The STR Sisterhood

Hosted by Stacey St. John

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Whether you’re brand new to Airbnb or an experienced Superhost, you’re giving yourself the gift of financial freedom and FUN when you enter the short-term rental space. If there’s anyone who knows this, it’s Stacey St. John. She built a 7-figure STR portfolio in less than two years and was able to leave her W2 thanks to the earnings from her properties. Today, she’s living the life she was always meant to live – on her terms. And on her new podcast, The STR Sisterhood, she’s sharing how you can, too! On this show, it’s all about you and your short-term rental journey. You’ll hear actionable advice from industry experts as well as inspiring stories from real women about their experiences, achievements, frustrations, and challenges…and how they’ve managed to turn their short-term rental dreams into reality. If you’re an ambitious woman who’s looking to have a 5-star Airbnb business on your hands without having to sacrifice the things you love, then tune in every week for all the goodness!

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September 8, 202621 min

The One System Your Airbnb Business Is Missing

Your PMS Runs Your Bookings. This Runs Your Business. What happens when one HOA rule changes and nobody writes it down? In this episode of The STR Sisterhood, I tell you about the family who spent an entire week of their Myrtle Beach vacation parking two miles from the condo — and why that story has almost nothing to do with the team member who answered the message. Most of us are running our short-term rental businesses out of our own memory, and we've been calling that a discipline problem when it was never anything but a structure problem. Your property management system was built to run your bookings. It was never built to hold your door codes, your vendor history, your HOA rules, or the fact that the same toilet has run three times this year. This episode is about building the other half — the part that runs your business — while you still only have one property and it only takes an afternoon. We talk about: Why answering from memory will always beat looking it up, and what that costs you The difference between what your PMS is for and what it was never designed to do (and why this applies even if you don't have a PMS) The three areas a one-property owner actually needs, and the portfolio-operator systems you can safely ignore for now Why your maintenance log becomes evidence, not a to-do list, about six months in The one rule that makes the whole thing work: sole source of truth, not main source of truth A stale code I found in my own files while making this episode, and why I decided to tell you about it Grab the free Scatter Audit: https://bit.ly/4y8wFqL We're building this together live on September 9–10 inside the STR Sisterhood - check out more details here: STRsisterhood.com HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:01] Welcome to another episode of the STR Sisterhood as I share how one small HOA parking rule change created a major guest problem—and exposed a bigger issue in my business [03:30] Why scattered business information can leave hosts as the only source of truth [05:40] I explain why your PMS can manage your bookings without actually being the place where your business lives [08:48] The first of the three essential areas every host needs in their business command center: Your Property Information [10:10] The Second Essential Area Every Host Needs in a Simple Business Command Center: Your People [11:01] The third essential area of a business command center: Your History [11:57] I challenge the common mindset of, "I only have one property, so I'll set this up when I actually need it." [13:43] The second half of the Myrtle Beach parking story and I explain why one source of truth matters [16:55] I walk through my free Scatter Audit worksheet and show hosts how to identify exactly where their business information is currently living [18:08] Join me inside the STR Sisterhood on September 9 and 10 as we build your business command center together—live, so you actually use it Golden Nuggets: “"How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” "Your memory is a source of truth that goes out of date without ever telling you." "That number isn't evidence that you're disorganized. It's what year one of a real business honestly looks like." "The second the real answer is harder to reach than the remembered one, people stop reaching." "The fix isn't trying harder to remember. It's building a place where the current answer is easier to find than the old one." Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

