In this episode of the No BS podcast, we welcome back Marcus from Hostaway to catch up on the exciting developments since his last appearance in December 2022. We dive into Hostaway's impressive feats, such as raising a massive $175 million in Series A funding, followed by an even more staggering $365 million Series B funding round. Marcus gives us an inside look at the intricacies of running a top-tier business, emphasizing the paramount importance of stellar customer support and innovative technology. We also explore the future plans for Hostaway, the evolving landscape of the short-term rental industry, regulatory challenges, and what it takes to achieve market leadership. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with industry knowledge and future trends.

Link to Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Welcoming Marcus from Host Away

02:26 The Simple Truths of Business and Life

04:56 Host Away's Major Funding Announcements

06:20 The Three Pillars of Running a Business

12:31 The Importance of Customer and Investor Relationships

20:45 The Future of Vacation Rentals and Direct Bookings

23:16 Investing in Technology and Customer Success

24:08 Acquisitions and Market Competition

25:55 Challenges of Following Playbooks

30:30 Valuations and Market Opportunities

35:20 Impact of Regulation on Real Estate

40:04 Company Culture and Employee Compensation

45:58 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode, we journey from the days of Big Printing, brush elbows with some very established brands, and take the learnings to Vacation Rental Operations with Brian Butler

The conversation covers the evolution and impact of technology in vacation rentals, the integration of AI and machine learning, and the balancing act of scaling while maintaining company culture. Brian also introduces his current project, EZcare, detailing how it revolutionizes property care and operations through innovative inventory management and scheduling solutions. The discussion is candid, insightful, and filled with valuable industry perspectives and future tech trends.

We LOVE this conversation and know you will too!

EZcare website: https://www.ezcare.io/

Contact Brian Butler: brian@ezcare.io

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Hosts' Personal Updates and Banter

02:04 Introducing Guest Brian Butler

03:01 Brian Butler's Career Journey

06:09 Transition to the Hospitality Industry

07:42 Experiences at Navis and Vacasa

16:50 Challenges and Innovations in the Industry

22:12 The Rush to Grow: Is It Worth It?

23:16 The Impact of Rapid Scaling on Company Culture

24:34 The Rise of the Hobbyist in the Vacation Rental Market

25:42 Introducing EZcare: A New Approach to Business

26:16 Building Tools for the Vacation Rental Industry

32:24 The Importance of Inventory Management

39:54 The Future of Property Care with AI

42:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the no BS podcast, we dive deep into the world of short-term rental upgrades with Mark Lumpkin of STR Cribs. The discussion covers everything from the origin of STR Cribs, which provides comprehensive renovation and setup services for short-term rentals, to their unique approach to transforming dated properties into high-revenue vacation spots.

Mark explains how STR Cribs not only handles design and construction but also advises on maximizing revenue through strategic amenities and safety considerations. The episode also touches upon Mark's journey into the industry, the importance of differentiating rental properties, the company's financing opportunities, and potential future expansions and plans for the company

Notably, the conversation explores the broader trends in the STR industry and the growing need for unique, experience-driven rental properties to stand out in saturated markets.

STR Cribs website - https://strcribs.com/

Mark's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lumpkin-84b173142/

Mark's email - mlumpkin@strcribs.com

00:00 Welcome to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Meet the Hosts: Mateo and John

01:08 Home Renovation Stories

01:29 Introducing Our Guest: Mark Lumpkin

03:09 Mark's Journey into the STR Industry

05:15 Travel Adventures and STR Insights

09:15 The Birth of STR Cribs

10:50 Consulting and Revenue Management

14:40 Expanding STR Cribs' Reach

19:40 Future Projects and Innovations

21:25 The Airbnb Clone Epidemic

22:42 Standing Out with Bold Design Choices

23:24 Exploring Partnerships and Collaborations

24:14 Maximizing Property Revenue with Small Changes

24:51 Media and Marketing Strategies

25:46 The Power of Social Media

26:19 Upcoming TV Show and Content Plans

26:43 The Value of Sharing Knowledge

29:29 Networking and Industry Events

32:51 Innovative Financing Opportunities

35:52 Future Trends in the STR Market

39:16 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

This week we share an important conversation during Human Trafficking Prevention month and delve into the dark side of the vacation rental industry with our friend Ela Mezhiborsky, co-founder and president of Autohost.

We discuss the crucial issues around human trafficking in short-term rentals and the importance of awareness, education, prevention, and protection.

Ela shares her journey, detailing how Autohost emerged as a key player in AI-driven guest screening to combat fraudulent activities and criminal behavior, including human trafficking. We also stress the importance of training and awareness, encouraging listeners to take concrete steps such as enrolling in specialized courses.

With a focus on bringing industry players together for greater accountability and ethical operations, this episode aims to spur action and discourse around a critical but often overlooked issue.

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM!

