Elegant and Sophisticated Spaces Are Never Going Out of Style | Episode 21 | STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:08:07

Speaker 1

The burning question is what color should my sheets be and what color should my towels be? Tatiana, help the public out on this subject.

00:00:08:07 - 00:00:35:22

Speaker 2

Your sheets and towels should be white. When they see the fresh white linens, they associate that with clean and luxurious. And that is why every single hotel has that in their properties.

00:00:35:22 - 00:00:53:14

Speaker 1

Oh my goodness. Tatiana Taylor Tate Firstly, let me just address the fact that I love your name, right? It is it a little litigation, which is literally my favorite thing in the world. Congratulations on having a bad ass name. Hi, how are you today?

00:00:54:00 - 00:01:13:23

Speaker 2

Hi. I'm doing a wonderful thank you so much for having me on. And it's so funny that you say that because I used to tell people when everyone would be like, Why? Why did they do? Your parents picked your name like that. And I used to just be like, suddenly, well, they either thought I was destined for greatness or they like alliteration.

00:01:13:23 - 00:01:17:00

Speaker 2

I'll let you decide.

00:01:17:00 - 00:01:26:18

Speaker 1

I mean, if you already have Taylor Tate. Yeah, like, what are you going to do? Right? You know, like, we have to give this a team name. Like, it's just. It's a natural fit.

00:01:26:18 - 00:01:28:12

Speaker 2

We know, but it never.

00:01:28:12 - 00:01:33:27

Speaker 1

Hurts by list. Yeah. They've never expelled. They've never told you the origin story of your name.

00:01:34:18 - 00:01:55:16

Speaker 2

No, they just. They said that they thought Tatiana was a beautiful name. And Taylor and Tate are both my parents last names hyphenated. So it just worked out. And yeah, everyone agrees it's a great name. I've never met someone that didn't think so. So I'm happy. Oh, my.

00:01:55:16 - 00:02:19:17

Speaker 1

Goodness. I love this. I love this. All right. Well, we're going to I'm going to ask them later. I'm going to be like, let's. Okay. Mrs. Taylor Tate, Mr.. Mrs. like, let's talk about this. I need to know. But it's beautiful. Ms.. Beautiful. It works. It's also almost like you've been in marketing or something. You and I share a passion and and a previous previous life for me, which is interior design.

00:02:19:29 - 00:02:27:24

Speaker 1

So I actually, yeah, I actually went to school for interior design. The whole nother like I, you know, I've lived a few lifetimes. I'm old.

00:02:27:24 - 00:02:33:27

Speaker 2

Oh no, not a lot, but so, so 25, right.

00:02:34:12 - 00:02:52:27

Speaker 1

Yeah, exactly. 25. But like when I was five, I was into interior design and I had a whole career in New York City around that corporate design for me. So not as exciting as what you've been doing. But tell me, my friend, tell me, because you are in my mind if I should be so bold a tour de force in this industry.

00:02:53:07 - 00:03:02:07

Speaker 1

I think you offer such a fresh perspective. Tell me how you got into the short term rental business. What what possessed you? As I always like to ask.

00:03:02:28 - 00:03:13:12

Speaker 2

Of course. Of course. And it's so funny because I feel like my answer now is the same as everyone's in that sense. Like, didn't we all, like, just fall into this?

00:03:13:23 - 00:03:14:10

Speaker 1

And yeah.

00:03:15:09 - 00:03:44:19

Speaker 2

That is what happened to me. I actually learned everything that I know originally when it comes to short term rentals through a developer that was my mentor at the time, and through that I went back to school, did my certifications in interior design. But I really have to admit that most of my knowledge is was learned on site, actually experiencing it, learning underneath that developer.

00:03:44:26 - 00:04:17:29

Speaker 2

And it it was so exciting. Every part of it was, you know, the, the good thing about short term rentals is every day is not the same. But like we have like say that honestly, like no day is a like you're always learning something. And it's funny because you could have all the like years of experience. I have eight years of experience in interior design and short term rentals now and still like I'm pretty sure last week I was like talking to a host and my team and I was like, Hmm, well, that's new.

00:04:18:04 - 00:04:26:13

Speaker 2

So this is a new added we're going to learn about. And you really go from there. And I think that's what makes it most exciting about being in this industry.

00:04:27:07 - 00:04:46:02

Speaker 1

Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, I do. I do again, because I feel like I'm old enough now that I shouldn't have to continue to learn. Like, I'm like, when am I done learning? I just want to know I'm right. But all jokes aside, that is really, you know, part of life's great joy, I would say, is getting if you can approach it that way.

00:04:46:06 - 00:05:15:05

Speaker 1

I get this new opportunity to solve this new problem, Right? I love that. Yeah. You know, I think that there's really something to be said about just learning by doing right. Like, just like, experimenting. So tell me from your perspective, let's let's start out let's let's pull on this interior design thread a little bit more like from your perspective, what's different between short term rental design and like, how are you approaching that maybe differently than you would like, say, for somebody living in a place long term?

00:05:16:09 - 00:05:51:04

Speaker 2

I think there's similar attributes in like the sense of like you're still creating a space for that is a representation of that person that will be enjoying the space. And that's what I'd really like to tie in to. And going back to marketing days and everything like that, you really want to incorporate branding throughout your properties and really develop an overall experience, not just for you as the host and it being your property, but for your guests and their family and their friends that are going to be visiting this property for, you know, for years to come.

00:05:51:20 - 00:06:16:18

Speaker 2

So when really, Oh, I just love I love every aspect about the design. But for short term rentals, there's so many smaller things that you have to kind of consider. Like the mattresses, of course, of course, if it was a long term like homeowner and they were going to live there, then they usually already have like this model picked out that they're going to work with.

00:06:18:06 - 00:06:44:07

Speaker 2

But for short term rentals, it's a little different. You want something that's durable. Usually if a lot of people do memory foam mattresses now, but back in the day and just like every hotel, the hotels go for medium firm quality but double sided so they can flip them and easily rotate. So they're they're able to last a lot longer than just your standard mattress.

00:06:44:14 - 00:07:14:11

Speaker 2

So that was a trick I learned earlier, kind of getting started. But other than that functionality, a lot of these short term rentals don't have the space to, you know, store the cleaning closets, store all these extra the linens. You really want to be able to figure out a functional configuration within the LEO hour space that not only utilizes for the guests, but for your team to be able to work and work quickly.

00:07:14:11 - 00:07:38:16

Speaker 1

Oh my gosh, I love that. Yeah, I think the durability part was where my head was going to go is like, gosh, it's like like we've talked about this before. It's like you want it to be very esthetically pleasing and beautiful, but like also maybe vague enough, right? So it's not getting assigned too much personality and then not maybe putting your like, you know, Murano vase on the top of the table debris.

00:07:38:16 - 00:08:02:23

Speaker 1

Right. Because you're like, that's really getting a broken. Yeah. No, I think I think quite a few differences. But what I really love about this is this concept of experience. Right? And so like, what's been really fun for me to kind of just like think about is how far Airbnb has come, right? And so, you know, like when I was on Earth, so far so far, and like when I was in my twenties, right?

00:08:02:26 - 00:08:39:20

Speaker 1

And it was like really about the value of being able to stay in an area, be Right, Like it was like $25 a night for a room in your apartment. Yes, That's exactly what I can go to Philly for the weekend. Life is good, But now sort of that paradigm has shifted so much, right? You have so many more luxury homes that, you know, you were really pushing like unique experiences and someone And to me, it feels like a big a big different differentiator for the industry as especially coming into a year like 20, 23, which, you know, we've talked a lot about over here at rDNA as that being a maturing of the industry

00:08:39:20 - 00:09:08:13

Speaker 1

right? So like, yes, there were, there was probably a time where supply wasn't catching up with demand. Demand was quite high. If you were operating in the space, it may have felt like truly passive income right where you like. It felt a lot easier, didn't feel like I needed to do quite as much. And now we're in a different time where supply is catching up slightly over pacing demand in a lot of these areas that are sort of tried and true short term rental markets, what are you seeing?

