Brian and Dana hardy
From Success in Marketing and Interior Design to Success in Real Estate
As relatively new independent business owners with HomeVestors® of America, Inc., Brian and Dana Hardy have much to look forward to if their very first sales call is any indication of future success.
The Hardy’s currently live in Fort Myers, Florida, but bought their HomeVestors franchise based on the recommendation of a friend in Oregon, while still living in Portland, Maine. The year was 2021. Soon thereafter, the Hardy’s made the decision to relocate to sunny Florida.
Success Before HomeVestors
A life-long entrepreneur, Brian, 40, started his first design and marketing company at the age of 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Among the businesses that he has successfully owned and operated are a trade show exhibit house, a full-service sign company and a fully-automated printing company. Brian then created FizzPop Media, a marketing agency and web development company that he still runs today, whose niches are the building and bio-tech industries.
Dana, also 40, dabbled in interior design while working a normal 9-5 job, before getting involved in real estate. She studied interior design and photography at Drexel University and apprenticed under an accomplished interior designer. She later branched off into the graphics and design industry. “Those experiences combined, helped give me the confidence to venture out on my own to get clients and to also do the design work for our fix-and-flip real estate business,” explained Dana. Tiring of the nine-to-five routine, she gravitated toward real estate full-time, hoping to use her background to stand out from her peers. While in Maine, she was a Real Estate Broker.
Off to a Good Start
The Hardy’s bought their first franchise in Portland, Maine, before transferring the franchise to Florida. Their skill sets came in handy and proved to be very complementary to each other.
Dana manages the real estate side of Tree City Properties LLC, including valuations, title, and design while Brian focuses on acquisitions and oversees the various contractors. However, when necessary, they still get their hands dirty and do some of the rehabs themselves.
Already experienced as real estate investors doing fix-and-flips, they got off to a fast start, buying their very first house from their very first phone call. This first sale made the Hardy’s firm believers in the HomeVestors system. As Brian explained, “Do not prejudge any calls, go on every call, and get in as many living rooms as you can.” Sage advice for anyone new to real estate. His other advice, offered as a lifelong entrepreneur: “Don’t be afraid to take risks and don’t overthink everything.”
Brian and Dana ended 2021 with five acquisitions. As Dana explained and Brian agreed, “From day one, we stuck to the HomeVestors formula. We followed the HVA systems, advertising, and marketing strategies… which was tough, considering we own a marketing agency. Their systems work.”
Moving Forward
The Hardy’s have their sights on two new goals: vacation rentals and spending more marketing and advertising dollars in Florida to acquire ten properties per year. And, doing all this while still running a successful media company.
Homevestors
What exactly does it mean to be a HomeVestors® business owner? Owning a real estate business is life changing and naturally comes with risks! When you become a HomeVestors business owner, you get immediate access to motivated seller leads, financing resources for qualifying purchases and repairs, one-on-one coaching with your local Development Agent, proprietary software for analyzing properties and deals, and access to a nationwide network of coaches and peers. Your house-buying business is yours and you run it as your own venture with a focus toward your individual business goals.
If you are interested in a franchise, call 855-454-4518, email Sales@homevestorsfranchise.com or visit www.homevestorsfranchise.com. Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.
