direct Booking Tools.Through his own property management experience, Chris saw how important it is for guests to clearly understand the value of booking direct at the moment they are making a decision. Operators may know that value, but it has to be visible, trustworthy, and easy for guests to act on.We discuss:00:06:13 - Why trust is central to direct booking conversion00:09:43 - How price transparency can influence guest decisions00:15:16 - What website traffic can reveal about booking behavior00:28:12 - How operators can use data to improve pricing decisions00:49:26 - Why direct booking strategy needs more than awareness00:28:12 - How to strengthen conversations with owners using real data00:42:31 - Why Chris believes quality and intentional growth still matter Whether you are trying to increase direct bookings, improve website conversion, or better understand how guests are making booking decisions, this episode offers a practical look at what operators can do to turn more interest into revenue.Connect with Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswalkerhhi/ Website: https://directbookingtools.com/✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners: Strengthen your direct booking strategy with Direct Booking Tools.Alex & Annie listeners get 50% off for the first 3 months.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Nasha Winters back to the show for part two of our powerful conversation. As a trailblazer in integrative oncology and a passionate advocate for the “metabolic terrain” approach to health, Dr. Winters brings both deep expertise and a truly holistic perspective to the complex world of cancer and longevity. In this episode, she doesn't just share concepts—she takes us into the heart of what it means to test, assess, and address our own health in real life, especially when we're facing major diagnoses and difficult decisions. Episode Timestamps: Welcome & Introduction to Longevity Podcast ... 00:00:00 Metabolic Terrain Concept & Mitochondrial Health ... 00:05:00 The Test, Assess, Address Framework ... 00:08:08 Readiness, Honest Audit, and Lifestyle Evaluation ... 00:08:43 The Ten Terrain Drops in Cancer & Health ... 00:14:09 Emotional Foundations for Healing ... 00:15:01 Essential Lab Markers and the “Trifecta” ... 00:16:52 Affordable, Early Detection Labs—CBC, CRP, LDH, ESR ... 00:17:32 Shift Work, Circadian Health, and Mitigating Strategies ... 00:29:11 Handling Overwhelm: Prioritizing Fundamentals ... 00:37:45 Prevention Myths: Sun, Meat, and Food Access ... 00:42:26 Home-Cooked Food & Community's Healing Power ... 00:51:16 Behaviors That Seem Healthy But Aren't (e.g., Excess Cardio) ... 00:54:55 Age-Specific Advice and Building Longevity ... 00:56:25 Cancer, Metabolic Flexibility, and Biomarker “Under Five” Rule ... 01:02:32 Integrative Oncology's Strengths & Misconceptions ... 01:08:48 Risks of Extreme Alternative or Mainstream Approaches ... 01:12:58 Post-2020: Changing Health Trends & Immune Patterns ... 01:17:03 Hope for the Future & Patient Empowerment ... 01:24:02 Our Amazing Sponsors: STEMREGEN by Stemregen - A daily formula designed to support your body's natural repair systems by helping release your own stem cells into circulation, supporting recovery, resilience, and whole-body renewal at the source. Visit stemregen.co/NAT15 and use code NAT15. https://stemregen.co/NAT15 Vampire Exosome by Young Goose - A next-generation serum packed with three trillion PRP-derived exosomes and RejuvNAD to support collagen production and skin renewal at the cellular level—helping results build over time instead of fading fast. Shop HERE and use code NAT10. Bioregulators by Nature's Marvels - targeted peptides designed to support cellular signaling and renewal across key systems like circadian rhythm, immune function, and vascular health as part of a foundational longevity stack; head to profound-health.com and use code NAT15 for 15% off your first order. Nat's Links: YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter Instagram Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode

