Let's Dance

Ya know, it's funny... I woke up this morning and for some reason felt like it was already Monday morning. I spent most of my Friday driving all over Columbus. Being that I didn't sleep at my house Thursday night, Earlier Friday morning I found myself waking up early, driving a friend of mine to work. Next, I proceeded to drive back downtown to quickly change and rush back on the rode not to be late for a 10 am meeting in Dublin. The meeting was at the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center to discuss my business plan and growth with the director. I'd say it went pretty while and although I felt my plan was somewhat sound and structured well, there are still a few details that the meeting helped bring to light. I really actually appreciated the extra insight as now 12 pages is definitely still to short for an investment company. The main points I must develop further are the:

• Stock Structure
• Liquidation
• Buy Out Options
• Capital Reserve Account
• Debt Realization
• Exit Strategy

Using solely my own funds makes investing quite simply, however now that I am looking to expand into a REIT, planning is curial to our success.

After my meeting in Dublin, once again I found myself rushing back toward downtown. The meeting lasted a little over two hours and I didn't realize that I was pushing the clock on my next meeting. My attorney was next on the list of people to see. The last time we spoke, we discussed overall business entity structure options. Normally when I arrive we sit in the conference room, but this time we sat in his office and spoke there. We ended up discussing my ambitious goals for JSD as well as different way to show promise for larger investors investment. He voiced his overall concerns with the state of the market and I responded with my optimistic views. Although the big picture shows gloom and doom, for the business I am in, now is the time if any to purchase. The market is rip for the picking. In my option, I feel we are coming upon the second down line in the "W" of the market. Lucky for me, he agreed with my beliefs and aided me in more ways than just his opinion. We also happened to discuss different films as I referenced my points with quotes from parts of Oliver Stone's Wall Street and scenes from the latest box office hit, The Social Network. Brad, my attorney, gave me a connection that day, that I feel might be of value. Someone he attended law school with, who happens now to be in asset management, might be able to assist me in my endeavor to find deep pocket investors. Win.

Back to dancing, as our conversation also ran long, I rushed toward campus to make my way to class. Usually I try not to schedule Friday classes, however this quarter was a must. My professor was not to fond of my walking in late, I think it's good that I showed up rather than skipping.

After class, once again I had another meeting, this time in the Short North. I was meeting with a potential partner to go over numbers for a joint venture we are considering . Hopefully the price is right and the profits work for the both of us.

Once the figures were paper and smiles were exchanged, I was back in my truck making way through downtown. It was 5:30 at the time and obviously I had another meeting scheduled back to back. This next one was in Bexley and I had to be at Grater's Ice Cream by 5:45. This time I was early and the woman was just behind me. We decided to take to one car, which happen to be my truck and made our was to a neighborhood not to far in the Driving Park area to look at a property worth around $70.000, to be conservative. I currently have it in contract for $11,001. I think the bank was pretty funny in negotiating adding that dollar. Later, we took a tour of Waverly, a rental unit my company just completed. All went well and I proceeded finally back to German Village to my place. About 7:45ish I finally enjoyed my first meal of the day. YUM!

Good Morning! Saturday came and rising early I put my dancing shoes back on. Did I mention I managed to make it home around 4ish am? DJ Moxy, had her first set back in Columbus and I definitely had to go out and support. BAD ASS I must say. REM sleep couldn't come sooner after a pretty solid night of dancing.

Breakfast meeting in the Village then off to view more property with an investor. I didn't do too much eating as my main concern was business that morning. Besides, the menu had a little too much pork for my taste. Conversation that morning started off "funny," but definitely became interesting by the end. I think we both are beginning to see things on the same page. No partnership or joint venture can be successful if both parties do not see eye to eye. We made our way to a property auction, hosted by Williams and Williams. Normally, I avoid purchasing property this route, as between fees and ego driven competition, prices always seem to be too high. My thoughts were correct! A deal that should of sold for around $25,000 ended up being bid up to the low $40,000. All because one investor had a good deal and another did not want to see him win. With about $30,000 in rehab/labor and a property value around $95,000, I don't see too much profit. HA good luck too that idiot! Some investors just do not understand the concept of BUY LOW, SELL HIGH. I guess he will be sitting on his retail sale, that I believe won't be selling anytime soon.

After my morning excitement, I found myself back to my truck and making my way back out. Another meeting and more properties to view. I feel like the biggest park of my job is knowing the market and being on the streets. In doing so, you learn much more than any computer software or news article can tell you. Although, the down side is, I spent much more on gas. Guess I have to make more!

All day spent out and about, the evening couldn't have come sooner. I arrived back at my home and for some reason I couldn't seem to stay still. It was only about 5:30, so I made my way back across town to Easton. I completed some work, researched listing, and read at the Starbucks in Barnes & Nobles. I managed to sift though about 150ish listing and couldn't find a deal I liked.

I remember many night before I became a hands one investor, spent in this place reading for hours. I pretty much read every book possible between topics on investing, to management, to history, to sales, fiction, etc. I love beating myself every month with my previous books completed in a month.

Sunday- Fun Day?

HA HA HA, I know I should of relaxed today, but more calls had to be made and more planning had to be completed. I feel like time does not stop and the world isn't going to wait for me. Only 2 meetings today, only good can come.

As I continue to work hard, grind and hustle everyday. I always remember these words from Gordon Gekko- "Give me guys who are poor, smart and hungry." To me real estate and development are truly about creating. I believe I am an artist and this is my form of expression. Grit is what makes the difference between the people who are successful and everyone else.

Let's Dance. My weekend is over & I have yet to stop working. Let go Monday.