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Hi Delano, let’s begin with your initial days, how was it like, and what all the difficult situations did you face to reach here?
Hello to all the readers out there. To begin with, I would like to say everyone that take care of yourself and do take good care of your family. Currently, we as a world need to reunite to fight against the crisis of COVID-19. However, I feel we are doing good and are showing a positive attitude towards the whole situation.
Yes! Coming back to my story. I was brought up in Norfolk, Virginia, and similar to all my neighborhood, we were also struggling. I can remember sleeping on an old, broken-down couch, waiting until I got to school to eat, and times when we had no electricity or heat. My friends and I use to share clothes in those days. I believe life was real. The year was the 1970s, and as a young black male kid, I was exposed to a lot of negativity quite early. But I was determined to break the chain of poverty and to do it legally.
I started by doing odd jobs including picking weeds, raking leaves, delivering newspapers to pay my bills. I remember when I was just 14, I asked the local convenience store owner for a job. He asked to see my report card and then hired me. Since that time, I’ve stayed focused and constantly worked. I moved up, I learned, I pushed and shoved my way forward, determined to succeed. Eventually, I ended up as the owner of that same-store I started at.
In 2002, I was owing to a convenience store which was and is still a proud moment for me. But it was a lot of work. I realized that several millionaires were real estate investors and I thought that I could get paid more to do less. Soon, a friend of mine convinced me to partner on the purchase of a burned-down house for $8,000. The plan was to “fix-and-flip” the property, but my friend backed out and I was left to figure it out on my own. I held my ground and I wasn’t going to be defeated. So, I did some research, contracted a roofer, who also helped me with remodeling, and invested $50,000 into repairs. The house sold for $80,000. I profited 30 grand and I thought I was Bill Gates! I continued buying properties for a few years while still running the store, and then, about 15 years ago, I sold the store and decided to take a break to think about the future. I had done really well as a real estate investor but knew I didn’t want that to be my whole story. I wanted to use what I’d learned in those first years to help others. I truly believe that you should always share the road, share the wealth.
Yes, you can say that entrepreneurship is a huge part of my life. I understood this quite early at my age. As an entrepreneur your job doesn’t limit just to your company, it becomes much larger. You have to look out for the development of society. Also, my childhood experiences motivate me to help society.
I bought several convenience stores in the Hampton Roads area. Owing these stores helped me to generate employment and teach local youth. I could give them the skills and work ethic that they needed to build a better future, just as my first employer did for me. This also led to my introduction to Karen Bailey and my involvement with her group, the Youth Learn and Earn Organization. Around 2011, I started a party bus company, which, oddly enough, evolved into real estate ventures. Shortly after, I started Room Rentals, which I’ve unofficially nicknamed, Second Chance DJs. The purpose of the project is to assist people who are trying to get back on their feet, for whatever reason. To date, we have leased 120 units, all located in the Hampton Roads area. It’s a very rewarding project.
Initially, I launched the company knowing that I could provide tremendous insights into real estate investing. Back then, the focus was majorly on wholesale properties in Virginia and from there scale expansion nationwide. Our first transaction was in 2013, since then I and my team have strived to grow the company and serve a wide-ranging client base. We hold expertise in the distressed property market i.e. we purchase properties at a discount from disadvantaged sellers, as well as homes in need of repair and foreclosures, then complete renovations and resell at a profit. This also serves as a great business model because I can fulfill my “share the wealth” motto. This year, even amid the challenges of COVID, we’re still close to the million-dollar mark.
While I was determined to expand the business nationwide, I came across this brilliant concept of KPO. Being an entrepreneur you always look for something out-of-the-box and explore new ideas to stay afloat in the competition. I met my old friend—also savvy in business—who talked about the various benefits of outsourcing. I knew that several companies in the US have been outsourcing to other developing countries. While exploring outsourcing strategies, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) caught my attention. Many might be familiar with BPO but KPO is the future. Why because it focuses on the key growth areas of the business activity which relies on the depth of knowledge, advanced analytical skills, business expertise, and judgment factor.
Eventually, I was able to devise my mini version of the KPO concept. A brilliant guy from the other side of the world helped me set up a highly skilled workforce overseas. And before I knew I was already operating on a global level. Currently, my team helps me run 30 properties, valued at approximately $3M. My business might not be so enormous but through the use of technology and passion, I’m sure I will get there. You have to start somewhere to achieve your ultimate goals and be FEARLESS in trying new things.
I would like to encourage everyone, not just real estate investors, to follow their dreams. Make a plan and stick to it. Work hard, work smart, and if you want to have a career that’s rewarding, as well as profitable, share your experience and lift others. Three quick advice:
1) Take risk
2) No fear
3) No excuses.
Also, do listen to podcasts. Because of my busy schedule, it is difficult to have the luxury of ‘me’ time but I try to squeeze in the time for podcasts Likewise, reading is fundamental for everyone. I can’t tell you the last time I read a book. I told myself to sit down and take the time to read…read…read…read! Read my story, everyone.
