A Family House Flipping Business Truly Focused on Serving Homeowners With Laura Casey

Intro 00:01
You're listening to the flip houses like a girl podcast where we educate, empower and celebrate everyday women who are facing their fears, juggling family and business, embracing their awesomeness and wholeheartedly chasing their dream of flipping houses. Each episode delivers honest to goodness tools, tips and strategies you can implement today to get closer to your first or next successful house flip. Here's your spiky haired breakfast taco loving host house flipping coach, Debbie DeBerry.

Debbie DeBerry 00:38
What is going on you guys, it's Debbie here. And I hope that whatever you're up to today, it's an easy one. If you aren't already on the waitlist for flip your heart out, which is my real estate investing retreat, where we will meet house flipping. We're having it in September, in Austin, and it's going to be unlike any other real estate investing event you've been to guaranteed, no sleazy selling just good old fashioned connection and creation and how to have a bigger impact on others lives and your own. Okay, so go to flip your heart out comm and join the waitlist because we're about to open up sales to non students. Because right now it's only open to students. Okay, now, let's talk about today's episode because I adore this woman. Her name is Laura Casey. She lives here in Austin now and she and her son and daughter in law have an awesome business that is about serving home sellers. And it's just it's so freaking inspiring. I love what they're up to. It feels so good to meet like minded investors, who aren't just out to make a quick buck while they trample over everyone in their way or on their path. So yay, for meeting more awesome like minded people. All because of my little monthly meetup that I started in October. If you remember, if you listen to the episode with Lindsay Hinkle a couple of episodes ago, I also met her and her husband for the first time at that first meetup. In addition, I met Laura and her son and daughter in law, and I'm telling you, and ah, just awesome lives, awesome people. And I love this conversation that we have. All right, we are talking about their team. We're talking about her background in the roles each person plays. We're talking about mindset. We're getting into the nitty gritty here, folks. So stay tuned. You don't want to miss this one. All right, see on the flip side, how about let's start with you giving us a little bit of background on you personally. 

Laura 03:17
Okay, awesome. Um, my background is I've pretty much always been in some sort of design or construction field and that truly is where my passion lies. And I went to the University of Kansas and studied interior architecture. Graduated they were just kind of morphing a program between the School of Art and the School of Architecture. So it was this really cool blend of that they were just starting out so that was really fun. Didn't did mostly like commercial projects through school. And then shortly after that went to work for one of my professors in on the Plaza in Kansas City worked for him for a couple of years doing some commercial stuff. And then after that I headed out to Arizona with it just decided I think I should go to Arizona so just headed out to Arizona and the only thing I couldn't really find was at Home Depot.

Debbie DeBerry 04:31
That's amazing. Okay, I don't know about you. 

Laura 04:38
Okay, amazing is the word but the time it was a good thing. They were starting like an interior design program where you would go in people's homes and solicit interior design services along with all their products. So I kind of doing design, although obviously much more residential. But the good thing about it was they also taught me how to do Kitchen and Bath design. So I learned the 2020 program ended up selling Kitchens and Baths and running their design department through Home Depot. Nice. So it was, you know, probably not the place I would have loved to have been. But it was a really good experience and a bit of a springboard and my parents, Arizona, and then one of the contractors I worked with eventually offered me a job and sold me away and he built big Custom Homes in North up in north Scottsdale in Arizona. I worked for him for a while. And what were you What were you doing for him? Um, you know, it wasn't really glamorous, and I didn't you know, really fulfilled there was a lot of office work and gotcha, a little design. Yeah. Oh, because it was just consult just me and him. And so he was out there selling and doing a project managing and I was kind of handling all the office stuff. Gotcha. Not my happy place to be sure. Yep. Um, then I went to work for a family run interior design business, they did cabinets and sold to smaller builders, and I mean, did cabinets, countertops, all that design coordination, that kind of stuff. And again, that was just a really good experience because I started doing like really high end custom cabinetry, things like that. And then they got bought out by a division of Home Depot, Home Depot. This CTI creative, and they have like a lot of small mom and pop shops, you know, tile shops, cabinet vendors, things like that. They bought everybody up in Arizona and created this giant, like 400 person company. Wow. And that was leading into the crash of a weight. Okay. Oh, that thing pretty much dissolved. Everybody I knew we all just kind of scattered like rats in different ways, because everybody lost their jobs. At the time, I lost my job. My fiance at the time, lost his job. We lost our house, and we lost everything. And we weren't. But yeah, went through that whole Arizona was hit really hard.

