Maricela Soberanes is one of the entrepreneurs featured in Jamie Bateman’s Book - From Adversity to Abundance: Inspiring stories of Mental, Physical, and Financial Transformation. This is a republished episode (originally released on July 26, 2022 - Episode 18).
You can buy Jamie’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGTWJY1D?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Maricela Soberanes, a principal at Up Plex Capital, an apartment syndicator, and an author, recently joined Jamie to recount her extraordinary path from poverty and scarcity in Mexico to achieving prosperity and abundance in America. She revealed that her journey into the realm of real estate commenced in 2006 with the modest investment in a single-family home. Since then, it has evolved into the ownership of multiple apartment complexes spanning approximately 2500 units across five states, alongside her husband.
Their investments in apartments have not only yielded financial success but have also enabled them to positively impact the lives of countless individuals. By providing quality housing through their real estate ventures, they've contributed to the betterment of communities and the livelihoods of many. Furthermore, Maricela and her husband are dedicated to broadening their real estate and financial portfolios to establish generational wealth, ensuring a secure future for themselves and their descendants.
Maricela's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of determination, perseverance, and strategic investment. It inspires others to pursue their dreams in the real estate industry and beyond, illustrating the potential for personal and societal advancement through entrepreneurial endeavors.
“Be intentional, dream big, take action, and be grateful.” - Maricela Soberanes
“Find mentorship and be in a community that is doing what you want to do.” - Maricela Soberanes
Connect with Maricela Soberanes
WEBSITE:https://smartlink.metricool.com/public/smartlink/up-plex-main
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/the_immigrant_millionaire/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/POWERcelasoberanes/
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Connect with Jamie
BOOK: From Adversity to Abundance: Inspiring Stories of Mental, Physical, and Financial Transformation
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TWITTER: https://twitter.com/batemanjames
Speaker 0
Hey, everyone. This is Jamie Bateman. Real quickly, I wanted to share with you something, that's been pivotal in the growth and success of my businesses, and that is my partnership with Haven Financial Services. I've been working with Haven for over a year now. Christine Valdez was on episode seventy of this podcast. So go check that out if you wanna hear her story. It was a fantastic personal story for sure. But Haven has been awesome. They provide me with monthly reports that are super clear and discernible, and it that provides me with clarity and focus so that I can do what I do best, which is running my businesses, not preparing financial reports. Again, if you're in the market for top notch financial service company, or if you just wanna check one out, go to w w w dot jamie bateman slash haven and check out Haven Financial Services. Again, that's jamie bateman slash haven. Can't recommend them enough. Christine and her team have been fantastic. So I definitely recommend you check out Haven Financial Services at w w w dot jamie bateman forward slash haven. Let's get back to the show. Today, you're gonna get a chance to hear from Maricela Sobarenes. Maricela joined us back in July of twenty two, And this republishing of that episode, which was called From Scarcity to Abundance Through Real Estate with millionaire, immigrant, veteran, and author Maricela Soberanes, is just phenomenal. It's her story is incredible. She wrote a book about, scarcity versus abundance, and Maricela came to the US not knowing English, not knowing anyone, and not having not having any money. She went to nursing school. She joined the US military, and she is on a path to create and distribute generational wealth through real estate. It's absolutely phenomenal. She talks a lot about masterminds, the power of mindset, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you. And two factors that differentiate people, who live in scarcity from those who live in abundance. So she is the absolute perfect guest for our podcast, and there's a reason we featured her in our book, From Adversity to Abundance, inspiring stories of mental, physical, and financial transformation, which you can grab on Amazon. Maricela is the perfect case study for us to learn from with regard to overcoming adversity and getting to abundance. You're gonna you're gonna enjoy this one for sure. Speaker 1
Welcome to the from adversity to abundance podcast. Are you an entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur? Then this show is for you. Each week, we bring you impactful stories of real people who have overcome painful human adversity to create a life of abundance. A life of abundance. You are not alone in your struggle. Join us, and you will experience the power of true stories and gain practical knowledge from founders who have turned poverty into prosperity and weakness into wealth. This podcast will encourage you through your health, relationship, and financial challenges so you can become the hero in your quest for freedom. Take ownership of the life you are destined to live. Turn your adversity into abundance. Speaker 0
I'm very excited today. We have a special guest, Maricela Sobranes. That's my best attempt, at least at the my best first attempt. Maricela, how are you doing today? Speaker 2
I'm doing well. Thank you for having me, and you did just right. Speaker 0
Perfect. And your company name, just so we get it out there, you you wanna say your your company name for us? Speaker 2
It's Upllex. We're that's that's the brand. Speaker 0
