PODCAST · business
The STR Growth Show
by Patryk Swietek
The STR Growth Show is a podcast for short-term rental operators who want to scale their business.Hosted by Patryk Swietek, founder of The Cohost Company, which manages 150+ properties in the Joshua Tree market and has been featured on Netflix, Dwell, The New York Times, Condé Nast, and Architectural Digest.Patryk interviews industry experts in our space with the focus of sharing real actionable insights on growth, operations, branding, and scaling in the evolving short-term rental industry.
Episodes
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118. The Amenities & Services Luxury Guests Expect
I sat down with Kory Rankine, founder of Escape Lux in Miami, to break down how he built a selective portfolio of upscale and ultra-luxury STRs through high-touch, experience-driven hospitality. Kory shares how he entered the industry through concierge services, landed early luxury bookings by...
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117. Converting Midwest Barns Into $400k+ Yearly Revenue Airbnbs
I sat down with Kyle Miklasz to break down how he built highly profitable “super properties” in overlooked, drive-to Midwest markets by turning barns and warehouses into destination short-term rentals.Kyle shares how he went from corporate sales to STRs, found his first barn for $775K, invested...
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116. What Luxury Homeowners Actually Want From Their Property Manager
Lucas Piper went from earning $30,000 a year as a social worker to building Five Star VHR, a luxury short-term rental management company with roughly 70 properties in Austin generating about $9M in booked revenue. In this episode, Lucas shares how he started by renting out his own home, scaled...
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115. They Bought the STR Property Management Business Private Equity Passed On
I sit down with Cameron and Jeremy to break down how they acquired a 46-year-old Lake Tahoe property management company, growing from 10–15 homes to nearly 140 in a single deal.We discuss how they built their partnership, navigated messy financials and non-assignable contracts, used a Quality of...
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114. Used AI to Build A Replacement for Turno & Breezeway
How do you scale a short-term rental management company without becoming another bloated, generic property manager?In this episode of The STR Growth Show, Alex Bykov shares how he and his wife, Natalie, grew their Lake Arrowhead short-term rental management business from just 5 properties to 37...
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113. How AI Search Will Drive More Direct Bookings
AI search is changing how guests find places to stay and most STR operators aren't ready for it. We sit down with Jason Cincotta, CEO of Kismet, to break down how tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews are reshaping guest discovery. Jason brings a hotel development background to the...
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112. The World Cup Demand Surge: Myth vs. Reality
I sat down with James Varley, CEO of Host Planet, to break down STR education and how to actually make money hosting around mega-events like the World Cup. James spent nearly 10 years in corporate communications for Qatar's 2022 World Cup before buying UK holiday lets and noticing a massive gap…
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111. The Revenue Expert Behind the World’s Largest STR Company Shares His Pricing Philosophy
Dr. Zak Ali joins the show to break down what modern revenue management really looks like in the short-term rental industry and why it's far more than just setting prices in software. With over 20 years of experience across airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, and hospitality technology, Dr. Zak...
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110. 5 to 40 STR Units: Here's What Actually Changes
In this episode, we sit down with Mariam of Lume Stays and Natalie Bykov of The Orange Cabins, two powerhouse co-hosts and full-time moms who built thriving short-term rental businesses from the ground up. They share what it actually took to scale from a few properties with no software to 40…
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109. The Challenges Of Growing to 100 Units
Chris Petzy, co-owner and CEO of Seacoast 2 Summit Vacation Rentals, discusses scaling from a self-managed two-family property to 120+ short-term rentals through inbound leads, referrals, and operational discipline. In this episode, we cover how Chris and his partner divide responsibilities…
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108. High-Touch Hospitality in Luxury Homes In Cabo
In this episode, we sit down with Mishan Andre of Cabo Platinum to break down how luxury short-term rentals can actually compete with hotels. Managing an 85-villa portfolio in Cabo, he shares the systems, service standards, and operational discipline behind high-end STRs. You’ll learn how they...
