Mark had 11 Airbnb units, a full-time medical sales job, and barely any profit.

Just 18 months later?

He runs 37 listings, left his W-2, and built a profitable, freedom-filled business, all without using his own capital.

In this episode, we break down exactly how he did it:

• The red flags in his arbitrage model that forced a pivot
• How he turned losses into leverage with a co-hosting pitch
• A case study that took one property from $90K → $211K
• The “Underserved Investor Method” for finding hidden gems
• Why volume doesn’t matter, precision does
• And the system he used to scale without capital or burnout

If you’re stuck, tired, or scaling blindly, this might be the episode that saves your business.

00:00 - Burned Out at 11 Units, Freedom at 37: The Mark Story

00:01 - Rising Rents and Saturation: Why Arbitrage Fails

00:04 - Audit and Pivot: How a Simple Portfolio Audit Changes Everything

00:05 - Switch to Co-Hosting: Scale with No Capital

00:06 - The Design ROI Pitch: Turn $10K Into $33K Fast

00:09 - Underserved Investor Method: Find Hidden Gems Others Miss

00:12 - $30K Redesign → $211K Revenue: Real Numbers, Real Proof

00:13 - Fire Bad Managers: Care Wins Big

00:14 - Small but Mighty: Profit Without Massive Volume

00:15 - Cohosting Margins: 50%+ With Full Teams

00:16 - Don’t Blame Pricing: Fix Your Offer and Model Instead

00:17 - Raise the Bar: Better Hosts, Better Homes, Better Industry

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

Amanda Williams branded herself as The Traveling Realtor and built a thriving rental business, only to be banned from Airbnb overnight.

In this episode, she shares how that crushing moment forced her to pivot into midterm rentals, automate with AI, and rebuild a better business that runs with less stress, higher profits, and total platform independence.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Airbnb banned her (and what you can do to prevent it)
• How midterm rentals (MTR) gave her 90–95% occupancy
• The AI tool she built to automate listings, guest comms & content
• How she balances business with nervous system regulation & wellness
• Her playbook for turning burnout into purpose-driven success

Tools & strategies for STR → MTR pivots, burnout recovery, and branding with integrity.

00:35 - Never Build Your Whole Business on Someone Else’s Platform

06:03 - Building a Strong Real Estate Brand Identity

07:01 - How to Be Known in Your Network to Grow Your Business

13:00 - Choosing the Right Community to Plant Roots for Business & Life

16:17 - Growing from STR to MTR: Changing Ownership Structures

17:33 - Airbnb Kicked Me Off: The Risk of Platform Dependence

19:20 - Switching from Short-Term to Mid-Term Rentals: Why & How

25:00 - Why Midterm Rentals Mean Better Clients & Less Work

26:12 - Using AI and Custom GPTs for Marketing and Operations

30:51 - Becoming a Relocation Specialist: Multiple Income Streams

33:02 - Smart Branding: Pick a Consistent Name & Handle

34:28 - Niche Marketing: Speaking Directly to Your Avatar

39:46 - Sharing Authentic Life Stories to Build Audience Trust

43:53 - First Aid Kit for Burnt Out Hosts: Breathwork, Meditation, Nervous System Health

48:35 - Success Secret: A Never-Quitting Mindset

Guest Bio:

Amanda Williams, widely known as The Traveling Realtor, is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur, eXp Realty agent, and visionary behind Carolina Furnished Rentals (CFR). Founded in 2019, Carolina Furnished Rentals skyrocketed in 2020 as demand for longer stays surged during the pandemic. This pivotal success became a lifeline in 2021 when Amanda was unexpectedly removed from Airbnb through no fault of her own—a common challenge for many hosts relying solely on third-party platforms.

Rather than seeing it as a setback, Amanda turned this challenge into an opportunity to take full control of her business, doubling down on the mid-term rental (MTR) model. She transformed Carolina Furnished Rentals into a thriving enterprise, proving the power of owning your brand and building a business independent of volatile platforms.

Today, Amanda uses her expertise to help Airbnb hosts with 5+ properties transition to the stability and profitability of MTRs. Through her 30-Day MTR Sprint Program, she provides hands-on coaching, automation strategies, and proven systems to help property owners scale smarter, reduce headaches, and create a business they truly own.

Amanda’s mission is simple: empower others to build wealth, freedom, and a brand they’re proud of while navigating the ever-changing rental landscape. From coaching clients to speaking at events, Amanda inspires hosts to take control of their future and achieve financial independence on their own terms.

Guest Link:

https://www.instagram.com/amandathetravelingrealtor/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

Most co-hosts are blaming the market. But it’s not the market...

...it’s your offer.

