In this personal, behind-the-scenes episode, I share how I went from a Six Flags kid in Gurnee, Illinois, to UW-Platteville grad, to wedding and hotel work, to a miserable janitorial sales job… to finally finding my lane as a real estate agent and short-term rental investor. I walk through the domino moments—meeting a Zillow agent who became my mentor, getting laid off during COVID, almost opening a paint-your-own-pottery studio, discovering Airbnbs, and how we bought our first, second, and third properties (plus a “two-for-one” partnership that’s in motion). If you’re curious how someone actually pivots into STRs without a trust fund or a $200k salary, this one’s for you.

If you’ve ever thought, “I didn’t go to school for this—am I too late?” or “I don’t have a perfect plan or pile of cash,” this is your permission slip. You’ll hear what it really looks like to pivot industries, learn in public, and build an STR portfolio step by step—messy mic moments and all.

Thinking about getting into short-term rentals? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

If this gave you the nudge to start—or restart—your STR journey, hit Follow/Subscribe, drop a quick 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend who keeps saying “one day.” Your support helps more beginners find transparent, hype-free advice.