September 1, 202625 min

200 Episodes Later: The Biggest Lessons About Short-Term Rental Success with Stacey St. John

Have you ever looked at someone else’s business and wondered if they know something you don’t? After 200 episodes of the STR Sisterhood, I’ve had the privilege of talking with women from just about every background imaginable—teachers, nurses, corporate executives, stay-at-home moms, military spouses, and women building businesses of every size. And I’ve learned something I didn’t expect. There is no secret blueprint. The women building extraordinary businesses don’t have everything figured out. They’ve simply learned to make thoughtful decisions, take action before they feel completely ready, and keep moving toward the lives they actually want. So, for this very special 200th episode—which also happens to fall on my birthday—I’m sharing four of the biggest lessons these women have taught me. In this episode, I talk about: Why confidence is often the result of taking action , not something you need before you begin Why success isn’t about building the biggest business—it’s about building the right business for the life you want Why information alone isn’t enough and the people you surround yourself with can change what you believe is possible How systems, delegation, and intentional decisions can help your business create freedom instead of quietly taking it away After 200 conversations, one lesson stands above the rest: Your business is the vehicle. The life you’re creating is the destination. So if you’ve been waiting until you know enough, feel confident enough, or have everything figured out, this episode is your reminder that you don’t need to become someone different before you begin. Take the next thoughtful step. Learn as you go. Surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re building. Because an extraordinary life doesn’t require you to be extraordinary first. It starts when you decide to begin. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:00] Welcome to the 200th STR Sisterhood podcast episode and I share the four biggest lessons I’ve learned from hundreds of women who stopped waiting to build the lives they wanted [04:08] Lesson Number 1: Extraordinary women stop waiting for permission and start taking action before they feel completely ready [09:40] Lesson Number 2: Success isn't about building the biggest business. It's about building the right one. [13:23] Lesson Number 3: Information doesn't change lives; people do. – It’s about the power of relationships, mentorship, and community in creating transformation. [17:58] Lesson Number 4: Build a business that gives you your life back. – Your business should support your life. It should never replace it. [19:49] The true meaning of success and why the goal isn’t building the biggest business—it’s building a life that feels deeply aligned with what matters most Golden Nuggets: ““Be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” “Extraordinary women stop waiting for permission.” “The women who build extraordinary lives aren't the women who have everything figured out before they begin-they're the women who decide to begin before they have everything figured out.” “Confidence is the reward for action.” “Success isn't about building the biggest business. It's about building the right one.” “Information alone doesn't change lives; other people do.” “Your business should support your life. It should never replace it.” “The women I admire most aren't the women with the biggest portfolios. They aren't the women making the most money. They're the women who never forgot why they started.” “You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. You don't have to become someone else before you deserve success. You don't have to build the biggest business to build a beautiful life. You simply have to take the next step, because somewhere out there is a future version of you.” Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

August 25, 202654 min

Back to Basics: What Really Makes a Great Short-Term Rental Host with Jodie Odlin

There’s no shortage of information about short-term rentals. Podcasts. YouTube videos. Facebook groups. AI. Courses. Conferences. Tools. Software. In fact, sometimes there’s so much information that figuring out what you actually need to do next becomes the hard part. And if you’re a newer host, it can leave you wondering whether you’re really ready to do this at all. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my friend Jodie Odlin , short-term rental host, hospitality professional, and creator of the Hospitable Hosts book series, to talk about what actually makes someone a great host — and spoiler alert: it isn’t having every piece of technology, every fancy amenity, or every system perfectly dialed in. Sometimes, you need to get back to basics. We talk about the difference between simply owning a short-term rental and truly understanding hospitality, why more information doesn’t necessarily create better hosts, and how to turn what you’re learning into action instead of allowing it to become another source of overwhelm. Jodie also shares one of the biggest mistakes she made in her own STR business — waiting years to collect guest email addresses — and why building relationships with your guests beyond the OTAs matters. And because this is a conversation between Jodie and me, we somehow take a rather unexpected detour into… beekeeping. 🐝 Yes. Beekeeping. But even that conversation brings us right back to one of the biggest themes of this episode: you don’t have to know everything before you begin. You learn. You ask questions. You find people who are ahead of you. And then you take action. We also talk about the power of being in the room with other hosts, the upcoming STR Hospitality Summit, burnout in our industry, and the advice Jodie carries with her when business — or life — feels particularly hard. If you’ve been consuming ALL the information but still find yourself wondering what you should actually be doing next, this conversation is for you. Join the STR Hospitality Summit: https://theglobalhospitalitycollective.com/summit HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:08] A short introduction about our guest Jodie Odlin and how her hospitality background inspired her to educate short-term rental hosts through storytelling [06:19] Jodie explains the difference between simply owning a short-term rental and truly understanding hospitality [10:54] Jodie shares why more information can overwhelm hosts instead of making them better—and why going back to the basics matters [15:39] The hard lesson that taught Jodie to stop relying entirely on OTAs and start building direct guest relationships [20:12] Jodie shares the unexpected story of how she became a beekeeper after volunteering to learn from a woman whose husband had recently passed away and left behind a beehive [25:33] Jodie draws a clear distinction between having access to information and actually being educated [28:20] Jodie highlights how sharing what you know can help others, no matter where you are in your hosting journey [33:05] How connecting with other hosts creates practical learning, fresh ideas, and space to recharge [36:15] Jodie gives listeners a closer look at what to expect from the STR Hospitality Summit, emphasizing that the event is designed to combine practical education, connection, fun, and wellness [41:50] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Not everyone understands hospitality, and I think you don't have to. It's not all about the property. It's how you make the guest feel.” “If you set it up for success by letting the guests know, set the expectations before the guests arrive in the correct way, then you're going to have a very successful stay with your guests.” “By truly caring for the guests, caring about their experience inside of our property, and also being super communicative with them and treating them like they're a friend that wins hands down over any coffee bar or waffle bar.” “There's no point listening to this stuff or just reading the information and then not taking action with it.” “Sharing one nugget of information can be dramatically helpful for someone who is just starting out.” “Being in the same room with other people is a way to really enhance all the magic that can happen just by again empowering someone with education or encouragement.” “Just go for it, and just take one day at a time.” “Everything happens for a reason. Good or bad, there is an opportunity for us to learn from an experience.” Let’s Connect: Website : theglobalhospitalitycollective.com Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

