Community Highlights: Meet Brandon Meyer of Rank One Stays

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Meyer.

Hi Brandon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really started with one simple goal: I wanted freedom. Not just financial freedom, but freedom of time, freedom of location, and the ability to build something that was mine.

I got into real estate because I saw it as one of the few paths where regular people can actually change their lives without needing a perfect background, a huge network, or a lucky break. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I didn’t start with some massive plan or funding. I started by learning, taking action, and being willing to make mistakes fast.

In the beginning, I focused on short-term rentals because the numbers made sense and the business model gave me the opportunity to scale quicker than traditional real estate. I wasn’t trying to “get rich overnight” I was trying to build something real. I treated it like a business from day one: systems, guest experience, branding, operations, and constant improvement.

As I grew, I realized something important: the difference between an average Airbnb and a top-performing one isn’t just the property… it’s the experience. That’s when I started leaning heavily into design, themed stays, and amenities that people actually talk about and share. That shift changed everything.

Over time, I scaled into multiple properties across several states and built Rank One Stays into a real brand, not just a collection of rentals. We became known for creating unique, high-performing stays that stand out online and create memorable guest experiences.

Along the way, I also built an online presence through content creation, sharing the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to build, manage, and scale short-term rentals. That opened up a whole new world: media features, partnerships, and the ability to inspire other people who want to create a better life for themselves.

Today, I run a growing short-term rental business and management operation, and I focus heavily on building brands, systems, and experiences that allow the business to scale without chaos. But honestly, what I’m most proud of is that everything I’ve built came from betting on myself, staying consistent, and being willing to do the work when most people quit.

I’m still building, still learning, and still pushing bigger goals but I’m grateful because this path has completely changed my life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

From the outside, entrepreneurship can look like a straight line up, but in reality it’s more like constant problem-solving under pressure. Especially in the short-term rental world, you’re not just running a business you’re managing people, properties, systems, guests, cleaners, vendors, maintenance, and unexpected situations… all at the same time.

One of the biggest struggles early on was learning how to scale without burning out. When you’re starting, you do everything yourself. You’re the operations manager, the customer service rep, the cleaner, the handyman, the designer, and the accountant. That hustle can get you moving, but it’s not sustainable. I had to learn the hard way that if you don’t build systems and delegate, the business starts running you instead of the other way around.

Another major challenge was dealing with the reality of “risk.” Short-term rentals can be amazing, but they come with real uncertainty. Slow seasons, market shifts, rising costs, regulation changes, and unexpected repairs can hit at any time. And then there are the guest issues, which can be the most stressful part. I’ve dealt with everything from minor complaints to major incidents where guests completely disrespected the property or broke rules in extreme ways. Those moments test you because you realize you can do everything right and still end up in a difficult situation.

There were also mental struggles that don’t get talked about enough. When you’re building something from scratch, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind, or like you have to prove yourself constantly. There were times where the pressure was intense, and I questioned if it was worth it. But every time I pushed through a hard season, I came out sharper, more disciplined, and more confident.

Looking back, the struggles were necessary. They forced me to become a better leader, build stronger systems, and take the business seriously at a higher level. And now, those same lessons are what allow me to run the business with more stability and control.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth but I’m grateful it wasn’t, because the hard parts are what built everything that exists today.

As you know, we’re big fans of Rank One Stays. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rank One Stays is a short-term rental design and hospitality brand focused on transforming ordinary homes into unforgettable, high-performing Airbnbs. Our specialty is Airbnb design: creating themed, experience-driven properties that stand out online, earn more, and become the kind of stays guests talk about long after they leave.

What sets Rank One Stays apart is that we don’t treat short-term rentals like generic real estate. We treat them like a product and a brand. Every project starts with a clear concept and design strategy built to win attention online, improve guest experience, and increase performance. We combine design, marketing, and operational systems to create rentals that feel premium and run smoothly behind the scenes.

One of our most well-known projects is a Willy Wonka-inspired home in Pittsburgh, which was featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and later featured by CBS News Pittsburgh in an on-air walkthrough. Shortly after the Post-Gazette feature, the Wonka Candy Company reached out to collaborate on a promotional campaign tied to the release of the latest Wonka film. Those milestones helped validate our mission: when creativity is paired with execution, the result is a property that becomes both memorable and profitable.

In addition to design, Rank One Stays also supports owners through short-term rental optimization and operations, including pricing strategy, listing optimization, guest communication standards, and operational execution. Ultimately, most owners don’t have a property problem, they have a systems problem, and our goal is to solve that with a repeatable, proven approach.

Brand-wise, we’re proud to be building more than just “Airbnbs.” We’re building a recognized brand known for standout design, strong performance, and a consistent guest experience. Just as important, we care deeply about impact. This year, we sponsored our first family in need by providing a free full-week stay at the Willy Wonka home for a family traveling to Children’s Hospital while their daughter prepared for surgery. As we grow, we plan to expand that mission and sponsor more families each year.

What does success mean to you?
To me, success is freedom and impact.

Freedom means having control over my time, my decisions, and the direction of my life, not being stuck in a situation where I’m trading hours for a paycheck or building someone else’s dream. It also means building something stable enough that it doesn’t rely on constant stress or nonstop hustle to survive.

But freedom alone isn’t enough. Real success is being able to create impact through what you build.

For me, that looks like building a business that creates value for others: delivering amazing experiences for guests, helping homeowners turn their properties into real assets, creating jobs and opportunities for team members, and using the business as a platform to give back. One of the moments that really defined this for me was sponsoring our first family in need this year, giving them a free week stay while their daughter was preparing for surgery at Children’s Hospital. That kind of impact makes the work feel meaningful.

So overall, I define success as building something you’re proud of, that gives you freedom, and allows you to positively affect other people’s lives.

Pricing:

• Airbnb Design Consultation (virtual): starting at $250
• Full Airbnb Design Plan (room-by-room concept + shopping list): starting at $1,500
• Full-Service Airbnb Design & Setup (done-for-you): starting at $7,500+
• Furnishing + Decor Installation (local markets): custom pricing based on scope
• Vacation Rental Management / Co-Hosting: performance-based percentage of revenue (custom quote)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rankonestays.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rankonestays
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rankonestays
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rank-one-stays
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RankOneStays
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@rankonestays