In this unique episode of Slick Talk, host Wil Slickers takes to the skies to interview Sean and Landon Wilkinson , Co-Founders of Hostshare . Recorded on a plane, this episode delves into the founders' personal journeys, the birth of Hostshare, and its vision to revolutionize the short-term rental industry by enabling hosts to share unbooked nights with each other. The conversation covers the challenges and successes of launching the platform, insights into entrepreneurial life, and the importa...
Apr 17, 2024•28 min•Season 13Ep. 19
In this episode of Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast, Wil Slickers welcomes Meaghan Moylan to discuss the journey and future of her podcast, Workflows & Espressos under the Hospitality.FM Podcast Network. They engage in a jovial conversation about the podcast's creation, its unique approach to not featuring interviews, and the intimate connection it fosters with its listeners through candid and unscripted content. The discussion reveals plans to relaunch Workflows and Espressos with a week...
Apr 12, 2024•40 min•Season 13Ep. 18
In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Sam Dundas, the Co-Founder of Besty AI, to explore the evolving role of AI in the hospitality industry. Delving into personal stories, Sam shares his journey from his initial interest in hospitality to the founding of Besty AI. He discusses the impact of AI on operations, guest messaging, and upselling, emphasizing the goal of giving time back to operators. Through candid conversation, they tackle the potential of AI to revolutionize pro...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 13Ep. 17
This podcast episode features a returning guest, Catherine Ratcliffe, who has significantly grown since her last appearance, transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to managing four properties and now organizing her own event, CanStays. The discussion highlights the differences in short-term rental regulations and operations between Canada and the United States, underscoring the unique challenges and opportunities within the Canadian market. The conversation also touches on the importance of advocacy in...
Apr 03, 2024•46 min•Season 13Ep. 16
Join us for an insightful roundtable discussion on "The Hotel Product Landscape" featuring CTOs from Mews , Josef Starýchfojtů , and Sensible Weather's Alice Fuller . In this podcast, we delve into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in hotel technology. Our esteemed guests will share their expertise, providing deep insights into the evolving landscape of hotel products and the impact of technology. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives from industry leaders and stay ahead in the fast...
Mar 27, 2024•56 min•Season 13Ep. 18
In this episode, the founder of Sensible Weather , Nick Cavanaugh , discusses the inception and development of the company, a climate data and FinTech entity offering a unique product called Weather Guarantee. Designed to compensate travelers financially and outdoor event attendees affected by adverse weather conditions automatically and instantly, this concept evolved from the founder's blend of academic and finance careers, focusing on climate data and risk mitigation through data analytics. H...
Mar 20, 2024•57 min•Season 13Ep. 17
In this round table discussion, industry leaders discuss the future of unique stays and outdoor experiences. The participants include Ben Wolff from Onera, Jeremy Wells from the Ozarker, Michael Goldin from Nook Experiences, and Sangeetha, a hotelier with experience at IHG. The discussion covers various topics like brand design, the importance of a 'media first' approach, and navigating market saturation. The panelists share their experiences and advice on building brands and properties, differe...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 13Ep. 16
In this podcast episode, Jake Pontius , Co-Founder of Nook Experiences , shares his journey from beer brewing to hospitality entrepreneurship. He talks about the difference between a hard brand and a soft brand, the communal aspect of hospitality, and the importance of unique stays in glamping or outdoor resorts. Jake gives an insight into the process Nook Experiences takes in vetting properties, the importance of community in hospitality, and the vision they have for outdoor experiential travel...
Mar 06, 2024•54 min•Season 13Ep. 15
In this podcast, Nils Mattisson , co-founder of Minut, returns to talk about the importance of product hardware and software harmonizing with each other and how excellent software is crucial when building hardware. He also discusses the importance of feature design and roadmaps and sheds light on the changes and trends in the industry, including increased scrutiny and demand for ROI from tech. Touched on the integral role Minut plays in balancing privacy with necessary monitoring, and expanding ...
Feb 28, 2024•43 min•Season 13Ep. 14
This roundtable conversation engages CEOs of the hospitality tech industry: Demi Horvat from AirDNA, Steve Davis from Operto, Matthew Loney from Xplorie, and David Weiss from Whimstay. They delve into the intricacies of the industry, discussing topics such as the pros and cons of round table podcast formats, the concept of a hired gun in the industry, comparing founder-led companies and CEO-led firms, product design, tech, tech stack, and the user experience. They also explore the 'buying vs bui...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 13Ep. 13
In this episode, host Wil Slickers engages in a compelling conversation with Mike Brockway, a seasoned property owner and operator in Denver, Colorado. Mike discusses his journey from corporate job holder to real estate investor, property manager, and short-term rental guru. He delves into the dynamics of his operations, his unique utilization of technology, and his constant learning and adaptation in the industry. Mike also details his biggest ongoing project and concludes by sharing his evolvi...