August 18, 202645 min

From Tax Wake-Up Call to STR Portfolio: Building Wealth Through Real Estate with Traci Capraro

Have you ever had a single conversation completely change the way you think about money, work, and what’s possible for your future? Most professionals assume building wealth through real estate requires starting early, having perfect market timing, or making zero mistakes along the way. In this episode, I sit down with Traci Capraro, a tech sales leader, single mom of two, and founder of Take a TraCation. We’re unpacking how one unexpected tax appointment with her CPA became the catalyst for buying her first oceanfront beach condo, building a geographically diversified portfolio, and scaling a thriving co-hosting business across the Carolinas. We talk about: Transforming a tax obligation into real estate equity after her CPA gave her a wake-up call, leading to her first short-term rental purchase in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Navigating the messy realities of a "failed BRRRR," from managing high interest rates and HOA assessments to learning how to evaluate properties based on strict data rather than emotion. Mitigating coastal seasonality by intentionally diversifying into the mountains of North Carolina, successfully refinancing a college-town cabin within twelve months to fund further growth. Converting personal project documentation on social media into a co-hosting business, deploying a robust tech stack—including management platforms, PriceLabs, and Turno—to deliver five-star guest experiences. Re-engineering personal mindset through podcasts, books, and focused goal-setting, creating a resilient business model that models financial independence and entrepreneurship for her teenage sons. Traci pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day realities of balancing a demanding tech career with active real estate investing and co-hosting. You’ll hear how she navigated difficult client conversations, established firm vendor standards, and built a diversified portfolio that smooths out year-round cash flow while protecting her Superhost status and her sanity. If you’re wondering if it's too late to start investing, how to bounce forward after early missteps, or how to build a business that leaves a lasting legacy for your family, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:46] A short introduction about our guest Traci Capraro and how a career in tech sales and single motherhood led her to build a growing co-hosting business [02:16] Traci’s tax surprise turns a tech career into a real estate investment journey across beach and mountain markets [04:57] How a simple conversation with Traci’s CPA opened her eyes to the possibilities of real estate investing and completely changed the direction of her financial future [07:35] Traci reveals how choosing lifestyle-driven investments helped her build a diversified short-term rental portfolio [09:07] Traci shares the lessons she learned from her first real estate investment, which she describes as a failed BRRRR project [13:56] How Traci’s first short-term rental and the right systems opened the door to her first co-hosting client [17:10] Traci opens up about the doubts and challenges that come with building a business, admitting that moments of uncertainty still happen—even as she continues to grow [20:12] Why choosing the right co-hosting clients has become essential to protecting Traci’s business and reputation [23:35] Traci highlights why strong cleaning systems, communication, and backup plans are critical to delivering a consistent guest experience [27:28] Traci reflects on how real estate investing and entrepreneurship transformed her mindset around wealth and what’s possible [29:55] Traci shares how personal growth, positive influences, and involving her children have shaped her entrepreneurial journey [36:39] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Having a diversified portfolio is a way to protect ourselves from risk.” “One of the smartest things I ever did was invest in a coaching program because that coaching program taught me how to create the foundation, technology, and operations.” “If I had to start over again, I would do co-hosting in a heartbeat.” “Pumpkin planning is you pulling clients out of your business that are no longer a fit that may be costing you effort, energy, resources, so that you can go and find a right fit client for you.” “Look in the mirror and be your biggest cheerleader instead of your biggest critic.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/takeatracation/ Website : https://takeatracation.com/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

