Live From The Hive 🐝

Ep #16 - What It Takes to Transform Land or Property Into a Thriving Business with Sonia Aucott

Join host Katie Bessant as she sits down with Sonia Aucott of Aucott Interior Design to explore how farms, vineyards, country estates, and rural businesses can successfully diversify into hospitality. In this episode, we unpack: 🌿 The key questions to ask before starting a hospitality project on your land 🏡 How to decide between cottages, glamping, event barns, or other accommodation types 📋 Why planning, operations, and guest experience all need to be mapped out early ✨ The design touches that create that all-important “wow factor” for your guests ♿ Why accessibility is becoming a must-have (and how it boosts ROI) 📸 How branding, photography, and partnerships can help you stand out and attract bookings 🌟 Find out more about Sonia's upcoming event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-diversification-heritage-hospitality-and-land-use-reimagined-tickets-1552165281139?aff=oddtdtcreator 🌟 🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theholidayhive.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHive 🌟CONNECT WITH SONIA 🌟 Website: https://www.aucottinteriordesign.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aucottinteriordesign/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aucottinteriordesign/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniaaucott/

Ep #15 - Why You Should Ditch Your Agent and Run Your Holiday Cottage Yourself with Katie Bessant

Join me as I chat through the pros and cons of running your holiday cottage yourself and some top tips on your first steps to going it alone! In this episode, we dive into the benefits of taking control of your holiday rental business, and I share my top 5 tips for setting up and taking your own bookings.🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theholidayhive.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficialYouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHiveIf you've got any questions about marketing your property, please email them over to katie@theholidayhive.com

Ep #14 - Taking Control: A Host’s Guide to Direct Booking Success with Leo Walton from Truvi

Join host Katie Bessant as she sits down with Leo Walton, co-founder of Truvi (formerly Superhog), for a straight-talking, insight-packed episode every holiday let owner needs to hear! In this episode, we dive into: 💡 Why direct bookings matter more than ever and how to start taking them confidently 🔐 How to protect your property and guests without relying on OTAs ⚙️ The tools and tech that make direct booking simple (even if you're not tech-savvy) 🚫 The common fears that hold hosts back and how to overcome them for good Whether you're just starting out or ready to take control of your short-term rental business, this episode is packed with practical tips and perspective-shifting advice to help you build a more profitable, resilient hosting strategy. 🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theholidayhive.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHive 🌟CONNECT WITH LEO 🌟 Website: https://truvi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leo_f_walton/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-walton-aa59bb25/

Ep #13 - Sustainable Holiday Letting at Scale: Renate’s Story of 9 Cottages in Scotland with Renate Powell

Join host Katie Bessant as she chats with Renate, the inspiring owner of Bonawe House Holiday Cottages on the stunning west coast of Scotland. In this episode, we dive into: 🏔 Renate’s journey from the Netherlands to running 9 holiday cottages in rural Scotland 🔧 How she transformed and modernised a dated property with energy-efficient upgrades ♻️ Smart sustainability tips that benefit guests and the environment 🧺 What it’s really like managing all the laundry and maintenance herself 💥 Her most jaw-dropping guest experience 💡 Her no-nonsense advice on spending wisely as a property owner This is a must-listen for anyone running a holiday let! Packed with practical insights, a lot of honesty, and a touch of mountain air! 🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theholidayhive.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHive 🌟CONNECT WITH RENATE 🌟 Website: https://bonawehouse.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonawehousecottages/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonawehouse

Ep #12 - Why You’re Not Getting Booked on Airbnb - and What to Do About It with Kay Gibbs

Join host Katie Bessant as she sits down with Kay Gibbs, expert holiday let coach, for a value-packed conversation every Airbnb host needs to hear! In this episode, we dive into: 💡 Kay’s top 5 tips for boosting your Airbnb bookings 📸 The game-changing impact of great photography on your listing 🙅‍♀️ The most common mistakes hosts make (and how to avoid them) ⛔️ The truth behind those persistent Airbnb myths and legends Whether you're just starting out on the platform or looking to level up your hosting game, this episode is full of actionable insights you won’t want to miss! 🐝 CONNECT WITH KATIE 🐝 Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theholidayhive.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theholidayhive/ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/theholidayhiveofficial/ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bessant-31bb84135/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theholidayhiveofficial YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HolidayHive 🌟CONNECT WITH KAY 🌟 Website: https://www.kaygibbs.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaygibbs_holidayletcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaygibbsmentor