the no BS podcast

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Daily Dose - Sponsored Listings Coming to VRBO?

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Original article or post - Skift - Expedia Is Considering Ways to Introduce Sponsored Listings on Vrbo

https://skift.com/2024/04/09/expedia-is-considering-ways-to-introduce-sponsored-listings-on-vrbo/By Dennis Schaal

Tagging: Dennis Schaal, Rob Torres, Amiad Soto, Guesty VRBO

Methodically Running a STR Business While Helping to Raise the Bar in Quebec with John Papaconstantinou

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Mateo and John continue to delve into the world of short-term rentals in Canada. Joined by guest John Papaconstantinou of Papa's Getaways, they discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of the Canadian vacation rental market and John's journey into the industry.

This episode features engaging discussions on industry dynamics, personal experiences, and strategic approaches to business. John Papa's journey serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the evolving landscape of short-term rentals.

Episode Highlights:

Everyone expresses excitement for their upcoming participation in the CanStay Short-term Rental conference in Banff.
John Papa shares his journey into the short-term rental space, inspired by real estate investing podcasts and his desire to transition from his nine-to-five job.
The appeal of short-term rentals in Magog, Quebec, emphasizes the region's four-season attractions and strategic occupancy goals.
Acknowledgment of the immersive nature of their work and the occasional need to balance business discussions with personal time.
John Papa highlights the importance of mutual trust and understanding in his partnership with his wife emphasizing how their complementary strengths allow them to efficiently tackle various aspects of property management without getting in each other's way.
The conversation explores the nuances of the Canadian short-term rental market, including regulatory considerations and seasonal booking strategies.
Discuss insights into the collaborative nature of the industry and the potential for growth and innovation.
Mateo and John Papa explore the transition from traditional financial services to the dynamic world of short-term rentals, emphasizing the need for adaptability and continuous learning.
Expanding the Business Horizon: With aspirations to scale Papa's Getaways, John Papa envisions offering comprehensive services to property owners, from pre-approval assistance to property management, aiming to facilitate second home ownership while maximizing rental income.
Addressing Financing Challenges: John Papa acknowledges the challenges in financing second home purchases and emphasizes the importance of accessibility and affordability in making property ownership more attainable for prospective buyers.
Mateo and John discuss the challenge of changing perceptions around short-term rental investments, particularly for homeowners looking to leverage their second homes for rental income.
Navigating Regulations and Challenges: The conversation shifts to the regulatory landscape and the challenges hosts and property managers face, particularly in areas with strict regulations.
Addressing Cultural and Language Barriers: John highlights the language divide in Quebec and the need for greater bilingual communication and understanding in the industry and proposes ideas for bridging this gap, including bilingual podcasts and initiatives to promote language learning and cultural exchange.

Upcoming Events and Advocacy Opportunities:

The upcoming CanStays Rental Alliance conference will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage with policymakers and advocate for fair regulations.

Interested in checking out the Canstays Conference?

Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference https://www.canstaysrentalalliance.com/tickets/

Episode Sponsor

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the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

Time Is Running Out But It‘s Not Too Late with Deana Steele

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:15:00 -0400

Today we're diving into the regulatory challenges faced by short-term rental hosts, particularly in British Columbia, Canada.

Our guest, Deana Steele founder of Keys To Kelowna, a limited edition luxury vacation homes & rental management company joins us in conversation. Deana sheds light and shares her insights into navigating BC's business and regulatory landscapes and enlightens us on the newest developments that have impacted the short-term rental industry up North.

Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss!

Episode Highlights:

Continued Regulatory Challenges in Canada: Canada faced significant regulatory hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a period of uncertainty and constraints for short-term rental hosts.
The Need for Proactive Engagement: Mateo emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself as a professional ally in regulatory discussions rather than adopting a confrontational approach. Building partnerships and advocating for responsible hosting can shift the narrative positively.
Impact of Short-Term Rentals: Contrary to popular belief, short-term rentals are not solely responsible for housing shortages or increased rental costs. Studies, including one cited from the Harvard Business Review, reveal that the impact of short-term rentals on housing markets is relatively minor compared to other factors.
Regulatory Impact on Homeowners: Homeowners in British Columbia express exhaustion and frustration due to stringent regulations affecting short-term rentals. Various initiatives, including foreign buyers bans and taxes, have not effectively addressed housing affordability issues, leading to disappointment among property investors.
Economic Considerations: Deana shares insights into how regulatory changes have affected her business and the broader tourism ecosystem. Amidst challenges, she highlights the resilience of short-term rental hosts who have adapted through diversification and strategic planning.
Enforcement and Future Prospects: Challenges in enforcing regulations are evident, with limited resources and varying levels of compliance. The impending May 1st deadline marks a critical juncture, with regulations set to significantly impact short-term rental operations.
Potential Solutions and Advocacy: Discussions revolve around legal challenges, grassroots resistance, and potential changes in government policies.Calls for public-private partnerships and incentives to facilitate the transition from short-term to long-term rentals as viable solutions.
Community Advocacy: Forming alliances and advocating for property rights are crucial strategies employed by short-term rental hosts to navigate regulatory landscapes. The discussion underscores the significance of storytelling and positive messaging in shaping public perception and policy decisions.
The Role of Associations: Deana discusses the establishment of a property rights association aimed at challenging regulatory measures and promoting responsible short-term rental practices. The association serves as a unified voice for hosts in engaging with policymakers and the media.
Navigating the regulatory landscape: Deana provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and collaboration in shaping regulatory frameworks.

Upcoming Events and Advocacy Opportunities:

The upcoming CanStays Rental Alliance conference will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage with policymakers and advocate for fair regulations.

Interested in checking out the Canstays Conference?

Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference https://www.canstaysrentalalliance.com/tickets/

Episode Sponsor

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

Daily Dose - What Should I be Asking When Evaluating Short-term Rental Property Management Software?

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Original article or post - Short Term Rentalz - AJL Atelier unveils 2024 short-term rental industry landscape https://shorttermrentalz.com/news/ajl-atelier-2024-str-industry-landscape/ by Paul Stevens

Tagging: Simon Lehmann

Direct Software - https://directsoftware.com/

Book a PMS demo with John - https://meetings.hubspot.com/jstokinger/discovery - mention this no BS Daily Dose for $500 off implementation!

Daily Dose - Short-Term Rentals Are Getting Popular Again. Here’s Why

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Original article or post - Forbes - Short-Term Rentals Are Getting Popular Again. Here’s Why https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherelliott/2024/03/02/short-term-rentals-are-getting-popular-again-heres-why/?sh=325d8bc920fb by Christopher Elliott

Tagging:

Christopher Elliot- Author, consumer advocate and journalist
Casey Halloran - CEO of Costa Rican Luxury Vacations,
Danielle Finch - Director Customer Experience @ HomeToGo
Marcus Räder - Founder & CEO at Hostaway
Pierre-Camille Hamana - CEO & Founder, Hospitable.com

Daily Dose - Airbnb’s New Listing Verification Process Favors Pro Hosts

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Original article or post - Skift - Airbnb’s New Listing Verification Process Favors Pro Hosts https://skift.com/2024/02/22/airbnbs-new-listing-verification-process-favors-pro-hosts/ by Dennis Schaal

Tagging - Dennis Schaal- Executive Editor, Founding Editor, Employee Numero Uno, Chief Storyteller at Skift

Calling All STR Vendors and Canadian Property Managers - The Time to Act is Now!

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, John and Mateo welcome a special guest, the one and only Catherine Radcliffe, founder of STR Benefits Consulting and Lost Together Stays. Tune in for valuable insights as Catherine shares the unique challenges and opportunities in the Canadian short-term rental market and introduces the CanStays Rental Alliance conference.

Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss!

Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference https://www.canstaysrentalalliance.com/tickets/

Episode Highlights

Meet Catherine Radcliffe: A proud Canadian, Catherine is the founder of STR Benefits Consulting and Lost Together Stays. She has dual citizenship and a passion for addressing the specific challenges faced by the Canadian short-term rental industry.
CanStays Rental Alliance Conference: Catherine introduces the CanStays Rental Alliance conference, set to take place in Banff, Canada, in two months.
Addressing Canadian Specifics: Catherine highlights the distinctive aspects of the Canadian short-term rental landscape, including provincial differences, healthcare nuances, and unique challenges faced by hosts.
Motivation Behind the Conference: Catherine shares the inspiration behind organizing the conference, emphasizing the lack of representation for Canadian issues in existing vacation rental conferences. The conference aims to provide a platform for discussions on Canadian-specific topics like regulations, healthcare access, and marketing requirements.
Impact of the Pandemic on Canadian Business: Mateo questions how the pandemic affected the short-term rental business in Canada and learns of the impact of regional disparities, healthcare considerations, and challenges faced by smaller communities.
The Need for National Conversations: Catherine emphasizes the importance of a streamlined national conversation across provinces, sharing best practices, navigating regulations, and addressing the unique needs of each region.
Conference Topics and Speakers: The hosts and Catherine discuss the diverse topics that will be covered at the conference, including safety, revenue management, employment practices, and accessibility. A lineup of Canadian speakers, along with a French track, adds to the conference's uniqueness.
Networking Opportunities: John highlights the networking opportunities at the conference, encouraging hosts, property managers, and vendors to take advantage of the chance to learn, share ideas, and collaborate.
Early Bird Special: Catherine provides details on the early bird special for conference tickets, including pricing and the option to bring a plus one. The hosts emphasize the value of attending and participating in discussions that can influence the future of the industry.
Influence in Canada: Catherine discusses the significance of influencing outcomes in the Canadian market, pointing out the country's ability to pivot and make changes quickly. We stress the importance of being a voice and knowledge base for Canadian decision-makers.
Socialistic Approach: Catherine emphasizes the socialistic approach in Canada, focusing on community well-being and partnership with elected officials to find solutions that benefit everyone.

Episode Sponsor

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

Daily Dose - What Does Banning Short-term Rentals Really Accomplish?

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Original article or post - Harvard Business Review - What Does Banning Short-term Rentals Really Accomplish? https://hbr.org/2024/02/what-does-banning-short-term-rentals-really-accomplish by Sophie Calder-Wang, Chiara Farronato, and Andrey Fradkin

Tagging - David Angotti - Chief Evangelist at Guesty, Founder of StaySense

Taking the Sting Out of Switching Software with Dawn Yeskulsky

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

This is the 2nd time that Dawn Yeskulsky has joined us on our podcast but the first as CEO & Founder of her own companies PMS Pros and Yes2vr Advisors.

With 28 years of experience in Vacation Rentals touching the majority of customer-facing verticals, Dawn brings her unique perspective and knowledge to helping short-term rental property managers and vendors navigate complex decisions.

A great listen!

