Welcome to Behind the Stays — a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands and the hosts, operators, and entrepreneurs who’ve brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday you’ll meet the military veterans, retired flight attendants, tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, single moms, hoteliers, and real estate investors who are all, in their unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these visionaries — from all over the world — have built stunning landscape hotels in the mountains, designed bohemian bungalows on the beach, erected eclectic off-grid and nature-immersed escapes, and so much more. Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Behind the States is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance.
Episodes
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Meet Omar Boubess, Creative Director at Studio Circa, a luxury branding agency that works with boutique hotels and unique collections of STRs.
Growing up, Omar wanted to be a National Geographic photographer — or a soccer player — depending on the day you asked him.
And, while neither dream quite came to fruition, Omar did pursue his creative interests and wound up finding a love for developing unique and novel brands in travel and hospitality.
In this episode, Omar and I discuss:
- The importance of consistency in brand story and identity across all guest touchpoints.
- How a strong digital presence must align with an exceptional on-property experience.
- Real-life examples of successful branding strategies in the hospitality industry.
- Tips for scaling a boutique brand while maintaining a cohesive identity.
- And so much more
This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers. Hudson Creative is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.
If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special.
And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
Welcome to "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites: A Special 2-Part Series with Hudson Creative Studio.”
In this series, Zach sit down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio to dive deep into the art and science of creating a memorable website that serves as the digital headquarters for your hospitality brand.
In the first episode, you'll hear Eli's fascinating journey from his early days in the former Soviet Union, where he built his first graphic design program as a child, to becoming a leading creative director in the hospitality industry.
We discuss the importance of having a strong brand identity and how it is the foundation for all your marketing efforts. Eli's unique perspective on merging technical rigor with creative design will inspire you to rethink your approach to your brand and website.
In the second episode, we get down to the nitty-gritty. Eli and I cover everything from the initial planning stages of your website to advanced tactics for optimizing user experience and conversion rates.
You'll learn why a well-designed navigation structure can make or break your site, how to balance aesthetics with functionality effectively, and why speed and simplicity are your best friends. Eli also shares innovative ideas like integrating loyalty programs directly into your site to boost repeat bookings and enhance guest loyalty.
Some additional takeaways from this series you won't want to miss include:
- Discovering why fitting in with your local market's aesthetic before standing out can give you a competitive edge.
- Learning how to turn your website into a powerful tool not just for direct bookings but also for attracting property owners.
- Understanding the critical role of guest experience (GX) in web design and how it can drastically improve your conversion rates.
- Getting actionable tips on reducing perceived load times to keep potential guests engaged and ready to book.
Join us as we delve into these topics and more, ensuring you capture the trust and interest of your guests from the first click to the final booking. Whether you're managing a single chic property or a vast portfolio, this series offers valuable insights to elevate your digital presence and drive success in the competitive world of hospitality.
Learn more about Hudson Creative Studio
Behind the Stays listeners get 10% off any service level at Hudson Creative Studio! Just mention Behind the Stays when scheduling your discovery call to qualify for the discount!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Meet Ruth Wimpory — the entrepreneur behind Skoolie Stays and The Vacationist, two of the UK’s favorite off-grid escapes.
In 2019, Ruth and her husband, Guy, along with their two young children, decided to take a year off from their “normal” lives in Brighton in the UK, to embark on an adventurous year-long journey across the United States in a converted school bus.
What started as a quest for a new perspective and family bonding turned into a 14,000-mile odyssey through national parks, homeschooling on the road, and navigating the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tune in to hear Ruth recount the highlights of their trip, from the breathtaking solitude of Montana's wilderness to the bustling streets of San Francisco. Discover how their travels inspired them to create Skoolie Stays and the Eco Glamping Club, offering unique off-grid stays that blend sustainability with luxury.
Ruth shares invaluable insights into the world of glamping, from the complexities of land regulations in the UK to the innovative use of recycled materials in their eco-cabin project. Learn about the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Ruth and Guy to build one-of-a-kind experiences, and how their story has inspired others to rethink conventional lifestyles.
Whether you're a travel enthusiast, a budding entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration for a family adventure, this episode is packed with stories, lessons, and insights you won't want to miss.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Have you signed up for Ping yet?
Ping makes it easy for guests to be notified when their favorite Airbnbs become available — and it's the secret tool the best Airbnb hosts use to maximize bookings.
Sign up today at bnbping.com
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Meet Philip Kennard — Founder and CEO of Futurestay.
Growing up, Philip loved video games. And for Philip, video games were about so much more than the playing experience…he loved the art, the logic, and the business behind creating worlds.
This love sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to work in game development for Sega, one of the world’s leading game design companies, and, eventually, would lead to the founding of FutureStay.
In this conversation, Philip and I explore the evolution of the vacation rental market, discussing the critical role that small-scale rentalpreneurs play in driving innovation. Learn why he believes the future of hospitality lies in the hands of passionate individuals creating unique, memorable stays rather than large-scale professional managers.
