Meet the husband and wife team behind Porchlit Properties, a growing short-term rental business based in Alabama. What began with a career shift and a couple of thoughtfully designed Airbnb rentals has grown into a full portfolio under their brand, Porchlit Properties LLC. With a focus on hospitality, strong systems, and guest experience, they’ve built a business that not only delivers memorable stays but also supports their local community.
Can you tell us a little bit about your history?
My journey into vacation rentals began with a dislike of my current job and a desire to create memorable stays for guests. What started as my husband's company with a couple of thoughtfully designed Airbnb rentals has grown into a portfolio of uniquely styled short-term rentals under our business, Porchlit Properties LLC. We have focused on building systems that provide a consistently high-quality guest experience while supporting the local community and contractors.
What is your background?
We are a small business owner, a lifelong Alabama resident, and a couple who thrives on both structure and creativity. Our background spans healthcare, entrepreneurship, fitness, and customer service—all of which blend seamlessly into the vacation rental world. We also are travelers ourself, so we understand what makes a stay feel like home.
Were you always in the vacation rental world or is this a 2nd/3rd career?
Before vacation rentals, I worked in the corporate healthcare industry and my husband did everything from fitness to massage therapy to car sales. I learned early on how important attention to detail, communication, and systems are—skills that directly shaped the way I manage properties now. But really my husband taught me everything I know, and he learned all from trial and error.
Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later?
We were raised in Alabama, so our properties are located right where my roots are. That local insight helps me recommend experiences and neighborhoods guests might otherwise miss. However, we do have one property in Tennessee and we are looking to expand more.
What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?
I love the creativity and connection. Designing each space is deeply personal, and hosting allows me to meet people from all walks of life while making their travels easier and more enjoyable. It’s incredibly rewarding.
What do you dislike the most about it?
The unpredictability can be challenging—especially when you’re balancing back-to-back turnovers, last-minute issues, or unreasonable guest expectations. But even then, I’ve learned that the right systems and communication can resolve almost anything.
How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?
OwnerRez is the backbone of my business. I use it for channel management, direct bookings, automated messaging, payment processing, and assigning tasks to my team. It keeps me organized and lets me focus more on hospitality than admin work.
What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?
Automation. From messaging to payment reminders, OwnerRez saves me hours every week. The integrations with tools like Zapier and QuickBooks are also game-changers for streamlining operations. I am still learning Zapier but it seems like an amazing tool!
Porchlit Properties is building something special, rooted in hospitality and strong local ties. We look forward to seeing their continued success as they expand into Tennessee and beyond.