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107. How AI Is Transforming Vacation Rental Operations
JJ King, founder of Beachside Vacation Rentals, joins the show to share how he scaled to 300 units in three years and how he’s using AI in real STR operations. We break down where AI actually works (guest messaging, SOPs, internal tools) and where it can hurt like fully automated messaging…
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106. The Surprising Power of AI in Short-Term Rental Operations and Marketing
Lynell Gordon joins the STR Growth Show to share her journey through vacation rentals and proptech, from founding and exiting a SaaS company to going deep on property management software and operations. We get into why the "one software does everything" dream is a myth across different STR…
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105. The STR Industry in 2026: Trends, Shifts & What's Next
Tyler Coon, CEO of Savvy STR Agents, scaled from roughly $50M in annual STR sales to a national team operating in 30+ markets across the U.S.You’ll learn how Tyler entered the STR space in 2020, built a national team, and is now aiming for $1B in short-term rental real estate sales while helping...
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104. Scaling STR Operations: What Changes at 25, 100, and 300 Units
You think you want 500 units, but do you actually? In this episode, you challenge the assumption that bigger is always better in short-term rental management. You’ll dive into the real operational breakpoints between 10 and 500+ units and discover why 100–120 units might be the true “sweet spot”...
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103. Launched The #1 Most Wishlist Saved Airbnb in Mississippi
We sit down with Janel Gallucci to break down what it actually takes to build a top-performing short-term rental. Janel shares how she went from her first STR purchase in 2019 to owning one of the most wishlisted Airbnbs in Mississippi, and why success in short-term rentals comes down to clarity,...
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102. Acquired 5 STR Cohosting Companies in 18 Months
We sit down with Scott Sage, founder of Home Base, who scaled a 170-unit property management company by mastering one of the most overlooked growth levers in the STR industry: acquisitions. Scott breaks down his unconventional entry into property management, how he formalized his business after...
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101. Management For Resorts (Safari Included!)
In this episode, Vinci Sevilla is back, and he reveals how he exploded his STR business to 150+ units using a “one-to-many” strategy almost nobody in the industry is talking about. Vinci breaks down how he went from a single house hack in 2015 to managing campgrounds, resorts, and massive...
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100. Build Local Partnerships to Generate More Traffic For Your STRs
In this episode, we sit down with Travis Wilburn, Founder of TheOneHundredCollection.com and Co-Founder of The Stay Charlottesville Management Group. Travis leads a curated network of 80+ destinations featuring premium vacation homes and top local property managers. He’s a major advocate for...
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99. Implementing EOS and Systems for STR Management Companies
We sit down with Matt Durrette, CEO and founder of Cozy Vacation Rentals, to unpack how he scaled from 5 to over 350 properties across Texas Hill Country. Matt shares his journey from financial analyst to STR operator, diving into the systems, tech, and leadership that fueled his growth. He…
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98. Power of Partnerships For STR Properties
In this episode, we sit down with Rafa Loza to explore his journey through the short-term rental world. With over eight years of experience, Rafa shares powerful insights on scaling STR businesses, the realities of rental arbitrage, and how he’s transitioned into boutique hotels and real estate...
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97. Big Group Travel and Concierge Services
We sit down with Andrew Llewellyn, CEO & Founder of Super Stays STR, to talk about his journey from running ice cream shops and a bakery to building a portfolio of boutique, hotel-style Airbnbs in Louisville, Kentucky.Andrew shares how he designs properties for memorable experiences like bachelor...
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96. Provide Free Brand Products For 5-Star Guest Stays
I sat down with Rachel Vigil from UpClose Marketing to talk about how short-term rental hosts like us can access premium products for free to wow our guests and boost reviews. Rachel shared how UpClose connects STR owners with major brands, think Heineken Zero, e-bikes, and more, while requiring...
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95. How Safe Airbnbs Make More Money
Justin Ford, Director of Short-Term Rental Safety at Breezeway, breaks down why safety is one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of running a successful Airbnb or vacation rental business. From slips, trips, and falls to the importance of working smoke alarms, Justin shares real-life...
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94. Mastering STR Business Accounting with Topkey
We sit down with Jonathan Sukhia, CEO and Co-Founder of Topkey, a financial platform for short-term rental managers. Jonathan shares his journey from finance to hospitality and how it led to building one of the most innovative accounting solutions in the STR space. We discuss why strong financial...
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93. Build Systems & Operations for Scale
We sit down with systems expert Marisa Grover. Marisa specializes in helping solopreneurs transition to business owners by optimizing operations in the Airbnb short-term rental industry. We discussed the importance of implementing efficient systems, developing a company culture, and hiring the...