Vacation Rental Human trafficking awareness education by Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Visit this link for a special $50 off deal exclusive for the no BS podcast listeners --> https://www.traffickingawareness.org/offers/QUSL2jy8/checkout

00:00 Welcome to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Introducing Our Special Guest: Ela Mejaborski

01:51 The Dark Side of the Hospitality Industry

03:14 The Birth of Autohost

05:38 A Light Bulb Moment: Spotting Illegal Activity

11:39 Understanding Human Trafficking

15:24 The Importance of Awareness and Training

21:26 Housekeeping Team Challenges

21:56 Importance of Neighbor Relations

23:07 Security and Technology in Rentals

23:30 Human Trafficking Awareness

28:21 Educational Resources and Courses

32:11 Call to Action for Property Managers

39:12 Conclusion and Future Steps

This week, we’re diving into the messy world of **hospitality tech** and uncovering solutions that actually work.

Our guest is Abdul Ahadh, CEO and co-founder of Calry, a game-changing Unified API for property management systems (PMS). If you’ve ever struggled with clunky integrations or wasted time wrestling with tech that doesn’t play nice, this episode is for you.

We break break down:

- Why the PMS integration game is broken.

- How Calry’s Unified API cuts through the chaos.

- Real-world benefits like reduced resource burn and faster integrations.

Plus, Ahad shares his journey from Bangalore’s startup scene to disrupting the short-term rental API game. He gives us a sneak peek into Calry’s expansion plans and why they’re the partner you need to scale smarter, not harder.

Visit CALRY - https://calry.app/

Timestamps (because we know you’re busy):

**00:00** - No BS welcome: Let’s get real about hospitality tech.

**00:57** - Post-VRMA takeaways and industry chatter.

**03:00** - Homecoming Week in Atlanta: The vibe shift.

**07:51** - Meet Abdul Ahadh and the origin story of Calry.

**09:49** - Building Calry: Why the world needed a Unified API.

**13:32** - The gritty truth about hospitality tech challenges.

**16:49** - Bangalore: Why it’s the Silicon Valley you should care about.

**18:05** - How Calry’s solving real problems—and what’s next.

**21:34** - Why PMS integrations suck and how to fix them.

**22:31** - The Unified API solution: One point of contact, endless possibilities.

**24:05** - Business efficiency unlocked: The Calry effect.

**26:23** - Open API and business decisions.

**31:50** - Scaling up: Calry’s roadmap for the future.

**38:51** - The advantages of switching to Calry.

**44:28** - Closing thoughts: Ahad’s advice for the next big disruptor.

In this episode of the podcast, Mateo and John chat it up with Happy Guest co-founders Alex Husner and Kanan Whited. There's something refreshing about this guest portal and the story and psychology behind the app is entertaining and fulfilling. You're gonna want to download this one.

Episode Highlights:

Guest Introductions: Exciting projects ahead: Alex, a returning guest, shares her excitement about new projects and life post-Casago.

First-time guest Kanan Whitehead, co-founder of Happy Guest, joins the show to discuss his journey into vacation rental tech.

Kanan’s Origin Story: From Amazon to Vacation Rentals: Kanan’s background in scaling creativity at Amazon/Whole Foods led him into vacation rental branding and operations. His work at Airbnb led to developing tools that streamline operations for property managers, leading to the founding of Happy Guest.

Why Happy Guest was created: Kanan and Alex discuss how Happy Guest was born from a desire to simplify the vacation rental guest experience. Focus on creating a seamless guest journey by improving communication, workflows, and reducing operational burdens for managers.

Psychology of the Guest Journey: Happy Guest focuses on the psychology of guest interactions, creating a fun and stress-free experience for both guests and property

Upsells Timing: The trend is upsells in the property management space, but upsells are most effective closer to the check-in date rather than at the time of booking.

Importance of Guest Communication: Guests prefer to communicate on platforms they are comfortable with (e.g., Airbnb), and property managers should align with those preferences while collecting necessary contact details.

Unified Communication: The challenge of disjointed guest communications (email, text, Airbnb messages) can make Airbnb the most consistent touchpoint. The goal is to streamline communication and keep it aligned with the guest's preferences.

Gamification: Happy Guest's check-in process includes a gamified element to make it engaging for guests, inspired by the success of platforms like Hopper that have integrated fun, playful design elements.

Visual Design and Branding: There is a trend towards minimalist design in tech, but Happy Guest differentiates itself with a more playful, colorful approach. The design aims to make the platform memorable and enjoyable for both property managers and guests.

Guest Journey Optimization: Happy Guest emphasizes simplifying the guest journey, from booking to check-in, using technology to make the process intuitive and stress-free for both guests and property managers.

Revenue Opportunities: Happy Guest offers upsells such as early check-in or other customizable add-ons. Property managers can increase revenue while saving time through automation.

Streamlined Setup: The platform is quick to set up, requiring little ongoing management from hosts. Once implemented, it automates many repetitive tasks, freeing property managers to focus on other responsibilities.

Consistency in Guest Experience: Inconsistent messaging and outdated terms across platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, direct bookings) are common pain points. Happy Guest helps property managers streamline and standardize their guest communications across all platforms.