August 11, 202645 min

From England to Texas: How Joanna Woods Built a Purpose-Driven STR Business Across Continents

How do you turn one of the hardest seasons of your life into the catalyst for a hospitality business that changes not just your family’s future, but your guests’ experience too? In this episode, I sit down with Joanna Woods, a British short-term rental host and co-host who manages properties in Grapevine, Texas, all the way from her home an hour north of Liverpool. We talk about: Navigating a life-altering family shift when her son became a wheelchair user, discovering wheelchair motocross (WCMX), and purchasing a home in Grapevine, Texas, to support his international athletic competitions. Reinvesting property cash flow into high-impact experiential amenities—like transforming an acre of land to include a game barn, outdoor cinema, pool table, and cowboy pool. Managing transatlantic operations by building an elite local team and creating a family "shift pattern" to ensure 24/7 guest support despite a six-hour time difference. Leveraging the Airbnb co-host network to scale, optimizing listings by restricting calendars to three-month windows, and actively analyzing daily search and pricing data. Using AI to mine guest reviews for exact phrasing, updating property copy to speak directly to both human guests and search algorithms, and making data-driven pricing adjustments during seven-day booking windows. Joanna pulls back the curtain on how she transitioned from seeing a property as a way to cover family travel bills to operating a high-performing hospitality brand. You'll hear how she balances market metrics with heart-led hospitality, constantly refining her listings to address missing guest needs while building a business that gives her family total flexibility. If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to turn personal adversity into a thriving hospitality enterprise and manage operations remotely without losing quality, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:56] A short introduction about our guest Joanna Woods, shares how an unexpected family journey led her from long-term rentals in the UK to discovering short-term rentals in Texas [05:40] Joanna recounts the whirlwind journey of launching her first U.S. short-term rental while supporting her son's wheelchair motocross world championship competition [08:28] Joanna reveals what made her fall in love with hospitality after launching her first short-term rental [10:44] How Joanna’s family manages overseas short-term rental operations across time zones with strong systems and a trusted local team [13:10] Joanna explains how co-hosting created a path to grow her short-term rental business without traditional financing options [15:16] Why co-hosting became the ideal path for growing her short-term rental business without the financial pressure of property management [17:44] Joanna shares how saying yes to an unexpected opportunity helped her land her first co-hosting clients from across the world [20:24] How Joanna maintained Airbnb visibility and optimized a part-time vacation rental impacted by owner stays [23:06] Joanna and I discuss how small listing updates, guest feedback, and AI analysis can transform Airbnb performance [27:44] Why AI requires human oversight, clear instructions, and careful review when used in short-term rentals [29:31] Joanna shares how tracking revenue, conversion metrics, and Airbnb insights helped her make smarter pricing decisions and maximize property performance [33:05] Joanna shares how she balances pricing data, market experience, and intuition when making revenue management decisions [36:03] Joanna shares the mindset shift that transformed her from someone who simply listed properties on Airbnb into a true hospitality business owner [39:55] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Co-hosting is a wonderful way for folks who want to grow their portfolio and grow their experience and expand their team.” “If I had to start over again, I would absolutely move into co-hosting first because as a property manager, I didn't realize early on how cash intensive the property management business is.” “Whether you tell yourself you can or you can't, you're right. So let's tell ourselves we can.” “We can all benefit by hearing someone else's story.” Let’s Connect: Website : https://www.pathfindervacations.co/ Facebook : www.facebook.com/p/Pathfinder-Vacations-LLC-100095005793929/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pathfindervacationsllc/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

