The STR Sisterhood

Hospitality.FM
Hospitality.FM
  • 5.0 (29)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

Whether you’re brand new to Airbnb or an experienced Superhost, you’re giving yourself the gift of financial freedom and FUN when you enter the short-term rental space. If there’s anyone who knows this, it’s Stacey St. John. She built a 7-figure STR portfolio in less than two years and was able to leave her W2 thanks to the earnings from her properties. Today, she’s living the life she was always meant to live – on her terms. And on her new podcast, The STR Sisterhood, she’s sharing how you can, too! On this show, it’s all about you and your short-term rental journey. You’ll hear actionable advice from industry experts as well as inspiring stories from real women about their experiences, achievements, frustrations, and challenges…and how they’ve managed to turn their short-term rental dreams into reality. If you’re an ambitious woman who’s looking to have a 5-star Airbnb business on your hands without having to sacrifice the things you love, then tune in every week for all the goodness!

  1. 23h ago

    Design An Airbnb That Becomes the Destination with April Williams

    Have you ever wondered what makes guests choose a property not just as a place to stay—but as part of the reason for the trip itself? In this episode, I’m joined by April Williams, a designer, wife, mom, and short-term rental owner who turned an idea on paper into a thoughtfully designed mountain getaway in Blue Ridge, Georgia. April and her husband weren’t setting out to build a massive portfolio. They wanted a place their family could escape to, where their boys could unplug, get outside, and make memories—and they knew renting it to guests would help make that dream financially attainable. That intention shaped everything. From the floor plan and durable furnishings to a custom treehouse, fire pit, hot tub, game spaces, and thoughtful design details, April approached the property by imagining how different guests would actually experience it. In this episode, we talk about: How April’s family made their first short-term rental attainable without starting with a massive budgetDesigning a property around the needs of families, couples, grandparents, and groups instead of aesthetics aloneChoosing durable, beautiful, and replaceable furnishings that can withstand real guest staysInvesting in memorable amenities, including the custom treehouse that became one of the property’s biggest booking drawsCreating a stay with enough entertainment and experiences that guests don’t have to leave the property to enjoy their tripBalancing aesthetics, functionality, personality, and guest experience through intentional designWhy building the right team is essential when hosting is only one part of your already-full life April’s approach is a reminder that memorable hospitality starts long before a guest arrives. It’s in the floor plan. The furniture you choose. The activities available when the weather changes. The way a family can spread out comfortably. And the little touches that tell someone, we thought about you before you got here. You don’t necessarily need the biggest property, the largest budget, or dozens of listings to create something special. You need to understand who you’re serving—and build an experience they’ll remember. Create a place people come to stay. Then give them a reason not to want to leave. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:51] A short introduction about our guest April Williams, her family, design background, and how they created their first short-term rental in Blue Ridge, Georgia [03:55] What initially drew April’s family to short-term rentals, why their budget shaped the opportunity they pursued, and how they chose Blue Ridge as a desirable year-round destination [05:58] The guest experience April wanted to create and how her love for hospitality made reviews, guest feedback, and becoming part of other families’ memories especially meaningful [09:00] How the goal of creating one incredible property influenced April’s floor plan, finishes, furnishings, and decisions around comfort, durability, accessibility, and different types of guests [12:38] April shares where she sourced furnishings and decor, why warranties mattered, and how creating some pieces herself helped keep the project within budget [14:11] April discusses the features that proved worth the investment, and the custom treehouse that became one of the most frequently mentioned amenities among families booking the cabin [17:15] Why April wanted the cabin to become a destination of its own, with enough amenities and entertainment that guests could enjoy several days at the property without needing to leave [18:47] April shares the unexpected moment A&E contacted her family and how their cabin ultimately became part of Million Dollar Mountain Home [21:00] April takes us behind the scenes of filming for television, from repeating scenes and working with the production crew to seeing her family’s personalities captured on screen [23:52] How the television exposure affected bookings and inspired April to improve the listing with better photos, floor plans, stronger social media, and more intentional branding [25:07] April explains how she balances aesthetics with functionality and guest experience, including using fewer fragile pieces and choosing larger design statements that add personality without creating unnecessary problems [29:06] How building and hosting the cabin changed April’s perspective on hospitality and taught her to think through the property from the viewpoint of different guests and occasions [30:40] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Their memories are becoming our memories.”“We wanted to include as many amenities as possible to where… they didn’t have to leave to go find entertainment.”“You can’t do it all yourself. You have to have a good team.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : instagram.com/theridgelinega/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theridgelineretreat/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  2. Oct 27

