In 2015, I made a life-changing decision. I left my job as an accountant for a major NYC nonprofit to dive headfirst into the entrepreneurial world as a full-time events producer. Was I fully prepared? Did I have a rock-solid plan? Not even close. But I took the leap anyway, fueled by a “do or die” mindset and an unshakable belief in my vision.
My goal was ambitious: to scale a successful quarterly event into one big annual festival. I poured everything I had—time, money, energy—into making it happen. The first year was a success in many ways, but despite my best efforts, I didn’t turn a profit. Undeterred, I decided to try again the following year. The event went well again, but the same challenges I faced before persisted, and this time, I took a financial loss.
By the end of year two, I had a solid proof of concept I could pitch to sponsors, but I also had mounting debt and bills to pay. That’s when a chance encounter at the dog park led to my next chapter. A friend who also worked in events and dabbled in real estate suggested I join his brother’s brokerage. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
I threw myself into real estate, studied hard, and passed the licensing exam on my first try. The firm focused on Brooklyn rentals, so there I was, zipping around the borough on a mini convertible bike, showing apartments. I was good at it, too—closing deals and gaining confidence—until I was unexpectedly let go. To this day, I’m not entirely sure why, but I didn’t dwell on it.
Soon after, another friend connected me to a startup that specialized in home sales. With my knack for creating eye-catching marketing listings, I fit right in. Landing clients wasn’t easy—it involved cold-calling potential buyers and grinding through long hours—but I gained momentum, eventually closing three deals.
Meanwhile, my girlfriend at the time, who lived in D.C., was pregnant with our first child. Realizing my flexible schedule gave me the freedom to be present, I decided to move to D.C. to be with her and our newborn.
Fast forward six years: we’re now married, raising a beautiful six-year-old daughter, and living in our second home. After taking time to focus on family, I’m ready to step back into the entrepreneurial world. This time, I’m balancing two ventures: curating an annual destination trip to St. Lucia Carnival and diving back into real estate, focusing on property management.
As a family man, I’ve had to adapt my approach. I no longer produce frequent events, but my St. Lucia Carnival trips allow me to combine my love for event planning with a lifestyle that works for my family. With real estate, I’ve shifted from selling homes to managing properties—including my own—with plans to expand by managing others’ properties as well.
To support my ventures, I’ve also taken a part-time job at Lowe’s. The flexible schedule and homeowner perks are a win-win for someone balancing multiple responsibilities. It’s not easy juggling two startups, a part-time job, and family life, but I’m determined to succeed.
My wife likes to joke that I’m not great at multitasking because she prefers to see constant motion and immediate results. I remind her that progress often happens behind the scenes and that what she doesn’t see doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. So, I keep my head down, stay disciplined, and remain focused.
As I write this, I’m chuckling at the irony. With all the hats I wear—entrepreneur, property manager, event curator, part-time employee, husband, and father, and blogger—I can’t help but wonder how she thinks I’m not a multitasker. Life as a multifaceted entrepreneur is challenging, but it’s also rewarding. I’m learning to embrace the journey, trust the process, and keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Success isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about showing up, adapting, and never losing sight of your goals. That’s the real art of being a multifaceted entrepreneur.
– Social Dad DC
SOCIAL DAD DC 