STR Investing, The Podcast Revolutionary Rewards Program For Short Term Rentals
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Aug 29, 2025 Zach Busekrus, a growth marketer and co-founder of Journey, shares his journey from higher education marketing to creating a loyalty platform for short-term rentals and boutique hotels. He reveals how his unique vision helps operators increase repeat bookings without heavy OTA fees. The conversation covers the importance of loyalty programs, how Journey enables guests to earn and redeem points, and strategic insights on brand credibility and monetization. Zach also dives into the challenges of developing a two-sided marketplace in the hospitality industry.
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From Nomad Living To A Newsletter Startup
- Zach moved into nomadic Airbnb living during COVID and launched a last-minute deals newsletter called Sponstaneous.
- That newsletter grew from his travel experiments and became a business asset he later sold into a startup acquisition.
Podcasting Multiplies Credibility
- Podcasting scaled Zach's authority and conversion ability by creating a loyal audience receptive to offers.
- He used long-form audio to build trust and convert listeners into customers for other projects.
Launch Cheap And Leverage Influencers
- Start with the cheapest distribution channel that fits your skills and iterate before building expensive tech.
- Use targeted influencer or niche shoutouts (e.g., Sam Parr) to accelerate growth on a bootstrap budget.