An Insiders Tips On How To Successfully Co-Host Hospitality Units

Hello and welcome to another episode of the behind the Host podcast here on the Boostly podcast. So today we are joined by Carolina Joswick. Caroline Joswick is a host. She's got three units of her own and overall she's got extra units that she co hosts as well, which we're going to be diving in asking questions about today. So overall, 14 units under her control. She's based in Glasgow and the surrounding areas, up to an hour out of Glasgow. And what we're really diving into today is a bit of information about her experience with being a team Boostly member, how to co host and also just to get to know her and her business. So welcome along Carolina. Thank you very much for joining me.

Hi. Thank you for having me. It's really good, you know, to do this live and that's me.

Cool. Well, first question is, so I know we mentioned you're based in Glasgow, but can you, can you tell the people listening in a little bit more about your properties and what brings people to the area?

Glasgow is perfect place for people because we have got two IoTs it's Glasgow and Edinburgh is closed and sometimes Edinburgh is too expensive for people. Why people choose Glasgow? Also we are like one hour from Highlands, Loch Lomond and all travel people just stop top we have got from Glasgow Moai, you start West Highland Way. That is very popular work and lots of people have to stop in Glasgow. Also we have got SSI hydro that is a big, you know, for all life events and why we choose Glasgow and I live in Glasgow and for me, you know, starting point the eight years ago was start on my garden. Yeah. Because it's everything easy. I have got 10, 15 minutes driving to my apartments.

I think it was so underrated the fact that if hosts listening really should look to their local area first because it's an area which you've got obviously good knowledge about and an area where you can specialize in, isn't it?

Yes. And when we start hearing about the new regulation coming to Scotland as was I think two years before COVID I start thinking okay, we have to have got some backup and is why I bought the caravan just two weeks before lockdown. That was scary time because we get key two weeks and after that everything was shut down and just before second lockdown we both another property lodge in the park. Yeah. And everything is going good and great and new regulations are coming to Scotland soon from we are still waiting for update from council. For now we don't know we can still operate it because we have got apartments Buildings and they don't say how they will be resolved. The problem between us and consul next week we have got meeting with council me and other hosts because we have got small community and you know keep together for updates what is going on and hopefully we get some more information. But I have got my backup my other properties outside.

That's cool, that's cool. And that, that goes to show that spreading the type of units and you know sort of a little bit of area that you've kind of hedged your bets there a little bit as to what happens. So if there's a problem that you couldn't host in the apartment, fingers crossed there won't be. But you've like say you've got the caravan, you've got the ones which are outside area as well. So one of the. There's a lot to unpack there. But I think the first thing especially for the people listening Carolina, can can you expl how you got started with short term rental? I know you said that was eight years ago but how did you get started and also whereabouts are you from as well?

I am from Poland. I come to Scotland in 2006 just for one year. I finished my university. They say oh my God, I don't like my job. I'm bookkeeper. I hate being one place I love, you know, be around. I can't sit on the table on the desk from 9 to 5. That's absolutely not me. I jump to the plane landed here and I start thinking I have to change something in my life when my kids born because we don't have grandmother here and if we both work that was like just seeing high five. I have to go to the work and I open cleaning company just couple weeks after when I open I meet amazing guy Robert. He asked me for cleaning his properties his IBNB in this point. I don't know what's that? Hmm, what's that? Okay, I can go try speak. Why not? And after a couple of weeks oh my God, that's amazing business. I have to jump to this and I am rent to rent and he was. He bought new apartment and I asked him can you rent me this apartment and I can make Airbnb? Absolutely not A problem is how I have no now free apartment. We are still friends and everything is going good. Yeah. And after that I started learning how help other hosts if they don't have time to run the property is how I am co host for others as well.

Yeah, that's amazing. So it goes to show that you know the opportunities within Hospitality is huge. But also by having that good relationship.

You know, connection relationships. That's the main point. Point. Because if you don't know someone, how people can trust you?

