It’s the “stay in school, get good grades, go to college, and climb the corporate ladder” mantra. But that’s not my story. I took a different route, which required resilience, guts, and a willingness to learn from every curve ball life threw at me.
Choosing an Alternative Route
At 17, I decided to drop out of high school to work full-time at a furniture store. You may think that was a terrible idea, but for me, it was the start of an incredible and financially rewarding journey.
I went from being a delivery driver to owning over 20 furniture stores and 85 real estate properties, including a mobile home park.
Every Challenge Teaches You Something
But let’s rewind a bit.
When I left school, it wasn’t for rebellious reasons. I was discouraged by a teacher who told me my goals and aspirations of being a business owner were out of reach.
At a young age, the “You can’t” response from others always motivated me to look for alternative avenues that would allow me to turn their negativity into, “How can I?”
By 22, I had worked my way up from entry-level jobs to owning a furniture company. Every challenge along the way taught me something new, especially when I decided to dive into the world of real estate.
The Mobile Home Difference
Investing in a mobile home park was a bold move that came with its own set of challenges. There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mobile home parks, from the way they’re managed to the people who live there. But I saw potential where others saw problems.
Instead of letting the challenges deter me from the enterprise, I rolled up my sleeves, got my hands dirty with renovations, and learned some valuable lessons about real estate economics and managing tenants.
If you’re thinking about investing in mobile home parks, here are just a few things I’ve learned over the years:
A Blueprint for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Looking back, I realize that my success isn’t just about the money I’ve made.
It’s about the freedom to live life on my own terms and the wisdom I’ve gained from every obstacle I’ve faced.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my story, it’s that you don’t have to follow the traditional path to achieve your dreams.
Embrace the challenges, learn from every experience, and don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled. Trust me, it can lead to some pretty incredible destinations.