Perfect. So I didn't, before we get into kind of your current context of who you are today, I didn't tell you this before we hit record, but I actually came across your name from I just was I think I was in I was googling authors, and and, with something related to my my podcast name. So I think I googled adversity to abundance, books, and the name of your book came up from scarcity to abundance. And so then I started, you know, digging a little bit deeper, and I was like, this, she would make a fantastic guest. And then also another thing is I know you were in the military. I was as well. And so, I said I definitely need to get her on the show. So didn't tell you that before we hit record, but that's that's how I found you and tracked you down. And I appreciate you, spending your time with us because I know it is valuable. If you could, tell our listeners what you're up to today and give us a little context of, your real estate business and everything else you have going Speaker 2
on right now. Yes. Thank you for sharing that. That's incredible. You know? There's little things that just kinda sometimes that that that that happen in life and you don't even realize that. So thanks for sharing how you link with us and with me. But, so currently, what we do is, my husband and I, we, are into apartment syndications. So we purchase, large apartment complexes, and we find partners and find investors. And altogether, the goal is to, you know, to make the projections, reach projections, and then sell department. In the meantime, we also better communities and impacts, larger that, that what we were doing before, which was small, multifamily houses to places. So Okay. We also do, mobile home parks and self storage. So that that diversification on on that aspect, but majority of focus is, apartment syndications. Speaker 0
Okay. So could you put, a little bit more context to it as far as some numbers or, you know, you you don't have to get too detailed if you don't want to. But as far as, you know, how many deals have you done or what does your your business look like today? Speaker 2
Yes. Of course. So we have, passively, but I still invested passively in every deal we invest, and that we offer to our investors, we invest passively with them. But we are now transitioned to, active, so there's a role that we play as a as a active member. So, possibly, we are invested in twelve twelve hundred and fifty apartments in five different states. And, actually, we have about twelve hundred, apartments, and that's a total of four four deals where we have, we are primary primary partners. And that's also that's in three states. So a total of twenty five hundred, departments across five. Speaker 0
Five different states. So the the three states are part of the five states. Speaker 2
Yes. Yes. All together. Speaker 0
That's that's a lot. Wow. You you guys, yeah, you you're definitely busy. So and and how long have you been doing that for? Speaker 2
So, we started with, single families in two thousand and six, and we transitioned to apartments, nineteen months ago. Speaker 0
Got it. Okay. And then you've more recently diversified a little bit into self storage and mobile home parks, right, you said? Speaker 2
Yes. We we added those as far as the we call it the generational generational wealth, type of assets that Speaker 2
are not. It's it's usually a partnership, and we are holding those those assets for generations to come. Speaker 0
Yeah. So quick before we dive into your backstory, so on the active side, you're more of the GP. Is that how Yes. Okay. And then you bring on limited partners, and you're the general partner playing the active role of putting the deals together, managing the assets, adding value, adding, you know, to the, NOI, which adds to the investment value, the actual value of the asset, and then you can exit for a profit, hopefully, for you and your your, limited partners. Is that is that fair to say? Speaker 2
That is that is fair. I didn't know how deep that I I couldn't go. Speaker 0
And No. It's okay. Yeah. And and, you know, some of our listeners are can talk circles around around me as far as a multifamily. It's not my wheelhouse, but I you know, that is I I'm generally aware of how that works. You're not running you know, I'm in I'm more in the single family space where the the value of the asset is really based more on the comps and, what the neighbors sold their house for. It's more difficult for me to add value to that asset than it is well, it did at least directly influence the the the value of the asset itself than it is in the larger commercial or multifamily, space. Speaker 2
Yeah. That's a that's a really good point because when when, when we look at the apartments, it's actually we buy businesses. We buy the business. We better the, like you said, the NOI, which is the the, all expenses, all the income minus all the expenses, and that's before. So, we we acquire them. We're looking, to develop a business plan so that we can improve the NOI, which is the is gonna then decide or or impact the value. So we do things like we go in there and we change, the two hundred two hundred toilets and and and and showers. And, you know, some people might ask, what why do you do that? Right? Because with every flush, we're going to save the water. You know? And it also it gives us the opportunity to go in every single apartment, not only to change the toilet because when you are there, the the residents will say, hey. By the way, this is also bothering me. So and they see the impact right away, what we can do. And all of that is planned, and all of that also results in, happy residents that stay longer. And and it it was old because we wanted to also decrease the water usage. And Sure. And it and their their lives you know, the way they live there, they're more comfortable. They feel like you did pay attention. You know? The new owner changed this or did this for us. So along the way, we impact communities. So when you start with single families, which we were, we had that four thirty five doors. We could only let you know, help thirty five families. Speaker 0
