Host as Guest

In this live episode of Host as Guest, recorded at Scale Eastern Europe, we sit down with Mihaela, co-founder of Rentify. Mihaela shares her journey of turning a single small apartment into a thriving short-term rental business managing 40 properties—with a goal of reaching 100. We dive into the challenges, strategies, and insights that come with scaling a hospitality business, from property acquisition and management styles to the crucial role of cleaning staff and guest experience.

Join us as we explore the unique Sofia rental market, the role of technology in hospitality, and Michaela's future plans for the business. Whether you're an aspiring host or an industry veteran, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mihaela’s Journey: How she transformed a small personal property into a growing business
• Growth & Scaling: Expanding from 1 to 40 properties, with a target of 100
• Market Insights: The unique dynamics of Sofia’s short-term rental market
• Business Model: Managing properties vs. arbitrage and ownership
• Challenges & Learnings: Why cleaning staff is the backbone of a successful operation
• Guest Experience: How Rentify enhances stays through partnerships, events, and personalized touches
• Tech Stack & Operations: The tools Rentify uses for pricing, communication, and cleaning management

Future Plans: The roadmap to 100 properties and an eventual exit strategy

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In this episode of Host as Guest, Leo Walton chats with Jodie Odlin, a short-term rental host and founder of the Hospitable Host community. Jodie shares how she moved beyond relying on Airbnb by building a direct booking strategy, using social media, and fostering guest loyalty. She also talks about working with local businesses, like partnering with a butcher to provide breakfast packs for guests, creating a win-win for everyone involved. Jodie reflects on how the industry has changed since COVID, with more automation, tools, and conferences than ever. While these resources can help, she warns against getting caught up in every new tech tool and losing sight of what really matters—providing a great guest experience. She also discusses how meeting fellow hosts at conferences led to the creation of Hospitable Host, a community and book series that highlights the stories of hosts around the world. This sense of community has been key in elevating the industry and keeping the focus on hospitality rather than just revenue and automation. The episode wraps up with a discussion on why Jodie felt the need to launch her own conference. She saw a gap—while other events focused on revenue management and property tech, no one was talking about actual hospitality. Jodie believes the short-term rental industry needs to remember its roots and ensure that guest experience remains the priority. Jodie’s message is clear: success in this business isn’t just about tech and revenue. It’s about people, connection, and genuine hospitality. 

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In this mini episode of Host as Guest, host Leo Walton welcomes Nicole Pace to discuss the evolving landscape of property acquisition, hospitality, and midterm rentals. Nicole shares insights on how Sojourn has grown its inventory organically through reputation and strong relationships with realtors and boutique developers in its two main markets. She highlights the importance of efficiently managing small multifamily properties and the significance of working with owners who are willing to maintain and improve their properties to meet today’s high guest expectations.

Nicole explains how Sojourn evaluates potential deals, prioritizing property quality and owner commitment over size. She also reflects on past listings, detailing how some legacy properties continue to perform well, while others no longer align with Sojourn’s evolving standards. She emphasizes the need to adapt to guest expectations, which have shifted toward higher-end accommodations and thoughtful details beyond standard furnishings.
Leo and Nicole dive into the importance of guest experience and the trends shaping the market. 

Nicole discusses how Sojourn focuses on sensory experiences, from carefully selected linens to robust cleaning programs, to ensure guests enjoy a comfortable stay. She underscores the significance of anticipating guest needs in advance, drawing from her hospitality background to create seamless, high-quality experiences. This philosophy extends to ensuring properties are well-stocked with premium amenities and eliminating common pain points before guests even arrive.

The conversation also covers how Sojourn balances luxury service in a non-hotel environment. Nicole describes leveraging technology to support human-led hospitality rather than replacing it, allowing for personalized service in diverse property types. By integrating automation for inspections and pre-arrival preparations, Sojourn ensures that both its large homes and smaller studios maintain high standards.
Midterm rentals play a crucial role in Sojourn’s strategy, particularly in regulated markets like Washington DC and Tidewater. 

