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In this episode, we sit down with two industry powerhouses: Dennis Goedheid, CEO of Casiola, and Shahar Goldboim, CEO of Boom and founder of DesignedVR, to unpack the story behind their groundbreaking new partnership.

As the vacation rental industry continues to mature, operators are finding new ways to grow that prioritize sustainability, clarity, and control. This conversation explores the revenue-sharing agreement between DesignedVR and Casiola, a creative alternative to the traditional franchise or acquisition model.

Shahar shares his decision to step away from the day-to-day operations of DesignedVR to fully focus on growing Boom, the AI-powered property management system he built. Dennis explains how Casiola's clear focus on hospitality and operations made them the right partner to take over and grow the DesignedVR portfolio.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ Why Shahar chose to partner rather than sell or franchise
2️⃣ How Dennis and Shahar aligned on values, leadership, and long-term vision
3️⃣ What property managers can learn about letting go to grow
4️⃣ The operational and cultural challenges of integrating a new team and brand
5️⃣ How Casiola approaches expansion without sacrificing focus
6️⃣ Why the traditional "do it all" mindset often leads to burnout in STR
7️⃣ How Dennis views focus as a competitive advantage
8️⃣ Why Shahar sees clarity as a form of leadership
9️⃣ What role AI and automation will play as Boom continues to scale

You'll also hear how Casiola is managing the integration of DesignedVR's team, technology, and properties, and why this move is about more than just operations. At its core, it's a partnership built on aligned values and a shared vision for what vacation rental businesses can become.

Connect with Shahar:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahar-goldboim-80820b95/
Boom: https://www.boomnow.com/

Connect with Dennis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisgoedheid/
Casiola: https://www.casiola.com/

Mention "Alex & Annie" when you sign up with Boom to get 50% off your onboarding fee and 1 month FREE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.boomnow.com/⁠⁠

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team: https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro

#vacationrentals #vacationrentalfranchising #STR

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Is the short-term rental industry on the edge of a travel recession, or just entering a new phase of normalization?

In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, AirDNA’s Chief Economist Jamie Lane joins us to explain what the data is revealing about the 2025 market. With demand softening among budget travelers, international bookings pulling back, and economic uncertainty on the rise, Jamie helps make sense of the mixed signals facing STR professionals today.

Jamie also shares how AirDNA is evolving to better support property managers in this climate, with new tools, smarter comps, and deeper forecasting capabilities. Whether you're adjusting pricing strategies, watching booking windows shrink, or wondering what’s next for growth, this conversation provides the clarity and context you need.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ Are we in a travel recession? Early signals from airline and STR data
2️⃣ Why summer 2025 bookings are slower, especially in budget and urban segments
3️⃣ Hotels gaining share in cities as STR growth is restricted by regulation
4️⃣ Supply growth slows across most markets and what that means for operators
5️⃣ Signs of guests trading down, shortening trips, and delaying decisions
6️⃣ The impact of fewer Canadian and European travelers this year
7️⃣ Airbnb’s urban inventory problem and the increasing presence of hotels on OTAs

Jamie also shares his outlook for the rest of 2025 and why, despite current challenges, the long-term growth of short-term rentals remains strong.

Connect with Jamie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Mention "Alex & Annie" when you sign up with Boom to get 50% off your onboarding fee and 1 month FREE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.boomnow.com/⁠⁠

#vacationrentals #travelrecession #shorttermrentals

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In this empowering episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, Shelley Brown joins us to talk about how breaking outdated expectations and embracing your weird can lead to more authentic leadership and a deeper sense of belonging.

As the original "Rebel in a Gown," Shelley brings her signature blend of authenticity, artistry, and humor to a conversation that challenges the status quo on leadership, burnout, and belonging.

Shelley shares how an unexpected career detour and a serious spinal injury pushed her to redefine success. Not by how hard she could hustle, but by how deeply she could connect.

That shift led her from hotel lobbies and sales calls to keynote stages, where she now helps teams rediscover purpose, vulnerability, and human connection.

Key topics discussed:

1️⃣ How Shelley’s WEIRD framework invites more inclusive and connected leadership

2️⃣ Why outdated ideas of success often lead to burnout and disconnection

3️⃣ What it means to “rebel” against norms without being loud about it

4️⃣ The power of journaling, mindfulness, and small daily choices

5️⃣ How to lead with legacy in mind and why it starts with you

This episode is an invitation for you to reconnect with the version of yourself that existed before the world told you who to be. And yes, we all wore gowns for it.

Connect with Shelley:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleybbrown/
Website: https://shelleybrownofficial.com/

Mention "Alex & Annie" when you sign up with Boom to get 50% off your onboarding fee and 1 month FREE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.boomnow.com/⁠⁠

#vacationrentals #leadership #burnout