Send us a message!In this episode, we welcome back Mike Flaskey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide.Mike shares what brought him back to the industry, what his new role looks like, and how Marriott Vacations Worldwide is approaching loyalty, customer experience, owner engagement, and long-term value.The conversation looks at the timeshare and vacation club model through a hospitality lens, including how major brands build trust, keep owners engaged, and create value beyond the initial sale or stay.Alex, Annie, and Mike also explore what short-term rental operators can learn from Marriott Vacations Worldwide, especially when it comes to consistency, brand standards, guest experience, and creating reasons for people to stay connected over time.Episode Chapters:02:32 - Why Mike returned to the industry and joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide10:06 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide thinks about loyalty11:02 - The role of Marriott Bonvoy in brand affinity and direct bookings18:53 - What vacation rental operators can learn from timeshare19:30 - How brand standards help build guest trust28:20 - Why lifetime value matters in the customer journey29:00 - Viewing vacation ownership as a subscription business31:09 - Using experiences to strengthen loyalty and engagement40:11 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide is using AI in sales training41:41 - How AI is changing digital search and hospitality marketing47:52 - Why prepaid vacations create resilience51:43 - What is ahead for Marriott Vacations WorldwideConnect with Mike:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-flaskey-13496094 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevacationdr/reels/ Connect with Marriott Vacations Worldwide:Marriott Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/marriottvacationclub/ Westin Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/westinvacationclub/ Sheraton Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/sheratonvacationclub/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

PAS2 JASON CHAMBERS

This Hospitable Town Hall focused on the launch of Align Insurance Services, a new sister company that provides asset protection services, including owner's insurance, entity setup, and property management insurance for short-term rental operators. Other updates included the Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration, new payment schedule features for team management, improvements to the Vrbo integration waitlist, and enhancements to the Direct guest portal for payment history and receipts.

Send us a message!In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Pierre-Camille Hamana, founder and CEO of Hospitable, to talk about the evolution of vacation rental software and why adoption across the industry still has so much room to grow.Pierre-Camille shares how his own experience as an Airbnb host in Brussels led to the creation of Smartbnb, which later became Hospitable. What started as a solution for repetitive guest messaging has grown into a broader property management platform supporting communication, operations, channel management, direct bookings, payments, and more.The conversation also explores why many hosts and operators still hesitate to adopt property management software, how Hospitable is working to make software more accessible, and what AI could mean for guest communication, support, direct bookings, and the future of vacation rental distribution.In this episode, we discuss:02:27 - How Pierre-Camille's experience as an Airbnb host led to the creation of Hospitable04:22 - Why guest messaging became the starting point for a larger software platform09:45 - How Hospitable evolved from Smartbnb into a broader property management system20:16 -  Why software adoption remains low across parts of the short-term rental industry21:55 - The challenges that keep smaller hosts and operators from adopting software23:44 - Hospitable's approach to making property management software more accessible17:47 - How self-managers can grow into co-hosts or professional property managers41:47 - The role of AI in guest messaging, customer support, and software usability44:07 - Why AI should make tools easier to use, not simply add more complexity53:07 - What AI agents could mean for OTAs, direct bookings, and property discovery53:07 - Why strong owner service, guest experience, and operational consistency still matter as technology evolvesConnect with Pierre-Camille:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pchamana/ Connect with Hospitable:Website: https://hospitable.com/partners/alex-annie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitable/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitable_com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hospitable/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

Send us a message!In this special episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Vrbo, for a behind-the-scenes look at Vrbo's Vacation Rentals of the Year program and what it takes to earn that recognition.Recorded on location at Lakefront Escape on Squam Lake, New Hampshire, one of this year's winning properties, the episode offers both a platform perspective and a firsthand look at the kind of hospitality Vrbo is celebrating.Tim shares how Vrbo selects winners from millions of properties across its global network, using a mix of performance data, guest reviews, local market insight, and hospitality storytelling to identify homes that deliver standout guest experiences.The conversation then shifts to David Rose, owner of Lakefront Escape, who shares how he transformed a dated lake house into an award-winning retreat designed with intention, warmth, and usability in mind.From intuitive in-home tech and thoughtful labels to tailored recommendations and architectural details, this episode highlights how exceptional hospitality is built through the details.In this episode, we cover:03:50 - Why Vrbo created the Vacation Rentals of the Year program04:39 - How Vrbo selects its Vacation Rentals of the Year08:04 - What makes a vacation rental experience feel personal and memorable13:35 - Meet David Rose and the story behind Lakefront Escape16:42 - Why intuitive technology matters more than flashy features23:00 - How David Rose designed Lakefront Escape for connection, comfort, and discovery25:20 - Why David chose self-management and how Vrbo supports pricing and promotion26:43 - How personalized recommendations can elevate the guest stay30:34 - How labels, notes, and in-home guidance reduce guest friction32:21 - The Japanese design influence behind the home's guest experience35:27 - How design, layout, and local insight help create repeat guestsThis episode captures both the criteria behind Vrbo's recognition and the real-world hospitality choices that help a property earn it.Connect with:David Rose / Lakefront Escapehttps://www.squamlakehouse.com/ Tim Rosolio / Vrbohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rosolio-434b2a98/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable. Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

Even in their disappointment, the two on the road to Emmaus still invited in the stranger - and there they saw Jesus.

Republicans have dominated St. Charles County elections for two decades. But recent municipal elections are giving Democrats some hope that they can gain ground in the fast-growing part of the St. Louis region. The Politically Speaking Hour talks with voters and political activists about why things could be changing in St. Charles County.

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is a founder who went from being an Airbnb host by accident to building one of the most recognized property management platforms in the short-term rental space. Pierre-Camille Hamana is the co-founder of Hospitable, a software designed to help hosts automate operations, increase direct bookings, and run their rentals more like a real business. Listen as he shares how a simple frustration with guest messaging turned into a powerful tool now used by hosts worldwide.  He also unveils Hospitable's new $0 Essentials Plan - the first of its kind in the STR management space - and how it can completely change the game for short-term rental hosts. Enjoy the show! Key Takeaways: [00:00] Introducing Pierre-Camille Hamana and his background [02:45] Getting into short-term rentals [04:54] How Pierre got started with Airbnb by accident [07:23] The gap filled by Hospitable [10:55] Discovering the power of automation [13:24] The biggest changes Pierre made over the years [17:19] Transitioning into a full property management software [19:39] Who Hospitable is best for today [23:31] Key benefits of using a property management system [29:23] Introducing the new $0 Essentials plan [38:25] The direction the short-term rental industry is going [41:33] Balancing automation with human connection [42:51] Connect with Pierre-Camille Hamana [43:58] Outro Guest Links: Website: https://hospitable.com/   Check out Hospitable's new FREE Essentials Plan! https://hospitable.com/pricing Show Links: Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals  Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast  Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals  Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/  Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals  Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals 

What if you could build a six-figure income in real estate without ever buying a single property, getting a mortgage, or putting up hundreds of thousands of dollars? That is exactly what Colin Wright has done, and in this episode of the Official Success Formula, he breaks down every single step of the Airbnb arbitrage model that took him from a garbage man and furniture mover in Canada to controlling nearly 200 Airbnb units and generating $600,000 a month in revenue in the United States.Colin shares how he stumbled onto the short-term rental arbitrage model in 2022 when he was looking for a way to legally immigrate to the US on an E2 investor visa. What started as a single three-bedroom house in Austin, Texas, which still makes him $2,000 to $2,500 in net profit every single month, turned into one of the most impressive Airbnb portfolios in North America. And the best part? He did it without ever owning a single piece of real estate in America.In this episode, you will learn how to find landlords willing to let you sublet their property on Airbnb, the exact tools Colin uses to analyze markets and predict profitability before signing a lease, why starting with a studio or one-bedroom apartment is almost always the smartest move for beginners, how to negotiate free rent concessions and lower security deposits, the full tech stack including Price Labs, Hospitable, smart locks, and noise sensors that makes his operation nearly passive, and how the E2 investor visa works and why Airbnb arbitrage is one of the most viable legal pathways to moving to the United States.Whether you are a complete beginner looking for a low-risk entry point into real estate, a business owner exploring passive income streams, or someone outside the US looking for a legal and profitable way to immigrate, this episode is genuinely one of the most valuable conversations we have ever had on the show.instgram- https://www.instagram.com/agentwright/Website- https://www.bnblaunch.ioTune in every Tuesday at 10 AM for another inspiring success story, along with the proven formula to help you achieve your own goals. Don't miss out on the insights that could change your life! Listen to our podcast on:Buzzsprout- https://successformulapodcast.buzzsprout.com/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7aRe06pXIq6yq8GQf62NBMAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1393b77c-626a-4a53-bdd5-43ce3b1aa15b/success-formula-podcastApple Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/success-formula-podcast/id1748704615Our Social Media:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialSuccessFormulaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsuccessformula/Twitter: https://x.com/_SuccessFormula/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsuccessformula

In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Pierre-Camille Hamana, founder and CEO of Hospitable, to break down how short-term rental software has evolved over the last decade and where the industry is heading next.Pierre shares how he went from hosting a single room in Brussels to building one of the most recognized property management platforms in the space. They dive into the early challenges of automation, the rapid evolution of integrations, and how technology has transformed operations for hosts and property managers.The conversation also explores the balance between automation and hospitality, why guest experience still matters more than ever, and how operators can stand out in an increasingly competitive market.At the end of the episode, Pierre reveals a major shift in how software will be offered moving forward — including a new $0 subscription plan designed to make professional tools accessible to every host.If you want to understand where STR tech is going and how to stay ahead, this is a must-listen.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

This week, we sit down with our friend and community leader Emily Karasek, founder of Extend Your Stay. Emily spent 13 years as a nurse before realizing she couldn't see herself in that role until 65, and she turned to real estate, starting with a flip in 2021, to create a different path. We talk with Emily about how she moved from a long-term rental she hated, self-managing, into mid-term rentals serving travel professionals, and how that “one deal” snowballed into a full-blown MTR management company now overseeing 40+ doors. Together, we dig into what it really looks like to scale: buying imperfect deals, making mistakes, and relying on local meetups, community, and word of mouth instead of having everything perfectly planned. Emily opens up about hiring and leadership—from failed VA hires to finally finding the right one with Airbnb experience, and how she onboarded slowly, with clear expectations and guardrails, instead of dumping everything on her at once. She also walks us through the systems and tools behind her lean operation: Hospitable, Furnished Finder, Notion, Slack, OpenPhone/QO, and Relay. Plus, she dives into how she's using AI and a custom GPT internally to house SOPs, property quirks, and FAQs so her team isn't dependent on her brain 24/7. If you're a female investor, nurse, or mom who wants to build mid-term rentals, protect your time, and step into true leadership, you're going to love this conversation with Emily.     Resources: Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Get in touch with Envy Investment Group Connect with Emily on Instagram Grab our SOP Templates Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

Home Is for Hospitality: homeisforhospitality.com - the book is now available! Having people over for dinner can feel intimidating. What do you say? Is your house clean enough? What if dinner isn't ready on time?In this episode of Simply Convivial, I share practical, real-life tips for making hospitality feel natural instead of awkward. As I prep lasagna and brown butter pound cake, I walk through the simple principles that make hosting dinner doable — even if you don't feel naturally gifted at it.You'll learn:   What to do the moment guests walk in   The 3 things that matter most before people arrive   Why you don't need a perfectly clean house   How to avoid being flustered   Why hospitality is practice, not performanceHospitality isn't about impressing people. It's about sharing real life together.

From lessons learned while living overseas to her small town library storytime, today author Kim Knowle-Zeller shares how blessings can bind us together. You'll hear how she started offering and receiving blessings and how it may be easier than you think to create a welcoming culture with your own hospitable words. Kim reminds us that building community takes time but encourages us to keep initiating. We hope this episode inspires you to see the power in gathering and offering words that bless others along the way.  This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you'd like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join us (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast. Kim encourages us to invite a friend for coffee while the kids play or start an in-person book club; listen to this bonus episode to see how else we're Taking Friendships Out of the Group Chat. For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

A few years ago, our church hosted refugees fleeing their country because of a change in political leadership. Entire families came with only what they could fit in a small bag. Several of our church families opened their homes, some with little room to spare. Such gracious hospitality echoes God’s command to the Israelites before they inhabited the promised land. As an agricultural society, they understood the importance of the harvest. Every bit of food would be essential to get them through until next year’s harvest. God told the Israelites when harvesting not to go back to retrieve what they may have missed. “Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:19). They were to practice generosity not by giving when they knew they had enough but by giving out of a heart of trusting in God’s provision “so that God could bless the work of their hands” (v. 19). God always has enough. The practice of hospitality also reminded them that they had been “slaves in Egypt” (v. 22). While we may not have experienced such oppression, we’ve all experienced being an outsider or being in need. As we give to others, we do well to remember our most basic need: freedom from our sin. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). When we’re hospitable, we celebrate our generous God who “loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).