Podcast Guest Booking
Denayer Mueller & Carlos Castillo
Veteran Leaders • Healthcare Innovators • Travel & PropTech Entrepreneurs
Co-Founders of Direct BookMe
Quick Facts:
Guest Speakers:
Denayer Mueller and Carlos Castillo
are military veterans and co-founders of Direct BookMe, a marketplace that connects travelers and hosts directly to eliminate platform fees and build authentic stays.
They bring operational rigor, host-first product thinking, and a founder’s perspective to the future of short-term rentals.
Target Audiences for Podcasts:
- Short-term rental hosts
- Property managers & co-hosting companies
- Real estate & STR investors
- PropTech & TravelTech innovators
- Entrepreneurs and startup founders
- Military veteran-focused audiences
- Digital nomads and travel communities
- Industry analysts & economic trend shows
Podcast Guest Appearances:
Testimonials
If you'd like to invite Denayer Mueller and Carlos Castillo on the show:
About the Founders
Denayer Mueller
Army Reserve Captain • Nurse Practitioner • Entrepreneur • Co-Founder of Direct BookMe
Veteran • Healthcare Leader • Global Traveler
Denayer is a U.S. Army Reserve Captain, Nurse Practitioner, and seasoned healthcare leader turned entrepreneur. After years of navigating complex systems in both military and medical environments, she saw an opportunity to bring transparency, fairness, and human connection back to the travel and short-term rental industry.
As a global traveler and property host herself, she experienced firsthand how traditional booking platforms limit hosts, take excessive fees, and disconnect guests from authentic stays.
Her leadership background, operational discipline, and passion for building community-driven solutions drive the mission behind Direct BookMe — empowering hosts and guests to connect directly without unnecessary barriers.
Carlos Castillo
National Guard Veteran • Healthcare Leader • Operations Strategist • Co-Founder of Direct BookMe
Military Veteran • Entrepreneur • Property Operations Expert
Carlos is a National Guard Veteran, healthcare leader, and operations strategist with deep expertise in building scalable systems and efficiency-driven workflows. He brings an analytical, structured approach to Direct BookMe, grounded in his years of service and leadership across mission-critical environments.
As a traveler and property operations specialist, Carlos experienced the pain points of traditional booking platforms — from inconsistent support to excessive service fees. His vision: create a system where travelers and hosts benefit equally, transparency is the norm, and the value stays where it belongs — with the people, not the platforms.
About Direct BookMe
Direct BookMe is a marketplace built for travelers and hosts who want freedom, savings, and genuine connection.
Unlike traditional platforms that charge hefty fees and restrict communication, Direct BookMe allows:
- Travelers to book unique stays without hidden fees
- Hosts to showcase their properties and keep more of their earnings
- Property managers to secure fee-free bookings for clients
- Investors & analysts to access a new revenue model in the growing direct-booking movement
The platform eliminates third-party restrictions and focuses on what truly matters:
authentic experiences, transparent pricing, real community, and direct human connection.
Who Benefits Most From Direct BookMe
Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com hosts tired of high platform fees
Property managers & co-hosts managing multiple properties
Hosts aiming to increase direct bookings
Travelers seeking lower-cost, more personal stays
Investors, VCs, and angel funds in travel, tech, or proptech
Industry analysts and STR (short-term rental) investors
Influencers and thought leaders in the short-term rental space
Signature Podcast Topics
1. The Why Behind Direct BookMe
The real problems in today’s short-term rental platforms — and why the industry is ready for a shift.
2. Who Direct BookMe Is For
Breaking down the types of hosts, managers, and travelers who benefit most.
3. How Direct Booking Works — And Why It’s the Future
The advantages of bypassing third-party platforms entirely.
4. The Future of Short-Term Rentals
Where the market is heading and how Direct BookMe fits into the next wave of travel innovation.
5. Entrepreneurship & Building the Platform
What it takes to build a marketplace from scratch as veteran founders.
6. Industry Trends & Insights
How traveler expectations and host frustrations led to an emerging direct-booking movement.
Suggested Interview Questions
What inspired you both to create Direct BookMe?
How does Direct BookMe help hosts take control of their bookings and increase revenue?
Who is Direct BookMe designed for and what types of properties or hosts benefit most?
How do you see the short-term rental industry evolving, and where does Direct BookMe fit into that evolution?
What’s your long-term vision for scaling Direct BookMe and creating value for hosts, guests, and investors?