Yeah, yeah, 100%. And there'll be a lot of people listening to this, just going, well, how do I get started? Well, you know, what you've done there is go out there and build these connections, you know, have be in and around the jobs which are needed for hosting and short term rental. Like you say, like people who can manage guest communication, the cleaning, the them kind of services. There's a lot of opportunity and that can give you experience of short term, that as well. So you mentioned that you do co hosting as well. So I know there'll be a lot of people listening who will be wondering how do you get into co hosting and is there any tips that you've got for people?

For me, everything is because I have got cleaning company and every now everyone know me like a cleaner. Yeah. Even if I meet someone, I was doing the deep cleaning for the letting agency and he said, oh, you have got Airbnb. How, how is working? And I sit with this guy, explain him and he gave me free apartment for co hosting. He's amazing because I just sent him invoice, invoice and that's it. He never, you know, involved. He's happy with me because I take the problem from his head and every month I just send invoice, how much you earn, how much I take. And that's me mostly is recommendation from other people or sometimes I am on the host group in Glasgow. If someone I don't know away for three, two months and need help, I just jump in, I can help you. I can take this property from for short time and you can go away where you have to go. Yeah, and don't worry, I sorted everything.

Do you know there's, there's three things I want to dive into there. So the first one is how you're aware of the problem that you're solving for the landlord. You know, it's so important to actually, you know, hey, I can solve this problem. You can have your time back because I'll co host it on your behalf and you know, you, you'll just pay me the invoice and that's it. Do you know what I mean? The second thing you mentioned, there was actually referrals. You know, most of yours has come from referrals and again that's talking about first of all building good relationships but also delivering on what you say you're going to do. You know, it's amazing. The third one there you mentioned was Facebook. So you can use free social media to get pick up more more co hosting units which is amazing.

That's exactly. You know, just connect with other folks because always even sometimes we need help. I, I sometimes we are for holiday and my staff after Covet is smaller because we lost before COVID I have got 20 now we have got just 14. And sometimes we need help because we are or something happened to my life. And I have got always backup with other hosts and ask how can you clean for me this property just help us. And people say yes because the people know because you connect with people.

Yeah, that makes sense. That makes sense. And there's two off the back of that is two sort of different ways I want to go. The first thing is obviously it sounds like hosting is really, you know changed your life and really helped you with. What is your favorite thing about being a host?

I love connect with people and I love travel and hosting just allowed me to have my freedom because I don't have office, I don't have to work. I can just take my laptop and work from outside and give me money freedom. Yeah. Because it's lots, it's good money. Yeah. If you are co hosting and I love, you know when people have got good experience. If someone stay with me and say that was amazing. Can we come back next the essay. Absolutely, not a problem. You are welcome back every time.

Oh yeah. I mean that is like say the opportunity is huge and and we get enjoyment out of being a host. So yeah, the, the other side of the question I wanted to go down is what has been the biggest challenge? What, what have you not enjoyed and what has been the biggest challenge? But what have you learned from it?

The big challenge was for me when the COVID hit and that was couple months when I really give up. I really give up with everything. I just left host lost like 50 of my company and 4 months I was like on the backstage I just left everything. I said oh to my husband. You can do everything. I am just, you know, message guys. That's me. That was hard for me because one day you just lose everything. You just see like everything go down. But after three months I said oh my God that I have to go back. I have to reboot everything back to normal. I start learning, I start listening is how I become a boosting member because I said there is have to be something who helped me, you know back to the track and enjoy hosting amazing.

And and just to Summarize, I mean, how you felt at the time. It sounds as though you're at a bit of a loss.

So, yes, I get lost because we lost everything in like, I can say 48 hours because the lockdown was, you know, it's locked down. In Scotland, the lockdown was longer than other countries because some countries still can on the Scotland was really, really strict, you know, England, I think already you can travel and rent accommodation. Scotland take I think around three months. And after that one, everything back to normal, let's say. Okay, that's me. I have to back, I have to learn, I have to, you know, take another properties. We can't, you know, just stuck in the point zero.

I mean, that is a scary time. I mean it's scary for everyone, but especially like you say, not, not. You weren't sure how long the le time and you mentioned that you took action and you know, you, you found team Boostly and you know, what, what has that helped you do and what does the business look like now? How has things changed and how have you. I guess, what steps have you taken to improve on the situation since then?