    What Your Cleaner Wishes You Knew with Britt Greenwood

    What if some of the biggest cleaning headaches in your short-term rental could be prevented before your cleaner ever walks through the door? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Britt Greenwood, who has spent more than a decade in the cleaning industry. What began as a way to make extra money as a mom grew into a multi-location cleaning business serving Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Destin, Florida. And after thousands of short-term rental cleans, Britt has seen firsthand how the decisions owners make about their properties can either make turnovers easier—or create unnecessary problems for cleaners, guests, and the property itself. From how many people a property should sleep to the furniture, materials, storage, linens, and decor inside it, this conversation offers a completely different perspective on setting up and operating a short-term rental. In this episode, we talk about:The realities of hiring, managing, and retaining great cleaners in different marketsWhy maximizing occupancy with pull-out sofas can create more wear and tear than the additional revenue is worthSmall furnishing and material choices that can make a major difference in how clean a property looks and feelsThe pros and cons of condo ownership, special assessments, and why owners should carefully vet the HOAWhy a functional, organized owner’s closet can make turnovers and inventory management significantly easierDesigning and furnishing your STR with cleanability, turnover time, maintenance, and guest comfort in mind One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that your cleaner sees your property differently than you do. They see what wears out faster. They know which surfaces constantly look dirty. They notice what slows down a turnover, what gets damaged most often, and which design choices create unnecessary work. That doesn’t mean sacrificing aesthetics. It means being intentional. Because the best short-term rental design isn’t only beautiful in photos. It works for the guest, the owner, and the people responsible for getting it ready again and again. Design for the stay. Design for the turnover. And make every choice earn its place in the property. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:46] A short introduction about our guest Britt Greenwood, how she entered the cleaning industry more than a decade ago, and grew her business across different states [02:43] Britt shares the realities of staffing a cleaning company, why hiring challenges vary by market, and the importance of finding and retaining the right team members [05:57] Britt shares what she would and wouldn’t put in her own short-term rental, beginning with why she would avoid pull-out sofas and overcrowding a property [11:26] Why Britt prefers durable plastic toilet seats over painted wooden ones, and how certain materials can make it harder for cleaners to deliver a consistently clean appearance [15:42] Why a dedicated and organized owner’s closet can make cleaning, linen storage, inventory management, and communication between owners and cleaners significantly easier [20:09] Britt explains why mattresses, pillows, and bed foundations should be properly protected and encased to help prevent expensive damage and bed bug problems [22:50] How excess dishes, linens, blankets, decorative pillows, and unnecessary decor can complicate turnovers—and why standardization makes a property easier to manage [28:43] Britt shares the questions owners should ask when choosing furniture and decor, including whether something serves a purpose and whether it can actually be cleaned efficiently [32:03] How oversized furniture, bed sizes, and bunk beds can affect cleaning, room functionality, guest comfort, and even potential liability [37:34] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“More people in a property isn’t always what you want.”“Standardization is key. And the more complex anything is, the harder it is to manage.”“Just because you want something and you have a goal and you’re working towards it doesn’t mean it’s supposed to be easy.”“I believe that God has a plan for all of us, even through the hard times.” Let’s Connect:Website : bluejaycleaning.com Facebook : facebook.com/BrittGreenwood Instagram : instagram.com/theBrittGreenwood Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  3. Oct 20

    Know Who’s Walking Through the Door: Smarter Guest Screening for Safer Short-Term Rentals with Ela Mezhiborsky

