The origins of the short-term rental industry can be summed up in one word: chaotic.
From the beginning, it demanded a do-it-yourself mindset. Success often came down to improvisation, until larger platforms entered the scene.
Now the industry is mainstream. Platforms are stronger, the market is bigger, but one thing hasn’t changed. Owners still need to show up.
For those who have been in the business for years, that reality calls for pragmatism. It’s less about resisting new trends and more about learning how to ride the wave of change.
STR Global Unlocked Podcast | Episode 2
EPISODE 2 WITH BRIAN EGAN, EVOLVE FOUNDER AND CEO
When Brian Egan entered the short-term rental industry in 2011, his goal was simple: disrupt and succeed.
He admits he made a mistake. He was not willing to wait until he was eighty to “make it big.” He wanted results right away.
Growth opportunities came quickly. Property managers called with offers to partner, though without exclusivity. Brian was not comfortable with that model, but the promise of rapid expansion was hard to resist. He leaned in, and for a while, it worked.
Looking back, Brian told Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier, that the real mistake was losing conviction in the original model. Partnering with property managers under non-exclusive agreements fueled rapid growth, but it turned Evolve into another middleman.
His vision had always been different. He wanted to build lasting relationships with the true decision-makers: the homeowners paying the mortgage, controlling the asset, and needing solutions when problems arose.
Eventually, he returned to that conviction, rebuilt Evolve one homeowner at a time, and today runs a profitable, self-sustaining company managing more than 35,000 properties across the United States.
“Ultimately, there's the financial performance of the business. And at the end of the day, every business is ultimately worth their future cash flows.”
In this conversation, Brian shares how he recovered from that mistake and what he has learned along the way. The discussion touches on:
Why there are no extra points for making things harder than they need to be, including treating OTAs as partners instead of competitors.
Why DIY hosting has not captured 80% of the market, and why professional management alone has not either. Finding the right balance is key.
Why disruption is still possible and becoming more appealing, and whether tools like AI could accelerate it.
Why going global is part of Evolve’s future, but one market remains the biggest opportunity Brian is determined to pursue.
🎧 This week's episode of STR Global Unlocked with Brian Egan (Co-Founder and CEO of Evolve) inspired this issue.
Watch our first episode here.
Key STR Trends
INDUSTRY CHECK-IN
Airbnb’s impact on India’s economy is significant. Few private companies can say they account for 0.5% of a country’s travel and tourism GDP.
Tourism in India is booming, and Airbnb has played a central role by expanding access to short-term rentals. Beyond the direct contribution to GDP, the company’s growth has fueled indirect sectors and accelerated development in smaller cities.
Source: So.City
The most striking finding from recent Oxford University research is not the economic boost but the user base. Ninety-one percent of Airbnb guests in India are domestic travelers. That shift has reshaped how tourism works across the country, as this article explains.
What comes next? This piece from Skift explores the one challenge Airbnb must address if it wants to win in India.
Weekly News
WORTH A READ
Want to dig deeper into the industry? Each issue brings a mix of facts, news, and tech developments shaping short-term rentals.
OTAs and AI Agents
Booking platforms are gearing up for a new wave of AI-driven customer service.
Smart Pest Control
A startup reimagining pest management for property managers just raised $28M.
Identity Verification Fix
One company may finally solve one of vacation rentals’ toughest challenges.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This week’s episode explores why short-term rentals continue to search for disruptors, especially as the market expands globally. Today’s guest reminds us that even after a decade, no tool has reshaped the industry the way those early solutions once did.
The drive to innovate is still strong. Owners who focus on what is essential and choose the right partners, whether companies, individuals, or tools, will be the ones best positioned to succeed.
Until next time, keep questioning, keep building, and keep unlocking the future of the STR industry.
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