Branded & Booked

Steph Weber
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Marketing
  • Updated weekly

Are you ready to stand out in the crowded world of short-term rentals and boutique hotels? Branded & Booked is the podcast for ambitious hosts and property owners who want to create rave-worthy brands and stay consistently booked. Hosted by Steph Weber, an expert in branding and marketing for STRs, this podcast is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes insights to help you elevate your property and attract your best guests. Tune in every week to learn how to market your property, create a guest experience they'll rave about, and build a hospitality business.

  1. 5 hr ago

    EP 251: From 3 Million Views to 80% Direct Bookings with Debra Getts

    What actually happens when you stop treating your short-term rental like a property and start building it like a hospitality brand? In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm sitting down with Debra Getts, owner of Shiny Apple Cabins in Blue Ridge, Georgia, to talk about exactly that. Debra and her husband have built an incredibly clear brand around being some of the most dog-friendly stays in their market. And when I say dog-friendly, I don't just mean they allow dogs. They've thought through the entire experience, from fenced yards and crates to dog blankets, treats, cleaning supplies and the little details that make traveling with your dog significantly easier. But what I really wanted to dig into with Debra is what happened once she took that strong brand and started intentionally marketing it. After going through my STR Marketing Bootcamp and continuing to build out her marketing strategy, Debra put the foundational pieces in place first: a clear brand, a direct booking website, email funnels and systems designed to turn attention into actual guests. Then she started working with influencers. It wasn't an overnight success story. Her first few collaborations came with plenty of learning curves, contract changes and lessons about choosing the right creators. But she kept refining the process until she found the alignment that mattered. One of those collaborations eventually resulted in a reel that reached nearly 3 million views. Since then, Shiny Apple Cabins has grown its Instagram audience from a few hundred followers to more than 6,000, built a waitlist of creators wanting to work with the brand and, most importantly, grown to roughly 80% direct bookings this year. And that's the part I want you to pay attention to. The viral reel wasn't the strategy. The brand and marketing ecosystem behind it were. We're talking about why your brand needs to be established before you bring influencers into the equation, how Debra vets and builds relationships with creators, why email marketing matters when your social reach takes off, and what it actually takes behind the scenes to turn visibility into bookings. We also get into how Debra has built Shiny Apple Cabins around a very specific guest, why being radically dog-friendly has actually helped the business rather than hurt it, and how knowing exactly who you serve influences everything from your amenities to your pricing. If you own a short-term rental or boutique hospitality brand and you're trying to figure out how branding, influencer marketing, social media, email and direct bookings actually work together, this episode is going to give you a very real look at what that can look like in practice. And if you're ready to build the brand and marketing foundation that makes this kind of growth possible, apply to work with us at The Weber Co. We help short-term rentals, boutique hotels and hospitality brands build the strategy, branding and marketing systems designed to turn more of the right people into direct-booking guests.

  2. 30 Jul

    EP 250: How Our Micro-Resort Grew Revenue 76% (And What It Really Took)

    For the first time, I'm pulling back the curtain on what our first full peak season actually looked like at Cabins on the Cumberland. There are so many conversations online about buying boutique hotels, building micro resorts, and creating passive income, but very few people are willing to talk about the numbers behind the scenes. In this episode, I'm sharing ours. I break down our June and July performance year over year, where our ADR and occupancy landed, how a completed guest experience changed everything, and why branding, revenue management, direct bookings, and thoughtful hospitality all worked together to produce our strongest season yet. I also talk honestly about the realities that don't make it into Instagram posts: construction delays, unexpected expenses, cash flow, saving for slow season, and why a profitable hospitality business is about so much more than big revenue months. If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to build a hospitality business from the ground up, or you're trying to increase revenue at your own property, I think you'll find this episode refreshing, practical, and hopefully encouraging. If you're ready to build a hospitality brand that drives more direct bookings, stronger guest loyalty, and long-term growth, I'd love to help. Learn more about working with my team at theweberco.com. Curious about the property behind today's numbers? Take a look at Cabins on the Cumberland and see how we've built the guest experience from the ground up at cabinsonthecumberland.com.