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92. Inside the #1 Rated Management Company in the USA
I sit down with Rachel Alday from Abode Luxury Rentals a top-tier property management company. Rachel shares how she and her husband started the business 18 years ago and the journey they’ve been on to build it into what it is today, all while keeping personalized, high-end service at the core of...
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91. Operation Fundamentals & PMS Industry Trends
We’ve got Frank Bosi on the show, he’s the Senior Director of Partner Development over at Hostfully. We dive into his super interesting background in hospitality and property management, talk about what really makes a great host, and get into how Hostfully helps with that through their property...
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90. STR Market Insights & Trends in 2025 - 2026
We sit down with Jamie Lane, Chief Economist at AirDNA. Jamie shares his journey into the world of data analytics for the real estate and hospitality industries, discusses the current trends in short-term rentals, and provides valuable insights into the future of property management. Other key...
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89. Commercial & Property Insurance for STR Managers
In this episode, Nick Massey, Chief Sales Officer at Proper Insurance, joins us to break down the must-know details about short-term rental insurance. We dive into: • The best insurance policies for STRs • Per-booking coverage through Wavo • Property management insurance via Worcester • Common...
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88. Guest Comms That Drive More 5-Star Reviews
I sit down with Ariel Smith, a hospitality powerhouse who went from sales rep to managing a 60-person guest comms team—and now runs her own short-term rental company with 30 properties in one of the most competitive markets: San Diego. Ariel shares her journey from her early days at Home Suite…
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87. From India with No Money to Owning 10 Hotels
We have Neil Shah, a humble yet incredibly successful boutique hotel investor who now owns 10+ properties and has helped countless others break into the hospitality space. Neil immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 with an electrical engineering degree, barely English, and no hotel background....
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86. Sales Tactics That Got Him To 250 Units Under Management
We sit down with Riley Goldman, CEO and Founder of Beachside VR, to unpack the sales strategies that helped him scale to over 250 short-term rental units under management, growing fast. He shares his journey from starting with just a handful of units to building a 300+ property portfolio without...
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85. How to Create Top-Performing STR Properties
I’m joined by Taylor Jones, founder of STR Search, an acquisition firm that’s helped investors close over 205 profitable short-term rental deals across the country. If you’re active on LinkedIn, chances are you’ve seen his name. Taylor’s known for consistently sharing valuable insights and...
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84. Using Social Media To Get More Bookings
I’m sitting down with Dustin Baker, a digital marketing pro who’s shaking up how short-term rentals get seen, booked, and branded. With nearly a decade of experience across e-commerce and tech, Dustin brings a fresh perspective to an industry overdue for a marketing glow-up. We dive into why...
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83. Building A $7M Micro-Resort
In this episode, we sit down with Isaac French, a lifelong entrepreneur who built and sold Live Oak Lake, an experiential hospitality venture that grossed over $1M in its first year. Isaac shares his journey from a homeschool upbringing on a Texas farm to designing and scaling a…
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82. Loyalty in the STR industry - Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Zach Busekrus, a well-connected entrepreneur in the short-term rental (STR) space. From launching and selling his own startup to building powerful networks within the industry, Zach has seen it all! We dive deep into loyalty in the STR industry and how concepts...
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81. How To Go From 0 To 500 STR Properties in 5 Years
In this episode, I sit with Brooke Pfautz, founder and CEO of Vintori & Comparent, who is an absolute beast in the short-term rental industry. He’s helped 800+ companies scale their acquisitions and even wrote a book on it. But here’s the crazy part – Brooke built his empire after losing…
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80. Roadmap To Achieve Anything in STR Business
Buckle up, because this episode is straight-fire! We’ve got Emanuele Pani in the house—a legit legend in the short-term rental game. He went from working maintenance and fixing things behind the scenes to owning40+ units, co-hosting 10 more, and leading major syndications. Oh, and he’s also the...
