Behind the Stays

Some people chase clout. Scott Eddy collects humans—and turns conversations into careers. He’s the guy who can turn a DM into a deal, a walkthrough video into a booking, and a dinner into a decade-long partnership. He doesn’t posture. He shows up. Early. Today, I’m joined by Scott—hard to label by design. A Wall Street closer who hates the word "expert." A self-proclaimed non-golfer in a loud shirt who lives in airports, hotels, and on cruise ships. An early Twitter force who became a breaking-news signal from Bangkok…and then built one of Asia’s first hotel-focused digital agencies before most brands could spell "SEO." Scott’s story pivots on a single, life-bending moment. He grew up destined for the police academy—until his father was killed in the line of duty weeks before graduation. A decade in finance followed, a firm sale cracked the door open, and a one-way ticket to Thailand blew it off the hinges. Eleven years later, with friendships stitched across Asia, he’d learned the playbook most Western brands skip: brand building starts with humility, and trust is earned at dinner tables, not in boardrooms. Back in the States, Scott doubled down on what actually moves the needle: reply to every comment, post consistently without trend-chasing, flip OTA guests to direct, and treat service—not tech—as the last true luxury. If you run an independent property or lead a hospitality team, this is a masterclass in building gravity one honest interaction at a time. In our conversation, Whether you’re building a boutique brand, leading a marketing team, or just love a good "how did they pull that off?" arc, this episode will reframe how you think about social, service, and the business of being unmistakably human. ‍ Connect with or follow Scott ‍ Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

Picture this: a candlelit living room in New York, a guest list cast like a film, and a host who knows exactly who should meet whom—and why. That’s Erin Hosler. Before she checks a rate code or a P&L, she curates people. She trained at The Ritz-Carlton before the Marriott acquisition. Learned stagecraft under Ian Schrager. Honed the five-senses playbook with Andre Balazs. Sharpened her eye alongside Philippe Starck. Then led chapters at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach; THE WELL in New York; Eaton DC; and Soho House Austin. Her take is simple: the last real moat isn’t marble or mixology. It’s training.   Why this matters for independents: Turn choreography into rituals your team can actually repeat. Make being known beat being “bonvoyed.” Design around human behavior, not developer spreadsheets. Let tech automate the admin—never the moment. We’ll talk membership energy and that feeling of “home on demand,” then get painfully practical—guest history, uniforms that fit, and managers who coach. If you’ve ever wondered how a latte placed at the right table, at the right time, by the right person can outperform any brand campaign—this one’s for you. Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Erin.   Connect with Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhosler/   Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

Some people chase opportunities. Ben Uyeda manufactures them from thin air. He’s the kind of mind who can turn a single YouTube video into a global audience, a shipping container into a home, and an empty stretch of desert into a 65-room design-forward hotel. His career isn’t a straight line — it’s a series of bold leaps, each one bigger and riskier than the last. Today, I’m joined by Ben — a man who defies simple titles. He’s an architect who never got licensed… yet co-founded an award-winning design firm. A YouTube creator who has racked up millions of views… yet never set out to be an influencer. A DIY experimenter who built his first video around making a vase… and somehow found himself co-developing the first ground-up hotel in Joshua Tree in over a decade. Ben’s story is one of intentional pivots and unexpected escalations — the kind that start with a single idea, and through grit, ingenuity, and a willingness to share the messy middle, grow into something extraordinary. From sustainable design classrooms at Cornell to steel-frame modular hotel rooms shipped from Canada to the California desert, his career reads like a blueprint for blending creativity with entrepreneurship. In our conversation, we cover: How prolific demonstration of process can be more powerful than perfection — and why that’s catnip for potential partners. Why sharing “warts and all” content beats polished mystery every time. The real reason most ambitious hotel projects in Joshua Tree fail — and how patience and risk tolerance become the ultimate competitive advantage. The economics of design decisions, and how a $6,000 bench became a $900 triumph. Why the future of hospitality may mean curating less, not more — and creating spaces for reflection instead of constant stimulation. Whether you’re a builder, a dreamer, or just someone who loves a good “how did they pull that off?” story, this episode will make you see the intersection of design, content, and business in a whole new way. Ben’s website: https://www.benuyeda.com/ Hotel RESET website: https://www.stayreset.com/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminuyeda/ Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

What would possess two brothers — with no hospitality background — to open a luxury hotel in a city where no new hotel had been built in three decades? In a word: vision. In this episode, I sit down with Shamim Ehsani, co-founder of Tribe Hotel and one of the most intentional hoteliers I’ve ever met. What started as a need for a conveniently located place for business travelers became something much bigger — a cultural reset for what luxury means in Kenya. We dive into: Why Tribe wasn’t designed to mimic what was trendy abroad — but to reflect the energy of modern Nairobi How art, music, fashion, and food became the foundation of the brand’s identity The unexpected call from Design Hotels — after they initially said “not interested” What today’s travelers actually want, and how his team is designing for access, not just aesthetics This episode is a masterclass in designing hotels with soul — and staying true to your vision when everyone else is playing it safe.   Connect with Shamim on LinkedIn   Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

In today’s episode of Behind the Stays, we’re diving into one of the biggest mysteries plaguing modern hospitality entrepreneurs — how do you take all that beautiful, buzzworthy content that’s racking up views on Instagram and actually turn it into real bookings? My guest today is Dustin Baker, the quietly brilliant force behind Hidden Gem Media — a performance-driven marketing agency that’s helping some of the most design-forward vacation rental and boutique hotel brands in the world unlock direct booking revenue from their social media presence. Now, I don’t say this lightly — within the last week alone, two different people in the space told me, “Zach, you need to talk to Dustin.” So we got him on the mic fast. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between content that looks great and content that converts, why creators (not influencers) are the most underutilized asset in the industry, how Dustin and his team are proving ROI on social in a way most operators didn’t think was possible, and why the real power play in 2025 might just be an email list, not a viral reel.  If you’ve ever wondered what happens after someone likes, saves, or shares your content — and how to turn that attention into actual revenue — this episode is for you.   Learn more about Hidden Gem Media Connect with Dustin on LinkedIn   Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance. 

When you need real talk and real data on the glamping industry, there’s one person you call — and her name is Shari Heilala. In this episode, I sit down with the “godmother of glamping” for a deep dive into Sage Outdoor Advisory’s just-released Q2 USA Glamping Market Insights Report — the most comprehensive data set on the U.S. glamping market to date. We unpack how Shari and her team are filling the gaping holes in industry data with hard-earned, operator-grade insights — from average daily retail rates (spoiler: domes are leading the pack at $257/night) to the surprising rise of budget-minded cabin stays. We explore the methodology behind their research, what types of properties made the cut (and why backyard yurts didn’t), and how design decisions, geography, and hospitality strategy are influencing returns in the outdoor space. You’ll also hear Shari’s reflections on the rise of hard-sided structures, her take on the next evolution of glamping (hint: it’s all about service), and how proximity to national parks and airports materially impacts revenue potential. We also chat through: Why occupancy is the next frontier in outdoor data reporting What surprised Shari most by region and unit type How to spot saturated markets — and what it takes to stand out Whether prefab vs. stick-built tells a meaningful data story yet Why land — not your unit type — might be your biggest asset …and so much more This conversation is equal parts masterclass and myth-buster. All right friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Shari. Connect with Shari on LinkedIn Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance. 

