the no BS podcast

This is the 2nd time that Dawn Yeskulsky has joined us on our podcast but the first as CEO & Founder of her own companies PMS Pros and Yes2vr Advisors.

With 28 years of experience in Vacation Rentals touching the majority of customer-facing verticals, Dawn brings her unique perspective and knowledge to helping short-term rental property managers and vendors navigate complex decisions.

A great listen!

Episode Highlights

• Dawn reflects on Bob Ackerman pushing her into sales, initially resisting the shift but eventually embracing the challenge and giving RNS 14 years.
• We share amusing anecdotes about the early days of technology, reminiscing about carrying large computer towers for demos.
• John & Mateo discuss Dawn's pioneering role as a woman in the vacation rental sales space. Dawn humbly acknowledges the challenges but expresses her deep connection and dedication to the industry.
• John and Dawn discuss the intricacies of payment processing, its challenges, and the constant evolution of the industry.
• Dawn shares her unique journey, highlighting her move from TRACK to Inhabit. John speculates on the California connection that made this transition possible.
• The conversation shifts to industry trends, with John acknowledging the efforts of various companies like Travelnet Solutions, Guesty, and Hostaway in emulating Inhabit's model through acquisitions.
• Dawn emphasizes the significance of building long-standing relationships and earning the trust of property managers. She discusses the value of honesty in steering clients in the right direction and her desire to reconnect with them after spending years behind the scenes at various companies.
• Dawn introduces PMS Pros as a response to the need for onboarding support consulting in the property management industry aiming to complement, not replace, existing PMS onboarding teams.
• PMS Pros acts as a project manager for property managers, facilitating effective communication with onboarding teams.

Episode Sponsor

- Turno

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

In this episode, hosts John and Mateo sit down with Nick Mote, CEO and Founder of Automate, JetML, and Oregon Labs. Nick shares his journey into the short-term rental industry, from his background in marketing to his ventures in machine learning and AI.

Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss!  

Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS

Episode Highlights

• Nick shares insights into his diverse background, from his early interest in tech and computers to his marketing role at Tree Top during the recession.
• The journey takes a turn towards machine learning as Nick describes his experience at Vacasa, where he played a pivotal role in developing a groundbreaking 365-day daily pricing model.
• Venturing into Entrepreneurship: The conversation unfolds as Nick discusses his entrepreneurial spirit, leading to the inception of JetML in 2018, aimed at empowering data scientists to produce their work efficiently.
• Nike and the Sneakerhead Culture: Nick delves into his role at Nike, where he worked on predicting digital line attendance for sneaker drops, offering a fascinating glimpse into the sneakerhead culture.
• Rented and the AI Tools: Nick's journey continues with his collaboration with Rented, contributing to the development of AI-driven revenue management tools.
• Saving Time with AI: John shares his thoughts on using AutoMate, emphasizing the time-saving aspect. With the Pro version and personalized input, the tool adapts to sound more authentic, providing valuable time efficiency.
• Average Time Savings: John and Mateo discuss the significant time savings per listing, a crucial win for property managers. Nick highlights how the tool helps instantly generate quality descriptions, eliminating the bottleneck of waiting for freelance copywriters.
• AI as an Equalizer: Mateo sees AutoMate as an equalizing tool, accessible to property owners, managers, and hosts of all sizes. It addresses the challenge of crafting compelling descriptions, making it an invaluable resource for anyone in the industry.
• The Challenge of Fresh Descriptions: Nick discusses the tool's potential to rewrite bad descriptions and the opportunity to update listings multiple times a year. He envisions incorporating event data, allowing managers to highlight local events in their descriptions dynamically.
• Integration and Future Plans: Nick explains the simplicity of adopting AutoMate without integration hassles. While an API is available, future plans include potential integration with PMSs or other services, enhancing scalability and usability.
• No-Risk Proposal: The hosts and Nick agree that AutoMate's trial-first approach is a no-risk proposal, allowing users to experience its benefits firsthand. The tool's ability to enhance property rankings and increase guest conversions while saving time makes it a compelling solution.
• Challenges of AI Adoption: The conversation delves into the challenges of AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of user engagement and responsible use. Nick encourages industry professionals to consider how tech tools can elevate the guest experience rather than replace the human touch.