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79. Get More Direct Bookings with StayFi
What’s up, everyone! I’m sitting down with Arthur Colker, the Founder and CEO of StayFi. If you’ve ever wondered how to ditch dependency on Airbnb and take control of direct bookings, this episode is for you. Arthur breaks down how his platform captures guest data (yep, through WiFi!) and turns…
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78. Advanced Systems & Ops From 300+ Unit Property Manager
We’ve got the one and only JJ King, a STR rockstar shaking up the Florida scene. What started as a few units has exploded into over 250 properties and they’re about to hit 300. JJ talks about how his side hustle turned into a full-blown empire, the hustle behind his success, and how he balances…
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77. Add Local-Certified Experiences For Guests with Mount
Madi Rifkin, CEO and founder of Mount, a groundbreaking platform for short-term rental hosts! 🚀 At 27, she is already transforming the way guests experience travel by connecting them to hidden local gems through her innovative software. From selling candy as a kid to creating her first company…
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76. Use AI to Optimize Communication In STR Business
What if AI could take all the stress out of managing short-term rentals? Cole Rubin, Co-Founder of Host AI, is here to spill the secrets behind his game-changing platform that’s redefining the industry. From flipping 30+ properties to breaking records in Joshua Tree, Cole’s journey is nothing…
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75. Jason Navigates Buying a Cohosting Company
I’ve got my guy Jason Samson on the pod today, and let me tell you, this dude is a legend. He’s out in Hawaii managing over 60 co-hosting units and just bought a short-term rental management company—absolute boss moves. If you’ve ever wanted the inside scoop on STRs, investing smart, or just how…
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74. 2025 STR Pricing Trends & Insights with Pricelabs Co-founder
Ever wondered how top investors fine-tune their short-term rental pricing? Meet Anurag Verma, the brilliant mind behind PriceLabs, the #1 tool reshaping the STR game. In this episode, we dig deep into his journey—from United Airlines’ complex pricing systems to revolutionizing Airbnb hosts'…
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73. Creating A Boutique Hotel Brand
Blake Dailey, a real estate entrepreneur specializing in acquiring and revitalizing boutique hotels, joins us for an insightful conversation. Blake shares his journey of successfully managing and selling a portfolio of five boutique hotels (85 units) and his latest achievement—a 130-unit hotel…
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72. Networking His Way To 27 Cohosting Properties
We sit down with Billy Perez, a former teacher turned entrepreneur who has skyrocketed his vacation rental management company, Elevate Vacation Homes, to 27 units in less than a year. Billy shares his journey from the classroom to quitting his job in March 2024, scaling his business through...
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71. 40 Arbitrage Units in Dubai
In this episode, I’m joined by Redeet Negate, aka BNB in Dubai, to talk about his journey of scaling an Airbnb business in Dubai using the arbitrage model. Redeet has grown his portfolio to 40 units and shares the valuable lessons he’s learned. From starting in the Netherlands to making big moves...
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70. Hiring & Building the Best Team For Your STR Business
We have Steve Trover, a powerhouse in the vacation rental industry with 28 years of expertise! Steve shares his incredible journey from launching a small management company to running 400 properties across the U.S. He reveals the secrets to building a dream team, emphasizing how top talent in...
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69. Bring Ritz-Carlton Hospitality To Your STR Business
Katie Cline is an award-winning PR professional with experience leading global communications for top hospitality brands like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and W Hotels in New York City and London. She’s passionate about bringing hotel best practices to the short-term rental (STR) world, including her...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The STR Growth Show is a podcast for short-term rental operators who want to scale their business.Hosted by Patryk Swietek, founder of The Cohost Company, which manages 150+ properties in the Joshua Tree market and has been featured on Netflix, Dwell, The New York Times, Condé Nast, and Architectural Digest.Patryk interviews industry experts in our space with the focus of sharing real actionable insights on growth, operations, branding, and scaling in the evolving short-term rental industry.
HOSTED BY
Patryk Swietek
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The STR Growth Show have?
The STR Growth Show currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The STR Growth Show about?
The STR Growth Show is a podcast for short-term rental operators who want to scale their business.Hosted by Patryk Swietek, founder of The Cohost Company, which manages 150+ properties in the Joshua Tree market and has been featured on Netflix, Dwell, The New York Times, Condé Nast, and...
How often does The STR Growth Show release new episodes?
The STR Growth Show publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The STR Growth Show?
You can listen to The STR Growth Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The STR Growth Show?
The STR Growth Show is created and hosted by Patryk Swietek.
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