Podcasts about hostoften

On today’s episode we sit down with Sid Kosatsky. Sid grew up in Winnipeg and from a young age was always interested in helping others. After taking some time off after high school, he decided to become a Military Firefighter. Sid spent the next ten years in that role and during the last few years, Sid became interested in real estate investing. After listening to several real estate development and entrepreneurial podcasts, Sid purchased his own property and soon after realized he list it on Airbnb. With the knowledge gained from the informative podcasts, Sid decided to start his own Airbnb management company called HostOften. He also created CollabOften and a cleaning company that, you guessed it, is tasked with cleaning the properties HostOften manages. Now, Sid is in charge of almost 50 Airbnb properties and there is still a lot of room to grow, the potential is endless. Listen in as we go through it all!

Artists and creatives need space to work their magic, and a unique Airbnb can offer the perfect backdrop for a photo or film shoot, a podcast recording, or even a pop-up art show. But it can be costly to rent a listing overnight, especially if you only need the space for an hour or two. So, how can STR hosts collaborate with local creative entrepreneurs to make the most of the space available AND support the arts in their community?Sid Kosatsky is the founder and CEO of HostOften, a vacation rental property management firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Today, he joins me to discuss his new venture, CollabOften, a partnership with local artists and creative entrepreneurs. Sid shares the process he has developed to allow photographers, podcasters and filmmakers to use his units for free in the slow season and between guests.Sid also explains the value he gets from the collaboration, describing how local creatives have become brand ambassadors for HostOften. Listen in to understand how Sid manages the risk involved in hosting artists between guests and learn how you might collaborate with local creatives to make the best use of your Airbnb! Topics CoveredSid’s idea to host artists + creatives in his unitsAvailability in slow season and between guestsUse spaces to record podcasts, do photo shootsThe rules creatives follow to use Sid’s units for freeUse space after cleaning from 1 to 3:30pmComplete checklist (e.g.: no trash, clean sink)Submit photos to get security deposit backHow Sid thinks about risk managementBuild trusting relationships with creatives‘They don’t want to let us down’The value Sid gets back for collaborating with artistsThousands of listing, lifestyle photos of unitsFree advertising on Instagram (tag @hostoften)Part of creative community in HalifaxSid’s CollabOften page on the HostOften websitePhotos + videos of recent collaborationsTestimonials from artists, entrepreneursSid’s unique RetroBnB listing on HostOften1980’s theme (i.e.: video games, monitor TVs)Provides marketing boost, priced 15% higherConnect with SidHostOftenHostOften on InstagramCollabOftenRetroBnBResourcesSid on GPFYP EP248Sid on GPFYP EP193To subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many people have considered becoming an entrepreneur, but the thought of starting their own small business can be a little scary, if not downright intimidating. However, if you're looking for a low-risk way to start small, Airbnb might be the answer. A great way to learn and hone the skills required to successfully run your own business is through vacation rentals. There is plenty of opportunity for both the beginner and more experienced entrepreneurs within the vacation rental ecosystem.Sid Kosatsky established HostOften, a full-service Airbnb property management company. Before finding success, like many others, he started simply - freelancing to help a small boutique hotel in the Dominican Republic set up their Airbnb listings. Hiring cleaners for his own Airbnb listing in the Halifax region of Nova Scotia led to Soapy Cleaning, a company created to find additional work for his team!Today, Sid has expanded his business to over 25 units now and boasts a team of seven employees, five of whom are full-time, and he has systems in place that allow him to do focus on business growth. On the podcast, he shares his advice for aspiring Airbnb entrepreneurs, the technology he uses to save 15 hours a week, and how he built his talented team. Listen in and find out if Airbnb is the entryway to entrepreneurship you have been looking for!Topics Covered:*Sid’s Airbnb story*Sid’s advice to aspiring Airbnb entrepreneurs*Key tools and resources that can help put you on the path to success*Time management tips and tricks*The scale of Sid's current business*The most important lessons Sid has learnedConnect with SidHostOftenConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadAirbnb News Facebook GroupTo subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunes or Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever heard a talking racehorse give his jockey some SASS? Sid from Host Often joins us to play some improv games and shares some interesting events happening around the city. Special Guest: Sid K. the Entrepreneur behind HostOften.com IG: @HostOften Photographer: Graeme Gillis IG: @instagraeme_photography Upcoming Improv Events: Improv Jam at the Stages Festival May 31, 9:15pm Tickets: sales.neptunetheatre.com Selecte May 31 from the calendar for Improv Jam tickets. Links: Mission Critical Comedy https://facebook.com/missionCriticalComedy/ IG: @MissionCriticalComedy Keigan Fortune Rapper - https://soundcloud.com/good-fortune-264556608 Collab Group - https://facebook.com/groups/622299271455176 Art Pays Me - artpaysme.com Moments in Culture - May 19 7pm https://artpaysme.com/products/moments-in-culture-tickets Halifax Social Network - https://www.facebook.com/halifaxsocialnetwork/ P4G - https://www.p4g.ca/ TNT Obstacle Fest - http://www.tickethalifax.com/events/54977266/obstacle-fest

If you’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but you’re looking for a low-risk way to start small, Airbnb might be the answer. The vacation rental ecosystem is ripe with opportunity, and there is no better way to learn the skills necessary for running your own business than… well, running your own business.Sid Kosatsky started simply, freelancing to help a small boutique hotel in the Dominican Republic set up their Airbnb listings. Hiring cleaners for his own Airbnb listing in the Halifax region of Nova Scotia led to Soapy Cleaning, a company created to find additional work for his team! From there, he established HostOften, a full-service Airbnb property management company.Today, Sid’s team includes a team of seven employees, five of whom are full-time, and he has systems in place that allow him to do the work of growing the business. On the podcast, he shares his advice for aspiring Airbnb entrepreneurs, the technology he uses to save 15 hours a week, and how he built his talented team. Listen in and find out if Airbnb is the entryway to entrepreneurship you have been looking for!Topics CoveredSid’s Airbnb story•Listed room in house last summer (Dartmouth)•Relocated to Truro in May, started renting entire home•Stress around hosting from far away•Interviewing cleaners, considering property management company•Inspired by entrepreneurial podcasts to start his own businesses•Started as freelancer, helping international clients create Airbnb listings•Expanded to HostOften property management•Hired cleaners for HostOften, then created Soapy Cleaning•Automated systems have allowed him to do both•Advertised for clients, employees on KijijiSid’s advice to aspiring Airbnb entrepreneurs•Do it!•Airbnb provides quick and easy entry•Reinvest Airbnb earnings to build businessThe entrepreneurial skills Sid learned from Airbnb•Hospitality•Real estate•Hiring•Managing employees, contractors•Scheduling•Customer relations, guest management•Finances, paying taxesThe software Sid used to create systems•Google sheets (log cleaner, client hours) didn’t work well•Moved to QuickBooks for payroll•TSheets App integrates with QuickBooks (time sheets)•Automation saves Sid 10-15 hours/weekThe responsibilities Sid has outsourced to other employees•Stopped cleaning, check-ins right away•Full-time VA took over scheduling, reviews, guest communication and coordination of maintenance•Lead cleaner has become ops manager (hires, manages new cleaners)Sid’s role in the business•Website maintenance•Procuring new clients•Scripts, systems•Hire, train employeesHow Sid built his cleaning team•Scanned Kajiji for cleaners, part-timers•Conducted interviews (20% didn’t show)•Cleaned with prospects, assessed their work•Fosters culture of fun to attract good employees•Has three core full-time cleanersThe importance of ‘taking yourself out of the equation’•Frees up time to grow business, focus on big pictureThe scale of Sid’s current business•Manages three listings•Wooing five new clients•In talks with landlords, developers•Three full-time, two part-time cleaners•Full-time virtual assistant•Freelancer optimizing SEO for websiteHow Sid found his VA•Has used Fiverr, Upwork in past•Discovered new company (Cara Helps)•Service hires, trains in your softwareSid’s current profits•Airbnb listing income of $5K/month See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.