Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Porter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sure! My background is in sales and account management for a tech company that helped businesses secure capital. It gave me great insight into entrepreneurship, but I didn’t enjoy the long commutes or unrealistic goals. I felt like I was stuck in a system that wasn’t fulfilling, so I decided to take a leap and build something of my own.
In 2021, during COVID, I started a cleaning business focused on short-term rentals. My first client quickly led to more, and I used my sales skills to build trust and grow the business. That turned into In House Services, a company that specializes in Airbnb turnovers, cleaning, inventory reporting, handyman help, and setup/design.
Now, with a team of 15 cleaners and streamlined processes, we handle every job that comes our way. Short-term rentals have been a huge opportunity, not just for us, but for our local community and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road, but one full of growth. When I left my high-stress job, I dreamed of full-time income with part-time hours. At first, that seemed impossible. One turnover a day was easy, two was manageable, but by the time I hit three or more, the pressure was on. Turnover cleanings aren’t flexible they have to be done between check-out and check-in, no excuses.
As the jobs piled up, so did the physical toll, cracked hands, back pain from hauling gear, and long days filled with high client expectations, all while I was still learning the ropes. I realized I couldn’t do it alone.
That’s when I built a process and started bringing in help from family, friends, and eventually a team. What started as “part-time” work quickly became a crash course in leadership, delegation, and building something that could grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the founder of In House Services, a cleaning company that specializes exclusively in short-term rental turnovers. We’re based in Salt Lake City, and our focus is on helping Airbnb hosts manage the behind-the-scenes work so they can focus on providing great guest experiences.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just “clean” we understand hospitality. Our team is trained in the specific needs of short-term rentals: fast, detailed, and guest-ready. We provide professional cleaning, inventory checks, basic handyman support, and even help with design and setup. We’ve built our systems to be streamlined, efficient, and scalable, and we offer live support during turnover hours to ensure nothing gets missed.
I’m most proud of the fact that I started this company from the ground up during COVID, when many businesses were closing. What began as a one-person operation is now a large team, and we’ve perfected our processes to the point where we can confidently take on every clean that comes our way.
Beyond the logistics, I’m proud of the positive economic impact we’ve had. Short-term rentals support so many different people in our community from cleaners to hosts to local businesses and it’s been amazing to be a part of that ecosystem. I think what makes us different is that we truly care about the details and about building something sustainable, both for our clients and for the people who work with us.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to not take everything so personally. I naturally take things very seriously and can be hard on myself, especially when it comes to criticism. In the past, if a client gave feedback or pointed out a mistake, I’d dwell on it for hours or worse, get defensive or shut down. Sometimes I even ended relationships with clients because I took things too personally.
But in this industry, mistakes happen. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of human error. I realized I needed to give myself more grace and patience. Once I accepted that feedback isn’t failure, but a chance to grow, everything changed.
Now, I welcome feedback even complaints. I use it as a learning opportunity for myself and for training my team. I’ve been able to turn client relationships into real partnerships because I listen, validate their concerns, and offer a clear plan to fix any issues. I’ve stepped more into a consulting role with some clients, helping them succeed, not just as a cleaner, but as a trusted part of their business.
Letting go of perfectionism has allowed me to grow, lead better, and build something that’s truly sustainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inhouseservicesslc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inhouseservices.official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inhouseservices.bnb/
