When I started my Airbnb journey in 2020, I never imagined that within a few years, I'd be managing properties in multiple Colombian cities, USA, and Brazil. Here's a recap of some key lessons I learned along the way: Phase 1: I spent my first three years focused entirely on Colombia. Here's why: 1. Deep Market Understanding: I became an expert in Colombian tourism trends, local regulations, and cultural nuances relating to the short-term rental market. 2. Network Building: I developed strong relationships with local service providers, which proved invaluable for scaling. 3. Brand Establishment: My team and I built a strong reputation in Medellín, which opened doors for us to take on new clients. Expanding into more than one market taught me: - Each city, even within the same country, has its unique market dynamics. - Success in one location doesn't guarantee success in another. We had to adapt our strategies for each new city. - Having a strong home base (Medellín) provided the financial stability to experiment in new markets. Phase 2: Expanding into the US After solidifying our presence in Colombia, we focused on working with clients based in the US, providing Cohosting & Property Management services for homeowners. Key takeaways: 1. Our experience in Colombia was both an asset and a challenge. We had to unlearn some practices that didn't apply to the US market. 2. The regulatory landscape in the USA was far more complex. We invested heavily in legal counsel to ensure compliance. 3. Remote management became crucial. We refined our systems to operate effectively across time zones. The ability to adapt allowed us to provide world class service to our clients by maximizing the income they made from their rental properties while also minimizing the stress associated with managing a short-term rental portfolio Key Lessons from Our Journey: 1. Patience Pays Off: Regularly reviewing and improving your systems and processes will give you the greatest edge on your competition.