The STR Growth Show

AI search is changing how guests find places to stay and most STR operators aren't ready for it. We sit down with Jason Cincotta, CEO of Kismet, to break down how tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews are reshaping guest discovery. Jason brings a hotel development background to the conversation and explains why Kismet is now building infrastructure for short-term rentals, starting w...

I sat down with James Varley, CEO of Host Planet, to break down STR education and how to actually make money hosting around mega-events like the World Cup. James spent nearly 10 years in corporate communications for Qatar's 2022 World Cup before buying UK holiday lets and noticing a massive gap in quality STR education. That gap became Host Planet. We dig into the real demand picture: pricing...

Dr. Zak Ali joins the show to break down what modern revenue management really looks like in the short-term rental industry and why it's far more than just setting prices in software. With over 20 years of experience across airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, and hospitality technology, Dr. Zak shares lessons from leading revenue management for 110,000+ units at Awaze and consulting with opera...

In this episode, we sit down with Mariam of Lume Stays and Natalie Bykov of The Orange Cabins, two powerhouse co-hosts and full-time moms who built thriving short-term rental businesses from the ground up. They share what it actually took to scale from a few properties with no software to 40 units and beyond. We get into the real operational stuff: when to hire your first VA, how to structure shif...

Chris Petzy, co-owner and CEO of Seacoast 2 Summit Vacation Rentals, discusses scaling from a self-managed two-family property to 120+ short-term rentals through inbound leads, referrals, and operational discipline. In this episode, we cover how Chris and his partner divide responsibilities between sales, marketing, and operations, what changes as you grow from operator to CEO, and why scaling a v...

In this episode, we sit down with Mishan Andre of Cabo Platinum to break down how luxury short-term rentals can actually compete with hotels. Managing an 85-villa portfolio in Cabo, he shares the systems, service standards, and operational discipline behind high-end STRs. You’ll learn how they scaled from VRBO into a premium brand, how they protect $10M+ homes with detailed inspections, and why hu...

JJ King, founder of Beachside Vacation Rentals, joins the show to share how he scaled to 300 units in three years and how he’s using AI in real STR operations. We break down where AI actually works (guest messaging, SOPs, internal tools) and where it can hurt like fully automated messaging leading to worse guest experiences and team disengagement. JJ also shares lessons from over-automation mistak...

Lynell Gordon joins the STR Growth Show to share her journey through vacation rentals and proptech, from founding and exiting a SaaS company to going deep on property management software and operations. We get into why the "one software does everything" dream is a myth across different STR markets, how short-term rental operators should actually be thinking about AI, and where automation...

Tyler Coon, CEO of Savvy STR Agents, scaled from roughly $50M in annual STR sales to a national team operating in 30+ markets across the U.S.You’ll learn how Tyler entered the STR space in 2020, built a national team, and is now aiming for $1B in short-term rental real estate sales while helping agents build wealth in the process. You’ll also dive into the major shifts happening in the STR market...

You think you want 500 units, but do you actually? In this episode, you challenge the assumption that bigger is always better in short-term rental management. You’ll dive into the real operational breakpoints between 10 and 500+ units and discover why 100–120 units might be the true “sweet spot” for profitability, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Michael Steinkirchner, founder of Unch...

We sit down with Janel Gallucci to break down what it actually takes to build a top-performing short-term rental. Janel shares how she went from her first STR purchase in 2019 to owning one of the most wishlisted Airbnbs in Mississippi, and why success in short-term rentals comes down to clarity, execution, and disciplined decision-making. The conversation dives into defining a strong buy box, und...

We sit down with Scott Sage, founder of Home Base, who scaled a 170-unit property management company by mastering one of the most overlooked growth levers in the STR industry: acquisitions. Scott breaks down his unconventional entry into property management, how he formalized his business after accidentally inheriting a portfolio in Indianapolis, and the exact acquisition strategies that helped hi...

