VRS629 - From Digital Guides to Donut Walls: Inside a Next-Gen Guest Experience

I first met James Rubino at a VRMA conference in Orlando two years ago.  He was there at the start of his journey in short term rentals, to learn and network and I mentioned to him then I would have him as a guest on the podcast down the road.  So two years later here we are and what a story it is . At just 26, James launched Rubino Home Ventures and later co-founded Lake George Vacay, two short-term rental management companies that already stand out for their professionalism, creativity, and community connection. In our conversation, James shares how he went from working in marketing and real estate to building a growing business rooted in service, innovation, and unforgettable guest experiences (wait until you hear about the S'mores with Sasquatch and The Donut Wall! 📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning. And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality. 🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS629