Ep 54 - Scaling with a Personal Touch with Elena Stepanova

About this episode

Elena Stepanova shares her journey from corporate life to managing a successful property portfolio while emphasizing the importance of personal touch in hosting.

In this episode of Superhost Down Under , hosts Ray Yee and Silvia interview Elena Stepanova , founder of My Perfect Host . Elena discusses her transition from a corporate career to managing a portfolio of over 20 properties[cite: 122, 123, 140]. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The "Brick" Solution: Silvia shares how a host sourced bricks from a building site on New Year's Eve to raise a bed for a guest with a disability[cite: 13, 14]. Hosting in the Suburbs: Elena explains how her Forestville listing succeeded by catering to visiting family and corporate travelers[cite: 133, 134, 135]. Business Evolution: Starting with a family guest room 13 years ago, Elena grew her business through word-of-mouth and professional co-hosting[cite: 89, 104, 146]. Professional Standards: Why high-quality photography is a non-negotiable requirement for any successful listing[cite: 168, 169]. Automation & Systems: A look at the "tech stack" Elena uses, including channel managers, dynamic pricing, and automated cleaning schedules[cite: 174, 175, 176]. Direct Booking Strategies: Using software like Truvy (formerly Super Hog) to screen guests and manage security for off-platform…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ray Yee, Silvia

Guest: Elena Stepanova

Topics covered

• scaling business
• property management
• guest experience
• automation in hosting
• direct booking strategies

Keywords

• property management
• guest experience
• automation
• direct bookings
• professional standards

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: My Perfect Host

Products: Truvy

Books & works: Hospitable Hosts (Vol. 3)

More episodes of Superhosts Down Under with Silvia and Ray

• Ep 59 - 18 Years of Hosting, 5-Star Standards, and the Ultra-Personal Model with Geoff Gedge · May 31, 2026 · 46 min
• Ep 58 - Leaving Airbnb Behind: David Speirs on Booking.com, Family Hosting, and Haven Retreats in Adelaide · May 17, 2026 · 39 min
• Ep 57 - From Five-Star Hotels to Global Publishing: Jodie Odlin's Hosting Empire · May 3, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep 56 - From Separation to Superhost: Jenny’s Airbnb Journey · April 19, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep 55 - The Arbitrage Edge: Building a Multi-Property Portfolio with Siblings Eloi & Emiie · March 22, 2026 · 45 min
• Ep 53 - Lifestyle Hosting: Funding Travel From a One-Bedroom in Melbourne · February 22, 2026 · 43 min