Feb 14, 2024•46 min•Season 13Ep. 12
In this exciting episode, host Wil Slickers invites Steve Trover, the Founder of Better Talent , for a deep-dive conversation into the vacation rental industry. They discuss the importance of having the right people in the right roles, focusing more on product development, and the resiliency of the industry through various crises. Steve shares his insights on market trends and predictions for 2024, emphasizing the need for a strong product focus, attracting the right talent, and embracing new id...
Feb 07, 2024•45 min•Season 13Ep. 12
In this bonus solo episode, Wil shares four key lessons he's learned about entrepreneurial success: the importance of persisting longer than others, the value of always learning and trying to master the craft, the victory found in detailed preparation, and the idea of suffering in the details for greater success. He encourages listeners to apply these ideas, not just in business but across all areas of life, believing it can make the journey feel less exhausting. To demonstrate the points, he us...
Feb 02, 2024•22 min•Season 13Ep. 11
In this engaging episode of 'Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast', industry experts share insightful predictions for the hospitality sector in 2024. The discussion covers an anticipated emergence of hospitality podcasts, potential structural modifications within businesses, sustainable practices, and growth opportunities. Specific sectors like short-term rentals and urban operators are also explored in-depth. Insights about the rising impact of social media platforms on booking processes are hig...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 13Ep. 10
This episode features Ben Wolff , the Co-Founder and Creator of Onera, a unique stay brand based in Texas. The conversation dives into the operations of a REIT and an operation company, exploring Wolff's journey from running a successful property management company to pioneering unique stay experiences in the hospitality industry. Wolff shares about his passion for creating unparalleled guest experiences and discusses the importance of investing in quality and innovation. He explains the company...
Jan 24, 2024•51 min•Season 13Ep. 9
In this Operators Roundtable discussion, industry leaders provide expert advice on scaling challenges, growth possibilities in short-term rentals, and balancing expenses in property management. Strategies for managing inventory, quality control, and financial responsibilities are shared, with a focus on tech integration and streamlining tasks for better efficiency. The role of maintaining exceptional hospitality in guest experiences is underscored. Everyone provides solutions for effective hirin...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 13Ep. 8
Hey Slick Talk Listeners! Do you remember back in September of 2023 when we had an episode with Meaghan Moylan? Well, since we're part of the Hospitality.FM Podcast Network, we're excited to share that Meaghan is now hosting Hospitality.FM's newest Original, Workflows & Espressos! Enjoy this quick trailer and give the podcast some love wherever you listen to your podcasts! About Workflows & Espressos: Are you a well-caffeinated hospitality professional within the short-term rental indust...
Jan 16, 2024•3 min•Season 13Ep. 7
In this first 2024 episode of the Slick Talk podcast, we dive deep into important topics shaping the hospitality industry. From examining the role of partnerships and collaborations to unpacking the challenges of scaling businesses globally, we've got it all covered in this Q&A session. We also explore significant business model trends, the importance of brand differentiation in crowded markets, vital metrics to focus on for business growth, and invaluable advice for attracting investors. St...
Jan 10, 2024•32 min•Season 13Ep. 6
In this episode of the podcast, Jeremy Wells, Co-Founder of Longitude and owner of the Ozarker, discusses his entrepreneurial journey in the hospitality industry. He dove into understanding how the brand experience impacts the guest journey and how local partnerships can enhance this. Wells also highlighted the role of technology in streamlining the hotel experience and the importance of empathy and servant leadership in delivering a memorable guest experience. Wells further emphasized the diver...
Jan 03, 2024•57 min•Season 13Ep. 5
We want to wish all of our listeners a happy holiday season, and we're so thankful for you this year! Many of you have become friends, guests, and colleagues, and we think that's pretty special. Thank you for all you do to support the show, and we are excited to see more of you in the New Year! In our Monthly Slick Talk Highlight Episodes, you will hear my producer, Kelsey Tran , and I share our favorite moments from the month's weekly episodes and hear those moments all in this one episode. If ...