It's a more limited impact. Right? Speaker 0
Yep. No. That's great. And so I mean, it's unfortunately, in in the media today, we we get such a you know, the divide between landlords and tenants is is so I'm not saying it doesn't exist anywhere, but it's refreshing to hear from someone who actually wants to make a positive impact and make some money along the way and help, you know, you know, leave a positive influence, you know, in in your wake and, also make money for your investors. And, I mean, that's that should be the goal in my opinion is why can't every why can't it be a win win win? So that's that's really good. I'm glad to hear it. And you're in I don't think we mentioned, but you're in the Austin, Texas area. Is that right? Speaker 2
Yeah. We're based in Austin, and, yeah, we invest in Austin, Houston, and Dallas, and then outside of the the tech of Texas. Speaker 0
Is it mostly what what other states are you in, if you don't mind? No. Speaker 2
No. No. No. So in most of the states, the way we pick is that they are, business, small business friendly. And Mhmm. And, that's that's mainly mainly the taxes are not too crazy. The regulations are not not too out of you know? Speaker 2
That was California and New York and Right. Seattle. Speaker 0
So you're more in the the south and Florida, Georgia. I'm just guessing. Speaker 2
Yeah. Yeah. Right. Speaker 0
Got it. Okay. Alright. No. That's that makes a lot of sense. And and, yeah, you definitely have been in the real estate investment game for quite some time. And so and I think moving diversifying at this point makes a good bit of sense as well. So that's really good. So more to the the human side of things, From Scarcity to Abundance, and I and I see you do have another book as well, Real Estate Investing Made Simple. But From Scarcity to Abundance, that's your new book, or the the more recent book. Can you tell us kind of what led to that? And and, you can pick it up where you'd like to from from your own, whether it's childhood or wherever you'd like to, but we, you know, the we wanna walk through kind of your backstory and and discuss some of the adversity, the personal adversity or business related challenges that you've been through. And, you know, that's hopefully, you can be an inspiration for the for the listeners. So, yeah, tell us more about the book and and, and your background. Speaker 2
Yeah. So the book actually is my bright background. Speaker 2
I it is actually the the stories that, I grew up in Mexico. I I was born and raised there. And, at age five, my mom, moved us as a family to the to the city from from, you know, it was a small little town, very little town. And my grandma stayed there. My you know, the rest of the family stayed there. And so, along the years, the every summer, my mom will bring us back to visit grandma. But, you know, my we grew up very, very poor. Like, we I mean, coming or traveling as a family back to my grandma was a sacrifice that we all have to make and be conscious about, you know, saving and, you know, just optimizing our resources to to be able to afford to go back. And it wasn't a a luxury trip by any means. But that was the way that we grew up. But, you know, I wrote the book to share that those memories with, the generations that will be here. And my my grandma passed. My mom passed. And, you know, it's coming for me. Right? That's what's coming for so I wanna, write her legacy and share those stories. But I also wanted to make it, the the lessons that I learned, are lessons that I continue to apply, and I have during my entire life to to get to where I am. Visualization, affirmations, abundance, thinking thinking larger. But so that's that's the, the the why I wrote this book. Speaker 0
So now let's, and and and I end up saying this on a lot of episodes. The point is not to bring back terrible memories or to, you know, make anyone cry, although that actually did just happen, last week on an episode. But, you know, and and, certainly not therapy or anything like that. But if you could, could you dive into a little more specifics as far as the adversity you've you've faced and poverty right there is is a big one, obviously. So but, either be more specific about the poverty or or were there other types of, challenges that you faced growing up? Speaker 2
Yeah. Mostly the the not having enough to just to sustain as a family. You know, my mom, it was eight of us, and, and she she actually, went, in the the school a small little town. She was the midwife, for the community. And when she when we moved to the the city, there's hospitals. So she immediately lost, not all friends, her community, but also the ability to make money or or transactions that will help her, you know, take care of the family. She actually didn't know how to read or write because that was just in that area. So you can only imagine how difficult it was for her to overcome. And then, but she always make sure that she provided the in the house. There was the love, the there was the family, the community. And and that was that that's why she make the the the effort to bring us back to where we could see that, where it doesn't have or not, that she can see that it was a community that helped each other. So, I mean, I I could I could tell you other than, you know, what I saw outside, outside of the house. People had other things, and that's how I knew that. Oh, okay. We just don't have that. But it doesn't it wasn't like a misery. It wasn't it wasn't like a comparison of, like you know? I I really I I mean, when I wrote the book, I was I was trying to write in a way that it didn't sound, like you said, a self story. Because, you know, I I can talk about, you know, sadness, but in reality, it it really was, abundance. Now I can tell you when I moved to the states at age twenty three, and and I arrived here, I didn't speak the language. I didn't speak any English. I I I didn't know anyone.
Speaker 2
I had one hundred dollars pocket that quite but
Speaker 0
And that's that's a lot of challenges right there. That's that's a lot.
