How Our Travel Accommodations Platform Hit $3M/Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for CuddlyNest. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published over 2 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
I'm Ritesh Raj, Co-Founder and COO of CuddlyNest, the world’s fastest growing accommodation platform that is transforming how people find and book places to stay around the world. At CuddlyNest, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of lodging options—from hotels to hostels, and serviced apartments to lavish villas—that suit every traveler's needs and budget.
Our mission is to make travel more accessible, enjoyable, and affordable, ensuring that our customers can find the perfect home-away-from-home, no matter where their adventures take them. For a deeper dive into our journey and the driving force behind CuddlyNest, check out our original Starter Story.
At CuddlyNest, our flagship product is our comprehensive and diverse selection of travel accommodations, centralized on one convenient site, that cater to various preferences and budgets. We provide a seamless platform where travelers can discover their perfect stays, for every type of trip. Our primary customers are avid travelers, including solo adventurers, families, digital nomads, and groups looking for memorable and affordable lodging experiences.
Our platform continues to grow rapidly, thanks to our commitment to quality, variety, and customer satisfaction. We've seen a significant increase in user engagement and repeat bookings, with an ever-growing community of happy travelers who rely on CuddlyNest for their lodging needs.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
A lot has changed at CuddlyNest since we last connected. Our business has experienced substantial growth, expanding our market presence and achieving significant milestones that highlight our continued success. Not only is our interface far more advanced than it was a few years ago, but we are now leveraging AI and cryptocurrency technologies to take our platform to the next level.
We’ve significantly expanded our team, bringing on board dozens of new employees across various departments, including engineering, customer support, and marketing. This expansion has been crucial in supporting our continued growth and enhancing our services. Additionally, we launched our mobile app that makes it easier than ever for users to book accommodations on the go, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience. Our search feature is now more advanced, offering guests to browse & book their accommodations in proximity to their preferred interests and activities.
To increase traffic and sales, we’ve implemented several proactive strategies. A key focus has been enhancing our SEO strategy and investing in content marketing to attract organic traffic. We’ve also leveraged our social media platforms in innovative ways to reach new audiences. Our programmatic advertising has driven significant traffic and conversions organically, outperforming traditional marketing methods.
Keeping our existing customers happy remains a top priority. We noticed a significant need for a solution to price comparison sites, where many travelers sit for hours trying to save when booking. We are now proud to report that with innovative AI driven technology, and by leveraging LLM’s & strategic partnerships, CuddlyNest is now able to provide competitive pricing that eliminates any need to spend time comparing prices across different sites. Our customers receive the best possible price on accommodation bookings around the world, always.
We are incredibly excited about the future and look forward to continuing this trajectory of growth and innovation. Thank you for being part of our journey and supporting us as we strive to make travel more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for everyone.
We aim to become a global leader in travel accommodation, renowned for our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and unparalleled customer service. We're planning to continue introducing leading-edge technology to personalize and streamline the booking process, making travel planning as seamless as possible.
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
No true venture is without its challenges, so I’d like to share some of the personal and professional ones we've faced over the past year. It’s no secret that the travel industry was hit hard by the uncertainties of Covid-19, presenting us with unprecedented hurdles.
Our primary focus has been figuring out how to stabilize and continue growing despite the still-turbulent landscape. Day in and day out, my team and I have worked tirelessly to address these shifts, ensuring that our platform not only survives but thrives in this new normal.
To me, the saying "What worked in the past won’t necessarily work in the future" has never felt more relevant. We’ve had to make significant changes to adapt to this rapidly evolving environment. For instance, I realized that wearing too many hats was no longer sustainable. Bringing in new talent to take over some of my roles was essential to ensure fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
We've faced challenges with changes to ad platforms, which disrupted our marketing strategies and demanded quick pivots. On a more personal note, the internal and mental struggles—battling moments of burnout—have been intensely real.
Despite these challenges, we remain committed to our mission of making travel inclusive and accessible. These experiences have made us stronger, more resilient, to our mission. The challenges have forced us to rethink our approach, but they've also given us the opportunity to innovate and grow in ways we never imagined.
We’ve introduced new features to our platform to better meet travelers’ needs, such as flexible booking options and enhanced safety protocols. These changes are designed to ensure that you can still explore new destinations with confidence and peace of mind.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
Every challenge brings with it a key lesson, and the past year has definitely been a rollercoaster of challenges and learning experiences. One of the biggest lessons I learned is the importance of adaptability and foresight. We faced decisions that didn’t always pan out as expected—like hesitating too long to pivot our marketing strategies when ad platforms shifted, or missing early opportunities within travel-tech could have bolstered our resilience.
Even after over a decade of nomadic travel and remote work, I was blindsided by how quickly the travel landscape could change and how unprepared most of the industry was for such rapid shifts. Learning to adapt quickly and anticipate needs better has been essential, and I am proud to say my team has always risen to the occasion.
