The 4 Non-Negotiables of STR Success in 2025

🎯 Want to scale your short-term rental business without chaos? Apply for a free Revenue Review at FreewyldFoundry.com/get-started and discover where you can unlock serious growth.In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller unpack the often-overlooked engine behind every thriving STR brand: operational excellence.They explore how the best short-term rental operators use systems, processes, documentation, and technology to deliver consistent guest experiences, reduce stress, and scale with confidence. From tools like Breezeway to lessons learned from high-stakes industries like aviation and healthcare, this is a tactical conversation grounded in real-world experience.Whether you're managing five properties or fifty, operational excellence is how you create reliability, elevate hospitality, and free yourself from day-to-day firefighting.Keywords: operational excellence, short-term rentals, hospitality, systems, processes, guest experience, technology, tools, documentation, growth🕐 Episode Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Operational Excellence02:47 – Understanding Operational Excellence05:30 – Tools and Technology for Operations08:19 – Learning from High-Stakes Industries11:16 – Building Systems for Success14:07 – Documenting Processes Effectively16:37 – The Impact of Operational Excellence19:29 – Resources for Improvement22:19 – Community and Mastermind Benefits25:03 – Looking Ahead: Unreasonable Hospitality🎧 Listen now and start building the systems that will support your next stage of growth.FreewyldFoundry.com/get-started Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to turn your STR portfolio into a revenue machine? Apply for a free Revenue Review → https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedIn this episode, Kaye Putnam joins Freewyld co-founder Eric Moeller for a candid conversation on what really drives long-term success in short-term rentals. Spoiler: it’s not just your pricing tool.They break down the four non-negotiables every elite STR operator needs to master:Brand and ProductUnreasonable HospitalityRevenue MasteryOperational ExcellenceUsing the Freewyld brand as a case study, they explore how these pillars work together to create a differentiated guest experience, improve profitability, and scale with confidence.Whether you're managing 15+ units or just thinking bigger, this episode delivers clarity, strategy, and inspiration for growing a hospitality-first, brand-driven STR business.Keywords:short-term rental, STR success, hospitality, brand strategy, unreasonable hospitality, revenue mastery, operational excellence, FreeWild, guest experience, property management⏱️ Episode Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why the STR game has changed 02:37 – The Four Non-Negotiables of STR 05:29 – Brand & Product: Where it all starts 08:35 – Unreasonable Hospitality: The FreeWild secret 11:17 – Revenue Mastery: Smarter pricing, better profit 14:12 – Operational Excellence: Your brand depends on it 16:53 – Building a STR Brand: Lessons from FreeWild 19:52 – Creating Emotional Guest Connections 22:51 – Wrap-Up: Applying the 4 non-negotiables Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Ready to grow faster with fewer missteps? Join the Foundry Mastermind → freewyldfoundry.com/foundry-mastermindIf you’re scaling a short-term rental business, this is your room.In this episode, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller unpack the real power behind mastermind groups for entrepreneurs - why they work, what makes them fail, and how to get the most out of them. They break down the mindset and structure that drive true transformation inside the right group.You'll learn:Why perspective and community are non-negotiable for growthWhat to look for (and avoid) when joining or building a mastermindHow the Foundry Mastermind is helping STR hosts solve real business challenges in real timeWhether you’re new to masterminds or ready to level up into an industry-specific group, this conversation will help you find the support, strategy, and collaboration you need to thrive.Mentioned:Foundry Mastermind →freewyldfoundry.com/foundry-mastermindKeywords: masterminds, entrepreneurship, community, collaboration, networking, personal growth, business challenges, peer support, Foundry Mastermind, short-term rentalsChapters 00:00 The Power of Masterminds 02:58 Defining Masterminds 06:02 Creating and Joining Masterminds 08:48 Maximizing Value in Masterminds 12:05 Finding the Right Mastermind 15:06 Introducing the Foundry Mastermind 18:05 The Evolution of Masterminds 21:05 Continuous Growth Through Masterminds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take your revenue seriously—or risk falling behind. Get a free Revenue Report analysis of your current pricing strategy (for $1M+ STR hosts): https://freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedIn this episode, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller dive deep into one of the most overlooked growth levers in short-term rental businesses: revenue management. Whether you're operating a few units or managing a large portfolio, understanding how to optimize your pricing strategy can make or break your profitability.They break down the most common mistakes hosts make—like set-it-and-forget-it pricing—and explore the benefits of dynamic pricing tools, in-house experts, and third-party revenue optimization services. This is a must-listen if you're serious about growing your STR business with a CEO mindset.