STR Global Unlocked with Simon Lehmann: Unfiltered knowledge for the short term rental industry

The Margin Mistake Killing Most STR Companies!

Book a strategic consultation with me now: https://bit.ly/simon-consultation Profit margins can make or break a short-term rental business - but most operators are looking at the wrong numbers. In this video, I break down the real profit benchmarks for STR operators across different business models, including property management companies, aparthotels, hybrid models, urban portfolios, and resort/vacation rentals. You’ll learn what healthy gross and net margins look like, why revenue alone can be misleading, and which KPI reveals whether your business is truly profitable or just looks good on paper: contribution margin per unit per year. Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]

036: How to Build a Business That AI Can’t Replace | Siddhi Mittal

Book a strategic consultation with me now: https://bit.ly/simon-consultation In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, I sit down with Siddhi Mittal, co-founder of yhangry, a Y Combinator–backed hospitality marketplace scaling across the UK and US. Together, they explore what AI-first hospitality really means beyond faster guest messages, automation tools, and surface-level efficiency. Siddhi shares how yhangry is rebuilding parts of the company around AI-native workflows, including an internal agent that reached 75% autonomous bug resolution in under 14 days. This conversation dives into the future of hospitality, marketplaces, operations, AI agents, customer experience, and human value in a world where execution is becoming automated. We discuss why average businesses are becoming more exposed, why technical competence alone is no longer enough, and why the next competitive advantage may come from judgment, taste, curiosity, trust, and emotional intelligence. Which questions are answered in this episode? - What does AI-first hospitality actually mean beyond faster guest communication? - How is AI changing the way operators, founders, and leaders think about work, value, and execution? - Why is “being good” or technically competent no longer enough in an AI-native business environment? - What happens when operational consistency, SOPs, and execution become easier to automate? - How can hospitality companies use AI to remove manual workflows without losing the human experience? - Why does Siddhi Mittal believe curiosity, judgment, taste, character, and emotional intelligence are becoming more valuable? - What can operators learn from yhangry’s AI-first rebuild across product, operations, and customer experience? Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com/]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]  Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]

035: The Best Way to Make Money in Property Management | Julie Brinkmann

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, I sit down with Julie Brinkmann from Beyond to discuss how short-term rental operators can move from simple dynamic pricing to true profit-first property management. We explore why revenue management is no longer just about changing nightly rates, why occupancy can become a vanity metric, and how property managers can use better data, smarter pricing strategies, and AI to make more profitable business decisions. Julie shares her perspective on the evolution of the short-term rental industry, the shift from revenue growth to profit optimization, and why the next generation of hospitality companies will need to think beyond bookings, RevPAR, and occupancy. The conversation also covers market normalization, operator behavior, private equity in STR, AI adoption, owner lifetime value, direct bookings, brand visibility, and the future convergence of hotels and short-term rentals. Which questions are answered in this episode? 1. How can property managers move from simple dynamic pricing to true profit-first revenue management? 2. Why is occupancy often a misleading metric, and what should operators focus on instead? 3. How can pricing data reveal deeper insights about market demand, guest behavior, owner profitability, and business performance? 4. What mistakes are short-term rental operators making when it comes to pricing, booking windows, and last-minute discounts? 5. How can AI create real value in property management, and where is it currently being overestimated? 6. Why is clean, structured, proprietary data becoming so important for STR operators? 7. How should property managers think about owner lifetime value, unit economics, profitability, and long-term growth? 8. What role will brands, direct bookings, and AI-powered search play in the future of hospitality? Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]

034: The AI Shift Most Property Managers Are Missing | Sab Mulligan, Arnon Cavaeiro, Chris Sorensen

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, we explore what an AI-native property management company really looks like and how AI is already changing operations, guest communication, distribution, PMS systems, scaling, and hospitality brands. Together with Sab Mulligan, Arnon Cavaeiro and Chris Sorensen, we break down why AI is not just another tool or chatbot, but a deeper shift in how short-term rental and hospitality companies operate. The conversation covers where AI is already reducing costs, where it still fails, why human expertise remains essential, and how property managers can prepare for a future where AI, automation, brand, and guest experience become increasingly connected. Questions answered in the episode: 1. What does AI-native property management actually mean? 2. How are leading property management companies already using AI in daily operations? 3. Where can AI reduce costs without damaging the guest experience? 4. Why is the PMS no longer the brain of the business? 5. What happens when broken processes are automated with AI? 6. Where does AI still fail in hospitality and short-term rentals? 7. Should property managers build their own AI tools or work with tech partners? 8. How could AI change travel discovery, direct bookings, and OTA dependency? 9. Why will human connection still matter in an AI-driven hospitality business? 10. What will property management companies look like in the next five years? Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]

033: Why Booking Trips Is About to Change FOREVER (CEO Explains) | Amirali Mohajer

AI is changing how people search, plan and book travel and this shift could reshape the future of direct bookings, guest relationships and platform dependency in the short-term rental industry. In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann speaks with Amirali Mohajer, Co-Founder & CEO of Host.AI, about the future of travel search, the rise of AI assistants, and why operators may finally have a real opportunity to reduce their reliance on OTAs like Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia. They discuss why direct bookings have been so difficult to scale, how AI could change guest acquisition, why owning guest data matters more than ever, and what short-term rental operators need to understand as travel discovery moves beyond traditional Google search. If you want to understand how AI could transform travel distribution, direct bookings and the future of hospitality, this conversation is a must-watch. Questions answered in the episode: 1. How is AI changing the way people search, plan and book travel? 2. Why could AI become a major turning point for the travel industry? 3. Why are short-term rental operators so dependent on OTAs like Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia? 4. Why have direct bookings been so difficult to scale until now? 5. Why is having a direct booking website alone not enough? 6. How can operators build more trust and stronger guest relationships outside of OTAs? 7. How does guest data influence future bookings and platform independence? 8. What should operators do now to prepare for AI-powered travel discovery? Resources * AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com [https://www.ajlatelier.com]]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. * Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]]  Stay connected: * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO [https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO]  * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O]  * Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts [https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts]  * Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ [https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/]