Debbie DeBerry 07:28
I remember hearing about it. Wow. 

Laura 07:30
So like, everything shut down. And we all went and just found random jobs for a couple of years. And then everybody started to resurface. So then when that was all over, I did a bunch of weird jobs and interim, and then I went it went to work for a, like a high end, full service remodel company, or really, okay, in Arizona, and did everything from meeting with the initial clients going out to the home and doing all the the measuring and the 2020 design work, specifying all the products, writing the contract, doing all the installation, Docs, everything and then I would hand it off to a project manager and I work with him to see the project through. Okay. So I did that. And that was really great, because it was kind of a small company had a real family feel that everybody was under one roof. So if you need to, you know, your payroll department or your project manager or your lead designer, like everybody was there, all the material was there under one roof. But I learned a lot there. Yeah, it was really good. And every project was completely different. I got to work with great clients, I really got blessed with a lot of really great clients that gave me a lot of creative freedom and have really nice budgets. So it's a great, glamorous background story. I don't feel like ever have really like been in the pocket loved what I was doing felt like I was in the right place. But I feel like now I can look back and see it was all just kind of stepping stones good experience, that kind of stuff.

Debbie DeBerry 09:33
Totally. That's so like, that's just so true. When you're in it. You're like I don't get any i don't i don't get the purpose of this. I'm I don't know and then later you can like it's always nice when you can look back and be like, Okay, I get it. Yeah, didn't have to be that way. But okay, I get it.

Laura 09:57
And I'm sure We might talk about it. And you and I've talked about it before, I also think that a lot of that kind of just contentment was staying in my comfort zone. You know, I was, I was perfecting a craft and skills, but it wasn't fulfilling, because that would have meant taking more risks. 

Debbie DeBerry 10:27
yes, exactly, let’s talk about that! um, I just read a quote, dang, and bombed that I'm not remembering who originally said it. Um, I read it this morning. And it's basically, like, we get that, I get the notion of, you have to get outside of your comfort zone, if you're going to grow and to to, to advance in any way you have to get outside of your comfort zone. And the quote was something like, basically, if you feel like you're stuck, and you look at your day to day, and you are not uncomfortable, and you are not doing anything that feels stressful, or causes anxiety, or it feels uncomfortable, then you're probably plateaued, but you probably not advancing, you're probably not going to basically reach whatever the goal is what you're after. And it's like, it's so true. And it's just, it's cliche, and it's so true. Equally, 

Laura 11:37
I 100% agree, in fact, you know, you sent me a couple questions to think about and I took some notes, and this morning, I even wrote one down because when I was at the gym yesterday, you know, again, like, I love the gym, I go to I love the routine. I love that. I can measure how much weight and now I lift this much weight so I can really see where I'm changing. But even with that it's very easy to get in my comfort zone at the gym. Yes. And one of the things the trainer said yesterday was like, you know, in the uncomfortable is where it happens. Yes, our hearts are pounding out of our chests. Change is not happening. So he's got to write my favorite quotes is like, you know, getting being comfortable being uncomfortable or?

Debbie DeBerry 12:31
Yeah, I mean every day I'm thinking about it. And I know you do orange theory, and I recently started doing peloton cycling workouts I don't have a peloton bike I actually rent a site. Uh huh. in Austin, there's a company that rents like professional grade, like gym grade bikes, okay? for like, I think it's like 75 bucks a month, because I just didn't want to fork over the 2500 bucks. I didn't know if I was going to. I didn't trust that I'd stay committed to it because I'm a runner. But I had injuries that I can't run anymore. So I was like, Alright, we've got to do something. So let's try cycling. And I'll tell you, I want it I'm totally in love with it. Um, but the peloton coaches, like every single one of them. I'm like, they'll say something I'm like, Yes, that's totally true. Yes, get uncomfortable. And but it's like it you can you can take it into every area of your life. Like it's, it's just totally true. out. And I'm the same way I'll be like, Oh, this workouts easy. I feel like I'm working out but you know, and all I have to do is crank that stupid resistance up one more notch and it would be a totally different workout. But do I want to do I want to be that uncomfortable today. It's like you're in charge. You get to control it

Laura 14:03
That would be a good t shirt for you, crank the resistance up one more notch. 

Debbie DeBerry 14:14
writing it. writing it down

Laura  14:15
Well it's been about this because I have felt really anxious and uncomfortable for like the last two weeks. It probably started when you asked me to speak in front of your group.

Debbie DeBerry 14:33
You're welcome

Laura 14:35
to the uncut that was getting uncomfortable. But yesterday I was kind of doing some soul searching and realizing that we're in this very uncomfortable place with starting our new business and yes known and that was probably a lot of the feelings I was having and that I just need to be okay with that because the growth is happening like I'm experienced. thing that right now, but when you're in the thick of it, it's seen how badly you want to go back to your comfort zone.

Debbie DeBerry 15:08
yes, yes. Because you know what to expect? 

Laura 15:12
Oh yeah, Yeah.

Debbie DeBerry 15:13
So let's talk about that. Okay. So, when, okay, right now you're in business with your son and daughter in law. And when did that happen? What year did that come together? 

Laura 15:31
SO, that was just 2018. we moved out here Mother's Day weekend of 2018 with a big faithful leaf. And do you want a little backstory on that or no?

Debbie DeBerry 15:41
Yeah, yeah, absolutely

Laura 15:42
Okay. Um, so my son was working for a home buying franchise in Arizona. He was working for an owner and he was going out and basically being the buyer meeting with buying the properties for somebody else. He was doing the hardest part. I think, our end he was really, really good at it. Yeah. And people quickly realize how good he was at it. So other people were calling him and trying to get him on board with them and their businesses. the meantime, the man who owned the franchise in Arizona had kind of a dormant franchise up in Portland, Oregon. And so he said, Hey, would you want to go up there and check it out and see if you could make it work up there. So my son got the opportunity to go up there. And we all tagged along for a summer up in Portland, and I forgot about that, but my daughter in law, my mother went with us. So my son was there with three ladies. I love me all summer. But that's when I had been going on some appointments with him in Arizona. In my free time, you know, really, I was really interested in what was happening in his life and his world. And me. So if you let me tag along, I did some trainings, the owner was fine with me, going out with him on appointments, and we actually got quite successful going out together. And so I did that when we went up to Portland, and then started doing some of the CRM and running comps and just getting my feet a little bit more in his world. And then when he came back from Portland, he and his wife realized that they really wanted a change of pace, and we're looking to relocate. So they started looking at, you know, Nashville, and Boston and Kansas City and all these other places where there were franchise opportunities. Got it, and company. Um, during all of that, I went through a really devastating divorce. That person devastated our entire family. And I was just really lost. You know, I was in this job working for a remodel company, but not really satisfied knew I really didn't have anywhere to grow with that business. Yeah. And they mount to our weekend, they both make really quick decisions, which I don't like came back and said, We love it. We're gonna run a franchise out there. And we're moving and why don't you come with us? It was a really quick decision for me normally have to start worrying, anxiety and sweated by some tears. And you know, they used to drive out here, so that all happens, but But, yeah, that yes, like, why not? What have I got to lose? And this may be the big opportunity of my life and I was in my 50s. And so early drove out here found the smallest, cheapest apartment in Austin, which is not easy to do. Right? off, it's not easy.

Debbie DeBerry 19:08
I was gonna say, it's probably not cheap.

