Shows
Behind the StaysIntroducing: This Week in Hospitality—The Sonder Collapse, Hilton’s New Bet, and Airbnb’s Hotel AmbitionsSubscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality
In this episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach Busekrus sits down with Scott Eddy, Ben Wolff, and Edwin Kramer to unpack three major stories dominating the travel and hospitality world. From Sonder’s dramatic collapse following Marriott’s termination, to Hilton’s launch of the Outset Collection, to Airbnb’s bold embr...
2025-11-141h 06Behind the StaysFrom Pandemic Lakehouse Purchase to Building Lake.com — How David Ciccarelli is Tapping a $20B Vacation Rental OpportunityWe’re live at Skift with a builder proving the future isn’t generic search; it’s purpose-built marketplaces for travelers who already know their stay type—a lake house.
I’m Zach, and today I’m joined by David Ciccarelli, co-founder of lake.com. After a startup exit during the pandemic, David and his wife (and co-founder) Stephanie bought a lake house—he grew up on Lake Superior, she on Lake Erie. A few months in, they hosted a 25-person family reunion to put the place to use—and that’s when the opportunity snapped into focus: the nearby hot...
2025-10-0335 minBehind the StaysHow an Athlete-Turned-Actor-Turned-Entrepreneur Built a $30M Bourbon Trail HotelWhat do a high school jock turned Danny Zuko, a lung-collapse survivor in the middle of the 2008 crash, and a bourbon-country hotelier have in common? Will Hardy.
In this episode, Zach sits down with Will — a creative entrepreneur, real estate maverick, and placemaker behind The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, Kentucky — to unpack a life defined by bold pivots, relentless grit, and audacious vision.
From sneaking into a high school audition that would change his trajectory, to flipping 800+ homes, to nearly losing it all during the housing collapse, Will’s story is a masterclass in resilience and re...
2025-09-1655 minBehind the StaysViral Doesn’t Pay the Bills: How to Turn Social Traffic into Real BookingsIn today’s episode of Behind the Stays, we’re diving into one of the biggest mysteries plaguing modern hospitality entrepreneurs — how do you take all that beautiful, buzzworthy content that’s racking up views on Instagram and actually turn it into real bookings?
My guest today is Dustin Baker, the quietly brilliant force behind Hidden Gem Media — a performance-driven marketing agency that’s helping some of the most design-forward vacation rental and boutique hotel brands in the world unlock direct booking revenue from their social media presence.
Now, I don’t say this lightly — within the last w...
2025-07-2555 minBehind the StaysBooking the Future: PMS, AI, and the War on Clunky Software with Lodgify's CEOIn this episode, Zach sits down with Shaun Shirazian, CEO of Lodgify, for an unfiltered conversation about what’s next in hospitality tech—and what’s not changing. Shaun shares how a meaningful moment on a San Diego balcony more than a decade ago sparked his passion for short-term rentals, and how that guest connection still drives his work building tools for small operators around the globe.
We unpack Lodgify’s long-standing mission to “arm the underdogs” by empowering independent hosts and managers with the same technology advantages as the big players. Shaun draws a clear line between his...
2025-06-2055 minBehind the StaysFrom Instagram Fame to Industry Change: JourneyMore, Mike Will Travel, and the Rise of Creator-Led HospitalityWhen the COVID-era short-term rental boom hit, a new class of creators quietly redefined hospitality marketing — and today, three of the best in the business join me for a conversation you won't want to miss.
In this episode, I sit down with Hayden Hughes, Nicky Hughes, and Mike Iannetta — three pioneers who helped transform treehouses, A-frames, and glamp-sites from hidden gems into viral, booked-out brands. We unpack how they redefined marketing in the short-term rental world, where the future of creator-driven hospitality is headed next, and why they’ve partnered to launch a new guided course to help h...
2025-04-251h 10Behind the Stays7 Non-Obvious Lessons Shaping the Future of Hospitality (And What To Do About Them)In this solo episode, Zach shares seven powerful, non-obvious lessons shaping the next era of hospitality—insights drawn from conversations with some of the most forward-thinking operators, creatives, and strategists in the space.
From the rise of emotional loyalty and transformational stays to the power of digital atmosphere and placemaking over property management, this episode challenges traditional assumptions and inspires fresh thinking for hotel owners, experience designers, and anyone shaping the future of guest experience.
You’ll walk away with:
Questions to ask your team (and yourself) right now
Real-world examples of b...
2025-04-1541 minBehind the StaysLoyalty is Broken — Here’s How We’re Fixing ItLoyalty programs should feel rewarding, but most hotel programs feel like a frustrating game of hoops to jump through. In this solo episode, Zach breaks down why traditional hotel loyalty is failing and what needs to change.
Here’s the problem: Most hotel loyalty programs are built for the brand, not the traveler. Only 18% of consumers feel they get real value from these programs, and 75% of points go unused because of complicated redemption rules and blackout dates. Instead of fostering genuine loyalty, these programs often leave guests feeling unrecognized and unmotivated to return.
So, what sh...
2025-03-1430 minBehind the StaysBuilding the Next Generation of Luxury Hotels: Dan Flannery on Launching EDITION and His New Vision for Loews HotelsMeet Dan Flannery, a hospitality leader with an extraordinary career, has spent decades redefining luxury travel. From his early days at Marriott to helping launch the Edition brand with Ian Schrager, and now leading operations at Loews Hotels, Dan’s journey is a masterclass in blending vision with execution.
Guided by a belief that true luxury lies in refinement and authenticity, Dan’s approach to hospitality is both rooted in tradition and forward-thinking. His story is one of passion, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
In this episode, Zach sits down with Dan to expl...
2025-01-1458 minBehind the StaysThe Boutique Boom: Data and Ideas Shaping the Future of HospitalityIn this solo-episode, Zach transports listeners to Dawn Ranch, a boutique retreat in Guerneville, California, nestled in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The property, designed as a haven for creative renewal, invites guests to escape the distractions of modern life and reconnect with themselves. The host reflects on their stay while exploring trends and innovative ideas shaping the future of boutique and experiential travel.
Tune in to hear:
How Dawn Ranch fosters creative awakenings and why properties like it play a crucial role in helping guests think deeply and recharge.
Data-backed insights on the rise...
2024-11-1933 minBehind the StaysIs Experiential Hospitality Overhyped? Hot Takes on Travel Trends, Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and More with the French CowboysIn this episode Zach sits down with the French Cowboys — Dylan and Franklin — to chat about how they built their business, what the future of boutique hospitality will look like, why experiential hospitality is overhyped, and the pros and cons of owning and managing boutique hotels vs. boutique vacation rentals.
Learn more about the French Cowboys.
This episode is brought to you by the Short Term Rental Forum hosted by IMN!
Join me this January 15-16 at the Miami JW Marriott for the premier Short Term Rental Forum hosted by IMN—the industr...
2024-11-151h 14Behind the StaysThe Changing Landscape of Vacation Rental Marketing with StayFi's Arthur ColkerMeet Arthur Colker, the founder of StayFi,a marketing platform for short-term rental hosts and operators.
