The Benefit Of Being A Web Entrepreneur
There are many benefits to being a web entrepreneur. I am about to share with you one specific benefit today that saved me a tremendous amount of heartache and worry.
As I have stated many times on my blog and on teleseminars, I grew up in a small town called Bradford, PA. Bradford is about 90 miles east of Erie, located on the New York State border. The closest major city is Buffalo, NY which is about 80 miles to the north. I left Bradford when I was 18 years old and returned for a couple summers between college and came back for holidays until my mother passed away in July of 1997.
Bradford is a small town, population 9,500 or so. It’s the stereotypical blue collar Pennsylvania town where the biggest employers are Zippo lighters, Kendall refining co and Case knives. Back in 2002 I received a call from a realtor in Bradford asking me if I was interested in buying some apartments that a guy had owned for 30+ years. I told him real estate always interested me and that we should talk more. Ironically, I had just purchased my first duplex in Bradford for $20,000. I bought it on a credit card with one of those 0% APR offers you get in the mail. I thought “Why can’t I use this card interest free for a year and buy some property in my hometown?” when I tell people I bought a house with a credit card I get some surprised looks, but then again. I’ve been getting those types of looks my whole life.
Anyway, I managed to buy 18 units in October of 2002 from the guy I mentioned earlier. He stayed on to be my property manager and we continued doing business together.
I eventually bought all of his 40 units and a single family house.
I was buying all this real estate because I honestly don’t know of a better investment. They aren’t building anymore land, and every property I have ever bought has risen in value. There are just too many benefits to owning property that I feel it’s imperative everyone have some in their portfolio.
Back to my story.
My property manager of five years called me last week to let me know he was no longer interested in managing the properties, he was ready to enjoy his golden years.
So here I am.
I live in Cincinnati, OH, 450 miles from the 43 units I own. My property manager is done May 31st and is handing the keys back to me. If I was still in the rat race, I would have to take vacation from my job or quit altogether, but being a web entrepreneur is different.
All I need is my laptop computer and a high speed connection.
So here is what I have done in the past seven days.
We listed our house for sale here in Cincinnati (anyone interested in a great house in Loveland, OH let me know), put an offer on three houses in Bradford, one looks like it will happen today so keep your fingers crossed. I secured an office in downtown Bradford. I ran an ad in the Bradford Era for a new property manager and have been conducting phone interviews for the past five days.
I spoke at one event last week and have two more scheduled by the end of May and oh by the way - did I mention we planned a family trip to Disneyworld that just happens to be next week?
Again, all I need is a laptop to keep everything going.
Do you have any idea how much of a wreck I would be if I was stuck in a job and had all of this going on around me? I would be ready for the looney bin!
Our family will be moving back to my hometown that I left 20 years ago. It probably will not be a permanent move, but we are approaching it with an awesome attitude, how else would you expect us to react?
God is going to put someone or something in our path that will change our lives.
This is a great lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs. You don’t need to sweat, or panic when you get a curveball thrown your way. We are truly excited. I can’t wait to run the fastest growing motivational site on the Internet from the town I grew up in.
Bradford will embrace everydayissaturday.com and champions will be created. I will still speak around the world, the 90 minute drive to the nearest major airport will be a drag, but I’m doing what I love. If the worst thing I can say about my life is my commute to the airport doubled, I think I’m pretty spoiled. I will still host my teleseminars, write articles, perform coaching duties and change lives - all from a town of less than 10,000 people.
When you’re a web entrepreneur you have no office, no boss, no responsibilities except to yourself, your family and your business. Yes, it can be hectic at times but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
