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Updated about 7 years ago, 11/07/2017

User Stats

211
Posts
129
Votes
Kyle Grimm
  • Investor
  • St. Louis Mo
129
Votes |
211
Posts

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

Kyle Grimm
  • Investor
  • St. Louis Mo
Posted

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!

User Stats

205
Posts
88
Votes
Jerome Morelos
Pro Member
  • Redlands, CA
88
Votes |
205
Posts
Jerome Morelos
Pro Member
  • Redlands, CA
Replied

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!

  • Jerome Morelos
  • User Stats

    61
    Posts
    23
    Votes
    Jurgis Kirsakmens
    • Investor
    • Riga, n/a
    23
    Votes |
    61
    Posts
    Jurgis Kirsakmens
    • Investor
    • Riga, n/a
    Replied

    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 :)

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    User Stats

    65
    Posts
    55
    Votes
    Chris Clark
    Pro Member
    • Wichita, KS
    55
    Votes |
    65
    Posts
    Chris Clark
    Pro Member
    • Wichita, KS
    Replied
    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.
  • Chris Clark
  • User Stats

    623
    Posts
    336
    Votes
    Tanya F.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Madison, WI
    336
    Votes |
    623
    Posts
    Tanya F.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Madison, WI
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    21,918
    Posts
    12,874
    Votes
    Bill Gulley#3 Guru, Book, & Course Reviews Contributor
    • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator
    • Springfield, MO
    12,874
    Votes |
    21,918
    Posts
    Bill Gulley#3 Guru, Book, & Course Reviews Contributor
    • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator
    • Springfield, MO
    Replied

    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 :)

    User Stats

    43
    Posts
    18
    Votes
    Phil LeNeveu
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Boston, MA
    18
    Votes |
    43
    Posts
    Phil LeNeveu
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Boston, MA
    Replied

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

    User Stats

    18
    Posts
    6
    Votes
    Ingrid B.
    • Salt Lake City, UT
    6
    Votes |
    18
    Posts
    Ingrid B.
    • Salt Lake City, UT
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    35
    Posts
    13
    Votes
    Hazel Wiggs
    • Union City, CA
    13
    Votes |
    35
    Posts
    Hazel Wiggs
    • Union City, CA
    Replied

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

    User Stats

    9,365
    Posts
    6,550
    Votes
    John Thedford#5 Wholesaling Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Naples, FL
    6,550
    Votes |
    9,365
    Posts
    John Thedford#5 Wholesaling Contributor
    • Real Estate Broker
    • Naples, FL
    Replied
    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!

    User Stats

    970
    Posts
    1,652
    Votes
    David Zheng#4 Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice Contributor
    • Investor
    • Saint Louis, MO
    1,652
    Votes |
    970
    Posts
    David Zheng#4 Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice Contributor
    • Investor
    • Saint Louis, MO
    Replied

    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

    User Stats

    8,351
    Posts
    4,355
    Votes
    Colleen F.
    Pro Member
    #4 Medium-Term Rentals Contributor
    • Investor
    • Narragansett, RI
    4,355
    Votes |
    8,351
    Posts
    Colleen F.
    Pro Member
    #4 Medium-Term Rentals Contributor
    • Investor
    • Narragansett, RI
    Replied
    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!

    User Stats

    10
    Posts
    2
    Votes
    Carmello Pronesti
    • Clearwater, FL
    2
    Votes |
    10
    Posts
    Carmello Pronesti
    • Clearwater, FL
    Replied

    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.

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    User Stats

    492
    Posts
    234
    Votes
    William S.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Overland Park, KS
    234
    Votes |
    492
    Posts
    William S.
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Overland Park, KS
    Replied

    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...

    User Stats

    324
    Posts
    384
    Votes
    Anna Buffkin
    • Investor
    • Pawleys Island, SC
    384
    Votes |
    324
    Posts
    Anna Buffkin
    • Investor
    • Pawleys Island, SC
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    530
    Posts
    421
    Votes
    Bill Goodland
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Allentown PA, United States
    421
    Votes |
    530
    Posts
    Bill Goodland
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Allentown PA, United States
    Replied
    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!

    User Stats

    16
    Posts
    11
    Votes
    Calvin Beeke
    • Investor
    • Rockford, MI
    11
    Votes |
    16
    Posts
    Calvin Beeke
    • Investor
    • Rockford, MI
    Replied

    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! 

    User Stats

    241
    Posts
    85
    Votes
    Garrett Diegel
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Nevada
    85
    Votes |
    241
    Posts
    Garrett Diegel
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Nevada
    Replied

    @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. 

  • Garrett Diegel
  • User Stats

    7
    Posts
    5
    Votes
    Jeneen Ford
    • Lender
    • Cleveland Heights, OH
    5
    Votes |
    7
    Posts
    Jeneen Ford
    • Lender
    • Cleveland Heights, OH
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    3,966
    Posts
    2,413
    Votes
    Jonathan Klemm
    Contractors
    Pro Member
    • Contractor
    • Chicago, IL
    2,413
    Votes |
    3,966
    Posts
    Jonathan Klemm
    Contractors
    Pro Member
    • Contractor
    • Chicago, IL
    ModeratorReplied

    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!

    business profile image
    Quality Builders
    5.0 stars
    30 Reviews

    User Stats

    627
    Posts
    204
    Votes
    Stephen Masek
    • Investor
    • Mission Viejo, CA
    204
    Votes |
    627
    Posts
    Stephen Masek
    • Investor
    • Mission Viejo, CA
    Replied
    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.    

    User Stats

    55
    Posts
    15
    Votes
    Martin Spielvogel
    • Investor
    • Escondido, CA
    15
    Votes |
    55
    Posts
    Martin Spielvogel
    • Investor
    • Escondido, CA
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    90
    Posts
    99
    Votes
    Matthew A.
    • New Haven, CT
    99
    Votes |
    90
    Posts
    Matthew A.
    • New Haven, CT
    Replied

    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

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    User Stats

    18
    Posts
    19
    Votes
    Robbie Taylor
    • Lexington, KY
    19
    Votes |
    18
    Posts
    Robbie Taylor
    • Lexington, KY
    Replied

    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.

    User Stats

    1,270
    Posts
    704
    Votes
    Trevor Ewen
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Weehawken, NJ
    704
    Votes |
    1,270
    Posts
    Trevor Ewen
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Weehawken, NJ
    Replied

    @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.

    User Stats

    1
    Posts
    1
    Votes
    Willrock Herrera
    • Los Angeles, CA
    1
    Votes |
    1
    Posts
    Willrock Herrera
    • Los Angeles, CA
    Replied

    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.