How do you go from finding clients on Gumtree to selling a 145-property portfolio?
In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Hayden D'Arcy, co-founder of Home Hero. His journey is one of the most relatable and inspiring stories we've had on the show.
He started in 2015 with no clients. He drove a wrecked car to his first listing appointment (and hid it around the corner!). But through a relentless "Say Yes" strategy, he built a massive property management business on the Gold Coast, survived COVID, and recently achieved a successful exit.
We dive into the reality of running a service business alongside a tech company, how to value your business for a sale, and why buying a cleaning company was the key to solving his operational headaches.
#FromHustleToExit #ScaleWithSystems #AccommodationGrowth
ibooked.online Book Direct Websites
🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online
Strive Conferences
🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
1. YouTube Chapters
This is a fantastic "Building It" episode. It has everything: a humble beginning (Gumtree!), a struggle phase, a tech spin-off (Home Hero), rapid growth during COVID, and finally, a successful exit.
The story about hiding the wrecked car around the corner is absolute gold—it's the perfect hook to show how far he came.
Here are the promotional assets for the episode with Hayden D'Arcy.
1. YouTube Chapters
00:00 - Intro: Selling a 145-Property Business
01:46 - The Humble Start: Getting Clients on Gumtree in 2015
03:04 - The "Wrecked Car" Story: Faking It 'Til You Make It
05:34 - Co-founding Home Hero & Annoying Airbnb for API Access
09:38 - The Reality of Running Two Businesses at Once (18-Hour Days)
12:11 - The COVID Pivot: How He Grew When Others Quit
16:21 - The "Say Yes" Strategy: Taking Opportunities Others Refused
19:05 - Solving the Ops Nightmare: Buying a Cleaning Company
20:32 - The Hardest Founder Lesson: Learning to Let Go
22:31 - The Exit: Why He Sold His Portfolio to Focus on Tech
25:41 - How to Prepare Your Business for Sale (Valuation Tips)
✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE:
https://www.striveconferences.com
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Is your AI just a toy, or is it a business asset?In this episode of Automate It, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh, a retired healthcare professional who built a luxury STR brand using advanced automation.We dive deep into why the PDF lead magnet is dead (and what to use instead) and how to build a "Marketing Library" to train Custom GPTs that write exactly like you. Rachel shares her specific playbook for creating AI agents that handle reviews, social media, and team training without sounding robotic.If you want to stop writing every email from scratch and start building systems that buy back your time, this episode is your blueprint.SHOW LINKSDr Rachel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.comChatGPT: https://chatgpt.comClaude: https://claude.aiGemini: https://gemini.google.comCanva: https://www.canva.comNotebook LM: https://notebooklm.google.comClose CRM: https://www.close.comVRMA: https://www.vrma.org Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferencesDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com1. YouTube Chapters00:00 - Intro: Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh & The Healthcare Connection02:16 - Why Doctors Make the Best Airbnbs Hosts (Patient Care vs Guest Care)06:22 - Is AI Overhyped? (What's Actually Working Right Now)07:51 - The Secret Weapon: AI Note-Takers & Authentic Content11:11 - Building a "Marketing Library" to Train Your AI13:00 - How to Train Claude/ChatGPT on Your Brand Voice17:49 - The Death of the PDF: Why Lead Magnets Must Be Interactive20:00 - Using "NotebookLM" to Turn Notes into Podcasts & Tools23:54 - How to Create a High-Value Lead Magnet for STRs27:26 - Email Marketing 101: Nurturing Leads for Direct Bookings34:23 - Masterclass: How to Build Custom GPTs for Your Business35:09 - The "Review Response GPT" Formula39:05 - Using AI for Social Media Captions & Images42:12 - Final Advice: Just Start & Ask AI How to Use AI✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
Traditional search is dying. The "Great Reset" is over. And if you are still running your business like a hobby, 2026 is going to be a wake-up call.
To kick off Season 21 of The Accommodation Show, I took the microphone to the floor of VRMA International in Las Vegas to ask 14 of the smartest people in the industry one single question:
"What is the #1 trend operators need to look out for in 2026?"