00:09:08:13 - 00:09:24:15

Speaker 1

How are you seeing like maybe your clientele changing their approach? Are you seeing some shifts in how folks are one viewing 2023 and two approaching their strategy to sort of shore up, you know, things like occupancy?

00:09:25:07 - 00:09:48:05

Speaker 2

Definitely. I think a couple of things. So kind of going back to the beginning, I actually started short term rentals myself by renting out my spare bedroom and so that was fully furnished back then. I still had personal photos in my property and then I went traveling and rented out my whole place, still had all my personal items in the space.

00:09:48:05 - 00:10:14:14

Speaker 2

I locked up the things that really mattered to me and then kept everything else opening. And from from there I took that concept and went into rental arbitrage unknowingly, where I then rented out a seven bedroom home and ran it like a hostel. So I had the common areas and each individual bedroom was set up separately for each guest booking.

00:10:15:13 - 00:10:37:11

Speaker 2

So I seen out of all of this, even my own journey has like grown so much and elevated so much from like what I, what is possible and what the industry looks like now. Now, if you look at any of my properties, any of my clients properties or any of the ones that I manage, like, there's a certain standard that it's like held to.

00:10:37:17 - 00:11:06:13

Speaker 2

And I think now especially going to yes, 2021 was the year everyone was like, I'm going to hop on this, get rich quick train and fill out the property. Yeah, fill all these properties with IKEA furniture and Amazon finds. But really were entering 2023. A lot of people are now kind of like on this themed train and themed experiences.

00:11:06:18 - 00:11:12:08

Speaker 2

And it's funny because like my opinion on this is a little taboo from what most people probably think.

00:11:12:08 - 00:11:17:02

Speaker 1

I don't buy like I want. I want a fresh take on this. I love a little and.

00:11:17:25 - 00:11:49:18

Speaker 2

Yeah, so everyone is going full in on themed and themed is great. I'm not saying don't. I love a good theme, I love a good instagrammable moment. And for me, just just like any themes are trends. What eventually happens? They die down, right? Or they get played out or anything from there. And especially so what I try to teach people and educate people on is you can still do themed.

00:11:49:23 - 00:12:18:06

Speaker 2

You probably want to do like 70% more of a timeless esthetic design, 30% themed and play around with it. But timeless is never going to go out of style. Elegant, sophisticated spaces are never going to go out of style to understanding your guests and doing your actual research and marketing for your property is going to attract the proper guests to stay at your property time and time again.

00:12:18:16 - 00:12:45:00

Speaker 2

And the reason I am not of course, I love themed, but the reason I am not always like, let's theme this out completely in the Barbie house or anything like that. Like the reason I do that is because, okay, you have a great themed property. What happens when you hit seasonality and it's an all time low? Do you think people are traveling to go to your Barbie house to take photos?

00:12:45:00 - 00:13:07:11

Speaker 2

And like the other thing about that is like, how long are these bookings actually lasting for usually for properties that are themed out, those are only going they're shorter than a week stay, They're not anything longer. What are you going to do for the people that are traveling? Nurses are business professionals that want to stay 3 to 6 months.

00:13:07:21 - 00:13:45:02

Speaker 2

Are they going to pick the themed out property? Probably not. And that's one thing that I think now as hosts in 2023, we have to because platforms like Airbnb preached unique stays and unique experiences so much, which is amazing, where, you know, it's great to experience those things, but there is still such a large need in the industry just for the normal, like beautifully designed, well-thought-out, executed homes that folks based solely on the guest experience and how to enhance that.

00:13:46:10 - 00:14:04:08

Speaker 1

Oh my gosh. Well, firstly, I love this hot take. It's it's it's resonating with me, I think. Absolutely right. Like, there's only so much time you can spend like in, let's say, a pink dream house, right? Like before you're like, okay, maybe this isn't like for me. The ones I've seen, of course, have been more tied to like a Disney.

00:14:04:08 - 00:14:12:09

Speaker 1

So maybe like in an area like that where there is demand for, like a theme, you could probably be a little bit more successful. But this really, like.

