From Struggling To Thriving in Real Estate
From Struggling To Thriving in Real Estate
What’s the best way to handle negativity when starting a business?
Looking back at year one gives me goosebumps—it was a wild roller coaster. We started with just $76 in the bank, and each day was filled with stress. We didn’t tell many people what we were doing because we knew how others’ negativity could affect us. Often, when you start something new, people project their doubts and fears onto you, especially if they don’t share the same mindset. Early on, my wife talked to her family about our plans, and their reactions were full of concerns—suggesting we get secure jobs and stick with the traditional path.
From the beginning, I told her it was essential for us to stay laser-focused on our goals and block out external negativity. Not listening to naysayers was one of the best decisions we made. If someone didn’t support our vision, we simply changed the topic. We also realized that the support we needed wouldn’t always come from our existing circle. Sometimes, you have to find people outside your usual network who are open-minded and can see the potential in what you’re building.
Why is it important for business owners to invest in quality networking?
Networking is essential, and it's often misunderstood. Quality networks usually require an investment to join, but it’s important to view it as an investment, not an expense. If you're not getting a 10x or 20x return from your networking efforts, you're wasting your time and not connecting with the right people. There are also free networking opportunities, especially in larger cities. For instance, if you're in real estate, local real estate meetups offer a chance to connect with others. No matter the field, there are meetups where you’ll find people with valuable ideas or those who are just a step ahead and willing to help.
What are the benefits of getting network feedback on big decisions?
I've learned to run bigger decisions through my network. I’ll share my idea, saying, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about doing X, Y, Z. What do you think?’ Often, I think it’s a golden idea, but then others offer insights, sometimes advising against it because they’ve tried it themselves and found it didn’t work. This feedback allows me to brainstorm and refine ideas into something that actually works, rather than imposing my initial concept on employees without input. I make a point to talk to smarter people with relevant experience, gather their feedback, and refine my approach before bringing it to my team. This has been essential for making better decisions.
How can a client-focused approach drive long-term business motivation?
Once you find something you’re truly passionate about, you don’t want to stop. You see people in their sixties and seventies, financially set, who still work because it’s their life. What really drives me is the client-focused approach we bring to wholesaling. Many see wholesaling as taking advantage of others, but we prioritize our clients and their solutions. We often work with people facing pre-foreclosure who can’t afford their homes anymore. Instead of them going through bankruptcy and damaging their credit, we help them find a way out. When clients call, emotional and grateful, it’s incredibly rewarding.
On the other side, we help people find affordable homes, creating a win-win situation. I’m also motivated by our team. Every week, I see the impact we’re making on their lives—helping them achieve their goals, build stable incomes, and work in a positive culture. I’m always pushing them to see what more we can achieve, the athlete in me constantly asking, ‘How far can we go? Can we get better?’
When should business owners build a strong foundation before scaling?
There were probably more bad decisions than good ones, but sometimes a bad decision ends up being valuable because it opens your eyes. It's important to learn how to recover from a bad decision. Often, we learn the most when we’re pushed to the wall—everything might be smooth, but when things go wrong, that’s when you really learn how to rise again.
One of our worst decisions early on was comparing ourselves to others. We saw where we wanted to go and how others ran their businesses, and we tried to jump from zero to a hundred instantly. We hired eight people, built out processes, and expanded quickly. At first, it felt like we were doing everything right. But if your system and foundation aren’t ready, you’re creating a monster. We scaled up fast, but then we had to downscale just as quickly.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
