In this episode of The Hospitality Edge, we dive into what it really takes to thrive in a high-risk, high-reward short-term rental market. Sebastian Humbert, co-owner and founder of Tropicalia Puerto Rico, shares the raw truth about platform dependency, business reinvention, and building a resilient rental operation on an island where the lights don’t always stay on — literally.

From Hurricane Maria to Airbnb delistings, Sebastian has weathered it all. His experience isn’t just a survival story — it’s a masterclass in smart adaptation.

What You'll Learn:

• The real dangers of relying too heavily on Airbnb

• How to adapt your STR model in unpredictable markets

• Why Sebastian shifted from arbitrage to full-service management

• How to set expectations with property owners from day one

• What makes a guest experience truly unforgettable — even during a power outage

• Simple, scalable strategies to stand out in a saturated listing market

• How to prepare your business for the next OTA algorithm shift

  
  

Whether you're just starting out or scaling past 50+ units, this episode will change the way you think about platforms, risk, and resilience in the short-term rental space.

What separates burnt-out landlords from strategic investors managing $70M+ portfolios? For Rodney Rivera—CEO of Ion Mortgage & Lending and CEO/COO of Ion Property Management—it all comes down to knowledge. In this episode, Rodney shares how deep research, creative financing, and long-term thinking helped him build and scale his real estate empire. Forget chasing cash flow at all costs—Rodney makes the case for appreciation, disciplined operations, and smarter decision-making as the real path to wealth.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why research is the most underrated asset in real estate success

• How Rodney used DSCR loans to scale faster than traditional investors

• The overlooked advantages of forced appreciation in multifamily properties

• When cash flow is overrated — and what really builds wealth

• What most new STR investors get wrong in saturated markets

• How to identify the wrong property management clients (and say no)

• • The one mindset shift that separates successful operators from burnt-out ones
  • How to hire smarter and build teams that actually free you up

In this episode of The Hospitality Edge Podcast, we sit down with Austin Spitzenberger, Founder of Blue Door Retreats and Partner at LazyH Retreats.

Austin shares his journey of scaling his property management business, from managing just a few properties to successfully scaling to 100+ properties. He reveals the key strategies that allowed him to scale his business efficiently, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and transitioning from co-hosting to full property management. Tune in to learn valuable insights that can help you grow your own property management business!

What you'll learn:

• How to scale your property management business from 10 to 100 properties.

• The importance of strategic partnerships and how they can accelerate growth.

• Why transitioning from co-hosting to full property management is a game changer.

• The biggest mistakes property managers make and how to avoid them.

• How to self-assess your strengths and weaknesses as an entrepreneur for better decision-making.

• Key strategies for streamlining operations and delegating effectively.