If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to walk away from a stable career and build a short-term rental business from scratch—this story is for you.

This week on the podcast, we’re featuring one of our Hosting Business Mastery members who made a bold leap from chemical engineering into the world of Airbnb. What started as a side hustle turned into a full-fledged, six-figure hosting business with nine beautifully designed units in Houston, Texas. But the road was anything but easy.

Here’s what you’ll learn from her journey—because chances are, you’ll see a piece of yourself in it too.

💼 From Engineering to Hosting: A Career Pivot Fueled by Curiosity

After investing years into school and landing a job in chemical engineering, she found herself feeling creatively stifled and emotionally drained. When a chance encounter introduced her to the world of Airbnb—via a woman with paint on her hands and passion in her voice—she followed her gut and said yes to helping stage and co-host a property.

The unexpected spark? Hosting wasn’t just about real estate. It was about people. And that changed everything.

🏚 Her First STR Got Shut Down—Here’s What She Did Next

After securing her first arbitrage property, furnishing it, and getting it listed… she hit a wall. Bookings were slow. Self-doubt was loud. But then—things picked up. She started to believe she could really do this.

And then? The HOA stepped in and shut it all down.

Instead of quitting, she pivoted. She found another property. She leaned on her resourcefulness (and her credit cards) and kept going. When her new landlord offered more units, she was honest about what she could afford—and negotiated a partnership where he covered the furnishing costs. They now collaborate closely, with mutual trust and shared wins.

💬 Real Talk: She Almost Quit (But Asked for Help Instead)

In one vulnerable moment inside our Hosting Business Mastery coaching call, she asked the question many hosts secretly carry:
“How do I know if it’s time to quit?”

The community rallied around her with real numbers, honest perspective, and tangible encouragement. She wasn’t failing—she was growing. That mindset shift changed everything.

📣 From Burnout to Advocacy: Showing Up at City Hall

When Houston proposed a sudden ordinance amendment that could’ve shut down 6 of her 7 active units, she didn’t panic—she showed up. In person. At City Council. She shared her story, spoke up for hosts in her city, and helped reverse the policy change.

It was a reminder that your voice does matter, especially in an industry where good hosts are often the quiet ones.

💡 Her Favorite Hosting Wins (That You Can Steal Today)

Here are just a few of the strategies she implemented after joining HBM:

• Charging for early check-in and late checkout – No more “sure, no problem” by default. Just by asking for compensation, she made $1,000 extra the next month.
• Using Airbnb rule sets to fill in her booking window – Now she adjusts rates dynamically and proactively every Monday.
• Understanding her booking window and market percentile – She’s not just “hoping” for bookings—she’s setting her listings up for consistent performance.

Best of all? She shows up to coaching calls every week, even while juggling kids, new units, and the endless details of hosting life.

🙌 What This Story Reminds Us

Building a successful STR business isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about staying curious, being honest about what’s not working, and being brave enough to ask for help. This host didn’t get lucky—she took action, stayed coachable, and said yes to learning in public.

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and build a profitable, sustainable hosting business with support, strategy, and systems—we’d love to help.

➡️ Join us inside Hosting Business Mastery

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

• Hostfully | Use Code TFV500 for $500 off!
• Stayfi: Use code THANKS for 50% your first 3 months of service
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel | Airbnb House Rules That Actually Work (Copy These!)
• #STRShareSunday: thesnoozelane
• Submit your property for our next #STRShareSunday at strshare.com

#STRShareSunday

thesnoozelane

Today we’re thrilled to feature Ola from Snooze Lane, an HBM member who has built a portfolio that shows what’s possible when you truly know your guest avatar.

We’re highlighting The Pewter, a sleek, elevated space designed to blend the comforts of home with the polish of a 5-star hotel. Thoughtful touches like individual thermostats in each bedroom, smart TVs, garage parking, and a private backyard make this a standout stay.

But what really sets The Pewter apart is the full-size conference room — a smart addition that competes directly with traditional hotels and their cramped meeting rooms. By offering a dedicated work and meeting space, Ola has positioned this property to serve business travelers, workcations, and small retreat groups — all while delivering a much more personal, luxurious experience than a hotel ever could.

Ola, we are so proud to feature your work. Your attention to design, functionality, and guest needs is what sets top hosts apart — and it shows in every detail of Snooze Lane!

Check out more from Ola at Snooze Lane or @thesnoozelane!

We would love to feature YOU! Submit your property for our next #STRShareSunday at strshare.com.