Katie's Journey

Ok. I did not have a difficult childhood I grew up in Covina, CA went to Cal Poly Pomona then to Gemological Institute of America. My first real job was at a jewelry store in Westwood/Hollywood. I was a knowledgeable salesperson. Actually I was a country bumpkin in the big city. My first love was Art and Jewelry making not sales. I put my career to the side to raise 3 boys. My marriage was not so good and I became less and less confident over the 24 years before I got the strength to leave.

My youngest, Sean, was the one watching TV ads about real estate that started my journey toward Dean's academy. It has taken a few k spent on other programs that didn't work before I really committed to DG. Dean is the one who really got me to believe I could do it. My insecurity, shyness and doubt about "just jumping in" has been the reason it took me 2 years to get my first deal going. I attended the brainstorm session in Arizona the end of last year, felt more confident and learned I am in sales courtesy of Joe Polish. I got some great tips on the house I'm rehabbing from Dean, Matt and the others attending including pass it on. But I felt I needed to go through with the process of hard money, re-hab costs, hiring work out, etc. I've learning a lot and have met some super people.

The hardest thing for me is every step and I mean every step of the way I have to "step out of the box". It's been very difficult but am determined to keep going. I am so grateful to Dean and what he has brought to my life.

More on my family and the the project next time

I'm am so close to finishing my first rehab. I've got shorter and shorter lists posted for my workers. yeah. But I have to tell you finding laborers who do good work are hard to find. I've got my experts who come do their thing and leave. then there are the guys I need to do digging and such. Well, I found a gem of man who is worth every penny. He just checks the list and gets it done. The house will be done next week and goes on the market. It is so wonderful to see the transformation of my first deal. Even on the bad days I kept looking for my plateau of success. the most important thing I've learning is I cannot do all the work. I need to be out on the next property. Since I've found some good people I know my first team is forming. It's been hard to have my son Eric, who ran the show for the first month move to Oregon. He's learning a lot about specialty construction up there and doing well but I really miss him.

I have two other sons. Greg is 27 and works for Whole Foods. He helps me once in a while and has been very supportive and Sean who is 17 and finishing High School. He is the one who was watching the late night ads and got me to order a program about real estate investing. It took me a couple of other "systems" and a lot of wasted effort to finally get to Dean's infomercial. But look how far I've come. Thank you Dean

My rehab is on the mkt as of last week. It's great. You know how I said last time how I can't do all the work. Well, my body decided to teach me that lesson in a painful way. For some reason, my body shut down. I couldn't grasp anything and was hobbling around like a 90 year-old. Soooo, OK I won't do the work. I'll get a team in that doesn't include me. Which I did at the end of this project. But until I found that guy "worth every penny" it was painful to watch workers and only see $ going down the drain. Oh Well, still haven't figured out my health issues yet. I have a feeling when I get the next project going and put that "team" in place my health issue will all clear up. I guess it's just that I'm a stubbern learner so God throws in that old wake up call. till next time.

Last week I was so happy my first project went live. Life took a little wind out of my sails. I was finally getting a diagnosis for why I was hobbling around like a 90 year-old and in more and more pain since early Jan. Looks like rheumatoid arthritis but won't know for sure until more time goes by and maybe I feel better with some drug therapy

Well, no matter. I just listened to the conference call with Matt and Dean and I'm still on board and inspired again. I realize I have been lax about studying. I relied on my son, Eric, too much and now that he has moved the ball is in my court. Oh, and I just received Dean's book Totally Fulfilled.

I'm going to go read

My first rehab just sold. It's sooo wonderful to have this project wrap up so nicely. I am overwelmed and can't really express this to well. I'll try again later. and fill you in on the numbers.

We jut got back from the Edge and we are so pumped about doing more to reach our goal. I loved seeing the successful students who spoke last year. the big difference was I really felt so much like part of the DG family. Really. Randy, Stacey and Joe, Reni. All of these people are so fantastic. Not only did you all effect me as you have in the other trainings I've attended but Conrad has finally come to understand the power of what real estate investing can do for us. I could hardly sleep because I was visualizing being at next years Edge with my kids and Conrad talking about all the deals we've done. Well, I've finally warmed up since we're back in our rainy, 45 degree weather so I think I'll get some shut eye. I'll be giving the books Dean signed to my boys tomorrow.