Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast

Wilmington, NC is an awesome city.  Heck, that's why I moved here 5 years ago and was able to convince Jonas to move here a few weeks ago. It's also a market I know very, very well - and one that I am very excited about doing a micro resort in. Today, we pull back the curtain and deep dive into a potential deal that we are looking at so that you can see the thought process and framework we walkthrough on each deal we analyze - and how we come up with either "heck yes" or "no".  

Discover the intriguing journey behind the first international micro resort located in a lesser-known tropical paradise. The hosts share their personal inspirations from a wellness retreat and delve into real estate opportunities, emphasizing vital investment insights in Belize. Listen as they discuss the challenges and strategies of transforming Secret Beach into a unique getaway, explore the exciting potential of community-driven crowdfunding, and highlight the importance of sustainability in their project. Get ready for an engaging dive into the world of micro resorts!

Short answer:  VERY! But for some people, the design process can be very overwhelming. Today, Heather shares why design is the one of the most importance parts of any hospitality project (especially a boutique one) and why it's not JUST "oh, that's visually appealing" but that it goes much deeper. Plus, she also gives some of her top design tips that anyone can implement, even if they aren't a designer, and the one thing she will NEVER allow in one of her properties? Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here.

Experiential micro-resorts around the world? Yes please! Today, we dive into our the top 15 international destinations that we are dreaming (scheming?) of opening up micro-resorts. 3 people. 5 places each. And some very surprising answers.  

Max Lee is not your typical gym owner.  In fact, he was never even planning on going to the gym, yet alone opening up 20+ gyms across Taiwan. Heck, he didn't even live in Taiwan 4 years ago - and he wasn't planning on staying that long. But Max is always open to opportunities, and that's what has lead him and his family to leading such interesting lives. You'll hear all about it in today's show, including their year of full-time worldschooling, what life is really like in Taipei and how they decided on it, and how Max and his wife found themselves opening 20+ gyms in Taiwan.

Dreaming about where to do our next project is one of the most fun parts of the whole process - and there are no shortage of epic places to pick from. Today, we narrow down the list to our top 15 places in the US where we'd like to open a micro-resort. 3 people.  5 places each. Including a special guest - someone who EPOP listeners will recognize.  

Kevin was a burnt out Wall Street lawyer who left that life behind to "buy a drug motel at the Jersey Shore with no money." Oh...and he had no previous hospitality experience. What he did have was a vision - both for what a new version of hospitality could look like and for what he wanted his life to look like.   It didn't involve going back to Wall Street...and did it did involve a lifestyle of freedom. Over the past 7 years, he turned that first motel into a thriving hospitality brand, The Shore House, transformed an entire area, and also pulled of a multi-million dollar exit. In his new book, The Boutique Hotel Blueprint, he documents the entire journey, and here's the cool part: In the process, he realized that he wasn't a hotel operator, but instead, a brand creator. So if you're into real estate and hospitality, then in this episode you'll get a masterclass from Kevin. And if you aren't into real estate and hospitality, the major lessons Kevin learned are applicable to any facet of life where building a brand is vital (and to be honest, when ISN'T that the case anymore)? If you like this episode with Kevin, then go grab his brand new, hot off the presses book The Boutique Hotel Blueprint on Amazon - it's worth it's weight in gold (and fortunately, only costs $30). Buy The Boutique Hotel Blueprint here   00:00 From Wall Street to Boutique Hotels 12:12 The Journey of Transformation 26:30 Building a Brand in Hospitality 37:16 Scaling Success and Lessons Learned 37:32 Market Timing and Investor Exit Strategies 40:03 Real Numbers and Authenticity in Real Estate 45:00 Transitioning from Owner Operator to Asset Manager 50:42 Leveraging Technology for Revenue Growth 55:19 The Importance of Direct Bookings and Guest Relationships 01:04:48 Lifestyle Choices in Hospitality Entrepreneurship 01:11:29 Democratization of Technology in the Hotel Industry  

Explore the fascinating world of real estate as a host shares personal tales from owning unique bungalows on the same island. Discover the important lessons learned from initial setbacks and how they surprisingly turned out to be beneficial. Dive into renovation challenges while maintaining relationships with sellers and navigating unpredictable market dynamics. Gain insights into the emotional rollercoaster of property investment, capital raising strategies, and the intricate nuances of managing beachfront properties.

Steph Sitt and Luke Shantz, co-owners of a hotel and restaurant in Costa Rica, share their inspiring journey of trading mundane city life for tropical paradise. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of renovating a decrepit hotel while parenting two young daughters. From the thrills of chasing their dream to the unexpected challenges posed by the pandemic, they highlight the joys of community integration and the transformative power of their experiences. Their story reveals the complexities of entrepreneurship and the vibrant culture of Costa Rica.

Jonas has two development projects currently going - one in New York, one in Tennessee.  One's going very well, one's going not so well (or in his words - not at all). So how do two projects, both with the same owner, take two drastically different paths? Find out the biggest lessons Jonas has learned from his Tennessee project, the things he would do differently, and how, despite the development taking years longer than expected, he's still making sure that project doesn't destroy him (financially and emotionally)!