Nicole explains how the company was well-positioned for changes in short-term rental regulations by already catering to longer stays. She highlights the demand for flexible housing solutions in transient markets and the company’s ability to accommodate a wide range of guest needs, from political staffers to construction workers requiring adaptable lease terms.

Leo and Nicole round out the conversation with reflections on hospitality values, the impact of their early service industry experiences, and the importance of creating a brand known for exceptional service. This episode offers valuable insights into running a hospitality-driven business while adapting to changing industry standards and guest expectations.

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Welcome to this episode of The Host as Guest, where host Leo Walton is joined by Jodie Odlin, the head of The Hospitable Hosts and founder of Tetbury Escapes. Jodie shares her fascinating journey from living in the UK’s Cotswolds to running a successful short-term rental business while now residing in Brisbane, Australia. 

Jodie recounts how her hosting journey began almost by accident with a single cottage listed on Airbnb. Her decision to try out the platform turned into a thriving business, sparking her move into the world of short-term rentals and expanding her portfolio to 15 properties. As the business grew, Jodie started collaborating with local businesses and increasing her marketing efforts, such as offering breakfast packs from the local butcher, a tactic that helped her forge strong community relationships and foster loyal guests.

She also discusses her extensive background in hospitality management, from working in five-star hotels to learning from industry experts during her travels. This knowledge played a key role in her success and continues to inform her business strategy.

As the conversation progresses, Jodie highlights how the industry has evolved, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, and reflects on the increasing complexity of tools and software for hosts. She shares her perspective on the importance of focusing on the essentials, warning hosts not to become overwhelmed by the multitude of technology options available. Instead, she encourages focusing on generating revenue and simplifying operations.

Finally, Jodie talks about *The Hospitable Hosts*, a community she founded to support and empower short-term rental hosts. The group, which began after her first conference experience, has since grown into a platform for sharing stories and fostering collaboration among hosts from diverse backgrounds.

This episode provides valuable insights into how Jodie built her hosting empire and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

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In this mini episode of Host as Guest, host Leo Walton welcomes Nicole Pace to discuss the evolving landscape of property acquisition, hospitality, and midterm rentals. Nicole shares insights on how Sojourn has grown its inventory organically through reputation and strong relationships with realtors and boutique developers in its two main markets. She highlights the importance of efficiently managing small multifamily properties and the significance of working with owners who are willing to maintain and improve their properties to meet today’s high guest expectations.

Nicole explains how Sojourn evaluates potential deals, prioritizing property quality and owner commitment over size. She also reflects on past listings, detailing how some legacy properties continue to perform well, while others no longer align with Sojourn’s evolving standards. She emphasizes the need to adapt to guest expectations, which have shifted toward higher-end accommodations and thoughtful details beyond standard furnishings.

Leo and Nicole dive into the importance of guest experience and the trends shaping the market. Nicole discusses how Sojourn focuses on sensory experiences, from carefully selected linens to robust cleaning programs, to ensure guests enjoy a comfortable stay. She underscores the significance of anticipating guest needs in advance, drawing from her hospitality background to create seamless, high-quality experiences. This philosophy extends to ensuring properties are well-stocked with premium amenities and eliminating common pain points before guests even arrive.

The conversation also covers how Sojourn balances luxury service in a non-hotel environment. Nicole describes leveraging technology to support human-led hospitality rather than replacing it, allowing for personalized service in diverse property types. By integrating automation for inspections and pre-arrival preparations, Sojourn ensures that both its large homes and smaller studios maintain high standards.

Midterm rentals play a crucial role in Sojourn’s strategy, particularly in regulated markets like Washington DC and Tidewater. Nicole explains how the company was well-positioned for changes in short-term rental regulations by already catering to longer stays. She highlights the demand for flexible housing solutions in transient markets and the company’s ability to accommodate a wide range of guest needs, from political staffers to construction workers requiring adaptable lease terms.

