We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Perez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is rooted in a deeply personal and powerful story. I became a real estate agent with the initial goal of understanding sober living homes, driven by my own recovery journey and a strong desire to help others in similar situations. As I explored the vast opportunities in real estate, my focus expanded to include individuals who have been released from prison , along with those in recovery. What seemed impossible—homeownership for people with felonies—soon became a reality. So far, I’ve successfully guided several individuals in achieving the milestone of purchasing their first home, proving that with the right support, anything is possible. We are not defined by our pasts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve faced immense challenges, from moving across the country to dealing with personal loss, but I’ve turned those experiences into fuel for helping others. My involvement with “The Barbell Saves Project” shows how discipline and community can lead to profound personal and professional growth. The impact I’ve made in real estate, especially for those who thought homeownership was out of reach, is incredible. It’s a powerful reminder that with hard work and a genuine desire to make a difference, it’s possible to overcome obstacles and create positive change in people’s lives. My efforts are not just about selling homes—they’re about transforming lives and providing hope for those who might have thought it was out of reach.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Like most, I was nervous and embarrassed to post videos of myself. I saw veteran agents with their expensive equipment and drones, while all I had was a cellphone. A coach of mine looked at me and said, “Just do it.” He warned me that the videos would be bad, no one would watch them, and friends might laugh, but no matter what, I shouldn’t stop. He advised me to go live on Instagram as much as possible to get used to being on camera and speaking without a script. Later, when I sat with veteran agents, they showed me their first Instagram videos—they were just as bad as mine. They assured me that if I stayed the course, it would get better over time, and they were absolutely right!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Five years ago, I was walking from my halfway house looking for a job—no car, no money, wearing donated clothes, and with food stamps in my pocket. I found work at a plant nursery making $12 an hour. Today, I’ve earned back the trust of my family, and my girlfriend and I just bought our first home. I’ve built a successful career in real estate, and I have no plans of stopping. I’ve hit rock bottom, now the only way to go is up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://davidperezrealestate.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perezexperience/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081091306277
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-perez-89307b21b/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@perezexperience?_t=8p14Js1h99X&_r=1