How Founders Build Predictable Growth Engines - Ayhan Isaacs on Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana

Welcome to a brand new episode of Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana, proudly sponsored by Mr Alfred, the leading property and revenue management system for vacation rentals.

In this episode, Oriol sits down with Ayhan Isaacs, founder of Growth Rhino, to unpack what it really takes to launch and scale an early-stage startup and what short-term rental (STR) companies in Dubai can learn from tech go-to-market strategies.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ Ayhan’s journey from oil & gas operations in Dubai to cold calling in Canada and launching Growth Rhino
✅ How early sales and marketing failures inspired him to master outbound and growth strategies
✅ Why defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is crucial and why most founders start with the wrong assumptions
✅ The difference between working with agencies vs. building in-house marketing teams
✅ Landlord acquisition strategies for holiday home operators in Dubai
✅ How content, networking, and cultural understanding are game-changers for real estate and STR companies
✅ The importance of building entrepreneurial “muscles” through experience, context-switching, and overcoming early challenges

🌍 Whether you’re a tech founder or a holiday home operator, this episode is packed with actionable insights to improve your go-to-market approach, generate leads, and scale sustainably.

🔗 Learn more about our sponsor Mr Alfred – the comprehensive PMS for vacation rentals with dynamic pricing, channel management, and marketing tools. Start your free light version at mralfred.com.

Visit: www.mralfred.com

A special thanks to HiGuests Vacation Homes, our official venue partner, for providing the perfect setting for our podcast.

Visit: www.higuests.com

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews connecting the dots between technology, real estate, and entrepreneurship!

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations only on Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana.

#ConnectingDotswithOriolPlana #VacationRentals #Podcast #mralfred #holidayhomes

Welcome to a brand new episode of Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana, shot live at Scale Middle East, the region’s largest event for short-term rentals and proudly sponsored by mr.alfred, Dubai’s leading PMS and RMS for vacation rentals.

In this special edition, Oriol sits down with two of Dubai’s most prominent Airbnb entrepreneurs and content creators - Bergthor Palsson and Redeet Negate – who share the raw truth behind building successful subleasing businesses in one of the world’s most competitive rental markets.
In this unfiltered conversation, you’ll discover:

✅ The Reality of Subleasing: Why Dubai is not for the faint of heart and how to avoid costly mistakes.

✅ Building in Public: How personal branding on social media is driving business and credibility.

✅ Market Overheating: How subleasing is impacting long-term rental prices in key Dubai towers.

✅ Is Subleasing a Side Hustle? Why this high-stakes game demands full commitment.

✅ Cash Flow, Seasonality, and Scaling: Real numbers, real talk - including how to survive the brutal summer months.

Whether you’re an aspiring host or a seasoned operator, this episode delivers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to thrive in Dubai’s booming short-term rental market.
🎥 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
👉 Visit mr.alfred: www.mralfred.com


#ConnectingDots #ScaleMiddleEast #SubleasingDubai #VacationRentals #AirbnbDubai #DirectBookings #PropTech #mrAlfred #ShortTermRentals #BuildInPublic

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations only on Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana.

#ConnectingDotswithOriolPlana #VacationRentals #Podcast #mralfred #holidayhomes

🎙️ Welcome to a brand new episode of Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana, proudly sponsored by mr.alfred – the leading PMS and RMS for vacation rentals in Dubai.

In this episode, Oriol is joined by his dear friend, Miquel Manzanas, founder of Tecfys, a tech-enabled equipment financing platform.

🔥 In this episode, we cover:

✅ Skyrocketing Demand for Monthly Rentals
Hear how occupancy rates have consistently topped 90% post-COVID and why pricing regulations could disrupt a market that doesn’t have a demand problem—but a supply one.
✅ Venture Debt Demystified
We unpack the real cost of venture debt, equity kickers, personal guarantees, and the risks that don’t show up on a pitch deck.
✅ Smart Equipment Financing: Flexibility Over Draconian Debt
Discover how Tecfys offers small businesses breathing room with flexible contracts, asset buy-backs, and tech refurb strategies that traditional banks simply can’t match.
✅ The Truth About Barcelona’s Tourism Crisis
Is the real problem short-term rentals… or hotel lobby pressure? We dig into the politics behind headlines and why balanced data—not agenda-driven media—should drive regulation.
✅ Lessons in Risk, Resilience & Growth
From managing a sub-2% loss rate to expanding across four countries, this conversation is a masterclass in calculated growth and tech-first business building.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone curious about vacation rentals, B2B fintech, or just what it takes to build something that lasts.

Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platforms.

#ConnectingDots #VacationRentals #HiGuests #Tecfys #VentureDebt #StartupFinance #MonthlyRentals #PropTech #mrAlfred #TourismCrisis #RealEstateInnovation

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📢 This episode of Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana is proudly sponsored by mr.alfred, Dubai’s leading Property & Revenue Management System for vacation rentals. Empowering property managers with automation, dynamic pricing, and operational tools to maximize revenue and streamline operations.

🌐 Visit: www.mralfred.com

Stay tuned for more insightful conversations only on Connecting Dots with Oriol Plana.

#ConnectingDotswithOriolPlana #VacationRentals #Podcast #mralfred #holidayhomes