Episode Highlights

Dawn reflects on Bob Ackerman pushing her into sales, initially resisting the shift but eventually embracing the challenge and giving RNS 14 years.
We share amusing anecdotes about the early days of technology, reminiscing about carrying large computer towers for demos.
John & Mateo discuss Dawn's pioneering role as a woman in the vacation rental sales space. Dawn humbly acknowledges the challenges but expresses her deep connection and dedication to the industry.
John and Dawn discuss the intricacies of payment processing, its challenges, and the constant evolution of the industry.
Dawn shares her unique journey, highlighting her move from TRACK to Inhabit. John speculates on the California connection that made this transition possible.
The conversation shifts to industry trends, with John acknowledging the efforts of various companies like Travelnet Solutions, Guesty, and Hostaway in emulating Inhabit's model through acquisitions.
Dawn emphasizes the significance of building long-standing relationships and earning the trust of property managers. She discusses the value of honesty in steering clients in the right direction and her desire to reconnect with them after spending years behind the scenes at various companies.
Dawn introduces PMS Pros as a response to the need for onboarding support consulting in the property management industry aiming to complement, not replace, existing PMS onboarding teams.
PMS Pros acts as a project manager for property managers, facilitating effective communication with onboarding teams.

Episode Sponsor

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

Using AI to AutoMate Property Descriptions with Nick Mote

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, hosts John and Mateo sit down with Nick Mote, CEO and Founder of Automate, JetML, and Oregon Labs. Nick shares his journey into the short-term rental industry, from his background in marketing to his ventures in machine learning and AI.

Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss!

Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS

Episode Highlights

Nick shares insights into his diverse background, from his early interest in tech and computers to his marketing role at Tree Top during the recession.
The journey takes a turn towards machine learning as Nick describes his experience at Vacasa, where he played a pivotal role in developing a groundbreaking 365-day daily pricing model.
Venturing into Entrepreneurship: The conversation unfolds as Nick discusses his entrepreneurial spirit, leading to the inception of JetML in 2018, aimed at empowering data scientists to produce their work efficiently.
Nike and the Sneakerhead Culture: Nick delves into his role at Nike, where he worked on predicting digital line attendance for sneaker drops, offering a fascinating glimpse into the sneakerhead culture.
Rented and the AI Tools: Nick's journey continues with his collaboration with Rented, contributing to the development of AI-driven revenue management tools.
Saving Time with AI: John shares his thoughts on using AutoMate, emphasizing the time-saving aspect. With the Pro version and personalized input, the tool adapts to sound more authentic, providing valuable time efficiency.
Average Time Savings: John and Mateo discuss the significant time savings per listing, a crucial win for property managers. Nick highlights how the tool helps instantly generate quality descriptions, eliminating the bottleneck of waiting for freelance copywriters.
AI as an Equalizer: Mateo sees AutoMate as an equalizing tool, accessible to property owners, managers, and hosts of all sizes. It addresses the challenge of crafting compelling descriptions, making it an invaluable resource for anyone in the industry.
The Challenge of Fresh Descriptions: Nick discusses the tool's potential to rewrite bad descriptions and the opportunity to update listings multiple times a year. He envisions incorporating event data, allowing managers to highlight local events in their descriptions dynamically.
Integration and Future Plans: Nick explains the simplicity of adopting AutoMate without integration hassles. While an API is available, future plans include potential integration with PMSs or other services, enhancing scalability and usability.
No-Risk Proposal: The hosts and Nick agree that AutoMate's trial-first approach is a no-risk proposal, allowing users to experience its benefits firsthand. The tool's ability to enhance property rankings and increase guest conversions while saving time makes it a compelling solution.
Challenges of AI Adoption: The conversation delves into the challenges of AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of user engagement and responsible use. Nick encourages industry professionals to consider how tech tools can elevate the guest experience rather than replace the human touch.

As the episode concludes, Nick leaves listeners with a challenge: to think about how technology can be leveraged to elevate hospitality without compromising the human element. The future of AI in the short-term rental industry holds exciting possibilities, and AutoMate Vacations aims to be at the forefront of this transformative journey.

Episode Sponsor

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

Improving UX Starts with Empathy with Assaf Karmon

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

We had the privilege of spending some time and getting to know Assaf Karmon CEO & Co-founder at Turno.

Assaf shares his journey from a background in software engineering to solving problems in the short-term rental industry.

The property care aspect of vacation rentals is complex and can be daunting to those ill-informed or to those who just "wing it". Turno is an amazing resource for property managers and hosts

Additionally, we're excited to welcome Turno in as a new no BS show sponsor!

Give it a listen!

Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS

Episode Highlights

Assaf elaborates on Turno's evolution, starting with a focus on scheduling and property care
We discuss Turno's collaboration with Airbnb which allows for a seamless experience for their users.
Assaf emphasizes the importance of user experience and empathy in creating software solutions
We inquire about Turno's scaling strategy and global reach.
Assaf attributes success to luck, persistence, and taking opportunities while maintaining a vision.
Assaf stresses the importance of staying disciplined, focusing on core features, and not overcommitting during the scaling process.
John and Assaf discuss the challenges of avoiding overengineering and overpromising in response to customer requests and the Importance of staying true to the company's initial vision and North Star
Assaf emphasizes the need for focus and avoiding distractions in business and Mateo adds insights on the importance of perfecting and refining the core product
Assaf compares this stage to Airbnb's journey of making incremental improvements and refining user experiences.

Episode Sponsor

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

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the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

2023 Holiday Recap with John & Mateo

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This week it's just us as we recap the amazing year that was 2023!

This is a super quick episode that touches on all the right things... but first make sure to visit this link for an EXCLUSIVE no BS 3-month FREE Membership to HostGPO! https://hostgpo.com/no-bs/

Episode Highlights

Business adaptation: Companies focus on new revenue streams and differentiation.
Professionalism: More operators adopt a professional approach, focusing on profitability and data.
Profitability and sustainability: Businesses prioritize ethical and environmentally friendly practices.
Differentiation: Standing out in a sea of inventory becomes crucial.
Creativity and tech-enabled experiences: New trends like glamping and unique rentals emerge.
Episode 116 marks the 31st episode of the season and the 2023 recap.
Derailed: a fictional murder mystery
Three significant episodes: The 100th episode with Matt Landau, the Bill Faeth episode, and the most downloaded episode to date with Vacasa CEO, Rob Graber.
The podcast took a two-month break and came back rebranded as the no BS podcast and focused on a deeper, more intimate format.
Appreciation for collaborations with HostGPO and anticipation for upcoming partnerships in 2024.
Commitment to eco-positive changes, including planting trees and contributing to ocean and coral restoration with Global Investment Group.
Anticipation for the industry's response to challenges and the opportunity for growth and creativity.

10x Your Purchasing Power with Jeff Iloulian

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This week we dive head-first into the world of purchasing and buying groups with Jeff Iloulian CEO of HostGPO.

Jeff's entry into the vacation rental industry was unconventional (like many of us), as he found himself involved in unique lease arbitrage deals for properties in between renovations.

The idea to start a group purchasing organization (GPO) "selfishly" came to meet his purchasing needs as a better more efficient way to set up and supply his units.

This is a great fast-moving episode!

Visit this link for an EXCLUSIVE no BS 3-month FREE Membership to HostGPO https://hostgpo.com/no-bs/

Episode Highlights

Evolution of the Vacation Rental Industry: We discuss how the vacation rental industry has evolved over the years. Jeff emphasized that the industry is continually changing, and what may seem like the end of the "Wild West" phase is just a stage in its ongoing development.
HostGPO has exclusive partnerships with certain brands, ensuring that its members have access to products that may not be available elsewhere in the vacation rental industry
HostGPO has scaled aggressively, reaching 300,000 units in its network.
Jeff emphasizes the importance of having a team composed of people who understand the vacation rental industry and the needs of HostGPO members.
HostGPO raised external capital to accelerate growth. Jeff highlights a strategic partnership with a major GPO outside the vacation rental industry, leveraging their buying power and expanding vendor partnerships.
Jeff emphasizes the power of the community aspect in negotiating better deals. The larger Host GPO becomes, the more leverage they have in securing favorable terms for their members.
WE discuss taking inspiration from the hotel industry's approach to creating memorable guest experiences. Hotels are adopting elements from short-term rentals, and hosts can learn from the hotel playbook to elevate their offerings.
Hosts should look beyond short-term returns on investment and consider the long-term trajectory of their business. This includes strategic investments in brand development, guest experience, and operational efficiency.

Episode Sponsor

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Turning Nights Booked Into Eco-Positive Changes with Matt Kallstrom

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This week we chat with our environmentally conscious friend and entrepreneurial badass Matt Kallstrom, founder and CEO of The Global Improvement Group.

The conversation is fun, educational, and enlightening with one of the craziest turning point stories we've ever heard on the show.

Making a difference has never been easier and we're challenging each and every one of you to sign up and do your part for Mother Earth - we are!

For every 100 downloads of the no BS podcast, we're partnering with The Global Improvement Group to plant trees, clean plastics from the ocean, and help rehabilitate coral reefs.

Episode Highlights

Childhood Aspiration: Matt had a childhood dream of becoming a CEO, inspired by his entrepreneurial family background.
Environmental Mission: Matt's deep connection to nature and concern for the environment led him to start a company with a mission to offset carbon and contribute to environmental causes.
Eco-Friendly Beauty Pageant: A serendipitous encounter at an eco-friendly beauty pageant in Omaha, Nebraska, led to a partnership with a hairstylist and a commitment to plant trees for every haircut.
Business Model Evolution: The company's business model evolved from product sales to a for-purpose for-profit model, focusing on carbon offset and environmental impact.
Transition to Sustainability: Matt discusses the transition his organization has made toward sustainability, aligning with groups focused on making a positive impact on the environment.
Non-Profit Business Model: The podcast delves into the business model of Global Improvement Group, which operates as a non-profit. Matt explains the concept of making a difference while generating revenue, challenging the common perception that non-profits should not make money.
Two-Pronged Approach: Global Improvement Group's approach involves helping businesses adopt sustainable practices for efficiency while also focusing on creating positive environmental impacts, such as planting trees, cleaning up oceans, and coral restoration.
Sustainable Practices for Property Managers: Matt outlines some easy-to-adopt sustainable practices for property managers, including avoiding single-use plastics and incorporating eco-friendly alternatives.
Flexible Sustainability Programs: Global Improvement Group offers a flexible, a la carte approach to sustainability programs, allowing businesses to choose and switch between initiatives like tree planting, ocean plastic cleanup, and coral restoration.

Episode Sponsor

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Game Changing Site That‘s Going to Level Up Short-Term Rentals with Brooke Pfautz

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the no BS podcast, we chat with our friend and entrepreneur Brooke Pfautz, founder of Vintory and Comparant.com.

