OfflineI sit here tonight in a hotel room in Minneapolis. No, I'm not on a vacation. I find myself tonight in realization of a dream. A dream that started in July 2009. I was up late watching an infomercial when that cute little Italian dude told me I could make a fortune investing in real estate. There was something undeniably real about him. I bought the books; I joined the Success Academy. I so remember the guy from the Success Academy using such lines as: "Maybe one day you will be in the infomercial." "Maybe one day, you will be the one who goes around the country teaching others." Ya right. I didn't care much, at that time, for the thought of being in an infomercial. I mean, how embarressing would that be if someone I knew saw me? LOL. I'm in the infomercial, and I couldn't be prouder. I didn't even know, during that early conversation, why this real estate thing I was considering would be a tax write off, as the guy was saying. "Cool, why is that?" I asked. "Because you are going to make this a business." he replied patiently. OOOOOh, this will be a business. Huh. That's how ignorant I was. How I ever pursuaded my husband to spend the money to join the Success Academy, I'll never know. I mean, we were really tight on cash. I guess beneath all his moaning, he did believe in me, even then.
Well, I did my deals, I got my refund. Yes, that check did clear the bank. I went on to do more deals. Then I took further education with Dean's group, the Insider Edge track. I threw my hat into the ring (videos into the ring actually) and was runner up in both Dean's Send me Away contest and PMI's contest. Dean sent my husband and I to the EDGE 2011 event. There we heard Ali Savafi present about his incredibly success in Cleveland OH. I came home with a fever to establish a power team in Cleveland and had goals that (for the first time) were real to me ("Sometimes motivation needs a spark" says Jim Rohn - I found that spark) I declared I would buy 10 houses the first year and 12 every year thereafter. Today I bought my 10th house. Can I get an "Amen"? 12 for next year seems too small a goal. I will establish remote teams in at least 3 more cities this year. At this year's EDGE, I got to be on stage with the alumni. Wow. Really. Wow.
Back to tonight. I've just made a cup of herbal tea. I'm sitting in this hotel room. Why? Because I am experiencing the absolutely most thrilling honor. I am now a teacher with PMI for Dean. I am here in Minneapolis doing a Boots on the Ground with Nate Armstrong. Do you hear me people?! I am here helping other people change their lives and save this country. I really know that we can all do this. I am so blessed to have this opportunity. I am thrilled to help steer others on this path. The feedback from the students has been overwhelming to me. I love this. I have come to my dream and am walking in it.
Thanks to that cute little Italian dude and my whole big beloved DG Fam.
Dream Big. Live Bigger. Give Back.
Blessings & Favor,
Gena.
Follow my Blog: www.genahoriatis.com
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Psalm 1:1-3
you say you would be embarrased to be on tv. man i want to be a success so i can be on tv i would loooove to be in deans infomercials, books, and i would travel for him but i AINT flying. (unless its in a privte jet) i mean how is that for a kick in the pants to the naysayers. on tv famous and making the money AWESOME AND CONGRATS AGAIN. GENA !!!!!!!
WALT
are y'all videotaping the infomercial in minneapolis ?? .... coooool
congrats again i wish you all the best..
WALT
Congratulations. You give me more hope, courage, determination, stick-to-itiveness (just made that up), and ambition than I already have... and that's a lot!!!
Congrats!
Shirley
Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end.
You have not lived a perfect day, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. Ruth Smeltzer
It is what it is 'til you change it.
Thats awesome .Keep up the good work helping others
I am really happy for you. Hope everyone listens, learn and act for their own betterment. Enjoy the journey. God Bless.
Sandra
"You can never get to the top, if you are not willing to climb. Do not look at the difficulty of the climb, only anticipate the view from the top."
"Can't even walk without you holding my hand." (Song)
"Is anything too hard for the Lord ..." Genesis 19:14
"In all things, wait on the Lord."
"Think not of your own deliverance, but trust in God who will give in abundance."
"When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Unknown
"Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about those things that really matters." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I just want to tell you how happy I am for you and your success. Stay excited and enjoy your journey. You have worked hard to get where you are and at the same time you are very lucky. Our days are ordained for us and this all happens according to GOD's plan.
Your post here is absolutely beautiful! It is so genuine and heartfelt. (Maybe those are the same thing) Anyway, I love it!
I am thrilled for you that you are there! You will do such a wonderful job. Those students will be blessed many times over by having the experience of the Gina and Nate team!
Fly! Fly! Fly! You have earned that right and that privilege!
Big hugs to you!
Karen
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
it was nice for my wife and i to meet you at the edge. we're so happy to hear of your success. people have always told me i'm a dreamer and i always say yep and thank you. dreams do come true. keep moving forward, rob and cecil
whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.- Henry Ford
keep moving forward, rob
Very inspiring, thank you for posting.
Jean Maestre
The Maestre Property Group, LLC
"Our deepest fear is NOT that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure"
"Do or do not, there is no try"
"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache, carries with it the seeds of an equal or greater benefit"
I appreciate all your great comments! The support and love here is truly incredible. I'm back from teaching my first class. It was an amazing experience! Next week I'm teaching in Denver with Charlie Fuller.
March on women! We are a force to be reckoned with.
Blessings & Favor,
Gena.
Follow my Blog: www.genahoriatis.com
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Psalm 1:1-3
Hi Gena, Your story is so heartfelt and inspiring! I can't wait to get myself to where you are! Keep up the wonderful job! Thanks for your posting. Very encouraging!
Li
Never Give Up!!!
You probably already know, but I'll say it again: you are an amazing person and such a great inspiration for so many of us women on this site!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us; I am so happy for you!