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 - Miles Hobson (Hospitable) on Human Connection in AI
01:31 - Heather Bayer: Implementing AI Pragmatically
03:38 - Benjamin Coleman: Revenue Management & Ancillary Upsells
05:35 - Patryk Swietek: The Rise of the "All-Inclusive" Concierge
07:42 - Yair Holtzer (Guesty): The Fight for Quality Inventory
09:50 - Matthew Tesdall: Influencer Marketing for Destination Markets
11:43 - Margot Schmorak (Hostfully): Professionalizing & The Maturity Model
14:23 - Annie Sloan (The Host Co): Why Keywords are Dead (Contextual Search)
17:55 - Ashley Ching (Inhaven): The Missing Quality Framework
20:08 - Simon Seroussi (So Suite): Pruning Properties for Profitability
22:28 - Jeff Iloulian (HostGPO): Standardization & Guest Expectations
24:42 - Jacobie Olin (C2G Advisors): M&A Trends & Fixing Churn
27:35 - Richie Khandelwal (PriceLabs): Visibility in the Age of LLMs
30:00 - Julie Brinkman (Beyond): AI
#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowth
SHOW LINKS
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:
https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources:
https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here:
https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE:
https://www.striveconferences.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
I’m a firm believer that great operations beat great intentions, every time.In this episode of Building It, I sat down with Noelia Novella, founder of Doinn, to unpack the unglamorous engine room of our trade: cleaning, maintenance, and the workflows that either delight guests… or quietly drain profit.After a decade building an ops platform now used in 20 countries, Noelia has the scars and the playbook. We dig into how to standardise quality without sending supervisors everywhere, and the specific numbers behind linen logistics, routing, and rework that affect your margins.SHOW LINKS • Doinn – Smart operations for STRs: https://www.doinn.com • VRMA – Vacation Rental Management Association: https://www.vrma.org #ops #cleaningstandards #hospitalitytech Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
What's the most profitable question in history? "Would you like fries with that?" 🍟
It’s the original upsell, and it built an empire. In our world, airlines, hotels, and OTAs all do it. And yes, Airbnb is building it with "Experiences." We all know we should be offering more than just a bed, but let's be honest—it’s hard.
That's why I was so excited to sit down with Siddhi Mitall, co-founder of Y-Hangry. She's not just talking about it; she's building the platform that delivers the ultimate "fries with that" moment: a private chef in your property.
This is one of the most inspiring "Building It" stories I've heard. Siddhi and her co-founder left high-flying careers as traders at Barclays to chase a hunch. They started with almost nothing—just a PDF menu and a WhatsApp chat to test their idea.
That hustle got them onto Dragon's Den and into the legendary Y Combinator accelerator (the one that backed Airbnb and Stripe!).
SHOW LINKS Yhangry — https://www.yhangry.com BBC Dragon’s Den — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLHZOFZHfAc
#UpsellsThatWork #ExperientialStays #Hospitality
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 - Intro: Bridging Food & Accommodation
01:41 - "Why Are You Hangry?" - The Origin Story
02:20 - The Power of a Co-Founder
02:59 - The "Hunch": Starting with WhatsApp & a PDF
05:15 - How Y-Hangry is Different (Personalisation vs. Fixed Menus)
08:08 - The Lean Startup: Proving Demand Before Building Tech
12:40 - Bootstrapping, Quitting Corporate, & Dragon's Den
16:23 - Why They Said "Yes to Every Shot" (Including Dragon's Den)
18:25 - The Truth About TV: Why 2M Viewers Didn't Lead to Immediate Sales
19:10 - The "Aha!" Moment: Realising the Long Lead Time of a Booking
21:13 - The Big Pivot: Discovering 55% of Bookings Were in Holiday Homes
23:39 - Founder Advice: Hospitality is Hard, It's About People
25:33 - How to Connect with Y-Hangry
#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowth
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
My litmus test for "useful AI" is simple: does this tool buy back my time, or just find new ways to spend it?
The best insights come from peers. At VRMA, Dennis (Casiola) told me I had to see what Cole Rubin and Conduit were building. This is that conversation.
We're not talking AI hype; we're talking a real-world look at 85% guest message automation with a 95% guest satisfaction score. We dive into the "hospitable AI" model (knowing when to escalate) and the "omnichannel inbox" (including live phone calls!) that makes it all possible.
