The STR Growth Show

I sat down with Rachel Vigil from UpClose Marketing to talk about how short-term rental hosts like us can access premium products for free to wow our guests and boost reviews. Rachel shared how UpClose connects STR owners with major brands, think Heineken Zero, e-bikes, and more, while requiring almost no commitment from hosts. We covered the process, real success stories, and the huge benefits for property managers. If you’re looking to elevate your short-term rentals with unique amenities, this episode is packed with value!

Connect with me....

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-vigil-upclose/

Justin Ford, Director of Short-Term Rental Safety at Breezeway, breaks down why safety is one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of running a successful Airbnb or vacation rental business.

From slips, trips, and falls to the importance of working smoke alarms, Justin shares real-life stories, lessons learned, and practical tips that every property manager and investor should know. You’ll also hear about the connection between safety and increased booking revenue, how safety regulations are shaping the future of the STR industry, and what hosts can do today to protect both their guests and their bottom line.

Whether you’re managing a single rental or an entire portfolio, this conversation will give you actionable strategies to ensure your properties stand out as safe, trustworthy, and profitable.

Connect with me....

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Justin Ford on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rentalsafety/

We sit down with Jonathan Sukhia, CEO and Co-Founder of Topkey, a financial platform for short-term rental managers. Jonathan shares his journey from finance to hospitality and how it led to building one of the most innovative accounting solutions in the STR space. We discuss why strong financial systems matter, common pitfalls to avoid, and how Topkey stands out with features like integrated banking, bill pay, rewards maximization, and world-class support plus a look at upcoming AI tools to save operators time and money.

Connect with me....

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Jonathan Sukhia on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathansukhia/

We sit down with systems expert Marisa Grover. Marisa specializes in helping solopreneurs transition to business owners by optimizing operations in the Airbnb short-term rental industry. We discussed the importance of implementing efficient systems, developing a company culture, and hiring the right people to manage and grow your business.

Whether you're managing a handful of properties or scaling up to hundreds, this episode provides actionable insights to take your business to the next level.

Connect with me....

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Marisa Grover on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marisa.grover/

I sit down with Rachel Alday from Abode Luxury Rentals a top-tier property management company. Rachel shares how she and her husband started the business 18 years ago and the journey they’ve been on to build it into what it is today, all while keeping personalized, high-end service at the core of everything they do.

We talk about the real challenges of running a luxury operation like maintaining top quality as the business grows, building a passionate and reliable team, and using tools like Breezeway to streamline operations. Rachel also explains why the “human touch” is still so important in guest experiences, and how Abode sets itself apart by creating unique, local adventures that guests will never forget.

She also opens up about their impressive growth, the strategies that have kept their customers happy, and what’s next, including possibly expanding into boutique hotels and even writing a book on hospitality.

Connect with me...

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelalday/

We’ve got Frank Bosi on the show, he’s the Senior Director of Partner Development over at Hostfully. We dive into his super interesting background in hospitality and property management, talk about what really makes a great host, and get into how Hostfully helps with that through their property management software. We also chat about automation, how to level up your guest experience, and what’s changing in the world of property management tech. Lots of great tips in here, whether you’re just starting out or have been doing this for a while, definitely worth a listen!

Connect with me....YouTube Channel: ⁠
Patryk Swietek

Instagram: ⁠Patryk _Swietek

Facebook Group: ⁠STR Nation - Airbnb Real Estate InvestorsConnect with Frank Bosi on Instagram

We sit down with Jamie Lane, Chief Economist at AirDNA. Jamie shares his journey into the world of data analytics for the real estate and hospitality industries, discusses the current trends in short-term rentals, and provides valuable insights into the future of property management. Other key topics include the impact of macro and micro data on investment decisions, the rise of boutique hotels, and the dynamics between short-term rentals and hotels.

Connect with me...

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Jamie Lane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/str_economist/

In this episode, Nick Massey, Chief Sales Officer at Proper Insurance, joins us to break down the must-know details about short-term rental insurance.

We dive into:
• The best insurance policies for STRs

• Per-booking coverage through Wavo

• Property management insurance via Worcester

• Common mistakes hosts make

• Why liability coverage is critical

• How to protect and grow your rental business

If you’re an Airbnb host or real estate investor, this one’s a must-listen.

Connect with me....

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Nick Massey:

Visit www.proper.insure or call 888-631-6680

I sit down with Ariel Smith, a hospitality powerhouse who went from sales rep to managing a 60-person guest comms team—and now runs her own short-term rental company with 30 properties in one of the most competitive markets: San Diego.

Ariel shares her journey from her early days at Home Suite and AvantStay (back when they only had 30 listings!) to building a thriving, hospitality-first STR business.

Whether you’re an operator with 3 properties or 300, this episode is a masterclass in hospitality strategy and operational excellence.

Connect with me....

Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/patryk-swietek

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Ariel Smith on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arielisabelsmith/

We have Neil Shah, a humble yet incredibly successful boutique hotel investor who now owns 10+ properties and has helped countless others break into the hospitality space. Neil immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 with an electrical engineering degree, barely English, and no hotel background. Fast-forward to today: he’s built a boutique hotel portfolio and become a go-to resource for aspiring investors.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Neil got his start in hospitality (by accident!)

• Learning English through hotel work

• Becoming a GM and leaving California

• His first hotel investment (and how it happened by helping someone else)

• Boutique hotels vs traditional STRs

• Advice for people trying to break into this space ...and so much more!

If you’ve ever thought about getting into hospitality or boutique hotels, this is a must-listen.

Connect with me....

Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/patryk-swietek

YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek

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

Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/

Connect with Neil Shah on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nilang007/