STR Investing, The Podcast
Welcome to STR Investing, The Podcast, where hosts Taylor Jones & Mark Lumpkin reveal the keys to financial freedom through short-term rental investing. Whether you're taking your first step into this lucrative market or looking to expand your portfolio, this podcast is your ultimate resource for success.
Taylor, who has successfully acquired over 200+ properties, brings not only his personal experiences but also sits down with industry experts to share insights and stories from every corner of the STR world. From sharing insights of building 9 figures of STR businesses, to staying on top of the latest trends in acquiring, designing, furnishing, and operating profitable short-term rentals, he covers it all.
But that's not all. We're also lifting the veil on the challenges and triumphs of entering the industry, offering invaluable advice that you won't find anywhere else. Whether it's navigating regulatory changes or finding the perfect property, STR Investing, The Podcast is your trusted guide at every stage.
Join Taylor & Mark as he shows you how short-term rental investing can lead to financial freedom. Don't just dream about it - make it a reality with STR Investing, The Podcast today.
STR Investing, The Podcast
Unreasonable Hospitality with Valerie Gangas
This week on the STR Investing Podcast, Mark sits down with Valerie Gangas, CEO of Juniper Holiday + Home, author, meditator, and lifelong hospitality pro. Valerie shares how a childhood split between Chicago restaurants and apartment buildings shaped her “guests-first” operating system, why there’s never a checkout chore list, and how sending a real human (often with a pie!) can turn hiccups into five-star moments. She also opens up about boundaries, meditation, and why taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of your team, owners, and guests.
In this episode:
- Valerie’s origin story: restaurants + multifamily → boutique STR management
- Designing for memories (fresh flowers, cookies, wine, pet-name biscuits) vs. overspending on marble
- The Juniper standard: effortless check-in, zero checkout tasks, and mid-stay service that wows
- Hiring & scaling: trusting your gut, team consensus, and filling your own gaps
- Mindset for operators: meditation, boundaries, and leading from a calm center
- OTAs vs direct: grateful for discovery, intentional about repeat bookings
- The education gap in STRs and why community knowledge-sharing matters
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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search
STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