Arthur and I explore the evolution of marketing in the vacation rental industry. Since StayFi's inception back in 2018, Arthur has observed a dramatic shift in how hospitality entrepreneurs and property managers approach marketing, especially as reliance on OTAs like Airbnb has become less sustainable.
Arthur and I discuss
The rise of direct booking strategies and the importance of diversifying demand channels.
Creative ways property managers are generating ancillary revenue, from upsells to unique guest experiences.
How StayFi is...
2024-09-2752 minBehind the StaysHow to Start and Scale an Airbnb Co-Hosting Business That Actually Works in 2024: Stories and Ideas with Jeremy WerdenMeet Jeremy Werden, an entrepreneur who has figured out the secret sauce to scale short-term rental co-hosting businesses successfully.
In this episode, Jeremy and I dive into Jeremy’s journey, from his early days as a college student trying to make the UNC basketball team starting a small boat rental business on the Lake of the Ozarks in 2018.
Tune in to hear how Jeremy leveraged his experiences, from failed startups to managing high-demand properties, to build a portfolio that continues to thrive in 2024. Discover the lessons he’s learned about resilience, the importance of staying ahea...
2024-09-031h 00Behind the Stays3 Lessons the Next Generation of Hospitality Entrepreneurs Should Learn From the Founder of Four SeasonsIn this episode, Zach shares three ideas inspired by Isadore Sharp, Founder of Four Seasons that today's hospitality entrepreneurs can and should take note of as they build their businesses.
This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers. Hudson Creative is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.
If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreati...
2024-08-2732 minBehind the StaysBuilding at the Intersection of Vision and Value: How Tragedy Led Them to Craft Wellness-Focused Boutique HotelsMeet Diana Ossa Sierra, co-founder of D-I-FI, who, along with her husband Josh, is transforming the intersection of architecture, design, and real estate investment in the world of boutique hospitality.
Originally architects and construction managers, Diana and Josh were deeply embedded in their demanding careers until a life-altering event in 2021 made them question everything. The tragic loss of their fathers ignited a fire within them to pursue a different path—one that offered more than just professional success but personal fulfillment and freedom.
In this episode, Diana takes us through their journey, from the initial st...
2024-08-2052 minBehind the StaysUnlocking a Billion-Dollar Opportunity: Stories and Insights Around The Revolution of Accessible Vacation Rentals with Becoming RentABLEMeet Lorraine Woodward and Adam Norko, from Becoming Rentable, a company on a mission to make short-term rentals genuinely accessible for everyone. Lorraine's story is deeply personal—she was born with muscular dystrophy and is the proud mother of two sons who also have the condition.
When traditional vacation properties couldn’t meet her family's needs, she didn’t just accept the status quo—she decided to build something better.
In this episode, we chat about:
How Lorraine turned a personal challenge into a thriving business that’s changing the game for accessible travel.
Some of the...
2024-08-161h 06Behind the Stays10 Entrepreneurs Building the Future of Hospitality That You Should Follow (If You Don’t Already)
Today on the pod Zach highlights 10 underrated entrepreneurs creating next-generation travel experiences! Give these incredible folks a follow...
Justin Potts — Linear Magazine
Sara Roitman — Field & Lake
Nick Purslow — Posh Outdoors
Boris & Susan — Lumen Camps
Hillary Flur — Folly Collection
Matt Orley — Red Cottage (acquired businesses, memberships, etc.)
Brian Meyer — FLOHOM
Becca Schulman Havemeyer — Beach Plum
Janice Smith — Cozy Rock
David Garber — BrandyWine Grove
Amber and Charlie Pledge — KABN Company
This episode is brought to you by StayFi. StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom brande...
2024-08-0936 minBehind the StaysBreaking the Influencer Mold: Hot Takes on Content Creation and Promotion for Hospitality BrandsMeet Krystal and Eric Nagel, the adventurous duo behind Nagel Media Company, who have seamlessly blended their love for travel and photography into a thriving media business.
In this episode, we dive into their unique journey from living out of a rooftop tent to becoming full-time van lifers and content creators specializing in lifestyle photography for boutique hotels and short-term rentals.
We'll explore:
How Krystal and Eric transitioned from traditional travel to full-time van life.
The inception of Nagel Media Company and its focus on high-quality, authentic content.
The misconceptions around influencer marketing and...
2024-08-061h 06Behind the Stays5 Big Ideas for Entrepreneurs Who Want to Build the Next Great Hospitality BusinessIn this episode Zach shares 5 big ideas for hospitality entrepreneurs to implement right now...
These ideas could be HUGE.
Holler at Zach if you're already building one (or more) of these.
This episode is brought to you by The Content House
If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.
What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your...
2024-08-0227 minBehind the StaysFrom Air Force Officer to Hospitality Entrepreneur: Why Blake Dailey Thinks More Airbnb Hosts Should Become Boutique HoteliersMeet Blake Dailey — a former Air Force officer turned boutique hotel entrepreneur.
Growing up, Blake dreamed of being in the NFL. And while that never came to fruition, his love for sports instilled in him a sense of discipline and determination that would later fuel his entrepreneurial spirit.
After a stint playing college football, Blake's interests shifted toward business, eventually leading him to discover his passion for real estate and hospitality.
In this episode, Blake and I delve into his incredible journey from serving in the Air Force to becoming a successful hospitality en...
2024-07-301h 05Behind the StaysHot Takes on Rental Arbitrage, Men's Luxury Footwear, Building an International Hospitality Brand, and More with Ben EarleyMeet Ben Earley, an exceptional entrepreneur who has made waves across multiple industries—from finance to luxury footwear, and now, to innovative hospitality.
In this episode, Ben takes us on his fascinating journey from Wall Street to the world of short-term rentals. As the co-founder of Holt, Ben is building a portfolio of unique and upscale Airbnbs and hotels that stand out for their thoughtful design and exceptional guest experiences.
We'll explore:
Ben’s early start in finance and how it fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.
The story behind his luxury men’s shoe brand, Paul E...
2024-07-261h 00Behind the StaysThe Rise of the Professional Airbnb Creator: Ideas, Advice, and Musings with Jon KreyeMeet Jon Kreye, a professional creator and community builder in the short-term rental space.
Jon has become a prominent figure in this niche, known not just for his stunning content but also for fostering a supportive community among hospitality creators.
Jon recently hosted his fourth creator retreat in partnership with Nikki & Hayden from Journey More, where they brought together influencers and content creators to share ideas, collaborate, and discuss industry trends.
In this conversion, Jon talks about the evolution of creators in the Airbnb and greater hospitality space, the challenges and opportunities within th...
2024-07-231h 02Behind the StaysHow to Make Loyalty Programs Work in Vacation Rentals: An Inside Look at Red Cottage's Membership ProgramMeet Matthew Orley, CEO of Red Cottage, a premier platform and vacation rental brand for unique stays across the Northeast.
Matthew's journey with Red Cottage started as a guest in 2012. Captivated by the brand's consistency, unique portfolio, and potential, he acquired the business in 2022. Now, as the owner, Matthew is on a mission to transform Red Cottage into a regional powerhouse, known for its high-quality homes and exceptional guest experiences.