As the episode concludes, Nick leaves listeners with a challenge: to think about how technology can be leveraged to elevate hospitality without compromising the human element. The future of AI in the short-term rental industry holds exciting possibilities, and AutoMate Vacations aims to be at the forefront of this transformative journey.

Episode Sponsor

- Turno

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

We had the privilege of spending some time and getting to know Assaf Karmon CEO & Co-founder at Turno.

Assaf shares his journey from a background in software engineering to solving problems in the short-term rental industry.

The property care aspect of vacation rentals is complex and can be daunting to those ill-informed or to those who just "wing it". Turno is an amazing resource for property managers and hosts

Additionally, we're excited to welcome Turno in as a new no BS show sponsor!

Give it a listen!

Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS

Episode Highlights

• Assaf elaborates on Turno's evolution, starting with a focus on scheduling and property care
• We discuss Turno's collaboration with Airbnb which allows for a seamless experience for their users.
• Assaf emphasizes the importance of user experience and empathy in creating software solutions
• We inquire about Turno's scaling strategy and global reach.
• Assaf attributes success to luck, persistence, and taking opportunities while maintaining a vision.
• Assaf stresses the importance of staying disciplined, focusing on core features, and not overcommitting during the scaling process.
• John and Assaf discuss the challenges of avoiding overengineering and overpromising in response to customer requests and the Importance of staying true to the company's initial vision and North Star
• Assaf emphasizes the need for focus and avoiding distractions in business and Mateo adds insights on the importance of perfecting and refining the core product
• Assaf compares this stage to Airbnb's journey of making incremental improvements and refining user experiences.

Episode Sponsor

- Turno

Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace

Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place

the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users

Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

This week it's just us as we recap the amazing year that was 2023!

This is a super quick episode that touches on all the right things... but first make sure to visit this link for an EXCLUSIVE no BS 3-month FREE Membership to HostGPO! https://hostgpo.com/no-bs/

Episode Highlights

• Business adaptation: Companies focus on new revenue streams and differentiation.
• Professionalism: More operators adopt a professional approach, focusing on profitability and data.
• Profitability and sustainability: Businesses prioritize ethical and environmentally friendly practices.
• Differentiation: Standing out in a sea of inventory becomes crucial.
• Creativity and tech-enabled experiences: New trends like glamping and unique rentals emerge.
• Episode 116 marks the 31st episode of the season and the 2023 recap.
• Derailed: a fictional murder mystery
• Three significant episodes: The 100th episode with Matt Landau, the Bill Faeth episode, and the most downloaded episode to date with Vacasa CEO, Rob Graber.
• The podcast took a two-month break and came back rebranded as the no BS podcast and focused on a deeper, more intimate format.
• Appreciation for collaborations with HostGPO and anticipation for upcoming partnerships in 2024.
• Commitment to eco-positive changes, including planting trees and contributing to ocean and coral restoration with Global Investment Group.
• Anticipation for the industry's response to challenges and the opportunity for growth and creativity.

This week we dive head-first into the world of purchasing and buying groups with Jeff Iloulian CEO of HostGPO.

Jeff's entry into the vacation rental industry was unconventional (like many of us), as he found himself involved in unique lease arbitrage deals for properties in between renovations.

The idea to start a group purchasing organization (GPO) "selfishly" came to meet his purchasing needs as a better more efficient way to set up and supply his units.

This is a great fast-moving episode!

Visit this link for an EXCLUSIVE no BS 3-month FREE Membership to HostGPO https://hostgpo.com/no-bs/

Episode Highlights

• Evolution of the Vacation Rental Industry: We discuss how the vacation rental industry has evolved over the years. Jeff emphasized that the industry is continually changing, and what may seem like the end of the "Wild West" phase is just a stage in its ongoing development.
• HostGPO has exclusive partnerships with certain brands, ensuring that its members have access to products that may not be available elsewhere in the vacation rental industry
• HostGPO has scaled aggressively, reaching 300,000 units in its network.
• Jeff emphasizes the importance of having a team composed of people who understand the vacation rental industry and the needs of HostGPO members.
• HostGPO raised external capital to accelerate growth. Jeff highlights a strategic partnership with a major GPO outside the vacation rental industry, leveraging their buying power and expanding vendor partnerships.
• Jeff emphasizes the power of the community aspect in negotiating better deals. The larger Host GPO becomes, the more leverage they have in securing favorable terms for their members.
• WE discuss taking inspiration from the hotel industry's approach to creating memorable guest experiences. Hotels are adopting elements from short-term rentals, and hosts can learn from the hotel playbook to elevate their offerings.
• Hosts should look beyond short-term returns on investment and consider the long-term trajectory of their business. This includes strategic investments in brand development, guest experience, and operational efficiency.