August 4, 202644 min

When Growth Stops Serving You: The STR Pivot That Changed Everything with Leah Yuhasz

How do you know when it’s time to stop pushing through and finally pivot—even when everything you’ve built looks successful from the outside? Most professionals assume scaling is a one-way street and that stepping back means giving up. In this episode, I sit down with Leah Yuhasz, a former nurse, mom, real estate agent, and short-term rental operator from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. We’re unpacking what it really looks like to scale a management business, hit a personal breaking point, and intentionally choose a new season that puts family and sanity first. We talk about: Transitioning from a high-stakes nursing career into real estate, leveraging cost segregation and bonus depreciation tax strategies to scale a portfolio across Destin, Panama City Beach, and Asheville. The operational shift from managing personal assets to handling client properties using management software like Hospitable and OwnerRez to streamline guest communication and owner relations. Facing the invisible emotional load of property management—nonstop guest messages, constant maintenance logistics, and the silent strain it puts on a marriage and family life. Unwinding a business with intention by transitioning clients to trusted boutique managers, selling a primary investment asset, and utilizing house hacking along Florida's Emerald Coast to maintain wealth creation with far less friction. Navigating the psychological aftermath of a business pivot, including overcoming the impulse to constantly produce and learning how to reclaim personal energy without feeling guilty. Leah pulls back the curtain on the moment she realized her growing business was pulling her away from being present with her kids. You'll hear how she and her husband shifted their entire strategy away from high-volume operations and toward a sustainable, family-first model that honors their long-term wealth goals without sacrificing their daily peace. If you are a high-achiever wondering how to step off the hamster wheel of endless growth, realign your business with your true priorities, and make a courageous pivot, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:59] A short introduction about our guest Leah Yuhasz, and shares how early motherhood, financial curiosity, and exposure to investing conversations go her into short-term rentals [05:49] Leah explains how one investment property became the foundation for a short-term rental management business [10:09] Leah walks through how her portfolio expanded from managing her own arbitrage property and one additional owner relationship into a 10-property management portfolio [13:22] The hidden pressure that comes with managing multiple properties and the challenge of balancing high standards, business growth, and personal relationships [20:41] Leah shares the moment she realized she needed to slow down and rethink how she wanted to grow [23:43] Leah opens up about the difficult decision to step away from her management company after years of growth [28:08] Leah reflects on the emotional adjustment of life after stepping away from her management business [30:11] Leah shares how her pivot created space to be more present for her family while continuing to serve others in a new way [31:28] How stepping away from daily property management helped Leah transform years of short-term rental experience into a new opportunity to serve investors [35:00] Leah shares her advice for anyone who is questioning whether it is time to make a change in their business or personal life [35:31] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Working with your spouse is very different from raising a family with your spouse, or being married to your spouse.” “To grow carefully is to do yourself and your property owners a favor.” “When we're giving other people our energy and we're not able to recharge ourselves, we're draining our own battery, and eventually it's going to give out.” “You're having to pivot, that's not failing at all, that's simply making a change. So many people look at pivoting as failure.” “I look at pivoting as a beautiful thing. It's an opportunity for us to, to change and also to grow and stretch in different ways, and oftentimes to recharge as well.” Let’s Connect: Website : https://www.savvy.realty/meet-the-team Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/leah.yuhasz/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

July 28, 202644 min

From Zero STR Experience to 27 Properties: Building a Co-Hosting Business with Maddie Malik

How do you go from having zero experience in short-term rentals to running a thriving, 27-property co-hosting business built almost entirely on word of mouth? Most people assume they need years of corporate hospitality experience before they can successfully scale. In this episode, I’m joined by Maddie Malik of Nomad Vacation Rentals. We’re digging into how she went from brand-new and admittedly clueless to becoming the go-to co-host in her Greensboro, North Carolina market—simply by being honest, obsessed with learning, and relentlessly committed to high standards. We talk about: Starting a co-hosting career before feeling "ready," leveraging an initial opportunity with an owner's two properties to learn the business entirely through real-world trial and error. Identifying the professional gap for high-touch operators in local markets, and turning a relentless focus on guest satisfaction and property condition into a powerful organic referral engine. Building a lean, specialized internal team—including an administrator, a systems-focused operations manager, and two dedicated quality inspectors who audit cleanings to catch maintenance issues before guests arrive. Structuring a simple back-office ecosystem using Hostaway for owner statements alongside basic expense-tracking tools, prioritizing functional systems over operational over-engineering. Embracing the operational chaos of peak-season crises, like mid-summer AC failures, as a direct mechanism for expanding personal problem-solving thresholds and building resilience. Maddie pulls back the curtain on the mindset shift required to transition from "helping out" a friend to running a multi-property family enterprise. You'll hear how she established strict client boundaries—learning to charge appropriately for renovation management, and confidently saying no to misaligned owners who don't share her exact property standards. If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to break into the short-term rental industry from scratch and build a respected brand through sheer execution and honesty, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:28] A short introduction about our guest Maddie Malik, and what it was like getting her very first client while openly admitting she had no prior experience in short-term rentals [05:03] Maddie recalls the moment she realized co-hosting was solving a real need in her market and could become a sustainable business [06:52] Maddie attributes her early business growth to a relentless commitment to learning, improving, and delivering exceptional service [08:58] How continuous learning, personal accountability, and a growth mindset have fueled Maddie’s expansion to 27 properties [10:58] Maddie shares that fear and overwhelm have been a consistent part of growing her co-hosting business, learned to view discomfort as a sign that she is expanding her capabilities [17:20] Maddie talks about her systems, team structure, and quality control processes that support her growth to managing 27 properties [20:42] Maddie shares the referral-driven growth strategy that helped her build a 27-property co-hosting portfolio [22:45] The importance of financial transparency and evolving systems as her co-hosting business grows [29:24] How staying motivated as an entrepreneur comes from recognizing that Maddie’s work impacts real people who rely on her [31:27] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “You have to want that growth.” “There is no growth in comfort. If you are comfortable, you're not growing.” “It's okay to sit and not know, and then go learn what you can.” Let’s Connect: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MadelaineMalik Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nomad.elaine/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

July 21, 202611 min

The Hardest Business Decision I’ve Made This Year with Stacey St. John

What do you do when something in your business is still making money, still getting attention, and still looks like a success from the outside… but deep down, you know it’s no longer the right fit for where you’re headed? In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the hardest business decisions I’ve made recently: retiring the STR Virtual Summit for Women. On paper, it was working. But the more I looked at what my audience actually needed, the more I realized the summit wasn’t the best vehicle to help women in this industry create real momentum. It was delivering a ton of information—but not enough implementation. And if you’ve ever bought a course, joined a summit, or downloaded the freebie only to never fully use it… you know exactly what I mean. In this episode, I’m sharing: why I chose to walk away from something that looked successful from the outside how I knew it was time to stop offering more information and start creating more implementation the three questions I’ve been using to evaluate whether something in my business still deserves a place what it looks like to strategically prune offers, projects, or commitments that are pulling focus from your bigger goals how I’m rebuilding the STR Sisterhood around a simpler, more actionable model with monthly challenges, focused trainings, and live support I’m also sharing the thought process behind the new pricing model and why I intentionally wanted the most hands-on, implementation-focused option to be the easiest one to say yes to. If you’ve been holding onto a property, a service, a marketing strategy, or even a business model that technically “works” but doesn’t feel aligned anymore, this episode is for you. We’re talking about how to make smart pivots, clear out what’s no longer serving your next level, and build a business that actually supports the life you want to live—not just one that looks good on paper. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:01] My decision to retire the STR Virtual Summit for Women and embrace a new direction for serving the community [01:21] Why courageous pivots require letting go of what no longer serves your mission [02:23] I share the real reason behind my decision to retire the STR Virtual Summit for Women, and it comes back to the women I created it for [03:31] The difficult realization that the biggest barrier was never a lack of information—it was the ability to actually implement what was being learned [04:22] The concept of Strategic Pruning as the lesson I want listeners to carry with them beyond this episode [05:34] My three questions for identifying what to eliminate and refocusing your business priorities [06:04] My vision for rebuilding the STR Sisterhood into a year-round community focused on action, connection, and meaningful growth [07:16] I share the boundary I’m putting in place as I reshape the STR Sisterhood and my commitment to creating a hands-on STR Sisterhood experience for women [08:49] My reassurance that the STR Sisterhood community remains open while my deeper support shifts toward women ready to take action Golden Nuggets: “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” “Having to pivot does not mean you have failed; it means you're paying attention. Real failure isn't changing course. Real failure is staying loyal to something that has quietly stopped working just because you're afraid of what people will think if you let it go.” “Letting go of something good, so something better has room to grow, has a name. It's called Strategic Pruning, and it's one of the hardest disciplines there is for a high achieving woman to practice.” “A good thing that pulls your focus is more dangerous than a bad thing you could easily walk away from.” “Pruning what you love is not failing, it is how you make room for what comes next.” Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