In this episode, Matthew and I discuss:
The origin story of Red Cottage and its evolution over the years
The innovative membership program Red...
2024-07-161h 03Behind the StaysHow a South African Game Ranger Became Glamping's Most Interesting CEOMeet Paul Zway, the incredible founder of Exclusive Tents, who is joining us live from the lush jungles of Belize.
Paul’s journey from a young boy fascinated with wildlife in South Africa to becoming a pioneer in the luxury glamping industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised among the snakes and wilderness of a rural community outside of Pretoria, Australia, Paul’s path led him through the vast expanses of Kruger National Park as a game ranger and nature conservationist.
In this episode, Paul shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, from the st...
2024-07-121h 04Behind the StaysHow He's Building a No-Fee Booking Platform for Vacation Rentals: Stories, Ideas, and Hot Takes with Eric GoldreyerMeet Eric Goldreyer, a legend in the world of travel and hospitality. Eric is the founder of bedandbreakfast.com, a platform he launched in the late '90s that revolutionized the bed and breakfast industry by bringing it online.
At a time when most innkeepers relied on guidebooks and phone calls, Eric saw the potential of the internet and created the largest database of B&Bs in North America.
Eric’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. After selling bedandbreakfast.com and later reacquiring it, he sold it again to HomeAway. He then turned his atte...
2024-07-021h 11Behind the StaysExploring the Huge Potential of Hostels: How They're Bridging Affordability and Experiential Hospitality in Hawaii (And Beyond)Meet Nathan and Michael, the founders of Howzit Hostels, who are revolutionizing the hostel experience in Hawaii today, and across the rest of the US tomorrow.
Nathan and Michael, broadcasting live from the beautiful island of Maui, share their journey from real estate sales to creating upscale hostels that blend affordability with a boutique hotel feel. They dive into the origins of their business, explaining how the local greeting "Howzit" inspired their brand name and how an unexpected listing led them to explore the untapped potential of hostels in the U.S.
Nathan, Michael, and...
2024-06-2852 minBehind the StaysWhere to Build (or Buy) Your Next Unique Stay: Trends, Insights, and Data with Jamie Lane from AirDNAIn this episode, we welcome back Jamie Lane, SVP of Research at AirDNA, to discuss the booming trend of unique stays in the hospitality industry.
Over the past few years, the demand for unique stays—think A-frames, yurts, and treehouses—has skyrocketed. Jamie and I delve into the data behind this trend, exploring how travelers' preferences have shifted towards distinctive and memorable accommodations and the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to break into this niche market.
Jamie and I discuss:
Just how many unique stays exist on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo
How the n...
2024-06-2557 minBehind the StaysCrafting Consistent Luxury: Omar Boubess on Boutique Hotels and Unique STR BrandingMeet Omar Boubess, Creative Director at Studio Circa, a luxury branding agency that works with boutique hotels and unique collections of STRs.
Growing up, Omar wanted to be a National Geographic photographer — or a soccer player — depending on the day you asked him.
And, while neither dream quite came to fruition, Omar did pursue his creative interests and wound up finding a love for developing unique and novel brands in travel and hospitality.
In this episode, Omar and I discuss:
The importance of consistency in brand story and identity across all guest touc...
2024-06-211h 03Behind the StaysUnlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites: The Blueprint to Building a Brand That Compels Direct BookingsWelcome to "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites: A Special 2-Part Series with Hudson Creative Studio.”
In this series, Zach sit down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio to dive deep into the art and science of creating a memorable website that serves as the digital headquarters for your hospitality brand.
In the first episode, you'll hear Eli's fascinating journey from his early days in the former Soviet Union, where he built his first graphic design program as a child, to becoming a leading creative director in the hospitality industry.
We...
2024-06-191h 02Behind the StaysFrom Family Gap Year to Glamping Pioneers: How a 14,000-Mile Bus Trip Changed Their LivesMeet Ruth Wimpory — the entrepreneur behind Skoolie Stays and The Vacationist, two of the UK’s favorite off-grid escapes.
In 2019, Ruth and her husband, Guy, along with their two young children, decided to take a year off from their “normal” lives in Brighton in the UK, to embark on an adventurous year-long journey across the United States in a converted school bus.
What started as a quest for a new perspective and family bonding turned into a 14,000-mile odyssey through national parks, homeschooling on the road, and navigating the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tune...
2024-06-1851 minBehind the StaysFrom Video Game Designer to Travel Tech Entrepreneur: Philip Kennard on The "Rentalpreneur" RevolutionMeet Philip Kennard — Founder and CEO of Futurestay.
Growing up, Philip loved video games. And for Philip, video games were about so much more than the playing experience…he loved the art, the logic, and the business behind creating worlds.
This love sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to work in game development for Sega, one of the world’s leading game design companies, and, eventually, would lead to the founding of FutureStay.
In this conversation, Philip and I explore the evolution of the vacation rental market, discussing the critical role that small-sc...
2024-06-141h 13Behind the StaysThe Future of Vacation Rentals: Annie Holcombe on OTAs, Loyalty Programs, and Industry ChallengesMeet Annie Holcombe, a seasoned hospitality industry expert with a passion for vacation rentals and an impressive track record at major travel tech companies.
Annie's journey in the vacation rental industry is nothing short of inspiring. Starting from property management, she moved on to pivotal roles at Expedia and Homes and Villas by Marriott, gaining invaluable insights into the world of travel and hospitality.
In this episode, Annie dives into the current state of the industry, emphasizing the importance of standardization and safety in vacation rentals. She shares her thoughts on how new entrants can...
2024-06-111h 05Behind the StaysHow they Built a Luxury A-Frame in the Highest Incorporated Town in North AmericaMeet Yvonna and Darren Grandfield, a dynamic duo who’ve turned their passion for real estate into a thriving business of unique and stunning short-term rentals.
Growing up, Yvonna and Darren never imagined they’d one day be the proud owners of a collection of charming properties, but a chance encounter at an Ace Hardware store set them on a path they couldn’t have anticipated — who’d a thought they’d date, start a business, and then ultimately get married and have kids together?!
In this episode, Yvonna and Darren share the story of their first ren...
2024-06-0758 minBehind the StaysBuilding Magical Stays: The Surprising Success of Thematic Vacation RentalsMeet Josh Luttrell, the innovative entrepreneur behind Home Theme Orlando, a company transforming vacation rentals into immersive themed experiences.
As a kid, Josh dreamed of being a basketball player, but life had other plans. However, he took his competitive spirit and he channeled it into real estate, eventually carving out a niche in Orlando's short -term rental market by creating uniquely themed homes.
From Marvel superheroes to Disney princesses, Josh's properties are designed to captivate and delight, ensuring unforgettable stays for families visiting the magic of Disney.
In this episode, Josh and Zach...
2024-06-0455 minBehind the StaysHow He's Building the Kayak.com for Outdoor TravelMeet Cody Watson, the entrepreneur behind Explorely, a groundbreaking platform poised to revolutionize outdoor travel planning and experiences.
