

Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management
Freewyld Foundry
Get Paid For Your Pad is the go-to podcast for Airbnb hosts, short-term rental operators, and vacation rental entrepreneurs who want to scale smarter, earn more, and stay ahead of industry shifts.Hosted by Jasper Ribbers, Eric Moeller, and Kaye Putnam from Freewyld Foundry, this podcast delivers actionable tips on Airbnb pricing strategies, revenue management, direct bookings, listing optimization, and guest experience. You'll hear from real hosts, property managers, and industry pros who share behind-the-scenes insights, lessons learned, and the systems they use to grow profitable STR businesses.Whether you're managing one property or one hundred, you'll walk away with practical strategies to increase occupancy, boost profits, and build a sustainable short-term rental brand.Tune in weekly to learn how to thrive in today’s competitive Airbnb market, and get paid what you’re worth.Freewyld Foundry offers revenue and pricing management (RPM) services to the top 1% of STR hosts. Learn more and request a free Revenue Report: https://www.freewyldfoundry.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 13, 2017 • 29min
EP144: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Airbnb was in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week, as an Asian-American guest was stranded by a vicious host who offered race as the reason for the last-minute cancellation. Despite Airbnb’s best efforts to combat discrimination via changes to the platform, the issue continues to plague the company.Today Jasper chats with Nicole Prentice Williams, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Hostfully, about the adjustments Airbnb has made to create an unbiased environment and whether those changes go far enough. They also cover the governor’s race in California, and the big donations Airbnb employees are making to a certain candidate.Listen and learn about the currency conversion fee Airbnb guests are facing as well as the gear you need to outfit your vacation rental. Want that coveted five-star review? Provide your Airbnb guests with these amenities!Topics CoveredArticle #1: ‘One Word Says It All – Asian’: Airbnb Host Reportedly Leaves Guest Stranded Because of Her Race•Guest booked property near Big Bear, California, for ski trip•Reservation canceled upon arrival•Host texted outrageous, racist comments as explanation•Emotional guest interviewed by local news crew•Host banned from the platform•Timing of video release (six weeks later) seems oddArticle #2: How Airbnb’s Redesign Aims to Combat Discrimination on the Service•Instant Book feature•Removal of host pics in search results•Profile photos of guests and hosts minimized•Critics suggest suppression of photos until booking is complete•Airbnb counters that photos are important for security, culture•Hosts rely on photos to help make informed decisionsArticle #3: The Best Gear to Outfit a Vacation Rental or Airbnb•Offers 24-item checklist•Provide better experience for guests (comparable to hotel)•Includes mattress and pillow protectors for the bedroom•Recommends quality towels, hair dryer and clean shower liner for bath•Suggests Wi-Fi extender•Little things like a bottle opener and better toilet paper make a big differenceArticle #4: Newsom Raises Most for Governor’s Race, With Boost from Airbnb•Progressive former mayor of San Francisco•Airbnb employees have donated more than $200,000 to his campaign•Other candidates report largest single-source contributions under $100,000Article #5: People are Really Annoyed About Airbnb’s ‘Hidden’ 3% Conversion Fee•Guests who book in a country with a different currency must pay 3% fee•Credit card company typically charges this conversion fee•Airbnb likely saw an opportunity to make money by doing conversion themselvesResources MentionedArticle #1: washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/04/07/one-word-says-it-all-asian-airbnb-host-reportedly-leaves-guest-stranded-because-of-her-raceArticle #2: cnbc.com/2017/04/07/airbnb-experimenting-with-site-design-to-fight-discriminationAirbnb Open Doors PolicyArticle #3: thesweethome.com/reviews/best-gear-to-outfit-a-vacation-rental-or-airbnbAirbnb News Facebook GroupGPFYP Email NewsletterArticle #4: sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Newsom-raises-most-for-governor-s-race-with-11060806.phpArticle #5: businessinsider.com/airbnb-charges-a-sneaky-3-per-cent-conversion-fee-on-bookings-2017-4Airbnb’s Currency Conversion FeeConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 2017 • 27min