July 14, 202649 min

How Branding and Marketing Turn Ordinary STRs into Premium Listings with Ali Haney

How do you turn what feels like an “ordinary” property into a brand that guests connect with, remember, and actively choose over everyone else’s? In this episode, I’m joined by branding and marketing strategist Ali Haney. We’re unpacking how she transitioned from a long-term rental disaster into remote short-term rental management across multiple states, eventually blending her photography background with her hospitality experience to help hosts build true brand equity. We talk about: Flipping perceived property weaknesses into powerful market differentiators, like turning a Gatlinburg cabin's lack of internet into an intentional, off-the-grid romantic reset complete with analog experiences. Building a foundational brand strategy from scratch by defining core messaging pillars, identifying a hyper-specific guest avatar, and establishing values that serve as concrete criteria for hiring and firing your team. Utilizing ChatGPT and AirDNA as a market research "cheat code" to analyze competitor specs, summarize guest review trends, and spot high-impact amenities missing in your local market. Designing property features around guest origin data, such as installing an EV charger at a Catskills rental specifically to attract higher-income, eco-conscious travelers driving up from the city. Executing a deep property rebrand that goes beyond a logo tweak, using your brand strategy as a daily filter for social content, listing updates, and team briefs to eliminate decision fatigue. Ali pulls back the curtain on how to use your brand strategy as the literal backbone of your guest experience and long-term business scaling. You’ll hear how to shift your mindset to view marketing as structured testing and learning rather than a verdict on your worth, allowing you to "do it scared" and out-position your competition. If you are a short-term rental / Airbnb host wondering how to stop competing on price alone and start engineering an unforgettable hospitality brand that commands premium rates, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:07] A short introduction about our guest Ali Haney, and how she got into the world of short-term rentals [03:12] Ali talks about using branding strategy to move beyond photography and create marketing that connects with ideal guests [06:50] Ali explains how defining a property's personality and turning perceived limitations into unique selling points creates a memorable brand that attracts the right guests [09:32] How identifying a property's natural differentiators helps build a stronger and more memorable brand [10:49] Ali shares how operators can decide between separate property brands or a unified brand strategy when managing multiple listings across different markets [12:39] Ali outlines portfolio-level values as the foundation for aligning multiple property brands while preserving each listing’s individuality [15:40] Ali defines brand strategy as the foundational framework that aligns mission, guest targeting, differentiation, and messaging to guide every part of a short-term rental business [21:14] How the core value of excellence creates clear operational boundaries and simplifies decision-making across hospitality and property management [24:33] Ali highlights branding as a profit-driven strategy that turns one-time OTA guests into repeat direct bookings while improving long-term ROI [27:51] Ali frames rebranding as a full strategic reset that goes beyond visuals to ensure alignment between guest targeting, design, and business goals [30:16] Ali distinguishes between legacy brands and STR assets while outlining when rebranding makes sense and how to use guest data to guide the decision [32:52] How competitor and review analysis can uncover actionable differentiators that directly shape STR brand strategy and guest experience design [34:56] Ali reframes STR marketing as a data-driven cycle of testing and learning, separating performance outcomes from personal identity to support better decision-making [37:31] Ali shares how short-term rental owners can begin building a brand strategy by using existing performance data and evaluating properties through a differentiation-first mindset [40:07] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “You're giving the house essentially a personality, so that people can start to feel like they know that property before they even step foot into it.” “We took what she thought was a weakness and instead tailored the entire property's brand and made it their superpower.” “If we don't have a strategy that we want to enact within our business and we just build pretty things on top of it, it's probably going to fall down at some point.” “Create an experience that people want to return to, because it's much easier to nurture a client or a guest that already trusts you, versus having to consistently acquire new ones.” “If we just take a small step each and every day, and we do that scared, that is still a huge amount of progress over six months time, nine months time, 12 months time.” Let’s Connect: Website : https://brandandmarket.co/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/brandandmarket.co/ Enjoyed the show? 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July 7, 202652 min

