Branded & Booked

EP 253: How to Get More Full-Property Buyouts with Tony Stancato

What happens when a vacation rental investment turns into a portfolio of boutique hotels? In this episode of Branded & Booked, Steph sits down with Tony Stancato to tal

EP 252: I Was Completely Wrong About the Campground I Want to Buy

One of the reasons we decided to spend this year traveling full-time in our RV was because Collin and I have talked for a long time about eventually buying a campground.

EP 251: From 3 Million Views to 80% Direct Bookings with Debra Getts

What actually happens when you stop treating your short-term rental like a property and start building it like a hospitality brand? In this episode of Branded & Booked,

EP 250: How Our Micro-Resort Grew Revenue 76% (And What It Really Took)

For the first time, I'm pulling back the curtain on what our first full peak season actually looked like at Cabins on the Cumberland. There are so many conversations on

EP 249: The Difference Between a Nice Hotel and a Booked-Out One with Courtney Petrovich

What separates a hotel that's simply beautiful from one that guests can't stop booking? In this episode, I sit down with hospitality designer Courtney Petrovich, founde

EP 248: Our First Weeks Living in an RV + A New Way to Bring Your Brand to Life

We're officially recording our first podcast episode from the camper, and after more than two weeks on the road, it's safe to say this adventure has already taught us mor

EP 247: How They Reached 70% Direct Bookings (And Why Most Hosts Are Asking the Wrong Question) with Rose Tipka

Everyone wants more direct bookings. But what if the question isn't "How do I get more direct bookings?" What if the real question is, "How do I build a business that g

EP 246: How 29% of Our Bookings Generated 43% of Our Revenue

In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm pulling back the curtain on the real booking and revenue numbers from May at Cabins on the Cumberland. If you've ever wondered wh

EP 245: The Hospitality Industry Is About to Split in Two (And Most Hosts Aren't Ready) with Gil Chan

I genuinely think the hospitality industry is entering one of the biggest shifts we've seen in years — and the hosts who survive over the next 3–5 years are going to thin

EP 244: Building Businesses, Raising Kids & Going on the Road for a Year

We're about 30 days away from leaving for a year-long camper trip with our boys… and honestly? Life feels a little chaotic right now. In this episode of Branded & Booke

EP 243: The Legal Mistakes STR Owners Keep Making with Katie Johnson

Most short-term rental owners spend all their time thinking about branding, bookings, design, amenities, and guest experience… But almost no one talks about the legal s

EP 242: What Virgin Voyages & Coachella Understand About Influencer Marketing That Most Brands Don't

Influencer marketing is not just about getting pretty content. It's about creating a moment people want to be part of. In this episode of Branded and Booked, I'm breaki

EP 141: What No One Is Telling You About AI in Hospitality

I feel like everywhere I turn right now, someone is talking about AI…how fast it is, how efficient it is, how it can replace entire roles on your team. And while I do thi

EP 240: How to Build a Team So You're Not "On" 24/7 Anymore

If you've ever answered a guest message at the dinner table… in the middle of a family moment… or felt like you're "on" 24/7 in your hosting business… this episode is for

EP 239: The Shift You Need Before Peak Season Hits

Peak season is here, and I know a lot of you are gearing up the same way you always have… watching your calendar, adjusting pricing, and hoping the algorithm works in you

EP 238: How to Increase Your ADR Without Adding More Amenities

A hot tub is not your strategy. Neither is a game room. Or a pickleball court. Or checking every box on Airbnb. In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm calling out o

EP 237: The Fastest Way to Drive Direct Bookings in the Next 30 Days

Want more direct bookings… fast? Not from chasing trends. Not from posting more on Instagram. But from leveraging what you already have. In this episode of Branded &

EP 236: Designing for Experience (and ROI): How Altitude 22 Hit $100K in 60 Days with Yash Bhatt

$100K in bookings in the first 60 days. Not from luck. Not from "just listing it on Airbnb." But from building something intentionally different. In this episode of 

EP 235: The Marketing Strategy That Generated 3.7x ROI and 45% Direct Bookings

Influencer marketing is one of the most polarizing topics in the short-term rental industry. Some hosts swear by it. Others say it's a complete waste of time. In this

EP 234: The 90-Day Hotel Transformation (And How It's Already Driving 30% Direct Bookings) with Andrés Pérez

What happens when you take an underperforming boutique hotel… and completely reimagine it? In this episode, I'm joined by former client Andrés Pérez, co-owner of The Ic