Themed Park Designer Turned Newbie Investor in Orlando, FL

[Dustin Fike]

Hello, my name is Dustin. This may end up being a bit long. So, for those without the time to read it all, the TLDR: as an architect, I had a job I enjoyed, but recently laid off due to COVID economy. Been interested in real estate investing for a while and am now excited to jump in the deep end.

Now for a more proper introduction. I'm new to the BP Forums and to REI. I am a licensed architect, but I haven't been designing normal buildings for a while now. I started out in hospitality design: hotels, condos and such. However, for the last 12 years I've been designing theme park attractions for Disney and Universal. Most recently serving as the Senior Show Set Manager for Universal Creative's Core Studio where I oversaw the team that was responsible for all of the concept show set drawing packages for all new attractions for the various Universal theme parks around the world. I loved working for Universal, but the appetite for new attractions has dried up since COVID and without new attractions, there is no need for the designers who design them. I and many others at Universal Creative were laid off as a result.

I have been interested in real estate investing for a while now. I’ve been reading and listening to podcasts, but definitely was one to study and learn but not act. My job took up a lot of my time, and I used it as a crutch to excuse my inaction. I had a well-paying job that I enjoyed and I let that lull me into a sense of security and complacency. Getting laid off was actually the kick in the pants that I needed to get me moving towards financial independence.

My long term vision is to be designing/developing my own multi-family, mixed use, and/or commercial properties (through syndication or private debt); building a portfolio of rental properties that allows me to be financially free.

I find myself now trying to find the best path to get to that long term vision. I have a few ideas on how to plot that path and many questions, but I'll save those for other posts. I plan to be active on these forums as I search out my future. Thank you BiggerPockets community.