In this episode, Vinci Sevilla is back, and he reveals how he exploded his STR business to 150+ units using a “one-to-many” strategy almost nobody in the industry is talking about. Vinci breaks down how he went from a single house hack in 2015 to managing campgrounds, resorts, and massive commercial hospitality assets all while building a tech-driven management machine that makes scaling look effo...

In this episode, we sit down with Travis Wilburn, Founder of TheOneHundredCollection.com and Co-Founder of The Stay Charlottesville Management Group. Travis leads a curated network of 80+ destinations featuring premium vacation homes and top local property managers. He’s a major advocate for independent VRMs, helping operators build brand equity, drive direct bookings, and stand out in an OTA-domi...

We sit down with Matt Durrette , CEO and founder of Cozy Vacation Rentals , to unpack how he scaled from 5 to over 350 properties across Texas Hill Country. Matt shares his journey from financial analyst to STR operator, diving into the systems, tech, and leadership that fueled his growth. He breaks down how EOS transformed his business, the metrics that drive success, and strategies for homeowner...

In this episode, we sit down with Rafa Loza to explore his journey through the short-term rental world. With over eight years of experience, Rafa shares powerful insights on scaling STR businesses, the realities of rental arbitrage, and how he’s transitioned into boutique hotels and real estate development. We also dive into the importance of building the right partnerships, the value of networkin...

We sit down with Andrew Llewellyn, CEO & Founder of Super Stays STR, to talk about his journey from running ice cream shops and a bakery to building a portfolio of boutique, hotel-style Airbnbs in Louisville, Kentucky. Andrew shares how he designs properties for memorable experiences like bachelor parties, corporate retreats, and family gatherings. We delve into why local knowledge is essentia...

I sat down with Rachel Vigil from UpClose Marketing to talk about how short-term rental hosts like us can access premium products for free to wow our guests and boost reviews. Rachel shared how UpClose connects STR owners with major brands, think Heineken Zero, e-bikes, and more, while requiring almost no commitment from hosts. We covered the process, real success stories, and the huge benefits fo...

Justin Ford, Director of Short-Term Rental Safety at Breezeway, breaks down why safety is one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of running a successful Airbnb or vacation rental business. From slips, trips, and falls to the importance of working smoke alarms, Justin shares real-life stories, lessons learned, and practical tips that every property manager and investor should know. You’ll...

We sit down with Jonathan Sukhia, CEO and Co-Founder of Topkey, a financial platform for short-term rental managers. Jonathan shares his journey from finance to hospitality and how it led to building one of the most innovative accounting solutions in the STR space. We discuss why strong financial systems matter, common pitfalls to avoid, and how Topkey stands out with features like integrated bank...

We sit down with systems expert Marisa Grover. Marisa specializes in helping solopreneurs transition to business owners by optimizing operations in the Airbnb short-term rental industry. We discussed the importance of implementing efficient systems, developing a company culture, and hiring the right people to manage and grow your business. Whether you're managing a handful of properties or sca...

I sit down with Rachel Alday from Abode Luxury Rentals a top-tier property management company. Rachel shares how she and her husband started the business 18 years ago and the journey they’ve been on to build it into what it is today, all while keeping personalized, high-end service at the core of everything they do. We talk about the real challenges of running a luxury operation like maintaining t...

We’ve got Frank Bosi on the show, he’s the Senior Director of Partner Development over at Hostfully. We dive into his super interesting background in hospitality and property management, talk about what really makes a great host, and get into how Hostfully helps with that through their property management software. We also chat about automation, how to level up your guest experience, and what’s ch...

We sit down with Jamie Lane, Chief Economist at AirDNA. Jamie shares his journey into the world of data analytics for the real estate and hospitality industries, discusses the current trends in short-term rentals, and provides valuable insights into the future of property management. Other key topics include the impact of macro and micro data on investment decisions, the rise of boutique hotels, a...

In this episode, Nick Massey , Chief Sales Officer at Proper Insurance, joins us to break down the must-know details about short-term rental insurance. We dive into: • The best insurance policies for STRs • Per-booking coverage through Wavo • Property management insurance via Worcester • Common mistakes hosts make • Why liability coverage is critical • How to protect and grow your rental business...