The Hotel Investor Playbook
Welcome to The Hotel Investor Playbook, hosted by real estate investors and hospitality experts Michael Russell and Nathan St Cyr. As the founders of Malama Capital and Howzit Hostels, Michael and Nathan have a wealth of experience in owning and operating boutique hotels, hostels, and other experiential lodging properties. With over $30 million in real estate investments, including short-term rentals, long-term rentals, commercial retail, and hospitality properties, they bring a unique perspective on how to turn passion-driven investments into financial freedom.
In this podcast, they share their roadmap for transitioning from traditional real estate investments to boutique hotels, offering listeners the insights and strategies needed to succeed in this niche market. Whether you're looking to learn about identifying the right property, managing operations, or understanding the financial complexities of boutique hotel ownership, The Hotel Investor Playbook has you covered.
Join Michael and Nathan each week as they document their journey towards building a $400 million real estate-based business and bring you along for the ride. Subscribe now and start turning your real estate investment dreams into reality.
The Hotel Investor Playbook
How to Replace a Six-Figure Job with Boutique Hotel Investing | Tim Ensmann E55
Ever dreamed of quitting your six-figure job to build real wealth through hotels? This episode shows you what it actually takes.
Tim Ensmann, founder of the T.C. Hotel Fund, shares how he went from tech sales to owning a multi-million-dollar boutique hotel portfolio in under five years. He reveals the sacrifices, systems, and strategies behind turning a $1.5M property into a $4.5M success story. He then shares how you can follow the same path without losing your sanity.
You’ll learn:
- The real moment he knew he couldn’t stay in corporate anymore
- How he used short-term rentals to bridge the gap from W2 to full-time investor
- What it costs (financially and emotionally) to leave a secure job for entrepreneurship
- How to identify the right first project for your goals
This is a step-by-step blueprint from someone who’s actually done what so many people dream of.
Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.
About Tim
Tim Ensmann is the founder and managing partner of Boutique Hotel Fund, an investment platform that acquires and repositions boutique hotels across the United States. With a background in corporate sales and strategy, Tim transitioned from tech leadership roles into hospitality investing, where he now helps accredited investors build wealth through experiential real estate. His firm focuses on transforming underperforming properties into design-driven, story-led destinations that deliver both emotional impact and strong financial returns. Through his content and education platforms, Tim is redefining what modern hotel ownership looks like for a new generation of investors.
Connect with Tim
Email: tim@boutiquehotelfund.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ensmann/
Website: boutiquehotelfund.com/
Instagram: @tim_ensmann and @boutiquehotelguy
Connect with Michael:
Invest with Malama Capital: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com