In this episode, we walk through how to dominate even when bookings slow down, using frameworks that helped our clients grow from 0 to 100+ properties (without lowering their standards).

Inside, you’ll learn:

• The 2 sales you must make to land AND grow every client
• How to niche down with an offer big managers can’t touch
• Why “boutique” isn’t enough (and what to say instead)
• ChatGPT + Hormozi = your unfair advantage
• The COHOST sales framework that turns owners into clients fast

If you’re tired of feeling stuck in the cohosting middle zone…This is the episode that unlocks your next 10 doors.

Want to generate your Perfect Offer? Just click the link below to get the ChatGPT Prompt:

https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T018&utm_content=Prompt

00:00 – Stand Out or Stay Stuck: Why Differentiation Is Non-Negotiable

00:12 – The COHOST Framework: A Proven Sales Funnel for STR Growth

00:45 – Survive the Booking Slump: Why Traditional Markets Are Struggling

02:44 – Don’t Panic Price: How to Maximize Occupancy Without Slashing Rates

04:48 – The #1 Mistake: Thinking Being Small Automatically Wins Trust

05:15 – Riches in Niches: Hyper-Focus Your Property Strategy

07:00 – The Plus-One Strategy: Tiny Add-Ons That Win Big Contracts

10:33 – STR Takeover Transformation: Craft an Offer They Can’t Refuse

14:59 – Risk-Reversal Guarantees: The Ultimate Owner Conversion Tactic

21:00 – Make STRs Great Again: Why Boutique Operators Are the Future

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

Most people quietly self-sabotage…

Not because they don’t want success.

But because they still talk like the person who doesn’t have it yet.

In this solo episode, Mike and E breaks down how internal dialogue shapes your future, and how AI can help you become the version of yourself that already wins.

What you’ll learn:

• How to reprogram your self-talk to unlock growth
• Why “watering down” your vision is killing momentum
• The AI tools Mike uses weekly to review sales calls, write listings, automate ops, and even train his team
• How to use custom GPTs to build an internal consultant that never sleeps

If you’re still running 80% of your business manually…this episode will change that.

03:00 - Audit Your Inner Voice to Align with the Life You Want

07:00 - Step Into Your Vision by Speaking It Out Loud

10:00 - Optimize Sales Calls Using Custom GPT Feedback Loops

12:30 - Write High-Converting Listings and Titles with AI

14:00 - Do Market Research, Regulations, and Pricing with GPT

15:30 - Automate and Personalize Guest Messaging at Scale

17:00 - Generate Social Media and Website Content with ChatGPT

19:00 - Streamline Hiring, SOPs, and Onboarding with AI

22:00 - Analyze Property Performance and Build Offers with GPT

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

The end of an era. The final STR WealthCon is here, and Mike Sjogren and Bill Faith are going out with a bang.

In this episode, we break down exactly what’s coming, why this event will never happen again, and how to make the most of it.

What you’ll learn:

• Why this is the last WealthCon hosted by Mike & Bill

• The new format designed for all STR business levels

• Speaker highlights: Cody Sanchez, Pace Morby & more

• The 9 deep-dive masterclasses (creative finance, hotels, scaling)

• Real deals, partners, and freedom stories born from past WealthCons

• VIP & Diamond perks: elite networking, pre-events, premium access

• Mike’s “Generational Wealth Blueprint” sneak peek

Whether you’re coming or just curious, this is the behind-the-scenes breakdown you need.

Learn more about the 2025 STR Wealth Conference

https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=829193&discountcode=MEMBERSONLYCLUB

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

02:58 – Why This Is the Final STR WealthCon

04:50 – Scaling from 15 to 2000+ Attendees in 3 Years

06:45 – Why This Will Be the Most Impactful STR Event Yet

07:17 – Keynote Power: Cody Sanchez, Pace Morby & Business Mastery

12:00 – A Brand-New Generational Wealth Roadmap (Never Shared Before)

15:26 – Networking Blocks: How Deals Worth Millions Begin

17:20 – Raising Industry Standards: How Better Hosts Beat Regulation

20:03 – How to Build a Business That Runs Without You

Most people can barely handle one business.

Buck scaled two.

In this episode, we break down how he went from managing one unseen unit in Nashville to running a 70-property short-term rental operation and a digital marketing agency at the same time.

No fluff, just systems, AI, and strategic growth.

What you’ll learn:

• How he jumped from 5 to 20 units with one key client
• The team structure and cashflow strategy that saved them in winter
• Using AI + Hormozi to craft irresistible offers
• The “$10 / $100 / $1K / $10K” time block system
• Why smart maintenance = higher reviews and retention

If you’re building a real business, this one’s a blueprint.