The discussion includes how the launch of Comparant.com aims to revolutionize the industry by offering a platform for vacation homeowners and property managers to connect.

The website has over 5,000 professional rental managers already listed, providing homeowners a single platform to compare and choose short-term rental property management based on performance, reviews, and services.

Exciting times for our industry and the team at Vintory and Comparent!

A must-listen!

Episode Highlights

Marketplace Dynamics and Leveling the Playing Field: Brooke emphasizes the marketplace aspect of Comparant, allowing smaller property managers to compete on equal footing.
Comparison with Past Attempts and Evolution of Ideas: We address past attempts at similar concepts by other companies and emphasize the unique aspects of Comparant.
Brooke's Vision: Brooke expresses excitement about the potential impact of Comparant on the industry. He looks forward to seeing how companies adapt and change to reach the next level in response to public reviews and feedback
The Influence of Reviews: Brooke and Mateo discuss the impact of reviews on property management. Brooke shares how review systems from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo have made him a better vacation rental manager, emphasizing the motivation to maintain a positive reputation.
Driving Excellence: We hosts discuss how public reviews encourage property managers to step up their game and offer best-in-class services. The conversation includes anecdotes about handling unexpected situations to ensure positive reviews.
Future Plans: The discussion touches on future plans for Comparant, including the implementation of AI-driven chatbots to enhance user experience and streamline the sales process for property managers.
Shortening Sales Cycles: The hosts explore how platforms like Comparant can potentially shorten the sales cycle by providing homeowners with comprehensive information upfront, making the decision-making process more efficient.

Episode Sponsor

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Remove The Uncertainty with Trust with Neely Khan & Chris Maughan

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

We have the privilege of sharing this episode with our good friends Neely Khan and Chris Maughan of I-PRAC. Both Neely and Chris have been on our show (separately) in the past, but this time it's different because Neely has officially joined the I-PRAC team as Managing Director.

John and Mateo are proponents of TRUST as a necessary tool in hospitality for both managers and guests and they dive deep into this importance in this episode.

Episode Highlights

Chris explains how Neely's journey with I-PRAC began, initially as a content writer, and her progression to Senior Content Writer
Chris emphasizes the importance of staying true to your values and working on the business, not just in it.
Neely explains why she chose to take on the role at I-PRAC, citing her strong connection to the brand, mentorship by Chris, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Neely highlights the value of I-PRAC approval as a marketing tool and the unique level of peace of mind it offers guests, emphasizing that there's no similar solution in the industry
Mateo further explores the barriers to adoption, considering the industry's competitiveness and the need for assurance in the guest experience
The discussion delves into finding the "sweet spot" and speculates about the reasons for the slow adoption of guest experience assurance
The hosts consider whether negative incidents or public failures in the short-term rental industry are necessary to drive change
The conversation touches on how guest experience assurance can be a differentiator and addresses the challenges of convincing established property managers of its value.
Chris acknowledges Airbnb's significant impact on the industry but mentions their past mistakes in addressing trust and confidence issues.

Episode Sponsor

- Direct

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

The Zillow of Short-Term Rentals with Emir Dukic

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Emir Dukic, Founder & CEO at Rabbu, Inc. sat with us talking about his journey with arbitrage short-term rentals in Charlotte NC, scaling his company from 8 to 400, and very recently transitioning back to what he loves best which is helping others with focus on tech.

Emir, a technologist at heart jumped head-first into software development to aid Rabbu's growth.

"The decision to build our own property management system was rooted in our core competency as technologists. We understood the problems we wanted to solve, and building a custom solution was a natural progression for us" - Emir

Rabbu is for vacation rental investors bringing the right data and people together like Zillow is for home buyers.

Tune in to learn more about Rabbu's innovative approach to short-term rental data and education.

Episode Highlights

Emir's entry into the short-term rental industry began with a personal experience. He and his wife turned a room above our garage into an Airbnb unit to generate some extra income. The success we experienced opened our eyes to the potential of short-term rentals.
We discuss the challenging journey of deciding to build your own tech and how it's driven by the necessity to create a seamless experience for both hosts and guests
Emir discusses the challenges faced by property management software providers and emphasizes the importance of proper education and communication between software providers and users
We explore the significance of professionalization in the short-term rental industry and how Rabbu aims to assist investors, real estate agents, and other stakeholders in making informed decisions.
Emir dives into how they understood the problems they wanted to solve, and as technologists building a custom solution was a natural progression for them.
We talk about frustrations that often arise from the lack of robust customer support and tailored solutions provided by existing property management systems

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Treehouse Bragging Rights with Amanda Jesen

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This week we're joined by Amanda Jensen, Co-Founder of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville Tennessee for the first episode of our Alternative Accommodation Series.

Amanda shares their journey into hospitality, starting with a family-built treehouse that inspired the idea.

Before we dive into the Sanctuary vision of modern vacation rental amenities in family-friendly treehouses, we touch on the impact of the devastating 2016 Gatlinburg fires and the Smoky Mountains community resilience.

The Sanctuary Treehouse Resort represents a new frontier in the vacation rental industry, offering an immersive and interactive experience for guests while fostering community support and engagement.

A wonderful episode with tones of family first and you can do anything when you put your mind to it!

Episode Highlights

Amanda and her husband Brian purchased 40 acres, to maintain the natural beauty of the land and keep condos out of their view.
The vision expanded to create an interactive treehouse resort, blending modern amenities with nostalgic experiences
Amanda creatively incorporates her daughter's artwork into the treehouse themes
Planned amenities include an on-site supply store, pizzeria, butcher shop, and a network of walking trails
Amanda discusses her innovative approach to guest amenities, offering personalized recommendations and exclusive discounts to enhance their stay.
She emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural environment and building within the topography of the land.
We delve into the challenges of scaling the resort from seven to over a hundred treehouses and Amnada highlights their commitment to maintaining a personalized touch and fostering guest relationships, even as they expand

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Yesterday's Differentiator is Today's Norm with Tim Rosolio

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This week Tim Rosolio, Expedia Group's VP of Vacation Rental Partner Success, joins the podcast.

We discuss his journey from business consulting into the travel industry and how Tim's passion for vacation rentals extends throughout his life where he is involved as a traveler, shareholder, employee, and owner.

There's so much growth potential within Expedia Group and Vrbo, it seems like the sky's the limit.

Episode Highlights

Transitioning to HomeAway allowed Tim to focus on vacation rentals and the joy of helping people create memorable experiences
The Importance of professional acting partners, delivering consistent quality, and community involvement
The importance of diversity in the vacation rental industry
Expedia Groups Accelerator Program is supporting new and fresh ideas
The importance of proactive leadership in driving industry development
Expedia's One Key Loyalty Program is introduced to unify various rewards programs from Expedia Group's acquired brands
Tim discusses the importance of staying current and introducing innovations in the short-term rental industry
Mateo raises the topic of developing commercial partnerships within the short-term rental industry
Tim mentions the challenges caused by fragmented technology but believes there's an opportunity for seamless APIs to facilitate partnerships.
John discusses the challenges of fragmentation within the industry and how standardization takes time to achieve

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Bringing Vacations Home with Rob Greyber

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

This episode is a long time in the making. We welcome a fan of our show and Vacasa CEO, Rob Greyber to our podcast! Rob brings decades of work in the technology and travel industry, to a high-profile must-win situation at Vacasa's helm.

Additionally, what makes this episode extraordinary is that Rob agreed to answer questions submitted by our listeners "live" on the pod on top of all our questions.

Listening to this episode will leave you with a greater understanding of where Rob is coming from and hopefully optimistic about the future of Vacasa and its place in our short-term rental eco-system

Episode Highlights

Rob reflects on his early career experiences, working with technology and witnessing the transformational power of tech solutions
We discuss Rob's accidental but significant early career experiences that shaped his understanding of technology and its potential
Rob emphasizes the company's commitment to serving owners and guests
We address industry criticisms aimed at Vacasa and how it is navigated
The significance of advocacy efforts in the industry and Rob's perspective on criticisms
We address the notion of Vacasa not being "local" with "boots on the ground" and its impact on the company and industry
Four questions from our no BS audience are highlighted and answered by Rob
Industry Diversity - The value of various players, from boutique operators to larger brands, in contributing to the growth of the vacation rental industry
Insight and vacation rental savvy that is unlocked when you process 31,000 reservations a weekend

* Donation Links to Help the Maui Communities Affected by The Wild Fires *

Red Cross of Hawaii — https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii.html

Hawai’i Community Foundation “Maui Strong Fund” — https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

United Way of Maui — https://mauiunitedway.org/

Maui Humane Society — https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/

Coconut Condos Ohana Relief - https://www.gofundme.com/f/6su93-lahaina-fire-relief

Episode Sponsors

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager that is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

Expense Management Leveled Up with Jonathan Sukhia

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

We're excited to sit and chat with Jonathan, TopKey Co-Founder, and CEO, about his journey from growing up in a vacation rental town to building a tech-enabled financial operating platform for lodging and short-term rental operators.

Episode Highlights

We discuss the growth and development of vacation rental destinations over the past decade, particularly the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Jonathan explains how TopKey initially aimed to create a marketplace connecting property managers and homeowners and hit on the shift in direction after joining Y Combinator, which led to a deeper focus on the vacation rental industry.
TopKey's recent $5.2 million raise and how different rounds are today compared to just a couple of years ago.
The conversation explores how Jonathan's background led to the creation of TopKey, a financial operating platform for property managers and hotels.
TopKey's primary focus is on helping operators streamline financial processes, such as expense tracking, account management, and owner transactions.
Jonathan explains how TopKey issues Visa-issued credit cards tied to individual units, enabling real-time transaction tracking.
TopKey's platform integrates with major accounting software and PMS systems, simplifying the monthly close process for bookkeepers and property managers.

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager that is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct's built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Making Their Mark on Anna Maria with Adrian Johnson

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

We sit down with our friend Adrian Johnson, Owner of SeaBreeze Vacation Rentals on Anna Maria Island on Florida's Gulf Coast.

We discuss Adrian's journey from the security industry to vacation rental property management, where he shares insightful experiences and challenges he faced along the way, what it takes to be successful, and dive deep into current and future technology in the short-term rental space.