If you're trying to separate AI hype from reality, this episode provides a clear picture of what's actually possible.
Conduit — https://conduit.ai
Cole on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-rubin-368089159/
#operationalexcellence #AIforthefrontdesk #PMS
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 - Intro: Cole Rubin from Conduit
01:17 - The Power of Customer Referrals at VRMA
02:46 - What is Conduit? The Elevator Pitch
03:32 - The Origin Story: From Slack App to Y Combinator
05:47 - Finding the "Ideal Customer Profile" (100+ Listings)
07:16 - The Core Problem: Fragmented Guest Communication
08:43 - Building the Omnichannel Inbox (The Foundation)
10:08 - Handling Social Media, Email, SMS & Phone (VoIP)
12:47 - How the AI Maps Contacts from Different Channels
13:43 - Using Slack for the AI-to-Human Handoff
16:00 - The "Game Changer": 85% Message Automation
17:36 - Automating Pre-Booking Inquiries & Availability
18:44 - The "Triangulation" Upsell Workflow (Guest -> Cleaner -> Guest)
21:57 - The Partner Marketplace & Community (The "Salesforce" Model)
24:12 - The Tech Stack: Twilio, 11Labs, GPT, Claude & Gemini
27:25 - Why a Small, Young Team Can Out-Innovate Big Tech
29:16 - Cole's Advice: Ask AI How to Automate Your Business
31:40 - Is Automation More Important Than AI?
32:10 - The Most Important Thing to Evaluate in an AI Tool
34:18 - How to Connect with Cole & Conduit
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
ibooked.online Book Direct Websites
🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
SHOW LINKS
YouTube Chapters
What if the secret to growing your revenue was shrinking your portfolio?
In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Tom Goodwin of Mountain Laurel Chalets, a 50-year-old family legacy business in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. When Tom stepped in to turn the struggling company around in 2012, his first move was radical: he cut 40 underperforming properties. The result? Revenue jumped 75%.
This is a powerful story about building for quality and profitability over sheer volume. Tom shares his playbook for raising standards (even when it means letting owners and staff go), rebuilding after losing half the business to wildfires, and why they strategically reduced their direct booking percentage from 85% to find the right channel mix.
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00:00 - Intro: The Nicest Guy in Short-Term Rentals?
00:01:37 - Marrying Into a 50-Year-Old Vacation Rental Legacy (Since 1972)
00:02:46 - From Non-Profit Ops to Turning Around the Family Business
00:04:09 - The Origin Story: How Neighbours Became a Hospitality Business
00:08:06 - Taking the Reins: Preserving a Legacy While Driving Change
00:10:01 - The Turnaround Strategy: Cutting 40 Properties to Increase Revenue
00:13:20 - Unbuilding to Rebuild: The Painful Process of Raising Standards
00:14:27 - Data Deep Dive: Finding the Sweet Spot for Profitability
00:18:03 - Changing the Culture: Letting Go of Staff & Setting New Standards
00:20:55 - Disaster Strikes: Losing Half the Business Overnight to Wildfires
00:22:38 - The Evolution of STR: Navigating OTAs & Direct Bookings
00:26:36 - The Growth Plan: Quality Over Quantity (Targeting 120 Homes)
00:29:14 - Why High Margins Matter: Investing in People & Quality
00:31:09 - Acquisition Lessons: Why Organic Growth Can Be Better
00:33:32 - The #1 Focus for the Next 10 Years: Guest Experience
00:36:27 - Connect with Tom Goodwin
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
ibooked.online Book Direct Websites
🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online
Strive Conferences
🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences
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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
Welcome to Season 20! Savannah Jackson (Hello Queenstown) reveals her "go deep, not wide" strategy, building her own cleaning and linen companies, and how she funded it all without using her own capital.
It’s a powerful lesson in vertical integration, hybrid growth (acquisition + organic), and the "Screw It, Let's Do It" mindset.
