Meet Philip Kennard — Founder and CEO of Futurestay. Growing up, Philip loved video games.  And for Philip, video games were about so much more than the playing experience…he loved the art, the logic, and the business behind creating worlds.  This love sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to work in game development for Sega, one of the world’s leading game design companies, and, eventually, would lead to the founding of FutureStay. In this conversation, Philip and I explore the evolution of the vacation rental market, discussing the critical role that small-scale rentalpreneurs play in driving innovation. Learn why he believes the future of hospitality lies in the hands of passionate individuals creating unique, memorable stays rather than large-scale professional managers. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how FutureStay helps rentalpreneurs optimize their listings, secure direct bookings, and protect their investments with AI-powered tools and strategic partnerships like Google Vacation Rentals. Some key takeaways from our conversation include: The importance of diversifying your booking channels to mitigate risks and maximize profits. How technology, such as AI and automation, can level the playing field for small rental operators. Why delivering exceptional guest experiences is crucial for standing out in a crowded market. Philip's vision for the future of short-term rentals and how Futurestay plans to support rentalpreneurs in achieving their goals. If you're passionate about short-term rentals and eager to learn how to succeed in this competitive space, this episode is a must-listen. This episode is brought to you by STR Search!  STR Search helps you find and buy and Airbnb that’ll be profitable from Day 1. Co-Founding by John Bianchi and Taylor Jones, two of the best data nerds and underwriters in the industry, have partnered together to bring this new service to life.  While tools like AirDNA are awesome, they’re just tools.  Not everyone has the time or expertise to sift through all the data and find the perfect deal, especially with today’s interest rates. STR Search does all the legwork for you. They’ll present you with options that not only meet your criteria but will actually cash flow. Learn more here — and mention Behind the Stays when you book a call for an exclusive discount! Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach? Send him an email directly at [email protected] or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him! About the Show Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb. You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com. Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.