Episode Highlights

Adrian emphasizes the importance of attention to detail during the guest turnover process and the impact it has on guest satisfaction.
Adrian shares his experiences dealing with natural disasters and the unpredictability of the business, touching on red tide, hurricanes, and the importance of preparedness.
Preparing for the Future: Adrian emphasizes the importance of having a well-prepared hurricane plan in place for properties.
Building In-House Services: Adrian explains how SeaBreeze expanded its services by bringing laundry, pool maintenance, and even construction in-house. He highlights the strategic approach of timing and quality over quantity.
Focusing on the Guest Experience: Adrian shares how SeaBreeze treats owners and guests like family, providing a welcoming and warm atmosphere. He believes in going the extra mile to create exceptional experiences.
The importance of finding a one-stop-shop platform to streamline operations for property managers.
Adrian shares his thoughts on AI's impact on the industry and how it could revolutionize processes.
We discuss the power of listening to customers' needs and avoiding a "my way or the highway" mentality.
Adrian emphasizes the need for software companies to think outside the box and offer unique solutions to property managers.

Episode Sponsor - PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

The Man Behind One of the Biggest Movements in STR with Bill Faeth

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

We almost named this episode "Love Him or Hate Him, Just Don't Ignore Him". It was a 50/50 toss-up and we chose what we chose.

We LOVE this episode and are excited to share our conversation with Bill Faeth, Founder of Build Short Term Rental Wealth and Co-Founder of the STR Wealth Conference.

Bill is a super smart dude that has a solid grasp on business and numbers and how they all work together in a world where co-hosting is king and the words "professionally managed" might have a different definition or negative connotation depending on who's saying it.

There's so much to unpack and we align with Bill on many things... so much in fact that we put a VRMA International panel discussion together that was sparked from recording this episode.

For the betterment of our industry and alignment for the greater good, this is a MUST-LISTEN-TO episode!

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Longevity Through Culture - Our Rent Responsibly People, Places, Planet, Podcast Takeover Presentation

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 25 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

This is a recording from our Rent Responsibly webinar we did in April on how culture and sustainable thinking affects a business’s long-term success.

We were lucky to be joined by some amazing special guests!

Margot Lee Schmorak - Hostfully

Wes Smithe - Direct

Dawn Yeskulsky, SME - Inhabit®

Rob Greyber - Vacasa

David Krauss - Rent Responsibly

Vanessa de Souza Lage - Sustonica

Resha Shroff - Lynx Automation

Official presentation snippet below:

In their well-loved no-BS style, Mateo and John will host a meaningful conversation about how culture and sustainable thinking pedal the flywheel of your business’s long-term success. Designed for CEOs, founders, and leaders of companies big and small, this session will challenge you to consider your cultural mindset, how your decisions impact the ecosystem around you and vice versa, and the power our industry has to impact our world for the better through travel. But they won’t leave you hanging on those big questions. They’ll also provide actionable strategies to carry your hospitality business long into the future

No Excuses with Oneself and in Business with Brittany Blackman

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 18 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this week's episode, we have the incredible Brittany Blackman, the Owner of Breathe Easy Rentals, joining us as our guest.

Brittany captivates us with her inspiring journey. When we last spoke with her, she had 12 units and had no intentions of expanding. Fast forward to today, and she has reached an impressive 25 units, comfortably establishing her presence. We can't help but anticipate that Breathe Easy Rentals will soon be managing around 50 units the next time we catch up.

What sets Brittany apart is her genuine display of emotions. She wears her heart on her sleeve, which is a breath of fresh air in a world where appearances are everything. Her infectious passion for vacation rentals is both contagious and inviting.

As the leader of an owner-focused property management company, Brittany experiences the pressure to excel. Balancing work and personal life becomes a true test, and we commend her for the way she handles it.

This episode is an absolute must-listen, packed with valuable insights and a captivating story.

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A quick Shortyz Recap & Upcoming STR Event Promo

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 11 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

No guests this week as we quickly recap the Shortyz (Vacation Rental Oscars) 2023 categories, short listers, and winners.

The 20 award categories were judged by an independent panel consisting of investors, consultants and experts, before a short voting period was held. All of the winners were decided by a 50:50 split between judge scores and the public vote, with more than 65,000 votes cast from around the world.

Shoutout to Paul Stevens for putting together another amazing industry event.

We end the pod talking about the two FREE Beach Bonfire networking events we throwing next week in the Florida Panhandle with our friends in the vacation rental industry celebrating property managers! Joining us (Direct and Guestor) are Lynx, PriceLabs, Safely, RealTech, and AirDNA for an evening of fun, networking, and a little bit of education.

Back next week with an amazing guest that is leading the way in Destin!

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More is not Better, Better is Better with Eric Thibodeaux

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 20:23:00 -0400

You're going to be hard to find someone with more passion and love for the short-term rental space than Eric Thibodeaux CEO of Safer VR's, Current Tides Vacation Rentals, and HereStays... among other ventures.

Eric wants the vacation rental industry to be admired and respected for exceptional levels of safety. He helps property managers and owners craft and improve their safety and loss prevention processes. This helps with their profitability and improves the overall guest experience.

Eric has been managing and owning vacation rentals in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, since 2003. In addition, he has thousands of multi-family doors in several states.

Property management and real estate investment are a true passion and we dive into how he looks at investing and also utilizes Guestor as an investment platform. The key to his success... finding opportunities where he can invest passively.

This is a really great interview with one of the kindest and smartest men in vacation rentals.

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Celebrating 100 Episodes with Matt Landau

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

We did it! We made it to 100 episodes!

A huge thank you is in order to Matt Landau Founder at VRMB.com for joining us on our celebratory episode!

We're fans of Matt and appreciate all that he has done and continues to do for the short-term rental space.

When he got started back in 2006 things looked a lot different than how they are today. So much of who Matt is today was initially forged living in Panama living amongst the locals and establishing himself as a trusted community member. This allowed him to organize and demobilize street gangs in his and surrounding neighborhoods where he lived and operated vacation rentals.

Matt has done much the same for our vacation rental community where he has earned the trust of the industry by putting out best practices and bringing like-minded people and ideas together.

He challenges all of us to be the best of ourselves and continues to question his own direction all while continuing to find things he's excited about.

A wonderful episode with an amazing man.

Now for our next 100!

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The Rise of Workforce Rentals is Now! with Yeves Perez

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

We met Yeves Perez Chairman and CEO at Workbnb a few months back and just knew we had to get him on.

A call from his mama got Yeves back home to Reno to help her out with her bustling Airbnb business. His marketing background was instrumental in turning a corner with market research.

What was noticed was that the majority of travelers staying at her properties were those traveling for work... more specifically construction work. This prompted entrepreneurial juices to flow and Workbnb was born.

We dive into the difficulties of raising capital specifically for black and brown founders and how he is persevering despite all of this.

What the team has built at Workbnb is super exciting and has the potential to change the game in Workforce rentals.

Hear how a lodging placement app specifically designed for blue-collar travel that doesn't even have a search bar is going to change the way companies book accommodations.

A must-listen, the future is bright for Workbnb!

Redefining Guest Experience Through Connectivity with Francois Gouelo

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Francois Gouelo is the real deal and we're lucky to have the CEO and Co-Founder of Enso Connect join our podcast.

His road to Enso started out as a class project/competion at University with a 10k prize going to the winner. A ski trip where he didn't necessarily master "pizza and fries" solidified the project focus and as they say... the rest is history.

Francois is on a mission to redefine guest experience through connectivity. In his words, "we're the zapier of guest experience".

What does that actually mean? Think if/then statements. If this thing happens in one technology, then make it do this thing in another technology... Enso connect is the middle-ware that makes it happen.

Such a great conversation with a man that cares about how efficiently tech is working for users in vacation rentals.

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STR Wealth Conference Recap with John An

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit with John An, Founder & CEO of TechTape, and dive into all things STR Wealth Conference!

This was year two for the hard-hitting conference that takes place in Nashville.

Kudos to all involved for getting over 1000 people to attend while other shows in our industry are struggling with attendee-to-vendor ratios and attendees in general.

This show was WAY different than any others that we have attended with HIGH ENERGY and a focus on hosts. We talk about what it does right and where it misses.

Other vacation rental conferences and organizations can learn a lot from what STR Wealth is doing.

We're big fans of John and get to know his and TechTapes' story a little better in this episode. What impresses us about John is how he has immersed himself (the right way) in things that make a real difference from day one and this is why he has found success as a short-term rental thought leader.

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Furnished Real Estate and The Logistics Behind It with Andria Santos

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400

How does one go from a ship broker with a degree in maritime law to CEO and Founder of Fülhaus Inc? That's one of the many questions we dive into with the fantastic Andria Santos in this episode.

Fülhaus, pronounced like the 80s and 90s sitcom with Danny Tanner, Uncle Joey, and Uncle Jessee, started out like most in this industry...kind of by accident. A declined job offer that turned into a design and furnishing opportunity led to her starring role.

There's so much to unpack with Andria and a ton of excitement around a new product that has the potential to really change the way look at and attack furnished real estate.

Andria and her team have the logistics under control and you'll want to listen up to get the full scoop.

A wonderful interview!

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The Importance of Optimizing Around the Right Thing with Arthur Colker

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

We finally got Arthur Colker CEO and Founder of StayFi on our show!

A great conversation touching on his entrance into #hospitality and more importantly the evolution to bring actionable value to #propertymanagement companies.

What started as a consulting/marketing gig for Heirloom turned into a product a vision to capture the email addresses of all individuals who tap into the wifi in specific #shorttermrentals.

Email is the best way to help drive direct books through retargeting email marketing campaigns and StayFi gives managers a leg up on the competition.

We also dive into brand focus, recession-proofing your business, the importance of charging for your #marketing costs, and how #data wins all.

We really love this episode and it's exciting to see how StayFi has transitioned from a cool tech option that captures emails to a full-blown marketing platform giving property managers the tools to crush!

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Reimagining Luxury Property Management with Dustin Abney

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:00:00 -0400

This week we chat up and deliver a great interview with Dustin Abney CEO of Portoro!

Dustin's resume is littered with companies like dotloop, Zillow, D. Alexander, and Avantstay before launching his 2nd startup Portoro.

We talk about what gave him the "Airbnb" bug, how to differentiate oneself, the days of sleeping on couches, and the lessons learned working at early startups through acquisitions and exiting.

Portoro started with the idea of getting behind BRAND and bringing hotel-quality luxury and amenities to all aspects of property management.

Portoro has put together a super team of industry experts and backed it with well-thought-out technology to deliver high-end experiences for both guests and homeowners across every touchpoint.

A great episode you don't want to miss!

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Big New Impactful Roles with John & Mateo

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0400

A quick listen this week where we dive into our new roles.

John Stokinger is the new Director of Sales at Direct, an award-winning property management software and Mateo Bradford is the Head of Fund Development for Guestor a platform designed that allows anyone to easily invest in vacation rentals.

In this episode, we talk about the reasons behind our moves, their impact on the vacation rental industry, and why our love for short-term rentals makes us perfect for the tasks at hand.

https://www.directsoftware.com/

https://www.guestor.com/

https://www.derailedpodcast.com/

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Accountability Wins In Business Travel with Robertin Nunez

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0400

We had a great time catching up with the one and only Robertin Nunez, Co-Founder at CoHost Expert and LivingQuarters.net.