SHOW LINKS
Hello Queenstown → https://www.helloqueenstown.nz
The Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
#MarketPositioning #OperationalDiscipline #HospitalityStrategy
ibooked.online Book Direct Websites
🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online
Strive Conferences
🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
[00:00] Introduction and Hello Queenstown
[01:01] From Stockbroking to Short-Term Rentals
[02:12] Retiring at 45 and Starting Again in Queenstown
[05:03] Building the Largest Cleaning and Linen Operation
[07:19] Mindset Shifts: Service Over Commission
[10:48] Lessons from Early Entrepreneurship
[14:04] Scaling from 10 to 150 Properties in Two Years
[17:56] Branding Power: The Office on Queenstown’s Roundabout
[19:59] Developer Partnerships and Long-Term Growth
[23:00] Building Without Capital: Creative Lending and Syndicates
[25:45] Service, Professionalism, and Confidence as Growth Drivers
[26:47] Community Ties in a Small Town
[29:21] Why Hello Queenstown Won’t Expand Beyond Queenstown
[31:01] Diversifying into Activities and Concierge Services
[32:03] Final Advice: “Screw It, Just Do It”
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
You've survived your first year. Now what? How do you break through the growth plateau and scale from 20 properties to 500+?
In Part 2 of my Building It conversation with Dennis Goedheid, founder of Casiola, we dive into the playbook for the scale-up. Dennis reveals his unconventional but brilliant growth hack: buying contracts directly from his competitors.
He gives a step-by-step masterclass on how to find, value, and structure these small acquisition deals—covering everything from asset deals and escrow to the non-compete clauses you need to protect yourself. This is one of the most tactical episodes we've ever done.
SHOW LINKS
Casiola: https://www.casiola.com
Franchise: https://www.casiola.com/franchise/
#DirectBookings #ScalingSmart #AccommodationShow
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00:00 - Intro: Part 2 - After the First Year Failure
00:01:24 - The Founder's Trap: Focusing on Operations Instead of Sales
00:04:28 - Why Founders Get Stuck and Avoid Growth
00:07:41 - A Growth Hack: Buying Contracts From Your Competitors
00:13:21 - The Playbook for Acquiring STR Contracts (A Masterclass)
00:15:00 - Asset Deal vs. Business Purchase: How to Avoid Liability
00:15:40 - The Most Important Clause in a Management Contract
00:17:36 - How to Use an Escrow to Protect Your Acquisition Deal
00:23:39 - The ROI of Buying Contracts vs. Traditional Marketing
00:27:36 - The Pandemic Pivot: De-Risking by Expanding to New Markets
00:30:04 - The Aruba Case Study: From Partnership to 150 Homes in 2 Years
00:35:50 - A Crucial Lesson for Scaling: SIMPLIFY Everything
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
ibooked.online Book Direct Websites
🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online
Strive Conferences
🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
What if the smartest way to start in a crowded market isn't to start from scratch?
In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Dennis Goedheid, the founder of Casiola, who took an unconventional path. He bypassed the initial grind by acquiring a 20-property business to get his start.
We break down his playbook for buying a business, the brutal honesty of his first-year failure (with negative growth), and the standardization strategy he used to scale to over 550 properties. This is a masterclass in creative and resilient entrepreneurship.
Connect with Dennis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisgoedheid/
Casiola: https://www.casiola.com/
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro: The Founder's Shortcut to Starting an STR Business
00:01:15 - Scaling Global: Taking a US Vacation Rental Brand to Europe
00:02:22 - The Onboarding Filter: Setting Property Standards for Your STR Brand
00:05:20 - The Scaling Mandate: Why You Must Standardise Your Operations
00:08:13 - Startup Strategy: Buying a Vacation Rental Business vs. Building From Scratch
00:09:45 - The Vacation Rental Myth: The Brutal Reality of "Passive Income"
00:11:36 - The Buy vs. Build Playbook: A Shortcut for STR Entrepreneurs
00:12:17 - Acquisition 101: How to Value & Buy a Property Management Company
00:20:31 - Due Diligence Tip: The Power of Property Location Density
00:23:27 - The First-Year Failure: Overcoming Negative Growth as a Founder
00:31:55 - Accidental Branding: How a Simple Colour Built Their Brand Identity
00:37:25 - Founder's Final Playbook: Creative Financing & Strategic Partnerships
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
It's one of the biggest success stories in the Australian short-term rental industry: a founder builds a brand from the ground up and navigates it to a headline-making $50 million+ acquisition by a global giant. But how did he actually do it?
