Roamlike

A different kind of product placement - that's the Roamlike concept. Airbnb hosts or owners of vacation homes can use the platform to secure beautiful furnishings and goodies free of charge to spice up their vacation home. The only requirement is that you occasionally receive guests. This is how the products of Roamlike's cooperation partners are advertised. The guests are happy and best of all - if they are interested in one of the products and buy it, the landlord also receives a commission. So it's a win-win. Find out here how the team of founders and friends of roamlike came up with this idea and whether the concept also works during corona.

With your start-up "Roamlike" you offer product placements in Airbnbs and vacation rentals, how did you come up with this idea?

Jens himself was a superhost on Airbnb and successfully rented out his apartment. Guests kept asking about the products they could find in the apartment. The mattress, the towels or the soap were always the focus of conversations with guests. Jens worked as a marketing consultant and understood that this interest was better than the previous way of making people aware of products, because these real experiences on vacation inspire.

Can you explain the process in more detail? How do I go from being an Airbnb host to a Roamlike user with a fully furnished apartment?

The process is very simple: you register your apartment or project with Roamlike. Roamlike then checks your details and activates you. Roamlike then helps hosts in three ways: ● Better furnishing through advice and friendly prices on furniture. ● Rent out more cheaply through selected low-cost consumables such as shampoo or toilet paper. ● Honestly inspire with changing free products as goodies for your guests.

Who are you currently working with and how difficult was it for you to land your first customer?

Our record time for a customer approval is 3 minutes. That makes us happy because it proves that our concept is very well received. Our brand partnerships are very diverse, because Roamlike offers thousands of products from various manufacturers for furnishing alone. We work together with furnishing brands such as Home24, Muuto and young furnishing companies to furnish vacation homes in line with style and budget and always offer guests that certain something. The needs of Airbnb and vacation rental owners are very diverse.

Starting with furnishings such as a bed, sofa or kitchen, textiles and hygiene products such as towels, shampoo etc., through to gifts, snacks and drinks. Landlords need all of these things. Guests also enjoy highlights such as mobility or entertainment offers. With vouchers for guests, such as from ShareNow, Roamlike completes the feel-good package for guests and even offers free mobility for their vacation.

What was the most valuable tip someone gave you during your start-up phase?

"Just do it!"

What is your next big challenge?

Our goal is to further establish Roamlike as a full-service partner for hosts of vacation rentals and Airbnbs. As the first on the market and with good contacts in the industry, it is important that our service meets the needs of landlords. Not only the right products are important to us, but also knowledge transfer and advice. We talk to hosts on the phone every day and learn.

Your business model is basically based on people going on vacation and staying in Airbnbs or vacation apartments. Things that are currently difficult to do. How are you dealing with the challenges of the coronavirus crisis? And are there things you have learned from it?

We have benefited from corona. Of course, it wasn't so easy at first, but through the many conversations with our landlords, we have learned that we can help, especially by offering friendly prices for the right products. Our store for hosts offers exactly that: selected products that hosts need and friendly prices that are gratefully used, especially in times of crisis.

Where did you meet as a team?

We've known each other since elementary school. Martin and Jens went to elementary school together. Tim and Jens had two bands together. Martin, Hendrik and Tim went to Latin class together. All in all, we've been friends for over 60 years and bring different experiences from tech, consulting, advertising and the rental industry to Roamlike.

Let's be honest: do you still have a real social life since the company was founded?

Yes - we actually maintain a good work-life balance. Both as founders and especially for our employees. Of course, it was a little different in the beginning.

Do you have a role model and if so, who?

I think all of us founders have different role models and that's a good thing. During our time in Silicon Valley, we had the opportunity to get to know impressive and successful personalities personally. This time had a huge impact on us.