How To Build, Finance, & Market A Unique Stay STR (Episode 411)

How Unique Stay STRs Help Optimize Revenue

This is a unique episode all about unique stays! We’re excited to welcome Whitney Hansen, a financial coach, host of The Money Nerds Podcast, and a unique property builder. She operates the Cascade Dome, a geo-dome in the mountains, and The Flower Pot, a giant flower pot you can actually sleep in. The Flower Pot was one of 100 global winners of the Airbnb OMG Fund. 

Whitney joins us to talk about how she grew The Flower Pot into a flourishing business, why she’s attracted to unique stays, and the benefits and challenges of experiential STRs. Whitney gets really honest about the financials of her properties, how she sets guest expectations, and her advice for managing social media and influencer outreach. 

This episode gave us a lot to think about for our next property, and we know you’ll find it valuable, too.  

(00:01:28) #STRShareSunday: @idahoflowerpot

  • Merging your business with your real estate 

(00:04:52) How Whitney Won The OMG Fund

  • What the Airbnb OMG Fund is 
  • What inspired the idea for the Flower Pot 

(00:07:48) Her Journey In The STR Space

  • Her background as a financial coach
  • What sparked her interest in STRs
  • Standing out with unique stays 

(00:11:50) The Dollars & Cents Behind The Flower Pot 

  • How she decides how much money to spend on a project 
  • How much the Flower Pot build cost 
  • How she financed the project 
  • The art and science of devising a pricing strategy 
  • The Flower Pot’s revenue in its first year 

(00:19:35) The Power Of Unique Stays

  • The special moments you can create as a host 
  • Marketing a property you love 
  • Trends toward last minute bookings 

(00:24:43) The Challenges of Unique Stays 

  • Most common customer complaints
  • Setting guest expectations  

(00:26:50) The Cascade Dome’s Financials 

(00:30:35) Social Media Dos and Don’ts 

  • Trash talking guests via social media 
  • Whitney’s social media strategy and cadence 
  • A refreshing perspective on social media reach 
  • Handling influencer outreach and stays 

(00:40:42) The Benefits Of Direct Booking 

  • How Whitney is dipping her toes into direct booking
  • What’s on the horizon for Whitney 
  • Working with her mom and fiancé 

(00:46:56) Rapid-Fire Questions 

  • Her favorite in-house products and amenities 
  • Casper Mattress: amzn.to/3YuN4Xt

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

#STRShareSunday

@idahoflowerpot

Welcome to The Flower Pot in Burley, Idaho—a one-of-a-kind, flower pot-shaped home created by Whitney Hansen, financial coach and unique property builder. As a winner of the Airbnb OMG Fund, this whimsical stay invites guests into a truly unforgettable experience. Perfect for those seeking an adventure or a unique getaway, The Flower Pot is the ultimate combination of fun and creativity, making it a must-visit destination in the heart of Idaho!

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

Together, Annette & Sarah are the dynamic duo behind the wildly popular podcast Thanks For Visiting, co-creators of the Hosting Business Mastery Method, & seasoned short-term-rental hosts.

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