In this episode of the no BS podcast, we dive deep into the world of short-term rental upgrades with Mark Lumpkin of STR Cribs. The discussion covers everything from the origin of STR Cribs, which provides comprehensive renovation and setup services for short-term rentals, to their unique approach to transforming dated properties into high-revenue vacation spots.

Mark explains how STR Cribs not only handles design and construction but also advises on maximizing revenue through strategic amenities and safety considerations. The episode also touches upon Mark's journey into the industry, the importance of differentiating rental properties, the company's financing opportunities, and potential future expansions and plans for the company

Notably, the conversation explores the broader trends in the STR industry and the growing need for unique, experience-driven rental properties to stand out in saturated markets.

STR Cribs website - https://strcribs.com/

Mark's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lumpkin-84b173142/

Mark's email - mlumpkin@strcribs.com

00:00 Welcome to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Meet the Hosts: Mateo and John

01:08 Home Renovation Stories

01:29 Introducing Our Guest: Mark Lumpkin

03:09 Mark's Journey into the STR Industry

05:15 Travel Adventures and STR Insights

09:15 The Birth of STR Cribs

10:50 Consulting and Revenue Management

14:40 Expanding STR Cribs' Reach

19:40 Future Projects and Innovations

21:25 The Airbnb Clone Epidemic

22:42 Standing Out with Bold Design Choices

23:24 Exploring Partnerships and Collaborations

24:14 Maximizing Property Revenue with Small Changes

24:51 Media and Marketing Strategies

25:46 The Power of Social Media

26:19 Upcoming TV Show and Content Plans

26:43 The Value of Sharing Knowledge

29:29 Networking and Industry Events

32:51 Innovative Financing Opportunities

35:52 Future Trends in the STR Market

39:16 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

This week we share an important conversation during Human Trafficking Prevention month and delve into the dark side of the vacation rental industry with our friend Ela Mezhiborsky, co-founder and president of Autohost.

We discuss the crucial issues around human trafficking in short-term rentals and the importance of awareness, education, prevention, and protection.

Ela shares her journey, detailing how Autohost emerged as a key player in AI-driven guest screening to combat fraudulent activities and criminal behavior, including human trafficking. We also stress the importance of training and awareness, encouraging listeners to take concrete steps such as enrolling in specialized courses.

With a focus on bringing industry players together for greater accountability and ethical operations, this episode aims to spur action and discourse around a critical but often overlooked issue.

DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM!

Vacation Rental Human trafficking awareness education by Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Visit this link for a special $50 off deal exclusive for the no BS podcast listeners --> https://www.traffickingawareness.org/offers/QUSL2jy8/checkout

00:00 Welcome to the No BS Podcast

00:57 Introducing Our Special Guest: Ela Mejaborski

01:51 The Dark Side of the Hospitality Industry

03:14 The Birth of Autohost

05:38 A Light Bulb Moment: Spotting Illegal Activity

11:39 Understanding Human Trafficking

15:24 The Importance of Awareness and Training

21:26 Housekeeping Team Challenges

21:56 Importance of Neighbor Relations

23:07 Security and Technology in Rentals

23:30 Human Trafficking Awareness

28:21 Educational Resources and Courses

32:11 Call to Action for Property Managers

39:12 Conclusion and Future Steps

This week, we’re diving into the messy world of **hospitality tech** and uncovering solutions that actually work.

Our guest is Abdul Ahadh, CEO and co-founder of Calry, a game-changing Unified API for property management systems (PMS). If you’ve ever struggled with clunky integrations or wasted time wrestling with tech that doesn’t play nice, this episode is for you.

We break break down:

- Why the PMS integration game is broken.

- How Calry’s Unified API cuts through the chaos.

- Real-world benefits like reduced resource burn and faster integrations.

Plus, Ahad shares his journey from Bangalore’s startup scene to disrupting the short-term rental API game. He gives us a sneak peek into Calry’s expansion plans and why they’re the partner you need to scale smarter, not harder.

Visit CALRY - https://calry.app/

Timestamps (because we know you’re busy):

**00:00** - No BS welcome: Let’s get real about hospitality tech.

**00:57** - Post-VRMA takeaways and industry chatter.

**03:00** - Homecoming Week in Atlanta: The vibe shift.

**07:51** - Meet Abdul Ahadh and the origin story of Calry.

**09:49** - Building Calry: Why the world needed a Unified API.

**13:32** - The gritty truth about hospitality tech challenges.

**16:49** - Bangalore: Why it’s the Silicon Valley you should care about.

**18:05** - How Calry’s solving real problems—and what’s next.

**21:34** - Why PMS integrations suck and how to fix them.

**22:31** - The Unified API solution: One point of contact, endless possibilities.

**24:05** - Business efficiency unlocked: The Calry effect.

**26:23** - Open API and business decisions.

**31:50** - Scaling up: Calry’s roadmap for the future.

**38:51** - The advantages of switching to Calry.

**44:28** - Closing thoughts: Ahad’s advice for the next big disruptor.