Speaker 2
I didn't have my community anymore. I didn't have my mom. I I had you know, I just had like, I think that is even a a bigger obstacle. You know? But but I was just the fact that I woke up the next day and I was in America, I'm like, my eyes were I was like, I can't believe. I mean Speaker 0
So, I mean, I was talking the other day about how I switched to schools in the middle of sixth grade and how that was challenging. So, you know, compared to what you went through at twenty three, I don't think switching middle schools is all that challenging. But but, what led up to the the, you know, to before you were twenty three or how what what led up? What was the context, to you coming to America? Speaker 2
I actually so my first degree was a a business business degree in Mexico, and I was practicing. And, the company that we that we did a lot of business with was from the States. So every time I I get to answer the the the phone, I it was in English. So I was doing my job well, but in Spanish. And then every time I have a call from the States, I'm like, just a moment. That's all So and then very frustrated. And I, like, I wanted and I there was a couple a couple of people. One was the owner and another, executive that was fluent at English, and that's where the calls went to. And I'm like, well, I would like to help them. I would like to see what I can't even Speaker 0
You felt like you weren't doing your job as well as you could have. And so that was really the impetus to up to so was it all about learning the language? Speaker 2
Yes. That's that's what I'm I wanna I wanna go and see what it feels like just to be in a place where you can't understand and and learn. So I I put myself through school, and my my first classes were the, English as a second language, and then going. Speaker 0
Okay. So you said you put yourself through school. Well, how did what did that look like? How how how did you did you were you working at the same time, I guess? Speaker 2
Yes. Yes. I I I have to be, you know, be able to provide because, again, I have to pay for school, pay for all my expenses. And, so, yeah, I was working, while I was going to school. I actually, went to nursing school, and I kept going. I, I went to anesthesia school. I graduated. After that, I I entered the military. That's I think that was another phase that was a little challenging. Speaker 0
Yeah. Yeah. So what led you to the military? What how did that transition go? Speaker 2
So it was so I have, I have finished my doctorate then. I have, I I I just feel like I have so much. I have that that that America has given me so many opportunities. At that point, I was, invest I had a couple investments. I I just felt like I was living the dream. Like, there's no man, I'm like that I I I just it was a time for me to give back and military. That I was in school and they, a recurring person. Speaker 2
They came and they said, well, we we really need anesthesia providers in the military. Speaker 2
was like, okay. Well, I'll go. I I just I was just like Speaker 0
Okay. That I mean, on some level, I can relate to that. I actually was I ended up joining later than most people do. Yeah. I I was, twenty seven, twenty eight going through basic training and then in the army, and then I went through, federal officer candidate school. And at that point, when you get to OCS, people are the average age is a little bit older because you have people who were enlisted for a while that are, you know, becoming officers. So but in basic training, I was definitely on the older side. And so, you know, at the time, it might have seemed if as far as why did I join, it might have seemed like it came out of nowhere because, we actually had just gotten married, and then I joined the military. So it looks like I ran off from got scared and joined the military. But a big reason why I did, this is the point I'm getting to, is that it was to do something, you know, with that I thought was honorable and just to try to serve and give back. And it it may sound like, you know, I'm gloating or you know? But that really was it. I mean, it was not to pay off student loans or, you know, take some big bonus or something like that. It was to do something with purpose and to serve and to to give. Certainly, the military ended up benefiting me as well. But, yeah, it sounds like in some ways it was similar for you where you just you you felt like the the country had given you so much and you wanted to give back. So then you were in the in the navy. Is that right? Speaker 2
Yeah. I was in the navy. They, they they, I had, I was given as a lieutenant, and, they gave me, like, a year something credit. So I quickly promoted to lieutenant commander. I did eight years and then separated, but I had a blast. Speaker 0
That's awesome. And how long were you in the navy for? You said eight years? Eight years. Okay. Got it. We'll have to edit that part out. Okay. So then and then what did you do after the the navy? Speaker 2
So I got out last year, August. So I in doing we've been doing the, apartment syndications and building up. Speaker 0
Wow. That's awesome. So, yeah, so when do you sleep? What what was that? I'm sorry. That that cut out for a bit. Speaker 2
Oh, I'm not writing a book. Speaker 0
Oh, yeah. Then writing a book as well. Jeez. Speaker 2
Writing a book. That's when I sleep. Speaker 0
Oh, gotcha. Got it. So what why real estate? And and, you know, we'll talk about that, and then we can go back to the kind of the lessons that you you started to touch on, lessons you've learned from the adversity and how you've applied those. But why why what got you into real estate? Speaker 2
So there I was, you know, doing my my paying my bills and then after finishing that long shift at the hospital. And, yeah, I just got I got I got home, and I realized that, wow, that that the neighbor is paying mortgage. They're paying my mortgage. So that was a nice feeling to have. You know? But then I was like and it was I was single then, and I was like, well, someday, I won't be able to go to work, you know, age or anything could happen. I mean, I was making good hospital, and I was working really long hours, but I realized that if I don't go to work, I wasn't gonna be making any money. That that was, I needed to be present to make that money. Right? Yeah. And and I realized that someday, I might not, for whatever reason, be able to. And I saw the possibility of having the cash flow from investments, like, putting the money to work, and then the money was making more money. So I figured if I do more of this, then I can this time. Right? And so that that really was how I got started thinking about it. And and growing up in Mexico, the duplex theme wasn't a thing. You know? The we don't have duplex. We either have, a house that is occupied by generations. First floor is first gift. You know? But there's really not that kind of investment. So I I was lucky that my my, agent offered me because I told him, I'm not looking for something big. I want a house for me, something just me, and some something else that I can, you know, have a roommate and use the concept of the duplex duplex. So having that mentality, I thought, well, if I buy more duplexes, then I can then, you know, reduce my hours or not have to go to work. And and looking into it. And when I deployed, I actually spent a lot of time learning, how how does that real estate can actually build your wealth and and, you can scale it. And so that's when I learned about syndications and how you can do your system.
Speaker 0
Now where where did you deploy?
Speaker 2
I was in, Jeopardy, Africa.
Speaker 0
Okay. Gotcha. I wasn't expecting that answer. Okay. Yeah. I mean and people say, how how did you have time to do that when you were deployed? And, you you know, I was deployed to Iraq, and it's even though you're busy a lot, you still have downtime, and you don't have, you know, twenty four seven. You're not busy with work. So what are you gonna do with that downtime? And I actually started, started a second degree because it was like, alright. I don't know. What what else? What why not? And that was before remote learning was so popular. But, yeah, by two thousand six, you said, is when you got started, right, in real estate?
Speaker 0
So, I mean, that's you know, the Internet was obviously around, but I don't think BiggerPockets was a thing and, you know, you didn't have all these books and all these resources. So that's that's impressive, you know, because it wasn't till much later that we really went full on with you know, because there's podcasts and, and things staring you in the face with, how to learn and how to how to grow your network. So, sounds like you did it more locally through, oh, you know, through your agent and then started to scale from there. Is that fair to say?
Speaker 2
Yes. Yes. When I came back, I I have saved, a lot of money from you know, my my my income was nontaxable. And like you said, when you're deployed and provide all your meals, everything, there's no nowhere you can spend the money. And, all of that, when I came back, I was looking for more duplexes. And then, you know, a fourplex came along, and I'm like, wait. My goal was to buy one one home a year one house a year. And, and then I was like, wow. I can buy four?
Speaker 0
Right. Yeah. The so you're maybe slowly, but your your your mind started to expand as far as what was possible, and, and then it just grew from there. When did you get into, kind of the bigger multifamily investing?
Speaker 2
Yeah. So, along along the way, I met my husband, and he had he has the same mindset of, you know, growing and growing your network and putting your money to work. So we got along really well, and, he was still active. He did twenty six and a half years, and he retired in October twenty twenty. Oh, wow. So and that's
Speaker 2
Thank you. Yes. Thank you. So he he that's when actually we we transitioned to start selling our small multifamily and going into apartment syndications. We started, passive as passive investors so we can learn, and we also pay for mentorship. We we pay for different masterminds and, invested thousands of dollars, to to to learn from from the best that they were doing. And we still are investing in ourselves and in the business, but that's what allow us to go transition from, you know, from thirty five dollars to twenty five hundred.
Speaker 0
That's incredible growth. And and and and I'll be honest, I have gotten stingy with the, you know, the mastermind stuff. I just joined a mastermind, so I finally, you know, pulled the trigger. But, I think a lot of people get hung up on that, and and you can you can definitely waste money there if you're not careful with what what groups you're getting into or who you're being associated with. But, I mean, that's definitely been a theme already in the show is just just, you know, don't be afraid to spend invest in yourself really is what it is. You're plugging yourself into a a network of people who have been doing this and and where you're just absorbing knowledge and you're just learning and growing, and now you're exposed to all these other investors, and just yeah. So, I think that that makes a lot of sense. And, and, obviously, it works or else you wouldn't continue to to spend money in that fashion. Right?
Speaker 2
Well, the return on investment. So most people is going to say, okay. Well, I'm gonna pay, I don't know, twenty five thousand dollars on this mastermind, and that's just one of So but then what do I get out of it? When you get out of it, what you what you put You know? Yeah. Amount, but it not everybody does the same work. So it's the work that you do that is going to give you a return on investments. We we go to events. We meet so many people, and then we meet them again next year, the next year, and some of them are action. And and, you know, so if you if you are paying for these investments, make sure that you're taking advantage of it in a way that you're you're getting your money back. And whatever that looks for you, or or your audience. Right? I'm speaking to your audience. Right?
Speaker 0
No. You're right. Yep.
Speaker 2
Then so if you're if you're putting your hard earned money into a a a a mastermind or a course or a seminar, make sure that you're getting your money out, but that's gonna be not only for from the event. And, you know, it's it's gonna be a continuous work in reaching out to to to those connections that you met briefly, you know, see how you can add value to them and, you know, and that usually comes back around and and both of you, what's the con that that both sides, end up, you know, gaining something. So for us, it has been the source of a lot of partnerships, a lot of investors, a lot of, just businesses that we create. And, yeah, we the other thing is when it it is a self selecting process. Right? Because you just said it earlier. Not everybody pulls the trigger on on on on So the people that already invested in there and and then whatever you know? So let's just say a seminar or a mastermind. Mhmm. Of selecting. They're already saying, hey. I'm gonna I'm I'm this serious. I am going to, you know, invest this this amount of money. So they are doing a part of the work for you already. So the rest of it is yourself. Right? So we are very intentional on not only on being there. You know? If we something, we have we're gonna be sitting at the front row, asking questions, connecting with everybody and anyone that we can. You know? That's that's where the the the sweet spot is. Speaker 0
Yeah. That's really good. And so it was you said late twenty twenty when you really, got started in the the large multifamilies. Right? The syndications and what you're doing now. Is is that right? Speaker 2
October, yeah, twenty twenty. Speaker 0
I mean, that's so I think a lot of people would have been scared at that point, you know, with the pandemic and and all that. And so, I mean, that's so so at that point in October twenty twenty, approximately how many doors did you have passively or actively? Speaker 2
So and, actually and I would say before May, which is when we learned about the COVID thing. Right? When actually, in my industry, I lost my contract, which I was going to a different to work. My like like I mentioned, my job, my primary job is anesthesia. Speaker 2
So I do go to different hospitals. So my job cancel the contract and, eight. And, we look at we know we we we saw how the severity about all this wave of the COVID was hitting. And we had at that point, we have thirty thirty one, dental units. Speaker 2