I am working hard every day, and on my way to making it big too!
Valerie
“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!” ― Dr. Seuss
"I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends; I am surrounded by angels, but I call them friends" - Unknown
My journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59110/...
Thats really something inspirational for those of us that haven't made it to that point. It makes me think of all the time that I think I don't have and make it accountable for something. You've definitely provided a spark for me, thank you!
Moving forward daily will get you to your goals!
"You become what you study" - RTK Rich Dad Poor Dad
http://bulkassets.com
I am so excited for you! You are and will continue to be a tremendous blessing and teacher to others!
Well, you are 'walking in your dream' because you decided to! You believed, you took action = fulfilling your dream!
Proud of you!
But you know what......I somehow think you've barely scratched the surface!
You will make BIG impacts!
Great job!
Jen
And Jen - ya, neither of us have scratched the surface! This is going to be a big big year. I realize, I mark the start and end of my REI years by the EDGE event. LOL How cool is that!
Blessings & Favor,
Gena.
Follow my Blog: www.genahoriatis.com
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Psalm 1:1-3
And you EARNED it! You are such an AWESOME person! I can't think of anyone more deserving than YOU! It feels so GREAT to change other people's lives, but seeing the changes in our own lives, PRICELESS! That cute Italian dude sure gets around because he did the same for me! Bask in the glory Gena, you are one very special person! Congratulations and may God continue to BLESS you!
You said you wanted to be on stage at the EDGE and there you were this year! Did you ever think you'd be able to chage the lives of so many people just by having the courage and drive to change your own? Thank you for sharing your story and I know God will bless you for the motivation you have to help others improve their lives.
Well, tonight I'm in Denver, getting ready to teach my second Boots on the Ground with Charlie Fuller. I can't wait. My anticipation is even greater than last week because I have experienced how powerful it really is. I had a number of students (particularly the ladies:) ) come up to me in Minneapolis and say how much they appreciated my story and now they too believed they could have success in REI. Wow.
While I was in Minneapolis I got an offer accepted on my 10th buy & hold house in the Cleveland area. It closes on Friday. That's the goal I set less than a year ago. This year's goals are bigger, maybe still not big enough. Establish remote power teams in at least 3 more markets, do an apartment deal, vastly grow my network of private money lenders, and (gasp) lay the ground work for "taking over" an entire distressed neighborhood in Cleveland. And of course, coach as many new investors as I possibly can.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Isn't that what is says below? And it's awful nice to have Dean and the DGFam on my side too!
Blessings & Favor,
Gena.
Follow my Blog: www.genahoriatis.com
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Psalm 1:1-3
Gena,
~You rock! I'm lucky that I get chances to tell you in person but I thought I'd write it in stone too. You ROCK! I told my fiance that I wanted to purchase a home every month until the end of the year. No, I haven't bought my first yet but once I decided my goal, suddenly I met you. You give such great advice and you're truly encouraging, especially when it gets difficult. I'm following the steps and am now waiting for an offer acceptance. Greetings from Cleveland! Keep up the most excellent work!!
Reall awsome post Gena! soo inspirational and full of Motivation! all i can say is thanks for posting this and wish you the best of times on your next teachings!(:
yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."
"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still"
I just had the most wonderful moment. We just finished the first morning of teaching the 3 Day Boots on the Ground here in Denver (with Charlie Fuller - he is spectacular.)
My story is so "small" compared to these rockstars. Charlie's been investing 30 years; Matt's doing 50-100 deals a month. Then there's me . . .
I tell it like it is. I told my story (you've heard it). I talk about my husband and relieving his stress and responsibilities. I talk about not needing to know everything. I talk about being you (who else can you be?)
A woman from class came up to be as we were breaking for lunch. Were those tears in her eyes? Yes, tears of relief and hope. She said, "I just want you to know I feel so much better now. I was so stressed. My husband could hear it in my voice over the phone (he's in another city now). I was so busy. So many activities... I feel so much better now. I know how to start." (Loosely paraphrased)
An answer to this morning's prayer. 'Lord, let me have something to say to encourage them.'
Amen
DGFam - this stuff is realer than real. We are changing lives.
Blessings & Favor,
Gena.
Follow my Blog: www.genahoriatis.com
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Psalm 1:1-3
Wow! Thank you for sharing! I am new to investing, and I cant think of a better way to get started than with the little cute Italian guy's program.
thank you for the hope!
I believe one day I'll be where you are! And it will be thanks to the DG family!!
I am so happy for you, what a dream come ture. I hope you do very well with your new area of REI.
If you make it out to the Sacramento area of California give us a PM.
Steve and Veronica.
Steve and Veronica
Steve and Veronica's Journal.
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/58073/...
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/totally-fulfilled/72344/d...
Hi Gena,
Congrats on your new role with the boots events. as a coach with the success academy I have heard some great stories about our students success and yours in there at the top. Hope we can do a event together soon. Keep up the great work.
Thanks,
Shah
thank you for finding the lil italian man on tv one night.. and thank you nick for letting her spend money on dean. thank goodness we have her here....
happy new year everybody
Way 2 Go Gena-!
I saw the 2 of you on our late night informercial. I made plans to go, unfortunantely one of my elderly had a bad fall and I ended up in the ER with her. I hope to see you all back here again. Next time, I will have another nurse cover my shift,.
Again, Congrats!!
Romaluv22
Signing Out,
I have finally made up my mind to take control of my own Mind and Destiny. I am confident with the Faith in My Higher Power, I will Achieve what I Believe., In His Mighty Name, AMEN!
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