In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Quirin Schwaighofer, the Co-Founder of MadeComfy, to get the full story behind one of Australia's most recognised STR brands. Quirin reveals the powerful 15-year plan he created at age 30, which became the blueprint for his entire career and eventual exit.
This isn't just an inspiring story; it's a deep dive into the mindset and strategy required to build a truly valuable asset. We break down the brilliant pivot that gave MadeComfy a huge competitive advantage and the inside story of how the landmark deal with OYO really happened (starting with a single message on LinkedIn).
Quirin Schwaighofer is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of the Australian accommodation innovator, MadeComfy. A seasoned expert in scaling high-growth businesses, he raised over $20 million in capital before leading MadeComfy to one of the largest exits in the history of Australia’s short-term rental industry.
Guest & Company Links:
MadeComfy Website: https://www.madecomfy.com.au
Quirin Schwaighofer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirinschwaighofer/
OYO Website: https://www.oyorooms.com/
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro: Building an Airbnb Business to a $50M+ Acquisition
02:08 - A Founder's 15-Year Plan for Financial Freedom
09:52 - Why True Financial Independence Isn't About Money
15:11 - Surviving COVID with Only 3 Months of Runway
18:38 - The Strategic Pivot Beyond Airbnb for Massive Growth
21:22 - Building a Moat: Why Their Strategy Was Kept Secret
28:20 - The "Aha!" Moment: When the New Strategy Proved a Winner
32:03 - How OYO Discovered & Acquired Them (The LinkedIn Message)
39:33 - The Hardest Part of the Acquisition Process
50:04 - What's Next for MadeComfy After the OYO Acquisition
55:30 - A Founder's Advice for Airbnb & STR Entrepreneurs
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
You don’t get to 250+ properties by chance.
You build it.
Brick by brick.
System by system.
Mistake by mistake.
That’s exactly what Lisa Peterson did.
Last week in Part 1, we talked about profitability, the stuff that actually matters. We explored how Lisa built L’Abode Accommodation from scratch, kept her business lean, and stayed focused on profit.
That episode struck a chord.
So we kept the mics on.
In Part 2, we go deeper. We step inside the engine room of Lisa’s operation and unpack how it all works.
We cover:
✔️ How she scaled from 90 to 250+ properties without breaking herself
✔️ The systems that allow her to deliver a consistent guest experience at scale
✔️ The extras she charges for — and why guests actually love them
✔️ The KPIs that matter (and the ones she completely ignores)
This episode is for anyone in the accommodation space who wants to scale without the chaos, grow without losing quality, and build a business that doesn’t burn you out.
👉 Whether you run a motel, a short-term rental, or a growing hospitality brand, you’ll find real, usable insights here.
Hit play. Take notes. Then go build something that works.
👇 Drop a comment if this one hit home.
SHOW LINKS:
L’Abode Accommodation → https://labodeaccommodation.com.au
The Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
#SystemBasedGrowth #HospitalityInsights #SustainableBusiness
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 – Scaling Fast: From 90 to 250 Properties
01:31 – Early Challenges: Onboarding, Owners, and Guest Issues
04:23 – Streamlining with Tech: From Gantt Charts to monday.com
06:15 – No Marketing, Just Referrals: The Growth Secret
07:34 – Cleaning Dilemma: In-House Teams vs. Contractors
09:59 – Partnering with Contractors: Advanced Clean & Regional Teams
13:19 – Profitability Insights: Margins on Cleaning & Linen
15:48 – Service Fees and Maintenance: Where the Real Profit Is
18:44 – Why Management Fees Alone Don’t Work
21:52 – Choosing the Right Owners: Cutting Bad Fits Early
24:24 – Competing in a Crowded Market: Branding & Extras
26:36 – Final Tips: KPIs, Accountability, and Profitability
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
What if the real secret to success isn’t more properties, more tech, or a bigger team… but something far simpler?
In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Lisa Peterson, founder of L’Abode Accommodation — a business she started from her bedroom, now managing over 250 properties across five states. She’s one of the most grounded, thoughtful operators I’ve ever met, and her story is packed with wisdom for anyone in the accommodation space.
