The Boostly Podcast

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 724. This episode of the Boostly podcast, Liam Carolan going behind the scenes with Dale Smith, CEO and founder of Host & Stay, a significant player in the UK's short-term rental and holiday home management industry. Originating from the north of England, Host & Stay now manages over 1000 properties across the UK, with ambitions to double that number in 2024. Dale shares the journey of Host & Stay from its inception, driven by personal investments in the property sector, to its current status as a full-service management company boasting a substantial in-house team, highlighting its competitive edge and growth strategies. The discussion touches on the challenges of scaling, the importance of marketing, and the impact of regulations on the industry. Dale also outlines Host & Stay's future growth plans, including organic expansion, acquisitions, and the possibility of international operations, all while maintaining their comprehensive management service. Throughout, Dale offers insights on how to thrive in the evolving short-term rental market, emphasizing adaptability, marketing investment, and a deep understanding of operational challenges. @‌hostandstayuk https://hostandstay.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 723. This episode of the Boostly Podcast is part of the STR Collab miniseries, the hosts collaborate with founders and influential figures in the short-term rental (STR) industry. The goal is to foster monthly collaborations on Zoom, bringing together vendors, business allies, and internet friends to share updates and work insights. This episode features a special focus on Minoan, highlighting its unique business model of helping customers generate revenue through the furniture in their homes. Additionally, the podcast covers Airbnb's commitment to verifying listings, record-breaking marketing spend by OTAs, and emphasizes the importance of being listed on multiple platforms to maximize revenue. Key upcoming events in the STR space are also discussed, along with a detailed presentation by Sage from Minoan about turning furnishing expenses into profit centers through their platform. The hosts conclude with the potential of STR properties as 'four-walled influencers,' advocating for thoughtful investment in property furnishing and leveraging systems for scaling businesses. https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 722. This podcast features a roundtable discussion with leaders from the AI-assisted property management industry, including representatives from Host AI, Hello Hostie, Guest Guru, Journey, and Bestie AI. The conversation focuses on how AI technologies are being leveraged to transform the property management and hospitality sectors, offering advantages such as automation of repetitive tasks, enhancing guest and employee satisfaction, and predictions for the future impact of AI in the industry. Key topics include the potential for AI to handle various aspects of property management, from guest communications to task management and beyond. The roundtable also explores the importance of adopting AI technologies to stay competitive, along with insights into each company's current work and future plans involving AI innovations. The discussion provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the collaborative approach among competitors to advance the industry. https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 721. This episode features an interview with Enrico Schaefer, the founding attorney of Traverse Legal PLC, who specializes in representing hosts and management companies in legal disputes against Airbnb. Over the past four years, particularly during COVID-19, Schaefer has helped clients recover millions from Airbnb for wrongful refunds, suspensions, and listing takedowns. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collective action among hosts, illustrating how Schaefer's legal expertise has assisted in fighting against unfair practices and arbitrary decisions by Airbnb. He provides detailed advice on how hosts can navigate disputes, protect their interests, and advocate for fairer treatment by understanding Airbnb's policies, maintaining evidence, and possibly engaging in arbitration. Schaefer's insights underline the power imbalance between Airbnb and its hosts while offering practical strategies for hosts to enforce their rights and seek justice. https://www.traverselegal.com/industries-vacation-rental-law/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 720. On this episode of the Boostly podcast we sit down with Mike Michalowicz who has had a big influence on Mark and the company. We then dive into an in-depth discussion about Michalowicz's book, 'All In'. Mark talks about his anticipation and preparation for this special 'hat trick' appearance of Michalowicz on his podcast, aiming to ask novel questions specifically about the book. Michalowicz shares insightful details about his 'All In' approach, including his philosophy on hiring, the importance of recognizing an individual's potential through curiosity, desire, and thirst, and the concept of conducting deep dive interviews to understand personal and professional visions of team members. Additionally, Michalowicz emphasizes the significance of aligning personal visions with business objectives, open-book management for financial transparency, and the collective vision over individual corporate goals. The conversation also touches upon Michalowicz's personal experiences, his European heritage, and his future projects including a 'Profit First' workbook designed to aid entrepreneurs in correctly implementing the Profit First model. Moreover, the script ends with a call to action for listeners to check out 'All In' and other resources offered by Michalowicz. https://mikemichalowicz.com/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 719. This episode of the Boostly podcast features a deep dive into Breezeway, a property operations and guest experience platform, with its CEO and founder, Jeremy. The platform, which focuses on helping short-term rental hosts improve the guest experience through optimal property preparation, maintenance, and communication, is discussed in detail. Jeremy shares insights into the genesis of Breezeway, its core functionalities including detailed task management, messaging for seamless host-guest communication, and guidebooks for enhancing guest experience. The podcast further explores the importance of