From Broadway to Bookings: Sarah Karakaian's STR Journey

From Broadway to brilliant hosting. In this Host Planet Playbook episode, Sarah Karakaian, Co-Founder of Thanks for Visiting, shares how she swapped the stage for short-term rentals and built brands that wow guests and keep owners smiling. We dig into the nuts and bolts of five-star guest experience, why boundaries matter, standing out in Columbus, Ohio, and the most common questions new hosts ask. Sarah closes with practical advice for getting started – and the mindset that turns hosting into a meaningful, scalable business.

1:42 Sarah’s journey in the STR space

2:25 From Broadway to vacation rentals

5:29 Thanks for Visiting has replaced the acting bug

6:05 How to deliver an outstanding guest experience 

7:40 Boundaries are a good thing

8:54 How to keep owners happy

10:12 Challenges and opportunities in Columbus, Ohio 

11:50 How Sarah’s brands stand out

14:09 What Sarah loves about hosting 

15:33 Thanks for Visiting

19:58 The common questions new hosts ask

21:38 Advice to people starting out

25:16 Quickfire questions

27:28 Shout-out: Justin Ford

28:16 Ultimate goal

Sarah Karakaian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skarakaian/

Thanks for Visiting: https://thanksforvisiting.com/

The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet

Download a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbook

The Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/