029: Christa Freeland, Manager of the Founder House Austin, Discusses Her Innovative Shared-Use Lodging Concept
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
Release Date: 11/04/2020
081: Tactical and Practical Tax Tips
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
Taxes might not be the most exciting part of running a property, but smart tax planning can be a game changer. In this episode, Tyler Otto, Owner and President of Specialized Accounting, provides often overlooked “tactical and practical” tax tips. We also had fun talking about tax planning and uncovering real-world tips you can apply right away. We are very thankful to Tyler for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Specialized Accounting at . Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like locals....
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080: Achieving Work-Life Balance with Rebecca Gallagher, Founder of hozperity
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
For many innkeepers, work-life balance can feel out of reach. Long hours, endless to-do lists, and the pressure of wearing all the hats takes a toll on both business performance and personal wellbeing. That’s why simplifying operations isn’t just good business – it’s essential to building a more fulfilling life. In this episode, Rebecca Gallagher, Founder of hozperity, discusses how she helps independent lodging owners streamline operations, improve profitability, and reclaim their time. We are very thankful to Rebecca for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about...
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079: Local Love: Travelers are Shifting Toward Unique, Family-Owned Stays
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
The quiet luxury trend that took off in 2024, where travelers sought more meaningful and authentic experiences, is shifting in 2025. This year, guests are choosing family-owned lodging for the warmth, connection, and comfort it offers. Family-owned, independent properties are in a perfect position to meet this demand by creating stays that feel like home. In this episode, Mandy Murry, founder of Hospitality Concierge, discusses how small stays can deliver these high-touch experiences. She also shares her “Undercover Boss”-style approach to consulting and the other trends she’s seeing...
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078: Increase Margins Through Direct Bookings
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
For independent lodging operators, direct bookings are the ultimate goal. Yet, many struggle with optimizing their online presence to achieve this. Tarun Goyal, Founder & CEO of Simplotel, discusses how their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are helping over 3,000 hotels worldwide improve their booking processes and maximize direct reservations. Now expanding into North America, Simplotel offers independent properties a better way to increase margins, reduce OTA reliance, and enhance the guest booking experience. We are very thankful to Tarun for sharing his insights with us....
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077: What to Do (and Not Do) Marketing-Wise When Selling a Property
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
Many owners dream of selling their properties for maximum value down the line. While operational efficiency is key, one critical aspect is often overlooked -- marketing. Chris Kelly, a seasoned consultant at White Stone Brokers, shares invaluable insights on why regularly auditing and optimizing marketing strategies is essential. Not only can this boost your revenue, but it can also significantly enhance your property's overall market value. We are very thankful to Chris for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about White Stone Brokers at . Our podcast is presented by the...
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076: Louisville Awaits: A Sneak Peek at the 2025 ALP Conference with Sarah Gazi, CEO
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
What do the Kentucky Derby, hand-crafted bourbon, southern charm, a vibrant culture of arts, cuisine, and independent lodging all have in common? Louisville, Kentucky -- the host city of the 2025 ALP Conference & Marketplace taking place March 24–27. Sarah Gazi, ALP CEO, provides a preview of what to expect at this year’s conference, which will host 50 educational sessions and lots of southern-themed networking and fun. We are very thankful to Sarah for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about the 2025 ALP Conference & Marketplace at Our podcast is...
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075: Peeling Back the Layers for Better Marketing Decisions
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
Centralized online marketing tools are increasingly essential for independent lodging professionals, allowing innkeepers to focus more on their daily operations. Data Bing consolidates all marketing efforts and provides robust insights to make better decisions that drive more bookings. Matt Cooke, CEO of Data Bing, shares how this solution can optimize your online marketing. We are very thankful to Matt for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Data Bing at . Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that helps your guests live like...
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074: Protecting Transactions: Essential Payment and Cybersecurity Practices for Credit Card Processing
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
Data breaches and cyberattacks are growing challenges for the independent lodging sector, highlighting the need for property owners to safeguard their data. The right payment processing solutions can help innkeepers save money, streamline operations, and protect sensitive information. Wynn Salisch, Founder of Casablanca Payments, shares insights on payment processing and cyber hygiene. We are very thankful to Wynn for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Casablanca Payments at Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, the digital concierge that...
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073: Coming to Iowa: MWInns 2024 Conference & Trade Show Preview with Kerri Thiel and Randy Bangs
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
As the newly rebranded (MWInns) continues to expand in the region and provide marketing value for its members, the organization is about to kick off its annual conference. Taking place December 3rd to 5th in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Show will gather industry experts, vendor partners, and other innkeepers to explore issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience. We are very thankful to Kerri Thiel, Executive Director of MWInns; and Randy Bangs, who is the Board VP Marketing Chair of MWInns, for sharing their insights about the conference with us. You can learn more...
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072: Perseverance in Action: From Navigating Cease-and-Desist Orders to Successful Urban Property
Frictionless Innkeeper Podcast
In 2004, when Julie McAferty and her husband Blayne purchased a 1920s-era home in Seattle, WA they did not anticipate the obstacles that they would encounter. From facing cease-and-desist orders to navigating changes in local laws, their perseverance and advocacy for the lodging industry were key to their triumphs. Overcoming these obstacles early on, helped them master a strategic approach to running their business. As urban lodging owners, it soon became apparent that providing guests with personalized recommendations to local attractions was essential for creating memorable guest...
info_outlineKnown for its South by Southwest (SXSW) conference and festival, as well as its thriving music, food and culture scene, the city of Austin is a dream for young entrepreneurs, musicians and creatives.
Though just as the COVID-19 pandemic upended the entire globe, Austin was also heavily impacted with SXSW being cancelled in early March, with travel restrictions making it difficult for people to visit this vibrant city.
For the Adina Austin Bed & Breakfast, this was a challenging time, since the property officially opened in March right before SXSW – in anticipation of having full bookings during the festival and beyond.
With the cancellation of SXSW, the owners of Adina Austin decided to get creative and partnered with entrepreneur Christa Freeland to offer a portion of the property as the Founder House Austin, which is a co-working and co-living place for entrepreneurs that opened in May.
Our podcast is presented by the Frictionless Guest App, a mobile app that lodging professionals provide to their guests so they can recommend unique local places to eat, play and shop, allow guests to order their offerings, and communicate with guests in many other ways. To learn more, visit frictionlessguest.com.