Leo and Nicole round out the conversation with reflections on hospitality values, the impact of their early service industry experiences, and the importance of creating a brand known for exceptional service. This episode offers valuable insights into running a hospitality-driven business while adapting to changing industry standards and guest expectations.

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In this episode of The Host as Guest, Leo sits down with Angela Sillmon, CEO of Peacock Bungalows, to discuss her journey from corporate IT project management to building a thriving short-term and mid-term rental business. Angela scaled her portfolio from zero to 50 properties in just two years, leveraging rental arbitrage, strategic partnerships, and data-driven decision-making.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Angela transitioned from corporate IT and real estate flipping to short-term rentals
• The challenges and rewards of scaling from zero to 50 properties using rental arbitrage
• The importance of financial analysis and data-driven decisions when expanding a rental business
• Why Angela pivoted toward mid-term rentals and how government contracts played a role
• Navigating local regulations and market shifts that impact rental strategies
• How to say no to bad deals and stay focused on high-yield opportunities
• The role of mentorship and masterminds in accelerating business growth
• Predictions for the future of the short-term rental market and how operators can stay ahead

Angela also shares insights on government contract opportunities for rental operators, how to create sustainable business models in the short-term rental industry, and her advice for newcomers looking to break into the space.

Connect with Angela Sillmon:
Website: https://www.peacockbungalows.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacockbungalows
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasilman

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with expert insights and actionable strategies for short-term and mid-term rental operators.

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I’m chatting to Saskia van der Bolt in this week's episode.

Saskia owns Villa in Umbria, a property management company overseeing 50 self-catering villas in this beautiful part of Italy.

We learn how Saskia fell into the industry and why she now can’t imagine doing anything else. We look at how the business has changed from when she started and why her secret to finding the best guests is still the same.

We hear all about Saskia’s challenges as a one-woman business owner in Italy and pinpoint the X-factor she looks for when deciding whether or not to take on a new property.
There is more with Saskia van der Bolt in this week’s episode of Host as Guest.

We're on the lookout for more experienced Property Managers who would like to share their secrets, achievements, and failures. If you're a PM or a host or know someone who's willing to collaborate, drop us an email at [email protected] or tag in the comment section.

Read our blog to stay on top of the industry updates and follow us on our social media!

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Find out how Holt manages to create profit consistently by developing commercially leased properties themselves using a team of architects and renovators.

We also learn how Ben’s background as a hedge fund manager helps him manage risk and build a balanced property portfolio.

His unique approach is invaluable advice for anyone thinking of scaling.

There is more with Ben Earley in this week’s episode of The Host as Guest.

We're looking for more experienced Property Managers who want to share their secrets, achievements, and failures. If you're a PM or a host or know someone willing to collaborate, email us at [email protected] or tag us in the comment section.

Read our blog to stay on top of the ⁠⁠industry updates ⁠⁠and follow us on our social media!

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Leo chats with expert hosts  Annette and Sarah - the brains of Thanks for Visiting - a leading STR community and podcast about the exit strategies they create for each of their real estate units.

Stay tuned and learn why you should be at least a little bit terrified of STRs, how ‘Get Rich Quick’ in this industry is simply a myth, and what to look at when purchasing real estate.

There is more with Annette and Sarah in this week’s episode of Host as Guest.

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Lauren Madewell of Ante Bellen’s Cabins in Tennessee talks about the importance of offering hospitality to guests, getting ahead of complainers and bad reviews, and using humor in guest communications.

Lauren talks about the importance of offering hospitality to guests, hosts, and staff, how to get ahead of bad reviews, and using humor in guest communications.

We also learn why she would never work with homeowners who might put too much strain on her staff.

There is more with Lauren in this week’s episode of The Host as Guest.

Hello Host, would you like to get featured? We're looking for experienced Property Managers who want to share their secrets, achievements, and failures. If you're a PM or a host or know someone willing to collaborate, email us at [email protected] or tag us in the comment section.

Read our blog to stay on top of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠industry updates ⁠⁠⁠⁠and follow us on our social media!

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