From Peru to 15 Million-Dollar Fund

In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with George Salas, Founder of Empress Capital, to discuss what it really takes to build a scalable short-term rental business.George shares his incredible journey from immigrating to the United States with almost nothing, to starting with rental arbitrage, surviving the challenges of COVID, and building a vertically integrated hospitality company focused on experiential short-term rentals, boutique hotels, and institutional-quality operations.You'll learn:How to think beyond buying individual AirbnbsWhy unit-level economics are critical for long-term successThe systems and financial tracking every STR investor should haveHow George evaluates deals, manages seasonality, and scales operationsWhy execution—not just acquisitions—is the key to building enterprise valueThe mindset shifts that helped him grow from operator to CEOWhether you're buying your first STR or building a large portfolio, this conversation is packed with practical insights on scaling smarter, operating more efficiently, and creating a business built to last.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another STR investor looking to take their business to the next level.