Branded & Booked

If I were starting over in short-term rentals today, I wouldn't rush into the first deal just to say I owned one — and I definitely wouldn't invest where everyone else is telling you to. In this episode, I'm walking you through our real journey: buying our first STR, building a six-figure co-hosting business, and realizing pretty quickly what wasn't the right long-term play for us. We talk about m...

2026 is not the year to play it safe — and it's definitely not the year to keep relying on Airbnb alone. In this episode of Branded and Booked, I break down what I see coming next for short-term rentals, boutique hotels, micro-resorts, and the investors behind them — and why branding, direct strategy, and personal visibility are no longer optional. From platform changes and rising fees to the grow...

2025 has been one of the biggest years of growth I've ever had — across three hospitality businesses, inside my personal life, and in the direction I'm heading for 2026. I'm breaking down what worked, what stretched me, and what I'm changing moving forward. I walk through each business — The Weber Co., Hosted by the Webers, and Cabins on the Cumberland — and share the real numbers, the mindset shi...

In this bite-sized solo episode, I'm breaking down the insane results we've helped our client, Tremont Lodge , achieve since partnering in spring 2025. From stock photos and low engagement to over $40,000 in tracked direct bookings , you'll hear exactly how an integrated marketing strategy — blending social media, email, influencer collaborations, and automation — completely transformed their resu...

Three years ago, it was enough for your Airbnb to have cute décor and a decent location. Today? The game has changed. In this episode, Steph sits down with Jordan, co-founder of Somerled Designs, to talk about what it really takes to compete in the 2025 short-term rental market. You'll learn how Somerled has scaled from a college-friend side hustle to 50+ design projects per month, why they pair m...

You don't have to stay stuck on the OTA hamster wheel. 👏 In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on real short-term rental owners who decided enough was enough—and took control of their marketing. You'll hear from five amazing hosts who implemented the exact strategies I teach inside STR Marketing Bootcamp and saw direct booking results they didn't think were possible: ✨ Kathleen in the Po...

Don't forget — STR Marketing Simplified kicks off today (Sept 23–25)! It's a free 3-day workshop where I'll walk you through how to rely less on OTAs and build a marketing system that works. Save your seat here (or catch the replays if you can't make it live). 👉  Save your seat here! Are direct bookings just a trend… or the future of your short-term rental business? In this episode of Branded and...

If you've ever wondered how to make social media actually work for your short-term rental, boutique hotel, or micro resort—this episode is for you. I'm breaking down my 3 C's of Marketing on Social Media Strategy that I've been teaching since 2020. These tried-and-true pillars have helped businesses across industries grow their brands, book more clients, and build genuine connections. In this epis...

Are you running yourself ragged trying to market your short-term rentals… and still not seeing results? You're not alone. In today's episode of Branded and Booked , I'm digging into the top two mistakes I see STR hosts make with their marketing—mistakes that cost you time, money, and bookings. Here's what we cover: Why splitting your attention across multiple property accounts and brands is actual...

Airbnb just announced another major policy change — and hosts on Facebook are losing it. But here's the truth: panicking won't protect your business. Strategy will. In this episode, I'm breaking down: ➡️ What the new Airbnb host fee structure actually means ➡️ The simple pricing adjustment we're making right now to protect revenue ➡️ Why direct bookings must be part of your growth plan (and the ex...

Are you leaving thousands of dollars in bookings on the table because your website has no opt-in? In this episode of Branded and Booked , I walk you through the exact funnel we set up for Cabins on the Cumberland that grew our email list to over 1,100 potential guests —people who have never stayed with us but are now primed to book. You'll learn: Why simply having a direct booking site isn't enoug...

A question I was asked recently stopped me in my tracks: "Steph, where does your willpower come from?" It made me reflect on my story—and here's what I realized: you don't need everything perfectly lined up to create the life and business you want. I didn't have financial support for college. I didn't have a mic for 200+ podcast episodes. I didn't have a clear, linear path into entrepreneurship. B...

