MAY 13, 2025
#132: How to Master Time Management as an Airbnb Host: Melissa Mondzelewski’s Secrets to Balancing Life & Business
What if your calendar served you—instead of the other way around?
In this inspiring episode of The STR Sisterhood Podcast, I sat down with Melissa Mondzelewski: a powerhouse mom of four, thriving Airbnb host, and short-term rental business owner who’s created a lifestyle rooted in intentional time management and personal alignment.
Melissa shared the behind-the-scenes look at how she runs a successful STR business while also being present for her family, prioritizing personal growth, and staying anchored in her long-term vision.
This one is packed with real talk and tangible strategies for any host who’s craving more ease, balance, and clarity in their week.
The Power of the “Ideal Week”
Melissa doesn’t believe in rigid schedules or cookie-cutter productivity hacks. Instead, she uses an “ideal week” framework—a flexible tool that helps her focus on what truly matters in each season of life and business.
She walks us through how she themes her workdays, batches tasks, and makes room for both business strategy and quiet reflection. Her approach is built on adaptability, not perfection—and that’s what makes it work.
Balancing Business and Motherhood
As a mom of four, Melissa is no stranger to juggling multiple roles. But what’s refreshing is how openly she talks about giving herself permission to build a business that supports her family, not competes with it.
From carving out creative time to staying grounded during disruptions in her Airbnb operations, she shows us what it really looks like to stay in alignment while scaling a short-term rental business.
Delegation, Disruptions & Letting Go of Control
One of the most powerful lessons in this episode? Letting go of doing it all.
Melissa shares how embracing delegation—both in her business and home life—has freed her up to focus on growth, joy, and what only she can do. Whether it’s hiring help for cleaning or trusting team members to manage guest communications, she’s built a support system that allows her to stay in her zone of genius.
A New Way to Think About Time
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly behind or struggling to find time for the things that matter most, Melissa’s story is your invitation to rethink what productivity and success really look like.
You don’t have to do it all. You just need a system that honors your values, your goals, and the season of life you’re in.
HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[00:26] A short introduction about our guest Melissa Mondzelewski and how she got started in the world of short-term rentals
[01:55] Melissa’s short-term rental portfolio and what it looks like today
[03:02] Melissa talks about how balancing motherhood and business requires constant adjustment and shares that her “ideal week” evolves regularly
[04:20] Melissa’s ideal week concept and how it evolved from managing a busy family schedule to setting firm personal and family priorities first
[05:28] Melissa’s ideal week planning and how it aligns with her “five year vision”
[07:46] Melissa share her experience and approach to navigating disruptions and prioritizing family over business during a crisis
[10:45] Melissa share her weekly planning tools and strategies for family and business balance
[15:50] Melissa’s advice for non-planners highlights how planning helps manage stress and progress toward goals
[18:08] Melissa’s approach to balancing her to-do list and ideal week, emphasizing the importance of sticking to a system
[21:19] How Melissa manages guest communications for her four properties and the importance of delegation
[25:48] Melissa shares how her kids appreciate the flexibility of her business that allows her to support their activities
[27:05] How Melissa structures her workweek to keep herself on track and productive
[31:01] Melissa shares how she structures her workdays, incorporating creative time and flexibility
[34:53] How Melissa handles the unpredictability of her schedule and the importance of avoiding overwhelm
[40:17] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “There are certain things that I just won’t compromise on. I won’t compromise on my kids schedule. I won’t compromise on my workouts. I won’t compromise, doing family stuff. So when I create my ideal week, all of that goes into my week first, then I put the business stuff in.”
- “I think you really need to have that five year vision of where you want to go. And if you don’t have that five year vision, you’re never going to get there.”
- “I think those priorities come front and center, and they’re always there to remind us, hey, I have a business. I love my business, but my family comes first.”
- “Be true to yourself and your values; find your why and just stick to it.”
- “Talk to yourself like you would your best friend.”
Let’s Connect!
Follow Melissa Mondzelewski on:
Website: https://www.stylishstay.com/
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