No App Download Required: Happy Guest is web-based, avoiding the friction of requiring guests to download an app, which is a significant roadblock for user adoption.

Event Participation: Happy Guest is involved in industry events, offering prizes and stays to encourage people to experience the platform firsthand at...

We're excited to announce the launch of Villa Tracker OTA, a pioneering platform connecting the vacation rental industry with traditional travel agencies.

Our good friend Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House and Villa Tracker, joins us to discuss the platform's vision, its impact on the industry, and its partnership with Guesty.

Moriaya shares her journey, the challenges faced in creating an OTA, and the potential for new bookings, sustainability, and innovation within the short-term rental sector.

The episode highlights the collaborative spirit of the industry, the importance of trust and high standards, and the exciting future of integrated travel planning.

Episode Highlights:

• Villa Tracker Overview: Villa Tracker is a new OTA that connects the vacation rental industry with traditional travel agencies, bridging a gap that has existed since the inception of platforms like Airbnb.
• History and Need: The vacation rental industry has traditionally excluded third-party professionals like travel agents. Villa Tracker seeks to integrate these professionals into the booking process, offering a B2B2C model.
• Target Audience Expansion: Villa Tracker aims to serve not just high-budget clients but also travelers who are looking for unique accommodations, including city apartments and luxury villas, with the help of their trusted travel agents.
• COVID-19 as a Catalyst: The demand for private accommodations during COVID-19 highlighted the need for vacation rentals in the travel industry, inspiring the creation of Villa Tracker.
• Challenges and Vision: Creating Villa Tracker required overcoming significant technical and trust-building difficulties, but the platform is poised to open new opportunities for property managers and travel agents alike.
• Partnership with Guesty: Villa Tracker's partnership with Guesty, a leading PMS, was critical in meeting high industry standards and launching the platform.
• Moriya's Journey: Moriya shares her story from managing a small property in Switzerland to creating a groundbreaking platform, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in the industry.
• Industry Collaboration: The podcast highlights the collaborative nature of the vacation rental industry, where professionals push each other to innovate and grow, benefiting the industry as a whole.

In this episode, we delve into the current challenges facing the short-term rental industry in Barcelona with friend and colleague Jaume Barberena.

Jaume, a Catalan and industry expert Director at Bizflats, provides an in-depth look at the new regulations set to take effect in Barcelona and the current and potential impact on the industry.

This episode goes DEEP and one you do not want to miss!

Episode Highlights:

Early Challenges: Jaume discusses the greenfield nature of the STR market in Barcelona at the time, highlighting the lack of existing frameworks and the challenges of educating property owners about the benefits of short-term rentals.

Professionalization of STRs: Jaume explains how Barcelona's STR industry has always been highly professionalized, with early efforts to establish a unified voice through the founding of Apartur, an industry association.

Airbnb’s Impact: The conversation shifts to how Airbnb's entry into the market in 2010 significantly lowered the barrier to entry, leading to an influx of non-professional hosts and a shift in public perception of STRs.

Regulatory Environment: Jaume describes how the proliferation of STRs led to increasing pushback from local communities, HOAs, and eventually, the government, culminating in a negative image of the industry.

Recent Developments: The discussion turns to the recent news of a potential ban on foreign STR licenses in Barcelona by 2028. Jaume clarifies that this stems from a regional government decree that requires local authorities to create new STR regulations within five years.

Future Outlook: The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of continued mobilization and education efforts within the industry to influence local regulations and ensure the future of STRs in Barcelona.

Lobby Influence: Jaume suspects deep-pocketed hotel and construction lobbies influencing politicians in Barcelona, pushing for legislation that favors large hotels over short-term rentals.

Rhetoric Escalation: The anti-STR stance in Barcelona has intensified, culminating in the mayor's proposal to ban all STRs while simultaneously suggesting the construction of 5,000 new hotel rooms.

Tourism Appeal: Barcelona's year-round attractiveness and suitability for families make it a popular destination, with STRs offering better value and experiences than hotels, a trend Jaume believes will continue despite regulatory pressures.

Impact of STR Bans: Jaume warns that removing a significant portion of STR capacity could lead to skyrocketing hotel rates, similar to what happened in New York.

Illegality and Hospitality: John discusses how restrictive laws in New York have led to increased rates, illegal activities, and difficulties for travelers, which undermines the hospitality industry’s goal of being welcoming and accessible.

Community Organization: The crisis has united the STR community in Barcelona, with ApartTour's membership growing significantly. Jaume emphasizes the importance of collective action and grassroots advocacy.

Legal Action: ApartTour is taking legal steps, including a lawsuit for unconstitutionality and individual claims for damages, to challenge the new regulations.

Local Business Impact: Jaume highlights how STRs positively impact local businesses, even in non-tourist areas, by bringing in foreign customers, which is often overlooked by anti-STR rhetoric.

Tourism Phobia: The episode touches on the concentrated nature of tourism in specific areas leading to over-tourism and how this fuels anti-tourism sentiments, with calls for more nuanced, neighborhood-specific solutions.

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