00:14:12:20 - 00:14:38:11

Speaker 2

That's the exception. I say if you are causley because that is what is coming always too. That's the attraction of that area, right? So that is definitely the exception before the rule. But if you were like, I don't know, in Minnesota or something like you might want to rethink this and do your research on what is actually going to be the best decision for your property when you design it out.

00:14:38:11 - 00:15:01:21

Speaker 1

Yeah, Yeah. Well then this idea of like know your audience, which I think is really important and to your point, also like a big balancing act, right? Because you can't be everything to everyone, right? Like that's also a recipe for branding disaster, as you know, from a marketing perspective. But if you need yourself too much, then you are really like not really able to capture maybe a little bit more of what's addressable in terms of audience.

00:15:01:21 - 00:15:20:29

Speaker 1

So I think that's I mean, and you know, what's nice is like most of these destinations, I think like, you know, you can get a pretty solid handle. I probably just by visiting these locations and just walking the tourist areas like, okay, is this more family oriented? Is this more like Bachelor and bachelorette party oriented? Like what is truly the vibe?

00:15:20:29 - 00:15:34:18

Speaker 1

What are the draws in the town? Is it all about like the sports arena or is it all about something like a Disney? And that can help sort of inform where you're going along with your design? I love this fresh and I think it's so good.

00:15:35:09 - 00:16:05:06

Speaker 2

Well, and it's so funny because like as 2023, there's been even kind of like incorporating Instagram here. For an example, there's this whole mint at the moment, which is so funny because from the marketing background that I have, it like destroys everything that we were taught and that I believe and there's this whole like movement happening right now for 2023 that is like this anti niche movement where people are like, you don't want I just want boxed in anymore.

00:16:05:06 - 00:16:36:22

Speaker 2

Or and for me I'm like, What? My notes from university don't say this, this does not apply. Like that's the thing going to work So everyone's kind of like frantically thinking like, okay, abort mission here. But really it's it's not about that. Okay now try to market to everyone. It it is about that you even though you understand your ideal guests and you understand who you built your property for, it doesn't mean that that is your only customer.

00:16:38:09 - 00:16:55:14

Speaker 1

Yeah. Yeah. No, it's I mean, it's unfortunately, I feel like everything in life is such a balancing act, right? Like it is sort of like dealing with two different polarities at once, which is like, don't teach yourself too much. Dobie Generic. And that's confusing, right? Like, and finding that balance. Well, I think this is it's going to be fun to see, right?

00:16:55:15 - 00:17:18:19

Speaker 1

Like who who's able to strike that balance. And you know, the good news is it's fluid and people can try something and see how it works. And like try something else, see how it works. It's continuously evolving. All right. Well, Tatiana, I feel like there is there's so there's a burning question in my mind that we I've seen hotly debated across the Facebook forums.

00:17:18:19 - 00:17:43:22

Speaker 1

And I think you of all people, you're uniquely qualified to offer a very good expert opinion on this. The the burning question, what you're like, what is it? Is it what is the of the burning question is what color should my sheets be and what color should my towels be? Tatiana, help the public out on this subject. It feels like everyone still wonders what to do.

00:17:44:18 - 00:18:07:17

Speaker 2

And then my opinion, your sheets and your sheets and towels should be white. They should always be white. The hotel industry has done this from day one through the test of time that the reason actually behind this is not only for your cleaners to be able to bleach them or clean them or anything like that. It's actually psychology behind it.

00:18:07:29 - 00:18:30:22

Speaker 2

People were not us when they when they see the fresh white linens, they associate that with clean and luxurious. And that is why every single hotel has that in their properties other than the cleaning factors, because like, let's face it, actually, like most of the time I don't I've been in a hotel and my makeup destroys those towels.

00:18:30:22 - 00:18:54:05

Speaker 2

So you kind of going about that. It provides the aspect that people actually truly believe it is clean, it is luxurious that they have paid for an elevated stay. And that is why I think all linens, all towels should always be white. Of course, you should be adding makeup towels to your properties by now.

00:18:54:28 - 00:18:55:25

Speaker 1

Right? Right.