    Do you really know who’s behind the reservation—and what could happen when you don’t? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Ela Mezhiborsky, a former short-term rental operator turned startup founder behind AutoHost and Checktiv, platforms focused on guest screening, identity verification, fraud prevention, and chargeback protection. Ela’s journey into guest screening began while operating her own property management company. As the business grew, relying on gut instinct to determine whether someone was a “good guest” became harder—and simply refusing locals, one-night stays, or other higher-risk reservations meant potentially leaving significant revenue on the table. Then the risks became much more serious. From chargebacks and stolen credit cards to criminal activity occurring inside properties, Ela realized that guest screening wasn’t simply about protecting revenue. It was about protecting the property, the neighborhood, the guest experience—and knowing who you are actually allowing into the space. In this episode, we talk about:Why blanket rules like “no locals” or “no one-night stays” can cause hosts to leave money on the tableWhat guest screening can reveal that human intuition and gut feeling often cannotHow identity verification can protect hosts from fraudulent bookings and chargebacksWhy screening should feel like part of the guest journey—not like having a bouncer at the doorThe difference between AutoHost and Checktiv and how screening can work for operators of different sizesHow reducing anonymity can actually encourage better guest behaviorBalancing safety and fraud prevention with privacy, fairness, and the heart of hospitality The goal isn’t to treat every guest like a potential problem. Most guests are wonderful. But responsible hospitality also means creating systems that help you protect the people, property, and community entrusted to you—without relying on assumptions about who someone appears to be. Because sometimes the simplest question is also one of the most important: Do you actually know who’s walking through the door? HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:44] A short introduction about our guest Ela Mezhiborsky, her background as a short-term rental operator turned startup founder, and her work with AutoHost and Checktiv [01:39] Ela shares how challenges inside her property management company led her team to move beyond gut instinct and create a more standardized approach to guest screening [07:21] I share my own experience being targeted by a fraud ring through direct bookings and losing approximately $15,000 in chargebacks during one summer [09:37] Ela explains what hosts can do to protect themselves from fraudulent reservations, including identity verification, payment checks, and knowing who is actually booking [11:56] Why hosts shouldn’t be afraid that identity verification will create too much friction for legitimate guests, and how screening can become part of a smooth check-in experience [13:31] Ela explains how her property management company standardized guest screening instead of relying on gut instinct [14:49] Ela walks through what the guest verification process looks like, from uploading an ID and biometric verification to house rules, credit cards, deposits, and backend checks [17:31] The difference between AutoHost and Checktiv, and why Checktiv was created to make professional guest screening more accessible to smaller operators [21:07] Best practices for when guests should complete verification, including how hosts can approach last-minute reservations, reminders, deadlines, and access to check-in instructions [25:10] How hosts can monitor the verification process, understand pending, verified, or flagged reservations, and use the information provided to make their own final decisions [27:04] Ela shares a real-world example of how guest screening helped reduce problematic bookings and unexpectedly encouraged better behavior by creating greater accountability [31:48] Ela reflects on becoming a SaaS founder and why firsthand experience with a problem can make someone uniquely equipped to build a solution for the industry [33:56] Ela shares where her drive to solve problems comes from, the role of critical thinking in her life, and the experiences that pushed her to take guest screening further [39:21] Ela talks about second-guessing decisions, learning from false positives, reducing bias and discrimination, and making sure the company continues to operate according to its values [42:36] Ela shares how she approaches fear, change, and stepping outside her comfort zone—and how she distinguishes between fear that comes with growth and a gut feeling that something is wrong [44:38] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“The bare minimum is to not make your stay a black box. If somebody's trying to hide who they are, in reality, there's a reason, and things are happening behind closed doors.”"The more anonymous it is, the more gray area you allow.”“You need to be the one experiencing a problem to be the best person to solve it.”“Most guests are amazing and you just need to know who’s walking through the door.”“Networking is not the exchange of business cards, but it's actually getting to know people and building friendships.”“You either succeed or you learn.” Let’s Connect:Websites : https://www.autohost.ai/ https://checktiv.com/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/elamezhiborsky/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6-fGmo3PK/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  4. Oct 13

    Multiply Yourself with AI: Building a Smarter Short-Term Rental Business with Ana Shapiro

    What if AI could help you grow your short-term rental business without removing the very thing that makes hospitality feel human? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Ana Shapiro, a real estate investor with nearly two decades of experience and the founder of Chillin Away, a collection of family-friendly short-term rentals designed around connection, comfort, and creating memorable experiences. After years of managing the moving pieces that come with short-term rentals, Ana realized something important: the biggest limitation in her business wasn’t the properties, the capital, or even demand. It was that everything depended on her brain. That realization changed the way she thought about AI. Instead of using it simply as another tool—or trying to automate herself out of the business—Ana began building specialized AI agents to support different functions like revenue management, operations, guest experience, marketing, and financial intelligence. In this episode, we talk about: Why short-term rentals are anything but passive when you’re the one operating themHow Ana uses AI to multiply herself rather than replace herselfTurning the knowledge in your head into systems that can support different areas of your businessWhy AI still needs guardrails, quality checks, and human judgmentUsing “useful AI” to solve real operational problems and surface issues before they become bigger onesProtecting the human side of hospitality while using AI to remove unnecessary chaosWhy the systems behind your property are what create consistency, scalability, and growth without burnout Because the goal isn’t to automate every single thing you do. Hospitality still requires judgment. It requires taste. It requires understanding the people who are trusting you with their vacations, celebrations, families, and time away. Ana’s approach is a reminder that technology should create more room for those things—not replace them. Use AI to remove the chaos. Keep the heart. And create more space to lead the business instead of carrying every part of it inside your head. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:50] A short introduction about our guest Ana Shapiro, and her background in real estate, transition from long-term to short-term rentals, and how she built Chilling Away [04:28] The reality behind the idea of “passive income” in short-term rentals and why operating an STR requires active involvement [06:17] Ana explains the operational differences between long-term and short-term rentals, from guest touchpoints and pricing to the systems required behind the scenes [08:14] Ana shares the turning point that led her to use AI not to replace herself, but to multiply herself and distribute her thinking across different areas of the business [11:00] How Ana trains AI to think more like she does, the tools she uses, and how brainstorming can evolve into actual systems, implementation plans, and workflows [14:31] The realities and risks of building AI agents, including the importance of guardrails, quality checks, human approval, and learning from automation that goes too far [19:00] How Ana is training AI agents to take over repetitive tasks and give her more time to focus on growth [21:24] Ana shares the parts of hospitality she believes should remain human—including judgment, taste, and understanding what guests should feel—and why AI should remove chaos rather than the heart of the business [22:52] Ana explains how AI helps her see where her time is going and focus on what the business actually needs [25:24] Ana explains how she uses weekly strategy time and AI to make smarter pricing and marketing decisions [27:43] Where hosts can begin using AI in their own businesses—from organizing the day and monitoring cleaners to financial intelligence, branding, market insights, and direct bookings [29:37] Ana explains how she wants AI to connect more of her business and guest data to create smarter opportunities [31:11] Ana’s words of wisdom to encourage hosts to start small with AI and train it to work the way they want [32:07] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “It is not about just doing more. It's about building smarter with purpose in a way that helps us support the life that we want to live.”“I’m not looking for AI to replace myself. I’m using AI to multiply myself.”“It's so important as a business owner to surround yourself with people that are smarter than you in multiple areas.”“I don’t want AI to remove the heart of the business. I want it to help me remove the chaos.”“Owning a property is not the same as building a business.”“Stop confusing motion with progress.” Let’s Connect:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/chillinaway/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-shapiro/ Website : https://chillinaway.com/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  5. Oct 6

    Start Before You’re Ready: Building a Short-Term Rental Business Around the Life You Want with Laura Sides

