Newbie from Columbus, Ohio

[Billy Hollis]

Hello everyone! I just wanted to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Billy Hollis and I am from Columbus, Ohio. I was born and raised Hilliard, which is a suburb just west of Columbus. I currently live about 15 minutes south of downtown. I am 28 years old, married, have a 3 year old daughter and another on the way (3 weeks out to be exact). I currently have a full-time job, and my wife is a teacher. We make enough to get by currently, but there is always room for more money in the bank account. I hope to start and develop a fix and flip rehab company. I have been listening to the BP podcast for about a week and a half or so now (downloaded about 75 of the 103 episodes and listened to them) along with a couple other REI podcasts. I am currently in my education stage, reading the beginner's guide, and reading up on the blogs.

As far as my actual business plan, it is still in development. I know that I plan to start it on the side. From the research I have done so far, it appears that rehabbing is one of the harder aspects to get into with a full time job, but the job I currently have is flexible with hours (never over 40, and never have to take work home) and I currently work 6-230 m-f. This gives me much time in the afternoon/weekends to get into the business. I am not currently in a position to use my own credit to acquire funds to start (currently have too much consumer debt, along with student loans and building our own home to be completed in June), so I am not sure exactly what type of business plan to establish. My ultimate goal is to build a mostly self sufficient process where I am using as little bank lending/HML/PML as possible. I know this will limit the overall buying power I may have, but "leverage" vs. "risk" is something that I will have to overcome. Maybe that will come with time.

The actual substance to this post may be lacking, but I am sure you are all tired of reading about something that isn't adding much value to your business. I look forward to talking and working with you all throughout BP.