EP143: A Comedian Walks into an Airbnb
The beauty of Airbnb is the trust people place in each other, allowing strangers to stay in their homes and sharing their space – and often their lives. Comedians are in the business of studying people and learning their stories, and today’s guest was fascinated by the concept of home sharing and curious to understand why people choose to host.Jasper is chatting with Greg Schwem, a business humorist, corporate comedian, and syndicated columnist. He often travels for work, so Greg started adding an extra day to his trips and booking an Airbnb with an interesting profile. With their permission, he films a segment with each host and posts to his YouTube channel, A Comedian Walks into an Airbnb.Listen in as Greg shares his unique Airbnb experiences, including a stay on an air mattress in a Volkswagen van and a trip to Miami Beach hosted by a ‘stripper turned house flipper.’Topics CoveredHow Greg chooses an Airbnb•Interesting profile•Extraordinary location/circumstancesGreg’s unique experiences•Row house in DC•Volkswagen van in Vail•Carriage house in Tulsa•Trendy loft in ChicagoGreg’s extraordinary host in Miami Beach•Former exotic dancer•Hosts property in Miami Beach•Career in real estate led to Airbnb•Owned rock and roll paraphernalia store•Very open about her pastHow Greg approaches video production•Airbnb host is the star•His job is to get them talkingWhy Greg is particularly suited to host an Airbnb-themed channel•Background in television news•Open to staying anywhere•Age adds a degree of humor (at 54, he’s often out of his element)•Interest in people and their storiesGreg’s plans for his channel moving forward•Continue to seek out interesting Airbnb hosts/experiences (i.e.: flea market shopping in Texas)•Pursue slot on a streaming video or network channelResources “My Daughter’s Room Would Look Great on Airbnb” by Greg SchwemConnect with Gregwww.gregschwem.comA Comedian Walks Into an Airbnb YouTube Channel Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 6, 2017 • 28min
EP142: This Week in the World of Airbnb
As the trend toward instant bookings continues, the Airbnb platform becomes more user-friendly for guests. But what does that mean for you as a host? The policies around cancellations can be confusing, and hosts who prefer the strict cancellation policy operate under a different set of rules.Hostfully President David Jacoby joins Jasper this week to cover the pros and cons of using Instant Book as Airbnb steers its hosts toward that option. They also chat about the recent incidence of theft in Toronto and Airbnb’s response, as well as the latest news about Airbnb’s growth – which may not be as disruptive as people think!Listen and learn about upcoming home-sharing trade shows and conferences on the west coast and the different types of insurance policies you may want to consider – if you are using platforms other than Airbnb. And if you didn’t catch Airbnb’s April Fool’s joke, David and Jasper will hook you up.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Instant Booking Becomes the Big Metric for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals•Airbnb instant booking availability has grown from 460,000 in the first quarter of 2016 to nearly 1M today•Hosts who use Instant Book may cancel penalty-free three times•All Booking.com listings are instantly bookable•New Airbnb system currently being tested in Italy•Service fees higher for hosts using strict cancellation policy•Instant Book seeks to decrease discrimination on the platformArticle #2: Airbnb Fully Reimburses Man Who Had $21K Worth of Items Stolen by Guests•An iPad and two iPhones were among the stolen items•Airbnb does have insurance, but other platforms do not•Select policies carefully, considering both liability and coverage for contents/damages•Deliberate between replacing your current policy or adding a riderArticle #3: Airbnb’s Growth Soars: Senior Women are Fastest-Rising Demographic of Home-Sharing Hosts•151% growth in Nevada•Despite growth, hospitality industry doing well•Affordability of Airbnb creates additional travel demandArticle #4: Airbnb Might Not Be So Disruptive After All•HomeAway is keeping up•Many hosts list on multiple platforms•Allowing