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
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Meet Diana Ossa Sierra, co-founder of D-I-FI, who, along with her husband Josh, is transforming the intersection of architecture, design, and real estate investment in the world of boutique hospitality.
Originally architects and construction managers, Diana and Josh were deeply embedded in their demanding careers until a life-altering event in 2021 made them question everything. The tragic loss of their fathers ignited a fire within them to pursue a different path—one that offered more than just professional success but personal fulfillment and freedom.
In this episode, Diana takes us through their journey, from the initial struggles of trying to fit into the traditional real estate mold to discovering their true passion for creating unique, wellness-focused boutique hotels. We discuss the challenges they faced, including walking away from two major hotel deals that didn’t align with their vision, and how those experiences ultimately led them to their current project in Palm Springs.
Diana shares how they’ve leveraged their architectural expertise to add real value to their projects, the lessons they’ve learned in managing properties across three states, and the importance of finding work that truly excites you. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of experiential hospitality and the power of aligning your work with your passion.
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@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Diana.
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Meet Lorraine Woodward and Adam Norko, from Becoming Rentable, a company on a mission to make short-term rentals genuinely accessible for everyone. Lorraine's story is deeply personal—she was born with muscular dystrophy and is the proud mother of two sons who also have the condition.
When traditional vacation properties couldn’t meet her family's needs, she didn’t just accept the status quo—she decided to build something better.
In this episode, we chat about:
- How Lorraine turned a personal challenge into a thriving business that’s changing the game for accessible travel.
- Some of the biggest misconceptions about what it means to be an accessible short-term rental
- The massive business opportunities that exist in the space for entrepreneurs interested in building with guests that need accessible stays in mind
- And so much more
Learn more about Becoming RentABLE
This episode is brought to you by StayFi. StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.
This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.
The best part is that once you have their information, you can use StayFi’s email and text marketing tools to keep in touch and make sure they become a guest for life.
Head on over to StayFi.com and be sure to use the code “BTS” at checkout for 50% off your first 3 months.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Meet Krystal and Eric Nagel, the adventurous duo behind Nagel Media Company, who have seamlessly blended their love for travel and photography into a thriving media business.
In this episode, we dive into their unique journey from living out of a rooftop tent to becoming full-time van lifers and content creators specializing in lifestyle photography for boutique hotels and short-term rentals.
We'll explore:
- How Krystal and Eric transitioned from traditional travel to full-time van life.
- The inception of Nagel Media Company and its focus on high-quality, authentic content.
- The misconceptions around influencer marketing and why they choose not to follow the typical influencer path
- Their vision for creative partnerships in the boutique hospitality sector
- Their unique business model prioritizes the needs of hosts and provides top-tier content without the need for sponsored posts.
- Future plans for Nagel Media Company, include expansion and a special project dedicated to their roots in the Poconos.
Get ready to be inspired by Krystal and Eric's innovative approach to content creation and their commitment to maintaining authenticity in the hospitality industry.
Learn more about Nagel Media Company.
Follow Krystal and Eric on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by The Content House
If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.
What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your approach, and the unique quirks and features that make your collection of stays special.
Their service is full end-to-end social media management and content creation. From shooting stunning videos and photos to editing, posting, and even sourcing influencers to partner with…
The Content House specializes in working with hospitality entrepreneurs building well-branded, boutique collections, often in exotic or extra-special locations…
Follow The Content House on Instagram
Dunlap Hollow Reel
Live Oak Lake Reel
FLOHOM Reel
Villa Stay Texas Reel
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
In this episode Zach shares 5 big ideas for hospitality entrepreneurs to implement right now...
These ideas could be HUGE.
Holler at Zach if you're already building one (or more) of these.
This episode is brought to you by The Content House
If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.
What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your approach, and the unique quirks and features that make your collection of stays special.
Their service is full end-to-end social media management and content creation. From shooting stunning videos and photos to editing, posting, and even sourcing influencers to partner with…
The Content House specializes in working with hospitality entrepreneurs building well-branded, boutique collections, often in exotic or extra-special locations…
Follow The Content House on Instagram
Dunlap Hollow Reel
Live Oak Lake Reel
FLOHOM Reel
Villa Stay Texas Reel
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Meet Blake Dailey — a former Air Force officer turned boutique hotel entrepreneur.
Growing up, Blake dreamed of being in the NFL. And while that never came to fruition, his love for sports instilled in him a sense of discipline and determination that would later fuel his entrepreneurial spirit.
After a stint playing college football, Blake's interests shifted toward business, eventually leading him to discover his passion for real estate and hospitality.
In this episode, Blake and I delve into his incredible journey from serving in the Air Force to becoming a successful hospitality entrepreneur. We explore how his initial investments in real estate and short-term rentals laid the foundation for his entry into the boutique hotel space.