I am learning a lot from the podcast. Also, I have finally PMS manager because before I was like, I can do everything, you know, each reservation I have to go across all these things. You know, CR send message quite often. We have got double bookings because, you know, you are driving. You can't block calendar. Now I have got everything on the place and beautiful new website from Boostly.

Awesome, awesome to hear and I mean this great time to dive into the tech side of things. So just to summarize, you've done some training, you've listened to the podcast and I can see you've taken a lot of action, but the two things I want to dive into. You mentioned your PMS and who was your PMS again?

Sorry, I have got Aviva now.

Aviva, awesome. And for people listening in who may not have a pms, what advice would you have for somebody who hasn't got a pms?

Don't be like me. Go straight away. It's really helpful. And you don't have to keep everything. You know, when you get booking, you get stressed. You have to block this, block this, block this. You can forgot. You just, you know, okay, I have got reservation. Everything go block. All message are sent. I just, you know, can drink my coffee, enjoy life. Yeah, don't be like me. Don't get stubborn. You can do everything. Just go for this. What is good for us. Yeah, it's really Helpful.

I think a lot of people will be resonating with what you're saying because once you've got your pms, you. Why wasn't I doing this before? I mean, that's how I felt myself. And it just makes such a difference to the time you get. You don't have to worry, do you? Not, not, not.

Definitely, definitely. And also you have got more listings. Yeah. Because they put you on Visit Scotland. There is lots of small different website and people can see. Yeah. Because we use like the ota, like the channel to show. Yeah. We don't want people to book by them. But if people show you and you have got the brand, like my brand is Cosy Caravan Scotland. People always can go to the Facebook or Instagram and found me.

That's cool. And you know, you've brought us beautifully onto to branding in general like you say, because with Avivo and not many people will necessarily know this about Vivo as a pms. It's actually the PMS that puts you in the most places. You know, it literally puts you on so many different booking channels and of course because you're spreading your net really wide and like you say with your photos and your photography, you're hinting to people to come and book direct people see your brand and they've got hints and then they search for you and of course they land on your. Your boostly website which you know is. Is going to be amazing. So that is how you're going to bring more people in into book which. Which is pretty spectacular. So yeah, I mean that. That sounds really good. And when it comes down to, you know, your website. What. What is your website for the people who are listening if they wanted to come and check out your. Your website.

My website is Cosy Caravan Scotland and there is a village, one apartment in Glasgow and Caravan and Lodge and you can book there. And the website is amazing because. Because before I had. My website was weeks and was so rubbish was no mobile friendly. When I. When you try go on mobile. Now everything is working.

That's cool. That's good to hear. And one of the things which we'd like to ask, I mean as. As this is being released, you know, we're near the end of 2022. What are you most excited about at the moment, whether it's possible or otherwise?

I am excited about next year because you know, next year bring, you know, I hope bring us a lot of new bookings and in Glasgow we have got of events probably we will be holding the Eurovision but we still don't know, but yeah, we are really looking forward for next year.

That's really cool. I mean what a massive a, you know, massive opportunity that will be. So fingers crossed for, for the year.

Yeah. After the cop 26 the city was like full and everyone was hosting. People just messaged me because lots of people know me and people who just okay, we won't rent for the co op. Carolina, can you create for us listing just for this time? I say absolutely, not a problem. And this moment I think I have got about 25 listings.

Wow. Wow. So that is. Yeah, that's going to be major, isn't it? And we touched on briefly, you're obviously on Instagram and on Facebook and it sounds as though you're the person people tag when people are looking for accommodation or when people are looking for a co host. Is there any tips or any hints that you've got for people when it comes down? There'll be hosts listening to this who don't do anything on social media at all. What, what tips or what advice would you have for them?

I think the social media is very important because people see your pictures, see your brand and if you are not just it's not. It's easy, it's easy to learn because quite often I ask my kids if I don't know how, you know, do video or something, I just give the phone to my kids and they make a magic and help me. If you don't know, ask your kids. But it's really worth to be, you know, see. Yeah, just go and create easy peasy. Create the profile and go spread the word about your property.