Growing up, Cody dreamed of being an inventor. And while he didn't end up creating the next big gadget, he did channel that inventive spirit into the entrepreneurial world, ultimately founding Explorely — a platform designed to be the Kayak.com for outdoor travel.
Explorely simplifies the often fragmented process of finding and booking RV rentals, campsites, and glamping spots.
In this episode, Cody and I discuss:
The inspiration behind Explorally and how it evolved from...
2024-05-2858 minBehind the StaysHow They're Designing the Ultimate Group Getaway: The Story of Nova Haus Meet Tyler Jordan, the co-founder of Nova Haus —a ground-breaking hospitality brand that's redefining luxury stays for larger groups and corporate retreats.
Tyler and his business partner, Martin Papp, are on a mission to create the ultimate group getaway experience. Think luxury villas equipped with everything from gyms and saunas to podcast recording studios and content creation rooms, all set in breathtaking locations like Costa Rica.
In our conversation, Tyler shares the fascinating story of how personal experiences and a gap in the market led to the birth of Nova House.
We dive deep...
2024-05-241h 02Behind the StaysFrom Theatre to Travel Tech: How He's Building the Hotel Tonight for Vacation RentalsMeet Alex Alioto, Co-Founder and Head of Growth at Whimstay, the Hotel Tonight for Vacation Rentals.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Alex had dreamed of being a wide receiver for the 49ers — he was the kind of kid you’d find walking around the grocery store sporting a helmet and a jersey even when it wasn’t game day.
While his dreams of playing in the NFL never came to fruition, Alex did wind up playing in another arena — he studied theatre at the University of Michigan and spent nearly a decade as an ac...
2024-05-2156 minBehind the StaysHow They Built a Micro Nature Resort in the White Mountains — The Story of LumenMeet Boris Mordkovich, who created Lumen Nature Retreat — a luxury waterfront glamping resort nestled in the heart of New Hampshite’s White Mountains — in partnership with his wife Susan.
The idea for Lumen was born while Boris and Susan traveled from Boston to Argentina over a 6-month road trip for an extended honeymoon. During this trip, their Toyota Land Cruiser car had a rooftop tent that allowed them to camp at some of the most spectacular places — from bush camping in the middle of the salt flats and next to volcanoes to little campgrounds and campsites all over Nor...
2024-04-2651 minBehind the Stays"Hotel Brands Won't Matter in 10 Years" — And Other Hot Hospitality Takes with Peter FaborMeet Peter Fabor, an entrepreneur building a portfolio of niche hospitality businesses from marketplaces to industry newsletters.
Peter is a product designer by trade and has spent his career working in and around hospitality and technology companies.
In this conversation, Peter shares hot takes he has on the relevancy (or lack therefor) of hotel brands over the next decade, how he built a marketplace for company off-sites and corporate retreats, why the best hospitality entrepreneurs can run both hotels and vacation rental portfolios, the future of loyalty programs in the travel industry, and so much mo...
2024-04-1651 minBehind the StaysHe's Building a Next-Generation Landscape Hotel in Public — Meet Oasi Hill CountryHowdy friends! In this episode Zach sits down with Ben Wolff, Co-Founder of Onera and Oasi — two of the most innovative brands in the experiential hospitality space.
Ben Wolff is an incredible entrepreneur who has built some of the world's most unique and social-media-famous Airbnbs — if you haven't checked at his work, it's time to change that.
In this episode, Ben announces his latest project, Oasi Hill Country, a $39 million luxury landscape resort that he's building in the Texas Hill Country.
Ben shares:
Why he's building Oasi Hill Country
Why he's building the res...
2024-03-2639 minBehind the StaysSo, Was the Level Up Your Listing Summit Actually Worth It?One of the newest and hottest industry events, Level Up Your Listing, host by Natalie Palmer and Tatiana Taylor-Tait, just wrapped last week — and we wanted to know what people thought about the event!
In this episode, Zach sits down with Sage Nathan (Head of Partnerships at Minoan and a sponsor of the event), Tyann Marcink, an industry veteran and one of the most respected voices in vacation rental management, and Bella Linchenko, a designer and muralist who is new to short-term rental investing and made the decision to attend the event on a whim!
He...
2024-03-2256 minBehind the StaysHere's Where Google Says You Should Buy Your Next AirbnbIn this episode, Zach explores what Google Trends says about where to buy or build your next unique Airbnb.
Zach shares fascinating insight into how search behavior for unique stays like treehouses, container homes, yurts, and A-frames has changed over time and where these searches for unique stays are most and least popular.
You're not going to want to miss this one folks!
This episode is brought to you by our friends at AirDNA
Want to see if a Treehouse resort in Dubai pencils? You can do so in AirDNA.
...
2024-03-1930 minBehind the Stays5 Ways OpenAI's Sora Will Revolutionize Hospitality EntrepreneurshipIn this episode of Behind the Stays, Zach shares five tangible and tactical ideas for how OpenAI's new Sora model will fundamentally change hospitality entrepreneurship.
Sora is an AI model that can create realistic and imaginative scenes from text instructions.
Sora is able to generate complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of motion, and accurate details of the subject and background. The model understands not only what the user has asked for in the prompt, but also how those things exist in the physical world.
See Sora in action here.
T...
2024-02-2021 minBehind the StaysSo, Was the STR Wealth Conference Worth It? Here's What This Year's Attendees ThoughtOne of the newest and hottest industry events, STR Wealth Con, just wrapped last week — and we wanted to know what people thought about the event!
In this episode, Zach sits down with Wil Slickers (emcee of the event), Sean Wilkinson (Co-Founder of Hostshare and first-time conferences attendee), and Heidie Henriksen ( a vacation rental industry veteran, to get their thoughts on the content, the community, and the networking at the event.
Let us know what you thought of the event by joining the conversation on LinkedIn!
This episode is brought to you by our...
2024-02-1358 minBehind the StaysBuilding the Prequel to Airbnb: Jeremy Gall on the Story of Flipkey and the Foundation of BreezewayMeet Jeremy Gall, Founder & CEO of Breezeway — the leading property care, operations and messaging platform for hospitality entrepreneurs.
Growing up, Jermey wanted to be a professional basketball player. And while he never made it into the NBA, he did make it into Law School.
But Jeremy’s professional career as an attorney wouldn’t last long because he was bit by that sneaky, but ever so enticing, entrepreneurial bug.
Tune into hear the exciting story of how Jeremy co-founded and built Flipkey, the first online marketplace for vacation rentals, which was ultimately acquired by Trip...
2024-02-091h 00Behind the StaysHow She Designed a Luxury Haven in the Blue Ridge Mountains That Got Wander's AttentionMeet Taylor Bates, the creator of The Afton House — a stunning, luxury home made for gathering and nestled in the heart of Virginia wine country.
Growing up, Taylor wanted to be an architect or a Fortune 500 CEO — she’s always loved the intersection of marketing, design, and business.
After working in a few marketing management and nonprofit leadership roles, Taylor wound up starting her own boutique interior design firm focusing on residential and commercial projects.
And it was around this time when the idea of building a luxury short-term rental that was conducive to mult...