operational excellence in the hospitality industry, especially for short-term rentals, the evolving trends towards professionalism, and how Breezeway's integrated solutions address the operational complexities facing hosts today. Finally, Jeremy discusses the future of guest experience and teases upcoming features aimed at further reducing the operational load on hosts while elevating guest satisfaction. www.breezeway.io https://www.linkedin.com/company/breezeway/ https://www.instagram.com/breezeway.io/?hl=en https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 718. This episode of The Boosty Podcast features in-depth discussions on leveraging StayFi for improving direct bookings, email and text message marketing, and the benefits of StayFi's new homepage feature. It highlights how StayFi, initially a WIFI marketing company, has evolved to empower short-term rental operators in collecting guest data and facilitating direct bookings, thereby reducing reliance on third-party platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. The podcast covers the integration of StayFi with various property management software, outlines strategies for starting with email marketing, and introduces StayFi's HomePage as a tool for enhancing guest engagement and generating additional revenue through upsells. Additionally, it discusses the technical setup for StayFi, its compatibility with hardware providers, and future developments aimed at simplifying email marketing for short-term rental operators. The episode concludes with Q&A, addressing audience queries about StayFi's features, strategies for maximizing direct bookings, and the potential integration of StayFi with other marketing tools. https://www.facebook.com/groups/353269054306582 https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 717. In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, host Liam discusses Bid and Stay with its founder, Emma Johnson of BidnStay a new service that facilitates last-minute accommodation bookings by enabling hosts to 'auction off' their vacant spaces. Emma explains how hosts set a silent reserve price that they are willing to accept, and guests can secure a booking by beating this reserve. The podcast discusses increasing occupancy rates and promoting direct booking by developing local activity packages for guests. Finally, Emma shares her path to establishing Bid and Stay and discusses her goals and challenges, focusing on onboarding hosts for a broader offering. www.bidnstay.com https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 716. In 2024, the short-term rental industry faces the increasing problem of unfair regulations. David Krauss, CEO and co-founder of Rent Responsibly, discusses this issue and presents potential solutions. The discussion digs into how to stand against the legislation that threatens short-term rental businesses all over the world. David sheds light on Rent Responsibly, a platform designed to educate and empower hosts to respond to these regulatory challenges. He also introduces the Rent Responsibly Network, a community platform dedicated to short-term rentals. He provides insights into the importance and benefits of joining this community, such as gaining regulatory information, building personal influence, and achieving business growth in the industry. https://network.rentresponsibly.org/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 715. In this episode of Boostly, Ron Curtis, founder of WavyStays, discusses his journey in the short-term rental business and how he manages 20 properties while working a full-time job. He details his strategy of co-hosting and the opportunities it offers for revenue generation. The episode further delves into the technical aspects of running such a business, with specific software recommendations and the role of data in decision-making. Finally, Ron emphasizes the importance of marketing oneself early on, as well as the potential growth of the hospitality industry with changing travel trends. https://www.tiktok.com/@doctor_financial https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-curtis-38560491/ https://www.instagram.com/wavystaysllc/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 714. Mark sits down with Laura Muse, a successful hospitable host based in Sheffield, about her journey in the hospitality industry. Laura shares her personal experiences from transitioning from property investor and developer to a luxury holiday let owner in the Peak District. She discusses her love for renovation and interior design, the joy of creating lasting memories for guests, and the challenges of managing staff. She also touches on the importance of integrating technology into the hospitality industry. Further, she mentions the satisfaction she gets from partnering with local businesses to offer guests an immersive local experience. Laura showcases her properties' unique features, such as the Instagrammable brass baths, and shares her approach to providing a memorable accommodation experience. She concludes by sharing her business expansion plans and how they are planning for the future. https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 713. Mark and Maddy discuss how to maximize business success in 2024 by focusing on experiential travel and creating direct booking strategies. They describe how Mount, Maddy's company, enables businesses to provide a variety of experiences to travelers ensuring an increase in guest reviews and converting more guests into superfans. Mark shares his own experiences and strategies in the hospitality industry, including the importance of knowing your guest avatar, building a database, and creating partnership experiences. They also introduce a joint initiative, the STR co-op, aimed at unifying the fragmented short-term rental industry, and provide insights on how businesses can benefit from it. https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 712. The Boostly podcast episode features Mahwussh Alam, the CEO of One Perfect Group, a company that manages hundreds of units in high-opportunity locations. Highlighting her journey from starting with one unit to managing many, Mahwussh talks about her strategies for scale, such as focusing on managing key properties, understanding investors' mindsets, and knowing when to say no. The episode also covers their utilization of technology and the role of honesty in business. Mahwussh shares her insights on how to navigate the challenges in the industry, affirming the significance of continuous