My Accidental Journey to Into Private Lending

I never thought I'd be running a successful, purposefully small and high touch #privatelending business with my husband, Matt Flynn. Originally, we got started simply as a side hustle, lending out our own funds and had only two other investors.

Our lending model met growing demand for creative financing solutions real estate investors needed which could only be found through truly #privatecapital and not institutionally backed hard money products. We adapted quickly to the breakneck speed at which we grew due to the popularity amongst the local #realestateinvestor community for what we offered compared to other bridge lenders.

It wasn't easy - lost sleep worrying, had many "constructive conversations" together about how, and if, we would proceed with a loan (read: fights bordering on marital spats disguised as business discourse) but we got really good at what we did, and more and more interest came our way to help place funds into safe and secure interest-bearing deals. Some were already lending on their own and eventually got burned. They needed someone like us to safeguard their investments. Some were net-new to private lending but needed help getting started. Interest grew and we became a social investment club, of sorts.

I won't say how much we originate or our AUM (assets under management). That's industry talk for who's "bigger" and "better" and I don't play that game. I play in a different sandbox where normal, hard working folks who want to safely make money on their hard-earned money can do so on their own. I spend my time with passive investors and families who are on a mission to create #generationalwealth one promissory note at a time, just like Matt and I are doing.

Now, we are embarking on a new journey to share what we've learned over the years with new and aspiring private lenders seeking some sort of #financialindependence.

There are plenty of books geared to real estate investors on how the FIND private capital but very few on how to PLACE private capital. Why? #privatelenders don't typically operate a brick and mortar shop. They have busy families and a demanding W2. They are obscure and hard to find - because private lending IS NOT their day job.

So, it brings me a lot of excitement knowing my business partner Alex Breshears CFM and I are ahead of schedule publishing our first book on what private lending can do for every day folks as well as HOW to do it. Safely. Securely. And with confidence. A means to #investpassivelytoliveactively - the very core of what Lend2Live Learning LLC is really about.

My hope is that our book can help others get started in private money lending without the hardships we experienced. Back then, there were not many opportunities to exchange ideas with others doing things the way we did. Thanks to Bigger Pockets for helping us spread the word on a side of real estate investing that does not get enough attention and to help create a community of truly private lenders! #iamprivatelending