On a personal level, I’ve had to step outside my comfort zone in ways I never imagined. Hiring new talent to take over some of my roles was not easy—I’ve had to trust others with tasks I’ve always handled myself and that felt like learning to delegate all over again. But this decision turned out to be one of the best moves we made, as it allowed us to bring in fresh perspectives and expertise.
We also initiated new partnerships that aligned perfectly with the emerging trends in the travel industry, like our focus on leveraging AI to provide real-time best-prices for all booking options—thankfully, a timely change that resonated well with our community.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
As we look ahead to the upcoming year and beyond, we're buzzing with excitement about our plans for growth and innovation. In the short term, we're focusing on expanding our offerings to include even more diverse, unique lodging options, tailored specifically to accommodate different travel preferences and needs. Additionally, we're working to enhance our presence in under-explored regions, bringing the CuddlyNest experience to new locales and welcoming even more travelers into our community.
Over the course of this next year we aim to drastically expand our engineering team, while simultaneously focusing efforts toward market growth in the Middle East. In addition, will continue to roll out totally revamped Geo-Pages for every major city or country around the world, taking their educational content to the next level.
These are specialized web pages dedicated to specific geographical locations, providing users with comprehensive information about travel accommodations, attractions, and activities in those areas. These pages are designed to offer an immersive and localized experience, enabling travelers to explore destination-specific insights and make informed decisions when planning their trips.
Our five-year vision is even more ambitious. We aim to become a global leader in travel accommodation, renowned for our commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and unparalleled customer service. We're planning to continue introducing leading-edge technology to personalize and streamline the booking process, making travel planning as seamless as possible.
On a larger scale, we’re excited to form new strategic partnerships with local businesses and tourism boards to further enrich the travel experience for our users.
Surrounding yourself with experienced advisors, mentors, and like-minded peers can provide new perspectives, inspiration, and invaluable advice.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
One of the most transformative pieces of content I read in the last year was "The Infinite Game" by Simon Sinek. This book fundamentally shifted my perspective on leadership and business strategy. Sinek's concept of viewing business as an infinite game—where the goal is not to "win" but to continue playing and evolving—resonated deeply with me. In the turbulent and unpredictable landscape we’ve navigated due to Covid-19, this mindset has been incredibly valuable.
The idea that success isn't measured by short-term victories but by the ability to adapt, innovate, and sustain over time has become a guiding principle for me at CuddlyNest. This philosophy has encouraged us to focus on long-term resilience and continuous improvement, ensuring that we're not just reacting to immediate challenges but building a robust foundation for the future. It inspired a renewed commitment to our core values and mission, empowering us to keep pushing boundaries and striving for excellence, no matter what obstacles arise.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
I've had the opportunity to navigate the often tumultuous waters of growing a business. My top piece of advice for entrepreneurs struggling to grow their business is to remain laser-focused on the needs and wants of your customers. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many companies stray from this fundamental principle.
Continuously gathering feedback, iterating based on that feedback, and providing exceptional customer service can set you apart from the competition. Customers value being heard and appreciated, and in turn, they become your brand advocates.
Another crucial tip is to embrace the importance of a cohesive and passionate team. Having a group of people who believe in the company's vision and are committed to its success can make all the difference. Invest in your team’s development, encourage open communication, and create a supportive work environment.
This fosters innovation and loyalty, both of which are vital for growth. Also, don't shy away from making those tough decisions; sometimes, letting go of a product, service, or even team member who isn’t aligned with your mission is necessary for the greater good.
It's also worth mentioning the mistakes I often see other entrepreneurs making. One common error is trying to scale too quickly. It’s tempting to want to expand rapidly, but without a solid foundation, this can lead to operational chaos and diluted brand value. Ensure your processes, systems, and team are robust enough to handle growth before you take the leap.
Another pitfall is neglecting financial health. Keeping a close eye on cash flow, understanding your financials, and planning for the long term are essential. It’s not just about making money; it's about sustaining your business through the inevitable ups and downs.
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of networking and mentorship. Surrounding yourself with experienced advisors, mentors, and like-minded peers can provide new perspectives, inspiration, and invaluable advice. Often, the insights gained from these relationships can steer you away from costly mistakes and lead to unexpected opportunities. Growing a business is a marathon, not a sprint, and having a supportive network can make the journey not only more manageable but also more enjoyable.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
We are looking to grow our talented engineering team before year end! If you're a passionate and innovative engineer eager to make an impact in the travel industry, we want to hear from you. We'll specifically be on the lookout for full-time software engineers who can help us build and enhance our platform, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for our users.
Your tasks will include developing new features, optimizing existing functionalities, and collaborating closely with our product and design teams. If you're ready for a new challenge and want to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking company, please keep a watchful eye on our LinkedIn and apply as soon as the positions are opened to the public. Join us in shaping the future of travel!
Where can we go to learn more?
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