growth, asking questions, embracing change, and focusing on long-term plans for the business. Mahwussh's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahwush/ One Perfect Stay's Linkedin profile: https://ae.linkedin.com/company/oneperfectstay-holiday-homes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneperfectstay/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneperfectstay/ Website: https://www.oneperfectstay.com/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 711. In this episode of Boostly Bitesize, host Mark Simpson discusses how to effectively collect and use guest data for hospitality businesses. He explains how a simple Google form can be used to gather guests' emails, cell phone numbers, number of people in the party, and check-in dates right at the point of reservation, thus eliminating check-in frictions. He further illustrates how business owners can use these forms to conduct market research by asking questions about why the guest chose their property and how they discovered it. Mark also discusses automation strategies to engage guests celebrating special occasions. Lastly, he talks about ensuring a consent line in the form to stay GDPR compliant. https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 710 In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Mark sits down with Isaac French, founder of Live Oak Lake. French tells the story of his journey, starting from buying a book for 99 cents to selling his business for $7 million. French discusses his beginnings in Texas, his move to Idaho, and his return to Texas where he built a property with unique cabins. Despite being kicked off Airbnb, French's business flourished, grossing over a million dollars in its first year. French credits his success to direct bookings, influencer marketing, and the book 'The Book Direct Playbook'. He emphasizes the importance of social media, specifically Twitter which he identifies as being a goldmine for networking and investment opportunities. French also touches on his new venture, teaching others about 'experiential hospitality' through his masterclass and community platform. French provides practical advice on navigating the hospitality business, from honing in on the details to maintaining long-term relationships with influencers. https://twitter.com/isaacfrench_ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 709 In this podcast episode, James Kinnersley joins Mark Simpson to discuss strategies for increasing direct bookings. With James' properties being largely marketed through Booking.com and Airbnb, they discuss optimizing these channels and collecting guest data. Exploring everything from property branding to guest communication, the conversation aims to provide useful insights for property owners to boost their business. They also discuss the potential expansion of their marketing onto Uplisting, a property management software platform recently acquired by AirDNA, James' employer. The episode concludes with advice on sending out regular communication to past guests to increase direct bookings or referrals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kinnersly-3911ab26/overlay/about-this-profile/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 708 This episode features a conversation with Sam Dundas, the co-founder of Besty AI, about the future potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the short-term rental and hospitality industries. The discussion revolves around how AI can assist in managing repetitive tasks and day-to-day operations, alongside improving the efficiency of property management systems. The podcast also touches on the rapid growth of AI applications, the importance of transparency in vendor communication, and the value AI brings in enhancing guest experiences. Sam highlights the importance of continuous product improvement and the benefits of trying new software to meet individual operational needs. https://www.instagram.com/getbestyai https://getbesty.ai/ https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 707 In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, Liam sits down with Rose Tepka, CEO and founder of Your Family's Place and author on Hospitable Hosts. Rose shares the numerous developments in her business including media appearances, becoming a best-selling author, and her continued work in the short term rental industry. She discusses how she partners with influencers to market her properties, creates guest surveys to improve the guest experience, as well as her strategies to achieve 80% direct bookings. Rose emphasizes the value of establishing a hospitality-focused brand, continued innovation, and playing the long game in the industry. She also reveals exciting future plans for the expansion of Your Family's Place. @hospitablehostsbook @yourfamilysplace_ @hostinginthemotherhood https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 706 In this episode of the Boostly podcast, Harro, the owner of a bed and breakfast establishment called The Hive at 52, discusses his hospitality career and his transition to running his own business. Having worked in hospitality for over 20 years and running his own B&B for 10 years, Harrow shares valuable insights on how to handle guest reviews, the importance of doing the basics right, and how sustainability is a defining feature of his business. He reveals that a significant 80% of his bookings are direct, with guests attracted mainly by good reviews and his regular presence on social media. Currently based in Cheshire, England, Harrow also talks about his plans for the B&B and shares a key piece of advice: 'In with love, out with stress.' Www.thehiveat52.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/THEHIVEAT52BNB https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Boostly Podcast Episode 705 In this episode of the Boostly podcast, we welcome back Josh Goldstein. Having initially focused on short term rentals, Josh provides an update on his most recent ventures, which include starting a fund and making a pivot into boutique hotels. He discusses the benefits of boutique hotels, his plans for updates and renovations, and how he uses CloudBeds to optimize the property's management. Josh also offers advice on taking efficient action, the significance of researching and learning through various resources, and choosing the right investment strategies that cater to their individual preferences. bunkhouseworldwide.com @bunkhouseworldwide https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices