Lessons & Leverage: My 11-Year Journey

Real estate isn’t just about deals and properties—it’s about learning, pivoting, and figuring out what really works for you. After over a decade in the industry, I’ve seen it all—from rookie missteps to meaningful wins. Here's how I got started, what I’ve learned, and where I'm headed next.

How It Started

My real estate journey officially kicked off in 2014 when I moved to Houston after an attempt to settle in D.C. didn’t quite pan out. Sure, I had a rental before then, but back in those days, I had no clue how to buy a property—let alone how to leverage one.

The Highs and Lows

Since then, I’ve dabbled in just about every corner of real estate: wholesaling, notes, buy and hold, REOs, property management, mobile home parks, and now, land development. It’s been a wild ride. Like any journey, there’ve been highs and lows.

One low? Getting my Realtor license simply because I enjoyed property management. Turns out, having to be under a broker just didn’t suit me. And all those rules and regs...ugh! Managing other people’s properties wasn’t nearly as fun as managing my own. That license was active about a year—maybe. 

The highs? Plenty. Real estate taps into so many of my natural strengths, and that keeps me energized. I’m always learning something new—whether it's about people, markets, or deals. And yes, of course, I have learned more about myself in this RE journey - which is a true sign of wisdom. That said, just because I can do a lot doesn’t mean I’m amazing at everything.

Lessons Learned

As I wrote in my book, business is a team sport. I lean on smart folks who help me navigate the opportunities that come my way. Shoutout to platforms like Fiverr for making it easier to find talented pros who love what they do.

And while there’s no shortage of RE investor communities and platforms out there, it can be overwhelming trying to find the ones that actually align with your goals. Just type “real estate investing” into Facebook or Google and you’ll find yourself deep in options.

Where I’m Headed

Now, heading into my 11th year as a real estate entrepreneur, I’m narrowing my focus; becoming more intentional. I continue to be committed to exploring how I can contribute to affordable housing, even as that gap keeps widening. Thankfully, community land trusts are becoming more common globally. If you’re curious about this model, check out cltweb.org or groundedsolutions.org. These movements are offering scalable, sustainable solutions for housing access—and I’m paying close attention.

A Word to New Investors

So what about your journey?

It’s easy to get dreamy-eyed watching all the gurus who seem to have it all figured out. My advice? Stay focused, and don’t quit. This path isn’t linear, but if you’re willing to learn, adjust, and stay curious, it can be incredibly rewarding. You will learn more about WHO you are and what you are capable of.

Let’s Connect

If you're on your own real estate path—or thinking about starting—I’d love to connect. Drop a comment below, shoot me a message, or find me on LinkedIn. Let’s share notes, resources, and lessons. A smart person once said, your network really can reflect your net worth.