Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Blanton.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, my journey into entrepreneurship began when I was dead broke on my butt. I was on a losing streak of not being able to land a job for eight months straight. Constantly going back and forth from interview to interview not knowing if I would have enough gas money to get to the next one I had scheduled for the next day. My son was two years old at the time and I was betting on ubereats and child support to cover daycare costs just so I can have gas money and a trustworthy facility to keep my son while I hunt for jobs and drive around delivering food all day.
Soon after my son was released from daycare because of insufficient funds I was given the opportunity to sit down and ponder on my life. I knew I wanted to own a business when I got out of high school. I wanted to go to cosmetology school because I loved hair so much. As I was sitting with my son wondering and praying what else I could to make sure not one more job will have control of the well being of my family. All I remember thinking was I had to find a way out of no way!
Then I googled search how to make money from home! I came across things like drop shipping, writing books, making shirts, even making money from surveys! Of course, I researched into all these endeavors because I don’t like wasting my time nor did I have time to waste, I needed money quick!
So after realizing all those options would never make me enough money in enough time I was introduced to YouTube University where I found out getting into real estate would be the best thing I could not only for me but for my family as well.
Well, I came across what we investors call wholesaling. I mean it was books and podcast and radio shows literally that just surrounded this category. Where you could make thousands off of helping someone sell their house to a cash buyer.
I watched YouTube channels for months on how this process worked. I finally came across Mark Whitten who is a well known real estate investor in Baltimore, Maryland. He was so good at what he did he taught other people step by step and hands on how to broker real estate deals all over his city. One day he had a sale on his program for 147.00 that he currently was selling for $400 at the time.
I knew if I wanted to change my life, I had to think of it as an investment. The sale ended literally one day before I was going to actually receive my deposit from child support. I knew I was taking a chance I knew that I would have to make this up on Uber and possibly ride around with my two years old to make sure we were able to buy pull-ups this week. So I reached out to Mark Whitten through email and explained to him my situation, and he was nice enough to let me purchase the program for 147.00.
After getting the program, I studied from the time I woke to the time I went to sleep. I learned so much from the four-hour flip formula I was motivated to start taking steps into my new life.
I ended up getting a parking attendant job that required 8hrs / day mon-fri making 8.46/hr.
I stayed in my booth and made calls to investors on Craigslist. Lol and had no idea what I was getting into or the next thing I should say, I was so nervous.
I started and stopped a lot because not only was I scared but I had finally got a job where I could support me and my son’s needs. So I stopped to focus on that but I never gave up. I would still insert my self into the real estate investing world to stay up on my game even though I was t as active.
I had to learn marketing skills, new terms, new understandings about financial literacy that I had no clue about growing up. Real estate was an eye-opener not only for the lucrative life you could have but also how you could help other people and change their perspective on life or eliminate their troubles.
I managed to hold on to a job and also become more active where I met some amazing people along the way. Like Max Maxwell Brian Iregbu Tony the Closer Byron the Nurse investor Lupi G Chris Millon Dollar Mi Mi (Youmia White) Korlynn Obey.
These people encouraged me and helped me learn everything that I know now and how important it is to reproduce… what we learned and bring it back into the community. I realized that not only I can have a great future but for my friends and family and other people that were like me that wanted a way out.
So my goals are to encourage as many people as I can to keep pushing for their goals. Do what you have a passion for because you will be successfully fulfilled with a purpose that comes with a better tomorrow.
I want to help and insert a hand in building and branding the growth of a new 3rd Ward where black people are not being pushed out from gentrifications but are being set up to where they can love live and appreciate the world they come from. To also bring revenue back into the city and change the way we look at our community not that its own buy the city but look at it as if it the home we live in with our immediate family. A place kids and elders should feel safe in their own community and be proud of where they live. Also for them to be able to afford a decent living in Houston. Being apart of shop3ward is exactly that. Growing and developing a community made for everyone that’s efficient and livable and safe.
Real estate isn’t easy but it’s not impossible. It is a way to start your legacy for your family that way can continue to grow and develop from generation to generation.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No it has not been a smooth road. Lol as about as smooth as Rocky Mountain. I went through all the emotions quitting jobs losing jobs from taking personal calls to doing email marketing from my work computer just to push my dreams forward. From putting 3.00 in my tank just to go visit a property that I lost a 15k contract on. To being able to call up a buyer and asking if they want this contract.
I had to learn to speak with seller investors and realtors. When I say a whole new world, I couldn’t explain this to a person that only buys retail real estate.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I believe that what sets me apart from other companies is my name GIRLS BUY HOUSES TOO. I thought it was bold and maybe a little bias but I wasn’t scared to say I’m a girl and I buy houses. Just because everywhere I turned it was Jim Joe or John.
I most proud of the fact that since I’ve started my business, I was able to inspire other women mostly co-workers or friends to believe in themselves and start there on businesses in real estate or other markets.
What we do is help homeowners sell their property to investors. We solve some of their biggest financial burdens like foreclosure, tax liens, probate, property or even damaged goods that they didn’t have the insurance to cover. I’m known for the connection I have with people and leading in the path to where they can get the help they desire.
What were you like growing up?
I pretty much a normal kid I didn’t have big goals or dreams just loved simply. I was always energetic and helpful to the people that were around me.
Contact Info:
- Email: ashley.gbht@gmail.com
- Instagram: Ashley.girlsbuyhousestoo
- Facebook: Ashley Blanton
Image Credit:
Max maxwell, Brian Iregbu, Tony The Closer, Kelli Epperson, Be Polite Propeties12
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