We dive into the one thing so many people overlook when they’re growing their business: profitability. Not revenue, not bookings — but actually making money. The kind of business that pays you back for the effort you put in, instead of draining you dry.
SHOW LINKS:
L’Abode Accommodation – https://www.labodeaccommodation.com.au
#HospitalityProfit #ScalingWithSystems #AccommodationGrowth
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 – Meet Lisa Peterson: From 13 Years in Business to 250 Properties
01:22 – Why Sharing Knowledge Fuels Industry Success
05:28 – Building Community and Connection in Short-Term Rentals
07:58 – Growing Up with Nothing: Lessons in Hard Work and Money
14:20 – Discovering Holiday Rentals and the Spark to Start
16:39 – Launching with $10k and Scaling to 90 Properties in 6 Months
19:24 – Solving Problems with Scalable Systems
22:40 – Why Concierge Services Don’t Pay and Cutting Unprofitable Tasks
25:20 – Building a 50/50 Onshore/Offshore Team
26:34 – Tracking Staff Performance with Monday.com and Hubstaff
31:18 – Profitability Mindset: Beyond 20% Management Fees
34:07 – Final Tips: Increase Net Profit and Build a Real Business
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
This episode is all about the leap. The grit. And the reality of building a startup from scratch in the short-term rental world. If you've ever stared at a clunky check-in system or juggled five tools just to welcome a guest, this one's going to hit close to home.
Our guest is Michael O’Connell, founder of Happy Guest; a smart, frictionless platform designed to simplify guest journeys from check-in to check-out. Before launching Happy Guest, Michael led strategic sales and partnerships at Turno and worked across the STR tech landscape. He knew the chaos operators were facing and decided to fix it.
This is a raw, honest chat about what it really takes to go from idea ➡️ execution. Michael opens up about the sacrifices, burnout, and brutal clarity needed to survive the startup rollercoaster, without a fancy VC cheque.
SHOW LINKS
Happy Guest – https://www.happyguestofficial.com
Michael O’Connell on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyguestmike/
#BuildingItSeries #RunwayToSuccess #GuestExperienceMatters
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 – Introduction and Background
01:02 – From Vegas to Strive: A Growing Connection
02:30 – Entering the STR Industry by Accident
04:06 – What is Happy Guest? Startup Origins Explained
05:54 – Do You See Yourself as an Entrepreneur?
07:01 – Launching the MVP: Testing with Real Guests
08:56 – Guest-Facing Tech: Why First Impressions Matter
10:42 – Lessons from Beta Testing: What to Launch and What to Kill
12:48 – Building Without VC: Bootstrapping and Personal Sacrifices
15:37 – The Mental Toll: Burnout and Startup Pressure
18:01 – Projections, Runway & Revenue Modelling
21:25 – When the Numbers Don’t Match the Plan
23:51 – Startup Life Is Not Glamorous
25:50 – Why Every Dollar Counts: Sacrifices and Strategy
27:25 – Burnout is Real: Balancing Hustle and Health
30:00 – What I’d Tell My Past Self
32:20 – Final Advice for Future Founders
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
Running an accommodation business doesn’t have to mean drowning in endless tasks and late-night guest messages. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Heys and Dan White from Moxxi Property, Tasmania’s largest short-term rental management company, to uncover the systems and tech that allow you to scale without burning out.From automating with tools like n8n, to deploying AI agents, to building onboarding processes that actually save time, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to run a smoother, smarter operation. Whether you're managing 5 properties or 150+, you’ll walk away with real strategies and mindset shifts you can apply right now.👀 If you’re serious about building a sustainable STR or accommodation business — and tired of doing it all yourself — this one’s for you.SHOW LINKSMoxxi Property – https://www.moxxiproperty.com.au Resly PMS – https://resly.com.au PriceLabs – https://www.pricelabs.co Key Data Dashboard – https://keydatadashboard.com n8n Automation – https://n8n.io Gemini by Google – https://ai.google.dev/gemini Claude AI – https://www.anthropic.com/index/claude#SmartScaling#PracticalAI#OptimiseWithTech📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Welcome to Building It: Meet Dan de Witte and Lauren Heys 01:05 The Early Days: Chaos, Growth and Lessons 04:18 Scaling STRs with Systems That Work 07:26 How Mindset Impacts Business Growth 10:49 Picking the Right Tech (and Ditching the Wrong Stuff) 14:12 Smart Systems vs. Tech Overload 17:08 Automating Without Losing the Human Touch 20:21 Hiring, Delegating & Building a Real Team 23:34 The Role of Coaching in the STR Journey 26:45 Lauren’s Lean Business Framework Explained 30:04 Future-Proofing: What Hosts Should Focus on Next 33:29 Final Thoughts: Tech, People & Playing the Long Game▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
👇 Ready to grow your short-term rental business without burning out? This episode is for you.