04:48 – How One STR Outperformed 4X and Sparked a Business

10:55 – Cleaning & Tech Enabled Remote STR Scaling

13:27 – Investor Stepped In During Cash Flow Crisis

15:05 – Zig When Competitors Zag: Break Industry Norms

17:00 – 5-Star Guarantee: No Commission Without Reviews

20:01 – Flat-Fee Maintenance Boosts Property Standards

24:00 – Focus on $1K and $10K Tasks to Scale Faster

Guest Bio:

Buck Cumbo is the owner of www.seamountainvacations.com. He is managing nearly 50 million dollars in assets amongst 60+ properties in the Myrtle Beach area. Buck have also recently been brought on as Brand Director at www.theonehundredcollection.com.

Guest Link:

http://www.instagram.com/captain_buck_

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

Airbnb’s Summer 2025 update just launched, and buried inside is a feature that could destroy your margins and expose you to serious risk.

It’s called “Services,” and it lets guests book things like chefs, trainers, and masseuses without your approval, while you carry all the liability.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why this new feature is dangerous for pro hosts
• How to opt out in 3 steps
• How to beat Airbnb at its own game by building your own Services page
• Why relying on Airbnb in 2025 is a bigger risk than ever

If you’re serious about building a business (not just listing properties), this is mandatory viewing.

03:04 - The Hidden Risk for Hosts: Guests Can Book Services Without You Knowing

04:45 - Host Liability Risks From Airbnb Services

05:55 - How Bad Service Experiences Can Hurt Host Reviews

07:00 - Why Airbnb Rolled Out Services Without Consulting Hosts

08:15 - The Simple 3-Step Process to Opt Out of Airbnb Services

10:28 - Why Hosts Must Act Now: Collective Opt-Out Pressure Matters

13:00 - How to Add a “Services” Tab to Your Direct Booking Website

16:00 - Partnering With Local Providers Can Lead to Repeat Guest Referrals

19:00 - Will Opting Out of Services Affect Airbnb Search Rankings?

22:00 - Airbnb Is Targeting Hobby Hosts—What It Means for Pros

23:30 - Why You Must Diversify Beyond Airbnb and Build a Real Business

26:05 - STR Secrets Fulfillment Strategy for Different Host Levels

Guest Link:

instagram.com/boostlyuk/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com

This episode is a masterclass in turning pain into purpose.

Diana and Josh, two married architects, were forced to reimagine their future after losing both their fathers in 2021.

What began as a journey to escape the W-2 grind became Terra Palm Springs, the city’s first true wellness boutique hotel.

They reveal how they:

• Pivoted from flips and BRRRRs into commercial real estate

• Used their design and construction edge to underwrite with vision

• Created immersive guest experiences that transcend hospitality

• Built three synergistic businesses to scale with intention

• Took bold action while honoring their deepest personal “why”

This story will move you, inspire you, and give you a real blueprint for building a brand, and a life that matters.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to spot your unfair advantage (and actually use it)

• The key to underwriting without inflating projections

• What makes a boutique hotel truly stand out

• How to transition from short-term rentals to hotel ownership

• Why generosity is the secret weapon in hospitality

00:00 - Action drives clarity

00:35 - Process-proven growth

01:36 - Power couple feature

02:20 - Life-changing loss

05:55 - Strategic shift to scale

07:26 - Expert system builders

09:50 - Value-add obsession

10:56 - Underwrite with confidence

14:30 - Unapologetic branding

16:42 - First-of-its-kind wellness hotel

21:00 - Team-powered execution

25:40 - The real estate awakening

28:00 - Finding purpose through pain

31:30 - Create your unfair advantage

36:00 - Future-built freedom

43:00 - Hospitality secret: give generously

Guest Bio:

Diana and Josh Dobken have 15+ years of experience in the architecture and construction industries. They strategically invest in value-add opportunities where they can use their design expertise to maximize their return on investment. Additionally, Diana and Josh co-host 35+ MTRs and STRs across multiple states for other real estate investors, bringing their hospitality standards and design sensibility to each property we manage.

Beyond property investment, Diana and Josh also manage comprehensive operations teams for hotels, with them overseeing director of operations roles and guest experience management. This hands-on operational experience gives them invaluable insights into how design decisions impact day-to-day functionality and guest satisfaction.

Their most current project involves the Architectural and Interior design of Terra Palm Springs, the first wellness Boutique Hotel in Palm Springs featured in Vogue, Forbes, Hotels Above Par, and selected as part of Travel and Leisure It List of 2025’ 100 Best New Hotels in the World.

Guest Link:

http://www.instagram.com/d.i.fi

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com