SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
#151 Shoppable Short-Term Rentals: How to Unlock New Revenue Streams in Your STR
What if your short-term rental could earn money even when guests aren’t booking?
That’s exactly what Nisha Franklin is teaching hosts to do with shoppable short-term rentals. As co-founder of From Where, Nisha helps hosts turn their properties into digital storefronts—so guests can purchase items they love, from the mattress they slept on to the artwork on the walls.
It’s not just clever—it’s profitable. And it’s completely possible for your STR.
Why Shoppable Short-Term Rentals Work
Guests are already asking questions:
- “Where did you get that lamp?”
- “Can I buy this rug?”
- “Where can I find this coffee table?”
Instead of giving verbal answers or ignoring these opportunities, shoppable short-term rentals let you monetize curiosity. Every item guests fall in love with can become a new revenue stream, seamlessly integrated into your property.
As Nisha explains, turning your STR into a shopping experience is about creating an intentional flow: guests explore, enjoy, and—if they fall in love—click “buy” without leaving your platform.
How to Set Up Your Shoppable STR
Here’s how Nisha breaks it down:
- Digital storefront setup. Use a platform like From Where to showcase your property’s items.
- Source your products. Highlight items guests already notice, even local furniture finds.
- Promote intentionally. Include small touches in your listing, guidebook, and social media.
- Track revenue. Every purchase generates commissions—your STR becomes a mini-ecommerce business.
Even small changes can transform a property from a simple stay to an ongoing income stream.
Beyond Tech—The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Nisha’s journey isn’t just about tech. From marketing in LA to running a cheese education business, she learned that creativity, community, and problem-solving are what make shoppable short-term rentals succeed.
She emphasizes: time management, knowing your guest’s desires, and curating products intentionally. The result? More than revenue—it’s a property that guests remember and return to, both physically and digitally.
Takeaways for Hosts
If you’re ready to explore this next-level strategy, keep these in mind:
- Guests notice details—they want to buy them.
- Shoppable STRs combine hospitality and e-commerce seamlessly.
- Even small properties can generate big returns with intentional setup.
- Focus on community and experience, not just transactions.
Wrap-Up
Shoppable short-term rentals aren’t just a trend—they’re a way to unlock untapped revenue, deepen guest engagement, and transform your property into an experience guests can take home.
With a bit of strategy, tech, and creativity, your STR can do more than host—it can sell.
HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[00:46] A short introduction about our guest Nisha Franklin and including how she first got started in the short-term rental space and what drew her into the industry
[05:17] Nisha explains what From Where is — a unique platform designed for hosts to share, recommend, and earn from the products they use in their properties — and why it’s becoming a valuable tool for the STR community
[07:25] How hosts without receipts or with locally purchased items can still participate on FromWhere and create storefronts that reflect their property’s style
[10:04] Nisha talks about the items that are trending on FromWhere storefronts
[10:48] Nisha walks us through the From Where sign-up process, explaining how pricing works, what commissions look like, and how hosts can leverage promotions to boost their earnings
[14:08] Nisha describes how timing for sales varies depending on host engagement and promotion
[16:09] How Nisha juggles multiple businesses and family life through planning and time blocking
[18:00] Nisha shares her vision for From Where’s growth over the next five years and how she relies on her tech-savvy team to power the backend
[20:37] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”
- “The biggest failure is not the mistake itself. It’s failing to learn from that mistake.”
- “When we have that one thorn in our side, that one pain point, if we ignore it and we just say, Oh, it’ll go away; It might, but it might come back to bite you in the future. So take care of that pain point, solve the problem.”
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Let’s Connect!
Website: https://fromwhere.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fromwherefinds
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromwherefinds/
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