In this episode of The Accommodation Show, we continue our Building It series with Tim Mortimer, founder of BNB Made Easy, one of the fastest growing short-term rental brands in regional Australia.
What started in Tim’s garage with one listing has grown into a thriving operation with 200+ properties across four markets. But what makes his story so compelling is how he built it: thoughtful planning, community roots, operational discipline, and a strong sense of purpose.
🎯 If you're in the accommodation industry, whether it's short-term rentals, motels, hotels or boutique stays, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Tim shares the exact strategies he used to scale smart, hire well, and systemise the business without losing what made it special.
🔗 Show Links
BNB Made Easy – https://bnbmadeeasy.com.au/
Tim Mortimer on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mortimer-b8a759190/
The Accommodation Show – https://theaccommodationshow.com/
iBooked.Online – https://ibooked.online/
💬 Drop a comment below and let us know your biggest takeaway.
👍 Like, subscribe and share if you’re building your own accommodation business!
#BuildingItSeries #ShortTermRentals #STRGrowth #BNBMadeEasy #TheAccommodationShow
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Meet Tim Mortimer – From Backyard Builds to STR Success
01:05 How a Furniture Side Hustle Became a Full STR Business
04:45 Solving Real Problems in Property Styling & Guest Experience
07:30 Scaling from 1 to 100+ Units – Lessons in Rapid Growth
10:50 Building Systems, Teams & Tech to Run a Growing STR Biz
14:20 Why They Moved to Manufacturing & Built In-House
17:00 Managing Cashflow, Risk & Pressure While Scaling
20:30 Hiring for Culture, Staying Focused, and Letting Go
24:10 Advice for Hosts: Strategy, Simplicity & Scaling Smart
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
In this episode of The Accommodation Show, I sit down with Alexandra and Tom Ormerod, the powerhouse duo behind Luxico, Australia’s premier luxury villa rental brand and now stars of the brand-new global reality TV series, Billion Dollar Playground.
🎬 Billion Dollar Playground is now streaming on BINGE, Foxtel, BBC iPlayer, and airing in Canada, New Zealand, and more. We lift the lid on what it takes to build a luxury short-term rental business – and then turn it into a TV show broadcast around the world.
SHOW LINKS
Luxico → https://luxico.com.au
The Billion Dollar Playground (BBC) → https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002fmjh/billion-dollar-playground
The Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
#BehindTheScenesHospitality
#STRLeadership
#LuxuryRentalLessons
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 - Meet the Founders of Luxico
01:02 - The 7-Year Journey to Reality TV
03:17 - How Luxico Became a Luxury Rental Brand
05:13 - Running a Business as a Married Couple
07:22 - Finding Luxury Homes & Vetting Homeowners
10:12 - Guest Experience & Membership Tiers
12:47 - Behind the Scenes of Filming
15:33 - Was the Show Scripted or Real?
18:52 - Team Turnover and Managing On-Camera Challenges
22:52 - Reality TV vs Business Reputation
25:42 - Staff Wellbeing During Production
30:08 - Inside the Production Setup
31:46 - Guest Reviews & Leadership Growth
34:37 - Elevating the Short-Term Rental Industry
37:46 - What’s Next for Luxico and the Show?
