What It Really Takes to Merge Two STR Companies | Evan Davison + Evan Montgomery

Is going solo really the best way to scale a short-term rental business—or can the right partnership take you further, faster?

In this episode, we sit down with Evan Davison and Evan Montgomery to unpack what actually happens when two ambitious operators decide to merge their short-term rental businesses. We talk openly about dividing roles using the visionary and integrator model, building trust, and navigating the real challenges of scaling while maintaining a boutique guest experience.

The conversation also explores team leadership, growing pains, and how personal life and fatherhood intersect with running a fast-growing STR operation. This episode offers honest insights, real lessons, and practical perspective for anyone considering partnership or scaling in the short-term rental space.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. The process and mindset behind merging two short-term rental businesses into one partnership.
2. Distinct roles of visionary and integrator, inspired by "Rocket Fuel" and "Traction."
3. Challenges and operational hurdles in integrating company back-ends, systems, and teams.
4. Strategies for team building—hiring, training, and retaining VAs, cleaners, and contractors.
5. Communication methods for maintaining alignment and problem resolution in a partnership.
6. Vetting and educating owner leads, with a focus on budgets and design expectations.
7. Maintaining boutique-level service and personal touch as the business scales.
8. Market differences between Columbus, OH, and other markets like Provincetown, MA.
9. Balancing business demands with family and fatherhood, planning for parental leave.
10. The importance of specialized service providers—designers, photographers, real estate agents—and their impact on rental success.
    

Get in touch with Evan Davison and Evan Montgomery:

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aesthetic_p.g/

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/AestheticPropertyGroup

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.stupendousstays.com/

https://www.aestheticpg.com/

#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #ShortTermRentals #BusinessPartnership #VacationRental #Entrepreneurship
#PropertyManagement #TeamBuilding #STRBusiness
#RealEstateInvesting #WorkLifeBalance #RentalSuccess

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