    What if the goal of real estate investing isn’t simply to own more properties—but to create a life you actually enjoy? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Laura Sides, a former middle school science teacher turned stay-at-home mom, real estate investor, house flipper, and short-term rental host. Laura’s journey into real estate began in 2021 after realizing there was another way to think about money—one where she could put her money to work instead of working for every dollar. What followed was a journey of saying yes to opportunities, learning as she went, flipping properties, and eventually owning two short-term rentals. And one of Laura’s biggest lessons? You don’t have to know everything before you start. In this episode, we talk about: Shifting from a scarcity mindset to thinking differently about money and investingHow Laura used profits from house flipping to fund her first short-term rentalWhy she eventually walked away from a large property management company and began self-managingHow the right systems, automation, and consistent cleaners made hosting far easier than she expectedLooking beyond financial ROI to consider the return on your time, energy, and enjoymentBuilding a real estate business around the life and experiences you want for your family Laura’s story is also a reminder that growth doesn’t have to mean constantly acquiring more properties. Sometimes growth looks like knowing what deserves your attention. Staying in the lane you’re good at. Creating systems that give you back your time. And using what you’ve built to create experiences for the people you love. You can build for cash flow. You can build for lifestyle. You can build something that gives your family opportunities you once thought were years away. And you don’t need every answer before taking the first step. As Laura says, surround yourself with people who know more than you, put the right systems in place, and start before you’re ready. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:41] A short introduction about our guest Laura Sides, her journey from middle school science teacher, to real estate investor, house flipper and short-term rental host [04:04] The scarcity mindset around money we grew up with and how learning to think beyond simply saving and living within their means changed the way they approached investing [06:14] How flipping houses led Laura into short-term rentals and how profits from her first flip helped fund the purchase and renovation of her Bethany Beach property [08:49] We compare our experiences hiring large property management companies and the loss of control we experienced around cleanliness, communication, and the guest experience [12:28] Laura shares why she eventually decided to self-manage and how taking control of the property led to significantly better reviews and revenue [13:32] Why self-managing a short-term rental can be much easier than expected when you have the right framework, systems, automations, and focus on guest experience [16:47] Laura breaks down the systems and technology she uses to simplify her hosting business and manage properties from a distance [17:55] Why relying solely on Airbnb can leave a short-term rental business vulnerable and the value of diversifying with direct bookings [19:31] The value of digital guidebooks for creating a more professional, streamlined guest experience [21:26] Laura shares how she protects her bandwidth by focusing on what matters most and creating a life that prioritizes family over constant growth [25:27] Laura redefines ROI by looking beyond money to your return on time, effort, energy, and enjoyment—and choosing opportunities that actually support the life you want [27:29] Laura shares why she loves flipping condos, what makes them efficient and predictable investments, and how strong HOA, neighbor, and property manager relationships can reduce risk and uncover new opportunities [36:30] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “How do we put this money to work, and how can we also enjoy our life while we're doing it?”““What is your ROI—which is your return on your investment—but also the return on your time?”“Honing in on what you're good at, but also what you enjoy doing, and you can do really well, staying in that lane, then just optimizing those systems to make that opportunity the best that it can be.”“Start before you’re ready.”“The best thing you can do is take that first step and just keep going.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lauraflipslife/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  6. Sep 29

    The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Hospitality with Daniella Morganelli

    What if becoming a better host has less to do with knowing every strategy—and more to do with understanding people? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Daniella Morganelli, a school counselor, former property manager, and Airbnb host who has been in the short-term rental space since 2018. Daniella brings a unique perspective to hospitality because so much of her professional life has centered around people—understanding their emotions, navigating conflict, solving problems, and learning to meet people where they are. And those skills translate beautifully into hosting. We dive into emotional intelligence—being aware of your own emotions, beliefs, and perspectives while recognizing that the person on the other side of a situation may experience it very differently. In this episode, we talk about: What emotional intelligence looks like in short-term rental hospitalityWhy meeting guests where they are can completely change how you handle difficult situationsPutting yourself in someone else’s shoes before reacting to a conflictThe difference between solving a problem for someone and working through it with themWhy great hospitality means accommodating guests—within reasonRecognizing when being a people pleaser can lead to being too accommodatingHow self-awareness can make you a stronger communicator, host, and business owner Because the truth is, guests aren’t always showing up relaxed and carefree. Travel can be stressful. People have different expectations, preferences, and ways of communicating—and sometimes that stress comes out as a complaint. That doesn’t mean you have to say yes to everything. But it does mean there’s tremendous value in slowing down long enough to understand what’s really happening before you respond. Sometimes the better question isn’t, “Who’s right?” It’s, “How can we work through this?” And that small shift can help you handle challenging conversations with more clarity, create a better experience for your guests, and become a more confident host along the way. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:47] A short introduction about our guest Daniella Morganelli, and how her passion for hospitality evolved from property management into a short-term rental and travel-focused business [05:41] Daniella shares the operational realities of hosting strangers in her backyard pool through Swimply, including last-minute bookings, towels, amenities, and setting boundaries [07:36] Daniella explains how her background in property management and school counseling has taught her to meet people where they are and navigate guest emotions [11:00] How emotional intelligence can help short-term rental hosts better understand themselves, their guests, and the conflicts that come with hospitality [14:35] Daniella explains how emotional intelligence can help hosts diffuse guest frustrations by focusing on solutions, accommodation, and giving guests space [17:40] Daniella shares how emotional intelligence, hospitality, and a desire to help others shape the way she approaches her many businesses [23:12] How Daniella learned to prioritize self-care while balancing motherhood, a full-time career, and multiple hospitality businesses [28:03] Daniella shares how travel, Disney, and hospitality have become a meaningful part of her life and the way she creates memories with her family [31:15] Daniela shares how entrepreneurship transformed her confidence and taught her to trust herself [38:06] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “Understanding your own self helps you understand other people too.”“I'm glad that I have taken all the risks that I have because it's helped build my confidence and my self esteem.”“My light, my confidence, my ability to have a positive outlook can shine through that plexiglass, but the negativity never penetrates me.”“You can have a beautifully designed space when it's not operated well, it is not going to go so well. But design plus the operations, I really feel are super important.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/crimsoncocoachalet/ https://www.instagram.com/dmtravelvibes Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/VacaVibesinD5/ https://www.facebook.com/DMTravelVibes/ https://www.facebook.com/morganellibabe/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  7. Sep 22

