How transparent are you with people at your "day job" about REI?

[Michael C.]

So, I just finished listening to Podcast 60 with @SergeS and it got me thinking.  He was working a full time job, and took his business from 0 to 68 units in four years.  In the podcast he referenced very often he would be in meetings, etc and his phone would be blowing up with his "other" job.

What I was wondering is, for people like myself who are just starting out, but keeping our day job, how transparent should I be (or not) with my current company/boss about what I'm doing?  I have to imagine it will illicit a number of questions if my phone is blowing up all the time, or what if someone finds my company website (when I actually have one).  But clearly a double edged sword about explaining why you are starting to invest/building a business.  My inclination is to not mention anything, but didn't know what others experiences have been.  Appreciate the thoughts of anyone who has done it.

Mike

[Troy H.]

Originally posted by @Troy W.:

My day job is Sr. Project Manager for the Government...and I have in my office a frame that says"Don't worry  Buy Real Estate", and it always sparks a conversation. Or when I'm meetings where the ice breakers come up, I mention I ride motorcycles, I play golf and I love my passion which is Real Estate investing.  I have yet to have some one NOT stop me when the meeting is over and ask about .... you guessed it...Real Estate, or I'm invite to play golf, and Real Estate always comes up while walking down the fairways.

I have had 5 deals from me mentioning what I do. And these deals have never came from the person that I was talking to but a person that knows them. They were just the instruction.

 Great post Troy. I do see how being open about your real estate dealings can lead to additional opportunities, however I am noticing a trend here. A large majority of those who mentioned that they are transparent are also in positions of authority. When your at the bottom of the ladder and fighting amongst the other small fry for table scraps it certainly seems detrimental to disclose your outside activities. Therefore, they are forced to forfeit those much needed word of mouth opportunities.

[John K.]

I agree with most on this topic. Although I am still new and have not even started I still am very open about it. Ever since I started talking about it seems I have a lot of people in my circle who are interested or are already in the business. Some even offered deals, and oppurtunities. I am still waiting though until I am finally stateside after this deployment before I get started, but I feel networking has already jump started my future.

I guess with a boss it can be tricky, but either way just do what you feel is right. I do not see why your boss would think any different of you unless you started to not care about the job then that's a different story. Great topic by the way.

[Troy W.]

Originally posted by @Troy H.:

Originally posted by @Troy W.:

My day job is Sr. Project Manager for the Government...and I have in my office a frame that says"Don't worry  Buy Real Estate", and it always sparks a conversation. Or when I'm meetings where the ice breakers come up, I mention I ride motorcycles, I play golf and I love my passion which is Real Estate investing.  I have yet to have some one NOT stop me when the meeting is over and ask about .... you guessed it...Real Estate, or I'm invite to play golf, and Real Estate always comes up while walking down the fairways.

I have had 5 deals from me mentioning what I do. And these deals have never came from the person that I was talking to but a person that knows them. They were just the instruction.

 Great post Troy. I do see how being open about your real estate dealings can lead to additional opportunities, however I am noticing a trend here. A large majority of those who mentioned that they are transparent are also in positions of authority. When your at the bottom of the ladder and fighting amongst the other small fry for table scraps it certainly seems detrimental to disclose your outside activities. Therefore, they are forced to forfeit those much needed word of mouth opportunities.

hmmm never thougth of like that before Troy. Interersting...very interesting

[Matt Gee]

I work at a bank, so my situation is a bit different.  For one, it was a few customers that got me interested.  I have this great benefit of when someone tells me what they do, what they make, or whatever, I can vet them.  A majority of the people that I help that have a good bit of money invest in real estate.  

I'm not bashful, nor am I arrogant.  I have 2 customers that I ask questions of constantly.

As for coworkers, not really, just the mortgage broker, I ask her questions a lot too.