John Candelario’s journey from a disgruntled banking analyst to the co-founder of a million-dollar Airbnb cleaning service business is anything but conventional. Together with his partner Yamaris Bonilla, he transformed a humble cleaning service into Vacation Home Help, a platform that’s revolutionizing how vacation rental owners manage their properties.
| About | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | John Candelario, Yamaris Bonilla |
| Company | Vacation Home Help |
| Revenue | $1.4M/year |
| Location | Puerto Rico |
| Employees | 3 |
| Launched | ~2019 |
Trading Wall Street for Cleaning Supplies
“I absolutely hated my banking job,” John recalls with a laugh. After landing what many would consider a dream position as an investment banking analyst at Citigroup, he quickly realized that the Wall Street lifestyle wasn’t for him. Instead of spreadsheets and client meetings, he found himself drawn back to a side hustle that had helped him through college – cleaning vacation rentals.
The decision to leave banking wasn’t easy, especially given John’s background. Growing up during the 2008 housing crisis, his family faced constant instability, moving from home to home throughout his middle and high school years. This experience, combined with watching his parents work as housekeepers with limited growth opportunities, fueled his entrepreneurial spirit for Airbnb cleaning service business.
Building a Different Kind of Cleaning Service
When John and Yamaris launched Vacation Home Help, they started from scratch with just $800 for supplies. Initially, they did all the cleaning themselves, sometimes handling up to four properties daily. But they had a bigger vision – creating a platform that would benefit both property owners and cleaning professionals.
“We wanted to create something different,” John explains. “Most platforms make cleaners compete and lower their prices. We believe in fair pay and treating our cleaning partners as valued customers.”
Their model is refreshingly simple: they connect vacation rental owners with vetted, professional cleaning services, charging a 25% service fee on cleaning appointments. In return, cleaning partners receive marketing support, sales assistance, and technology tools to grow their businesses independently.
Scaling Through Smart Systems
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. When COVID-19 hit, they lost many talented cleaners and faced higher cleaning standards from guests. They responded by implementing more rigorous vetting processes and focusing on quality over quantity.
Their marketing strategy is equally thoughtful. While many competitors throw money at broad advertising campaigns, Vacation Home Help takes a targeted approach:
- Direct mail campaigns in key markets
- Highly optimized Google AdWords campaigns
- A compelling $75 off first-time cleaning promotion
- A successful referral program offering free cleanings
- Strategic SEO investment of $2,000-3,000 monthly
The Numbers Behind the Success
Today, Vacation Home Help generates $1.4 million in annual revenue, with monthly earnings ranging from $20,000 in slow periods to over $60,000 during peak travel seasons. The platform attracts about 6,000 organic visitors monthly and maintains a strong ROI of $10 for every dollar spent on advertising.
| Tools | Platforms |
|---|---|
| E-commerce | Wordpress |
| Email Marketing | 2K subscribers |
| Customer Service | FreshWorks |
| Reviews | N/A |
| Social Media | Meta, TikTok |
| Productivity | N/A |
| Payments | Direct billing |
| Analytics | SEMrush |
| Advertising | Google AdWords |
| Inventory Management | N/A |
Looking to the Future
Based in Puerto Rico, John and Yamaris now oversee operations across multiple states, with support teams in Argentina, Florida, and Colorado. Their focus remains on responsible growth, with plans to expand into Hawaii and Georgia while strengthening their presence in Florida.
They’re also committed to education, producing a daily podcast on vacation rental management and offering free resources to help others succeed in the industry. “If a weird and insecure kid like me who grew up moving from home to home can start a business that actually helps people and makes money in the process, so can you,” John reflects.
The success of Vacation Home Help proves that sometimes the best business ideas come from identifying and solving real problems in unconventional ways. By creating a platform that values both property owners and cleaning professionals, John and Yamaris have built more than just a successful business – they’ve created a model for sustainable growth in the vacation rental industry.
