We just hit 62 properties...again! Three lessons I learned

I've spoken previously and publicly about this but does anyone remember the story of how we were managing 62 properties last year, I let go of 43 properties, gave it back to the landlord, because they didn't align with our values, which left us with a portfolio of 19???

Well, guess what!!! We have grown the company back to 62 properties!!! It took us one year and three months but we did it!!! I am so beyond stoked!!!

 An old saying goes "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." So, I really want to share three lessons I have learned because I kid you not, I am not the same person I was when we last managed 62 properties.

1st Lesson

The first thing I learned, shortly after giving these properties back to the landlord, was that "experience" and "expertise" was not more valuable than integrity - to me at least. This is especially important when selecting staff. People might look good on paper, but it's the values, the integrity, the loyalty that will always matter more to me now than ever. I don't care if I have to spend a ton of time training my staff now. What I do know about my staff is that I can trust them. I can trust them to have my back. I can trust them to stick with me. I can trust them to be honest. I can trust that they want to do the right thing. I could not trust those 43 properties and the management of it. The lack of honesty, integrity and transparency was not worth it. Now, let me tell you, it was a lot of money for me at the time to let go of - which leads me to the second lesson.

2nd Lesson

The second lesson I learned was that NOT all money is good money. Not all business is good business. At first, it's not always easy to spot what business will be bad for you. But once you clock it, get rid of it. Or let the good Lord take care of it. An old proverb says "blessings of the Lord brings wealth and He adds no sorrows with it". Real wealth shouldn't make you fearful, tearful or hateful. Real wealth comes with peace, rest and gratitude

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3rd Lesson

Speaking of gratitude, I am grateful for the trials - and that is the third lesson that I have learned. That not all trials are bad. Sometimes it's your "saving grace" coming to you in the form of a "no", or a rejection letter, or a lost management or a break up. Having to let go of the 43 properties back then was honestly so scary for me, and I was 7.5 months pregnant. But, it was the best thing that ever happened. I am sooo grateful it happened because I wouldn't be the person I am today; I wouldn't be the business owner I am today, and That Rental Plug wouldn't be what it is today.

Myself and my business value integrity and honesty over experience and expertise. We value peace, rest and gratitude over money.

And we value the trials that produce perseverance; perseverance that produces character and character that produces hope.

Now that we are back to where we were a year ago, (but in a much better set up) I have every hope that our business will grow, expand and spread goodness wherever it can.