Episode Sponsor

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

This week we chat with our environmentally conscious friend and entrepreneurial badass Matt Kallstrom, founder and CEO of The Global Improvement Group.

The conversation is fun, educational, and enlightening with one of the craziest turning point stories we've ever heard on the show.

Making a difference has never been easier and we're challenging each and every one of you to sign up and do your part for Mother Earth - we are!

For every 100 downloads of the no BS podcast, we're partnering with The Global Improvement Group to plant trees, clean plastics from the ocean, and help rehabilitate coral reefs.

Episode Highlights

• Childhood Aspiration: Matt had a childhood dream of becoming a CEO, inspired by his entrepreneurial family background.
• Environmental Mission: Matt's deep connection to nature and concern for the environment led him to start a company with a mission to offset carbon and contribute to environmental causes.
• Eco-Friendly Beauty Pageant: A serendipitous encounter at an eco-friendly beauty pageant in Omaha, Nebraska, led to a partnership with a hairstylist and a commitment to plant trees for every haircut.
• Business Model Evolution: The company's business model evolved from product sales to a for-purpose for-profit model, focusing on carbon offset and environmental impact.
• Transition to Sustainability: Matt discusses the transition his organization has made toward sustainability, aligning with groups focused on making a positive impact on the environment.
• Non-Profit Business Model: The podcast delves into the business model of Global Improvement Group, which operates as a non-profit. Matt explains the concept of making a difference while generating revenue, challenging the common perception that non-profits should not make money.
• Two-Pronged Approach: Global Improvement Group's approach involves helping businesses adopt sustainable practices for efficiency while also focusing on creating positive environmental impacts, such as planting trees, cleaning up oceans, and coral restoration.
• Sustainable Practices for Property Managers: Matt outlines some easy-to-adopt sustainable practices for property managers, including avoiding single-use plastics and incorporating eco-friendly alternatives.
• Flexible Sustainability Programs: Global Improvement Group offers a flexible, a la carte approach to sustainability programs, allowing businesses to choose and switch between initiatives like tree planting, ocean plastic cleanup, and coral restoration.

Episode Sponsor

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

In this episode of the no BS podcast, we chat with our friend and entrepreneur Brooke Pfautz, founder of Vintory and Comparant.com.

The discussion includes how the launch of Comparant.com aims to revolutionize the industry by offering a platform for vacation homeowners and property managers to connect.

The website has over 5,000 professional rental managers already listed, providing homeowners a single platform to compare and choose short-term rental property management based on performance, reviews, and services.

Exciting times for our industry and the team at Vintory and Comparent!

A must-listen!

Episode Highlights

• Marketplace Dynamics and Leveling the Playing Field: Brooke emphasizes the marketplace aspect of Comparant, allowing smaller property managers to compete on equal footing.
• Comparison with Past Attempts and Evolution of Ideas: We address past attempts at similar concepts by other companies and emphasize the unique aspects of Comparant.
• Brooke's Vision: Brooke expresses excitement about the potential impact of Comparant on the industry. He looks forward to seeing how companies adapt and change to reach the next level in response to public reviews and feedback
• The Influence of Reviews: Brooke and Mateo discuss the impact of reviews on property management. Brooke shares how review systems from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo have made him a better vacation rental manager, emphasizing the motivation to maintain a positive reputation.
• Driving Excellence: We hosts discuss how public reviews encourage property managers to step up their game and offer best-in-class services. The conversation includes anecdotes about handling unexpected situations to ensure positive reviews.
• Future Plans: The discussion touches on future plans for Comparant, including the implementation of AI-driven chatbots to enhance user experience and streamline the sales process for property managers.
• Shortening Sales Cycles: The hosts explore how platforms like Comparant can potentially shorten the sales cycle by providing homeowners with comprehensive information upfront, making the decision-making process more efficient.