    When Life Changes Everything: Rebuilding, Resilience & Short-Term Rentals with Kristen Sluiter

    What happens when life takes you somewhere you never expected—and asks you to build something new from what’s left? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Kristen Sluiter, a former educator, writer, and short-term rental owner whose journey into real estate began when she unexpectedly became the caregiver for her parents. This conversation goes much deeper than short-term rentals. Kristen shares openly about caregiving, grief, losing her parents and brother, and rebuilding after a devastating house fire. Through all of it, she’s discovered something powerful about herself: she’s capable of handling far more than she once realized. And that perspective has shaped the way she approaches her business, too. In this episode, we talk about:How an unexpected season of caregiving led Kristen into real estate and eventually short-term rentalsNavigating grief, loss, and major life transitionsRebuilding after a house fire—and how the literal process of rebuilding became part of healingWhy difficult seasons don’t define who you areWhat to do when your STR business leaves you exhausted and overwhelmedWhy hospitality doesn’t mean you have to make everyone happySetting clear boundaries with guests and sticking to them, even when it feels uncomfortableTrusting yourself to handle the unexpected One of Kristen’s simplest pieces of advice may also be the one you need most: Keep going. When you’re in the middle of something difficult, it can feel like this is simply how life—or your business—is going to feel forever. But it won’t. You can have hard days. You can admit when you’re overwhelmed. You can set boundaries. You can make mistakes and deal with the unexpected without allowing any of those things to define you. And perhaps most importantly, you can remind yourself of something Kristen’s parents instilled in her: There’s nothing you can’t do—but you don’t have to do it all. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:15] A short introduction about our guest Kristen Sluiter and how she got into the short term rental space [04:03] Kristen opens up about caregiving, grief, and the unexpected beauty she found in being present for her mom’s final moments [12:00] Kristen explains how her parents’ love of travel, her connection to hospitality, and her experience with grief inspired her to turn a family property into a short-term rental [15:41] How a 20-acre property evolved into an off-grid short-term rental and how Kristen used creativity, persistence, and available resources to make it work [24:23] Kristen explains how her perspective shifted from simply sharing a unique property to treating her short-term rental as a true hospitality business [29:40] Kristen shares the three biggest challenges of operating an off-grid short-term rental, from managing utilities to setting guest expectations and maintaining a remote property [34:00] Kristen explains how local relationships and word-of-mouth helped her build a reliable team for her remote, off-grid property [35:13] How surviving a devastating house fire changed Kristen’s perspective on resilience, possessions, anger, and what she is capable of rebuilding [41:51] Kristen encourages women to keep going, embrace difficult moments, and remember that what happens to them does not define who they are [46:51] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “You could be as prepared as you want to be, but you're not really going to learn it until you do it.”“Keep going. You can't know what you don't know. There's something about you, that for whatever reason this thing happened.”“If you feel like you need to cry, curl up in a ball and cry. Do it. We're gonna be better off because of it.”“You don't have to bend over backwards to make somebody happy.”“There's nothing you can't do, but you don't have to do it all.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/vansby_theriver/ https://www.instagram.com/polebridge_penny/ Proudly Sponsored by Pricelabs! Mobile Link: https://hello.pricelabs.co/mobile-app/ Stacey’s Affiliate Link: https://pricelabs.co/users/sign_up?referral=STRSISTER Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

