Intro

Airbnb has become one of the most popular ways to build income through real estate—but there’s a big difference between doing it casually and doing it strategically.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with experienced real estate investor Myka Artis to break down how to actually make money with Airbnb.

From rental arbitrage to owning properties, this episode gives a real look at what it takes to succeed in the short-term rental space.

Intro to Myka Artis

• Real estate investor and short-term rental expert with years of experience  
• Founder of Sharebnb, a company managing 400+ Airbnb units
• Co-host of the “Live Let Thrive” podcast (one of the longest-running short-term rental podcasts)
• Built multiple income streams through both property ownership and rental arbitrage
• Started investing in real estate after the 2008 recession using creative strategies like the “Kiddie Condo” program
• Website: Sharebnb (www.sharebnb.com )

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into how Airbnb really works behind the scenes—and what separates beginners from experienced operators.

Elijah opens the conversation by sharing his own experience as an Airbnb host, generating between $600–$1,000 per month per unit, while also acknowledging that with less than a year of experience, there’s still more to learn.  

That’s where Myka comes in.

Myka breaks down the fundamentals of building a successful Airbnb business, starting with one of the most important concepts:

👉 Location matters—but strategy matters more

Rather than just picking any property, Myka explains how successful hosts:

• Identify specific markets
• Target the right type of traveler
• Build listings around a clear “avatar”

Elijah Bilel also highlights how this aligns with a bigger principle: every side hustle becomes more profitable when it’s intentional.

💡 Ready to Get Started with Airbnb?

If you’re serious about starting your own Airbnb business, this is your next step:

👉 Click here to create your Airbnb account and get started

Whether you’re exploring rental arbitrage or planning to own properties, taking action is what separates people who learn from people who earn.

Listen to the Episode

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Side Hustler’s Society Resources

Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session

Quick Takeaways

• Elijah emphasizes that Airbnb can generate strong cash flow—but experience matters
• Myka Artis highlights that location is critical, especially when targeting business travelers
• Rental arbitrage allows you to control properties without owning them
• Elijah Bilel explains that beginners should focus on learning before teaching
• Knowing your “target avatar” (ideal guest) can significantly increase profitability
• Adding unique amenities (like Tesla chargers) can help your listing stand out
• Mid-term and long-term stays can reduce operational costs and increase stability
• Owning properties builds long-term wealth, while arbitrage allows faster scaling
• Pricing strategy can help filter out unwanted guests (like party bookings)
• Airbnb success comes from systems, not just listings

How Airbnb Actually Works (Key Concepts Explained)

Rental Arbitrage

Rental arbitrage is when you:

• Rent a property from a landlord
• List it on Airbnb
• Keep the profit after expenses

Myka explains that this method allows you to scale quickly without needing to purchase property upfront.  

Owning Property (Long-Term Strategy)

Owning real estate provides:

• Equity
• Long-term wealth
• More control

Myka emphasizes that while arbitrage is faster, owning is the better long-term play.

Target Avatar Strategy

Your “target avatar” is your ideal guest.

Examples include:

• Business travelers
• Traveling nurses
• Families
• Construction workers

Myka explains that successful hosts design their properties around specific groups—not everyone.

Pricing Strategy to Control Guests

Elijah and Myka both discuss how pricing can:

• Attract the right guests
• Filter out high-risk bookings
• Encourage longer stays

This is one of the most overlooked strategies for new hosts.

Want to Go Deeper? (Free Airbnb Training)

If you’re serious about getting started with Airbnb:

👉 Join The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter and get access to a free 5-part video series on becoming an Airbnb host

This series walks you through:

• How to get your first property
• Setting up your listing
• Avoiding beginner mistakes
• Building a profitable Airbnb system

Click here to get started!

Who This Episode Is For

• Beginners interested in Airbnb
• People exploring real estate as a side hustle
• Anyone looking to generate passive income
• Side hustlers who want to scale into larger opportunities

Key Topics Covered

• How Elijah Bilel makes money with Airbnb
• Rental arbitrage vs owning property
• How Myka Artis built a short-term rental business
• Targeting the right guests
• Scaling an Airbnb operation

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

Want to see furniture and amenities that Elijah offers in his rental units? Click here to see all of the items on Amazon!