Love it, love it. So as we reach towards the end of these these behind the host podcast we love to ask a couple of quick fire questions. So these answers can be as short or as long as you like and yeah, we'll dive in. So if you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Superpower Talk with animals because I love animals.

Oh, sorry, that broke up a bit there.

Say again if I can understand and talk with animals because I really love animals. And also we create in our listing like if people start stay with animals in our properties the 50% we just donate to dog resus because I'm really about the animal help animals. Yeah, if someone got animals that will stay with us we just really say that's the price. But half of this price we just donate to Resusc center every month.

Hey, that is something that you need all over the the website.

Yeah, it's small but can really, really help the Small, you know, like charities, it's plenty of on Facebook. You can found out them and just help. But that's amazing.

That's the power as a host, you know, like from starting a business and creating income for yourself, you know, that's, that's the first thing it helps, you know, build an income. Live day you can start to help the causes which are important to yourself. And being able to donate, you know, fee. And you say a small. But ultimately if everybody did that, hey, that would change. Change things massively, wouldn't it?

So that's different. And also if the guests leave any unopened food, we just donate to the food bank. Yeah, because that, that's fair. Yeah, that's fair. And if someone left, we just, you know, pack everything and one times a week we just donate to food bank.

Nice. And so important as well. And yeah, I love these quick fire because, you know, they, they really get to know you as opposed to the business. You know, I mean that what's important to you and talking to animals isn't one that I've had before. So it's good. What is your top book recommendation or audio podcast? One of the two.

Audio podcast. I like thanks for visiting. I really like listening.

The girls love those.

And how I found Rustley because I was listening the thanks for visiting and there was Mark and that was because when I always was looking was nothing in UK and I just go there listening. Oh my God, there's a guy from uk I have to go there.

Oh, brilliant. I'm glad it led on to good things. So yeah, the thanks for visiting is a popular one. We get a lot of people from all over listen to that. So that's a cool one. And Mark gets everywhere, doesn't he? Which is great.

Yeah. Talking about the Mark and direct booking and everything. Yeah, that's cool.

And what is one piece of advice or a mantra that you live by? You know, sort of a motto or, or some sort of thing that you live by.

Never give up, give up like me because I take a break. But never give up. Just go, go, go.

That shows. And what a beautiful way to bring it to an end because that shows, you know, your journey. Like you say you, you suffered a challenge during COVID by the business drop and you still went out there and took action, which is.

Yeah, never. Yeah, just keep going.

I love it. And I'm just gonna ask one bonus question is how has been a member of team Boostly helped you? You know, have you felt this valuable? Has it been worthwhile?

Yes, it's just amazing if someone is not just go because it's amazing. You have got always podcast, you have got always everything. If you ask question everyone just give you straight away the answer is a good community.

Thank you, thank you for that. And yeah, I feel we've really got to understand your business and some of your challenges and you know, there's been some tips in here. People will, will feel inspired by, by your journey. And thank you very much for, for coming on today. If, if people wanted to get in touch, what's the best way to do.

So the best is found me on Instagram, my business account Cosy Caravan Scotland or also we are on the Facebook but mostly Instagram is the best to get contact with me.

That's cool. So this for anybody listening is at Cosy C O S Y underscore Caravan C A R A V A N Underscores Scotland which is S C O T L A N D. And definitely go and connect with Carolina there and you know, say hi and drop her a message saying you've just listened to this on the podcast. For anybody else who would love to come on the behind the Host podcast or get involved in the community, the best place to go to would be the hospital, the hospitality community on Facebook and you'll be able to join in there with our free Facebook community. Anybody who wants to find out more about Boostly can do so@boostly.co.uk so thank you so much, Carolina for coming on today and yeah, what is, what is your plans for. For the rest of today?

I back to the gym today because I have got off on the rest of the day and it's time for yoga.

Oh, nice. I like it. Well, thanks again for coming on and yeah, take care for now.

Yeah, thank you for having me. Bye, bye, bye.

Having a blast. Gonna get it on the Bruce Lee podcast. Bruce Lee like Bruce Lee. Cause it's so hard and the T is loose leaf making up those rhymes. Don't write it, just do it loosely.