Ever wondered how to successfully manage a short-term rental hundreds of miles away—without losing your sanity or your weekends?

In this episode, I sit down with Lydia Patel, a pharmacist who’s mastered the art of remote property management while balancing a full-time career and family life. Lydia’s story proves that you don’t need to live near your investment to make it thrive—you just need the right systems, people, and mindset to make it work.

From setting up her Florida rental property while caring for a newborn to building a trustworthy team of local professionals, Lydia walks us through the practical steps that turned her long-distance investment into a sustainable success. Her journey is a blueprint for anyone looking to create a business that fits seamlessly into real life, not the other way around.

We explore the exact tech tools and strategies that make remote management possible—from noise monitoring and digital locks to streamlined property management software. But at its heart, this conversation is about more than tools—it’s about resilience, resourcefulness, and redefining what freedom looks like in real estate.

Lydia’s insights will inspire you to think differently about investing, scaling, and balancing it all. Her story is proof that with strategy, systems, and heart, you can manage your business from anywhere and still have a life you love.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[00:52] A short introduction about our guest Lydia Patel, how her hosting journey began, and walks us through the long-distance managing her Florida short-term rental while living full-time in Minnesota

[05:59] Lydia opens up about the steep learning curve and operational surprises of managing her Florida rental remotely right after giving birth

[09:45] Lydia details how she built a dependable remote team by combining local expertise, reliable systems, and open communication

[14:02] Lydia shares how smart technology and integrated systems make remote property management seamless and secure

[19:23] Lydia opens up about overcoming the emotional challenges of managing from afar and learning to let go of control

[24:04] How to turn preventable mistakes into refined systems that strengthen business operations over time

[29:12] Lydia shares the real challenges of juggling motherhood, work, hosting, and the mindset shift that helped her find balance

[32:24] How sharing Lydia’s journey through content creation became an authentic way to give back and connect with others on a similar path

[35:22] Lydia shares how she balances creativity and delegation in managing her content creation process

[39:43] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

• “Never make assumptions; look for those opportunities where slip ups happen, and write a process to fill in a gap so that there's no question.”
• “There's something very rewarding about feeling like you're helping someone else. And so if I can share something that I've done, a tip, a helpful trick, a strategy that's been beneficial for me, if I'm able to pay it forward and help someone else.”
• “Slow months are real. Don't panic over it, just budget for it.”
• “Just stay human. Yes, it's a business, but there's a human aspect to it. Whether it's the relationship with your team members, relationship with your guest and

How do you turn a single-property hustle into a thriving, purpose-driven business that actually gives you freedom?

Join me as I sit down with Brindy Bringhurst, a trailblazer who transformed her entrepreneurial journey from managing one property to leading a successful multi-property management operation in Arizona. We dive deep into the art and science of building a strategic short-term rental business that goes far beyond just hosting guests.

Brindy shares the pivotal lessons she learned along the way—from defining her ideal owner avatar to building a supportive, high-performing team that became the backbone of her success. Her story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic growth, proving that the key to scaling isn’t just about more properties, but about smarter systems and stronger relationships.

We unpack her early challenges of working solo and feeling stretched thin, and how she intentionally built a team that understands both the business and the heart of hospitality. Brindy reveals how protecting your team’s energy and aligning your business with your values can completely redefine success.

This isn’t just a conversation about rentals—it’s about designing a business that supports your lifestyle, empowers your people, and creates lasting impact. Get ready for an honest, inspiring dialogue that will challenge how you think about entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable growth.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[00:55] A short introduction about our guest Brindy Bringhurst and how she got started in the world of short-term rentals

[04:16] Brindy shares her early experiment in full-home hosting that taught her adaptability, connection, and the trade-offs of earning more while giving up stability

[05:24] Brindy’s reflections on the emotional toll of renting out her own home

[08:49] Brindy walks us through the long, unpredictable transition from her early hosting hustle to establishing a full-fledged co-hosting business

[15:56] Brindy opens up about the defining moment she stopped “trying” and fully committed to making her business work

[20:29] Brindy reflects on the stark contrast between her early years of nonstop hustle and how she now approaches fear, self-doubt, and confidence

[27:08] How growing Brindy’s team transformed her business from a one-woman juggling act into a well-rounded, collaborative operation powered by trust, learning, and honest feedback

[36:11] How leading a team transformed Brindy’s purpose in business from proving herself to creating a company built on collaboration, accountability, and genuine care for her people

[40:29] Brindy recalls the pivotal moment when she realized not every property—or owner—was the right fit for her growing business

[43:53] The challenges of dealing with difficult owners and how those moments have shaped Brindy’s approach to leadership

[48:22] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

• “If you have an idea and you think it'll work, just commit to it and it'll work. It will happen.”
• “What we believe, is what we can achieve.”
• “As business leaders, it's critical for us to learn skills about how to be a good business leader.”
• “You don't have freedom unless you have a team.”
• “Don't give advice unless you're asked. People don't

The right tech stack could give you back your time, your freedom, and the space to focus on what truly lights you up in your business.

In this episode, I sit down with Margot Schmorak, CEO and co-founder of Hostfully, to explore how the right property management software can transform your short-term rental business. Margot isn’t just another tech executive—she’s a visionary leader who believes technology should simplify your operations, elevate your guest experience, and help you reclaim your time.

We dive into what really matters when choosing tools for your rental business—from selecting a property management system that scales with you, to optimizing your workflows, to building a cohesive tech foundation that supports both growth and balance.

Margot also shares her journey from big tech to entrepreneurship, her philosophy on human-centered technology, and how she leads a company rooted in joy, purpose, and personal growth. Beyond business, she opens up about finding harmony as a CEO, mom, and lifelong learner.

This episode is a must-listen for hosts and entrepreneurs ready to use technology intentionally. Margot’s insights will inspire you to design a business that runs efficiently, aligns with your values, and gives you the freedom to focus on what matters most.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[00:58] A short introduction about our guest Margot Schmorak and shares her vision for building Hostfully around human connection, real-world impact, and a culture that uplifts people

[04:07] Margot highlights how hiring for passion and fostering authenticity are key to building a thriving, people-centered culture

[07:15] Margot breaks down the essentials of building a strong tech stack that drives bookings, streamlines operations, and supports long-term business growth

[11:14] Margot emphasizes the importance of starting with the right property management software and choosing tools that can scale with your business through integrations

[14:22] How to shop smart for property management software and the importance of spotting red flags in emerging technology

[19:39] Margot’s insights on using AI to elevate customer experience, strengthen team efficiency, and personalize communication at Hostfully

[22:35] Margot’s perspective on overcoming “Shiny Object Syndrome” to build a focused, intentional tech strategy

[24:30] The importance of aligning technology and planning with clear goals to set up a strong start for the new year

[28:06] Margot’s perspective on revisiting annual plans and adapting to change while staying confident in the industry’s long-term growth

[29:39] Margot’s outlook on the next big shifts shaping the short-term rental industry from AI innovation to a new era of professionalism

[32:15] Margot’s reflections on rediscovering joy, grace, and the freedom to be imperfect outside of work

[37:55] Margot’s journey toward embracing joy, self-compassion, and the simple art of celebrating life’s small wins

[42:51] The lightning round

Golden Nuggets:

• “One of the most important things is to make sure that you're hiring people into jobs that they're really excited about.”
• “When you're selecting tech, it's really critical to not only know where your business is today, but where you want to be in the...