Today I’m thrilled to be joined by Brandon Gore—someone whose life journey seems like it’s packed enough experiences for several lifetimes. Brandon’s story is anything but ordinary: from leaving high school behind at 17 to opening hotels, scaling sales operations across multiple Marriott properties, and then making the boldest leap yet—founding his own concrete design company. But here’s where things get even more fascinating. Brandon didn’t just stop at concrete countertops or sinks. Inspired by sustainable architecture and a chance encounter with a rammed-earth house, he dove headfirst into the world of rammed earth construction, a building method that’s thousands of years old, yet remarkably innovative and profoundly rare today. His vision has led him to craft spaces that are not just visually stunning, but also deeply meaningful and enduring. Today, Brandon is channeling his passion into his most ambitious project yet: Outlier, an extraordinary boutique hotel nestled in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It’s not just any hotel—this property promises a luxury experience intertwined with adventure, sustainability, and truly groundbreaking architecture. In this episode, Brandon shares his remarkable journey, the story behind why he chose rammed earth, and what it takes to build something genuinely unique in an age of repetition. Whether you’re intrigued by innovative construction, inspired by entrepreneurial grit, or simply love a great story, Brandon’s journey is one you won’t want to miss. So sit back, grab your favorite drink, and join us as we dive into a conversation packed with inspiration, determination, and the power of building something that stands the test of time. Without further ado, here’s my conversation with the exceptional Brandon Gore. Follow The Outlier Hotel on Instagram Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance. 

Today is a special episode because Journey is officially live! I’m thrilled to sit down with John Sutton, the visionary founder of Journey, to talk about how this groundbreaking loyalty platform for independent hotels and private rentals came to life.  We’ll dive into John’s original inspiration, discuss the future of guest loyalty, and highlight the incredible Alliance Partners who’ve joined us early on this journey. Journey unites unique, independent hotels and private rental homes, offering travelers personalized rewards and unique experiences while empowering operators with advanced technology and guest insights traditionally reserved for major hotel chains. John shares his bold predictions for what’s next in travel and explains how Journey is reshaping the hospitality landscape. If you’re an independent hotel or unique stay operator interested in joining the Journey Alliance, you can apply to join here! Ready to join us on this exciting adventure? Download the Journey Members App on the App Store today!

Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with someone I’ve admired from afar for quite some time — Bashar Wali. If you’ve spent any time in the hospitality space, chances are you’ve come across Bashar’s work — or at least his words. He’s the former President and CEO of Provenance Hotels, and today he leads two companies he founded: Practice Hospitality, a management company focused on culturally resonant independent hotels, and This Assembly, a hospitality think tank and incubator building what's next for the industry. What I love most about Bashar is that he’s refreshingly candid, wildly insightful, and deeply passionate about this space — not just because it’s his career, but because it’s in his DNA. In this episode, we get into: Why hospitality is not the same as service — and how even a roadside motel can deliver deeply human moments that a five-star hotel might miss. Why Bashar believes loyalty programs are really just bribery, and what real loyalty actually looks like. How he went from having visited just two countries by age 20 to now traveling like a true nomad — and how that wanderlust has shaped his worldview. Why the world’s best operators are not just spreadsheet wizards, but curators of culture who know how to feel what's cool — and create spaces where others can feel it too. And why the soft brand strategy has lost its edge — not because the concept is broken, but because the execution rarely matches the promise. Bashar and I also talk about the role that AI should play in hospitality, the difference between trend-chasing and trend-observing, and what it takes for hotels to stop being sterile, beige boxes and become — in his words — merchants of cool again. This is one of those episodes that had me nodding, laughing, and taking notes at the same time. Bashar is equal parts philosopher and practitioner — and I think you’re going to get a ton out of this. Let’s dive in. Learn more about Bashar Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance. 

I’ve long admired Salt Hotels — their properties, their presence, their ability to make the familiar feel completely new. So when I had the chance to sit down with David Bowd, the visionary behind the brand, I knew we were in for something special. David’s story begins not in a boardroom or luxury suite, but in a small café his mother bought when he was a kid. It was there he discovered the energy of hospitality — the joy in unpredictability, the beauty of serving others, and the sense of belonging that would later shape his career. We talk about his time working with icons like Ian Schrager and André Balazs, and the lessons in creativity, precision, and obsession with detail that would ultimately inspire Salt Hotels — a brand built on the belief that boutique doesn’t have to mean formulaic, and luxury doesn’t have to be loud. In this episode, David shares the founding story of Salt, how he balances growth without losing soul, why the future of business travel is more boutique than we think, and how AI might just make hospitality more human.This is a conversation about craft, partnership, legacy — and why every single chair, playlist, and pet fee at Salt Hotels is intentional.