Jan Banks with Inside Out Home Inspection Services
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
PHOTOS BY SHAWNA MCDUFFIE, PEAK RES | STORY BY ZACH COHEN
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
— Maya Angelou
For the past twenty years, Jan Banks has been deeply engrossed in the construction industry. She’s worked as a general contractor, a job superintendent, and a construction estimator. So, when her husband’s job brought her family to Oklahoma, there was no doubt about what industry Jan would commit to. And still, she chose to take a new path — one that would open new doors and allow her to employ the skills that she’s spent the last two decades honing.
“I love the building business,” Jan beams. “I moved to Oklahoma and immediately began re-establishing my contacts. In researching some available opportunities, I came across some information on the home inspection business. I knew right away it was a perfect fit for my skill set and personality.”
And so began Jan’s journey with Inside Out Home Inspections.
Becoming a Difference Maker
At Inside Out Home Inspection, Jan’s mission is to alleviate stress for her customers. Her goal is to provide more than a great home inspection; Jan hopes to create a top-tier experience that has her customers and partners moving through the inspection process with ease.
Jan and her team pride themselves on communication, transparency, and a grounded approach. They provide a detailed, thorough inspection. Their reports are robust but easy to understand, offering a summary of actionable items that should be considered prior to closing.
“We believe what sets us apart is our communication with REALTORS® and their clients. We are very low-key and do not scare buyers. We use layman’s terms when telling the story of the home,” Jan explains. “Since we have done thousands of inspections, our on-site process is efficient and saves agents and buyers time on the day of the inspection. Our dedication shows in the attention to detail and the care our customers have come to expect.”
Although Inside Out Home Inspections has completed thousands of inspections in their ten years in business, Jan still gets joy from meeting and working with buyers. After all these years, she is still honored every time her company is chosen and trusted.
A Life Well Lived
Jan’s personal path has been filled with adventure, several relocations of her own, and a rich family life. Her upbringing instilled within her a relentless pursuit of goals, and her role as a mother allowed her to build compassion and care for her clients.
Jan and her husband, Phillip, have six children, ages 13-32, and one grandchild. Jan’s family life has reshaped the way she views the world around her and has helped her revisit the magic of her own childhood.
“The most pivotal thing in my life was having my children,” Jan says. “They taught me and are still teaching me every day what it’s like to have your heartbeat outside your body. They taught me to see the world through their eyes and all that is possible and magical about being alive. Being young comes with no boundaries. Children believe they can be or do anything they want to do. I think we lose that when we become adults. Our adult brains tell us all the reasons we can’t do something or [why] it isn’t realistic. Children never consider what’s realistic. They just want what they want with no boundaries. My children have helped me rediscover that attitude and shape the way I view business and life.”
Outside work, Jan can be found skiing, fishing, kayaking, golfing, biking, and hanging out with her family. She works a lot but still finds time to run, too; she has completed 17 marathons and ultra-marathons. Jan also loves to read — when she sits down for long enough to open a book.
Full Circle
So how does Jan’s rich family life affect her business?
The obvious answer is that her company has recently become a legacy business. In 2021, her oldest son, Will, joined her as a Well and Septic Inspector (Jan anticipates he will be performing home inspections in the spring of 2022). On a more subtle level, Jan brings her family-focused attitude into her role as an inspector and business owner.
“I’d like people to know that Inside Out Home Inspection is a business centered around integrity and helping others,” she explains.
Family life has helped Jan remember what’s truly important. While her friends may quip that she is not very sweet by nature, Jan genuinely prides herself on her kindness.
“It’s a little bit of a joke with my friends and family that know me well that I’m not sweet. No one will ever say that I was sweet, but I would like to be remembered as being kind,” she smiles.
So, as Jan looks ahead, she holds all of her values side by side. She hopes to grow the business, be there for her family, and offer kindness to everyone she meets.
Inside Out Home Inspection Services is a licensed home inspector servicing the Oklahoma City metro area. Owner Jan Banks has more than 20 years of construction experience. For more information, please visit www.oklahomacityhomeinspection.net.
