April 14, 2026
#180 Scaling Short-Term Rental Management: Lessons from the Airbnb Sisters
Building a successful short-term rental business is rarely a solo endeavor. For Lauren Schmidt and Jen Stone, known as the Airbnb Sisters, the secret to scaling their STR management company has been a combination of family trust, niche branding, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. What started as a single listing in Nashville eleven years ago has evolved into a portfolio of seventeen high-performing properties across Tennessee and Florida.
Managing a growing portfolio requires more than just a “hustle” mentality; it requires a clear division of labor and a defined brand identity. In this conversation, we explore how Lauren and Jen transitioned from a side hustle to professional STR management and why they still believe in the power of a personal touch.
The Evolution of a Niche Brand
Lauren began her journey in Nashville organically when she and her husband decided to list their first home on Airbnb during the city’s popular CMA Fest. The listing booked instantly, sparking a decade-long career that eventually caught the attention of a major local developer. By the time Jen joined the business four years ago, the landscape of STR management in Nashville had shifted toward high-energy group stays.
The sisters found significant traction by leaning into a specific aesthetic that appealed to the “bachelorette” and “girls’ trip” market. Their “pink properties”—including the Pink Babe House and the Nashville Doll House—became viral sensations on social media. Jen explains that while they post information about all their homes, their “favorite things to do in Nashville” lists and themed properties drive the most engagement and direct booking inquiries.
Setting Standards for Owner Partnerships
As their reputation grew, the sisters became increasingly selective about the owners they chose to partner with. Lauren emphasizes that they prefer a “hands-off” approach where the owner trusts their expertise entirely. This often involves difficult conversations regarding decor and furniture budgets.
They have learned that it is better to “scare off” a potential client early with high standards than to manage a property that doesn’t fit their portfolio’s aesthetic. For new properties, they aim to be involved before the home is even furnished to ensure the design meets their quality and comfort benchmarks. This proactive approach to STR management ensures that every property they represent is a true reflection of their brand.
The Operational Nudge: Tech and Systems
While Jen and Lauren have built a thriving business using native platform tools, we discussed the importance of eventually implementing more robust systems. Currently, they do not utilize a Property Management Software (PMS) or dynamic pricing tools, preferring to handle guest communication and pricing manually. However, as a portfolio grows, these tools become essential for maximizing revenue and reclaiming time.
I encouraged them to explore options like OwnerRez or Guesty to streamline their operations. While it is difficult to relinquish control, utilizing technology allows a CEO to work “on” the business rather than just “in” it. For any investor looking to scale their STR management efforts, finding the right balance between personal touch and automated efficiency is the ultimate goal.
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HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[01:15] A short introduction about our guests Jen Stone and Lauren Schmidt, and share how they started and grew their short-term rental business together as sisters
[05:42] Jen explains how she and Lauren divided roles while building their short-term rental business
[07:16] Lauren shares why she brought her sister Jen into the short-term rental business
[08:29] Jen explains how social media helped grow their short-term rental business and attract large group bookings
[10:54] Lauren outlines their mixed short-term rental business model of ownership and management, and how a long-term developer partnership shaped their portfolio
[13:41] Lauren highlights that running properties far from home, like their 30A beach rentals, is very different from managing Nashville homes
[14:35] Jen and Lauren discuss managing long-distance properties and finding the right cleaning team
[18:19] Lauren and Jen explain how they maintain quality and consistent design across their properties
[20:12] Lauren describes managing guest communications themselves, and my advice to them about dynamic pricing tool and property management software
[26:57] Jen explains that their approach to adding properties is highly selective, focusing first on the relationship and communication style with the owner rather than just the property itself
[29:19] How Jen and Lauren use experience and firm standards to guide budgeting and property fit decisions
[33:12] Jen and Lauren debunks bachelorette myths and highlights the reality of high-quality group guests
[36:00] Lauren and Jen share how they generally don’t actively screen bachelorette parties or other group bookings, and they treat all guests equally and welcome those who want to book
[37:47] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “It’s so important that we’ve got backups and backups for our backups.”
- “You can have a beautifully designed property, but if it’s poorly run, you’re not going to get great reviews.”
- “If somebody is giving you trouble, kill them with kindness.”
Connect With Our Guest:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/the.airbnb.sisters/
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