the no BS podcast

We're excited to sit and chat with Jonathan, TopKey Co-Founder, and CEO, about his journey from growing up in a vacation rental town to building a tech-enabled financial operating platform for lodging and short-term rental operators.

Episode Highlights

• We discuss the growth and development of vacation rental destinations over the past decade, particularly the Gulf Coast of Florida.
• Jonathan explains how TopKey initially aimed to create a marketplace connecting property managers and homeowners and hit on the shift in direction after joining Y Combinator, which led to a deeper focus on the vacation rental industry.
• TopKey's recent $5.2 million raise and how different rounds are today compared to just a couple of years ago.
• The conversation explores how Jonathan's background led to the creation of TopKey, a financial operating platform for property managers and hotels.
• TopKey's primary focus is on helping operators streamline financial processes, such as expense tracking, account management, and owner transactions.
• Jonathan explains how TopKey issues Visa-issued credit cards tied to individual units, enabling real-time transaction tracking.
• TopKey's platform integrates with major accounting software and PMS systems, simplifying the monthly close process for bookkeepers and property managers.

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager that is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct's built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

This episode is a long time in the making. We welcome a fan of our show and Vacasa CEO, Rob Greyber to our podcast! Rob brings decades of work in the technology and travel industry, to a high-profile must-win situation at Vacasa's helm.

Additionally, what makes this episode extraordinary is that Rob agreed to answer questions submitted by our listeners "live" on the pod on top of all our questions.

Listening to this episode will leave you with a greater understanding of where Rob is coming from and hopefully optimistic about the future of Vacasa and its place in our short-term rental eco-system

Episode Highlights

• Rob reflects on his early career experiences, working with technology and witnessing the transformational power of tech solutions
• We discuss Rob's accidental but significant early career experiences that shaped his understanding of technology and its potential
• Rob emphasizes the company's commitment to serving owners and guests
• We address industry criticisms aimed at Vacasa and how it is navigated
• The significance of advocacy efforts in the industry and Rob's perspective on criticisms
• We address the notion of Vacasa not being "local" with "boots on the ground" and its impact on the company and industry
• Four questions from our no BS audience are highlighted and answered by Rob
• Industry Diversity - The value of various players, from boutique operators to larger brands, in contributing to the growth of the vacation rental industry
• Insight and vacation rental savvy that is unlocked when you process 31,000 reservations a weekend

* Donation Links to Help the Maui Communities Affected by The Wild Fires *

Red Cross of Hawaii — https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii.html

Hawai’i Community Foundation “Maui Strong Fund” — https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

United Way of Maui — https://mauiunitedway.org/

Maui Humane Society — https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/

Coconut Condos Ohana Relief - https://www.gofundme.com/f/6su93-lahaina-fire-relief

Episode Sponsors

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager that is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

This week Tim Rosolio, Expedia Group's VP of Vacation Rental Partner Success, joins the podcast.

We discuss his journey from business consulting into the travel industry and how Tim's passion for vacation rentals extends throughout his life where he is involved as a traveler, shareholder, employee, and owner.

There's so much growth potential within Expedia Group and Vrbo, it seems like the sky's the limit.

Episode Highlights

• Transitioning to HomeAway allowed Tim to focus on vacation rentals and the joy of helping people create memorable experiences
• The Importance of professional acting partners, delivering consistent quality, and community involvement
• The importance of diversity in the vacation rental industry
• Expedia Groups Accelerator Program is supporting new and fresh ideas
• The importance of proactive leadership in driving industry development
• Expedia's One Key Loyalty Program is introduced to unify various rewards programs from Expedia Group's acquired brands
• Tim discusses the importance of staying current and introducing innovations in the short-term rental industry
• Mateo raises the topic of developing commercial partnerships within the short-term rental industry
• Tim mentions the challenges caused by fragmented technology but believes there's an opportunity for seamless APIs to facilitate partnerships.
• John discusses the challenges of fragmentation within the industry and how standardization takes time to achieve

Episode Sponsors

- PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

- Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

This week we're joined by Amanda Jensen, Co-Founder of Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville Tennessee for the first episode of our Alternative Accommodation Series.

Amanda shares their journey into hospitality, starting with a family-built treehouse that inspired the idea.

Before we dive into the Sanctuary vision of modern vacation rental amenities in family-friendly treehouses, we touch on the impact of the devastating 2016 Gatlinburg fires and the Smoky Mountains community resilience.

The Sanctuary Treehouse Resort represents a new frontier in the vacation rental industry, offering an immersive and interactive experience for guests while fostering community support and engagement.

A wonderful episode with tones of family first and you can do anything when you put your mind to it!

Episode Highlights

• Amanda and her husband Brian purchased 40 acres, to maintain the natural beauty of the land and keep condos out of their view.
• The vision expanded to create an interactive treehouse resort, blending modern amenities with nostalgic experiences
• Amanda creatively incorporates her daughter's artwork into the treehouse themes
• Planned amenities include an on-site supply store, pizzeria, butcher shop, and a network of walking trails
• Amanda discusses her innovative approach to guest amenities, offering personalized recommendations and exclusive discounts to enhance their stay.
• She emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural environment and building within the topography of the land.
• We delve into the challenges of scaling the resort from seven to over a hundred treehouses and Amnada highlights their commitment to maintaining a personalized touch and fostering guest relationships, even as they expand

Episode Sponsors

PriceLabs

Customize your pricing strategies and run your business just the way you want. Ensures your rates are always spot-on to match the local demand, supply, and market factors.

PriceLabs knows that each of your properties are unique, and that's why its smart calculations take into account the performance of your rentals, occupancy rates in your market, and even preferences, like minimum pricing and length of stay. stay ahead of the game with your pricing strategy.

Head to https://hello.pricelabs.co/thenobspodcast/ to snag a free 30-day trial of PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing and get a free Market Dashboard too.

Make sure to use the code THENOBSPODCAST to get your free trial and $10 off on your first bill.

Direct

Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct!

Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software.

Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Original articles or posts

Skift: Guesty, Short-Term Rental Software Provider, Acquires Rentals United https://shorturl.at/fINQW

PhocusWire: Guesty Acquires Rentals United https://shorturl.at/dSTW3

Hotel Technology News: Guesty Acquires Rentals United to Expand Its Property Management Platform Capabilities in the Short Term Rental Market https://shorturl.at/chR25

Short Term Rentalz: Guesty makes Rentals United fifth acquisition since 2022 https://shorturl.at/tJMP6

Tagging: Rentals United Guesty TravelNet Solutions Lynnbrook Group Inhabit ICND

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