Laura 19:12
Cheap is a relative term. Yeah, and we came in on Mother's Day Sunday, and we went out on appointments Monday morning. So Bill with the franchise, okay. And then we did that for about a year and a half, my son was incredibly successful with that he ended up running the whole Austin region being in charge of all the franchisees in Austin. Um, and then we just decided over time that we wanted to do something a little different, that it was no longer serving our needs and that we really wanted to create this for service centered message and a healthy home sellers, but they weren't being served as far as we could see. Yes. So that's kind of the creation of the new company and one really specific message and we, one of our taglines, as we put people over properties, yes, because we started to see that sometimes no amount of money, solve their problems, right. So even though it's a really competitive market, and, you know, you have multiple offers, and investors are everywhere, a lot of times, it didn't solve their problems. And so we could really sit down with them, and get to know them and put a game plan together to solve whatever problems they were facing. Things like, you know, they might have a probate issue but not have money to deal with the legal fees. Right. Or they need to they were facing a foreclosure needed to get in a new place, and literally didn't have a penny in their pocket to pay for a down payment on an apartment, or truck. A lot of needed a lot of patience, you know, a really flexible, closed date that could change depending on their circumstances. Or they needed to lease back the property after they sold it. And then they needed the cash in hand, but still needed to stay in the property. So we could just get really flexible and super creative, and really just hold their hand through the process. I don't know that that's really the question you asked me. 

Debbie DeBerry 21:39
no, yeah, it is. One of the things that I love about you guys, is like integrity and serving first, and not being so pocket driven. And that's one of the biggest things when I was exposed. So I wanted to be a real estate investor starting in 2003. And I didn't know what I meant by that, you know, I, I had all these people telling me, you've got to buy short sales, you've got to invest in in tax liens, you've got to buy foreclosures, you've got to do these. And I'm like, so all of that kind of sounds kind of like pushing paper. To me, it doesn't sound like a relationship kind of connection, kind of business. That is the connection is so important to me that every other strategy I tried, I was like, well, this sucks. Maybe I don't want to be a real estate investor, because it this is what real estate investing is, this is gross, it doesn't feel good. Um, until I started flipping houses. And then that's when I was like, Oh, my God, I can actually make a big impact on local communities. And I can serve people in a way that is meaningful to me. Right? So I love that you guys lead with your heart, because it's one of the things that is harder for me to find. That's important to other investors. And it's like, it just makes me want to hang out in Daniel's bubble all the time.

Laura 23:19
Well, good. Good, because we have that, you know, that in common. And I think when you spend some time with people, you can very quickly see like, what their motives are and what they're driven. or fat. And we have tried very hard to create a tribe of like minded. Like, right? Oh, yeah, it's it's important. I mean, it's like, I don't know, I don't know, 

Debbie DeBerry 23:50
if another way works. For some people. It just doesn't work for me. And so I'm glad that we found each other. okay, so you guys moved to Austin, and you recently, you're transitioning into your own company right now. And so it's the three of you. What do I want to talk about this piece, because I think it's really great to learn more about what a team can look like, and really how you guys can support each other. Because it's really, there's not a person that can do every single thing necessary in this business. As well as they possibly could, like you can't do everything 100% so I think it's great to hear how you guys are navigating that What does your team look like?

Laura 24:41
Sir? So we actually know how for the RAF. Um, but so Max is my son. He's 26 headed to 27 and He's the owner and then his wife Angie. Then we now have a director of operations, which is Kara, as well. So one thing I have to say is, Max's spent a lot of time really researching and learning about personality styles, communication styles, teams, structures and things like that. What kind of roles people will play. And he spent a lot of time talking about those things and figuring those things out. Because we really feel like, you know, just like with a house, that foundation is critical, and I think, just kind of don't do any part of that process. I mean, they may say, Oh, I need somebody to handle my billing. Let me find somebody to do my billing. Let me you know, it's more of like, what, what is the task? Yes, we really focus on who is the right person to handle what parts Max's the visionary, he moves at a very high rate of speed. Like big picture. Definitely high communication skills. I'm always forward thinking, things like that, you know, you're not going to see max sitting in the office doing paperwork all day. Yeah, um, he's not a huge networker. Angie is very, let's see, I made actually a couple of notes here. Let me just take a look. But um, yeah, so Max's, you know, Max is also our closer, so he acquires all the properties. He's the front man talking with the sellers, because he just has such a high communication skill. Sure, um, Kara is the most logical, detail oriented, she loves processes. And, like, get that girl in front of a binder or a spreadsheet, and she is giddy.

Debbie DeBerry 27:10
Oh, my God, I need a Kara.