00:18:55:26 - 00:19:13:09

Speaker 2

Well, as if you want to have fun, have fun with the duvet covers, Have fun with the decorative accent pillow. This is where you can add color. This is where you can add unique touches. But the good thing about that is they can be easily switched out. They can be switched out from season to season if you want to.

00:19:13:17 - 00:19:25:14

Speaker 2

Would decorate for Christmas or any kind of all of day. That's easy. You can easily switch out decorative pillows from there and you've done a complete refresh within your property in moments.

00:19:26:11 - 00:19:57:18

Speaker 1

Yeah. Now, all right. Well, thank thank you once and for all people. We've heard it for that C.A. Taylor tape. It is white, my friends. It is white. I love that debate. But I mean, I think that that speaks to one that's very encouraging to me for our industry because like the fact that people are sweating details like that to me is it's a clear indicator that they're focused on the right things, which is creating a space that is going to be so, you know, inviting and to your point, luxurious.

00:19:57:18 - 00:20:13:21

Speaker 1

Like people feel like, hey, if you're going to charge $1,000 a night for an Airbnb, I like it. But it sure as heck I was going to say something else. Better be very luxurious experience, or at least people should feel like they're getting the value out of it, right? Like they're they're what they pay.

00:20:15:03 - 00:20:46:17

Speaker 2

If you're charging $1,000 a night, you better have like full linen parachute, but like bedding and everything from there for your guests. But there are there are so many great products out there, especially when it comes to bedding. But through and through, so many people believe in white for the linens and towels, because I don't know, I would probably like if I walked into a room and it wasn't like a very masculine, like dark, moody design and they had black sheets.

00:20:46:17 - 00:20:53:24

Speaker 2

I'd be like my questioning why these sheets are black. But that's probably where my mindset would go.

00:20:54:18 - 00:21:16:19

Speaker 1

Really? Why black? What's happened here? No, I love I love applying like the cycle. I mean, color psychology to it. Oh, yeah. I mean, I think like I, I'm guessing that you and I share a similar belief, right? Which is like the folks that are going to survive in 2023 are the ones that are doubling down on the host experience.

00:21:16:19 - 00:21:35:06

Speaker 1

Like, like, truly like I'm putting the host back in hospitality or the hospitality back in hosts probably that way. And that's what I think is so fascinating for I think a lot of people that are successful in this business, including our friend. Well, Slickers, right, came from that hospitality background or at least will apply right? Like, let's not invent the wheel.

00:21:35:06 - 00:21:45:23

Speaker 1

People. Like there's this there's this whole industry called hotels that have been sort of perfecting some of these arts and the reality we're competing with them. Right.

00:21:46:11 - 00:22:10:21

Speaker 2

Exactly. And and that's the one thing right now, everyone's kind of like panicking and we're in this weird, like trans ocean phase as things go. But more than ever, I've actually seen more hosts willing to invest in their properties back then, a year or two ago, people would be like, I want to furnish a two bedroom or three bedroom for a $10,000 turnkey.

00:22:10:21 - 00:22:35:19

Speaker 2

And then you're like, Does that include pay me? Or like, you know, like underneath all these questions, but like now people are putting they're investing the money and the time in their properties, which is so nice to see because this is how it should have been from the beginning. I always preached design is in the details and the guest experience at the end of the day is everything.

00:22:35:19 - 00:22:57:20

Speaker 2

It comes down to everything. So what I would like to say probably for the 2023 prediction is that people are going to be focusing more. Yes, their designs, their designs are going to be elevated. We're still going to see themed properties, but it's going to be more on the guest experience and how to enhance that in ways like adding private chef dining.

00:22:57:26 - 00:23:20:27

Speaker 2

If you are a beach property close, if it close to the beach or on the beach or near it, you're going to be adding additional amenities like a beach, umbrella beach blankets, maybe bike cruisers. It's really going to be people adding those extra details and amenities that are going to really set them apart from the competition. At least nowadays in my opinion.

00:23:21:12 - 00:23:40:20

Speaker 1

I think I love that hashtag. I think that's a good prediction. And I think, you know, Expedia released a similar report and they were talking about just even like the cooking amenities. Like like if you think about if you're like often you're gathering your whole family for like a family reunion or something. And so part of it is the cooking experience and is there like a really cool Vitamix?

