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:
[01:13] A short introduction about our guest Chelsea Cutrer and how she got into short-term rentals
[03:30] Chelsea explains how lack of transparency and repeated issues with her property manager pushed her to take over and self-manage her rentals
[07:49] How Chelsea’s tech background and sales experience made the transition to self-managing her rental portfolio smooth and manageable
[09:48] Chelsea shares how quickly expanding from two to four properties convinced her to pursue short-term rentals full time
[10:49] Chelsea explains how leaving her tech job and helping others with their setups naturally grew into a co-hosting business that evolved into full-time property management
[12:22] Chelsea shares how mentoring others on tech and self-management grew into co-hosting, which later transitioned into full-time property management
[14:45] How shifting from coaching to full-service management led Chelsea to refine her offerings and streamline her business model
[16:18] Chelsea talks about her owner acquisition process and how her established business attracts more leads than she can handle, allowing her to be selective with owners based on fit, quality, and revenue goals
[18:07] How Chelsea evaluates potential properties for revenue, condition, and fit, while being honest with owners about whether she can take them on
[19:38] How Chelsea vets owners to gauge their openness to upgrades and alignment with delivering a great guest experience
[21:12] Chelsea shares how she’s growing her team with tech tools, a VA, and a real estate license while evaluating the best path for future expansion
[22:29] Chelsea reflects on how losing her father shifted her perspective from chasing money to pursuing passion and fulfillment in real estate and property management
[25:40] Chelsea explains how relocating from Texas to Florida was driven by passion, growth, and the ability to stay hands-on while leveraging her team
[27:27] Chelsea outlines the systems, contracts, and SOPs she built to support rapid growth and reduce liability
[29:41] Chelsea shares the tasks her VA handles and how delegation has helped her operate at a CEO level
[33:58] What are the biggest challenges that Chelsea has experienced as she has grown her portfolio quickly
[34:53] How Chelsea handled owners who resisted making updates and the difference it made when one owner listened and another didn’t
[39:46] Chelsea’s words of wisdom to those who want to grow their properties
[40:41] 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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