I first met James Rubino at a VRMA conference in Orlando two years ago.  He was there at the start of his journey in short term rentals, to learn and network and I mentioned to him then I would have him as a guest on the podcast down the road.  So two years later here we are and what a story it is .

At just 26, James launched Rubino Home Ventures and later co-founded Lake George Vacay, two short-term rental management companies that already stand out for their professionalism, creativity, and community connection. In our conversation, James shares how he went from working in marketing and real estate to building a growing business rooted in service, innovation, and unforgettable guest experiences (wait until you hear about the S'mores with Sasquatch and The Donut Wall!

We talk about:

• How James got started in STRs during the pandemic and what made him choose this path.
  
  
• The importance of learning from experienced operators and industry veterans.
  
  
• Building WOW experiences that go far beyond concierge services (seriously, you’ll want to steal some of these ideas).
  
  
• Navigating regulations (and that heart-stopping call from a building inspector).
  
  
• Managing two different guest profiles - from practical stays to luxury family vacations.
  
  
• Building systems that support scaling without sacrificing service.
  
  
• His early use of AI tools for onboarding and content generation.
  
  
• Why James values slow, strategic growth with a focus on quality over quantity.
  
  

James is a role model for any new entrant in the industry - his story is a reminder that a professional mindset, a hunger to learn, and genuine hospitality can take you far.

🛠️ Tech & Tools Mentioned:

• PMS: OwnerRez
  
  
• Pricing: PriceLabs
  
  
• Cleaning: Turno
  
  
• Task Mgmt: Breezeway
  
  
• Digital Guides: RueBaRue
  
  
• Email & Guest Data: StayFi
  
  

🌐 Resources & Links:

• Lake George Vacay
  
  
• Rubino Home Ventures
  
  
• Join the STRAIT Chat Community – That’s S-T-R-A-I-T: Short-Term Rental AI Technology
  
  
• AI Ambassador Program
  
  

🎉 Takeaway Quote:
“We're in the business of making experiences.” – James Rubino

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