From Broadway to Bookings: Sarah Karakaian's STR Journey
Description
From Broadway to brilliant hosting. In this Host Planet Playbook episode, Sarah Karakaian, Co-Founder of Thanks for Visiting, shares how she swapped the stage for short-term rentals and built brands that wow guests and keep owners smiling. We dig into the nuts and bolts of five-star guest experience, why boundaries matter, standing out in Columbus, Ohio, and the most common questions new hosts ask. Sarah closes with practical advice for getting started – and the mindset that turns hosting into a meaningful, scalable business.
1:42 Sarah’s journey in the STR space
2:25 From Broadway to vacation rentals
5:29 Thanks for Visiting has replaced the acting bug
6:05 How to deliver an outstanding guest experience
7:40 Boundaries are a good thing
8:54 How to keep owners happy
10:12 Challenges and opportunities in Columbus, Ohio
11:50 How Sarah’s brands stand out
14:09 What Sarah loves about hosting
15:33 Thanks for Visiting
19:58 The common questions new hosts ask
21:38 Advice to people starting out
25:16 Quickfire questions
27:28 Shout-out: Justin Ford
28:16 Ultimate goal
Sarah Karakaian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skarakaian/
Thanks for Visiting: https://thanksforvisiting.com/
The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet
Download a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbook
The Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/