Laura 27:15
Everybody we needs one. she would puzzle that is our most recent addition. And, and she's just kind of completed. Wow. Um, Angie is Angie is extremely creative, high design. But yet, she's very introverted. So she likes to do things, you know, behind the curtain. doesn't like to be out there dealing directly with people. So she's great at keeping us on budget. She is on task, sending us reminders, sending out emails, text messages, things like that. But she's private and reserved, and creative and introverted. And so she gets involved a lot in the design process. But she doesn't like the project management because that is the communication. And then myself. I was looking at your questions. I was kind of laughing because one of your questions was kind of like, what does my role look like? Uh huh. Oh, it's literally it changes every day. But I kind of got a chuckle because I do have an official title at our company. And I have to read it because it's so long. And my official title is director of creative solutions and connections. I love that. I'm also a realtor. But I love that you spent a lot of time even thinking about what our titles were because they were very personal. And we wanted them very specific. So I know you know me a little bit and it's hard to believe, but I like meeting people. Now, I love working with people. And like a really good day for me is if you were to come to me and say I need a cara. And I were to say I have a Kara for you like that. makes my day to be able to care

Debbie DeBerry 29:27
Yeah, you're totally a connector.

Laura 29:30
Yeah. I'm Maxwell say I'm the who of the company. So he, we need a probate attorney. And I have to go out and I find a probate attorney, or how can we possibly solve this? And we'll brainstorm some ideas. And I'll say, I'm going to reach out on social media I'm going to call so and so I'm going to call Debbie, you know, who do I know who can I reach out to that kind of thing. So I do think that as we're learning and growing and developing this company, because we really We don't know anything. So people who know stuff like you. Yeah, that's kind of those are kind of in general, our roles. Everybody really has a lane that they see. And it's a lane they like to stay in. So Matt, airy good about, where do we want to spend our day? How do we want to spend our time? What makes us happy? What energizes us, gives us joy, when we feel like we're contributing to the whole, because yeah, he sits me down to do paperwork all day, I'm gonna be miserable, right? But you sit down, you tell Kara, she has eight hours of paperwork to do and she gets her coffee and her treats and she's excited.

Debbie DeBerry 30:55
I'm happy doing pretty much anything with coffee and treats. Okay, so seeing how your team works? About how many projects are you guys working on at a time? And I know that might be different now. Because you're, you're you're kind of you're launching this new business, because you're not affiliated with the franchise anymore.

Laura 31:19
Um, you know, it does vary quite a bit. But I'd say I mean, we're not like a hot high volume kind of business. I mean, we might have two or three checks at a time, and we don't fully remodel everything. So when one or two big remodels in a year might do, you know, whatever, 5678 what we call light rehabs, that are painting carpets, kind of thing, and assign a bunch of them. Yep. You know, double clothes, things like that. Just buy them and get rid of them. So our business is quite a mix of things. And going into the new business, our plan in the beginning is probably to do a lot more assignments and a lot more, you know, quicker transactions and not take on big remodels right now, because eventually that's a component, we want to build our business to be able to handle our own remodels, but that will come with time.

Debbie DeBerry 32:27
Gotcha. So really, when I think of you guys, I think your main and tell me if I'm wrong, but I think your main business, your main focus is solving sellers problems. And Is that it? Okay! So the more sellers you can help, the better the bigger impact your business is making, that you guys want it to make. So it makes sense to me that you're not rehabbing. 80 something houses a year, um, because that's a different it's a different focus, like you're still helping those homeowners, but you can wholesale you can assign contracts, and you can help more people, basically yeah.

Laura 33:15
And, you know, the designing part of it again, I feel like you know, I know I'm totally biased, but I feel like Max is very good to us in that way as far as being a business owner and a leader of a team because he recognizes that Angie, and I have to have that design component in our life. Right? I'm so right he you know, we'll take on projects like that just to keep us happy and satisfied. Yeah.

Debbie DeBerry 33:44
I was gonna I was just gonna ask about that because yeah, like as somebody who really likes the design piece and who I know for you guys like that for you and Angie, that design that creative expression I get it that's important in that field that it's hard to find another outlet for that unless you know you guys did consulting work for other people which mean there are pros and cons to that so

Laura 34:12
we're joking The other day I said when we were in front of your group I said that's why I'm reaching out to people like yourself and Lindsey that you interviewed and some of your other people that you coach and mentor I'm like I need to come see your project like I just need to be on site. 

