WHO ARE YOU? What do you do besides real estate?

[Kyle Grimm]

Hello BP nation! 

My question for BP nation is what is your day job? Although we would love to be, most of us are not yet full time investors.  

As I grow older and try to figure out the direction of my career, I love hearing the stories of other successful real estate investors and how they got there.  I am currently...struggling... at my day job (100% commission insurance salesman) and dream of finding a job I can enjoy while I slowly grow my real estate portfolio. 

So BP... What is your day job and what does your life look like trying to work it while you grow your investing career? 

Ready...GO!

[Jerome Morelos]

Graduated from college a year ago as a Respiratory Therapist at the age of 20. Love this job as I only work 3 days a week and spend the other 4 days on REI!

[Jurgis Kirsakmens]

Quite a number of software developers here :)

I'm became software developer AGAIN a few years after I've got into real estate as self-managing landlord (which I did after I exited software business after selling company I co-founded 15 years ago). 

Now I'm both landlord and real estate tech business owner :)

[Chris Clark]

I'm a CPA at my day job... I'm working with other real estate investors and agents in the area. Which is also fueling my desire to invest.

[Tanya F.]

I'm a scientist.  When I was getting my doctorate around 1990, I bought my first condo. I've been a researcher, visiting professor, mentor to undergrads and grad students at the University of Wisconsin. Intellectually exciting, and great fun to be teaching and mentoring, ...being a role model for students. BUT. There's no job security, if I have a position I know will extend for two years - that's a rarity. Especially now in this political climate. ugh. MARCH for SCIENCE! That NIH budget they're talking about in congress? That affects me directly. I'm waiting to hear to know if I *have* a day job next year.

So. Our real estate investments are the income we can count on. 6 doors.

[Bill Gulley]

I'm a voice over artist for Pamela Anderson and before that I sold pots and pans door to door.

The rest you can read my profile.

I'll say too, my big money was not from owning real estate but it set the stage to partner in various other business concerns and financing.  Gotta be flexible, opportunity is all around you.  Good luck :)

[Phil LeNeveu]

Investment Banker - looking actively at TK (i know there are mixed opinions) due to my work life schedule

[Ingrid B.]

16 years in healthcare IT industry as Business/Data Analyst/PM still earning W2 in the same field. Concurrently 14 years as RE investor. I owe my husband his vision in RE. I was afraid to start investing when we just got married in 2002. Good thing I listened to him and we now work as a team. 7 homes with total of 10 units now, closing for the 8th in less than a month. Had built a new house several yrs ago and now living in it. Hoping to be W2 independent in 2-3 years as soon as my principal mortgage is paid in full. Healthcare IT is a competitive industry. You get burnout fast, high stress and low job satisfaction level. I'm counting the days when I can just do 100% RE - my real passion. I realized long ago that office job sucks but since I still need the benefits I hang tight. Real estate where the money really is if you know how to do it right.

[Hazel Wiggs]

Kyle Grimm I meant BP SHOW #92 for Brandon Turner's story :)

[John Thedford]

Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

Stalker and serial killer

Of forums and sweet deals!  LOL  

Been full time since '02, but used to underwrite private placements as a series-7 securities broker and trader.

This is great. Like at the end of a really good play, you read the program and see what all the awesome leads, support and ensemble do in real life!

 Stalker and serial killer:) LOL
I hope the didn't stop at that sentence:)
There is NO better way for financial freedom that RE!

[David Zheng]

Im a tiger tamer and heir to the playboy empire. sell those fidget spinners as a part time gig.

kidding

Im a consultant in the mortgage backed securities division at Wells Fargo (surprise!) and I own an EDM/Nightlife/Rave production company

[Colleen F.]

Day job now is clinical research in a big pharma company. Background as a psychiatric, pediatric, and school nurse, also a professor, and a mom. The diverse backgrounds are interesting to see!

[Carmello Pronesti]

Hello everyone,
For my day job/ career, I am a health services technician in the US Coast Guard, I have been in for five years now, and currently working the phlebotomy department, handling blood draws and other fun bodily specimen management. I have just started listening to the bigger pockets podcasts and am loving it so far, I have a been a landlord now for about two years for a property I own in Massachusetts that I manage myself with a monthly cash flow of about 500 dollars per month and am looking to invest some more. I'm currently stationed in Florida (my home state) so if anyone would like to get together in the Tampa area to chat about potential investment I would be more than happy to meet. Thanks to bigger pockets for offering this valuable tool for us to network and learn.

[William S.]

As it says next to my name Industrial Designer. Currently for a power tool company, but have designed fitness equipment, toys, housewares, office furniture, gardening tools, the list goes on...

[Anna Buffkin]

I'm a part time accountant, full time mom.  I worked as the plant accountant for a foundry for 5 years. When I had my twin boys last year, I began working from home part time as a remote accountant for the foundry and it's sister company.  

My husband is a high school English teacher and the offensive coordinator for the school's football team.

We currently own 3 rentals and are looking at a 4th on Sunday.