00:23:40:20 - 00:23:58:15

Speaker 1

Is there a really cool waffle maker or whatever it is? And you don't have to. I think like, yes, you have to invest and I'm so glad to see people are. But also like, you know, you know, I have to do it all at once, like, you know, throw a Vitamix in there, see how it works. Does that become something that people gravitate towards and it becomes something special about your place?

00:23:58:15 - 00:24:19:29

Speaker 1

You're like, no. One for having a great cooking amenities, right? Well, I know. And I mean, we've done some great research on just like the your star rating and how much that impacts which it's natural, but it's just nice to see the numbers. Like it's kind of a no doubt getting those five star ratings like increases your ADR so much.

00:24:19:29 - 00:24:40:16

Speaker 1

Right. Like we know that like if you are focused on the guest experience, it is going to yield you a higher level of profit. Oh, well, Tatiana, like this is I just again, like you and I speak the same language. It's been so refreshing for me to get to speak to you. Also, I just love more female voices in the space.

00:24:40:16 - 00:24:54:00

Speaker 1

I think that's just such an important part. I think often don't get like maybe as much recognize Asian as like the men, but like we're such a force behind this industry, my friend so.

00:24:55:14 - 00:24:59:00

Speaker 2

I can that yeah.

00:24:59:00 - 00:25:12:03

Speaker 1

I know, right? Like it's just like I'm like, yeah, I mean, even like, even in subtle ways, right? Like, you know, behind every good a lot of men, there's a good woman behind it, but also, like, we're just there, like in the space.

00:25:13:04 - 00:25:36:23

Speaker 2

I love it. And it's, it's so funny because even that, like my fiance, they love him to death. But I'll hear him at times, like, retell stories of, like, things that my team or that I've personally been through, like dealing with the hosting. But it's funny how he tells the story because it's like we were both there and I'm like, I'm pretty sure I was just doing that.

00:25:36:23 - 00:26:01:19

Speaker 2

But then, you know, but you know, it is a way of admiration. And it's so funny because it's a this is such a cool business because you do get to work with your partners and there's so many different hats you guys can wear. And with that, there's always like behind the man that is like, Oh, we have all these properties that we do this together.

00:26:01:24 - 00:26:31:12

Speaker 2

Then you really talk to the wife or the girlfriend and she's like, Oh yeah, I designed the mall. No big deal. They didn't do that. Like, really, it just shows like we as women, like there's a lot of us in this space that need to really kind of step up and say like, Hey, like we do this to were proud about this, were passionate of this and it really will help because honestly, when I first got started, it was so lonely in this industry.

00:26:31:12 - 00:26:31:22

Speaker 1

And.

00:26:32:20 - 00:26:51:11

Speaker 2

It was when like, I guess it just started kind of like taking off on Instagram and clubhouse days and things like that. So it was cool to start meeting people and making friends in the industry. But there are still so many host female hosts that don't even know that these are like outlets for that.

00:26:52:03 - 00:27:08:24

Speaker 1

That that's such a good point, right? Yeah, Like, and I think it's probably just like not sort of like stepping into your power, right? Like you don't even really like you to you you're taking it for granted. You're like, Oh, yeah, I designed everything, like, whatever, no big deal. And so, like, no, like, take credit for that.

00:27:10:06 - 00:27:11:11

Speaker 2

It well, we're still.

00:27:11:18 - 00:27:12:00

Speaker 1

Doing.

00:27:12:00 - 00:27:15:22

Speaker 2

That that we'll see more about in 2023 then.

00:27:16:10 - 00:27:42:28

Speaker 1

Oh, I think we will. I think we will. Well this has been so much fun for me. I love this. We always end. So we end the podcast with a fun little game, which I love to play with you. And then I am a big fan of a shameless plug. And I'm also excited because, you know, spoiler alert guys, Tatiana and I spend a little bit more time together in the future speaking to women about stepping into their power.

