Today we’d like to introduce you to ERICA SUTTON.
Hi ERICA, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely. My journey actually began in corporate America, where I worked as a customer service trainer. I loved building systems, coaching people, and creating better experiences — but after 9/11, I was laid off like so many others. It was a turning point for me. Instead of seeing it as a setback, I took it as a sign to finally follow my passion for real estate, something I had always been drawn to.
I earned my real estate license in 2002, jumped into the industry full of excitement, and quickly realized something important: while many agents thrive on sales, my strengths were deeply rooted in customer service, communication, and operations. That naturally steered me toward property management and investment consulting, where I could use those strengths to solve problems, protect assets, and build long-term relationships.
Over time, I grew what is now Leasing & Etc., a full-service real estate and property-management company serving Texas homeowners and investors. What started as a solo journey has expanded into multiple service lines: property management, leasing, investor support, maintenance coordination with an in-house team, and even residential cleaning services. I’ve also continued to grow professionally, earning designations like SFR, TAHS, TRLS, and TRPMS — each one strengthening the quality and compliance of the services I provide.
Today, I manage a diverse and growing portfolio, run multiple business ventures, and am actively developing an online real estate school and my “Building for Wealth” program to help others become builders, contractors, and educated investors.
Looking back, being laid off was the push I needed to step into my purpose. I took my customer-service foundation and transformed it into a career built on service, solutions, and long-term value for clients. And I truly believe I’m still just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not — but I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs. My road has had plenty of twists, and every challenge forced me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.
When I transitioned from corporate America into real estate after being laid off, I had to rebuild everything from scratch — income, confidence, and a brand-new career path. The learning curve in real estate was steep, especially when I realized I wasn’t passionate about sales the way many agents are. I had to figure out where I fit in the industry, and that took time, experimenting, and a lot of self-awareness.
Once I shifted into property management and investments, the challenges changed. Property management is rewarding, but it’s far from easy. I’ve dealt with everything from difficult tenants to emergency repairs at 2 a.m., to navigating Texas regulations, to scaling a team and creating reliable systems. Building an in-house maintenance division, running cleaning crews, and managing multiple properties at once required tremendous organization and leadership — and there were moments it felt overwhelming.
Another major challenge has been balancing growth with quality. I built my business on customer service, so expanding while still delivering a high-touch experience has been something I have had to stay intentional about.
But every struggle made me better. The setbacks taught me resilience, the mistakes taught me structure, and the hard days taught me the value of consistency. Looking back, the road wasn’t smooth — but the challenges shaped me into a stronger business owner and positioned me to build the multi-service operation I run today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My company, Leasing & Etc., is a full-service real estate and property-management firm based in Texas. We specialize in residential property management, investor support, leasing, maintenance coordination, and operational solutions for homeowners and real estate investors. Over the years, the business has evolved into a multi-service brand that focuses on one central mission:
making real estate ownership easier, more profitable, and stress-free.
What truly sets us apart is that we operate with a customer-service mindset, not a sales mindset. My background as a corporate customer service trainer has shaped everything about how I run my business — from communication, transparency, and responsiveness, to the systems we build behind the scenes. We don’t just “manage properties.” We manage people’s investments, their largest assets, and in many cases their long-term financial goals.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the fact that we’ve developed a full in-house support system — something most property management companies don’t offer. Our services include:
Full property management with flat, predictable pricing
Leasing services including marketing, showings, and tenant placement
Section 8 facilitation
24-hour emergency and routine maintenance
A trained in-house maintenance team of seven
Vendor partnerships and discounted services
Residential and move-out cleaning through our own crews
Investor consulting for both new and experienced investors
Education and training, including my upcoming online real estate school and “Building for Wealth” program
Because everything is centralized under one roof — leasing, management, maintenance, cleaning, consulting — our clients experience a smooth, reliable, and cost-effective process. There’s no guesswork, no lack of communication, and no chasing down multiple vendors.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the trust and loyalty we’ve built. My clients know that I’m accessible, involved, and hands-on. They know that I treat their properties like my own, and that I bring over two decades of hands-on industry experience, specialized designations (SFR, TAHS, TRLS, TRPMS), and a deep understanding of Texas real estate laws and city compliance.
What I want readers to know is simple:
Leasing & Etc. is built for people who want peace of mind.
Whether you’re an investor looking to scale, a homeowner needing full-service management, or someone exploring real estate education, my brand is designed to support your goals with professionalism, structure, and real customer service.
We don’t just manage properties —
we build systems, create solutions, and help people build wealth through real estate.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes — I’d love for readers to know that real estate is more than transactions or property management fees. For me, this industry has been a path to stability, growth, and generational opportunity, and I truly believe it can be that for anyone willing to learn and stay consistent.
I built my business from the ground up after being laid off, with no roadmap and no guarantees, and my journey is proof that you can reinvent yourself at any stage of life. Whether someone is looking to invest, become a landlord, start a career in real estate, or even learn how to become a builder or general contractor, there is room for them in this industry.
I’m passionate about sharing knowledge, creating opportunity, and helping people avoid the mistakes I had to learn the hard way. That’s why I’ve expanded into education, consulting, and hands-on support — because when we lift others up, the entire real estate community gets stronger.
Most importantly, I want readers to know that you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Just take the first step, stay consistent, and surround yourself with people who want to see you win.
And if anyone ever needs guidance, support, or a trusted management partner, Leasing & Etc. is here to help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leasingandetc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leasingandetc