short-term rentals can benefit landlords•Hosts willing to pay extra•Property well-maintained•Less turnoverResources MentionedSmartbnbArticle #1: tnooz.com/article/instant-booking-big-metric-airbnb-vacation-rentalsHumanless Host VideoArticle #2: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/airbnb-update-1.4049429CBIZ InsuranceComet InsuranceProper InsurancePropel InsuranceArticle #3: vegasinc.com/business/2017/apr/03/airbnbs-growth-soars-senior-women-are-fastest-risiArticle #4: barrons.com/articles/airbnb-might-not-be-so-disruptive-after-all-1490993239Jasper’s Airbnb Listing QuizHSDC Trade Fair (Bay Area)Host2Host Conference (Portland)Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 3, 2017 • 25min
EP141: Airbnb Investing Oppertunities in Central Europe
Feel like escaping the ‘rat race’? Wouldn’t it be nice to build a little wealth, making as much in passive income as you do active? Today Jasper has a conversation with a guest who has accomplished this ambitious goal – with the help of a game!Mark Krupa has invested in multiple properties along the ‘tourist trail’ in Eastern Europe. He is the author of @Airbnb Coach: Maximize Your Income and Satisfaction as an Airbnb Host, and he does one-on-one coaching to help Airbnb hosts improve their listing performance.Listen and let Mark coach you up on the investing game in Eastern Europe! Learn how he chose his investments, which one is performing the best and why, and how he navigates the ever-changing regulations around short- and long-term rentals.Topics CoveredHow Mark chose the locations for his investments•Researching tourist numbers and top destinations•Visiting himselfWhy Mark chose Eastern Europe•He lives there and Americans are allowed to invest•Low down payments and mortgage rates in 2009Mark’s properties•Bad Aussee, Austria•Czech Republic (three studio apartments)•Texas (two single family homes)The success of the Austrian property•Opportunities to ski in the area•‘Four season destination’•Purchased for $35,000 ($7,000 down payment)•Income of €900/month, expenses only €350/month•Advantageous tax situation•Low interest rate on mortgageThe unique requisites for guests of Mark’s Austrian property•Fill out and turn in tourist tax form•Leave cleaning fee in cash (€35)•Access keys themselves via realtor lock box next to front doorOther locales Mark has considered as an investment•Vienna•Budapest•Capital citiesThe regulations surrounding short-term rentals in the Czech Republic•Must have business license for short-term rental (30 days or fewer)•Obligated to forward guest information to foreign police•Required to report income at end of tax year•Mark had to shift from short- to long-term rentalsMark’s tips for investors•Find out if you can secure a mortgage•Look into buying properties that are fully managed•Research the prospects of making more than you will spend•Stay there yourself if possible•Find a reliable cleaning staff that does quality work•Communicate, react and welcome guestsResourcesCashflow Gamevoxer.comConnect with Mark@Airbnb Coach: Maximize Your Income and Satisfaction as an Airbnb Host- by Mark KrupaConnect on FacebookFollow on Twitter Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 2017 • 28min
EP140: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Airbnb’s mission statement asserts that one can “belong anywhere.” But because of the company’s disruption of the travel industry, some cities have implied that Airbnb itself is unwelcome – through strict regulations and ongoing legal battles.This week in the news, we see evidence that Airbnb is finding new ways to work with city governments and nonprofits to both improve their image and impact social change.Jasper is joined by Hostfully’s Head of Marketing, Silvia Li, to discuss Airbnb’s partnership with the city of San Francisco to combat homelessness. They also cover the company’s efforts to diversify beyond their core product as they expand into other areas of the travel space, specifically exploring the Airbnb Trips product. Listen and learn how Experiences hosts feel about the ‘experience’ thus far… And find out about Jasper’s submission to host a tour in Amsterdam!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb Teams Up with SF Giants to Help Homeless Families•Donate $1,000 for every home run scored by team•Hamilton Families Center as beneficiary•1,145 homeless families in the city (1,800 children)•Goal to place 800 families in homes by 2019•Mends relationship with city•Supports social impact aspect of Airbnb missionArticle #2: This is What Airbnb Trips Hosts Really Think of Airbnb’s Newest Product•Trips is part of effort to diversify (in response to investors)•Smart to add service to platform for travelers•Experiences are extremely curated•Airbnb supporting hosts with branding, marketing and ad $•800 Experiences available to book (up 60% since November)•59% of bookings in San Francisco were made by locals•Homes product will eventually account for less than half of revenueResources MentionedSilvia’s Go Fund Me Page for Peru Mudslide VictimsArticle #1: cnet.com/news/airbnb-teams-up-with-sf-giants-to-help-homeless-families-find-homesArticle #2: skift.com/2017/03/27/this-is-what-airbnb-trips-hosts-really-think-of-airbnbs-newest-productConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2017 • 28min
EP139 Airbnb Regulations in New York Explained
New York is known as the city that never sleeps. But if you are an Airbnb host there, you may be losing sleep over the state’s anti-Airbnb crusade and complicated short-term rental regulations.Today Jasper is on the line with Brendan MacKenzie, the founder of MetroButler, a short-term management company in New York. His background in law and familiarity with the Airbnb ecosystem make him the perfect candidate to explain what you need to know about the Multiple Dwelling Law and how it affects hosts in the Big Apple.Beyond clarifying the laws around short-term rentals, Brendan breaks down the pros and cons of the city’s hardline approach as well as the opportunities NYC is missing out on by discounting Airbnb’s benefits. Listen in to understand New York’s housing crisis and how the city might compromise with Airbnb to help – rather than hinder – the housing market!Topics CoveredNew York’s Multiple Dwelling Law•Applies to Class A buildings•Restricts from renting for fewer than 30 days if host isn’t present•Designed to discourage commercial operators•Amended in recent months to prohibit advertising (w/ fines of up to $7500 per infraction)Negative aspects of the Multiple Dwelling Law•Though the intention is to go after bad actors, it applies to a large number of hosts who are not commercial operators•Without an education campaign, many are unfamiliar with the Class A distinction•Might end up driving people out of their homes without Airbnb to help make ends meetWhy New York is taking such a hardline approach•Commercial operators take properties off the market•Pressure from the hotel lobbyCommon sense compromises that would benefit the city•Applying a nominal tax would generate revenue to build affordable housing•Working with Airbnb to enforce the One Host, One Home policyThe benefits of embracing Airbnb in New York City•Brings travelers who would not be able to afford a hotel•Allows for a more efficient use of resources•Provides a source of additional income for struggling artists, freelancers, etc.•Creates jobs in the Airbnb ecosystem (cleaning services, contractors, etc.)The MetroButler service•Serves the New York metro area•Provides “boots on the ground” for hosts while they travel•Full Service option for a 25% commission•Lite Service a-la-carte offerings (key exchanges, sheet rentals, etc.)Connect with BrendanMetroButler WebsiteConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 2017 • 26min
EP138: This Week in the World of Airbnb
SW2 + WC = MO.Don’t worry: This isn’t an algebra lesson. The formula above is actually some inspiring advice Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia learned from an RISD professor about how to deal with rejection. In a recent interview with Signapore’s Strait Times, Gebbia shared his journey from selling Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles drawings to his elementary classmates for $2 to co-founding global powerhouse Airbnb.Today Jasper chats with Hostfully’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Nicole Prentice Williams, about the Gebbia interview and other current Airbnb news items. They cover the IPO timeline, potential disruption in the air travel industry and enforcement of the “One Host, One Home” policy in San Francisco. Listen in to see what’s going on in the world of Airbnb!