Episode Details

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Reuben Doetsch, Co-Founder and President of AvantStay, to explore what it's like to build culture at a fast-moving, remote-first hospitality company bringing hotel-level consistency to short-term rentals.

Reuben shares how frustration with inconsistent short-term rental experiences, combined with his background running a co-living company, led him and his co-founder to build AvantStay into a portfolio of over 3,500 properties across 60 markets. The conversation dives into the company's deliberately flat, global-first hiring philosophy — paying top talent well regardless of location, with no artificial leveling ceilings between onshore and offshore employees — and how that shapes a genuinely unified (not siloed) remote culture.

The episode also covers AvantStay's blunt, performance-driven approach to culture, including cutting formal culture programming in favor of real interpersonal connection, a mandate for employees to actively upskill in AI, and an honest acknowledgment that the company's fast-changing, low-structure environment isn't the right fit for everyone — and that's by design.

What You'll Learn

• How AvantStay's "hotel in the home" concept was born out of real frustration with inconsistent short-term rentals
• Why the company deliberately avoids different leveling criteria for offshore versus onshore employees
• How AvantStay builds genuine connection with a globally distributed team through regular in-person gatherings
• Why the company cut formal culture programs in favor of real manager relationships and shared work
• How AvantStay's new "Market Enablement Team" was created to solve lagging regional issues with fresh eyes
• Why Reuben openly says AvantStay isn't the right fit for everyone, and how that's addressed from the first interview

Company Highlights

• Industry: Tech-enabled hospitality (short-term rentals and boutique hotels)
• Customer Base: Travelers seeking unique, high-quality alternative accommodations, from large group homes to boutique hotels
• Company Stage: 8-year-old company, ~400-450 employees (down from a peak of 800), fully remote with ~200 field-based roles
• Culture: Performance-driven, transparent, fast-moving, and intentionally not for everyone
• Focus Areas: AI upskilling, global talent equity, acquisition integration, and operational agility

Unique Perks & Programs

• Vacation-Style Stay Credits: Employees can stay at AvantStay properties in other markets to build firsthand understanding of the business
• No Offshore/Onshore Ceiling: Equal advancement opportunity regardless of location, including senior leadership roles held by fully remote team members
• Flexible, Outcome-Based Schedules: Employees can structure their work around their life and location as long as outcomes are met
• Quarterly In-Person Gatherings: Regular team meetups plus natural gatherings around market and hotel launches
• High-Trust, Low-Micromanagement Culture: Trust is earned but extended broadly once established, including around scheduling and location
• Mandatory AI Upskilling: A company-wide expectation that employees actively learn and apply AI tools to remain competitive

To learn more about AvantStay:

Careers Page (they're hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Reuben's LinkedIn