You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how FutureStay helps rentalpreneurs optimize their listings, secure direct bookings, and protect their investments with AI-powered tools and strategic partnerships like Google Vacation Rentals.
Some key takeaways from our conversation include:
- The importance of diversifying your booking channels to mitigate risks and maximize profits.
- How technology, such as AI and automation, can level the playing field for small rental operators.
- Why delivering exceptional guest experiences is crucial for standing out in a crowded market.
- Philip's vision for the future of short-term rentals and how Futurestay plans to support rentalpreneurs in achieving their goals.
- If you're passionate about short-term rentals and eager to learn how to succeed in this competitive space, this episode is a must-listen.
This episode is brought to you by STR Search!
STR Search helps you find and buy and Airbnb that’ll be profitable from Day 1. Co-Founding by John Bianchi and Taylor Jones, two of the best data nerds and underwriters in the industry, have partnered together to bring this new service to life.
While tools like AirDNA are awesome, they’re just tools.
Not everyone has the time or expertise to sift through all the data and find the perfect deal, especially with today’s interest rates. STR Search does all the legwork for you. They’ll present you with options that not only meet your criteria but will actually cash flow.
Learn more here — and mention Behind the Stays when you book a call for an exclusive discount!
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Meet Annie Holcombe, a seasoned hospitality industry expert with a passion for vacation rentals and an impressive track record at major travel tech companies.
Annie's journey in the vacation rental industry is nothing short of inspiring. Starting from property management, she moved on to pivotal roles at Expedia and Homes and Villas by Marriott, gaining invaluable insights into the world of travel and hospitality.
In this episode, Annie dives into the current state of the industry, emphasizing the importance of standardization and safety in vacation rentals. She shares her thoughts on how new entrants can navigate the complexities of regulations and market demands and offers practical advice on building a brand that stands out in a crowded market.
We'll explore the challenges and opportunities facing vacation rental managers today, discuss the role of OTAs in the evolving landscape, and consider the potential for loyalty programs within the industry.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Hostfully Digital Guidebooks are the easiest way to help your guests get to know your property and discover just how special the community that surrounds it is.
Hostfully Guidebooks give you a dynamic place to store every bit of information you might want your guests to have — from the wifi password to how to work the hot tub to where to take the best selfies at golden hour.
Hostfully empowers you with easy-to-use tools that help you feature a totally curated list of your favorite eateries, pubs, hiking trails, and more — OR Hostfully can automatically create a list of experiences through their Guidebook Wizard if you’ve got dozens of properties and just can’t afford to curate a custom set of recommendations for each one.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Meet Yvonna and Darren Grandfield, a dynamic duo who’ve turned their passion for real estate into a thriving business of unique and stunning short-term rentals.
Growing up, Yvonna and Darren never imagined they’d one day be the proud owners of a collection of charming properties, but a chance encounter at an Ace Hardware store set them on a path they couldn’t have anticipated — who’d a thought they’d date, start a business, and then ultimately get married and have kids together?!
In this episode, Yvonna and Darren share the story of their first renovation project—a quaint bungalow in Berkeley—and how that experience sparked their love for transforming spaces. You’ll hear about the challenges and triumphs of renovating properties while moving frequently for work, and how they ultimately built a luxury A-frame cabin, the Haute Haus, in the highest incorporated town in North America, which, if you didn’t know, is in Alma, Colorado.
We’ll dive into their recent partnership with Wander, a company known for its high-end vacation rentals, and discuss the sweat equity, creative visions, and personal touches that make their stays truly special.
Follow Haute Haus on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Have you signed up for Ping yet?
Ping makes it easy for guests to be notified when their favorite Airbnbs become available — and it's the secret tool the best Airbnb hosts use to maximize bookings.
Sign up today at bnbping.com
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Tuesday Jun 04, 2024
Tuesday Jun 04, 2024
Meet Josh Luttrell, the innovative entrepreneur behind Home Theme Orlando, a company transforming vacation rentals into immersive themed experiences.
As a kid, Josh dreamed of being a basketball player, but life had other plans. However, he took his competitive spirit and he channeled it into real estate, eventually carving out a niche in Orlando's short -term rental market by creating uniquely themed homes.
From Marvel superheroes to Disney princesses, Josh's properties are designed to captivate and delight, ensuring unforgettable stays for families visiting the magic of Disney.
In this episode, Josh and Zach discuss:
- How he started in real estate and discovered the profitability of themed vacation rentals
- The unique aspects of the Orlando market that make it perfect for themed homes
- The process of selecting and designing themes to create immersive experiences that kids and their parents love
- The financial benefits and higher occupancy rates that come with investing in themed properties, insights into how upcoming attractions like Universal's Epic Universe will influence the market
- Whether or not these themed homes could perform in other markets, and so much more.