Episode Sponsor

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

We have the privilege of sharing this episode with our good friends Neely Khan and Chris Maughan of I-PRAC. Both Neely and Chris have been on our show (separately) in the past, but this time it's different because Neely has officially joined the I-PRAC team as Managing Director.

John and Mateo are proponents of TRUST as a necessary tool in hospitality for both managers and guests and they dive deep into this importance in this episode.

Episode Highlights

• Chris explains how Neely's journey with I-PRAC began, initially as a content writer, and her progression to Senior Content Writer
• Chris emphasizes the importance of staying true to your values and working on the business, not just in it.
• Neely explains why she chose to take on the role at I-PRAC, citing her strong connection to the brand, mentorship by Chris, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
• Neely highlights the value of I-PRAC approval as a marketing tool and the unique level of peace of mind it offers guests, emphasizing that there's no similar solution in the industry
• Mateo further explores the barriers to adoption, considering the industry's competitiveness and the need for assurance in the guest experience
• The discussion delves into finding the "sweet spot" and speculates about the reasons for the slow adoption of guest experience assurance
• The hosts consider whether negative incidents or public failures in the short-term rental industry are necessary to drive change
• The conversation touches on how guest experience assurance can be a differentiator and addresses the challenges of convincing established property managers of its value.
• Chris acknowledges Airbnb's significant impact on the industry but mentions their past mistakes in addressing trust and confidence issues.

Episode Sponsor

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Emir Dukic, Founder & CEO at Rabbu, Inc. sat with us talking about his journey with arbitrage short-term rentals in Charlotte NC, scaling his company from 8 to 400, and very recently transitioning back to what he loves best which is helping others with focus on tech.

Emir, a technologist at heart jumped head-first into software development to aid Rabbu's growth.

"The decision to build our own property management system was rooted in our core competency as technologists. We understood the problems we wanted to solve, and building a custom solution was a natural progression for us" - Emir

Rabbu is for vacation rental investors bringing the right data and people together like Zillow is for home buyers.

Tune in to learn more about Rabbu's innovative approach to short-term rental data and education.

Episode Highlights

• Emir's entry into the short-term rental industry began with a personal experience. He and his wife turned a room above our garage into an Airbnb unit to generate some extra income. The success we experienced opened our eyes to the potential of short-term rentals.
• We discuss the challenging journey of deciding to build your own tech and how it's driven by the necessity to create a seamless experience for both hosts and guests
• Emir discusses the challenges faced by property management software providers and emphasizes the importance of proper education and communication between software providers and users
• We explore the significance of professionalization in the short-term rental industry and how Rabbu aims to assist investors, real estate agents, and other stakeholders in making informed decisions.
• Emir dives into how they understood the problems they wanted to solve, and as technologists building a custom solution was a natural progression for them.
• We talk about frustrations that often arise from the lack of robust customer support and tailored solutions provided by existing property management systems

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

This week we're joined by Amanda Jensen, Co-Founder of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville Tennessee for the first episode of our Alternative Accommodation Series.

Amanda shares their journey into hospitality, starting with a family-built treehouse that inspired the idea.

Before we dive into the Sanctuary vision of modern vacation rental amenities in family-friendly treehouses, we touch on the impact of the devastating 2016 Gatlinburg fires and the Smoky Mountains community resilience.

The Sanctuary Treehouse Resort represents a new frontier in the vacation rental industry, offering an immersive and interactive experience for guests while fostering community support and engagement.

A wonderful episode with tones of family first and you can do anything when you put your mind to it!

Episode Highlights

• Amanda and her husband Brian purchased 40 acres, to maintain the natural beauty of the land and keep condos out of their view.
• The vision expanded to create an interactive treehouse resort, blending modern amenities with nostalgic experiences
• Amanda creatively incorporates her daughter's artwork into the treehouse themes
• Planned amenities include an on-site supply store, pizzeria, butcher shop, and a network of walking trails
• Amanda discusses her innovative approach to guest amenities, offering personalized recommendations and exclusive discounts to enhance their stay.
• She emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural environment and building within the topography of the land.
• We delve into the challenges of scaling the resort from seven to over a hundred treehouses and Amnada highlights their commitment to maintaining a personalized touch and fostering guest relationships, even as they expand

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.