logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
46m 56s

Leaving Her W2 Job to Chase Financial Fr...

BIGGERPOCKETS
About this episode

Burned out at your W2 job? Tired of climbing the corporate ladder? Starting a real estate business could give you financial freedom, but is it worth giving up the security of a biweekly paycheck? This entrepreneur thinks so, and today, she’ll give you the blueprint for forging your own path in real estate!

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Melissa Shelton is not only an investor, but also the founder of Dear Valentine, a business that blends luxury, hospitality, development, and management. Quitting her nine-to-five job to become a full-time entrepreneur wasn’t an easy decision since she had worked tirelessly for many years to reach the top of her field. But, in the end, her “why” won out, and she mustered up the courage to go all-in on her dream!

In this episode, Melissa will show you how to launch a “small and nimble” real estate business. You’ll learn how to set goals, grow your clientele from scratch, and build a business plan that keeps you afloat. But that’s not all. Melissa also has tips for limiting overhead costs, finding deals that give the highest returns, and hiring people who propel your business forward!


In This Episode We Cover:

How to start a real estate business that gives you financial freedom

How to get your “foot in the door” and land your first client

Creating multiple income streams that insulate your new business venture

Crafting the perfect “pitch” that gets new investors and partners on board

How to overcome the fear of failure when pursuing entrepreneurship

And So Much More!


Links from the Show

Ashley's BiggerPockets Profile

Tony's BiggerPokckets Profile

Join BiggerPockets for FREE

Real Estate Rookie Facebook Group

Real Estate Rookie YouTube

Ask Your Question on the BiggerPockets Forums

Melissa’s Instagram

Canva

Buy the Book “The Quitter’s Manifesto”

Find Investor-Friendly Lenders

Stay-at-Home Mom to “Accidental” Investor with a $600K/Year Business

Connect with Melissa


(00:00) Intro

(01:40) Catching the Real Estate “Bug”

(04:59) Leaving Her W2 Job

(09:42) Preparing for Entrepreneurship

(21:51) A Day in the Life

(23:37) Melissa’s Business Model

(27:04) How to Find Clients

(35:56) Staying “Small and Nimble”

(39:36) Connect with Melissa!


Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-495

Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 22
I’ve Got $10K and No Job: How Do I Start Investing? (Rookie Reply)
Welcome to another Rookie Reply, where HOST and HOST answer questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook group. This time, we’re covering questions like: How do you break free from analysis paralysis and finally start your real estate journey? Buy-and-h ... Show More
33m 53s
Aug 20
The Real “Cheat Code” for Financial Freedom (Not Rentals?)
Rentals can give you financial freedom, but what if there’s a better way? Today’s guest took a much different path, buying a business that gave him immediate cash flow. Now, he’s building serious wealth through both business and real estate, and his strategy might just be the sho ... Show More
42m 42s
Aug 18
6 Rentals in 5 Years and Fast-Tracking Financial Freedom
Would you trade your wedding for a rental property? What if it allowed you to retire years ahead of schedule? Today’s guest saw the bigger picture, and in this episode, he’ll share how small sacrifices can yield a massive return! Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Ra ... Show More
40m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 19
The #1 Reason Entrepreneurs Fail (I Lost $2M Learning This) w/ Austin Zaback
Austin Zaback reveals why he's built multiple 8-figure companies by focusing on partnerships over hiring, and why the traditional American dream isn't dead but completely transformed. He breaks down the exact framework for knowing when your business is ready to scale and the part ... Show More
42m 5s
Jul 2024
544: 80-Hour Workweeks to Lean FIRE in 8 Years through Real Estate
Reaching financial independence and becoming a millionaire before the age of thirty?! While this path requires several years of ruthless saving, smart investing, and unwavering discipline, there’s no reason why YOU can’t enjoy financial freedom and attain the lifestyle you want! ... Show More
48m 49s
Jun 24
Single Family vs. Commercial Real Estate: Which Helps You Quit Your Job Faster? w/ Kathy & Rich Fettke
The easiest way to become a millionaire is buy a million dollars worth of real estate Rich & Kathy Fettke are co-founders of Real Wealth, helping over 80,000 investors acquire $1.3 billion in real estate assets since 2003. Kathy hosts The Real Wealth Show podcast and co-hosts Big ... Show More
52m 25s
Sep 2024
The Different Ways Real Estate Millionaires Are Using Data To Find Motivated Sellers And Close Deals | Sean O'Toole
Guest Bio: Sean O'Toole is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of PropertyRadar, a platform that revolutionized the way real estate professionals access and leverage data. With a background in Silicon Valley startups and a passion for real estate, Sean's journey began after t ... Show More
54m 2s
Apr 2025
Buying ONE Rental Changed My Life: 4 Years Later, I Quit My Job
Just buy ONE rental property and watch your life change. Today’s guest was working multiple jobs, and a single property purchase allowed her to finally free up her weekends and regain some freedom in her life. The best part? She did it with just around $4,000, then repeated the p ... Show More
38m 51s
Apr 2025
How To Build Financial Freedom WHILE Building A Family ( 5 Kids - $30M of Real Estate) w/ Heather Blankenship
Connect with Heather here! Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Check Out Our Bestselling Book : From Passive To Passionate: How To ... Show More
39m 22s
May 1
How to SURVIVE When Business Acquisitions Go SIDEWAYS (The Seller FAKED Cancer.....)
Connect with Chandra here! Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Check Out Our Bestselling Book : From Passive To Passionate: How To ... Show More
40m 29s
Apr 2025
$0 Learning vs. $100K Learning vs. $1M Learning: How Do The Rich Learn New Things?
Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Want to know which investment strategy is best for you? Take our Free Asset-Selection Quiz Che ... Show More
17m 47s
Apr 2025
How To Build A $50M Empire Through Buying Boring Businesses (That You Use Every Day) w/ Nick Huber
Get Nick's new book today! Want to connect with Nick? Connect below: www.sweatystartup.comwww.nickhuber.comwww.sweatystartupbook.comWant To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Cal ... Show More
50m 47s
Sep 2024
"How I quit the hustle to enjoy life”: Getting Off the Treadmill with a $15m Net Worth
How Do You Stop Hustling When You’ve Already Won?Laura Roeder told herself that at $5 million liquid she could live the life she wanted and refocus her life on what matters most: living. Unlike a lot of entrepreneurs who get caught up in the game and keep chasing more, Laura stay ... Show More
41m 5s