"I was down $5,000, but I had a problem to solve – and that’s how I built Enso Connect."
In this episode of STR Booked, host Nihal Salah chats with Francois Gouelo, co-founder of Enso Connect, about how an unexpected rental disaster turned into a powerful business idea. Francois shares how his experience led him to reshape the guest experience and find solutions to common pain points faced by both guests and property managers. Here’s what you can take away from their insightful conversation:
Key takeaways:
1. Turn problems into opportunities Francois' journey started with a $5,000 mistake during a rental stay. Instead of walking away, he saw it as an opportunity to solve a common problem in the short-term rental world: poor guest experiences. His story is a reminder that your biggest challenges can lead to your best ideas.
“Find the problem, not the solution – that’s how you build a business.”
2. Personalised upsells can transform your business Are you leaving money on the table? Many hosts fail to take advantage of upselling. From early check-ins to local experiences, offering personalised options can boost guest satisfaction and significantly increase your revenue.
"You'd be surprised what guests are willing to pay for if the offer is relevant and well-timed."
3. Automation doesn’t mean losing the human touch Running a short-term rental can be overwhelming, but automation can help streamline operations without compromising on quality. By automating routine tasks like guest communications and booking confirmations, you save time and improve the overall guest experience.
“There’s so much that can be automated in hospitality, freeing you up to focus on what matters most.”
4. Retaining guests is as important as acquiring them Generating five-star reviews and repeat bookings is key to long-term success. Building relationships with your guests and leveraging data to understand their needs will keep them coming back to your properties.
“A lot of property managers overlook the power of repeat guests and the value they bring to your business.”
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