2024-01-3045 minBehind the StaysHow They're Building the Hottest New Tiny Home: The Story of ÖÖD Mirror HouseMeet Antonio Gonzalez, President of ÖÖD House — the company behind the instagram famous mirror houses.
Antonio is an engineer by trade, but always had a heart for entrepreneurship…
So, when the opportunity to co-found Jupe along with past-podcast guest Jeff Wilson and take it through Y Combinator, the world’s most prestigious of startup accelerators, came about, he took it.
Antonio learned SO much from the accelerator where the Airbnb founders also graduated from and had an incredible couple of years at Jupe before realizing that his heart was really in hospitality.
Tune i...
2024-01-1950 minBehind the StaysMeet the 19-Year-Old Who Builds (and Buys) Unique StaysMeet Brett Deas, a 19-year-old entrepreneur who owns and operates unique stay vacation rentals across the U.S.
While his high school buddies were scrolling through TikTok before school and playing video games afterwards, Brett was binging Bigger Pockets podcasts to understand the world of real estate investing.
After graduating from high school, Brett decided to try his hand at real estate investing and entrepreneurship before pursuing a college degree. And so far? That decision is paying off dividends.
In this episode, you’ll hear the story behind how Brett raised capital to both...
2024-01-1255 minBehind the StaysThe New Era of Exploration: How Today’s Travelers Think About Loyalty, Independent Hotels, and Experiential StaysMeet Mollie Reese, the host of the popular Stay in Good Company podcast and an experienced community builder who has spent her career working with leading brands across the the food & beverage and events & hospitality industries.
Having recently left the world of corporate burnout and the hustle and bustle of city-living behind for a slower way of life, Mollie set out to pursue personal passions in travel.
Throughout her journey, she is in search for authentic stories to share, curious about different cultural experiences, and inspired to curate a community who, like her, seeks to b...
2024-01-0951 minBehind the StaysHow They Transformed a 100-Year-Old Beach House into a Chic Airbnb (And Booked it Fully in Just 11 Days)Meet Jake and Leslie, the creators of the Lighthouse Cottage, an oceanfront escape in Cape May, New Jersey.
Jake and Leslie had always dreamed of owning a beach house, but acquiring a property in the competitive Cape May market seemed out of reach.
That is until one day Leslie was scrolling on Zillow and noticed a new listing for a 100 year old property located right on the beach.
The home clearly needed a lot of work but something about its character spoke to Leslie…and within hours she had called the realtor, packed the...
2024-01-0255 minBehind the StaysReflections and Ideas on Leadership, Branding, and Innovating from Best Western’s Former CEOMeet Rob Patterson, an incredible hospitality leader whose most recent post was as the CEO of Best Western in the United Kingdom.
Rob grew up in a very remote town in the country of Australia. Growing up, Rob dreamed of becoming a professional footballer — so much so that when an opportunity to move to Sydney to pursue his dream came to fruition, he left home without thinking twice.
And while he never wound up playing football professionally, Rob did stumble into another profession while living in the big city — and that profession, well, you guessed it fol...
2023-12-1952 minBehind the StaysHow to Merge Luxury, Sustainability, and MICHELIN-Star Experiences — The Story of the Kabn CompanyMeet Amber and Charlie Pledge — the founders of Kabn Company, a new hospitality brand focused on creating luxurious, and sustainable nature-immersed escapes.
Amber and Charlie have always loved to travel. The couple has been fortunate enough to live and work in major hubs of innovation like London, San Francisco, and Dubai.
And while Amber and Charlie both love working hard, climbing the corporate ladder just started to feel, well, a bit unfulfilling.
Tune in to hear the story behind how this couple left their day jobs to go and build their first two esc...
2023-12-1551 minBehind the StaysFrom Hops to Hospitality: Crafting a Curation of the World’s Top Glamping SitesMeet Jake Pontius — Co-Founder of Nook, a collection of North America’s most remarkable landscape hotels and outdoor accommodations.
After working as a business analyst at a timeshare company, Jake left the corporate world to pursue his passion of brewing craft beer and it was during this season of his life where he first fell in love with hospitality.
Now while Jake fell in love with the industry while working in food and beverage, his family is no stranger to hospitality. Jake’s father, David, actually spent his career working in executive capacities at RCI, Hilton...
2023-12-0152 minBehind the StaysFrom Apple Intern to Hospitality Tech Entrepreneur: How Margot Schmorak Built HostfullyMeet Margot Schmorak, Co-Founder and CEO of Hostfully — one of the hospitality industry’s leading technology companies.
Margot started her career working in marketing at Apple during one of the company's most pivotal eras. She remembers the launch of the very first iPhone quite vividly since she was the only person on the marketing team to NOT receive a phone since she was just an intern at the time.
In this conversation, Margot and I discuss:
The lessons she learned about marketing, startups, and company culture during her time at Apple
Where the idea for Ho...
2023-11-281h 00Behind the StaysHow a Former Airbnb Employee is Reimagining How to Buy a Vacation Home — This is the Story of SummerMeet Paul Kromidas, an industry trailblazer who transitioned from a strategic role at Airbnb to founding Summer, a company revolutionizing the vacation rental space.
This episode delves into Paul's insights on the shifting dynamics of property management and his innovative approach to vacation home ownership.
Tune in as we explore:
Paul's key learnings from his tenure at Airbnb and their influence on Summer's vision.
The concept behind Summer: Empowering aspiring vacation home owners with a risk-free trial of property ownership.
The unique 'gradual ownership' model: A gateway for hesitant investors to step into the v...
2023-11-171h 06Behind the StaysHow to Build a Supernatural Hospitality Company — The Story of ArcanaMeet Jeremy Hill, Co-Founder and CEO of Arcana — a next generation nature resort complete with seasonally immersive science-based experiences that help guests feel nature’s true restorative powers.
Jeremy was working in banking and had climbed the proverbial and prestigious corporate ladder for years. But one day, as he was staring out the window of his beautiful corner office, the question “what the heck am I doing with my life?” assaulted his brain!
While he couldn’t have known it at the time, this moment would be the beginning of a major career pivot…it was this mome...
2023-11-1058 minBehind the StaysHow They’re Building a New Hotel Brand from ScratchMeet Tanner Cummings — Co-founder and Owner of Thin Spaces, a new hotel brand that’s building its first micro-resort called Cypress at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Jasper, Georgia.
Tanner has always loved finding issues and solving problems, which is why he spent most of his professional career working in quality assurance engineering for software companies like Calendly.
But in 2021, Tanner was bit by the entrepreneurial bug and decided to join the e-commerce start up his wife Melissa founded called, Cedar and Ink. And while the couple couldn’t have know it at the time...
2023-10-171h 04Behind the StaysHe Wants Everyone to Own a Mansion — The Future of Vacation Rental Ownership with John SuttonMeet John Sutton — Co-Founder and CEO of Mansion, a new fractional ownership offering for those looking to get into short-term rental investing without needing to own or operate an Airbnb.
Before starting Mansion*, John was the Chief Digital Officer at Red Ventures — the parent company for brands like Lonely Planet, The Points Guy, Reviews.com, and many others, so it’s safe to say John knows his way around building and scaling brands at the intersection of travel, hospitality, and technology.
