I am from a small town in upstate New York, where based on statistics, your future will land you in jail, on drugs, or dead.
I always knew there was more in this world for me.
There were several pivotal moments in my life that propelled me to where I am today. Looking back now, there was one thing that stands out. I had relocated to Atlanta, GA. I was working at SunTrust Bank where I was doing well in the corporate world. But I decided to bet on myself and get into Real Estate.
I remember during the train rides on my daily commute, I would read books like rich dad poor dad, think and grow rich, and a host of real estate investment books. There was a common theme: to be wealthy, you must invest in real estate.
From the outside looking in, I was on the fast track to success at SunTrust. I earned multiple rewards and promotions, but inside I knew I was destined for more. Fast forward 5 years and I am one of the top real estate agents in Atlanta. Killing it! I am at the bank every Friday. The tellers know me by name. I was spending money, and living life in the fast lane. I was a young man in Atlanta. I owned my own home. I was doing fix and flips. I closed on over 30 properties in one year. I never thought it would end. In 2007, everything changed. By 2008 the market had crashed. I was one of the non-believers. I would always say, I was the last on the titanic as it went down. I ended up selling my 3,000 sq ft home. I can still remember my grandmother’s tears when she walked in the door for the first time. 2008 was rough. I lost several properties in foreclosure… I was at an all-time low. I lost it all. This was another pivotal moment in my life. I had to dig deep and rise above because I knew I was destined for more. Over the next several years, I did it all. I sold cars, sold insurance, and even went on the road selling roofs in rural Tennessee. Yes, that’s right! I was out there in my silver Audi going door to door. Even during those times, I told myself, “I made it before, I’d be dammed if I don’t make it again.” I knew I could do it. I was destined for more.
In 2012, I slowly worked my way back into Real Estate. I decided to get a mentor, several mentors as a matter of fact. After the recession, it was extremely important to me to have mentors. When I think back to when I first became a real estate agent, when I became an investor or did my first flip, it was the mentors who guided me along the way. It was their guidance, knowledge, and experience that allowed me to achieve success. I sought a business coach to help map out my business strategy. I sought a financial advisor to ensure that my money moves were secure. It was important to rebuild my team. I decided to go for my real estate broker license. After 16 years in the real estate business, I obtained my broker license. Now I am in my 5th year as a licensed Broker of The Herring Group Realty in the States of Georgia and New York. I specialize in wholesaling real estate throughout the country. I own an international vacation rental business. I am a mentor and motivational coach. I developed the 6 Steps to 6 Figures Real Estate Wholesale Program and the Turn Your Vacation into a Paycation International Airbnb and Vacation Rental Program, where we are changing lives by unlocking the secrets to real estate investing.
In conclusion, I want to leave you with this thought. It’s not about the money I have made or the deals I have done. It’s about the countless hours spent working on a deal and then it falls apart, or having to be creative to get a deal to the table, or experiencing foreclosure first hand. It is the lessons I have learned over the years that prepared me for my success today.
If you are reading this right now, I know you too are destined for more!
-Hakiim Herring