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky: Going Public is a ‘Two-Year Project’•Implied IPO in 2018•Investors have been patient•Legal uncertainty would affect stock market•Positioning through diversification of servicesArticle #2: The Co-founder of $31 Billion Airbnb Expects a ‘Revolution’ in Air Travel Next•Little change in decades•Ripe for disruption•Services like JetSuite and JetSmarter already cropping upArticle #3: Airbnb Yanks 923 Listings in San Francisco•Violations of “One Host, One Home” policy•Attempt to smooth relationship with city regulators•Pulled listings included 317 entire homes, 26 private rooms and 580 shared rooms•Of the 10,200 listings in San Francisco, only 1,877 are registered per city requirementArticle #4: It Changed My Life: Airbnb – an Adventure That Begins at Home•Joe Gebbia interview at launch of Airbnb Trips in Singapore•In 3rd grade, sold Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles drawing to classmates for $2•Met Chesky at Rhode Island School of Design•Learned formula to deal with rejection•Launched startups Critbuns and Ecolect to mild success•Got the idea for Airbnb while struggling to make rent in San Francisco•Business has grown from 500,000 users in 2012 to 3 million todayResources MentionedArticle #1: fortune.com/2017/03/13/airbnb-brian-chesky-ipo-2018/Article #2: cnbc.com/2017/03/17/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-air-travel-revolution-coming.htmlArticle #3: hcnet.com/news/airbnb-yanks-923-listings-in-san-francisco-one-host-one-homeArticle #4: straitstimes.com/world/it-changed-my-life-airbnb-an-adventure-that-begins-at-homeAirbnb Academy Facebook Group Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2017 • 27min
EP137: How Two Brits Rode the Short Rent Revolution and Lived to Tell the Tale
There is no doubt that the short-term rental market is here to stay. Airbnb has experienced a wildfire expansion in the last ten years, and it only continues to grow.Listen in to learn about a new book that looks at the development of the industry through a series of interviews with eight players, both large and small, exploring the details of its expansion and predicting its future direction.Today Jasper speaks with Tristan Rutherford, travel reporter for The Times, the Guardian, and the Daily Telegraph as well as co-author of Room for Profit: Make Airbnb and the Short Rent Revolution Work for You. They cover the rise of the short-term rental market and its ecosystem, the regulation of the industry, and how to use negative reviews to your advantage.Topics CoveredHow Tristan and his co-author got the idea for Room for Profit•Interview with neighbor struggling to make ends meet•Tristan has been a host himself since 2004•Market has been life-changing for many individualsThe rise of the short-term rental industry•Consolidation on mega-sites like Tripping.com mirror the automobile industry•TripAdvisor survey indicates enormous growth in users interested in booking short-term vacation rentals•52% in 2014•70% in 2016•Beyond Pricing CEO Ian McHenry predicts that Airbnb-style vacation rentals will account for 20% of bookings worldwide by 2018Pros and cons of the short-term rental industry•Potential negative effect on local housing markets•Helps the ‘little guy’•Half of the hosts in Berlin make less than the median household wage•Provides a place to stay in locations where hotels aren’t availableThe regulation of the short-term rental industry and Travis’ Law•Theory introduced by Brad Stone in The Upstarts•Politicians forced to accept new services (i.e.: Uber, Airbnb) via peer pressure•Popularity the result of benefits for consumers and profits for usersThe importance of reviews•TripAdvisor survey indicates that 72% will not consider booking a listing without a review•One or two five-star reviews is a game changerHow to respond to negative reviews•Be polite•Thank the guest for their feedback•Explain the improvements you have madeThe exponential growth of the Airbnb ecosystem•Startups designed to complement Airbnb have become their own industry•Beyond Pricing CEO Ian McHenry predicts that 50% of hosts will be using a third-party tool by 2018 Connect with Tristanwww.rutherfordtomasetti.comResources MentionedRoom for Profit: Make Airbnb and the Short Rent Revolution Work for You by Tristan Rutherford and Gayle RobertsThe Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley are Changing the World by Brad StoneConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 2017 • 26min
EP136: This Week in the World of Airbnb
