The Cohost Coach The Cohost Coach - Episode #51: Building a business in your Genius Zone with Austin Spitzenberger
Sep 17, 2025
Austin Spitzenberger, a short-term rental operator turned partner at Lazy H Retreats, shares his journey of transforming a co-hosting business into a thriving property management partnership. He emphasizes the importance of operating in his 'genius zone' while achieving a healthy work-life balance. Austin discusses strategies for success, such as focusing on luxury properties in local markets and the importance of starting small to gain experience. He also highlights practical lessons like spotting red flags and the reality of hospitality operations.
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Prioritize Health And Family
- Prioritize sleep, daily workouts, and family before business to maintain performance and reduce mistakes.
- Austin dedicates 35–40 hours weekly to business and protects time for health and family.
From Solopreneur To Business Partner
- Austin grew from a solo co-host at ~10 properties to partner in Lazy H Retreats to focus on his strengths.
- He traded 100% ownership for partnership to spend 70–80% of time on business development.
Don't Expand Without Local Scale
- Avoid expanding into a new market unless you can acquire 10–15 properties there or meet a clear revenue target.
- Without local scale you'll lack vendor networks and reliable boots on the ground.
