Your STR isn’t underperforming by accident — it’s underperforming because of decisions.

In this episode, Chris and E sit down with Mark Lumpkin from STR Cribs, the company behind 500+ STR setups, to break down the real reasons properties fail and what the best operators do differently.

If you’re buying, designing, furnishing, or managing STRs — this is a masterclass in thinking like a pro instead of an amateur.

Inside this episode:

• The biggest mistakes investors make when buying or furnishing STRs

• Why “more amenities” isn’t the answer — strategic amenities are

• How to work with (and filter out) bad owners

• The 80/20 rule for projects, clients, and portfolio performance

• Why elite STR teams operate like “SEAL Team 6”

• How culture, tension, and standards lead to scale

• The future of STR Cribs and Mark’s next business moves

Guest Bio:

Mark Lumpkin helps investors set up highly profitable STRs all over the country.

00:00 – How STR Cribs Started & Grew to 500+ Setups

00:04:45 – Why High-Net-Worth Investors Still Make Rookie Mistakes

00:09:10 – The Amenities Strategy That Actually Drives Bookings

00:13:55 – Institutional Investors vs Mom-and-Pop Operators

00:18:25 – The Problem With Owners Who Want to “Test It First”

00:22:40 – The 80/20 Rule, Pumpkin Planning & Firing Bad Clients

00:27:05 – Sniper vs Machine Gun: How to Focus Your Time as an Operator

00:31:30 – The STR Cribs Hiring Philosophy: SEAL Team 6

00:36:15 – Creating a High-Performance Culture Through Healthy Tension

00:41:50 – What’s Next for STR Cribs & Mark’s Personal Vision

Guest Link:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lumpkin-84b173142/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/

Your business can’t outgrow the identity you’re stuck in.

In this episode, Bernie Cesareo reveals the mindset and identity shifts that transformed his life, his confidence, and his STR businesses — from shrinking portfolios to scaling multiple companies with clarity and purpose.

This episode breaks down the real reason most hosts stay stuck, how to think and act like a CEO, and the inner work required to grow a business that matches the life you want.

Inside this episode:

• The identity upgrade that changed Bernie’s life

• How self-image controls your STR results

• Why talking about your vision attracts the right people

• The shift from operator → leader → CEO

• How Bernie built multiple businesses by delegating

• Why gratitude, belief, and clarity fuel massive growth

00:01:12 – Bernie’s Big Mindset Shift: Stop Doing Everything Yourself

00:04:07 – “Assume the Wish Fulfilled”: Rewriting Your Identity

00:08:10 – Manifesting the Dream Jeep: Breaking 30 Years of Beliefs

00:11:20 – Running Multiple STR Businesses Through Identity Upgrades

00:14:36 – Lifestyle Freedom: Why Bernie Never Misses His Son’s Games

00:17:00 – The Elder-Care Village Vision: Thinking Bigger Than STR

00:20:12 – From Player to Coach to CEO: Letting Go of Control

00:24:18 – Correcting Systems, Not People: Real Leadership

00:28:55 – How Speaking Your Vision Attracts the Right Opportunities

00:33:42 – Gratitude, Belief, and the Identity That Builds Your Future

Guest Bio:

Bernie Cesareo and his wife Courtney started the company by turning a long-term rental in their hometown into a short-term rental and doing everything themselves from guest support to cleaning and maintenance. Happily surprised with the success and popularity of this property, they decided to turn this side hustle into a primary business. They loved providing quality accommodations and creating great value for their guests and felt they could do this on a larger scale. They started growing the business by becoming co-hosts for other property owners and have added team members to help make everything run smoothly. After several years, they have a team of 8 that manages anywhere from 20-40 properties.

Guest Link:

https://eaglestays.com/

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/

The arbitrage era is cracking — fast.

With Sonder filing bankruptcy and operators across the country getting crushed by fixed leases, the truth is clear: the STR model you choose determines whether you scale… or sink.

In this episode, we break down why arbitrage is failing, what Sonder’s collapse teaches every host, and why co-hosting remains the most profitable, low-risk, scalable model in 2025 and beyond.

Inside this episode:

• Why arbitrage collapses under pressure

• The hidden costs operators never calculate

• Why co-hosting produces higher margins with lower risk

• How boutique operators beat centralized “big brand” models

• What the fastest-growing hosts are doing differently

• The shift every STR operator must make in 2025

Message me to get a free resource and see how the program could fit your goals.

Click the link below:

https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T034&utm_content=RESOURCE

00:01:00 – The Real Cost of Arbitrage: Leases, Debt & Cash Burn

00:02:30 – Why Arbitrage Margins Collapse in Today’s Market

00:03:45 – Co-Hosting vs. Arbitrage: The Risk Difference

00:05:10 – Arbitrage at Scale Becomes a Cash-Flow Death Trap

00:06:15 – Real Examples of Small Operators Losing Money

00:07:10 – The Tiny Margin of Error That Kills Arbitrage Deals

00:08:30 – Why Co-Hosting Wins: Low CAC, High Lifetime Value

00:10:20 – How Operators Are Scaling Co-Hosting With $0 Spend

00:12:20 – Centralized vs. Local: Why Guest Experience Matters

00:15:00 – Why Arbitrage Can’t Keep Up With Industry Changes

00:17:00 – The Bankruptcy Wave: Small Operators Getting Hit

00:18:30 – How to Pivot Out of Arbitrage Before It’s Too Late

00:20:10 – What a Healthy Co-Hosting/PM Business Looks Like

00:22:00 – No Get-Rich-Quick: The Reality of STR Success

Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:

https://group.strsecrets.com/