Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast

Wilmington, NC is an awesome city. Heck, that's why I moved here 5 years ago and was able to convince Jonas to move here a few weeks ago. It's also a market I know very, very well - and one that I am very excited about doing a micro resort in. Today, we pull back the curtain and deep dive into a potential deal that we are looking at so that you can see the thought process and framework we walkthrough on each deal we analyze - and how we come up with either "heck yes" or "no". Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here:http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.com/realestate

Short answer: VERY! But for some people, the design process can be very overwhelming. Today, Heather shares why design is the one of the most importance parts of any hospitality project (especially a boutique one) and why it's not JUST "oh, that's visually appealing" but that it goes much deeper. Plus, she also gives some of her top design tips that anyone can implement, even if they aren't a designer, and the one thing she will NEVER allow in one of her properties? Want to be the first to know about our newest projects - and even get first crack at being an investor? Sign up for our EPOP Real Estate Newsletter here:http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.com/realestate

Max Lee is not your typical gym owner. In fact, he was never even planning on going to the gym, yet alone opening up 20+ gyms across Taiwan. Heck, he didn't even live in Taiwan 4 years ago - and he wasn't planning on staying that long. But Max is always open to opportunities, and that's what has lead him and his family to leading such interesting lives. You'll hear all about it in today's show, including their year of full-time worldschooling, what life is really like in Taipei and how they decided on it, and how Max and his wife found themselves opening 20+ gyms in Taiwan.

Kevin was a burnt out Wall Street lawyer who left that life behind to "buy a drug motel at the Jersey Shore with no money." Oh...and he had no previous hospitality experience. What he did have was a vision - both for what a new version of hospitality could look like and for what he wanted his life to look like. It didn't involve going back to Wall Street...and did it did involve a lifestyle of freedom. Over the past 7 years, he turned that first motel into a thriving hospitality brand, The Shore House, transformed an entire area, and also pulled of a multi-million dollar exit. In his new book, The Boutique Hotel Blueprint, he documents the entire journey, and here's the cool part: In the process, he realized that he wasn't a hotel operator, but instead, a brand creator. So if you're into real estate and hospitality, then in this episode you'll get a masterclass from Kevin. And if you aren't into real estate and hospitality, the major lessons Kevin learned are applicable to any facet of life where building a brand is vital (and to be honest, when ISN'T that the case anymore)? If you like this episode with Kevin, then go grab his brand new, hot off the presses book The Boutique Hotel Blueprint on Amazon - it's worth it's weight in gold (and fortunately, only costs $30).Buy The Boutique Hotel Blueprint here 00:00 From Wall Street to Boutique Hotels 12:12 The Journey of Transformation 26:30 Building a Brand in Hospitality 37:16 Scaling Success and Lessons Learned 37:32 Market Timing and Investor Exit Strategies 40:03 Real Numbers and Authenticity in Real Estate 45:00 Transitioning from Owner Operator to Asset Manager 50:42 Leveraging Technology for Revenue Growth 55:19 The Importance of Direct Bookings and Guest Relationships 01:04:48 Lifestyle Choices in Hospitality Entrepreneurship 01:11:29 Democratization of Technology in the Hotel Industry

You've thought of it. Probably even dreamed of it. Leaving your regular life - the job, the car, the house, and the rat race - to move to a tropical location, renovate, and run a hotel. No worries, no stress. All sunshine, surf, fresh coconuts. Pure bliss. Well...you've dreamed of doing it, but Steph and Luke have actually done it. In 2020, they "bet it all" to move to Costa Rica and open up a hotel with two young daughters in tow. Heck, they even got a tv show out of it - HGTV's "Betting on Paradise." They were living the dream. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out...A LOT. Here's the full, behind the scenes story of that journey, told by two people who have some of best energy you could possibly have - and still were almost broken by it!

Tom left his home in New Jersey one day before his 26th birthday. He walked. Around the world. For 7 years. 28,000 miles. 38 countries. 34 pairs of shoes. And one trusty companion (who was not part of the original plan). I've been fascinated by Tom's journey for years now - and it's as epic as it sounds. It's also, sometimes, as boring and mundane as it sounds. Tom dives into all that - why he started in the first place, how and why he kept going, what his favorite countries were, and how something like this changed him.But also, how being "the guy who walked around the world" isn't his only identity, and how he's dealing with life after such an epic adventure while being "constrained" to Cincinnati. An open, honest, and insightful look at an accomplishment that very few people have ever achieved through the eyes of someone who has done it. 00:00 The Journey Begins: Tom's World Walk Introduction 03:49 A Life-Changing Event: The Motivation Behind the Walk 10:55 Keeping the Vision Alive: Overcoming Doubts and Challenges 13:26 Reality vs. Expectation: Insights from the Walk 17:12 Gradual Change: Experiencing Cultures on Foot 21:35 The Beauty of Serendipity: Embracing Unexpected Moments 31:17 Rich Experiences: Countries That Left a Mark 33:05 Planning the Route: Balancing Flexibility and Structure 34:37 Navigating the World During COVID 35:11 Defining a World Walk 36:41 The Decision to Walk with a Dog 42:05 Challenges and Companionship on the Journey 47:31 Overcoming Physical and Mental Hurdles 53:49 Reintegration into Normal Life 56:38 Writing the Book: A Journey of Reflection 01:02:32 Embracing Constraints for Growth 01:04:37 Future Adventures and Projects

Ever dreamed of living in Europe? Sipping cappucinos in the square of some Italian village or sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean or Adriatic?It's possible - and, in fact, maybe even a lot more feasible, and affordable, than you think!(especially with lots of new digital nomad visas popping up, which we discuss at length)Jeff Opdyke has been to over 80 countries. He's lived in multiple countries in Europe. He's written for the Wall Street Journal for 17 years and is now the Global Investment Expert for International Living.So...safe to say he knows a thing or two about living abroad and helping expats find the best place in Europe to live. And surprise, surprise - he gets asked the question "Where's the best place to live in Europe and how do I do it?"Hint: If it was one size fits all, this podcast wouldn't be over an hour!But the best thing about Jeff is that he doesn't just give you some basic answer - instead, he gives you a variety of answers based on the situation that YOU are in and the type of life that you want to lead.I've spent decades researching living in Europe, and I know quite a bit. Well, I thought I did. And then Jeff came on and dropped a ton of new knowledge on me. Want to know the "Asheville of Europe?" Or what country is "if Greece and Switzerland had a baby?" Don't miss this one!

Ever dreamt of moving to a tropical country, beach breeze blowing through your hair, surrounded by lush vegetation, wildlife, and amazing surf? ("Uhhh, yea Trav, basically every day!") Well great - then you're in luck. Because 4 years ago, my great friend Erika Kennedy packed up her life in Canada, her husband, two kids, and mom and headed off for that dream lifestyle in Costa Rica. And after living there for 4 years, she explains what it is ACTUALLY like to live that beachfront paradise lifestyle - the good, the bad, and the WTF - including some of the most random things you can't get there. (oh, and she also renovated a decrepit mountaintop house, so she's really seen it all). Enjoy this behind the scenes look at what life in Costa Rica is really like...and maybe you'll be packing your bags sooner rather than later.