Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast

Short answer:  VERY! But for some people, the design process can be very overwhelming. Today, Heather shares why design is the one of the most importance parts of any hospitality project (especially a boutique one) and why it's not JUST "oh, that's visually appealing" but that it goes much deeper. Plus, she also gives some of her top design tips that anyone can implement, even if they aren't a designer, and the one thing she will NEVER allow in one of her properties? Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here.

Experiential micro-resorts around the world? Yes please! Today, we dive into our the top 15 international destinations that we are dreaming (scheming?) of opening up micro-resorts. 3 people. 5 places each. And some very surprising answers.

Max Lee is not your typical gym owner.  In fact, he was never even planning on going to the gym, yet alone opening up 20+ gyms across Taiwan. Heck, he didn't even live in Taiwan 4 years ago - and he wasn't planning on staying that long. But Max is always open to opportunities, and that's what has lead him and his family to leading such interesting lives. You'll hear all about it in today's show, including their year of full-time worldschooling, what life is really like in Taipei and how they decided on it, and how Max and his wife found themselves opening 20+ gyms in Taiwan.

Dreaming about where to do our next project is one of the most fun parts of the whole process - and there are no shortage of epic places to pick from. Today, we narrow down the list to our top 15 places in the US where we'd like to open a micro-resort. 3 people.  5 places each. Including a special guest - someone who EPOP listeners will recognize.

Kevin was a burnt out Wall Street lawyer who left that life behind to "buy a drug motel at the Jersey Shore with no money." Oh...and he had no previous hospitality experience. What he did have was a vision - both for what a new version of hospitality could look like and for what he wanted his life to look like.   It didn't involve going back to Wall Street...and did it did involve a lifestyle of freedom. Over the past 7 years, he turned that first motel into a thriving hospitality brand, The Shore House, transformed an entire area, and also pulled of a multi-million dollar exit. In his new book, The Boutique Hotel Blueprint, he documents the entire journey, and here's the cool part: In the process, he realized that he wasn't a hotel operator, but instead, a brand creator. So if you're into real estate and hospitality, then in this episode you'll get a masterclass from Kevin. And if you aren't into real estate and hospitality, the major lessons Kevin learned are applicable to any facet of life where building a brand is vital (and to be honest, when ISN'T that the case anymore)? If you like this episode with Kevin, then go grab his brand new, hot off the presses book The Boutique Hotel Blueprint on Amazon - it's worth it's weight in gold (and fortunately, only costs $30).Buy The Boutique Hotel Blueprint here   00:00 From Wall Street to Boutique Hotels 12:12 The Journey of Transformation 26:30 Building a Brand in Hospitality 37:16 Scaling Success and Lessons Learned 37:32 Market Timing and Investor Exit Strategies 40:03 Real Numbers and Authenticity in Real Estate 45:00 Transitioning from Owner Operator to Asset Manager 50:42 Leveraging Technology for Revenue Growth 55:19 The Importance of Direct Bookings and Guest Relationships 01:04:48 Lifestyle Choices in Hospitality Entrepreneurship 01:11:29 Democratization of Technology in the Hotel Industry

Two sets of bungalows.  Both on the same island.  Both owned by a one family for the last 50 years.  Both historical and charming.   And that's where the similarities end. In this episode, Trav walks through the lessons he learned from the first set of bungalows (and there are A LOT), how he made sure he didn't make the same mistake twice...and also why, despite the setbacks, the first set of bungalows might actually end up being a better deal (which is truly a shocker). Despite all the similarities, no two deals are the same - and this episode proves it.  Want to be the first to know when we have other projects happening?  Subscribe to our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here: EPOP Real Estate Newsletter

You've thought of it.  Probably even dreamed of it.  Leaving your regular life - the job, the car, the house, and the rat race - to move to a tropical location, renovate, and run a hotel. No worries, no stress.  All sunshine, surf, fresh coconuts.  Pure bliss. Well...you've dreamed of doing it, but Steph and Luke have actually done it. In 2020, they "bet it all" to move to Costa Rica and open up a hotel with two young daughters in tow. Heck, they even got a tv show out of it - HGTV's "Betting on Paradise." They were living the dream. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out...A LOT. Here's the full, behind the scenes story of that journey, told by two people who have some of best energy you could possibly have - and still were almost broken by it!

Jonas has two development projects currently going - one in New York, one in Tennessee.  One's going very well, one's going not so well (or in his words - not at all). So how do two projects, both with the same owner, take two drastically different paths? Find out the biggest lessons Jonas has learned from his Tennessee project, the things he would do differently, and how, despite the development taking years longer than expected, he's still making sure that project doesn't destroy him (financially and emotionally)!

Tom left his home in New Jersey one day before his 26th birthday.  He walked.  Around the world.  For 7 years.  28,000 miles. 38 countries. 34 pairs of shoes. And one trusty companion (who was not part of the original plan). I've been fascinated by Tom's journey for years now - and it's as epic as it sounds.  It's also, sometimes, as boring and mundane as it sounds.  Tom dives into all that - why he started in the first place, how and why he kept going, what his favorite countries were, and how something like this changed him.But also, how being "the guy who walked around the world" isn't his only identity, and how he's dealing with life after such an epic adventure while being "constrained" to Cincinnati.  An open, honest, and insightful look at an accomplishment that very few people have ever achieved through the eyes of someone who has done it.     00:00 The Journey Begins: Tom's World Walk Introduction 03:49 A Life-Changing Event: The Motivation Behind the Walk 10:55 Keeping the Vision Alive: Overcoming Doubts and Challenges 13:26 Reality vs. Expectation: Insights from the Walk 17:12 Gradual Change: Experiencing Cultures on Foot 21:35 The Beauty of Serendipity: Embracing Unexpected Moments 31:17 Rich Experiences: Countries That Left a Mark 33:05 Planning the Route: Balancing Flexibility and Structure 34:37 Navigating the World During COVID 35:11 Defining a World Walk 36:41 The Decision to Walk with a Dog 42:05 Challenges and Companionship on the Journey 47:31 Overcoming Physical and Mental Hurdles 53:49 Reintegration into Normal Life 56:38 Writing the Book: A Journey of Reflection 01:02:32 Embracing Constraints for Growth 01:04:37 Future Adventures and Projects

Location, Location, Location - the old adage of real estate is true.But that doesn't mean the right location is a one size fits all.  In fact, it's the opposite.  What's right for you might not be right for me - and vice versa. The best real estate investors define their own buy box and today we talk about how we have defined our buy box, why we are so keen on hitting "the path of progress" and tease out Jonas's new project in upstate NY - and how it was a home run deal for his buy box.     01:00 The Importance of Location in Real Estate 02:50 Understanding Market Dynamics and Indicators 06:07 Setting a Buy Box for Investments 08:48 Evaluating Path of Progress in Markets 11:46 Finding Hidden Gems in Real Estate 15:13 Urban vs. Rural Investment Strategies 17:48 Case Study: New York Property Investment 20:50 Developing Micro Resorts: Key Considerations 24:03 Zoning and Regulations in Real Estate 26:49 Recap and Key Takeaways