Dec 22, 2023•37 min•Season 13Ep. 4
Seth Bolt , Co-Founder of Bolt Farm Treehouse and a member of the band Need to Breathe, sits down to discuss his hospitality journey. Seth shares the origins of Bolt Farm Treehouse, the vision for the brand, the impact of their work on guests, and the importance of purpose and hard work in hospitality. He shares the thrilling experiences of battling a wildfire threatening their property and how it strengthened their team bonding. Seth also reveals their plans for a luxury outdoor wellness retrea...
Dec 20, 2023•51 min•Season 13Ep. 3
Listen to the latest episode as Brooke Pfautz , CEO of Vintory & Comparant , talks about how vital inventory acquisition is in the vacation rental industry. Brooke shares how they compiled data from various platforms and created Comparant, a marketplace that guides homeowners in selecting a suitable property manager. He also discusses the potential of AI in business operations and how Comparant brings transparency and elevates the vacation rental industry by highlighting the best property ma...
Dec 13, 2023•37 min•Season 13Ep. 2
In this confluence episode featuring hosts from four different podcasts, the discussants explore the state of the vacation rental, short-term rental, and "Airbnb" industry. The panelists, Heather Bayer, Conrad O'Connell, Adam Norko, and Scott Fasanos, explore aspects of scale, hospitality, and market trends, including how brands can best meet guest expectations. The debate touches on defining the differences between short-term rentals and vacation rentals, as well as their business models. The d...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 13Ep. 1
You have so many podcasts and episodes to choose from every week, so we want to make it easy for you to enjoy Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast. In our Monthly Slick Talk Highlight Episodes, you will hear my producer, Kelsey Tran , and I share our favorite moments from the month's weekly episodes and hear those moments all in this one episode. If you enjoy what you hear, let us know, and we will continue to do these episodes! You can contact Kelsey at kelsey@hospitality.fm - plus, if you reall...
Dec 01, 2023•31 min•Season 12Ep. 30
In this episode, Eric Moeller , a hospitality entrepreneur, delves into the topic of 'Unreasonable Hospitality' and its crucial role in shaping the future of the short-term rental industry. In his third appearance on the show, he talks about his journey from running a conventional hospitality business to creating FreeWyld. This exceptional boutique hospitality brand prioritizes providing guests with extraordinary experiences. This episode is brought to you by our sponsors at: Minut – Minut has m...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 12Ep. 29
In this episode of Slick Talk, we invited Richard Valtr of Mews , a cloud-based property management software company, for another enlightening conversation. The discussion centers around several key points, including the evolution of Mews since our last conversation in July 2020, the immense potential of AI in the hospitality sector, and how a shift in perspective from viewing hospitality as merely 'real estate' to a provider of a 24-hour lifestyle experience can enhance operations and customer ...
Nov 22, 2023•57 min•Season 12Ep. 28
Arthur Colker, the founder of StayFi, shares his thoughts on the venture capital (VC) model and why he decided to bootstrap the company. He discusses the need for startups to consider their ideal business outcomes before pursuing VC funding, citing the pressure to generate returns and the need to justify large-scale growth as potential downsides. Instead, Arthur reveals the benefits of alternative fundraising methods, such as crowdfunding and engaging customer-investors. He also shares the impor...
Nov 15, 2023•51 min•Season 12Ep. 27
The episode explores the concept of customizable hospitality spaces with Chris Osaka, the CEO of Tomu . Chris shares how he transitioned from his experience in retail, fashion, and working with brands like Nike into the world of hospitality. He also elaborates on Tomu's core purpose, which is focused on easing the entry into hotel ownership and enabling uniqueness in hotel construction. Chris explains how Tomu's building system is cost-effective, quick, and sustainable, allowing owners to create...
Nov 08, 2023•48 min•Season 12Ep. 26
Mike Stone is the Owner and General Counsel of AllSTR Hospitality and in this episode, Mike shares his story and experience as a lawyer who hated his job and wanted out but didn't know how until he discovered short-term rentals through mentorship and industry related masterminds. Many masterminds or industry leaders mentioned in this episode have either been on Slick Talk or work within the Hospitality.FM Podcast Network in some capacity. Tune in to hear the story and vision Mike brings to the i...
Nov 01, 2023•50 min•Season 12Ep. 25
You have so many podcasts and episodes to choose from every week and so we want to make it easy for you to enjoy Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast. In our Monthly Slick Talk Highlight Episodes, you will hear my producer, Kelsey Tran , and myself share our favorite moments from the months weekly episodes and hear those moments all in this one episode. If you enjoy what you hear, let us know and we will continue to do these episodes! You can contact Kelsey at kelsey@hospitality.fm - plus, if you...
Oct 27, 2023•36 min•Season 12Ep. 24