Has the student become the teacher?One of the headlines in Airbnb news this week comes from the South China Morning Post, its author arguing that Chinese copycat home-sharing sites have begun to surpass Airbnb when it comes to innovation.Silvia Li Pham of Hostfully is back to chat with Jasper about this and other news stories, including the additional capital Airbnb has raised, the company’s intention to expand corporate business travel, and the reason behind Brian Chesky’s new title as CEO and head of community. Jasper and Silvia have fun unpacking this information – though maybe not as much fun as the guests at an Airbnb flat in Islington last week!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb Raises $1 Billion More in a Funding Round•Extends private face, postpones IPO•Facilitates additional acquisitions in the travel spaceArticle #2: Airbnb Explores Expansion in Long-Term Home Rentals•Cater to business travelers•Stays up to six months•Craigslist currently dominatesArticle #3: How China’s Airbnb Copycats Beat the Silicon Valley Titan at its Own Game•Chinese companies borrowed Airbnb template•Several of their innovations have been emulated by Airbnb (i.e.: Airbnb Trips, cleaning services)•Chinese managers visit hosts to consult•Seamless integration with apps like WeChatArticle #4: Airbnb Offers Hosts Greater Role in Company•Airbnb announces intention to give hosts a voice•Chesky will host quarterly Facebook Live event•Goal to increase host clubs from 114 to 1,000 by the end of 2018Article #5: Airbnb Renters Turned a Flat into a Nightclub with Tickets and a Bouncer•Islington, near London•Host on holiday•200+ people•Police arrived, called for backup•Guest banned from AirbnbResources MentionedArticle #1: www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/technology/airbnb-1-billion-funding.htmlArticle #2: www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-08/airbnb-explores-expansion-in-long-term-home-rentalsAirbnb SubletsArticle #3: www.scmp.com/week-asia/business/article/2074802/how-chinas-airbnb-copycats-beat-silicon-valley-titan-its-own-gameArticle #4: www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Airbnb-offers-hosts-greater-role-in-company-10984131.phpArticle #5: www.factmag.com/2017/03/09/airbnb-renters-turned-flat-nightclub-tickets-bouncer/Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2017 • 38min
EP135: The Airbnb Story with Leigh Gallagher
Airbnb owes much of its success to the visual appeal of the site, which has been referred to as “Pinterest meets real estate porn.” But did you know that in Airbnb’s early days, Brian and Joe spent time with hosts in New York and took the pictures themselves to help upgrade the listings?The Airbnb story is a compelling one, and you might be surprised by many moments in Airbnb history that made a significant impact.Today Jasper chats with Leigh Gallagher, Fortune editor and author of The Airbnb Story: How Three Ordinary Guys Disrupted an Industry, Made Billions … and Created Plenty of Controversy. They discuss the company’s early struggles, pivotal moments in their growth and development as well as the ongoing controversies that plague Airbnb.Topics CoveredThe inception of Airbnb and its early struggles•Joe and Brian met at RISD•Rented out their apartment in San Francisco to pay rent•Each racked up $20,000 in credit card debt during development•Launched at SXSW but gained little traction in first year•Investors skeptical due to issues around safetyWhen Airbnb finally began to turn things around•Pushed to apply for Y Combinator in 2009•Received critical advice from Paul Graham•Go to your users•Do things that don’t scale•Obtained investment from VC Greg McAdooThe major challenges of creating a company around the Airbnb product•German competitor Wimdu•Ransacking incident in June 2011•Building a culture•Hiring seasoned executives, i.e.: Chip ConleyHow Airbnb shifted from technology to hospitality•Began as a platform with software as product•Realized hosts were product•Sought to formalize standards and teach hospitality at scaleAirbnb’s grand ambitions to expand to products outside homes•Experiences•Restaurant reservations•Event booking•Flights•Other servicesThe controversial aspects of Airbnb•Legal challenges•Neighbor issues•Safety incidents•DiscriminationConnect with Leighleighgallagher.com Resources MentionedThe Airbnb Story on AmazonThe Airbnb Story at Barnes & Noble Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