  8. Sep 15

    Stop Waiting for Perfect: Building a Short-Term Rental Design Business with Ramya Mehta

    What if you stopped waiting until everything was perfect before taking the next step? In this episode of the STR Sisterhood, I’m joined by Ramya Mehta, founder of Yellow Tulip Designs, short-term rental interior designer, corporate product manager, and mom. Ramya’s journey into STR design began by helping family members with their properties. By the second project, she was hooked—and realized that many of the skills she had developed in product management could translate beautifully into short-term rental design. We talk about how prioritization, communication, understanding the customer journey, and focusing on what delivers the most value can shape not only a successful design project, but a better guest experience. Ramya also gets candid about something so many of us struggle with: perfectionism. When launching her business, she initially felt like she needed everything—from her logo and colors to her Instagram—to be completely figured out before she could start. Her mentor gave her a much-needed reminder: you don’t need all of that. You can just start. In this episode, we discuss:Turning the skills you already have into new opportunitiesDesigning with the guest experience in mindMoving forward despite perfectionism and fearBalancing a career, motherhood, and a growing businessCommunicating effectively with clients and guestsUsing AI as a tool in the design processWhy mentors, community, and support matter One of the biggest reminders from my conversation with Ramya is simple: you don’t have to know exactly how everything will work out before you begin. It’s easy to let the “what ifs” keep you stuck—especially when you’re stepping into something new. But every challenge you work through becomes evidence that you’re capable of handling the next one. So if you’ve been waiting until you feel completely ready, have every detail figured out, or know exactly what comes next, this episode is your invitation to take the next thoughtful step anyway. You can learn as you go. You can adjust along the way. And, as Ramya reminds us, you’ll figure it out. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [00:49] A short introduction about our guest Ramya Mehta and what sparked her interest in short-term rental design [03:50] Ramya explains how her career as a product manager directly influences her approach to designing memorable short-term rental experiences [06:35] How designing Ramya’s family's second short-term rental gave her the confidence to turn her passion into a business [07:59] Ramya opens up about overcoming perfectionism and learning to put herself out there before everything felt ready [10:37] Ramya shares how personal loss, purpose, and creating value help her push through fear and uncertainty [14:54] How ruthless prioritization helps Ramya balance motherhood, a corporate career, and growing her design business [19:07] Ramya highlights how strong communication from her corporate career has become a foundation for her design business [21:38] Ramya explains how AI has transformed her design process by helping her create data-backed strategies and visualize client concepts [25:25] How mentorship and community have helped Ramya confidently navigate a new industry and continue growing [28:14] Ramya reflects on how stepping beyond the corporate world allowed her creativity to become a new career path [28:49] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “I'm putting myself in the shoes of a guest to see how I can elevate their experience, how I can provide, make them feel that this was the right decision that they took to book that property.”“You don't have to have all that. Just go ahead and start it.”“You just have to live your life and do what you want to do and do good.”“If something doesn't provide significant value in my life, it's not worth my time.”“Just ask. The worst thing that's going to happen is they'll say no, but if you don't ask, you're not going to get it.” Let’s Connect: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/yellowtulipdesigns/ Website : https://www.yellowtulipdesigns.com/ Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

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5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Whether you’re brand new to Airbnb or an experienced Superhost, you’re giving yourself the gift of financial freedom and FUN when you enter the short-term rental space. If there’s anyone who knows this, it’s Stacey St. John. She built a 7-figure STR portfolio in less than two years and was able to leave her W2 thanks to the earnings from her properties. Today, she’s living the life she was always meant to live – on her terms. And on her new podcast, The STR Sisterhood, she’s sharing how you can, too! On this show, it’s all about you and your short-term rental journey. You’ll hear actionable advice from industry experts as well as inspiring stories from real women about their experiences, achievements, frustrations, and challenges…and how they’ve managed to turn their short-term rental dreams into reality. If you’re an ambitious woman who’s looking to have a 5-star Airbnb business on your hands without having to sacrifice the things you love, then tune in every week for all the goodness!

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