If you get the opportunity to grab some time with Robertin at a show or during his travels, you really should prioritize it.

There are short-term rentals, vacation rentals, corporate housing, and business travel, and most people we know lean one way or another. Robertin proudly straddles the fence and has found a way to meet the needs of all still with a focus on B2B travel.

How do you win with B2B? Trust and Accountability. - Recurring theme here lately on our show!

In the game of hospitality and accommodations, there are Hotels and then there is everyone else. Are we team Alternative Accommodations?

A really great episode!

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Home Owners, Employees, and Guests - In That Order with Matt Durrette

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:08:00 -0400

Today we talk with our good friend Matt Durrette the CEO of Cozi Real Estate Group. Like most, Matt stumbled into vacation rentals in a unique way too.

It's a great story that starts with a trip with friends. They decided to rent a camping spot from Airbnb for South by Southwest. This trip made him realize how much the property owner was bringing in on the platform by making his property available for others to enjoy. There's more to this story that will give you a good laugh s well.

From Baltimore to Texas Hill Country, Cozi Real Estate Group is making a name for itself and it all started to really click by focusing on focus on Top Down Operations.

Matt prides himself on Cozi's company culture and has found success with by focusing on Homeowners, Employees, and Guests, in that order.

You don't want to miss this episode!

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Enhancing Stays with Upsells with Annie Munro Sloan

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Today we are joined on the podcast by visionary and dreamer Annie Munro Sloan, Co-Founder & CEO of The Host Co.

Annnie's trip to hospitality and short-term rentals came via many interesting career stops which she says are all actually tied with roots in hospitality.

Companies that she has her fingerprints on include, Discovery Inc for HGTV, Twitter, Facebook (Meta), and Lucasfilm to name a few... we geeked out over the latter!

Annie and her partner saw a need to develop a way for hospitality brands to sell items to guests while putting a Point of Sale in their hands. Enter The Host Co. It’s the “easy button” for upsells.

There is so much to her story and the sky is the limit with the offerings. During the interview, we actually came up with a few good ideas that we think could be game-changers!

Really cool person, and an awesome product offering!

Make sure to check out this episode!

THE HOST CO

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Sustainability - One Of Many Super Powers with Vanessa De Souza Lage

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0400

A big important episode this week as the amazing Vanessa De Souza Lage Founder and CEO of Sustonica join us.

Vanessa talks about how she went from corporate marketing to emerging into the tech side of the vacation rental industry. Vanessa and her team were early pioneers in providing distribution tech options for short-term rentals.

From there, we transition into gender rights, standing up for those who experience domestic violence, and the importance of sustainable vacation rentals.

This episode tackles topics of importance from different spectrums that Vanessa has had a huge personal and significant impact on.

Sustonica, her newest venture, is the 1st sustainability certification specifically for vacation rentals. Participating with this accreditation platform proves to travelers, owners, employees, and investors, that you’re committed to environmental sustainability.

This is a must-listen-to episode!

Is my vacation rental green? Take the test! - https://form.jotform.com/223455114636352

Domestic Violence Resource page - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_xCBNpXAoLFtLecZ5RCD2yMQGv-DXZXlkbvIGvsV-eM/edit?usp=sharing

Sustonica - https://sustonica.com

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Leveraging Cultural Differences with Tim Koninckx

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit down with Tim Koninckx, International Sales Manager at Doinn.

This Belgian-born startup helper got his first exposure to short-term rentals pre "Airbnb" during the couch surfing movement. This sparked his interest and career moves in servicing hospitality.

A recurring issue he encountered was finding good reliable housekeeping so joining a start-up that helps hosts and property managers contract housekeepers to help turn over their properties quickly and efficiently was a no-brainer.

Tim is based overseas with extensive experience working for companies here in the states. We discuss the differences between the two markets (US and Europe) as well as their similarities in terms of management style, tech stack, and much more.

Listen to the end to catch Tim's unpopular opinion of which US-based fast-food company has the best "french" fries in his opinion.

A cool episode with an all-around great guy!

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Leading with Trust with Chris Maughan

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0400

We've been wanting to get today's guest on for over a year now and finally, the stars align, and Chris Maughan CEO & Founder of I-PRAC joins us on the pod.

As a young lad, Chris got his start in health spa management. A trip to Canes to explore the possibility of expanding that business for the company he worked for exposed him to entrepreneurial excitement and endless possibilities. As the business trip came to an end, Chis didn't want to move back up north and at just 25 years he went all in on figuring out this short-term rental game.

His short-term rental property management company made some bold moves early on to gain traction and these early efforts paid off. The mantra of if you can't get in the front door, go around back resonates with Chis.

His learnings from property and event management with some of the biggest companies in the world (MTV, Google, Disney...) exposed that business is won by trust and reputation and not necessarily product. This is where I-PRAC comes in.

Keeping clients through service has never been more important in the vacation rental industry and certifying your inventory through his I-PRAC removes uncertainty.

I-PRAC is now in 28 different countries and is the industry's only trust accreditation. A lot of amazing brand nuggets here to digest in this episode.

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A Life That I Dream Of with William Parry

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 12:51:00 -0400

Today we sit with William Parry, CEO and Co-Founder of ALTIDO. Will and his business partners have been making their presence known throughout the vacation rental (holiday let) industry.

With a total of 50 units year one to 2500 properties (13,000+ beds) today is no small feat that this team accomplished. ALTIDO is an acronym for "A Life I Dream Of" that just happens to be in our opinion, one of the most powerful brand names in hospitality.

This short-term rental company is continuously growing and expanding worldwide through thoughtful M&A . Their guided partnership approach is unlike most and we're excited to see the splash they make this year.

We talk a ton about Brand and vision in this episode... one you don't want to miss!

Our podcast Is doing a survey to get to know our listeners more! Use this link to fill out the survey!

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2022 Year In Review

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

2022 has been an amazing year for the no BS short-term rental podcast, and John & Mateo have a ton to be thankful for!

This episode recalls some of their favorites in this record-breaking year!

51 episodes totaling 15k plus downloads! That's a lot of content!

We wouldn't be here without you, our listeners, and our amazing guests sharing their stories on the pod!

Our top 5 episodes with regard to downloads are listed and we both share our favorite episodes of 2022... we love them all, but the ones we list take top honors this year.

Who made the cut? ... you'll have to listen to find out.

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Luck, Timing, and Metal! with Marcus Räder

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Today we ROCK out with the one and only Marcus Räder, Founder and CEO of Hostaway.

Growing up in Finland with his single mom, Marcus embarked on his entrepreneurial journey early at age 11 selling a week's worth of candy in advance to fellow students at high-interest rates. Note: the school administration did not condone such behavior.

Lessons learned from astute observation and a willingness/ability to talk to anyone laid the groundwork for Marcus's future endeavors.

Marcus talks about his entrepreneurial wins and losses and his drive and focus leading up to the creation of his short-term rental property management software, Hostaway. When you have to sell a product you can't just sell it to a couple of people, you need to be able to sell it to everyone and that's something he learned over time.

He talks of luck and timing as the secrets to success (his father disagreed stating that he has been planting seeds his whole life) and we break down what that means exactly.

You don't want to miss this episode!

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100% Invested In Gold Standards with Rebecca Lombardo and Travis Wilburn

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit down with Rebecca Lombardo and Travis Wilburn, Co-Founders at Blue Cedar Partners.

We all know how COVID impacted our industry and forever changed the way property managers manage their short-term rentals. The last couple of years had Travis thinking about how to bring BRAND into the picture giving the community a way to compete with the giant players in vacation rentals.

Rebecca and Travis's introduction to one another is unlike any other story we've ever heard in that Dave Matthews was a factor, if not the main reason they decided to join forces.

Their alignment manifested The 100 Collection giving independent property managers that meet Gold Standards a way to shine and differentiate themselves.

Branding, marketing, and trust all come into factor making The 100 Collection a refreshing and unique endeavor.

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Estates, Castles, & History, Oh My! with Michael Goldin

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit with Michael Goldin, our good friend and Managing Director at Storied Collection and our first repeat guest!

Researching ancestral lineage is the 2nd most common hobby in the world and Michael is bringing history to hospitality.

Storied Collection is a collection of 45 properties with about 2,200 rooms available for rent. Castles, Estates, Manor Homes, and Historic properties are just the tip of the iceberg.

Events, experiences, and new and exciting partnerships are on the horizon making it possible for lineage sleuths to dive deeper into their family history than ever before.

We're huge fans of what Michael and Storied are doing and can't wait to see what is next! Amazing Episode!

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WTF is Machine Learning?! with Evan Dolgow

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0400

For real, what is it...really? If you've had the privilege of viewing or listening to one of Evan Dolgow's presentations, you've been both highly entertained and informed on the topic. Today dive a bit deeper with the Head of Predictive Hospitality at AIDAPTIVE.

Like pretty much everyone we interview on our podcast, Evan eventually made his way into the vacation rental industry via a unique path. Starting out as a medic he transitioned to real estate, and added a sprinkle of drone photography with a side of a Master's in Real Estate Sustainability.... oh yeah, let's not forget warehousing.

With the world around us constantly changing it's very important to stay up to date in our businesses. We discuss what exactly machine learning is and how you can leverage it to acquire more bookings.

In an industry that is hesitant to change it's important to understand the analytics behind your business and how to capitalize on the retention game. Personalized recommendations are where it's at we break down why using AI (artificial intelligence) is so important in our and all industries.

We end the pod on a personal note that is near and dear to Evan's heart by talking up the importance of donating bone marrow and how he plans to help those diagnosed with Cancer.

We love this episode!

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Better Together from Blue Star to Rented with Ryan Bailey

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 13:40:28 -0400

Big news on our 80th episode as we're joined by TravelNet Solutions CEO & Co-founder, Ryan Bailey!

The TravelNet suite includes Track Hospitality Software (Track PMS and TRACK Pulse), Atlas Digital Commerce, Resorts & Lodges, and new to the mix, Rented.

This acquisition brings a world-class revenue management partner under its hood led by CEO Andrew McConnell. Rented’s Automated Rate Tool (Art) is a powerful and flexible pricing tool that will enhance Track’s functionality while giving their customers control and insights related to pricing.

We've been wanting to get Ryan on for quite a while and finally are able to share his 22-year "overnight success" story.

Twists and turns, failures and triumphs, Ryan has led his "Navy" through treacherous waters surrounded by a loyal and capable crew.

This founder's story from a driven college kid to Blue Star Innovation Partners acquiring a majority stake in the company this past summer to today's acquisition announcement of Rented is not to be missed.

As to what is next for TravelNet Solutions and Ryan Bailey, his reply "I'm not done yet!"

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Winning Big With Southern Hospitality with Ginger and Hunter Harrelson

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0400

On today's episode we sit down with Ginger and Hunter Harrelson, the owners of Beachball Properties on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

A surprising revelation with this interview is that we are treated to a #CuteMeet story and it defiantly sets the stage.

Much like many other success stories in Vacation Rentals, the Harrelson's had to go all in on their business when their safety nets began to collapse. They sold everything in order to focus on their newly acquired 20 property management company and took a long hard look on how to differentiate themselves from the "old guard" that had been setting the pace locally.

By deep diving into social media, outside the box marketing, and a new focus on brand, Hunter and Ginger were able to hit 100 properties in just under 3 years. Now with around 200 properties they have their sights on 500 by 2025.

There's a lot you can learn from their journey and eyes are on Beachball as they were just named VRMA Vacation Rental Management Company of the year!

Their secret? They put hospitality in Southern Hospitality. You don't want to miss this episode!

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For All You Murder Show Junkies with Derailed Co-Founders

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0400

This is the one... the episode where we talk about our much-anticipated side project, DERAILED a fictional mystery podcast!

So how do you go about making a fictional podcast geared toward the true crime/murder mystery genre while bringing attention to the vacation rental industry? Carefully and methodically.

An idea is only as good as the people behind it and we have the absolute best!

This is a no BS production where we co-founded this project with the one and only Neely Khan who is taking the helm with the writing and direction. We also have the very talented Michael Chemaly heading up audio production.

Just when you think you’ve figured the story out, DERAILED will throw you off track and draw you in even deeper, into its twisty turny world. With complex characters, massive cliffhangers, and themes that are relative to real life, our creative team has created a story that will take the vacation rental industry by storm.

Creativity

From epic stereophonic sound production, to unapologetic voice acting, and the bravest kind of storytelling - we’ve pushed creative boundaries with DERAILED, to give you a listening experience like no other.

Inclusivity

Our story hits home on core themes. Although entirely fictional, we “represent the underrepresented”; and ensure that adult listeners (from the vacation rental industry or otherwise) have a plot they can all relate to.

Ingenuity

DERAILED is the first podcast of its kind - and a revelation for the vacation rental industry. Our founders are known for their originality - and they’ve followed this through by continuously reinventing the rules.

The first episode drops this winter!

Our friends who make this all possible: Casiola, Arrived, Lynx, Xplorie, Mount, Seaside Vacations & Sales, Boostly, Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals, Hopper, Dack, Hospitality.FM, Amplified Audio

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Going Full Ninja Mode with Margot Lee Schmorak

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we are live from VRMA in Las Vegas with Margot Lee Schmorak, the CEO and Co-founder of Hostfully.

Margot was looking for her next role when broke into the industry in 2015. She met her Co-founder David Jacoby at their children's preschool and went to work on entrepreneurial ideas in vacation rentals.

As a leader, she prides herself on having an open and transparent culture at the company. Always be open to new ideas, ask for feedback, and see how everyone's feeling daily.

The last few years have been very heavy on us all and Margot discusses why she believes it's so important to take time to manage your own mental health. This is something she is an advocate for not only at home but at her company as well. She discusses what it's like to go full ninja mode and have that work-life balance.

Listen to the end to hear about Hostfully's new product launch and future plans.

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Bespoke Pro Sports Travel with James Ellwood

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:35:00 -0400

Today we sit down with James Ellwood, co-founder of US Sports Travel.

It's no secret that people all around the world tune into US Major League Sports. What may surprise you is that there are fans of the NFL, NBA, MLB, and PGA living in the UK that take their fandom to the next level... this is where James comes in.

Sporting events and the short-term rental industry are similar in that they bring people together to create memories and experiences that'll last a lifetime.

James curates a US sporting experience like no other. He leaves no stone unturned with itineraries that dive into tailgates, local bars, courtside seating, and special pregame/postgame on-the-field/court activities to ensure his guests live the culture that is American Sports.

The possibilities are endless with bespoke sports travel opportunities with all the different cities and franchises to choose from. The future is bright for James and his team!

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Human Beings Not VAs with Ari Eryorulmaz and Rich Sippos

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

75th Episode! Ari Eryorulmaz and Rich Sippos join us from Extenteam.

We all know over the last two years we've seen a drastic change in the workforce across every industry as more and more companies turn to remote and freelance work.

Extenteam has been at the forefront of that changing the way we hire potential remote positions within our industry. They're taking on the HR role that no one else wants or has the bandwidth to own, and are now helping over 95 US-based Vacation Rental Operators hire.

The term "Virtual Assistant" is very common in our industry but there is nothing virtual about those individuals. They are human beings just like the rest of us and Extenteam is helping to bring the same benefits workers here in the States have, overseas.

By taking care of their overseas employees in a way that most companies do not, Extenteam hopes to maintain a low churn rate and keep the top-tier talent the operators need.

They are changing the hiring space within our industry and have much more to come!

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Making Rentable Amenities Accessible with Madison Rifkin

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 13:20:00 -0400

We sit with Madison Rifkin, founder, and CEO of Mount. Madi's introduction to the industry was a bit different from most, as she started out as Mount Locks, a bike lock company before realizing there was a huge opportunity in Vacation Rentals by making amenities accessible to guests.

Her story is equally amazing and empowering. As the oldest triplet in a family with entrepreneurship in their blood, Madi was born to be a leader and driving force in whatever she wanted to do, and her journey to today is fascinating!

Mount has been making moves in the conference space showcasing why they are here to stay in the industry. We tackle everything from liability insurance for amenities, to keeping the industry fresh with new tech solutions, as well as where she plans to take Mount in the future.

Mount plans the change the behavioral culture of travel by making it so guests bring less on vacation renting. You don't want to miss this episode!

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Bringing The Right People Together with Carlos Perez-Lanzac De Lorca

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We sit with Carlos Perez-Lanzac De Lorca, the Founder of Vitur Summit & CEO and Founder of Caleta Homes.

This is a super insightful conversation that dives into the pandemic's impact both overseas and in the states. The changes that have come from this have brought much attention to the short-term rental market and changed the way we manage our inventory.

Carlos talks about the importance of technology, how creating smart apartments helps us to better understand our customer's experiences, and how that translates to management services.

The Vitur Summit brings together some of the smartest people from around the world to strategize. Carlos likes to implement "mandatory" conversations between people, companies, and tech that may not organically align but he has a hunch they should. It's some of these conversations where ideas are born that create real change.

We also talk about the importance of building out brand and who should capitalize on brand loyalty programs in our industry and if they can effectively work as the hotel industry does.

This write-up doesn't give this conversation its due diligence.

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The Science Behind Talent Acquisition with Steve Trover

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We are live from FAVR Xtravaganza with Steve Trover of Better Talent.

Steve came into the vacation rental industry in the late 90s after his mom started selling vacation homes in the Orlando area near Disney. Springboarding off of this drive he started his own company, All Star Vacations, which he scaled from to 400 properties.

Steve's 25+ years of experience includes board seats on 14 different committees. These years have seen so much change within the space making way for his subscription-based talent acquisition company that brings and maintains better talent to our industry.

We discuss the importance of behavioral profiling, recruitment, the impact of company culture, and the importance of making sure the right people find their place in our industry.

A super quick glimpse into the world of Steve Trover.

Special thanks to Wil Slickers who filled in for Mateo on this episode of the no BS podcast!

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Family Is Our Greatest Strength with Lauren Madewell

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit down with Lauren Madewell, Operations Manager (Daughter, Sister, All-Around Badass) at Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals.

Thirty years ago Lauren's Aunt bought a cabin in the Smokey Mountains, named it Afternoon Delight, and started renting cabins. Fast-forward 28 years and Lauren is now managing one of the oldest STR companies in arguably the hottest vacation rental destination in America.

Over the last few years, so much outside money has been flooding into Sevier County, bringing both pros and cons. Auntie Belham's, being one of the original vacation rental property management companies in that market, has managed to maintain its focus on being affordable for lower and middle-class families as well as preserving and teaching the history of the region.

Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals is family owned and operated. Their down-to-earth attitude with a focus on the guest experience is refreshing to all that visit. There's a lot to be said about being to make quick decisions without having to run it up the "investor flagpole".

Lauren talks about her experience working with her family and how outside-the-box innovation in our industry can attract more visitors.

You don't want to miss this episode!

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The Trashiest Idea You Wish You Thought Of with K. Alexander Shapiro

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit down with K. Alexander Shapiro, Co-Founder and CEO of CanMonkey.com.

From business consultant to a start-up that takes out the trash at your short-term rentals. Yes, you read that correctly. Alexander is solving one of the top complaints in our industry and is bringing you the solution.

Starting off with just a few homes during the pandemic, CanMonkey.com now services over 2000 properties across 7 states in 25 markets.

Working with the vacation rental industry has opened up a door into the gig economy as well as giving "can-runners" routes to make money running cans to curbs in a way similar to Uber Eats and GrubHub.

He prides himself in finding a solution to your problem and hates answering no. This company is going above and beyond to come up with solutions for your trash-related needs as well as breaking into the pool cleaning service too.

There are so many operational issues that property managers deal with every week and Alexander is trying to tackle as many of them as he can!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

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A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

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In It for the Right Reasons with Annette & Sarah

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

The Thanks For Visiting Podcast co-hosts Annette and Sarah, visited with us! ...thanks.

With so many different podcasts and real estate influencers in today's market, these two amazing women have paid their dues and are the voice of operations, safety, and best practices for the vacation rental industry. On top of that, while crushing the podcast game they also manage thirty-six short-term rentals collectively.

This episode tackles everything from the importance of staying consistent with goals and content to not falling into the trap of doing what everyone else is doing. It's about spending time getting to do what you GET to do, not HAVE to do!

The four of us talk about the importance of staying truthful to our audience when talking about our experiences as well as how our platforms have the power to change people's lives for the better.

Another episode you're not gonna want to miss!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

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Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to https://casago.com/nobs/ to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

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It's All In the Numbers with Jamie Lane

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit down with Jamie Lane, the Vice President of Research at AirDNA. Jamie originally started tracking data around short-term rentals for the hotel industry to keep track of "the competition" and how they compared to their brands. His interest in vacation rentals was sparked earlier with his CouchSurfing days and a family vacation home that he and 90 of his closest relatives have access to.

Early data grabs were quite rudimentary and over time the techniques and scraping of Airbnb data evolved to what it is today. Today's blueprint was built on years and years of calculated examination. He worked his way up the ladder to where at one point he had 9 Ph.D. economists working under him creating forecasts for commercial real estate.

