Most operators think better tech will fix their problems. It won’t.

In this episode, Frank Bosi (Hostfully) joins the show to unpack the real challenges STR leaders face as they scale—pressure, decision fatigue, emotional weight, and the constant tension between automation and hospitality.

Drawing from years inside luxury hotels like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, Frank breaks down what most operators get wrong about tech stacks, leadership, hiring, and guest experience—and how to build systems that create confidence instead of doubt.

Inside this episode:

1. Why tech stack decisions are emotional, not logical
2. How disconnected tools quietly create leadership stress
3. The difference between automating tasks vs removing hospitality
4. What luxury hotels get right about training and consistency
5. Why leaders must absorb pressure instead of passing it down
6. How to hire people who protect your brand when you’re not watching

This is a must-listen for any STR operator building a team, scaling systems, or feeling the weight of leadership.

00:01 – Why Tech Stack Decisions Are Emotional, Not Logical

03:45 – Automation vs Hospitality: Where Operators Go Too Far

07:10 – The Weight of Leadership Most People Aren’t Ready For

11:00 – Why Disconnected Tools Create Doubt and Stress

15:20 – Lessons STR Operators Can Steal From Luxury Hotels

19:10 – Why Leaders Can’t Have “Bad Days” Publicly

23:30 – Hiring People Who Protect Your Brand When You’re Not There

27:40 – Training, Standards, and Why Consistency Beats Luxury

31:50 – Using Tech to Create Confidence, Not Complexity

36:40 – The Real Role of a Leader in Scaling STR Operations

Guest Bio:

Frank Bosi is the Senior Director of Partnerships at Hostfully, a leading platform supporting short-term rental operators around the world. He drives strategic relationships across the STR ecosystem; working with technology partners, influencers, coaches & thought leaders to help property managers scale and deliver great guest experiences.

Frank also actively contributes to industry conversations through webinars, events and podcasts (such as this) designed to help operators grow smarter, faster, and more profitably.

Outside of work, Frank prioritizes faith, fitness, and family; spending his free time with his wife and kids, training CrossFit, and staying focused on overall wellbeing.

Guest Link:

https://www.instagram.com/frank_bosi/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/

Your goals aren’t failing — your calendar is.

In this episode, E and Chris break down why most people start the year motivated… then quietly drift back into old patterns. The problem isn’t strategy, tools, or ambition — it’s misalignment between who you say you want to become and how you actually spend your time.

This conversation dives deep into identity, courage, time audits, consistency, and the hidden habits that either compound your growth or quietly sabotage it.

Inside this episode:

1. Why your calendar tells the truth about your real priorities
2. The “perfect week” exercise that exposes misalignment fast
3. Why every new level requires letting go of your old identity
4. How fear, comfort, and ego silently slow your progress
5. The power of small, consistent actions over big intentions
6. Why courage often means saying “no,” not “yes”

If you’ve ever felt busy but stuck — this episode will hit home.

00:00 – Why New Year Motivation Dies Faster Than You Expect

02:05 – The Reality Check: When Goals Collide With Real Life

04:20 – The Calendar Test: Do Your Actions Match Your Goals?

07:40 – Designing Your “Perfect Week” (And What It Exposes)

10:55 – Your Dreams Are Expensive — Here’s the True Cost

14:30 – Killing the Old Version of Yourself to Level Up

17:55 – Faith vs Fear: Making Decisions Without Freezing

21:30 – Small Habits That Quietly Compound Massive Change

25:10 – Letting Go of Ego to Create Space for Growth

29:05 – Enjoyment, Consistency, and Becoming Your Best Self

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/

The STR game has changed—and most operators haven’t caught up.

In this episode, we break down what actually separates top-performing short-term rentals from the ones stuck in the middle. From design and amenities to operations, leadership, and systems—this is a real look at how elite STR businesses are built and sustained in hyper-competitive markets.

This isn’t theory. It’s what’s working right now.

Inside this episode:

- Why “good enough” STRs are getting crushed

- The amenity arms race (and how to win without wasting money)

- What guests notice that most hosts completely miss

- How ops and hospitality matter more than design long-term

- Why disciplined systems protect profit—even in down years

- The leadership mindset required to scale without chaos

If you want longevity in this industry, this episode is required listening.

00:06:15 – Becoming “The Guy” in a Hyper-Competitive STR Market

07:45 – Why Copying Competitors Is a Losing Strategy

09:15 – The New Minimum Standard for STR Design & Amenities

11:40 – Why Half-Upgraded Properties Always Underperform

18:50 – The Amenity Arms Race: What Actually Moves Revenue

20:00 – When Design Stops Mattering and Ops Take Over

26:10 – Building Teams and Systems That Don’t Break Under Stress

30:45 – Leadership Lessons from Military and STR Operations

34:05 – How Efficiency Protects Profit in Down Revenue Years

39:35 – The Long-Term STR Play: Scale, Discipline, and Longevity

Guest Bio:

Shane O’Connor is the CEO & Founder of Alchemy Real Estate & Alchemy Hosting. Alchemy is based in Tampa, FL, building a portfolio of Short-Term Rental assets primarily focused in Central Florida. By delivering vertically integrated, top-tier service from beginning to end in the investment process, Alchemy has grown from a single property (and single employee) to 11 properties & a team of four in less than a year. In that same time, Alchemy will have also delivered more than $3M in closed real estate deals for its clients.

By the end of 2022, it is Shane’s goal to have a blended Direct Ownership & Co Hosting portfolio of 30 properties centered in Florida, to then begin expanding to other markets. Shane is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served as an Officer in the U.S. Navy for 9 years. He received an M.S. Degree in Real Estate from the University of Florida. He runs the company with his brother, Captain Devin O’Connor, who is an active duty Marine Corps helicopter pilot in addition to being the Director of Operations for Alchemy.

Guest Link:

https://www.instagram.com/oc_dreams19/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/