The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: 116. What Luxury Homeowners Actually Want From Their Property Manager

   Lucas Piper went from earning $30,000 a year as a social worker to building Five Star VHR, a luxury short-term rental management company with roughly 70 properties in Austin generating about $9M in booked revenue. In this episode, Lucas shares how he started by renting out his own home, scaled through rental arbitrage, survived COVID and partnership mistakes, and eventually went all-in on property management. We break down how he used Facebook groups, meetups, networking, and free education to build a reputation that helped him win luxury management contracts and grow through referrals. Lucas also shares his approach to owner retention, competing on value instead of fees, building strong local teams, and fixing financial and bookkeeping challenges. Finally, we discuss what’s next for Five Star VHR, including mergers and partnerships, growing to 85–100 high-quality properties, and using AI to improve the guest experience. 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 Lucas Piper on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fivestarvhr/

   September 04, 2026·45min
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   Number 2: 110. 5 to 40 STR Units: Here's What Actually Changes

   In this episode, we sit down with Mariam of Lume Stays and Natalie Bykov of The Orange Cabins, two powerhouse co-hosts and full-time moms who built thriving short-term rental businesses from the ground up. They share what it actually took to scale from a few properties with no software to 40 units and beyond.We get into the real operational stuff: when to hire your first VA, how to structure shifts, what a boots-on-the-ground person actually does, and how to know when your ops manager is maxed out. Mariam breaks down her referral incentive strategy with vendors and how dominating Desert Hot Springs gave her a natural path into Palm Springs. Natalie shares how a single viral video drove millions of views and turned social media into her biggest lead source. At the same time, she and her husband Alex, run active outbound sales calls to grow their Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear portfolio.We also talk about working with spouses, letting go of guest messaging, and why they both believe hospitality still needs a human touch. 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 Mariam & Natalie on:Mariam: https://www.instagram.com/mariam.av_/Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebykov/Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/confessionsofahost/

   May 30, 2026·40min
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   Number 3: 109. The Challenges Of Growing to 100 Units

   Chris Petzy, co-owner and CEO of Seacoast 2 Summit Vacation Rentals, discusses scaling from a self-managed two-family property to 120+ short-term rentals through inbound leads, referrals, and operational discipline. In this episode, we cover how Chris and his partner divide responsibilities between sales, marketing, and operations, what changes as you grow from operator to CEO, and why scaling a vacation rental management company is really about people, roles, systems, and quality control. You’ll also hear how Chris thinks about direct bookings, AI tools, CRM systems, homeowner communication, maintenance workflows, VAs vs. stateside staff, and building the leadership structure needed to grow without sacrificing service or family time. 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 Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispetzy/

   May 05, 2026·43min
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   Number 4: 100. Build Local Partnerships to Generate More Traffic For Your STRs

   In this episode, we sit down with Travis Wilburn, Founder of TheOneHundredCollection.com and Co-Founder of The Stay Charlottesville Management Group. Travis leads a curated network of 80+ destinations featuring premium vacation homes and top local property managers. He’s a major advocate for independent VRMs, helping operators build brand equity, drive direct bookings, and stand out in an OTA-dominated landscape. We also dive into his Charlottesville hospitality portfolio, including boutique hotels, luxury vacation rentals, wine tours, event venues, and a concierge tourism center, all focused on elevating guest experiences and supporting local businesses.If you want to strengthen your STR brand, grow beyond OTAs, and learn from one of the leading voices in local-first hospitality, this episode is for you. 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 Travis Wilburn on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-wilburn-03057410/

   November 16, 2025·50min
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   Number 5: 99. Implementing EOS and Systems for STR Management Companies

   We sit down with Matt Durrette, CEO and founder of Cozy Vacation Rentals, to unpack how he scaled from 5 to over 350 properties across Texas Hill Country. Matt shares his journey from financial analyst to STR operator, diving into the systems, tech, and leadership that fueled his growth. He breaks down how EOS transformed his business, the metrics that drive success, and strategies for homeowner retention and PMS transitions. If you’re looking to scale your property management company or learn where the vacation rental industry is headed, this episode is a must-watch. 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 Matt Durrette on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-durrette-8658a137/

   October 28, 2025·51min
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