And we sit down and and, did the numbers. How are we gonna pay the mortgages? Are we able to pay you know? Because they were the banks were given, forgiveness on the on the loans. And we're I think we were grateful that we didn't have to to use any of that with ten units being, paying. They they actually cover all the expenses. So at at which point, we actually, one of the wholesalers that we got a lot of properties from, came around and said, hey. You know, I have this fourplex that's very distressed, and it's it's, we're gonna sell it for this much. I went and still and saw it, and, it was very distressed. It was full of trash, full of fleas, and, that it it was gonna be a, a, do it all completely. Mhmm. Speaker 2
So decided to buy it, and we since nothing was happening, my husband was retired in October. I was just, and then I I didn't know if I was gonna go back to work. And and we ended up doing all that renovation by ourselves. We did of the place that we we bought it for sixty five, I think it was, and and we put about a hundred and twenty thousand dollars in. Did the old installation, and we did everything. Like, it was from the start up. And, we ended up selling it because somebody came and offer us some some, you know, healthy healthy price. And, Amber said, we were mudding. We were literally mudding and cleaning, and we were listening to the the seminar that we the syndication seminar. And and that's when we realized, you know what? We need to be more intentional. So the second day of the the seminar, we we got a hotel. We stayed there. We just we we're in front of the TV, be intentional, and the and that day is when we actually joined the that, mentorship program. Speaker 2
And it was probably about two days after that that, that we that they, so I guess that was thirty five dollars and about, I don't know, like, the same week, we invested passively with with a a person that actually that that I've been in contact for a podcast. And, we invested passively there. So that was about I don't know. It it was probably about two hundred units or so. And then we just continued to do the same thing, trusting that eventually even though that wasn't giving us the cash flow now and remember you said it's a COVID year, so we were not gonna be, getting the money from the residents. But we still trusted that this was a good decision and a better decision to scale and to let go of the smaller unit. And so at the end of by the end of the year, we sold one of the units. We put all the money back into those syndications, and we did that nine times. So in nine months, we went from, you know, no apartments in our portfolio to twelve to twelve fifteen hundred, I think, US. Speaker 0
That's incredible. That's I mean wow. And this is really this at the start of COVID, you know, as far as, you know, maybe it started before that. But in March, April twenty twenty, until now, you've grown from thirty to thirty five rental units somewhere in there to, what'd you say, twenty five hundred passive and active, doors. That's that's amazing. And so and you keep putting, you know, the, profits and your own physical energy and sweat equity into the business, it sounds like. So you've just grown exponentially. That's that's that's fantastic. So, before we get to kind of a rapid fire set of questions that I didn't prep you for, What, would you say as far as the you know, looking back at the adversity that you have faced, and, of course, you will continue to face adversity. We we don't act like all of your adversity or your scarcity is is a hundred percent gone, and now you only live in abundance. We don't pretend like that's, you know, an overnight thing. Or, but what would you say? I mean, you're definitely living in financial abundance, certainly relative to where you, you know, where you were. So what would you say are some of the the lessons you've learned as far as kind of, you know, moving toward abundance? Speaker 2
One well, I'll say the the first one is to be grateful and and and, appreciated for what we have. Because just when we think that the the worst is happening, there's always something worse. So for not having the the other worst. Right? Mhmm. And and and choosing intentionally focus on, you know, on what we have. Like, being able to dream big, you know, to have a dream. You know? There at least you have the clarity to have a dream. You know? And that sometimes is the only thing that you have, and that's the only thing that you have to propel yourself. So definitely being grateful for what we have. The other thing is that what I will say what differentiates the person that stays in the in the scarcity from the person to abundance is the person that takes the action. You know, you have to be intentional what actions we take. And that together with setting your goals it's it's it's just it's you're you're lining up the map, and you're you're pretty much giving your brain a a path that it needs to follow. So, you know, being grateful, being intentional in taking action, and having your goals. Speaker 0
Those are those are very good. Yeah. Because you hear this this debate, and I actually heard a little bit of this yesterday, on a short podcast. As far as you have kind of the the Think and Grow Rich crowd who, you know, if you're taking that extreme on the extreme, it's all I just have to think. I don't have to do anything. I just have to dream and that it'll all magically happen. No. You do need to roll up your sleeves and not be afraid to, you know, do the full rehab yourself. But if you don't actually dream and plan and think and you just you only take action, then you're gonna be getting yourself nowhere. You're headed in the wrong direction. So like you said, you need to be intentional about it. You need and you need both. So that's that's really good. That yeah. That's I I don't have much to add there. Be intentional, dream big, take action, and be grateful was the first one you said. So, alright. Few, more rapid fire questions here. What do people misunderstand about you? Speaker 2
Because of my accent? Just kidding. Speaker 0
Yeah. They they misunderstand what I'm saying. Speaker 2
I think, I think that probably that I'm, like, all the time go getter, and there's no that that's not true because sometimes I allow myself to say, you know, I'm gonna take it easy today. You know? And and I do have those times where, you know, we just, you know, just have fun and live life. So I think that people ask me, when do you sleep? Well, I do sleep. Speaker 0
Right. Gotcha. Yep. That's good. Looking back, what would you say is one of your regrets or failures or, you know, however you wanna frame that, but, something that you would change or do differently. Speaker 2
I mean, there there's what laughter the fight. Right? We always well, maybe I should've done that. I should've done that. And sometimes it's harder to, like, put it in words, especially when you're asked in front of the strangers. Speaker 2
think that, definitely spending more time with family, and that that's that's always going to be, like, man, I should have. I know I should book the trip, especially, you know, my family being in Mexico. Now, you know, I'm married and I'm yeah. My my side of the family here, which is Yeah. Mexico. It's always that that time. You know? There was there was there were years that I didn't have a means to go. Like, I have no money. If I stop working, I I couldn't afford. Right? So, definitely, more time with family then, yeah. Speaker 0
That Yeah. That's good. If you could go back and give your eighteen year old self advice, what would it be? Speaker 2
I would say, gosh. Speaker 2
would say just to not not to worry too much about, what other people's, labels that that they they stamp on you. You know, we we we we hear something, and we kind of take that to heart. We we we believe it. You know? And then we ourselves. So I would say definitely, you know, have your your voices be stronger than others, in a way that impact you instead of listening to those messages. Speaker 0
Mhmm. That's good. If you could have coffee with any historical figure, who would it be? Speaker 2
Wow. Mother Teresa. Speaker 0
Okay. Any any I think I I almost don't have to ask why, but why would it be her? Speaker 2
Oh, I like I just I think every word that she that she spoke is powerful. And even if it's, like, two, three minutes that that I get to just absorb her, you know, I I just see her as a given person, as a very wise person. You know? So, yeah, just to kind of be be there. And I feel like, like, with her words, she just hugs you and, like, you know, you. Speaker 0
Yeah. I you're definitely we'd all be just better off if we spent five minutes with her. I I agree. How about in your business? What's a what's a challenge that you're facing today? Speaker 2
So we we grew a little too fast, and it's not not a bad thing. It's it's a challenging thing because, when when you're in a growing phase, you you really are just on survival phase. Right? So, you know, we started hiring now, people who are hiring our team, and but we still have to continue going. So it's it's it's been challenging to, like, train or delegate when you are still trying to learn it. So, we we do hire we have now, you know, we have hired a amazing team, and but it still is taking us time to to develop. But but I we'd rather do it now than that, hopefully, will grow faster instead of we see it we see it very often in the syndicator syndication world that there's this very successful people. They've been doing it for ten, twenty years, and they're just now hiring one one assistant. They still ask Speaker 2
So we are that very, very early. And even though it's an investment in the business, you know, the the goal is to continue to grow and and not have this tiger, you know, hit in the ceiling every so often or every so many Speaker 0
Yeah. Do you is it a virtual assistance, or how how have you been hiring? Speaker 2
We we actually have, in the states, we have a physical person. Mhmm. And we have a couple virtual assistants, and and the goal is to have, at at least another person in the state. Yeah. Speaker 0
Got it. And how do you and your husband divide up roles? Speaker 2
He's more of the numbers person. He's the underwriter. He does a lot of the market analysis. I do a lot of the, chit chatting and and relations for investors and, a lot of admin. We we kind of naturally, you know, follow what what feels good and in in the business. Speaker 0
Yeah. Gotcha. Yeah. I've I've, experienced that myself as far as well, I've worked with my spouse with, in real estate as well. But even with other business partners, kinda just naturally gravitate to certain things even if it's not super well defined upfront and, either it works or it doesn't. But, gotcha. So what is one piece of advice you'd give to someone just starting out in real estate? Speaker 2
Find mentorship, And find the mentorship from the the the people. So find the find the person that is doing it on the daily basis. Like, in the market that we are, you know, if you don't we are not buying an apartment. We are among people that are doing that every single day because, you know, the process of buying it might take you three to three to five months. And if you take a you post off off the market, the market is changing so quickly. So find find mentorship and be in a community that are that that are doing what you want to do. Speaker 0
Got it. That's good. Alright. What's a movie that you would recommend? Speaker 0
you ever watch any movies? Speaker 0
Or how about if if you wanna switch it to a book other than your own? Speaker 2
Oh, okay. Yeah. So I really like the, the millionaire next door. Yeah. Yeah. That I'm Speaker 0
trying to think because there's millionaire real estate invest oh, millionaire next door. Got it. That's the one where school teachers might be a millionaire and you don't know it. Right? Speaker 2
Yeah. And and it takes you to the process of, you know, why and how they got into being a millionaire by the the habits that they have and and how they live their life. You know? And it's it's not that you have to be flashy and, you know, leave it all there because you have some money. And if you put it in perspective, really, being a millionaire these days, Speaker 2
it It's billion dollars, like, you you buy a house. People has a house that is not dollars just because went up. Right? Speaker 2
compare and that book actually was written to be a millionaire, then that was that was Speaker 0
That was impressive. Yep. So Yeah. I agree. Period. Okay. As we start to wrap up here, what's what's one question that you wish I'd asked that I I haven't asked? One one topic you'd like to address, that we didn't touch on? Speaker 2
I mean, we we kind of visited all the all the basic. So I I Speaker 0
So I've been thorough. I've been Yes. Okay. Speaker 0
Okay. Do you, do you listen to any podcast? Do you ever listen to any other other podcast that you could recommend? Speaker 2