🎯 Key Takeaways:Revenue management is critical for profitability in the STR industry.Most hosts unknowingly leave money on the table.Tools alone aren't enough—strategy is key.Hosts must assess their current capabilities and options: Learn and lead revenue strategy themselves, Hire internally, or Partner with expertsA daily focus on pricing decisions drives business growth.The most successful operators treat revenue management as a core business function.⏱ Episode Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Revenue Management05:07 – Identifying Revenue Management Gaps11:42 – Strategies for Maximizing Revenue21:10 – Choosing the Right Revenue Management Approach27:39 – Conclusion and Future InsightsKeywords: revenue management, short-term rentals, pricing strategy, dynamic pricing, hospitality, business growth, Freewyld, property management, revenue optimization, CEO mindset Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Join Our Investor List: https://freewyld.com/invest-in-freewyld/ Get early access to property acquisition opportunities, behind-the-scenes updates, and insights into how we’re crafting a hospitality brand with soul.In this episode, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller pull back the curtain on the emotional and strategic journey behind Freewyld’s latest real estate acquisition. From the excitement of discovering a promising property to the challenges of staying true to the Freewyld brand identity, they share raw insights and hard-earned lessons.You’ll hear how the team balanced investor relations, cash flow planning, and renovation realities—while staying focused on building a hospitality brand designed to stand the test of time. This is a candid look at entrepreneurship, the importance of market fit, and the grit it takes to build a legacy business in the property acquisition space.Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor, a hospitality brand builder, or simply someone who appreciates the emotional side of business, this episode is for you.⏱ Episode Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Freewyld's Journey02:58 – The Search for the Perfect Property06:13 – Emotional Roller Coaster of Property Acquisition08:59 – Brand Identity and Market Fit11:47 – Highs and Lows of the Acquisition Process17:47 – Navigating Challenges and Investor Relations29:52 – Lessons Learned and Future FocusKeywords: Freewyld, property acquisition, hospitality, brand identity, investor relations, emotional journey, business lessons, market fit, real estate, entrepreneurship Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Start here: Get your custom Revenue ReportIn this behind-the-scenes episode, Kaye Putnam and Eric Moeller reflect on the unexpected rise of Freewyld, our design-forward cabin brand rooted in Idyllwild, California, and built to help guests disconnect from tech and reconnect to what matters.From humble beginnings to building Wyldwood Park, they share the lessons, pivots, and breakthroughs that helped Freewyld evolve from an idea into one of the most-loved short-term rental stays in SoCal. You’ll hear how “Unreasonable Hospitality” became a core operating value, why revenue management is a growth lever most hosts overlook, and what’s next, including the relaunch of The Foundry, their mastermind for hospitality operators looking to scale with excellence.This episode is packed with insights for anyone in the hospitality, STR, or real estate investment world looking to create unforgettable guest experiences—and stronger revenue along the way.Mentioned in this episode:Freewyld Cabins@stayfreewyld on InstagramConnect with Eric on LinkedInFollow Eric on InstagramChapters & Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Freewyld and Idyllwild02:45 – Building the Freewyld Brand06:01 – Creating the Wyldwood Park Experience08:48 – Unreasonable Hospitality in Operations11:46 – Improving Guest Experience and Communication14:57 – Revenue Management and RPM Launch18:10 – Scaling Freewyld and Future Plans21:06 – The Foundry Mastermind RelaunchKeywords: Freewyld, Idyllwild, Wyldwood Park, short-term rentals, hospitality, guest experience, revenue management, operational excellence, boutique travel, Freewyld Foundry, STR marketing, community building, The Foundry mastermind, Wyld Mode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to know if you’re leaving money on the table? Get your free Revenue Report from our expert team—see what’s working, what’s not, and how much more your STR business could be making: 👉 https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-started/In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, host Jasper Ribbers interviews Alisha Nelson, co-founder of Nestaide, a standout property management company based in Whistler, Canada.Alisha shares how she launched her short-term rental business during maternity leave and scaled it into one of Whistler’s top-performing Airbnbs. From forming a powerful business partnership to navigating the challenges of seasonal property management, Alisha offers practical insights for both new and established short-term rental (STR) operators.You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how NestAid approaches revenue management, builds strong teams, and manages owner expectations during market shifts. Plus, Alisha breaks down key market trends, what made this winter season different, and why authenticity is their secret weapon.If you're in the short-term rental game, especially in seasonal markets, this episode is packed with value.Stay with Nestaide and use coupon code GETPAID15 to take 15% off!