NOVEMBER 11, 2025
#158 How to Build a Purpose-Driven Short-Term Rental Business with Brindy Bringhurst
How do you turn your hosting hustle into a business that not only grows—but gives you freedom, joy, and meaning? Many hosts start with a single property, working endless hours just to keep everything running. But as Brindy Bringhurst discovered, scaling with purpose requires strategy, leadership, and systems—not just more doors.
In this episode, I sit down with Brindy, who went from managing one property to leading a thriving multi-property management operation in Arizona. Her journey shows that building a purpose-driven short-term rental business isn’t about chasing growth for growth’s sake—it’s about creating a business that supports your life, empowers your team, and delivers exceptional experiences for guests.
From Solo Hustle to Strategic Growth
When Brindy started, she was wearing every hat—guest communication, cleaning oversight, property maintenance, and more. Sound familiar? She quickly realized that running everything alone was unsustainable, and if she wanted her business to grow without burning out, she needed to rethink her approach.
That first realization was the turning point. She began defining her ideal owner avatar—clarifying who she wanted to work with and what kind of properties aligned with her vision. By understanding her ideal clients, Brindy could focus her energy on relationships and opportunities that actually moved the needle for her business.
“Scaling isn’t just about adding properties—it’s about adding the right systems, people, and processes that reflect your values,” Brindy says.
Building a Team That Becomes Your Backbone
One of the biggest lessons Brindy learned was that her team is her business. Without a strong, empowered team, she couldn’t deliver the guest experiences she wanted or expand sustainably.
She intentionally recruited people who shared her vision and invested in their growth. By creating a culture that balanced accountability with autonomy, she built a high-performing team that could manage day-to-day operations, freeing Brindy to focus on strategic growth and client relationships.
Practical takeaway: document every process, train your team thoroughly, and protect their energy. A supported, motivated team doesn’t just execute—they elevate your business.
Systems That Free Your Time
Brindy’s success isn’t just about people—it’s also about the systems she put in place. From automated messaging to scheduling software to operational checklists, every tool is carefully chosen to save time, reduce errors, and support growth.
Using a systemized approach allows you to scale without sacrificing quality. For example, property inspections, guest onboarding, and team task management can all be automated or semi-automated, freeing you up for higher-level strategy.
If you’re still juggling spreadsheets and sticky notes, take a step back and evaluate: what can be automated? What requires a human touch? The answer is the sweet spot that makes your purpose-driven short-term rental business efficient and impactful.
The Power of Leadership and Values
Beyond processes and team-building, Brindy emphasizes leadership as a core growth driver. A strong leader sets the tone, communicates clearly, and ensures the business reflects their values.
She encourages hosts to be intentional: decide what success means to you. Is it maximizing bookings? Creating the ultimate guest experience? Or building a business that fits around your lifestyle? When you align your goals with your actions, every decision—hiring, automation, property selection—serves your purpose.
Brindy also stresses the importance of protecting your energy. Entrepreneurs often burn out by trying to do everything or by overextending themselves. By creating boundaries, delegating effectively, and leaning into her team, Brindy ensures her business runs without controlling her life.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Scaling a multi-property business isn’t without hurdles. Brindy faced the usual growing pains: training new team members, standardizing guest experiences, and maintaining consistent quality across properties.
Her secret? Treat challenges as learning opportunities and look for systems-first solutions. When issues arise, she asks: How can this process be improved? How can we prevent this next time? This mindset keeps her business evolving while maintaining a strong foundation.
Your Takeaways
Whether you’re managing a single property or several, Brindy’s story is a blueprint for purpose-driven STR success.
- Define your ideal owner and property type
- Build a team that reflects your values
- Implement systems that free your time and support growth
- Lead with purpose and protect your energy
- Treat every challenge as an opportunity to improve
By focusing on these pillars, you can create a short-term rental business that grows strategically, serves your guests, and supports your life goals.
Tune in now to hear Brindy Bringhurst share her journey, strategies, and mindset shifts for building a freedom-filled, purpose-driven STR business.
HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:
[00:55] A short introduction about our guest Brindy Bringhurst and how she got started in the world of short-term rentals
[04:16] Brindy shares her early experiment in full-home hosting that taught her adaptability, connection, and the trade-offs of earning more while giving up stability
[05:24] Brindy’s reflections on the emotional toll of renting out her own home
[08:49] Brindy walks us through the long, unpredictable transition from her early hosting hustle to establishing a full-fledged co-hosting business
[15:56] Brindy opens up about the defining moment she stopped “trying” and fully committed to making her business work
[20:29] Brindy reflects on the stark contrast between her early years of nonstop hustle and how she now approaches fear, self-doubt, and confidence
[27:08] How growing Brindy’s team transformed her business from a one-woman juggling act into a well-rounded, collaborative operation powered by trust, learning, and honest feedback
[36:11] How leading a team transformed Brindy’s purpose in business from proving herself to creating a company built on collaboration, accountability, and genuine care for her people
[40:29] Brindy recalls the pivotal moment when she realized not every property—or owner—was the right fit for her growing business
[43:53] The challenges of dealing with difficult owners and how those moments have shaped Brindy’s approach to leadership
[48:22] The lightning round
Golden Nuggets:
- “If you have an idea and you think it’ll work, just commit to it and it’ll work. It will happen.”
- “What we believe, is what we can achieve.”
- “As business leaders, it’s critical for us to learn skills about how to be a good business leader.”
- “You don’t have freedom unless you have a team.”
- “Don’t give advice unless you’re asked. People don’t like being given advice unless they’re asking you for advice. So unless they’re asking for advice, you might be better off just listening.”
Let’s Connect!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airbrindy
Website: https://airbrindy.com/
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