In this conversation, John talks about:
Mansion’s vision of making real estate investing...
2023-10-0659 minBehind the StaysHow AI Will Enable Hospitality Entrepreneurs to Scale Their Brands (and Portfolios)Want to save 30-40% off West Elm purchase for your Airbnb? Or hundreds off of instagram famous mattresses from Bear or Purple? Then you'll want to create your free account with our partner Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money! Sign up and tell them that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way.
Meet Luca Zambello, Founder of Jurny, a tec...
2023-09-291h 00Behind the StaysHow to Build a Portfolio of 100 Single-Family Airbnbs and Transform Them into Unique ExperiencesWant to save 30-40% off West Elm purchase for your Airbnb? Or hundreds off of instagram famous mattresses from Bear or Purple? Then you'll want to create your free account with our partner Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money! Sign up and tell them that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way.
Meet Sief Khafagi, Co-Founder of Techvestor — one of th...
2023-09-2658 minBehind the StaysWhy She Left Her Successful Career in Accounting to Build a Hospitality Brand in the North Carolina MountainsWant to save 30-40% off West Elm purchase for your Airbnb? Or hundreds off of instagram famous mattresses from Bear or Purple? Then you'll want to create your free account with our partner Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money! Sign up and tell them that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way.
Meet Catherine Morris, the creator of Edenwod — a 6-a...
2023-09-2256 minBehind the StaysHow to Build the Next Generation of STR Management CompaniesMeet Jacob Mueller, Co-Founder and CEO of Renjoy — a next generation short-term rental management firm based in Colorado Springs.
Growing up, Jacob never would’ve guessed he’d be an entrepreneur, he studied economics in college and thought he’d go into policy.
But during his senior year, Jacob had the opportunity to work on a school project as a part of his thesis that revolved around launching a business in rural Michigan — and while he couldn’t have known it at the time, this project would inspire him to leave his dreams of working in Washington...
2023-09-1956 minBehind the StaysHow British Airways and an Airbnb in Istanbul Inspired Him to Build a Glamping Destination in the CatskillsMeet Stephen Pellicano — a hospitality entrepreneur in the Catskills focused on building simple glamping structures with everything you need and nothing that you don’t!
Stephen is a graphic designer by trade and fell in love with travel and hospitality after winning not one, but two free, round-trip tickets to Europe on British Airways as a part of a giveaway they were running back in the late 90s to promote the Concorde.
This trip abroad would inspire Stephen to spend the next decade living, working, and traveling across Europe. It was during this time abroad wher...
2023-09-1554 minBehind the StaysHow He Launched a Boutique Hotel for Bourbon Lovers — And Why He’s Bullish on Building for Niche Audiences.Meet Eric Carrico — founder of the The Woodford Hotel, a boutique invisible service hotel in Versailles, Kentucky.
Eric is a civil and environmental engineer by trade and has spent his career solving complex civil engineering problems for some of the largest heavy industrial earthwork construction projects in the country.
After the housing crisis in 2008, Eric had the opportunity to buy a couple of properties and start his real estate investing journey. Eric’s investment journey was quite traditional until this little known start-up at the time, which we now all know as Airbnb, began expanding into...
2023-09-1252 minBehind the StaysHow to Build a Franchise-Worthy Hospitality Brand — The Story of CasiolaMeet Dennis Goedheid, founder and CEO of Casiola — one of the hottest vacation rental management companies in the short-term rental space.
Dennis is no stranger to entrepreneurship — he started and sold two companies in his native Belgium before moving to Silicon Valley to find inspiration for his next big thing.
And while he couldn’t have known it at the time, that next big thing would be a vacation rental management company based in Orlando, Florida that is helping to write the book, in real time, on how to build such an exceptional hospitality brand that sho...
2023-09-0556 minBehind the StaysHe Was Airbnb’s 13th Employee — And Here’s What He Thinks the Future of the Hospitality Industry Will Look LikeMeet Justin Hauge, Co-Founder and CEO of Storied Collection — a collection of castles and historical stays across the UK and Ireland.
While Storied Collection is Justin’s first rodeo as a founder, it’s not his first rodeo working in startups.
Back in 2009, Justin was hired as the 13th team employee at a little start up that had just graduated from the most prestigious of startup accelerators, Y Combinator.
And, yes, you guessed it — that startup was Airbnb.
In this riveting and insightful conversation, Justin talks about the 10+ years he spent working at...
2023-09-0159 minBehind the StaysThe Story Behind Sponstayneous and the Behind the Stays PodcastIn this special podcast episode, Zach Busekrus, host of the Behind the Stays podcast and co-founder of Sponstayneous shares the stories behind the inception of both brands.
- Uncover the story of how Zach and his wife broke their lease in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2020 to live full-time on Airbnb
- Discover how Sam Parr, Founder of The Hustle and host of the My First Million podcast, played a role in Sponstayneous' early growth
- Hear how Guy Raz from NPR's How I Built This inspired Zach to start Behind...
2023-08-2935 minBehind the StaysThe Secret Sauce to Airbnb Influencer Marketing — Thoughts from the Founders of Hinter, Live Oak Lake, and OneraToday you'll re-meet Emily Padan, Ben Wolff, and Isaac French, founders of Hinter, Onera, and Live Oak Lake respectively — all three of these fine people were gracious enough to come BACK onto Behind the Stays.
In this first-of-its-kind panel podcast, this dynamic trio shares their experiences of working with hundreds of influencers and creators to promote their hospitality brands.
You’ll learn what they think does and doesn’t work when collaborating with influencers, how they structure their agreements and partnerships with folks, what they think about free night stays and giveaways, the gaps they see in...
2023-08-041h 11Behind the StaysFrom Shark Tank to Shoppable Airbnbs — Meet Julia RossiThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Julia Rossi — a Shark Tank alum turned hospitality entrepreneur.
Julia has spent the better part of her career working i...
2023-08-011h 06Behind the StaysFrom Vacation Rental Manager, to Wall Street Attorney, to Boutique HotelierPlease give a quick thank you to our sponsor for today’s episode, OwnerRez — the most loved and trusted property management software by professional vacation rental managers on the market.
Some of my best friends in the industry swear by OwnerRez so I’d highly encourage you to check them out and be sure to tell them that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you their way and they’ll give you an exclusive discount when you decide to purchase their software.
Meet Kevin Reardon, founder of The Shore House Hotel — a beachside lifestyle retreat built from a...
2023-07-281h 06Behind the StaysHow to Build the Future of the Vacation Rental IndustryMeet Adam Norko, a former marine turned hospitality marketer extraordinaire.
Adam has spent the last two decades working in sales and marketing for a number of hospitality brands — everything from the PropTech side of the house to leading growth at vacation rental and STR management companies.
In this conversation, Adam and I talk about how marketing has evolved in the vacation rental industry, what shifts the smartest hosts are making right now to prepare for the next generation of guests, the opportunities that exist for entrepreneurs to build new brands and companies in the space, wh...
2023-07-251h 07Behind the StaysHow She Built a Private Club for Hosts Who’ve Mastered the Art of HospitalityThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Samantha Pike, founder of The Hosting Societe — a private club for hosts who have mastered the art of experiential accommodations.
Ba...
2023-07-211h 00Behind the StaysHow He Built the MIT of Vacation Rental Communities — Meet Matt LandauMeet Matt Landau, the founder of VRMB — a vacation rental marketing blog and community for the world’s most innovative vacation rental professionals.
When Matt was a senior at the University of Richmond, he stumbled upon an alumni magazine that wound up changing his life.
On the cover of this magazine was an alum sitting in a hammock while on a beach in Costa Rica. While Matt had no idea what this guy did that enabled him to chillax in such a pristine aesthetic, he made up his mind then and there that he wanted to do...
2023-07-181h 02Behind the StaysHow He Built the Airbnb for Pools — Meet the Founder of SwimplyMeet Bunim Laskin, Founder and CEO of Swimply — the Airbnb for Pools.
Bunim grew up in Israel and moved to the states with his family when he was 15 years old.
He is oldest of 12 children and the idea for Swimply came to him when he was looking for a way to entertain his younger siblings in the heat of a New Jersey summer.
His next door neighbor had a pool that she didn’t use much and Bunim asked her if his family could use the pool when she wasn’t using it they agr...
2023-07-141h 03Behind the StaysA Masterclass on Experiential Hospitality with Isaac French (Creator of Live Oak Lake)This episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Issac French, Creator of Live Oak Lake, joins Zach for a chat about his latest project — a Masterclass on Experiential Hospitality.
Thi...
2023-07-1148 minBehind the StaysHis Hospitality Business Helps People Detox from Their Digital Lives — Meet the Co-Founder of UnpluggedThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Hector Hughes, Co-Founder of Unplugged — a collection of off-grid cabins around the UK designed and optimized for guests seeking a digital...
2023-07-0754 minBehind the StaysGoogle Flight Alerts but for Airbnbs, a Community of Professional Guests, and other Sponstayneous UpdatesIn this episode Zach shares some exciting new updates on what we're building at Sponstayneous and asks for feedback from listeners on how to improve Behind the Stays. Got ideas for Zach? Reach out to him direct at zach@sponstayneous.com or find him on Twitter @zboozee or on LinkedIn at @zacharybusekrus.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behin...
2023-06-3030 minBehind the StaysThe Past, Present, and Future of Vacation Rental Software — Insights from OwnerRez Co-Founder, Paul WaldschmidtMeet Paul Waldschmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of OwnerRez — one of the industry’s most beloved property management platforms.
Paul is a software developer through and through. He has always loved leveraging technology to solve problems. So, when he and his business partner Chris began experiencing problems with their property manager on their recently purchased vacation rental in the Blue Ridge mountains, the technical duo saw an opportunity.
Tune in to hear the story of how Paul and Chris bootstrapped the creation of one of the most respected, loved, and powerful PMSes for STR owners and property...
2023-06-271h 02Behind the StaysHow to Build a Portfolio of Unique (But Really Affordable) AirbnbsThis episode is brought to you by StayFi!
StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.
This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.
Learn more about StayFi at StayFi.com and...
2023-06-2352 minBehind the StaysMeet the Guy Airbnb Doesn’t Want You to Know AboutThis episode is brought to you by StayFi!
StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.
This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.
Learn more about StayFi at StayFi.com and...
2023-06-201h 09Behind the StaysHot Takes on Hospitality, New Ideas for STR Entrepreneurs, and The Founding Story of Behind the StaysThis episode is a special one! Wil Slickers from Slick Talk invited our host, Zach Busekrus, to come and share his story on Wil's top-rated hospitality podcast.
Enjoy this rebroadcasted episode!
Be sure to subscribe to Wil's show here or wherever you get your podcast.
Behind the Stays is brought to you by Sponstayneous — a carefully-curated newsletter that sends subscribers 150 of the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb twice a week. You can subscribe for free at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus (@zboozee) — Co-Found...
2023-06-1654 minBehind the StaysShe Worked in PR for The Ritz, St. Regis, and Le Méridien — Now She’s Building Her Own Luxury STR BrandThis episode is brought to you by StayFi!
StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.
This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.
Learn more about StayFi at StayFi.com and...
2023-06-1354 minBehind the StaysWhy Airbnb Hosts Should Invest Way More in Design — Hot Takes with Hans LoreiThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Hans Lorei — Head of Design at Investmet.com and one of the most beloved designers in the short-term rental and boutique...
2023-06-061h 06Behind the StaysThe Story of The Vermont A-Frame: Thoughts on Unique Stays, the Covid Boom, and Properly Leveraging InfluencersThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Jason and Monique — the founders of The Vermont A-Frame…one of the OG instagram famous A-Frames in New England.
Jason gre...
2023-06-021h 00Behind the StaysHow to Make Your Airbnb Go Viral on Social MediaThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
Meet Nate Vietz, founder of Content House — one of the most exciting media agencies serving the short-term rental community.
After g...
2023-05-3058 minBehind the StaysHow to Validate Your Idea Before Building an Experiential Hospitality CompanyThis episode is brought to you by our friends at Minoan.
Minoan provides hosts with a one-stop-shop to get hundreds of discounts on the world’s leading brands, and a system where you can manage all of the ordering, tracking, returns, etc. in one place. Saving you time and money!
Create your free account here and be sure to tell the team that Zach from Behind the Stays sent you there way!
About the Episode:
Meet Sani Djaya, the creator of Moonbase — a next generation luxury campground designed to help make stargaz...
2023-05-2658 minBehind the StaysHow to Market Your Short-Term Rental Portfolio in 2023Download the full free report . Oh, and be sure to start your 14-day free trial of Uplisting at at https://www.uplisting.io/bts-podcast and, once you’ve fallen in love with all that this platform has to offer, get 20% off of your first year of Uplisting when you use the code BTS20 at checkout.
Welcome to Episode 3 of a special 3-part podcast series on The State of the Short-Term Rental Industry brought to you by my friends at Uplisting — one of the most powerful property management systems on the market.
In this episode, Zach and Vinn...
2023-05-2442 minBehind the StaysHow Much Money Can You Actually Make with Short-Term Rentals?Download the full free report . Oh, and be sure to start your 14-day free trial of Uplisting at at https://www.uplisting.io/bts-podcast and, once you’ve fallen in love with all that this platform has to offer, get 20% off of your first year of Uplisting when you use the code BTS20 at checkout.
Welcome to Episode 2 of a special 3-part podcast series on The State of the Short-Term Rental Industry brought to you by my friends at Uplisting — one of the most powerful property management systems on the market.
In this episode, Zach and Vinn...
2023-05-1841 minBehind the StaysHow to Keep Guests Coming Back — A Conversation on Loyalty Programs, Guest Experience, and Hospitality Branding with Robin CraigenMeet Robin Craigen, Co-Founder and CEO of Moving Mountains —a luxury collection of lodging properties in Steamboat Springs, Beaver Creek, Vail, and Breckenridge, Colorado.
