56. How the Karwells Raised $5.5M in 2 Years and Built a Top Airbnb Brand from Scratch

JOIN MY PRIVATE COMMUNITY FOR DAILY WEALTH-BUILDING INSIGHTS & STRATEGIES 🔥 -https://www.strlikethebest.com/insider   In this episode, I sit down with Sarah and Emily — better known as the Karwells — two best friends turned powerhouse STR investors who’ve raised over $5.5 million from everyday investors, built a thriving portfolio of uniquely designed Airbnbs, and launched a brand that spans education, e-commerce, retreats, and more.  We talk about how they evolved from scrappy designers working for free to learn the game… to running a full-fledged STR operation that prioritizes community, creativity, and transparency.  Whether you're an aspiring host, capital raiser, or someone building a brand in this space — this episode will show you what’s possible when you combine heart, hustle, and high standards.  What You’ll Learn: How the Karwells raised $5.5M+ in equity capital for STR deals  Why design, hospitality, and investor trust are their edge  How they balance friendship and business (and why it actually makes them stronger)  The power of community and building in public  What makes a deal worth doing — and what they say “no” to  Their expansion into e-commerce and retreats, and how it's all connected  The importance of honest underwriting (and why most deals don’t pencil)  Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and Personal Reflections 00:13 – Introducing the Guests: the Karwells 01:38 – the Karwells' Journey into Short-Term Rentals 03:27 – Building a Business and Partnership 09:56 – Evolving the Business and New Ventures 22:26 – The Importance of Community and Networking 27:11 – Reflecting on Financial Growth 27:19 – Understanding Wealth and Short-Term Rentals 28:18 – The Importance of Transparency with Investors 28:42 – Celebrating Fundraising Milestones 29:27 – Design and Hospitality in Property Management 31:32 – The Value of Honest Underwriting 34:53 – Launching Retreats for Networking and Education 40:04 – Finding the Right Deals and Investors 45:51 – The Power of Community and Generosity 51:39 – Closing Thoughts and Contact Information Follow The Karwells on Instagram → @thekarwells  Learn more about their upcoming retreats → thekarwells.space LEARN MY STR INVESTING & STRATEGIES 🔥 https://strlikethebest.com/wealthpodApply to work with Michael: https://strlikethebest.com/applypodFollow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelchangbnbTrack your STR hours the right way. STR Tax Loophole is our time tracking app built specifically for short-term rental investors. Document your qualifying activities, maintain clean records, and simplify your STR tax qualification. Start your free trial at https://www.thestrtaxloophole.com/