[Bill Goodland]

Originally posted by @Scarlett Mulligan:

@Rodney Harris - I need nutrition help!  I've been giving a lot of consideration to low carb lifestyle.  I just listened to David Osborn podcast.  He talked about health being synonymous with wealth .... it gave me a different perspective toward changing my eating habits.  

I've enjoyed reading about all who have participated.... thank you!  

I am a physician assistant currently making a transition out of the ER into Urgent Care. One of the primary reasons for doing this is to open up my head space so I can concentrate more on myself & my well being rather than focusing on my patient's condition, charting, billing & coding. My patients will be far less challenging in the UC environment which will allow me more energy to focus on learning all I can about REI.

Patient care was once a passion for me.  The insurance industry has created a less patient friendly environment.  After 12 years of practice, I've decided the never ending administrative demands & perpetual focus on billing that I'd be much more fulfilled doing something for myself.  If I'm going to be working in a business world then I might as well make it official.....LOL!  I came in with a servant's heart.  Seems I'm only serving the CEO .... the patient is simply a means to an end.  My medical knowledge is now my commodity, no longer my zeal.  

I look forward to what lies ahead!  I've been a lurking member for 7 months  & will soon (July) have much more time to dedicate in the direction of financial freedom.  

 Hi Scarlett! I am attending physician assistant school in august and hope to get an ER or UC job straight out of school so that I can be "full time" at 3 days a week and use the other days of the week to enjoy/hustle getting my RE business up and running and/or work extra shifts to accelerate my savings to invest!

[Calvin Beeke]

I recently sold my small marketing firm to a large company and now am a full time real estate investor! It took me about 7 years to realize that although always an entrepreneur, very few product ideas or service ideas can garner what real estate investment does! 

Now, one could say, I flip for a living and buy and hold for the future! 

[Garrett Diegel]

@Kyle Grimm - I am in the same boat as you but I own my insurance practice and work / sell for larger company as a captive agent. This situation is a great opportunity because you can build your renewable business up to something that will provide a good income while allowing you the time to pursue other opportunities in real estate. @Scott Trench hit the nail on the head with his strategy. I think you have it right but the, 100% commission only paycheck for you will make things tough. Maybe look into a company that pays renewals or move into the real estate space as an agent so you can build a referral book of business, still 100% commission but might offer additional opportunities moving forward. 

[Jeneen Ford]

My day job is as an auditor at a large regional bank. My professional background is in commercial underwriting. This has afforded me the opportunity to invest in SF rentals in the past. I'm currently working on my first flip after an 8 year absence.

[Jonathan Klemm]

Civil engineer working for a large heavy highway contractor. W-2 is key to opening up as many doors and avenues as possible for real estate investing!

[Stephen Masek]

Originally posted by @Tanya F.:

That NIH budget they're talking about in congress? That affects me directly. I'm waiting to hear to know if I *have* a day job next year.

So. Our real estate investments are the income we can count on. 6 doors.

Federal debt is now over $61,000 per man, woman and child, so quite a few things have to be cut. 

Even if the entire economy were to flop, decent residential real estate will still have value.    

[Martin Spielvogel]

I am a general contractor. I started in construction when I was 17. Did it part time and went to school. Got my license at 22 and build my (for a client) first house 2 story 1600 sq ft at 23. I have been self employed ever since. Well except for 18 months when I went to work for a friend of mine that owns a manufacturing business. I wanted to see what it feels like to receive steady paycheck. Did not like it. My freedom was gone. The nice part was I got to travel to China and Europe. Now I am back in construction and I love it. I always dreamed about going into REI but never took action. Now I have my goals and will do what I can to reach them. Good luck.

[Matthew A.]

Accountant in a research department at Yale University (Med School). Only 29 years old, and just started into real estate last year. I also flip penny stocks, buy/sell option credit spreads, and invest in a few long term Tech/Service stocks in my free time.

I would be happy just replacing my income in anything by the time I'm 35 (Passive/Semi Passive that is. No more office job).

Don't need to be a billionaire, just enough money to enjoy some of the little things in life without working until I die.

Matt

[Robbie Taylor]

I'm a dentist, but a nontraditional one.  I'm a clinical team leader at a dental school.  I have a clinical team of 39 students that work under my license and general supervision (along with other clinical faculty).  I'm responsible for their patient pool, final say in treatment planning, cover procedures, and insure they get their graduation requirements.  I also take an active role in clinic management and quality assurance and will be finishing a masters in health policy and management.  I don't love teeth.  I do love my job, which is mentoring and building relationships with some very intelligent and driven young adults.

My wife is a real estate agent and I LOVE her job.  I throw myself into it as much as I can.  That eventually lead to our interest in investing.

[Trevor Ewen]

@Kyle Grimm

I am a software engineer and partner of a small technology firm based in New York. I like good books, good movies, and great music.

[Willrock Herrera]

I am in the US Air Force fixing jet engines hoping to make enough to replace my salary in passive income to help retire and take better care of my parents. To give them a better lifestyle that they deserve.