Claim OwnershipThe Vacation Rental Show, Hosted by Lynell Gordon
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Welcome to The Vacation Rental Show hosted by Lynell Gordon where we dive into the latest hot topics, technology and strategies, to help you take the vacation rental world by storm.
162 Episodes
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Heather M Fillmore, cofounder and CEO of StayLuxe Properties in Park City, Utah, joins host Lynell Gordon for a candid conversation about what it really means to run an intentionally small vacation rental business with purpose and integrity. Heather brings a distinctive combination of expertise in staging, styling, photography, and copywriting to her boutique portfolio of luxury vacation homes, and in this episode she shares the values and frameworks that guide every decision she makes.
From redefining unreasonable hospitality to challenging the industry's obsession with door count, Heather offers a refreshing perspective on success, leadership, and grace. She also explores what it means to lead as an introvert in an industry that tends to reward the loudest voices and why quiet, consistent action is actually building the foundation of hospitality.
This episode is sponsored by RentalGuardian
Hunter Harrelson returns for part two of his conversation on The Vacation Rental Show, picking up where the systems and hiring discussion left off to go deeper into the org structure, brand philosophy, and leadership principles behind Beachball Properties. Hunter is the owner and CEO of Beachball Properties, a family-owned vacation rental company serving more than 350 properties across the Alabama Gulf Coast.
In this episode, Hunter walks through the funnel-based org structure he built to step back from daily operations, the COVID refund decision that took Beachball Properties from 100 to 250 properties almost overnight, and why branding should be the first investment any new property manager makes. He also shares the leadership lesson he keeps relearning about holding on to the wrong people, and what success genuinely means to him beyond revenue and property counts.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline
Hunter Harrelson is the owner and CEO of Beachball Properties, a fast-growing family-owned vacation rental company serving the Alabama Gulf Coast with more than 350 properties. Before founding Beachball Properties in 2016, Hunter spent over two decades in financial services at Merrill Lynch and Regions Bank, and he and his wife Ginger bootstrapped the business from scratch by selling their home, their boat, and cashing in their retirement plans.
In this episode, Hunter shares the operational systems and people frameworks behind the company's growth, including how he built a custom AI tool using Google's Gemini platform and his own SOPs to transform customer service, why his processes break at every 50 properties and what he does about it, and how Culture Index drives every hiring decision at Beachball Properties. He also reflects on the 2022 VRMA tech buying frenzy, the consolidation that followed, and why staying focused on core strengths is what separates operators who scale from those who stall.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
What does it actually take to grow a vacation rental business without losing your sanity or your profit margin? In this episode, Lynell Gordon sits down with Derek DeCesere, CEO of Sand Stays, a Maine-based property management company that has managed more than 200 properties, hosted over 25,000 reservations, and earned more than 10,000 five-star reviews.
Derek shares the unfiltered truth about scaling, from the shiny object trap that cost him thousands per month, to why more units do not automatically mean more profit. He talks through the operational systems he built to protect guest experience, why speed is the single biggest driver of five-star reviews, and how he uses AI without losing the human touch that guests expect.
He also pulls back the curtain on what is next for Sand Stays, including a flexible, a la carte service model built around technology support.
This episode is sponsored by RentalGuardian.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon sits down with Merilee Karr, founder and CEO of Under the Doormat Group and former chairperson of the UK's short-term rental industry association. Merilee brings a rare mix of operational, technological, and advocacy expertise to a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to grow a property management business.
The episode covers the importance of building systems for the company you want to be—not the one you are today—and why technology integration is critical to avoiding what Merilee's COO calls "death by Chrome tab." Merilee also unpacks the AI strategies property managers can adopt now, from data centralization to owning your supply, and explores how the industry can professionalize without losing the authenticity that makes short-term rentals special.
This episode is sponsored by RevMax
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, safety expert Justin Ford returns to The Vacation Rental Show to continue his conversation with host Lynell Gordon — and this time the focus is on fire prevention, emergency equipment, and the documentation habits that protect operators from costly liability.
Justin tackles one of his most controversial positions yet: why fire blankets don't belong in US vacation rentals. He breaks down the difference between adequate and inadequate fire extinguishers, explains exactly where they should be placed for maximum effectiveness, and reveals why unattended cooking fires remain the leading cause of residential fires. He also digs into the growing threat of lithium battery fires from e-bikes, scooters, and aftermarket chargers — and closes with a powerful case for geo-tagged, time-stamped documentation as an operator's best legal defense.
If you missed Part 1, go back and listen — and then come straight back here for the practical fire safety guidance every property manager needs to hear.
This episode is sponsored by Rental Guardian.
📣 Quick favor for the vacation rental community:
If The Vacation Rental Show has delivered value—whether it's a strategy you implemented, a connection you made, or insight that changed your perspective—we'd love your help spreading the word.
Here's what makes the biggest impact:
Follow us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Leave a 2-minute review sharing what the show means to you
Share episodes with colleagues who'd benefit
Lynell Gordon and our team are committed to bringing you the best conversations in the industry. Your follow and review help us reach more vacation rental professionals who need these insights.
We've got incredible guests lined up. Don't miss what's next.
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#PropertyManagement #VacationRentals #CommunityGrowth
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, safety expert Justin Ford joins host Lynell Gordon on The Vacation Rental Show to tackle the safety blind spots costing property managers money, guests their wellbeing, and operators their businesses.
Justin is the Director of Safety and Certification Programs at Breezeway and the industry's foremost authority on short-term rental safety — having trained over 10,000 professionals and personally inspected thousands of properties worldwide. In this episode, Justin breaks down why the home is statistically the most dangerous place a guest will ever stay, and why complacency is the real enemy of safe operations.
He covers EV charger installation risks, how guests use properties in ways operators never anticipate, the alarming deck failure rate across the US, federal standards for bunk bed construction, and why he would ban lofts entirely if given the chance. This episode is sponsored by Rental Guardian. Tune in for a conversation that could change how you operate and protect the lives of the guests you serve.
This episode is sponsored by Rental Guardian.
🎙️ Quick message from Lynell Gordon, host of The Vacation Rental Show:
If these weekly conversations with industry operators, innovators, and leaders are helping you grow your business — here's how you can help us reach more vacation rental professionals like you:
✅ Follow us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
✅ Leave a 2-minute review (seriously, it's the #1 way others discover the show)
✅ Share with your network
Your follow and review help us understand what's working so we can bring you more of the content you actually need. Whether you're managing properties, growing your portfolio, or serving this industry — this show exists to help you succeed.
Take a quick minute today. Your support makes all the difference.
#VacationRentals #PropertyManagement #PodcastCommunity
Sébastien Grosjean has built 14 businesses over two decades, including launching the industry's first channel manager. With a family legacy spanning four decades in vacation rentals, he brings hard-earned wisdom on what actually drives business growth.
In this episode, Sébastien breaks down the ego paradox every entrepreneur faces, explains why 90 percent of listings lose 10 to 20 percent of revenue unnecessarily, and shares the difference between working in your business versus on your business. He reveals why cross-pollinating with other industries creates breakthrough innovations, how to navigate the two critical delegation challenges, and why your best executor often makes your worst manager.
From his personal journey through mental health challenges to building multiple successful companies, Sébastien offers a holistic perspective on business that goes beyond tactics to address the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship, learning, and purpose.
This episode is sponsored by Bluetent.
Ann Marie O'Rourke transformed Sandpiper Management from the ground up by focusing on what matters most: cleanliness, communication, and customized service. As owner of this boutique property management company serving Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island near Charleston, Ann Marie has built a business model that balances exceptional guest experiences with unwavering owner loyalty.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, hosted by Lynell Gordon, Ann Marie reveals the bold decision that changed everything: replacing her entire cleaning team and paying staff more to ensure five-star cleanliness standards. She shares how handwritten notes, local recommendations, and personal touches create repeat guests who eventually become property owners themselves. Ann Marie discusses the challenges of balancing owner and guest needs, the importance of transparent communication, and why treating each property as a unique investment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach has become her competitive advantage.
This episode is sponsored by Lynbrook Group.
Sofia Rossato, Executive Vice President at Inhabit, joins The Vacation Rental Show to share strategic insights on capturing event-driven revenue and implementing AI tools that actually work. With experience managing billion-dollar divisions in fintech and proptech, Sofia brings a unique perspective to property management challenges.
Sofia reveals how property managers can prepare for the 2026 World Cup and other major events to capture 55% average rate increases and up to 90% for premium located units. She breaks down the 300 mile zone strategy for attracting tournament attendees and shares the tactical steps for implementing AI in your business starting today.
Sofia also discusses 2026 market trends showing RevPAR 16% higher for operators using Inhabit products and Streamline, the importance of strategic thinking time versus tactical firefighting, and her leadership framework using IDS to bring teams along in problem solving.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
Most property managers chase growth by signing every property they can find and treating bookings as transactional revenue opportunities. Shervin Jamshidpour built RestNest differently - starting with one friend's house in Kelowna, British Columbia, leveraging guest inquiries he couldn't accommodate to onboard new properties, and growing to 26 ultra-high-end vacation rentals by prioritizing relationships over rapid expansion.
His first booking was $40,000 direct. Four years later, 99% of bookings still come direct with average nightly rates around $4,000. He doesn't chase mid-range properties or rely on OTAs. He actively caps growth between 30-50 homes because anything beyond would compromise the personalized service defining RestNest's competitive advantage.
Shervin maintains year-round relationships with guests who text him for real estate advice - not just vacation bookings. He showed up at foreclosure court to pitch property management to auction winners. And he discovered luxury guests are actually easier to serve than budget travelers because they own high-end homes themselves and understand that expensive systems sometimes break.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
Creating memorable vacation rental experiences goes far beyond clean properties and smooth check-ins. The small branded details you leave in guests' hands become lasting impressions that keep your name top-of-mind long after checkout, and drive rebookings year after year.
Steve Zimmerman, CEO and owner of Beach House Logos, has spent 25 years helping vacation rental managers create these strategic brand touchpoints. From custom spices that travel home to guests' kitchens to hand-drawn destination map tote bags that spark conversations, Steve reveals how functional, beautiful branded items build emotional connections that generic marketing can't replicate.
