"When I Stopped Trying To Control My Business... Everything Changed"

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Sometimes the most powerful business lessons come from unexpected places.

That's what I discovered in my conversation with Landon Smith, founder of AirINN. His path from touring musician to faith-driven CEO proves that God works in remarkable ways, especially when we stop fighting for control.

A Creative Spirit Finds His Path

Picture this: A passionate musician playing 150+ shows across 38 states, booking his own gigs, living the independent artist life. That was Landon in his early days.

But a simple conversation with a realtor - a former radio DJ who saw potential in him - changed everything.

"If you can make a living as an independent musician, you'll do really well in real estate," the realtor told him.

Landon got his real estate license while still touring, studying at coffee shops between shows.

What's fascinating is how he found creative parallels between music and real estate: "It's almost like a song," he shared with me. "Different songs, different feelings... it's not one song fits all."

The Foundation of Faith, Family, and Freedom

Growing up with four older sisters taught Landon about resilience. But it was his step-father's example that really shaped him. At 47, this man married into a family with five kids, most of them teenagers who'd been through multiple divorces.

Instead of forcing his way in, he sat them down and said something profound: "I'm not going to try to be something I'm not... but I love your mom, and I'm committed to that. I'd love to be here for you."

This early lesson about authentic leadership would later influence how Landon approached his own business challenges.

The Breaking Point That Became a Breakthrough

By 2023, Landon had built what looked like success - multiple businesses, properties, partnerships. But inside, pressure was mounting.

Then came the moment everything changed. He found himself in his wife's office, crying after his morning devotional.

"I called my pastor," Landon shared, his voice still carrying the emotion of that moment. "I said, 'Man, I don't know. On paper, everything I have has almost been drained. I don't know how much longer I can hold on.'"

His pastor expressed sympathy, but Landon's response surprised him: "I'm not sorry... I'm crying because I have this peace."

That peace came from finally understanding a truth that would transform his approach to business: none of it belonged to him. He was just a steward.

Finding Freedom Through Surrender

"My relationship with money is different now," Landon explained. "It's a tool. It's not something to just store up. It's not the end goal. It's a byproduct of doing the right thing."

This shift changed everything about how he approaches business decisions. Instead of asking "How do I get out of this?" during tough times, Landon now asks "What am I supposed to learn from this? How is this going to benefit? What's the lesson here?"

The Birth of AirINN Through Testing and Trust

The path to founding AirINN started with a simple experiment. Frustrated with his property management company's performance, Landon decided to manage one side of a duplex himself. The results were immediate - 35-45% more revenue. The next month showed the same pattern.

"This is such a great A/B test," he realized. When he applied his approach to his Colorado property, it had its biggest month in 4-5 years.

Former clients started noticing and asking for help, but Landon initially resisted. "No, I don't want to manage properties. That's not my thing," he told them.

But God had other plans.

Finding Purpose Beyond Profit

What makes AirINN different is its mission. "We wanted to have properties that make money, that we can visit, but then also so we can donate those nights away to teachers, pastors, police officers," Landon explained.

This vision led to creating a nonprofit alongside the business.

Recently, they welcomed their first nonprofit guest - a milestone that meant more to Landon than any profit margin.

Morning Mindset and Daily Faith

Landon's transformation wasn't just about business strategy. It started with daily habits. Two and a half years ago, he committed to starting each day with Kerry Green's Morning Mindset devotional. This practice strengthened his relationship with Christ right as business challenges intensified.

He also joined a church plant team, arriving at 6 AM every Sunday to set up and tear down. When he suggested hiring someone to handle setup, his pastor's response taught him about true service: "There's some people who find it easier to write a check than to show up and give their time."

The Joy in Growing Pains

"There's no such thing as growing pleasures - it's growing pains," Landon shared. "So if it's painful, you're probably growing in some way, and there's a reason for it." This perspective helps him find joy even in challenges.

He's learned to stay "busy but not rushed" - a distinction that changed how he approaches work. It's possible to work hard while maintaining peace when you're walking with God.

A New Measure of Success

Today, Landon measures success differently. Money is just a tool, not the goal. Problems are opportunities for growth, not obstacles to escape. Most importantly, he's learned that true peace comes from surrender, not control.

"The reality is, I'm not out of the woods yet on paper," he admitted. "But the goal has changed."

His focus now is on being a good steward of whatever God entrusts to him, whether that's property management or ministry opportunities.

A Message for Fellow Entrepreneurs

For business owners feeling overwhelmed, Landon's story offers hope. Your current challenges might be exactly what God is using to draw you closer to Him. The question isn't "How do I escape this situation?" but rather "What is God teaching me through this?"

As Landon's marriage coach asked him: "What must you do? Where must you succeed?" Finding that answer - and pursuing it with faith over fear - makes all the difference.

The path isn't always easy, but walking it with God brings a peace that surpasses understanding. Even in business.

Key Lessons for Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs

Through our conversation, several powerful truths emerged for business owners:

1. Peace comes from surrender, not control

2. Business challenges are opportunities for growth

3. Money works best as a tool, not a goal

4. Faith provides clarity in decision-making

5. Purpose must drive profit, not the other way around

Discover More About AirINN

If Landon’s journey resonates with you and you’re interested in a property management company built on purpose, faith, and service, then check out AirINN. Landon and his team at AirINN offer a unique approach to short-term rental management, designed to make the process hassle-free and rewarding.

Visit AirINN to learn more: www.airinn.life