We tackle if we're in or heading into a recession and break down the reasoning behind his answer. The dreaded "R" word.

Lastly, we dive into the importance of analyzing data in our industry and Jamie explains what sets AirDNA apart from the competition.

Great podcast!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to https://casago.com/nobs/ to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

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Live from DARM with Amy Hinote, Stephanie Koenig, Alex Alioto, and Ben Jamshahi

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We are LIVE from DARM!

Mateo and I sit with Alex Alioto, Head of Growth & Ben Jamshahi, CEO of Whimstay, Stephanie Koenig VP StoicLane, and the conference queen herself Amy Hinote!

In this order we get quick glimpses into the how and why Alex and Ben created the last-minute booking site Whimstay, what the refreshing and forward-thinking investment company StoicLane is bringing to our space, and immediate conference and industry wrap up the one and only Amy!

By immediate, we mean, literally snagged 5 minutes after the end of the final keynote!

All three interviews are quick and hard-hitting, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome! Thank you so much for putting on an amazing show! The 4th Annual Vacation Rental Data and Revenue Management Conference was the best to date and you’re gonna want to listen to the very end!

Certified Fresh!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to https://casago.com/nobs/ to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

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Fire Fighting with Data with Dana Lubner

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit with Dana Lubner, the Head of Leadership Development at Rent Responsibly. Dana's sales story is unique and she chats up her breaking into sales.

Moving forward in her timeline Dana finds herself in a passionless position where she eventually reached out to her little brother and joined his team which gained her access to the vacation rental industry.

Our space is up against it constantly battling regulations and rule changes. We talk about how individual property managers can help collaborate as an industry to tackle the pushback the short-term rental movement is receiving within communities.

Rent Responsibly is the organization at the forefront helping property managers navigate these battles and arming them with data to combat overreaching regulations. You don't want to miss this episode!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to https://casago.com/nobs/ to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Service as a Differentiator with Graham Donoghue

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we sit down with Graham Donoghue, the CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Graham had retired from a successful career creating and growing some of the most successful digital-led businesses across financial services and travel. A phone call while mowing his lawn pulled him out of retirement and back into the mix doing what he does best... scaling!

We discuss how he was able to help scale Sykes from 185 to 1700 employees and 5,500 to 23,000+ properties in just 6 years. Oh yeah, a decent amount of acquisitions happened in that time span as well... 24 different businesses to be exact.

It's essential for a company to have a narrative, story, and belief that everyone can rally behind.

We all know service is a component behind being successful in our industry. Still, Graham discusses how important it is to obsess over this aspect in order to separate your brand apart from everyone else. You don't want to miss this episode!

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to https://casago.com/nobs/ to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

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Regulatory 911 - From Nothing To Ridiculous part 2

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this special Regulatory 911 episode, we sit with 5 amazing guests representing Unincorporated Clatsup Couty Oregon, Atlanta Georga, Marco Island Florida, and Steamboat Springs Colorado to discuss the ongoing problems they are facing regarding short-term rentals in their municipalities.

Vacation Rental operators Brian Olsen, Marie Gwydir-Moore, Rich Munroe, Mark Morze, and recently exited operator Sarah Bradford bring a wealth of knowledge to this conversation.

Rules are changing by whims and the hard hand of government and our guests talk about what it's like on the front lines.

Data is the name of the game and how we interact with our elected officials (the dance) plays a huge role in our success.

If you have the means to help reach out (links on our website) as they're trying to help pave the path for the industry to flourish. From proposals that are being voted on to how you can help bring change to your area... it all get's discussed

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to casago.com/nobs to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
Information on how to partner with Casago to scale your company
Free $100 Amazon gift card for attending our 1-hour discovery call

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regulatory 911 - From Nothing To Ridiculous part 1

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Vacation Rental operators Brian Olsen, Marie Gwydir-Moore, Rich Munroe, Mark Morze, and recently exited operator Sarah Bradford bring a wealth of knowledge to this conversation.

Rules are changing by whims and the hard hand of government and our guests talk about what it's like on the front lines.

Data is the name of the game and how we interact with our elected officials (the dance) plays a huge role in our success.

part 2 drops tomorrow.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Beyond and Casago!

Beyond Special Offer: https://go.beyondpricing.com/no-bs

Free Portfolio Assessment
$30 credit when you sign up

Casago Special Offer: Go to casago.com/nobs to book your discovery call!

A review of your business' operating expenses to identify where you can save money
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Diagnosing Operational Issues with Koryn Okey

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit with Koryn Okey, VP of Client Experience at Breezeway.

Koryn talks about her unique entrance into the industry where her friend passed over a job opportunity, told Koryn she should look into it, and she became the 8th employee hired at FlipKey. After six plus years and a brief hiatus from vacation rentals, a serendipitous trip to Wild Horse Pass marks her first official day as the first hired employee at Breezeway where she's been an integral part of their growth ever since.

We discuss the important issues/decisions that all property managers come across in this space. Koryn talks about the importance of putting yourself in the users' shoes in order to solve the problems that short-term rental operators face.

By taking their customer/users' feedback to heart, Breezeway has created multiple products to help the customers' operational experience... think of Breezway as a specialist in the world of property management operations, not a general practitioner

Super fun episode with one of the nicest and most knowledgable people you meet in our industry!

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Technology Driven Hospitality with John Banczak

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Starting our 3rd season out strong with John Banczak, Chief Strategy Officer at Vacasa with what we think is the first podcast anyone has done since their IPO!

Airlines, Distribution, Bed & Breakfasts, HomeAway Software, Hotels, Investment, and Property Management... what do all of these have in common? The answer is JB.

In April 2021 Vacasa acquired John's company TurnKey Vacation Rentals, which was operating in more than 80 destinations across the U.S.

Vacasa started with just 8 doors and has now grown to over 37,000 worldwide, with John who was recently promoted to Chief Stagey Officer helping to lead the charge!

Some of the many questions we dive into in this episode:

What about the Vacasa brand does the industry get wrong or misunderstand?
Vacasa's acquisition game is strong and you're snagging up some pretty amazing established brands in key markets... why are so many property managers entertaining and following through with getting acquired by Vacasa?
Would you be willing to address Steve Milo calling Vacasa (and Sonder) out in social media articles?

You don't want to miss this episode!

A special thanks to John for coming onto our show and giving us access to an amazing conversation!

...and if you didn't know, "the no BS podcast is one of the five regular podcasts I listen to" - John Banczak

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Common Sense Is Not Common Practice with Antonio Bortolotti

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, John and Mateo sit down with Antonio Bortolotti, the founder of Vacation Rental Secrets and host of the Vacation Rental World Summit.

Antonio's start in the industry is unlike any other we have spoken to. A commercial airline pilot for almost 4 years up until the tragic event of 9/11 where he then developed a fear of flying. Looking for an exit and where to go next he began purchasing short-term rentals.

In 3 years, he purchased and brought three dilapidated properties to profit. Antonio was self-taught in every aspect of vacation rentals and began building websites, consulting, and speaking at HomeAway events where he would share his insights with property managers.

Antonio has always found joy in helping others and providing value wherever he can so he created his own industry event. The first summit was virtual where he attracted 15,000 attendees in just 3 days spanning 49 countries. Ever since then he's been sharing his secrets about the industry with property managers all over the world.

Such a positive man and an interview you do not want to miss!

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When You Are Everywhere You Are Nowhere with Dru Brown

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit down with Dru Brown, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Island Time.

Like many of us in the space, Dru's way into the vacation rental industry was unique. Listen to get the full story, but he chose beach bum over law school and worked his way up with the help of great mentorship on Hilton Head Island.

Since starting Island Time he and his team have grown their business from just 6 properties in 2019 to now over 120.

He discusses the importance of creating a culture within your business as well as how to go above and beyond to make yourself stand out. With this, Dru talks about being willing to bet on himself and we chat up how much courage that takes to be an entrepreneur in this space.

Dru is also on the board for VRMA and we dive into the importance of the association now and in the future.

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To Infinity with Beyond with Julie Brinkman

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0400

John and Mateo finally get to connect with Julie Brinkman, CEO at Beyond.

Before diving into Julie's story we chat up recent news around the two big public players, their troubles as of late, and how they can right their ships.

Julie's story is fascinating and her career journey leading up to her becoming the CEO at Beyond is worth a listen.

She joined an already stellar team that raised a ton of money to do big things, and she's just the person to lead this charge!

Beyond is a Revenue Management Platform for short-term rental owners and managers to get, grow, and keep revenue. They are a pioneer in the vacation rental dynamic pricing space and we're stoked to have to opportunity to talk shop with their super-talented leader!

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Cashflow Based Financing for STRs is Here with featured guest Brittany Mosely and Derrick Barker

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

John and Mateo sit down with Brittany Mosely and Derrick Barker, Co-Founders of Nectar.

There are companies in the vacation rental tech space trying to break ground and provide help for short-term rental real estate entrepreneurs, and then there's Nectar taking it a step further!

Nectar is offering a different, outside the box, solution by being the first platform to offer cashflow based financing (actual accessible money) to assist property managers looking to scale.

This husband and wife "tag-team" duo discusses with us how their platform uses innovation to solve the financial challenges real estate entrepreneurs face. Data and technology help their clients keep their upside and within reach.

We absolutely love their origin stories and what these Harvard University and Techstars Atlanta grads bring to this space!

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Bridging the VR Industry Tech Stack with featured guests Brady Stump & Dawn Yeskulsky

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We are LIVE from the VRMA Executive Summit where we sit down with Brady Stump and Dawn Yeskulsky Senior Leadership with Inhabit IQ!

Everyone in the industry a few years ago remembers the uproar when GSV touched down and they probably have their own theory on why Greater Sum Ventures aggressively marched into "our" space and started acquiring companies and ultimately creating what is now known as Inhabit.

For those not in the know, Inhabit made serious waves by acquiring 11 companies in just 13 months.

We're pleasantly surprised with their direction and dive into how they're creating an ecosystem where property management companies can go to get a full unbiased consultation to point them in a direction for success.

An amazing conversation with two of the best that also touches on their advocacy efforts and where they see Inhabit IQ going in the future.

You don't want the first official podcast interview out of The VRMA Executive Summit in Palm Beach Florida.

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Shows, Plans, and Recognition

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 26 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On this week's episode, Mateo and John go through the list of winners of the 3rd Annual ‘Shortyz’ Short Term Rental Awards and chat up their achievements from this past year.

Also discussed, are the recently completed and upcoming short-term rental and vacation rental conferences and the importance of being in attendance at them if you can.

The connections made and networking at these events can last a lifetime and that's what good business is all about, connecting with real genuine people.

A quick listen and an episode you do not want to miss!