00:27:43:22 - 00:28:04:13

Speaker 1

Let's play the game for us. Tatiana So it is it's a game called Who, What, Where, When, And the the first question I'm going to ask you is besides yourself, because you are a guru in your own right who would you recommend somebody that's new to this business such as myself listens to or gets advice from?

00:28:05:05 - 00:28:09:27

Speaker 2

So this is I feel like I'm cheating here because it's a shameless plug, too, I guess.

00:28:09:27 - 00:28:11:23

Speaker 1

But that's okay.

00:28:12:24 - 00:28:42:26

Speaker 2

I would recommend listening to Natalie Palmer, checking her email either on Instagram or she also has a great podcast called No Vacancy Buy she gives you. It's like she's the real deal when it comes to like telling it how it is and the industry and like all the stresses that house deal with, with the dating and and it's just a good laugh a little stress relief I guess for that time.

00:28:42:26 - 00:28:54:22

Speaker 2

So I would recommend anyone listening to her. I've learned so much through her and continue to every day as we are business partners. Now for the level up Listing Summit.

00:28:55:23 - 00:29:14:18

Speaker 1

I love this. Yeah, I think what you're right. What's really unique about Natalie is she's just telling it how it is, right? Like, she's just like she's got a bold authenticity to her that I think anyone can appreciate, especially somebody just getting into the business. Right? You don't want the, like, blossom story. You're like, tell me how it's really going to be.

00:29:15:06 - 00:29:39:04

Speaker 2

And it's so but because there's so many times even I've, like, resonated with her videos so much or anything because there will be like times where something outrageous happens and you're like, you just want to go on Instagram and like, rant about it or anything. But we don't. We don't. For some reason we were scared that that host like that guest is going to find us or anything.

00:29:39:17 - 00:30:01:19

Speaker 2

But she is she is so funny and like just goes for it. And I admire that and I love that. And I think we need to see more people sharing the stage that are going to tell it how it is and share their experiences. Because in all honesty, like this was not an easy like road to go down.

00:30:01:19 - 00:30:26:27

Speaker 2

There were a lot of ups and downs and this is why I think it's good that there's so many educators now in the space. Of course, you want to be careful who you learn from, but true this way, like getting hiring a coach or an educator in the space or listening to the podcast and getting as much information and value as you can helps you kind of skip all those mistakes.

00:30:27:08 - 00:30:31:02

Speaker 2

You know, along the way, we already we took one for the team for you guys.

00:30:31:14 - 00:30:48:10

Speaker 1

Yeah. And it's yes, no, I mean, this is like I mean, this is my this is my tactic for parenting, too. I'm like, no, the tell me like, I want the advice. Like, tell me what to avoid. Like, I'm I guess I please give me the cheat code I don't want to have to deal with. I don't want again, I'm done learning.

00:30:48:10 - 00:31:05:22

Speaker 1

Tatiana. I just want to know. I just want to. All right. Next question for you on what do you wish you knew before you got started in this business all those years ago, renting out that room in your apartment or what?

00:31:05:22 - 00:31:43:08

Speaker 2

I wish I knew this is a hard one because I feel like I it's sometimes it changes. But like, honestly, what I wish I knew was that it was going to be okay. Like, it wasn't always going to be. Not every single problem that happened if a guest got locked out and my smart lock died or something like that, or there were times that I had to deal with to floods, not even just one or two floods in our basement of that seven bedroom house where a guest was about to check in like hours there.

00:31:43:17 - 00:32:02:28

Speaker 2

But and then, oh, man, it was the headaches that we've had to deal with and the stress and the late night calls, things like that. Yeah, I wish that I knew then, like how much work, I guess, like in a way, like how much work it was. I don't want people to think that this is a passive income industry.

00:32:02:28 - 00:32:20:10

Speaker 2

You just set it and forget it. Like, yes, you can get to a point where you scale that way, but starting out, you want to be as involved in your business as much as possible because that's the only way that you actually have the tools and knowledge to steer your ship.

00:32:21:21 - 00:32:39:14

Speaker 1

I love that. I love that. And it's like I think it's always right. Like the benefit of experience is that, yes, something that may be used to take you 6 hours to do or you like really didn't have like a resource to figure out you now through experiences and networking and everything else have it. So it takes you an hour maybe to do where you to take you six.