He shares strategies for homeowner acquisition gifts that actually get attention in crowded markets, the "oops gift" approach that turns service failures into loyalty wins, and why a property manager in Oregon built a 200-home portfolio focusing exclusively on pet-friendly branding. Steve also discusses working with marketing teams, choosing products with lasting impact, and why consistency matters more than flash when building vacation rental brand recognition.
This episode is sponsored by Bluetent.
Scaling a vacation rental business beyond your first market requires more than ambition—it demands strategy, systems, and the right partnerships. In this episode recorded at Streamline Summit, Lynell sits down with three industry leaders who reveal what it really takes to grow successfully.
Koen Roelens scaled from a hotel industry side hustle to 600 properties across Florida by admitting he's terrible at operations and hiring accordingly. Larry Hoffer from Z-Point helps property managers use data to target the right properties before competitors do, with access to all 125 million residential properties in the United States. And Mishan Andre runs luxury properties in Cabo using Streamline's automation to free up time for actual growth.
Together, they share hard-won insights on when to invest in operational infrastructure, how to enter new markets strategically, why communication is the foundation of everything, and how to choose technology partners who actually show up when you need them.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
Jason Gann, Account Executive at RevMax, shares his surprising discovery after transitioning from competing revenue management platforms to Inhabit's comprehensive solution. With a decade of industry experience, Jason reveals why RevMax goes far beyond basic dynamic pricing—offering length-of-stay pricing automation, comp set analysis, maximum yield optimization, and professional revenue manager support. The conversation explores how property managers can capture hidden revenue through premium lift strategies, maintain compliance while maximizing bookings, and access fractional CRO expertise for a fraction of traditional hiring costs.
This episode is sponsored by RevMax.
Jay Sudowski brought an unconventional background to vacation rental management: running critical IT infrastructure for Denver's transportation system and school districts. In 2022, he bought Beachside HHI in Hilton Head, South Carolina with just thirteen properties while simultaneously selling his tech company and training for a half Ironman. Three years later, he's nearly doubled the portfolio to thirty properties while maintaining an ultra-lean team of three full-time staff.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show hosted by Lynell Gordon, Jay shares why managing vacation rentals feels easier than keeping payment processing systems running for hundreds of thousands of transit users, how his three-bedroom property 0.6 miles from the beach grosses one hundred ninety thousand dollars annually, and the hard lesson he learned about firing homeowners who don't align with brand standards regardless of their revenue potential.
Jay discusses achieving forty-five percent direct bookings in Hilton Head's traditionally Saturday-to-Saturday market, why inland properties dramatically outperform oceanfront homes on ROI, and his systematic approach to growing slowly enough to maintain quality with current tools and team.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
Taylor Moore and Danielle Giancola built Nomadic Vacays from zero to 57 properties in Naples, Florida in just over four years, starting during the COVID-19 pandemic after relocating their entire family from New Jersey. Their unconventional approach prioritized infrastructure over gradual scaling, building systems designed for 100 properties from day one.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, Taylor and Danielle share why they insisted on implementing Streamline, how their 22-step onboarding process with video tutorials makes operations plug-and-play for any team member, and the immersive 18-month strategy where they worked 16-hour days learning every aspect of the business from the ground up.
They discuss the brother-sister partnership dynamics that make their collaboration work, how they help family members create service businesses within their business ecosystem, and the hard lesson they learned about partnership alignment when their initial third partner's vision didn't match theirs.
This episode is sponsored by Rental Guardian.
Amanda Look built Salt Air Properties from one house in 2009 to 100 properties with a fully employed staff of 30 people in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her journey started while working full-time at a bank, and when her first vacation rental booked solid within three days of going online, she knew she was onto something special.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show hosted by Lynell Gordon, Amanda shares why she chose to hire all cleaners as employees rather than subcontractors, how she maintains team culture through daily appreciation programs, and the creative ways she keeps seasonal workers engaged and supported. She discusses her rule about never onboarding properties after June 1st, why she broke that rule this year, and the consequences that validated her original instinct.
Amanda also reveals how she's transitioning from operator to owner through leadership training programs, why she still picks up trash occasionally to stay grounded, and how she built proprietary service programs when national vendors wouldn't service her rural market.
This episode is sponsored by Streamline.
Jennifer Mucha built Arrived from one home in Sunriver, Oregon to 350 units across multiple states over 21 years. Her growth strategy combined organic expansion with strategic acquisitions, teaching her invaluable lessons about what works and what creates unexpected challenges when scaling a vacation rental business.
In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show hosted by Lynell Gordon, Jennifer shares why geography is the hardest factor to control when growing, how remote employee culture differs dramatically from local teams, and why she transitioned from in-house to fractional marketing teams. She discusses the complexities of acquiring existing businesses, the importance of employee alignment with company culture, and her philosophy of building a business around activities that bring you joy.
Jennifer also explains how she outperformed every competitor in her first market through pricing optimization and search visibility, why she's used Streamline for over a decade, and what advice she'd give property managers just starting their growth journey.
This episode is sponsored by Lynnbrook Group.
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