We’re back with another instalment of Building It, where we dive in with founders who didn’t just dream big, they built big. This time, I’ve got Marcus Rader, co-founder and CEO of Hostaway, sharing how he turned a scrappy start-up into a global powerhouse PMS for the short-term rental world. If you’re curious about what it takes to go from zero to a near-unicorn (and do it without losing your mind or soul), this one’s for you.

In this episode, Marcus shares the mindset that’s powered Hostaway’s growth, less about shiny marketing campaigns and more about solving real problems for real people. He explains why focusing on your guests’ needs is the surest way to win, and how you can apply these lessons to your own accommodation business. We also dig into the challenges of raising capital, scaling smart, and how to balance ambition with the daily grind. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and the confidence to think bigger, no matter what stage you’re at.

SHOW LINKS:

Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/

The Accommodation Show: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com/

#BuildingIt #ThinkBig #AccommodationGrowth

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Catching Up with Marcus

01:01 The Growth Story of Hostaway

05:02 Passion vs Profit: What Really Builds a Business

07:02 Money Talks: The Reality Behind Startup Finances

09:47 What Success Really Looks Like in Business

12:42 Timing & Luck: The Hidden Forces Behind Success

15:38 Startup Truths: Challenges, Burnout & Sacrifice

20:08 Think Bigger: How to Become a Market Leader

24:15 From Scarcity to Scale: The Market Leader Mindset

29:52 Sales First: Why Talking to Customers Beats Planning

32:45 Raising Capital: Lessons from $540 Million in Funding

38:11 Choosing the Right Investor: Deal Breakers & Red Flags

44:27 The Power of Learning: How Marcus Prepped for a Mega Round

51:53 Proving Value: Raising $365M to Become #1

58:48 Growth Comes from Discomfort: Embrace the Hard Questions

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