⏱️ Episode Timestamps & Topics00:00 – Introduction to Alisha Nelson and Nestaide02:48 – Alisha’s leap into property management during maternity leave05:59 – Why a strong business partnership is non-negotiable09:03 – Insights from the 2024 winter season in Whistler11:59 – Market shifts, shorter booking windows, and rate drops14:59 – Hiring, leadership, and building a reliable team17:59 – Managing seasonal operations and turnover schedules21:14 – What new property managers need to hear24:07 – Alisha’s closing thoughts and what’s next for Nestaide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See if outsourcing revenue management is your best next step: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com/get-startedIn this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, host Jasper Ribbers sits down with Suzanna and Jared Styles of Pink Door BnB to unpack their inspiring journey in the short-term rental industry. From managing properties to running their thriving Airbnb business, this dynamic duo shares insights on scaling effectively, optimizing Airbnb listings, and prioritizing guest experiences. They candidly discuss balancing their roles as both business and life partners, offering valuable tips on maintaining healthy relationship dynamics while scaling a hospitality business.Whether you're looking to enhance your property management strategy or improve your Airbnb visibility, Suzanna and Jared’s success story offers actionable advice and inspiration.Key takeaways:Transitioning smoothly from property management to short-term rentalsSecrets to scaling a rental property business from 11 to 80 listingsThe importance of high-quality design and furnishings in guest satisfactionStrategies for setting clear boundaries to balance business and personal lifeTips for understanding and leveraging Airbnb’s algorithm to boost visibilityTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Suzanna and Jared Styles from Pink Door BnB01:10 – Their journey from property management into the short-term rental industry04:00 – How Pink Door BnB scaled effectively from 11 to 80 properties08:01 – Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life09:33 – Insights into relationship dynamics as business and life partners19:04 – Creating irresistible Airbnb listings to attract guests29:03 – Challenges and lessons learned while scaling their hospitality operationsKeywords: short-term rentals, property management, Airbnb, business growth, guest experience, relationship dynamics, listing optimization, hospitality industry, scaling business, rental properties Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📩 Want our best-performing email templates, slides, and the full video training from this episode? Download the free resource bundle here: FreewyldFoundry.com/emailEmail marketing is one of the most underrated tools in the hospitality industry, but when done right, it can dramatically increase direct bookings, guest engagement, and long-term revenue. In this episode, Jasper Ribbers and Kaye Putnam discuss actionable marketing strategies for short-term rental hosts and hoteliers who want to grow their business outside the OTAs.You’ll learn how to build and grow your email list, why email automation is a must, and the simple systems you can use to stay top of mind with past guests and future ones. Kaye shares cost-effective lead generation tactics—from StayFi to self-hosted giveaways—and explains how email marketing fits into a larger customer relationship management strategy.Whether you're running a boutique hotel or managing a portfolio of vacation rentals, this episode is packed with practical email marketing tips you can implement today.What you'll learn:How to generate leads and collect guest emails the smart wayWhy personalization and engaging content drive resultsTools and automations that save time and boost conversionsChapters 00:00 Introduction to Email Marketing Strategies 02:32 Building and Growing Your Email List 04:40 Effective Email Campaigns and Automation 07:19 Leveraging Lead Magnets for Email Collection 09:52 Utilizing Paid Campaigns for Email Growth 12:31 Creating Engaging Email Content 15:31 Analyzing Email Performance and Optimization 18:06 Final Thoughts and Next StepsKeywords:email marketing, direct bookings, guest engagement, lead generation, marketing strategies, hospitality industry, email automation, customer relationship management, marketing tips, online business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

✅ Own or manage a short-term rental business doing $1M+ in annual revenue?Get a free Revenue Report to see if your pricing strategy is leaving money on the table: 👉 FreewyldFoundry.com/get-startedIn this episode, Jasper sits down with Troy Daily, founder of Elevated Rentals & Hospitality in Traverse City, Michigan. Troy went from managing a handful of short-term rentals with friends in 2017 to overseeing a growing portfolio of 70+ units, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.Troy shares what it actually takes to scale a short-term rental business without losing your mind (or your five-star reviews). From outsourcing operations and building a reliable team, to bringing housekeeping in-house and using revenue management to unlock growth—this is a behind-the-scenes look at a fast-growing STR business.Whether you're running five properties or fifty, this episode is full of takeaways on entrepreneurship, property management, hospitality, and guest experience that will save you time, money, and stress.⏱ Chapters:00:00 – Intro to Elevated Homes and Hospitality 00:59 – Troy’s start in STRs (and the early chaos) 03:21 – Revenue management & growth strategies 05:55 – Scaling without sacrificing quality 07:35 – Entrepreneurial background & lessons from other ventures 10:26 – Hiring and managing a strong team 12:26 – Business acquisition strategies + SEO 14:31 – Hard lessons learned scaling fast 16:22 – Operational tips for newer STR hosts 17:41 – Why guest experience still wins 22:15 – Wrap-up & how to connect with Troy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.