Avery Carl sits down with Erica and Jon Larson, a former teacher and a VP of sales who turned a career shake-up into a thriving short‑term rental business. They share the real, often messy process of leaving their W‑2 jobs—starting with a tight budget, learning the hard way why you never skip a home inspection, and the nightmare of trusting a realtor who wasn’t an STR expert. From teaching kindergarteners to managing guest messages mid‑class, Erica and Jon walk through the grit, risk, and persistence it took to buy their first Smoky Mountains property in 2022 and eventually replace one full‑time income. This conversation is packed with candid lessons for anyone dreaming of trading a traditional job for property‑based freedom. Connect with Erica and Jon:  Website: CYLPrentals.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changeyourlatitudeproperties/ Connect with us: The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/ https://stsplus.com/ Follow Avery Carl on Instagram Follow Avery Carl on TikTok Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube   For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books: Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon