Booked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast

a 🛠️ “Design isn’t just about what it looks like—it’s about what it earns.”Our guest is Ishita Lalan, founder of Ishita Interiors and architectural designer behind over 150 short-term rental transformations across the country. From $500,000 gut-renovations to quick-turn landscape upgrades, Ishita approaches every STR with the mindset of an investor and the precision of an architect.This episode is for the host who’s ready to stop “furnishing a unit” and start building a direct booking brand. Whether you’re managing your first property or optimizing your tenth, Ishita breaks down the key frameworks behind design decisions that pay off—financially and emotionally—for your guests and your business.You’ll leave this episode thinking differently about your layouts, your finishes, and even your photos—because design, when done right, isn’t decoration. It’s strategy. Let’s get into it!🔁 Connect with IshitaInstagram: @ishita.interiorsWebsite: www.ishitainteriors.comFacebook: Ishita Nagda Lalan

Kenny Bedwell, CEO of STR Insights and a short-term rental investor, shares his innovative approach to increasing direct bookings by marketing local experiences over just the properties. He discusses effective lead generation strategies that build trust with potential guests, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and curated content. Kenny also delves into the delicate balance of entrepreneurship and family life, revealing insights on managing time and leveraging social media to boost profitability while maintaining personal commitments.

"You never want to compete on price. You want to compete on experience." — Brianna AmigoIn the world of short-term rentals, one thing is clear: good design isn’t just pretty—it’s profitable. On this episode of Booked Solid, Gil sat down with Brianna Amigo, founder of Brianna Michelle Interiors, to uncover how design directly impacts bookings, guest experience, and your bottom line. From her marketing roots to transforming over 300 properties nationwide, Brianna is leading a movement where curated spaces and outdoor amenities aren’t luxuries—they’re expectations.👤 Connect with Brianna AmigoInstagram: @briannamichelleinteriorsWebsite: briannamichelleinteriors.com

"One man's trash is another's treasure. We all have our things we obsess over. If we were all doing the same things, we’d have major problems." – Jonathan WicksWhen Jonathan Wicks launched Well & Good Professional Services, he wasn’t just starting another cleaning company — he was reimagining how professionalism and consistency in vacation rental servicing can elevate the entire guest experience. In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Jonathan shares his journey from being a Chicago-based host with a lake house to leading a national STR servicing company built on hospitality-grade standards.🔗 Connect with Jonathan WicksWebsite: wellandgoodpro.comInstagram: @wellandgoodproLinkedIn: Well & Good Pro

Dawn LaMattina Asher is the founder and creative director of The Olive Jar, an experiential marketing studio focused on vacation rental design, amenities, and media content creation for visionary hosts. With 20 years of experience in experiential storytelling across entertainment media, hospitality, and brand marketing, Dawn helps hosts transform ordinary stays into unforgettable guest experiences that foster loyalty and connection."Experiential marketing builds brand loyalty." That’s the powerful truth Dawn shares in this value-packed conversation. More than good design or amenities, what your guests feel during their stay creates lasting emotional bonds with your brand. We dive deep into what makes a stay memorable and how those emotional experiences convert into direct bookings and repeat guests📲 Follow Dawn Here:Instagram: @theolivejar.coWebsite: theolivejar.coQuiz: What’s Driving Your Bookings?Summit Blog: Level Up Your ListingBook a Discovery Call

On this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Gil is joined by Kim Herrlein, the Chief Leisure Officer of Purveyors of Leisure. Kim is a short-term rental operator who has mastered the art of large group travel through beautifully designed estate properties in California's Coachella Valley. She recently expanded her hospitality vision by launching The Fainting Couch, a boutique hotel in Northern California’s wine country. In this episode, Kim shares her journey from real estate investor to STR operator, and now a boutique hotelier, with a focus on curating seamless, luxurious experiences for her guests.Whether it's hosting multi-family gatherings at her spacious estates or redefining boutique hospitality with a contactless model, Kim's approach is rooted in understanding her ideal guest avatar and crafting an unforgettable stay. She also dives into her strategies for direct bookings, guest nurturing, and her belief in elevating hospitality through thoughtful design and personalized service.Visit Purveyors of Leisure | Visit The Fainting CouchConnect with Kim here:🌐 Facebook - Purveyors of Leisure📸 Instagram - Purveyors of Leisure📸 Instagram - The Fainting Couch🌐 Facebook - The Fainting Couch Hotel

In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, we sit down with Jay Ulrich, CEO and Co-Founder of HostBuddy AI, the platform that’s shaking up the short-term rental industry. Jay is a property manager turned tech innovator, known for transforming his 50-unit portfolio in San Diego into a blueprint for smarter, more resilient hosting.With a deep understanding of the challenges hosts face from OTA over-reliance to endless guest messaging, Jay built HostBuddy AI to give hosts real control over their business. His approach blends laser-focused niche strategy with cutting-edge AI to boost direct bookings, streamline operations, and enhance guest experiences.Whether you’re a solo host or scaling a full-blown STR empire, Jay’s insights will change how you think about tech, hospitality, and growth. This episode is your backstage pass to the future of property management one where hosts call the shots.📲 Connect with Jay Ulrich:📞 Phone: (240) 357-6127📧 Email: jay@hostbuddy.ai🔗 Instagram (Personal): @jaytullrich🔗 LinkedIn: Jay Ulrich🔗 Instagram (HostBuddy): @hostbuddy_ai

In this episode of Booked Solid, Amy Corbett reveals how she’s transforming quirky spaces like vintage train cars and grain bins, into sought-after escapes. Discover how her brand, All Belong Co., is redefining what it means to be a host by creating inclusive, unforgettable experiences that go beyond the ordinary. From harnessing niche communities to building direct bookings that aren't dependent on Airbnb, Amy’s journey is all about breaking the mold and making guests feel truly at home. If you're ready to take your STR game to the next level with bold, one-of-a-kind stays, this episode is for you!🌐 Connect with Amy CorbettEmail: amy@allbelong.coPhone: (434) 515-1045Website: allbelong.co🌐 Follow All Belong CoInstagram: @allbelong.coFacebook: All Belong CoLinkedIn: All Belong CoYouTube: All Belong Co

Jamey King is a Senior Marketing Executive at eviivo, where he brings deep expertise from years in the vacation rental and short-term accommodation industry. With a background that includes leadership roles at Sony Electronics, VRMA, PointCentral, and Safely, Jamey has shaped strategies in business development, partnerships, and marketing across the board. Now based in Indiana, he leads efforts to grow eviivo’s brand awareness and bridge its presence across European and U.S. markets.In this episode of Booked Solid, Jamey shares his approach to building a thriving STR business through strategy, consistency, and intentionalityConnect with Jamey King📧 Email: jamey.king@eviivo.com📱 Phone: 317-629-6100🌐 Website: www.eviivo.comFollow eviivo on Socials🌟 Facebook🐦 Twitter📸 Instagram🔗 LinkedIn📺 YouTube

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Avery Carl on The Short Term Show. This interview was even more special because Avery and her team were kind enough to agree to a crossover episode for Booked Solid to spotlight direct booking strategies and tools that help STR hosts take control of their business.We discussed a topic near and dear to my heart: building sustainable, long-term success through direct bookings. While we covered a lot, I want to share a few takeaways that I think will especially resonate with hosts.Building a Direct Booking Site in 15 Minutes. Here’s How... 🗓️ Let's talk about your property! Book a call with me today, ⁠here⁠