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Riding the Dynamic Pricing Wave with featured guest Anurag Verma

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 19 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this week's episode, we sit down with Anurag Verma, Co-Founder at PriceLabs. Anurag talks about how PriceLabs came to fruition in a Chicago market he and his co-founders knew well and eventually expanding worldwide.

Pricing is a struggle for most and Anurag breaks down key points PriceLabs focused on winning so property managers have tools for success in this super-competitive market.

Their revenue management software has a ton in store on the horizon and Anurag gives us a glimpse into where he plans to take dynamic pricing

Great episode with a great friend... more origin story to come in a future episode!

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Rockin’ the STR Real Estate Game with featured guest Avery Carl

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 12 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today we sit down with Avery Carl, CEO and Founder of The Short Term Shop.

Her journey from stumbling into short-term rental investment a little over 5 years ago to now just under 200 properties in 11 different markets in 7 states is impressive, to say the least.

We talk about the importance of understanding markets and knowing where the best place and time to buy. Avery emphasizes why she believes it's important to focus on mature vacation rental markets versus investing in metro markets.

Everyone has questions about what to expect when investing in STR real estate. With Avery's help, we try to uncover strategies while putting a focus on the effect on regional culture in addition to the overall investment landscape.

Her success in real estate has also led her down the path of podcast host where she's bringing it weekly on her show The Short Term Show.

This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at Vintory!

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Entrepreneurship Will Set You Free with featured guest Andrew Kitchell

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 05 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

CEO & Founder of Wheelhouse, Andrew Kitchel sits down with us on today’s episode.

Andrew takes us from the early days working in the tech metropolis that is San Francisco to today where his team successfully raised $16 Million for Wheelhouse which they successfully spun out of Lyric via careful restructuring.

We talk about how entrepreneurship is a career path where you’ll struggle and fail but over time it’ll set you free and allow you to live the life you want. Andrew preaches the importance of looking at your failures as a learning tool rather than an outcome.

Everyone’s looking for the next all-in-one tech platform to bring them from point A to B, but we discuss why that might not be the way to go.

Andrew does not hesitate to give the Wheelhouse team the accolades they deserve and acknowledges that success comes from a good mix of drive, ambition, and the relationships you build along the way.

There's so much in this episode from a surprise houseguest to an insane bike ride... you don't want to miss this interview!

https://www.usewheelhouse.com/blog/why-wheelhouse-raised-16mm-%f0%9f%92%b0/

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Overcoming Pride Breeds Success with featured guest David Angotti

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

The one and only, David Angotti Co-Founder of StaySense, joins the pod this week!

From Private Jet Pilot (yes you read that correctly) to Vacation Rental Property Management, David and his team turned on the afterburners in the super-competitive Smoky Mountains market and were able to organically grow to 130 properties in a 24 month span.

This man has worn every hat there is to wear in the professionally managed short-term rental industry. He breaks down how receiving feedback from end-users breeds success and has the potential to change lives.

The industry is continuing to change and with all the ongoing regulations, David talks about the importance of coming together as an industry to tackle these day-to-day problems.

We converse on how StaySense is marketing properties, destinations, and websites in a way that creates excitement and a better future experience for the customer.

You don't want to miss this interview!

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Authorization, Advocacy, and AI with featured guest Salar Tanzif

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

This week we sit down with Salar Tanzif, the COO of Guest Ranger.

Technology has become such a driving force in our industry today and a much-needed tool for Property Managers looking to differentiate themselves from the pack.

Salar breaks down how Guest Ranger helps managers protect their assets and prevent fraud through the use of automation and AI. We talk about how important automation is within our industry and what Guest Ranger is doing to distinguish itself as an industry leader in the field.

Additionally, we do a very informal wrap-up of the Chicago VRMA Spring Forum conference where all three of us were in attendance with a focus on Advocacy and connecting in person.

With the recent events happening in the short-term rental space, this episode is a must listen to when it comes to protecting your assets, creating a positive guest experience, and positioning yourself as an industry leader in your community.

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Scaling Responsibly with featured guest Brandreth Canaley

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We are "live" from the VRMA Spring Forum conference in Chicago where we sit down in person with Brandreth Canaley, the COO of Sextant Stays, and recently on Forbes 30 under 30.

Starting from her beginnings we discuss stumbling into the short-term rental industry as well as digging into how they scaled from 60 units before COVID to 500+ now.

Brandy breaks down Sextant's model to aggressively scale all while staying profitable. In addition, we dig into the importance of having a blend of different properties types and locations to sustain revenue in case there's a drop in travel or other unforeseen circumstances.

We also talk about the feelings behind being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and nod to the amazing women leaders that have been leading the way in our space for as far back as we can see.

You don't want to miss this live interview!

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No Vacancy Recorded Previously Earlier with featured guest Glenn Haussman

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We sit down this week with Glenn Haussman, the host and creator of the No Vacancy Podcast.

From his beginnings to now we discuss his journey into podcasting and how he was able to be invited into people's lives through his podcast during a rough time in all of our lives.

We all know the short-term rental space is booming and on a surge and we discuss how hotels are staying behind on the tech front and how most are only half-heartedly tapping into a massive potential STR market share.

We love Glenn's enthusiasm and look forward to a future episode where we see if our two verticals make any positive progress on a unified hospitality front... spoiler, we're not optimistic

Hospitality is coming back and you don't want to miss this interview!

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Obsessed with Automations with featured guest Luca Zambello

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we sit down with Luca Zambello, the mastermind behind Jurny.

Always looking 3-10 years ahead has taken Luca from an L.A. club promoter to running a property management company almost by accident and onto today.

We dive into what sparked Luca's idea to create the technology behind Jurny and the importance that automation brings when running a business.

His obsession with getting better (system-wise) is contagious and Luca walks us through how he plans on changing the PMS space and where Jurny's place is in the future.

This interview fired us up!

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Data Focused for Happy Owners & Guests with featured guest Jennifer Mucha

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we sit down with the amazing Jennifer Mucha, Founder of Arrived.

We chat up Jennifer's story, the importance of tracking data, and how companies that are succeeding in this industry prioritize maintaining connections with their owners and employees.

John met Jennifer at his first-ever Vacation Rentals conference and there is an interesting story behind how they met. Shoutout to Streamline Software and the Streamline Summit!

Jennifer walks us through some ideas on how she manages from afar and how her research to scale/tech-focused approach ensures happy owners and happy guests.

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Coaching with a Playbook with featured guest Mark Simpson

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we sit down with our friend Mark Simpson, Boostly founder and the best-selling author of "The Book Direct Playbook."

We chat about how content creation, the importance of building a community, how Boostly came to be, and unlike most of us, how Mark was actually born into the short-term rental space.

Vacation rental and holiday lets are at an all-time high in popularity for vacationers and investors alike. Mark talks about the importance of designing websites that drive traffic and direct bookings.

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You Can Make Anything by Writing with featured guest Neely Khan

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

To quote Shakespeare himself, ‘wait with bated breath’ as this week’s podcast episode inspires two things we’ve never seen (nor heard!) before.

In fact, diving into the unknown is something that our guest Neely Khan has always been drawn to.

Be it quitting her last full time job as a single mother (with no money in the bank), to super-niching into an area in the short-term rental industry that’s practically untouched - Neely describes her life as a writer as somewhere between ‘insanity’ and ‘serenity’.

She joins us this week to talk about how she’s used her creative background in storytelling to set up Neely There, where she crafts stories to help STR brands increase guest loyalty and repeat business. We also chat about Neely’s rickety-rackety journey as a writer - a profession which she’s entirely devoted herself to, since she was a little girl.

This one’s for the underdogs, the artists, the creatives, and the self-proclaimed introverts who all deserve the spotlight for that epic ‘mic drop’ moment.

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Contributing to the Growth of the Industry with featured guest Paul Stevens

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we're joined by Paul Stevens, Editor for ShortTermRentalz and Co-Host of the Shortyz Awards.

Paul's journey into news, specifically hospitality and short-term rental reporting, is like most of us in this industry... a happy accident. At one time there was a choice between sports and accommodations and we're sure glad he chose the latter.

We talk about the impact of everything that's going on between Ukraine and Russia as well as the impact the Shortyz Awards has had on the industry and what it's meant to everyone.

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Sustaining Vacation Rentals through Advocacy with featured guest Scott Leggat

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0400

If you're a listener of this podcast, there's a high chance that you love the short-term rental industry as much as we do.

With many short-term rental regulations and legal changes happening in countless cities, it's important to advocate for this industry that we all care about.

In this episode, we are joined by Scott Leggat, former CEO of Local Social, Inc and the current Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy at Inhabit IQ.

We talk about his career journey in the short-term rental space, moving from revenue management to technology, and the need for advocacy due to the regulation changes that are shifting the landscape of the short-term rental industry.

For any and all of you with vacation rental inventory, we implore you to get involved and get involved early with your community.

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The Authentic HomeAway Story with featured guest Carl Shepherd

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0400

What - or who - comes to mind when you think back to the beginning of the short-term vacation rental industry? Among a handful of legends that pioneered short-term rentals, is Carl Shepherd.

Carl has been involved with many of the pivotal turning points in the industry as the co-founder of HomeAway Inc, Senior Non-Executive Director of HostelWorld Group, and contributing Board Member to multiple major companies.

In this week's episode, Carl joins us to have a fascinating conversation about his incredibly successful career in the short-term rental industry.

We talk about major acquisitions that he has been a part of, the importance of data, trends he predicts for the future of the industry, and so much more.

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Cute Bunny Disruption with featured guest Susan Ho

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Just a couple of weeks ago, Hopper shook up the OTA space by announcing their new vertical - Hopper Homes.

It's no secret that vacation rentals and short-term rental accommodations are here in a big way and Hopper Homes is on a mission to bring price transparency and flexibility to the space.

In today's podcast, we're so excited to be joined by the Head of Hopper Homes, Susan Ho.

Listen in to learn about Susan's unique journey into the short-term rental industry, Hopper's acquisition of her former company Journey, her astounding and unique experience raising VC funding, and what's to come for Hopper Homes.

What makes this episode even more amazing is the fact that our very own co-host John is also Senior Business Development Manager for Hopper Homes

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Tackling Everyone's Biggest Issue with featured guest Brooke Pfautz

Mateo Bradford & John Stokinger — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:00:00 -0400

It's a big week for the no BS short-term rental podcast!

For our first sponsored episode, we are excited to be joined by Brooke Pfautz, the founder and CEO of Vintory.

Vintory is the number one property acquisition platform, helping Vacation Rental Managers to grow their inventory through a data-focused software solution and incredible marketing.

Tune in to learn how Brooke built Vintory from the ground up and the massive success he and his team have had.

This is a great show with amazing insights and we're excited to announce Vintory as our first major sponsor - be sure to check out the special offer they are giving to all no BS listeners:

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