  3. 22 Jul

    EP 249: The Difference Between a Nice Hotel and a Booked-Out One with Courtney Petrovich

    What separates a hotel that's simply beautiful from one that guests can't stop booking? In this episode, I sit down with hospitality designer Courtney Petrovich, founder of Deanery Designs, to talk about the role design really plays in the success of a hospitality brand. We dive into why boutique hotel design is so much more than selecting furniture and finishes, how thoughtful design can help attract investors before a project is even built, and the operational decisions that can save owners time and money for years to come. We also talk about the shift we're seeing as more short-term rental investors move into the boutique hotel space, why creating a true sense of place matters more than following design trends, and how the smallest details often create the most memorable guest experiences. If you're developing a boutique hotel, planning a micro resort, or simply want your hospitality brand to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation is full of practical insights you won't want to miss. Connect with Courtney: Website: https://www.denoridesigns.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denoridesigns/  Connect with Steph: Website: https://www.theweberco.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweberco Podcast: https://www.theweberco.com/podcast

  4. 15 Jul

    EP 248: Our First Weeks Living in an RV + A New Way to Bring Your Brand to Life

    We're officially recording our first podcast episode from the camper, and after more than two weeks on the road, it's safe to say this adventure has already taught us more than we expected. In this episode, I'm sharing an honest behind-the-scenes look at what it's been like transitioning into full-time RV life with our family. From unexpected truck delays and finding a long-term tenant for our home to exploring South Dakota's national parks, navigating tiny living with two little boys, and discovering just how much lifestyle freedom entrepreneurship can create, this episode is a candid update on what this season has looked like so far. I also share one of the biggest mindset shifts I've had since leaving: realizing that building a business isn't just about financial freedom. It's also about creating the freedom to experience life differently, and this trip has completely changed the way I think about that. Finally, I'm announcing something I've been incredibly excited to launch: my new On-Site Marketing Intensives. These application-only experiences combine brand strategy, guest experience consulting, content creation, and marketing strategy—all at your property. If you've been looking for hands-on guidance to elevate your hospitality brand while creating a library of intentional content that actually converts, this is exactly what I've built these for. To learn more about the new On-Site Marketing Intensives, view our travel schedule, and submit an application, visit theweberco.com/on-site-marketing. I can't wait to meet some of you in person as we travel across the country.

  5. 16 Jun

    EP 247: How They Reached 70% Direct Bookings (And Why Most Hosts Are Asking the Wrong Question) with Rose Tipka

    Everyone wants more direct bookings. But what if the question isn't "How do I get more direct bookings?" What if the real question is, "How do I build a business that guests want to book from directly?" In this episode of Branded & Booked, I sit down with Rose Taika, founder of Your Family's Place, a vacation rental company in Ohio's Amish Country that generates roughly 70% of its bookings through its own website. Rose is a homeschooling mom of six, a best-selling author, and a hospitality entrepreneur who has built a portfolio of family-focused vacation rentals by thinking differently about branding, guest experience, and long-term business value. Throughout our conversation, Rose shares why direct bookings are the result of years of intentional business building—not a software, funnel, or marketing hack. We talk about how Your Family's Place reached approximately 70% direct bookings, why most hosts focus on the wrong metrics when trying to increase direct reservations, and the role branding, email marketing, content creators, advertising, and repeat guests have played in their growth. Rose also shares why she believes hospitality is ultimately a relationship business and how that mindset has shaped everything from their guest experience to their long-term growth strategy. One of the most powerful moments in the episode comes when Rose says, "Real businesses market." It's a simple statement, but one that challenged the way I think many of us approach direct bookings. In an industry where Airbnb can bring us reservations, it's easy to forget that direct bookings don't happen by accident. They are often the result of years of building a brand, nurturing guest relationships, and consistently showing up. We also discuss the mindset shift from owning vacation rentals to building a hospitality business, creating value beyond the real estate itself, and why scaling a successful hospitality company requires consistent effort over time. Whether you're a vacation rental owner, boutique hotel operator, property manager, or hospitality entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on branding, marketing, guest relationships, and building a business designed for the long term. Connect with Rose Instagram: @yourfamilysplace_ Instagram: @hostinginthemotherhood Connect with Steph Website: TheWeberCo.com Instagram: @theweberco