Why She Left the Fortune 500 World for Hospitality with Katie Wanzer

How do you find the courage to take on a project that feels way bigger than you—and turn it into something you’re genuinely proud of? In this episode, I sit down with Katie Wanzer, a corporate PR crisis expert turned boutique hotel operator and co-host. We’re unpacking how she transitioned from Fortune 500 communications into running an expanding boutique hotel portfolio and co-hosting company across Door County, Wisconsin. We talk about: Buying a historic motel sight unseen during a corporate crisis, only to face massive infrastructure nightmares like dry wells and lifting entire buildings off their foundations. Co-operating a growing hospitality portfolio as a four-way partnership between two couples by establishing rigid role boundaries, structured monthly board meetings, and a dedicated leadership team. Leveraging a deep background in strategic PR to pitch local media, partner with tourism bureaus, and use nostalgia to put a revived 1940s roadside motel on the map. Launching simple, community-minded marketing tactics like local food drives and media stays, while using AI tools to polish press releases and discover the unique story behind a property. Battling peak-season burnout by scheduling non-negotiable self-care blocks, utilizing tech-boundaries like the Brick app to disconnect, and leaning on a steady support system. Katie pulls back the curtain on the intense emotional realities of stepping into true hospitality leadership, including the exact moment the scale of the project hit her. You’ll hear how she and her partners divide responsibilities based on individual strengths to keep the business humming without sacrificing their personal lives. If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to scale from a single short-term rental into a multi-property commercial hospitality brand without losing your sanity, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to face the unexpected and start leading your business with absolute resilience. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:55] A short introduction about our guest Katie Wanzer, and shares her evolution from corporate communications professional to short-term rental operator and boutique motel owner [03:58] Katie shares how purchasing and renovating a boutique motel transformed her perspective from managing rentals to building a full-scale hospitality business [08:11] How overcoming unexpected renovation setbacks strengthened her resilience and confidence as an entrepreneur [10:31] Katie shares how having partial construction experience helped—but didn’t eliminate the learning curve in large-scale hospitality renovations [12:09] Katie’s approach to overcoming overwhelm by grounding decisions in long-term vision, resilience, and support systems [14:37] Katie on navigating real estate investing and construction projects with both a spouse and business partners while maintaining alignment and boundaries [16:41] Katie outlines how a four-owner STR and boutique motel business is governed through structured meetings, defined roles, and consistent operational communication [20:38] How Katie balances hands-on short-term rental operations with seasonal support while adapting daily focus across multiple hospitality businesses [21:52] Katie describes how she uses PR to turn storytelling, nostalgia, and renovation strategy into earned media that drives early bookings and demand [29:16] How short-term rental operators can identify PR-worthy stories through community impact, relatability, and persistence in earned media strategy [34:42] Katie shares how intentional PR outreach, personalized journalist targeting, and strategic multi-channel follow-ups help turn hospitality stories into consistent earned media and sustained visibility [38:33] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Even with failures, we fail forward, right? Everything that we go through, whether positive or negative, I believe is a learning opportunity.” “Sometimes giving up a little bit of that revenue for a gain elsewhere can, can really help you long term.” “You're already everything to everyone: you’re finance, you’re accounting, you’re marketing, you’re everything. But you can't forget that you're also yourself and you have to do things for yourself, and you still have to go and do the things that make you happy.” “Nobody can advocate for you more than yourself.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/katetheinnkeeper/ Website : https://freshcoastmotel.com/ https://spruceandshoremotel.com/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!