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The STR SisterhoodReal-life stories from real-life women in the Short-Term Rental industry Author: Stacey St. John
Whether youre brand new to Airbnb or an experienced Superhost, youre giving yourself the gift of financial freedom and FUN when you enter the short-term rental space. If theres anyone who knows this, its Stacey St. John. She built a 7-figure STR portfolio in less than two years and was able to leave her W2 thanks to the earnings from her properties. Today, shes living the life she was always meant to live on her terms. And on her new podcast, The STR Sisterhood, shes sharing how you can, too! On this show, its all about you and your short-term rental journey. Youll hear actionable advice from industry experts as well as inspiring stories from real women about their experiences, achievements, frustrations, and challengesand how theyve managed to turn their short-term rental dreams into reality. If youre an ambitious woman whos looking to have a 5-star Airbnb business on your hands without having to sacrifice the things you love, then tune in every week for all the goodness! Language: en Genres: Business, Education, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Pretty to Profitable: Designing High-Performing STRs for Bookings with Sarah Glidewell
Monday, 16 March, 2026
What if the secret to a high-performing short-term rental isn’t adding more amenities or dropping your prices, but simply designing with more intention? In this episode, I’m joined by designer and investor Sarah Glidewell. Sarah shares her fascinating transition from architecture to Airbnb arbitrage and ownership, eventually building a business so successful she was able to bring her husband out of the insurance world and into real estate full-time.We talk about:Why a "pretty" space can still fail if it lacks functionality (and how to fix the disconnect)How small details, like towel hooks by the hot tub or adequate dining seating, communicate to guests that they are seen and valuedInspired by luxury travel, Sarah shares her favorite touches, from spa slippers to take-home linen spraysWhy "loud," over-the-top interiors often fail to convert and how to use refinement to win in a saturated marketHow Sarah’s team uses 3D renders and a strict "Do’s and Don’ts" list to design 100% remotely without losing qualityBut this isn't just about decor. It’s about operational excellence. Sarah pulls back the curtain on the "unsexy" side of design, choosing fabrics with high rub counts, avoiding light-colored rugs, and checking dining chair weight limits. You’ll hear why your off-season design strategy is just as important as your peak-season look, and how smart material choices reduce management headaches rather than creating them.If you’re ready to move past "surface-level" hosting and build a property that is truly guest-obsessed and high-performing, this conversation is your playbook. Get ready to stop decorating and start designing for the five-star experience.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:08] A short introduction about our guests Sarah Glidewell, and shares how her design and architecture background led her into Airbnb investing[03:32] Sarah Glidewell explains the difference between designing a beautiful space and designing a profitable short-term rental [06:54] Sarah shares how she spoils guests with thoughtful luxury-inspired details [10:59] Why overly flashy designs may look good online but underperform on Airbnb[15:30] Sarah outlines how she would allocate a $5,000 upgrade budget for a short-term rental to increase their nightly rate [18:22] What are the the top design mistakes Sarah sees in short-term rental properties and how they impact guest experience and ROI[22:11] Sarah addresses the challenge of standing out in markets where multiple properties share the same layout, amenities, and building, like high-rise condos in Myrtle Beach[26:47] How understanding the emotional concerns and fears of guests is critical for designing short-term rentals that truly delight[31:02] Sarah shares her approach to selecting materials and furniture that withstand the high traffic and unpredictability of short-term rental guests[36:26] Sarah Glidewell recommends using realistic room renders to guide online furniture and material purchases[38:57] Sarah’s words of wisdom for nervous first-time investors worried about the cost of hiring a designer[44:03] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“When I'm guiding anyone through where to spend their money on their BnB, I'm always prioritizing the things that I think are going to get the most traffic for their guest avatar.”“One thing that a lot of people do wrong when it comes to design is they don't necessarily think through splurge like where they need to splurge and where they need to reel back.”“When you put higher quality items in your property, and you attract higher quality guests, they absolutely take better care of your property.”Let’s Connect:Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/studiohost.co/Website : https://www.studiohost.co/TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@studiohost.coEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!
