What if the key to building your dream Airbnb business was hidden inside a bold decision—and one life-changing Facebook ad?

In this powerful episode of The STR Sisterhood podcast, I sit down with Anja Schaer, a fearless short-term rental investor whose journey is anything but ordinary. From growing up behind the Berlin Wall to building a thriving portfolio of Airbnb and mid-term rental properties in Atlanta, Anja’s story is a masterclass in reinvention and real estate success.

We talk about her surprising pivot—from running a lighting store to diving headfirst into the world of Airbnb hosting and property investing. It all began with a single Facebook ad and a $35,000 coaching program that changed the trajectory of her life.

Anja shares the mindset shifts that helped her break free from limiting beliefs, the power of risk in growing a short-term rental business, and how her East German upbringing shaped her relentless pursuit of freedom and financial independence.

But this episode isn’t just about real estate—it’s about reclaiming your story and designing a life you love. Anja also reveals how she’s using hybrid rental strategies (think Airbnb meets mid-term stays) to scale smarter—and how she's empowering other women to build wealth through property-backed income.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to do something bigger, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with inspiration, practical takeaways for your Airbnb business, and a fresh reminder that sometimes the boldest leaps bring the biggest rewards.

Tune in now—and get ready to dream bigger, invest smarter, and live life on your terms.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:30] A short introduction about our guest Anja Schaer and a glimpse on her short-term rental portfolio

[02:47] How Anja’s journey from East Germany to the U.S. shaped her mindset around risk, freedom, and money

[09:22] How the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Germany impacted her emotionally and shaped her worldview

[17:38] Anja and her husband’s transition from a lighting business to real estate investing

[24:06] Anja’s view on balancing education and action when taking a leap into something new

[35:52] How building and being part of communities provided Anja with emotional support, strategic feedback, and validation during pivots in her business journey

[45:41] Anja talks about her book, The Hybrid Rental Strategy —based entirely on her real-life experiences and experiments

[50:32] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

“We just have to be open to new things, to be ready to adapt, not holding onto old structures for too long, keeping our eyes open for opportunities.”

“There's always good things and bad things. It's just weighing your options and making a decision that aligns with your goals, that aligns with your values.”

“Jump and grow your wings on the way down.”

“It might feel hard and uncomfortable for now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep on going, push through.”

“The power of a community is not only having the ability to ask questions and get plugged into formalized education, but also learning from other people's challenges before it ever occurs in our own businesses.”

Resources Mentioned:

Live Big Book : https://tinyurl.com/mvdvetb6

The Hybrid Rental Strategy : https://tinyurl.com/48hskfrs

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Let’s Connect!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anja_invests/

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