Yes. I like to, well, you know, the the real estate investment. I I visit, you know, the different different topics. I I like that because they, you know, they kinda wrap up the the topics for you. And then if I like a specific person, and then I go and follow. But I kind of bounce back and forth in different podcasts. Speaker 0
Right. Yeah. I do the same thing. Okay. That's awesome. I think we've, this has been really good. I you've obviously the the your story and your book, you know, they fit perfectly with the, theme of my show and, you know, from scarcity to abundance, and it's one of those things where it's just I think our listeners are gonna benefit greatly by hearing your story. And, I mean, you didn't you couldn't you didn't know English at twenty three, and you moved to the US. And and now you're an author, and you you have twenty five hundred, you know, doors, rental rental properties or rental units, passively and actively. I mean and you're just the the last three years, two years, you've just blown up. So it's you and your husband have just it's incredible growth and I, just the mindset, the abundance mindset, being grateful, being intentional, taking action. And also, I don't wanna forget that you repeatedly talked about kind of serving others and making other making your tenants, you know, serving your tenants and making things a win win and and improving communities along the way. So it's not like it's a cutthroat mentality where it's, you know, all about you and and your husband making as much cash as possible. It's also serving others. So, do you have anything to add to those, kind of final thoughts? Speaker 2
I actually do, wanna add that, when you mentioned giving back, we or or we have a mission to to do medical missions. I've been doing medical missions to different countries, but I've never done one to Mexico. And one of the things that when I went and saw my my grandma for the last time, she was in so much pain, And, she couldn't she stopped living life because she was in so much pain from her arthritis. And I was able to inject local anesthetic in her knees, and immediately, like, three minutes later, she she she she's like, wow. I don't I it doesn't hurt anymore. And she and she asked me, in the middle of her, you know, just kinda getting out of her own pain, and she asked me if I could do the same thing for her friends and her community because she she community for a hundred and four years. So, it's that was her only worry. I can help them Wow. With what I what I have. And I promise her that I will. And part of like, actually, the book, I wrote it for waking up that theme, and all the profits from that book and other materials that we share in the second book, are to be dedicated to bring medical missions. Our first one is is scheduled to be June twenty twenty five. We are trying to do it earlier than that if possible, but that is the like, when I told you, set your goals, that's our goal. That that's June to twenty twenty five and hopefully before. But all of this, what we do with the passive income and then the the, you know, the the I guess the goal is to be able to give back. And, hopefully, more than one mission, we'll do several, and we are gonna open it to do a community, wellness outreaches. So we'll be, like, help build houses, improve the community. Just, that that's That's Speaker 0
really good. That's great. I I actually skipped over how do you like to serve others because we are you know, partially because we're we're running a little short on time, but it's also because I felt like you'd already shown that. But I'm really glad you you, threw that in there because that is you know, that's that's a lot that's you clearly are giving back, and and serving. That's that's impressive. So June you said June twenty twenty five is the goal? Gotcha. That's for to Mexico? Speaker 0
Got it. Awesome. Okay. Where can our our listeners find you online? I I know you're you're out there, but, what websites or social media channels would you like to highlight? Speaker 2
But in Instagram, I am there. My name will pop, but my, I guess, whatever name is, and as, the millionaire, the immigrant millionaire, but you can just Google my name. And same thing for, Facebook and LinkedIn. Speaker 0
Yep. Just and and, do you wanna spell your name for the listeners who are only listening, and not not watching this? Speaker 2
Right. It's, m a r I c e l a, and the last name is s o, b as in bravo, e r a, n as in Nancy, e s. Speaker 0
Fantastic. And your business is Upllex, Upllex. Yep. Great. This has been very good, Marisela. I really appreciate you joining us. It's been I mean, we've covered a lot from the human angle and all the poverty and and, the adversity that you faced and now the growth you you are continuing to experience, from a financial and social standpoint. And just, like I said, this your story really fits very well with with my show, so I know our listeners are gonna get a lot of value from this. So thank you very much for your time. Speaker 2
Thank you very much for having me. Speaker 0
Absolutely. And to our listeners out there, please do give us a five star rating and review. My website is labrador lending dot com. You can check out what we have going on with different, offerings that we have for passive investors, and we do have, resources for active mortgage note investors if you wanna learn more about that. So please check that out as well. Thanks, everyone. Speaker 1
Thank you for spending your most valuable resource with us, your time. If you like the show, please share it with your friends and fellow podcast listeners. One entrepreneur at a time, we can change the world. See you next time. Speaker 0
Hey there. It's Jamie Bateman. Ever felt boxed in by life's challenges? Dive into my new book, From Adversity to Abundance, inspiring stories of mental, physical, and financial transformation, available now on Amazon. From a former bank robber's redemption to a young entrepreneur's victory over hurdles, these stories are not just inspiration. They're the road maps to your transformation. Whether for you or as a powerful gift to friends and family, especially those who might not tune into podcasts. This book is a beacon to a life of abundance. Ignite that inner fire and set your course to the life you've imagined. Purchase yours today on Amazon and light the path for someone you love.