00:32:39:14 - 00:32:54:02

Speaker 1

But I always like to say it takes me an hour and 20 years of experience to do it efficiently, which maybe feels like for people that are just starting like, Oh, that's just so easy. You make it look so easy. And it's like, No, it took me a long time to get to the point where it felt easy and achievable.

00:32:54:21 - 00:33:35:06

Speaker 2

And to not let those things like not let the negative things that happen actually deter you from becoming a great host. Because I honestly wouldn't be the host I am today if I didn't go through all of those experiences beforehand and see it from both sides, from the guest perspective and the host's perspective, because I think there's also a thin line where we don't set boundaries as hosts properly, especially for our yeah, we're all like deep down, like I'm a people pleaser and I feel like everyone that the host, they kind of want to like make sure their guests are having the best experience, but that's within reason.

00:33:35:06 - 00:33:38:26

Speaker 2

You still have to set boundaries as a host and as a business owner.

00:33:39:25 - 00:34:02:19

Speaker 1

I think that's super smart. Yeah. No, that. Yeah. And boundaries, honestly, everyone respects boundaries, including including guests. Dare I say it, it were. All right. Last question for you, my friend. If you could just however your time machine and go back, where where would you have started to invest in the short term rental industry?

00:34:03:21 - 00:34:29:12

Speaker 2

So one of the things that we were joking about this one, but I probably if I could, I would go back to when I was like too young to even be investing in real estate. Yeah, but I'm like six years old when no, the housing market wasn't insane. I live in Vancouver, Canada, so an apartment out here is about a one bedroom apartment is about $1,000,000.

00:34:29:19 - 00:34:38:28

Speaker 2

So if we go back to when I was six, I could probably buy up the whole block for that, and that is what I would choose to do.

00:34:38:28 - 00:34:59:22

Speaker 1

I love that. Yeah. No, I mean, that's it's always like the benefit of hindsight. You're always finding the right place. But oh my goodness. Tatiana, this has been I've enjoyed talking to you so much. I can talk to you all day. In fact, I hope I get to in the near future. So please tell the people firstly, tell people like in their everyday lives, where can they reach you?

00:34:59:22 - 00:35:14:17

Speaker 1

How can they get in touch with you? You obviously have a lot of really great perspective to share with folks. And of course, like you said, you've got almost a decade under your belt of creating wonderful experiences for guests. How can folks get in touch with you?

00:35:15:06 - 00:35:44:21

Speaker 2

Yeah, if anyone is interested in connecting with me, learning more about short term rentals or interior design, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at Tatiana. T t definitely or check me out through email their link in my bio. But other than that, please come visit us at the level Up Your Listings Summit this February 27th, 28th and March 1st in Scottsdale, Arizona.

00:35:45:09 - 00:35:58:27

Speaker 2

If you weren't able to make the summit, please check us out on the replays. It is going to be an event jam packed with knowledge, networking and so much fun. So definitely that is where you can find us.

00:35:59:20 - 00:36:24:01

Speaker 1

Oh, well, you know, I'll be there. I'm super excited, as is the rest of our DNA for helping to make that event a magical experience. And firstly, great location like that was. You had me at the location and I was like, Scottsdale, That memory? Yeah, let's do this. I'm in Denver. You're in Vancouver. We need it. Yeah. Well, Natalie, I cannot wait for the summit.

00:36:24:01 - 00:36:35:12

Speaker 1

And yes, please, please come visit us. We got it. Yeah. Again, lots of learning, lots of fun. Just lots of good vibes. I'd say, like, let's just get this year started properly. Right? Let's level up.

00:36:36:05 - 00:36:43:22

Speaker 2

It's going to be great. And we can't wait to see you guys there. We're going to have so much fun. And thank you again so much for having me on today.

00:36:44:07 - 00:36:51:01

Speaker 1

Oh, my gosh. Absolutely. Please, let's let's do this again very soon. Tatiana, wonderful guests. Thank you so much.

00:36:51:19 - 00:36:52:14

Speaker 2

Thank you.