Good Morning Hospitality Breaking News: Steve Schwab on Casago's $128M Acquisition of Vacasa
May 1, 2025
In this discussion, Steve Schwab, founder and CEO of Casago, dives into the company's groundbreaking $128 million acquisition of Vacasa. He shares his unique journey from military service to building a successful business focused on owner satisfaction. Steve outlines how transitioning Vacasa to a franchise model will reshape the vacation rental management landscape. He emphasizes the importance of integrity and trust in brand integration and the challenges faced in creating a respected name in a competitive market.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Founding Casago's Owner-Centric Culture
- Steve Schwab started Casago 25 years ago with an owner-centric approach that focused on genuine care for homeowners.
- He built a company culture around principles, autonomy, and trust, inspired by his military experience and a personal credo.
Turning Vacasa Around with Franchise Model
- Steve Schwab saw converting Vacasa into a franchise model as the key to fixing its issues when many doubted the idea.
- Tenacity and building the right team enabled him to revive the deal despite initial rejections.
Be Pragmatic About Technology Use
- Evaluate technology modules critically without emotional attachment to improve efficiency and serve homeowners better.
- Focus on cost-effective tech that adds unique value rather than building everything in-house.