Innovation on Purpose: Erin Mahone on Standardization, Hospitality, and the Future of Multifamily (Boss 133)

About this episode

Evan Happel interviews Erin Mahone about CLS Living's innovative approach to hospitality and technology in multifamily real estate.

Host Evan Happel (Community Boss) sits down with Erin Mahone, SVP of Innovation and Implementation at CLS Living, to discuss the company's bold push into technology, hospitality, and standardization as it expands beyond student housing into multifamily real estate. Erin shares her 18-year journey in the industry — from leasing professional at her own college apartment complex to her current role — and digs into how CLS Living is tackling three core pillars: hospitality, standardization, and efficiency. She describes the company's unique partnership with Forbes Travel Guide to develop a 55-point hospitality standard, their methodical approach to piloting tech solutions (especially in maintenance), and the challenges of getting employee buy-in for new tools. The conversation also covers CLS Living's expansion plans beyond student housing, internal AI tools, and the realities of navigating turn season.

People in this episode

Host: Evan Happel

Guest: Erin Mahone

Topics covered

• innovation
• multifamily real estate
• hospitality
• standardization
• technology

Keywords

• innovation
• hospitality
• multifamily
• standardization
• technology
• CLS Living
• Forbes Travel Guide

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CLS Living, Forbes Travel Guide