In this conversation you’ll learn:
- How Blake's early investments and entrepreneurial mindset led him to the boutique hotel industry.
- The biggest differences between owning and operating short-term rentals and owning and operating boutique hotels
- The massive opportunity that exists to reimagine outdated motels and transform them into boutique hotels
- Why entrepreneurs who’ve figured out how to host well shouldn’t be scared of graduating from STRs to boutique hotels
- Blake's views on the emerging trends in hospitality and the advantages of a regional focus for portfolio development
- And so much more.
Learn more about Boutique Hotel Con
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@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Meet Ben Earley, an exceptional entrepreneur who has made waves across multiple industries—from finance to luxury footwear, and now, to innovative hospitality.
In this episode, Ben takes us on his fascinating journey from Wall Street to the world of short-term rentals. As the co-founder of Holt, Ben is building a portfolio of unique and upscale Airbnbs and hotels that stand out for their thoughtful design and exceptional guest experiences.
We'll explore:
- Ben’s early start in finance and how it fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.
- The story behind his luxury men’s shoe brand, Paul Evans, and the transition to hospitality.
- Why Ben is building his portfolio overseas, focusing on markets like Romania, Mexico, and Greece.
- His hot takes on "rental arbitrage" and why he prefers the term "commercial vacation rental."
- How Holt is vertically integrated, giving them unparalleled control over their properties and guest experiences.
Get ready to hear how Ben's innovative approach is setting new standards in the hospitality industry and why he believes in creating spaces that are more than just a place to stay—they’re experiences in themselves.
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!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Meet Jon Kreye, a professional creator and community builder in the short-term rental space.
Jon has become a prominent figure in this niche, known not just for his stunning content but also for fostering a supportive community among hospitality creators.
Jon recently hosted his fourth creator retreat in partnership with Nikki & Hayden from Journey More, where they brought together influencers and content creators to share ideas, collaborate, and discuss industry trends.
In this conversion, Jon talks about the evolution of creators in the Airbnb and greater hospitality space, the challenges and opportunities within the creator economy, and the importance of professionalizing the role of hospitality content creators.
He shares insights on how creators can differentiate themselves, the significance of setting professional standards, how hosts and vacation rental managers can best engage with creators and the strategies that help separate the best creators from the rest of the pack.
Discover how Jon and his peers are navigating the complexities of pricing, the value of collaboration over competition, and the exciting potential for partnerships with hospitality brands. Whether you're a property manager looking to enhance your marketing or a creator seeking tangible ideas for how to grow your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable takeaways.
This episode is brought to you by The Content House
If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.
What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your approach, and the unique quirks and features that make your collection of stays special.
Their service is full end-to-end social media management and content creation. From shooting stunning videos and photos to editing, posting, and even sourcing influencers to partner with…
The Content House specializes in working with hospitality entrepreneurs building well-branded, boutique collections, often in exotic or extra-special locations…
Follow The Content House on Instagram
Dunlap Hollow Reel
Live Oak Lake Reel
FLOHOM Reel
Villa Stay Texas Reel
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Meet Matthew Orley, CEO of Red Cottage, a premier platform and vacation rental brand for unique stays across the Northeast.
Matthew's journey with Red Cottage started as a guest in 2012. Captivated by the brand's consistency, unique portfolio, and potential, he acquired the business in 2022. Now, as the owner, Matthew is on a mission to transform Red Cottage into a regional powerhouse, known for its high-quality homes and exceptional guest experiences.
In this episode, Matthew and I discuss:
- The origin story of Red Cottage and its evolution over the years
- The innovative membership program Red Cottage launched, which is designed to foster loyalty and make last-minute getaways even more
- Insights into acquiring vacation rental management companies — Red Cottage just acquired Posto
- The importance of maintaining brand authenticity while scaling
- The biggest opportunities for hospitality entrepreneurs right now to build, buy, and sell businesses
- And so much more
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Matthew.
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn
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@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Meet Paul Zway, the incredible founder of Exclusive Tents, who is joining us live from the lush jungles of Belize.
Paul’s journey from a young boy fascinated with wildlife in South Africa to becoming a pioneer in the luxury glamping industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised among the snakes and wilderness of a rural community outside of Pretoria, Australia, Paul’s path led him through the vast expanses of Kruger National Park as a game ranger and nature conservationist.
In this episode, Paul shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, from the struggles of adjusting to city life in the US to the innovative creation of Exclusive Tents — a company that manufactures stunning luxury tents that blend the thrill of outdoor living with high-end comfort, catering to both individual adventurers and world-renowned hospitality brands like Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin.
We’ll dive into the nuances of glamping, the evolution of this unique industry, and the emerging markets that hold exciting potential for luxury outdoor accommodations. Paul’s insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the intersection of nature, innovation, and hospitality.
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@staywatch.ai 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 by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.