SHS006: How to Make Money As An Airbnb Host With Myka Artis
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