If you run a boutique hotel, micro resort, short-term rental, or property management company, your Instagram can lead to bookings — but only if you're using it strategically. In this episode, I'm sharing why most hospitality brands miss the mark and exactly how to change that. We'll cover: The one account setup mistake that instantly splits your audience (and how to fix it) Why your "pretty pictur...

If you've ever wondered what co-hosting really looks like — the wins, the hard lessons, and everything in between — this is the episode for you. I'm pulling back the curtain on how we've grown our boutique co-hosting business, the boundaries we've had to draw, and the challenges that have shaped the way we operate today. Here's what I cover in this episode: The difference between co-hosting and tr...

Let's be honest—building a co-hosting business sounds easier than it is. You think: I've got systems, I've got listings…now where are the bookings? Or worse—you get the bookings and then spend your nights cleaning up after guests who clearly missed the "no parties" line in your house rules. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Punith Upadhya, who went from managing two properties to twelve in...

In this special solo episode, I get personal and share a raw behind-the-scenes look at where my heart, head, and business are at right now. From influencer beginnings in 2016 to a (game-changing!) pivot into coaching and consulting in 2020, and then again into the world of short-term rentals—this episode takes you through the honest evolution of what it means to build a business and a life that's...

If you're still doing everything yourself in your short-term rental business, this episode is the sign you need to stop. I sat down with Marisa Grover—a systems + operations expert for STR owners—and we're diving deep into the exact ways you can streamline, delegate, and actually get your time back. Whether you're overwhelmed with guest communication, hiring cleaners, or just tired of being in you...

In this episode of Branded and Booked, I'm pulling back the curtain on our biggest project to date—Cabins on the Cumberland. I've been getting two questions over and over again: 1️⃣ "What would you do differently?" 2️⃣ "Would you ever do this again?" Spoiler alert: Yes, I would. But there are definitely things I'd change next time. I'm walking you through: The origin story of how this nine-acre ri...

Why Influencer Marketing Still Works—But Only If You Do It Right Influencer marketing isn't dead—it's just misunderstood. In this episode, you'll get the 411 on what's working (and what's not) when it comes to influencer strategy for boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands. You'll also hear behind-the-scenes stories from recent campaigns (including one that turned a $0 stay int...

This week on Branded and Booked , I'm sharing how Cabins on the Cumberland (our micro-resort) brought in 50% direct bookings in May—and the exact strategy behind it. Even while the property is still under construction, we created a marketing plan powered by storytelling, strategy, and a whole lot of intention. In this episode, you'll learn: Why content is just one part of a bigger marketing pictur...

Airbnb's latest updates aren't just platform tweaks—they're a strategic move to keep hosts (and their guests) locked into Airbnb. From limiting outside links in communication to discouraging direct bookings, these changes could seriously impact how you grow YOUR business, build guest relationships, and maintain control over your brand. In this episode, I'm breaking down what the changes mean, why...

In today's episode of Branded & Booked, I'm handing the mic to three incredible short-term rental business owners who went through my last round of STR Marketing Bootcamp—April, Cathleen, and Jess. Each of them has a different business model, different challenges, and different results, and you'll hear firsthand how this 12-week live coaching program helped them build a powerful brand and marketin...

Be honest: Have you ever said "Oh, I own an Airbnb," when asked what you do? Now imagine the difference between that and saying something like "I run a short-term destination for young couples." . The difference? Branding. In this episode, we dive into what makes an Airbnb (or any business) go from just another option to a must-experience destination. Because let's be real—every industry is satura...

Some short-term rentals offer a place to stay, but some create an unforgettable experience… The Asheville Affair offers a trip guests will never forget. In this episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of how we designed, branded, and launched a short-term rental built for bachelor and bachelorette groups—and how you can apply these strategies to make your own rental stand out. You'll learn: ✔️...

Are you relying on your amenities to book your short-term rental?  Saying "We have a hot tub" or "We have a sauna" is fine—but it won't set you apart in a crowded market. (Trust me, there's a better way!) In this episode, we're talking about how to move beyond a basic amenities list and: ✔️ Create a branded guest experience that makes your rental unforgettable ✔️ Sell the story of your stay so gue...