Learn more about Home Theme Orlando
This episode is brought to you by our friends at AirDNA
Want to see if a Treehouse resort in Dubai pencils? You can do so in AirDNA.
Want to buy land in Ontario to build a Glamping resort? AirDNA will show you how other, comparable products are performing in the region.
Or maybe you’ve already got your stay up and running and you want a better understanding of how your Airbnb compares to others in the market? You can connect your listing to AirDNA and get accurate nightly pricing recommendations based on real-world, real-time demand.
AirDNA is the key you need to unlock the insight behind what it’s going to take to bring those big dreams you have to life.
Pay just $25/month and access ANY market in the world — AirDNA is cheaper, faster, better, and stronger to use than ever before.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Thursday May 30, 2024
Thursday May 30, 2024
In this episode of "Behind the Stays," we bring you a special and urgent conversation with a guest who's no stranger to the show, Elam King — we featured his story on Episode 180 of the podcast.
Elam's story is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in the Amish community, he transitioned into a successful hospitality entrepreneur, building an impressive portfolio of short-term rentals. However, just a few days ago, Elam faced a devastating blow—Airbnb kicked him off their platform, leading to a loss of over $200K in bookings.
As the host of this podcast, I have a deep respect and admiration for Airbnb. The platform has revolutionized the hospitality industry, providing incredible opportunities for entrepreneurs around the world. This podcast is dedicated to sharing the stories of some of the most inspiring and innovative hospitality entrepreneurs in the space. But it’s also important to share the hard stories—stories that hold Airbnb accountable to their promise of supporting hosts. This is one of those stories.
In this gripping conversation, Elam shares the shocking events that led to his account suspension, the challenges of being overly reliant on a single booking platform, and the emotional toll of questioning his own integrity and business practices. We delve into the specifics of how a series of unfortunate events and misunderstandings spiraled into a full account ban, impacting not just Elam but also his family and business associates.
This episode is not just a cautionary tale but also a story of resilience and determination. Elam opens up about his plans moving forward, his faith, and the support he's received from his community. Whether you're a seasoned host or new to the short-term rental space, Elam's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of diversification and the unpredictable nature of the hospitality business.
Without further ado, get ready to hear one of the most compelling and eye-opening stories we've ever shared on "Behind the Stays."
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Meet Cody Watson, the entrepreneur behind Explorely, a groundbreaking platform poised to revolutionize outdoor travel planning and experiences.
Growing up, Cody dreamed of being an inventor. And while he didn't end up creating the next big gadget, he did channel that inventive spirit into the entrepreneurial world, ultimately founding Explorely — a platform designed to be the Kayak.com for outdoor travel.
Explorely simplifies the often fragmented process of finding and booking RV rentals, campsites, and glamping spots.
In this episode, Cody and I discuss:
- The inspiration behind Explorally and how it evolved from his experiences at RVZ, a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace
- The challenges and opportunities in aggregating outdoor accommodations and building partnerships in a highly fragmented industry
- The impact of technology, including AI and machine learning on the future of travel businesses
- Why building a strong brand is more critical than ever in this digital age
- And so much more.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Hostfully Digital Guidebooks are the easiest way to help your guests get to know your property and discover just how special the community that surrounds it is.
Hostfully Guidebooks give you a dynamic place to store every bit of information you might want your guests to have — from the wifi password to how to work the hot tub to where to take the best selfies at golden hour.
Hostfully empowers you with easy-to-use tools that help you feature a totally curated list of your favorite eateries, pubs, hiking trails, and more — OR Hostfully can automatically create a list of experiences through their Guidebook Wizard if you’ve got dozens of properties and just can’t afford to curate a custom set of recommendations for each one.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee
Friday May 24, 2024
Friday May 24, 2024
Meet Tyler Jordan, the co-founder of Nova Haus —a ground-breaking hospitality brand that's redefining luxury stays for larger groups and corporate retreats.
Tyler and his business partner, Martin Papp, are on a mission to create the ultimate group getaway experience. Think luxury villas equipped with everything from gyms and saunas to podcast recording studios and content creation rooms, all set in breathtaking locations like Costa Rica.
In our conversation, Tyler shares the fascinating story of how personal experiences and a gap in the market led to the birth of Nova House.
We dive deep into their innovative approach to hospitality, the challenges of creating such unique properties, and their ambitious plans for the future.
Tyler also reveals some jaw-dropping details about their first developments in Costa Rica, including a villa with the largest hanging garden in the country. If you're curious about the future of luxury group accommodations or interested in the nuts and bolts of developing high-end properties, this episode is packed with insights.
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Tyler Jordan.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
Have you signed up for Ping yet?
Ping makes it easy for guests to be notified when their favorite Airbnbs become available — and it's the secret tool the best Airbnb hosts use to maximize bookings.
Sign up today at bnbping.com
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.