If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a list of hundreds of tasks, with more coming in every day. It can be fun, exhilarating, but also daunting.
 

And I bet as a business owner, you have some systems, processes, and maybe even introduced some tools to keep things from spiralling.
 

But I want to tell you something: the way we deal with tasks has changed forever. If you are not on board, you will get left behind. AI, automations, and smarter systems are reshaping how we operate, and if you’re not keeping up… well, you know the rest.

So, that’s why I was so excited about this week’s conversation with Dan de Witte and Lauren Heys from Moxxi. Instead of talking about “working harder” or “hustling more”, we’re talking about how to step back, take control, and create a business that runs smoothly without you burning out. This isn’t theory. It’s a practical, no-nonsense look at the systems, automations, and mindset shifts that will change the way you work.

One of my favourite parts of this episode? We didn’t just talk about generic productivity hacks. We dug into real-world examples of how hosts are using automation platforms like n8n, building out AI agents to handle daily tasks, and streamlining onboarding processes to save time and maintain quality. This is what the future of STR operations looks like, and it’s not as far away as you might think.

We covered the kind of questions I know many of you are grappling with: How do you pick the right tech stack without falling into the trap of constant change? When should you hire, and when should you automate? How do you monitor guest sentiment at scale? And what’s the smartest way to grow without losing control of the experience?

What you will learn from this episode:
⚙️ How to use automation tools like n8n to run tasks behind the scenes
🧠 Why AI agents are more than just hype and how to deploy them smartly
📦 The onboarding systems that streamline new property setup
💬 How to monitor guest sentiment in real time without doing it manually
🚫 What not to automate and where the human touch still matters

Lauren Heys is the founder of Moxxi Property, Tasmania’s largest and most successful short-term rental management business. With a background in the Big 4 as a management consultant and a stint in life coaching, she decided to blend her love of property and business into something more meaningful. What began with a simple landing page and a Facebook post grew rapidly to 60 properties before being hit hard by COVID. Since then, Moxxi has scaled to over 150 properties across multiple locations and continues to grow.

Together with her life and business partner, Dan de Witte, Lauren now leads Moxxi as both a property management company and a consultancy for other operators. They help hosts build sustainable, systemised, and profitable businesses. Their insight doesn’t come from theory; it comes from years of building, breaking, and rebuilding a high-growth accommodation business while raising a young family and growing at more than 50 per cent per year. The lessons they’ve learned along the way are gold for anyone serious about scaling without burning out.

If you’re ready to stop firefighting and start building a business that works for you, not the other way around, this is the episode to queue up next.
By the end, you’ll walk away with tangible ideas, tools, and mindset shifts to help you take back control, systemise your business, and finally scale without the stress.

This one’s for the operators who are tired of duct-taping solutions together and want a smarter, smoother path forward.
This week, we’re continuing our Building It series, Season 19, Episode 3, where I sit down with founders in the accommodation space to unpack exactly how they built their businesses from the ground up. We’re talking grit, strategy, systems, pivots, and the behind-the-scenes realities that rarely get shared.

If there’s one thing I wish more operators would take seriously, it’s planning. Planning is something you need to prioritise above everything else in your business.

Having a clear plan might not sound sexy, but without one, it’s far too easy to burn out, stall your growth, or chase the wrong opportunities. That’s why this week’s episode with Tim Mortimer is such an important one. He scaled from 1 to 250 properties by planning smart, making thoughtful decisions, and keeping his values at the centre.
 

This episode explores what it takes to build a resilient and scalable STR business. Tim doesn’t hold back. He shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how he’s stayed aligned with his vision through every stage of growth. Whether you’re operating five properties or 500 rooms, the way you plan impacts everything from guest satisfaction to staff performance to long-term profitability.
 

I know from my own experience that the right plan creates clarity, reduces stress, and makes your entire operation more effective. Tim shares the exact strategies and mindset shifts that helped him grow BNB Made Easy without losing control. It’s a grounded, honest episode packed with real tools you can start using straight away.
 

🔍 What you will learn from this episode:

📈 How Tim scaled his business from 1 to 250 properties

🧠 Why clarity and planning are critical to sustainable growth

👥 How to hire and build teams in regional markets

🛠️ What systems helped him move from reactive to proactive

🤝 Why staying true to your values is a growth advantage
 

Tim Mortimer is the founder of BNB Made Easy, a short-term rental business that’s grown from one property in a garage in 2018 to over 200 homes across four regional markets in New South Wales: Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga.
 

Raised in regional NSW, Tim combines hospitality, country values, and sharp business instincts to deliver consistent guest experiences and trusted service to homeowners. With a background in sport, education, farming, and travel, his unique path into STR has shaped a brand that’s as focused on community as it is on profitability.
 

Tim’s journey is a blueprint for anyone scaling a business outside the big city, and his insights are gold for operators looking to grow smart without burning out.

This episode is perfect if you’re trying to scale, but want to do it without sacrificing your sanity, your service standards, or your team culture. It’s full of practical tools, honest reflections, and plenty of “I wish I had heard this earlier” kind of insights.

📽 Watch the episodes on YouTube here

🎙 Or tune in on Spotify & Apple Podcasts here