Debbie DeBerry 34:36
Just need to smell that drywall. Thought ask it a little saw that's in your loans to see a good dumpster and smell some bad plumbing and.. Oh god, that's hilarious. Um, so when it's interesting That you and Max were kind of doing this. Was he in the same city? As you when you were doing all the remodeling work and stuff? 

Laura 35:16
When I was working for the remodel company?

Debbie DeBerry 35:19
Yeah, when you were doing all the design work and remodeling and stuff, so I guess his focus though, at the time was a buyer for other. Okay, because it's like, you guys were so parallel. It's interesting that it took a little bit longer for you guys to join forces, but it makes sense because you were working for someone and he was working for someone else.

Laura 35:42
Yeah, and his the guys that owned the franchises that he was working for were mostly into wholesaling or doing really light rehab. So volume type business, and auto company I worked for was definitely not investor friendly. You know, as far as with investors and things like that. I wouldn't have made sense at the time to work together. 

Debbie DeBerry 36:06
That makes perfect sense. So when you guys I mean, I guess struggles that that you have with this new business, like mentally like, Are you worried it might not work or that I don't know. Do you have any mindset struggles right now with with this launching of the new new business?

Laura 36:33
Uh, yeah, absolutely. I am on cry anxiety alert. And Coronavirus.

Debbie DeBerry 36:42
Is that? Is that what I see? I see like a red flag on my desktop. And this led me Hello, Laura. Casey is on high alert. Along with Coronavirus

Laura 36:54
You can get an alert on your your watch on your Apple Watch. Hello, anxiety at any point in red alert. Um, yes, the answer is yes. And, um I think it's one of those things, though. Um, so you used to be an athlete, right? You're still an athlete. But you grew up? sports, right? Yes, absolutely. I think it's, I didn't so um, but I think it's one of those things when you make a decision. Feel like, spiritually and emotionally and every other way. It's what you're supposed to be doing? Mm hmm. I don't feel like I have any other options. Mm hmm. Every day, you just make it work. So, yes, there are always those thoughts of anxiety and self doubt. And what in the world did we get ourselves into? And we thought that the times I mean, packing up a car and driving to Texas, became a realtor and literally not even knowing what street I was on. It talks about this people are like, Oh, you know, this area? You know, this is, you know, oh, you know, I heard I just got here yesterday, just pulled up and zona are straight and on a grid.

Debbie DeBerry 38:33
And in Austin, the same street can have five different names, depending where you are on it. 

Laura 38:39
Yes, I would tell my friends. It's like driving on a spider graph. Haha. That's always that's always there. You know, you always question. You know, we question even yesterday, we had a meeting, we were meeting at nine o'clock last night, and we were talking about you know, what everybody else is doing? Yeah. How are they getting leads? How are they door knocking? What's their message? Why is everybody getting these properties? And we're not, you know, and that stuff usually doesn't last very long. Get out of our little circle, but is there? Yes. But I do think that what we have going for us is the vision. Yeah, we are all laser locked and focused on what we're trying to do and what our messages Yeah. Just it drives you as I would imagine as an athlete when you are focused on the result or the end goal or the theme. You it makes you get up and do things you don't want to Do?

Debbie DeBerry 40:00
Yes, absolutely. Hundred percent. Absolutely. So that, um, I want to know, I guess it's like, I want to know what the difference is. So, because there are people who want to say they want to flip houses, and they aren't, or they, they don't have that. That commitment that look, you, whatever you choose for your goal, whatever it is, if you keep showing up and you keep trying, you will achieve your goal. The only difference is the only difference between someone who achieves their goals, someone who doesn't is the other person stop trying, they gave up. And usually they gave up like, a centimeter away from getting everything they wanted. So but what is that? What is it in in you? Is it just is it not just because it's a big one? Is it that commitment to the the message, the mission and the message

Laura 41:09
It might be a combination, because there's definitely that we have spent a lot of time and, and gotten a lot of bumps and bruises. figuring out exactly where we're supposed to be. And we feel like we have figured out the message and we figured out who we need to serve and how we need to serve. But we're still trying to figure out all the logistics and how to make that happen. You know?

Debbie DeBerry 41:40
I know that Yeah, sure.