  6. 11 Jun

    EP 246: How 29% of Our Bookings Generated 43% of Our Revenue

    In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm pulling back the curtain on the real booking and revenue numbers from May at Cabins on the Cumberland. If you've ever wondered whether investing in direct bookings is actually worth it, this episode provides the proof. I break down exactly where our bookings came from, how much revenue each channel generated, and why direct bookings continue to outperform Airbnb when it comes to profitability. I also share the pricing strategies, marketing tactics, and guest experience considerations that have helped us grow direct bookings into a meaningful part of our business. During the episode, I walk through our May booking breakdown, explain why 29% of our bookings generated 43% of our total revenue, and share how Airbnb and direct bookings compare from a profitability standpoint. I discuss the pricing strategy behind maintaining rate parity across channels, how promo codes and email marketing support direct booking growth, and why direct guests are often less price-sensitive than OTA guests. I also explore the psychological difference between booking on Airbnb versus a branded website, how simple upsells can increase guest value, why owning the guest relationship matters, and the hidden costs of relying entirely on OTAs. Most importantly, I explain why building a brand is one of the most valuable long-term investments a hospitality business can make. The numbers from May tell an interesting story. While 62% of our bookings came from Airbnb, those reservations generated approximately 47% of our total revenue. Direct bookings accounted for just 29% of reservations but generated approximately 43% of total revenue. Airbnb produced $12,943.26 in revenue while direct bookings generated $11,927.27, leaving only about a $1,000 difference between the two channels despite a significant difference in booking volume. If you're a vacation rental owner, boutique hotel operator, or hospitality entrepreneur looking to create a more profitable and sustainable business, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Apply to work with us at theweberco.com.  Follow along for more hospitality marketing and direct booking strategies on Instagram at @theweberco.

  7. 26 May

    EP 245: The Hospitality Industry Is About to Split in Two (And Most Hosts Aren't Ready) with Gil Chan

    I genuinely think the hospitality industry is entering one of the biggest shifts we've seen in years — and the hosts who survive over the next 3–5 years are going to think very differently than the ones who thrived during the Airbnb gold rush. In this episode, I sat down with Gil Chan, founder of Crafted Stays, to talk about where hospitality is headed, how AI is changing the way guests search for stays, and why branding and direct bookings matter more than ever moving forward. We talked about why relying completely on Airbnb is becoming increasingly risky, how AI tools like ChatGPT are already changing trip planning behavior, what makes a direct booking website actually convert, why amenities alone are no longer enough to stand out, and the difference between "having an Airbnb" and building a real hospitality brand. One of my favorite parts of this conversation was talking about the "middle tier" of hospitality slowly disappearing — and why the brands that deeply understand their guests and intentionally create experiences are going to be the ones that win long-term. If you want to connect with Gil and learn more about Crafted Stays, you can visit craftedstays.co, follow along on Instagram @craftedstays, and listen to his podcast, Booked Solid. If you loved this episode, I'd love to connect with you too. You can find me on Instagram @theweberco or learn more about working with me and my team at theweberco.com. If you're ready to build a stronger hospitality brand, improve your marketing, increase direct bookings, and create a business that doesn't rely entirely on OTAs, you can apply to work with us directly through the website.

  8. 21 May

    EP 244: Building Businesses, Raising Kids & Going on the Road for a Year

    We're about 30 days away from leaving for a year-long camper trip with our boys… and honestly? Life feels a little chaotic right now. In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm sharing a very real behind-the-scenes update on what's been happening as we prepare to leave "normal life" for a completely different season. From our disastrous first RV test trip to truck issues throwing a wrench into our plans, packing up our house, balancing explosive business growth, and preparing for Collin to leave his six-figure job… there's been a lot happening all at once. This episode is honest, messy, vulnerable, funny at times, and probably one of the most personal conversations I've shared in a while. We talk about entrepreneurship, lifestyle freedom, risk, pressure, intuition, parenting, and what it actually looks like when you start building a life outside the version everyone expects you to live. Because the truth is… I don't think entrepreneurship is just about making more money anymore. I think it's about creating a life you genuinely want to wake up inside of. If you've ever questioned whether you're building a business… or building a life you actually want to live, this episode is for you. Follow along on the journey: Instagram: @theweberco Personal adventures + camper life: @lifewiththewebers Work with us: theweberco.com

See All (199)

About

Are you ready to stand out in the crowded world of short-term rentals and boutique hotels? Branded & Booked is the podcast for ambitious hosts and property owners who want to create rave-worthy brands and stay consistently booked. Hosted by Steph Weber, an expert in branding and marketing for STRs, this podcast is packed with actionable advice, inspiring stories, and behind-the-scenes insights to help you elevate your property and attract your best guests. Tune in every week to learn how to market your property, create a guest experience they'll rave about, and build a hospitality business.

Information

  • Creator
    Steph Weber
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Weber Co
  • Show Website
    Branded & Booked

You Might Also Like