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
If I asked you to name your top priority for 2025, what would it be?For most property managers and accommodation managers, it’s more bookings—without burning out or slashing rates.This season on The Accommodation Show, I’ve been asking industry leaders one simple but powerful question:“What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”Each guest has shared something different—strategies for pricing, marketing, and operations—but when I sat down with Tim Rosolio, VP of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group, his tip stood out because it addressed the one thing every property manager wants more of:👉 More bookings.Tim works closely with property managers worldwide through platforms like Vrbo, Expedia, and Stays, giving him a global perspective on what’s working right now. And his message was clear...SHOW LINKS:Expedia Group: https://www.expedia.com/Vrbo Vacation Rentals: https://www.vrbo.com/#VacationRentalTips #AccommodationBusinessGrowth #GuestExperienceSuccess📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Introduction01:20 - Tim Roselio’s Role at Expedia Group02:34 - Vacation Rental Market Trends: A Global Perspective04:34 - Understanding Regional Differences in Vacation Rentals08:10 - How to Improve Guest Experience & Reduce Cancellations15:15 - Essential Property Management Strategies for 202518:50 - Final Thoughts and Expert Advice▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
This one is deeply personal, and I’m so glad I get to share it with you.
In this episode, I sit down with Ronda Amende, founder of TimeOut, a charity that connects terminally ill people and their families with donated holiday homes across New Zealand. Her story is honest, moving, and an incredible reminder of the human side of what we do in accommodation.
💡 We often focus on occupancy rates, automation, and scale — but what if a few unused nights could change someone’s life? What if your business could make a difference without costing you a thing?
Ronda and I dive into what it means to lead with heart, the power of community, and how kindness can become your most valuable brand asset. Whether you manage five listings or five hundred, this conversation will shift how you think about success, impact, and contribution.
#PurposeDrivenHospitality
#ShortTermRentalImpact
#KindnessIsStrategy
📋 In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Welcome & Season Wrap-Up with Ronda Amende
01:45 Ronda’s Role at TimeOut & Career Background
04:15 How Hospitality Has Shaped Her Leadership Style
08:30 Diversity, Inclusion & Representation in the Industry
13:50 Leading Through Change: Personal Reflections
17:25 The Power of Connection & Community
22:00 Words of Advice for Future Leaders
26:15 Reflections on the STRIVE Community & What’s Next
29:45 Final Thoughts & Season Farewell
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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊
Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?
The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.
🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!
ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!
📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/
🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity
🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.
This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.
If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.
🧱 Building It: Becoming a CEO When No One Hands You the Title 👔This week we go beyond scaling businesses and get into what it takes to lead them.Shaun Shirazian is the CEO of Lodgify, one of the top tech platforms for short-term rental hosts around the world. But his story did not start in boardrooms. It started in Dallas, raised by immigrant parents, learning to hustle, build, and reflect.In this episode Shaun shares what it really takes to become a CEO. We talk about impostor syndrome, asking for what you want, leading teams you used to be part of, and why clarity, not constant hustle, is the mindset shift that matters most.If you have ever wondered whether you are ready to lead, this one is for you.👇 Watch the episode and subscribe for more from the Building It series.SHOW LINKS:🔗 Lodgify – https://www.lodgify.com🔗 Shaun Shirazian – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunshiraz/#BuildingItSeries #LeadershipMindset #UnderdogToCEO📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Intro: Shaun Shirazian, CEO of Lodgify 01:00 – Childhood roots: Dallas + immigrant resilience 02:30 – Dad’s small‑business lessons & underdog mindset 05:00 – Reflection & purpose: How Shaun found his “why” 07:00 – First career pivot: P&G brand‑management discovery 09:30 – Finding the underdog niche: Intuit & Pipedrive 12:30 – Product mindset: Leading through innovation 15:00 – Transitioning from product leader to CEO mindset 17:30 – Design thinking: Empathy, ideation, experimentation 20:00 – People leadership: From expert to manager 22:30 – Future‑back leadership: Coaching team growth 25:00 – Becoming CEO: Self‑awareness & vocal ambition 27:30 – CEO search: Network, clarity & seizing opportunity 30:00 – Leading Lodgify: Early host conversations 32:00 – What’s constant? Focus: owner needs, admin pain points 34:00 – Q&A: Shaun’s ongoing mission & invitation 36:00 – Final thoughts: Using platform to level the field 38:00 – Wrap‑up & next steps ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online 🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.