Laura 41:42
Yeah. So, um, so I definitely think that's a part of it, having that vision, feeling like you are doing what you're meant to do, whatever that's you. But sometimes I often think you really need to look at what your strengths and weaknesses are. Or downfall. You know, I have a lot of people come to me say, Oh, I want to flip houses, you know, and they know how to run numbers. And they know comps and they know, but maybe they aren't comfortable talking to people or networking, or designing or, like you said all these other things that people are trying to do on their own. So I think it's, I feel very fortunate that I'm part of a team that I don't think myself because I don't know that I would feel the same way if i i'd like to think that if I had my vision, I would be that driven to get up and make it happen. But I very often and fortunate enough that I get to rely on other people. And when I'm, you know, maybe having a rough time, there's somebody there to help me out or pick up the slack or to do some course correction or whatever the case may be. So when you're when you're doing it alone, it's great to say, I think if you have the vision, you just get up every day and you make it happen. But I think especially when everybody has their strengths and weaknesses, you're up and automatically want to focus on the things that you like to do, right? Less you do have that ability or drive or whatever it is that makes you do the things you don't want to do. Right. And I think that's where a lot of people end up quitting before they're there. Because they're need to enroll other people in their possibilities. And even if it's, you know, a really formal team. You know, you have to have your tribe you have to have you have to have other people you can rely on or reach out to. But you're all alone, I can easily see why people give up or fail. Yeah, I totally agree with that. Yeah. Yeah, it's hard, hard to do it yourself. It is it is and it's, it's not fun putting yourself out there. It's not fun. You know, it's not fun. Showing up and not seeing results as quickly as you want. It's not fun, not feeling like people are listening to you. It's not fun. But then that one time that you are able to help someone it's like, holy crap, this is what I'm living for, like this is it. This is great. I was able to help this homeowner, like it's when it clicks. It's great, but the in betweens can be a struggle sometimes. So I think it's great to whether you like you were saying whether you formally build a team that you work together closely every day, or even in selecting the realtor that you're going to work with, or the lenders are going to work with all of them are part of your team and they are going to bring a different kind of energy into into your world, your professional world and Your personal world? So do you want that energy to be? You know, do you want it to add to your day do you want it to take away from your day. So it's, it can be very easily go either way. And I think regardless of whether you're building a team of, you know, working with your family or close friends every day, or it's just people filling different roles, it's important to, it's important that your visions align, and that your, your focus on the same thing, because otherwise, it's just going to be so much friction, and you don't have to go it alone. And you have to have people around you, that are supporting you, you have to like, that whole notion of self made, I think it's total BS is Oh, it's one of the terms that it just makes my it makes my blood boil, because nobody is self made. That whole notion of self made is just wrong. It's not there's nobody has achieved anything on their own. There's, it's impossible and I think there's a lot of that out there, and social media and the world, this idea of anybody can achieve any goal they want. And they can do it all on their own. If they just get up at 5am and have their morning routine and do XYZ and I agree with you, I you know, even people that say they've done it that way, that's that's not the case at all. There's hundreds of people that have been on that journey with them.

Debbie DeBerry 46:30
Right, the people who I knew when I was three years old, right, like they have impacted my life in some way. And they have made me who I am, like, everybody has a role. Um, yeah. I think that the DIY, like, I get it, I love it, the whole DIY movement, it's great. And it also presents this whole thing of, if you aren't doing it on your own, something's wrong. Because you can just do it yourself. and expect all the great things and it's not like, I feel like it's kind of it's a little bit toxic. The messaging around it, it's a little bit toxic. 

Laura 14:12
I like the whole, it's like I related to the whole body image thing. It's like, you know, it's kind of sending this message that it needs to be perfect. It needs to be polished, it needs to be, you know, quick, that kind of thing. And it's like that's, that's not the way this world works at all. It's messy, and there's a lot of failure. And there's been a lot of support and all that crazy, you know, crazy stuff. That's life.

Debbie DeBerry 47:39
Yes, exactly. Yes. It is messy. It just is. It's not it's not going to be pretty nerve. It's going to be pretty. If you want pretty. I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know what to tell you. Yeah. alright, I'm just being mindful at the time. Um, is there anything, this has been such an awesome conversation, by the way I knew is going to be awesome. And it's even better than I ever imagined.

