Eco-Friendly & Flexible: The New Era of Sustainable Living Spaces

By: Sneha Choudhry, Co-Founder, ZoloStays

Sneha Choudhry is a professional with stellar academic and career background. Having more than a decade of experience in leadership positions at global giants, Sneha worked as a Strategy & Operations Consultant and has honed her expertise in driving business growth and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Moreover, Sneha is a passionate advocate for women in business, she actively supports and mentors female entrepreneurs, helping them advance on their path to success.

In a recent conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Sneha shares her insights on the latest market advancements in flexible stays and their impact on reshaping urban landscapes and fostering community development. She also highlights the strategic decisions made to scale operations effectively, her thoughts on the future growth challenges faced by industry leaders.

How is the market evolving in terms of consumer preferences for flexible stays? Are we seeing a permanent shift in the way people view long-term accommodation options?

The demand for flexible accommodation has seen a noticeable shift post-pandemic, with people now valuing convenience and adaptability more than ever. One of the key changes we’ve observed is that customers are increasingly opting for single or private rooms due to heightened concerns about hygiene and cleanliness. They seek privacy for remote work while also desiring a sense of community, which has gained even more importance post-pandemic. At ZoloStays, community has always been a core value proposition, and we’ve noticed an uptick in its importance, partly due to the fear of isolation. Most of our residents initially stayed for short periods like one month, leading us to introduce short stays—offering even more flexibility tailored to customers' evolving needs. These shifts towards privacy, community, and flexibility reflect permanent changes in how people view long-term living.

What role is played by serviced apartments and co-living spaces in reshaping urban landscapes and community building? What role should businesses like yours play in addressing housing affordability and flexibility?

As cities continue to urbanize and hybrid working becomes the norm, co-living spaces and serviced apartments are playing a pivotal role in reshaping urban living. People are increasingly looking for spaces that offer convenience, flexibility, and a sense of community.

These needs are addressed by creating environments that encourage connection while offering cost-effective, hassle-free living solutions. To be affordable we optimize space utilization—most of the larger areas in our properties are community spaces like lounges, entertainment zones, and amphitheatres. This design reduces per-user costs, making our spaces efficient, convenient, and affordable for younger professionals.

Businesses like ours are essential in providing flexible and affordable housing, while fostering a vibrant community experience in a fast-growing urban landscape. Additionally, through our Zoplay initiative, we’ve partnered with top play arenas, offering residents free access to sports like swimming, football, badminton, yoga, and cricket, helping them find new friends while enjoying an active lifestyle.

How do you balance the need for growth in flexible accommodation options while ensuring sustainable practices? Are there innovative models you’ve seen emerging that other players in the industry can learn from?

Sustainability is integral to our growth. We’re mindful of balancing our expansion while adopting eco-friendly practices. From energy-efficient buildings to promoting shared resources in co-living spaces, sustainability is at the heart of operations. The co-living model itself is inherently sustainable, reducing individual consumption by promoting shared spaces and utilities. Additionally, our properties are strategically located near major workplaces and educational institutions, which help to reduce the carbon footprint by minimizing the need for long commutes and automobile use. We’ve also seen innovations like green buildings and energy-efficient technologies gaining traction across the industry. As we grow, we are keen to explore more such sustainable models, inspiring others to adopt responsible, sustainable practices.

What strategic decisions have you made in terms of scaling operations efficiently, and how should industry leaders prepare for future growth challenges?

Scaling a business like ZoloStays comes with its complexities, from ensuring consistent service quality to managing diverse customer needs across multiple locations. We’ve focused on building strong operational frameworks, leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance customer experiences. Our tech-driven platform helps us maintain efficiency and standardize services, even as we expand rapidly. To enhance customer satisfaction, we’ve implemented innovative strategies that personalize and streamline the resident journey.

Strategic partnerships have also been crucial in securing real estate and maintaining high standards across all properties. As we grow, we’re constantly refining our processes to stay agile. Industry leaders must prioritize technology, customer insights, and operational flexibility to overcome future growth challenges while ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience across their properties.

How do you keep your business model attractive to potential investors while focusing on long-term growth and stability? What are the new trends in funding models and investor expectations within the hospitality sector that leaders should be aware of?

In uncertain markets, maintaining an attractive business model for investors requires a balance of growth potential and long-term stability. At ZoloStays, we focus on sustainable growth, backed by strong unit economics and scalability. We’ve seen a shift in investor sentiment towards businesses that offer a clear path to profitability while meeting market needs for flexibility and convenience. Our path to profitability is a journey we embarked on a few years back, and all our decisions regarding revenue, customer experience, and pricing revolve around sustainability and profitability. Leaders in the hospitality sector should be aware of trends like value-driven investments, where the focus is on both financial returns and positive social impact, which are shaping the future of funding models and investor expectations.