So it was late, I had just smoked a joint and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to tell the world about my adventures in life and business.
I felt the need for a part 2 because I really did not discuss in detail what selling drugs taught me about business.
At age 18 I had an idea. How about I sign a contract for a piece of property and sell that piece of paper for $10-20k more.
I had a freind, let’s call him Steve, that had been around since I was 15. Steve had a car, a good family and a valid drivers license. He was the perfect driver/transporter. Steve had taken a job at local real estate investors home helping finish his basement. When I heard about his employers profession, I wanted to meet him to discuss my idea.
When meeting Steve’s employer, I explained my plan and he informed me that what I wanted to do was flip property. Kind of like weed. Go to the bank (grower) to get the best price, in turn allowing me to undercut the market to control the market using OPM (other people’s money) to close the deal and get paid.
Within weeks, Mike approaches me with a deal. 5 condos at $60k a piece. Each condo was valued at over $86k and had a renter.
I had to come up with $5,000 earnest money in order to sign the contract. The owner probably looked at me as a stupid kid who was about to loose $5k. I had two months to sell all five condos or loose the money.
Within a month and a half the condos where sold. Two to a cash buyer, and three to a father and son. Because it was an assignment of contract and this was 2008, the start of the melt down, seasoning on title was required. So we forfeited the money and had my broker/partner do a net listing on the property. This would allow the bank to see the owners name on the contract and we would acquire the balance after the agreed $60k.
My pitch to the father was the to give his son an opportunity to build an investment. The two condos rented would cover his living expenses why he was in school providing a decent profit when sold.
I was 21, it was October and I was trying to think of what business venture I should start. By this time, I was legitimate and running my first successful legal business.
Sitting back, I start to contemplate how much I could sell real trees for (Christmas trees). I started to google tree farms (the grower) and figure out pricing.
After speaking to one of the sweetest ladies you have ever met, I had a deal to buy 1,000 Christmas trees and have them shipped the day after thanksgiving (30 days later).
My plan was to find the best location on the busiest road and sell the best quality Christmas trees for the cheapest price.
My starting price was $25 and this provided you a number one quality Fraser fir Christmas tree, a $60 value at any other lot.
Within 30 days I found the perfect lot and by the end of the season, 21 and never having sold a Christmas tree in my life, I was buying out all the competition because they could not sell their trees.
I will leave you with this; God is amazing. It was not until I cleaned up my life and allowed him to guide me, that I truly experienced success. He kept me safe when I should have been put in jail for life or shot to death. Now he allows me to be a carrier of blessings.
Patience is faith in God that his plan is better then ours. Don’t be greedy. Don’t get mad when things don’t go your way, it was not meant to be. When it is you will know and be so thankful it did not happen any other way. Cheers and God Speed!