Unknown Speaker  48:04
Is there anything that you want to touch on? Or say, as we wrap up the call? 

Laura 48:11
Um, no, I think the only other question that you asked me that might be worth just saying a few words about as you had asked about, you know, are there any points of contention or things I've learned about myself or that we've learned, like, in working together as a family? And I definitely think that's a good point. Because it is, you know, it is tricky. Um, we have a big joke in our family, because my son max will call me Laura, if it has to do anything to do with business. If it has anything to do with personal and he literally can flip a switch. I mean, it will be the same conversation and he'll be like, okay, now, Laura, I need you to do this tomorrow. And this is what's on the calendar and blah, blah, blah. And by the way, Mom, what time should we hear? Dinner. He's able to really, things in their proper place

Unknown Speaker  49:10
That’s impressive man, that's compartmentalization. Right there. Max.

Laura 49:18
Not only working for family, but like, you know, I'm a mom working for my son. So it can get really tricky, but I think the one thing I've learned is definitely, you know, patience. Um, I think we've all had moments where we really have to check our ego at the door. Yeah. Realize that everybody is doing their best. And yes, little love and patience and compassion and support. And I've had times where we have to step in and handle things like a business and like work came together and be able to have really sometimes difficult and frank conversations or change up our roles because something's not working. And Max is really good about not playing favorites. You know, there have been times where he's had to put me in a position maybe Angie wasn't happy with and vice versa and times where he's had to take something off of somebody's plate and hand it to somebody else. And it's just business. And so you really do sometimes have to compartmentalize that. But at the end, they'll family you still love each other, you know, part of the family now, so are the same way. But

Debbie DeBerry 50:37
yeah, you know, that's another thing that I often hear, um, don't miss don't mix business with family or friends. And I just I don't bite into that at all. I don't know who else you can trust more. I think you have to be cautious of anybody you go into business with whether they're a friend or not. But though some, there are some people who are just make blanket statements in general. And that's certainly one that I hear often, especially in this real estate nasty world. Do not go into business with friends or family.

Laura 51:17
No, man. Yeah. And I think you just, I think for us, when I look back and think of how we weathered some of the difficult stuff really is you'd have to be okay, communicating, you have to be okay, in your mind, but being very compassionate and mindful of the other person, you know, just like you would in any relationship, but I think even more so in a family.

Debbie DeBerry 51:44
It all comes down to communication. Everything always comes back to communication. everything.
Alright awesome. You're awesome. I love you to pieces. I love your family. I love your family's business. I love it all. And thank you for sharing it with us. Because I think there's just, there's so much. There's, there's just a lot of insight and so much to learn, people could learn from this conversation. So thank you.

Laura 52:13
You're welcome. I love you too. And I appreciate you getting me out of my comfort zone and asked me to do this to shape the opportunity. On a really heartfelt note. You know, we are very, very faithful people. And this whole journey has been, we feel like driven by a divine power. And I know you are part of that you were dropped into our laps. And I know that was no coincidence, no mistake, and I hope that we are BFFs forever. And we can go build a super awesome container home community. 

Debbie DeBerry 52:54
Oh yes, yes. And I feel the exact same way. It was not like view you guys walking into that first meetup that I thought maybe nobody was going to show up to. Um, that was awesome. I was just like, oh my god, these are my people. And I had no idea they were they were here. I had no idea you existed. So I'm super blessed.

Laura 53:16
blessing to be there. I feel blessed to be a part of all of it. And I'm just so excited for your group and your people and for you and I love being a part of it. So thank you.

Debbie DeBerry 53:27
I appreciate you. I hope you have an awesome rest of your day. And I'll see you for tacos soon. Yeah, I'm gonna go do stuff I don't want to do today. Yes, I love it.

Laura 53:37
Me too. Let's do it. YAY cold calling.

Debbie DeBerry53:40
Yay. Oh, that's right. Oh, man. That was something I wanted to talk to you about. Okay, we're gonna have another conversation soon. Okay. Bye

Was that awesome or what? So, so good. Ah, man, I love her. Okay, that's it for this episode. Until next time, go out there flip houses like a girl. Leave people in places better than you find them and make it a great day. Bye. Oh,