Robin began his hospitality entrepreneurship journey alongside his wife Heather at sea. Yes, you heard that right, the Craigens ran a luxury yacht charter business around the British Virgin Islands.
And while sailing the stunning waters of the BVI was nothing short of a dream, Robin and Heather had higher aspirations. The couple moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and decided to open up a ski chalet business.
And that bu...
2023-05-161h 14Behind the StaysHow She Built the Instagram-Famous Cliff House Airbnbs in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge — Meet Amy DoursonMeet Amy Dourson from Red River Gorgeous, a collection of unique cabins, treehouses, and instagram-famous cliff houses in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
Growing up, Amy wanted to be a doctor. So, she spent a lot of her time studying as she was determined to go to medical school.
But, after a series of adventurous and serendipitous events, Amy fell in love with carpentry and decided to exchange her dreams of becoming a doctor with a new dream to become a builder.
When Amy met her husband Aaron, his family owned a few cabins...
2023-05-0558 minBehind the StaysHow to Build (Truly) One-of-a-Kind Airbnbs — Meet the Founder of OneraMeet Ben Wolff — Founder and Creator of Onera — a truly one-of-a-kind collection of unique escapes in the Texas Hill Country.
Ben is no stranger to hospitality entrepreneurship. Prior to starting Onera, Ben founded and grew ProTripper, a property management services platform, and Blink Hospitality, a data-driven, vacation rental company with hundreds of properties across the US.
But then something happened in early March 2020 that changed everything. Ben was overseas celebrating the prior year’s successes with a team he had built in the Philippines when his phone began vibrating uncontrollably. Guests were canceling their stays as news b...
2023-05-021h 04Behind the StaysHow She Turned Her Side Hustle into a Thriving Hospitality BrandMeet Chelsea Dunckley — the Founder of Digs Co, a hospitality company that specializes in creating elevated vacation rentals in Central Washington and the Greater Phoenix area.
Chelsea and her husband Luke have always loved real estate. After getting married, you’d often find the couple working on nights and weekends flipping homes while discussing the latest trends in design, real estate, and hospitality.
But it wasn’t until Chelsea received some unexpected news from the tech company she worked at that she and her entire unit were to be let go that she decided to try her ha...
2023-04-281h 02Behind the StaysHow to Design the Future of Camping — The Next Frontier for Hospitality EntrepreneursMeet Jacob Halverson, the General Manager of Mendocino Grove — a luxury glamping resort on 32 wooded acres in Mendocino County, California.
After studying hospitality management at Lakeland University, Jacob started his career as a front desk manager at Custer State Park Resort in South Dakota. Since then, he’s helped launch luxury boutique hotels, started his own hospitality consultancy, and, currently, serves as the General Manager at Mendocino Grove.
In this lively conversation, Jacob and I discuss the massive opportunity that exists in the luxe camping space, how to increase revenue and profitability when you’ve reached...
2023-04-2556 minBehind the StaysMarketing Mondays: 10 Creative(ish) Email Marketing A/B Test Ideas for Airbnb HostsWelcome to Marketing Mondays — a new, weekly segment on the Behind the Stays podcast that covers specific marketing strategies and tactics that Airbnb hosts and hospitality entrepreneurs can immediately use to promote their stays.
On this third episode Zach covers all things Email A/B testing!
Email A/B tests are incredibly important...yet many Airbnb hosts and hospitality entrepreneurs fail to conduct them regularly.
I did a recent poll with some of the hosts in the space whose brands I respect the most and asked if they’ve run A/B tests to th...
2023-03-0627 minBehind the StaysMarketing Mondays: Why You Need a Website for Your Airbnb — Even if You Don’t Have a Direct Booking Site.Welcome to Marketing Mondays — a new, weekly segment on the Behind the Stays podcast that covers specific marketing strategies and tactics that Airbnb hosts and hospitality entrepreneurs can immediately use to promote their stays.
On this second episode of this new Behind the Stays segment, Zach covers:
Why you should build a website for your Airbnb even if you don't have a direct booking site
How to start ranking
The CMSes that Airbnb hosts should consider building their websites on
Let us know what you think about this new segment by sending us a DM on Instagram @sponstayneous, shooting our found...
2023-02-1325 minBehind the StaysMarketing Mondays: How to Best Leverage Influencers to Promote Your Airbnb (The Do’s and Don’ts)Welcome to Marketing Mondays — a new, weekly segment on the Behind the Stays podcast that covers specific marketing strategies and tactics that Airbnb hosts and hospitality entrepreneurs can immediately use to promote their stays.
On the first episode of this new Behind the Stays segment, Zach covers:
Why you should work with creators
A framework for how to discern who to work with and how to work with them
How creators can help you increase direct bookings
Ideas for how to partner with creators in unique ways
Let...
2023-02-0625 minBehind the StaysHow a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Inspired Her to Build a Collection of Airbnb Cabins in ColoradoMeet Jamie Kraus, the creator of Chestnut Hill — a beautiful appointed home located 5 minutes from Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Jamie and her husband have three young adult sons and live in the great state of Texas. Growing up, Jamie would vacation in the Colorado mountains with her family and dreamed of one day owning a home in Breckenridge.
A few years ago, Jamie was diagnosed with breast cancer. After an arduous battle, she was, thankfully, able to survive the disease.
This life-altering event reminded Jamie that life is short — and that waiting to find...
2023-01-3143 minBehind the StaysHow to Make Your Airbnb Instaworthy — Ideas from an Award-Winning STR PhotographerMeet Jon Kreye — an award-winning Airbnb and VRBO photographer.
Growing up, you’d often find Jon in the backyard snapping photos of trees, flowers, and wildlife — he has always been moved by the beauty nature offers.
Jon dreamed of being able to do photography full-time, but was sober to the fact that making it as a full-time photographer is super difficult.
One day, while traveling in Minnesota, Jon posted photos of the cabin he was staying at on Instagram — and while he didn’t know it at the time, this decision would change the course of...
2022-09-3048 minBehind the StaysHow He Discovered, Bought, and Scaled an RV Membership Program — Meet Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest HostsIn just a moment you’ll meet Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts — an RV membership program that allows travelers to stay overnight at unique locations around the country including farms, wineries, breweries, and more.
Joel is what you might call a creative hustler. As a young teenager, you could either find him selling DVDs and books on eBay or out and about shooting video.
Joel loved capturing compelling video content. So much so in fact, that he launched a business called VideoBlocks, which was a marketplace for stock video footage.
He grew the comp...
2022-09-2752 minBehind the StaysShe Bought a Bank in the Ozarks and Transformed it into an Airbnb — How Tyann Marcink Builds Regional Vacation Rental Brands.Meet Tyann Marcink — the Queen of Guest Experience at Touch Stay, a digital guidebook platform for short-term and vacation rental hosts.
Tyann has a knack for charting her own path. She’s a resilient creative who owns 2 rental management brands and has been active in the vacation rental industry since 2007.
Discover Tyann’s hot takes about the future of the hospitality industry, hear the story behind how she bought a bank and turned it into a vacation rental in the Ozarks, and learn about how she ventured off on her entrepreneurial journey after losing a college...
2022-09-2053 min