We recently connected with Adrienne Pearl and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrienne , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2016, I obtained my business and salesperson license in real estate while working full-time as a school counselor. Although, I loved both careers, I started to experience burnout as a school counselor and began to lose the passion I once had. Additionally, my career as a real estate agent began to blossom. As business increased over the years, it became difficult to balance both careers. In 2020, Covid-19 pandemic made it even more difficult and demanding.

I loved school counseling and making a lasting impact in the lives of thousands of students. However, there was a different love and passion for real estate. Not only was I in a position where I can teach about financial freedom through homeownership in my community, but I was also able to control my own destiny and financial future. When Covid-19 hit and we were all forced to stay home, many of us started to reflect and evaluate our lives, future and careers. Like many, I started manifesting the idea of controlling my destiny and working for myself. The thought of transitioning into real estate full time and growing Pearl’s Design Properties LLC could be a reality.

Unfortunately, leaving the education field would mean that I would lose my benefits and medical insurance the school system provided. I’d also be leaving my students and colleagues that I loved so much. I was faced with a tough decision that kept me up many nights. I knew real estate was a tough industry impacted by the economy and customer relations which made it even more difficult. I would no longer be an employee but an independent contractor.

Over the next two year, I began to pray, lean on my mentors and some close friends for advice. In January 2022 after much preparation, I made the decision to step out of faith and leave education. I informed my school midway through my contract given them time to prepare for a replacement. Before leaving, I ensured that the new counselor was comfortable in her role allowing her to shadow me and leaving lots of notes so that she can have a smooth transition. It ended up being a full-circle moment for me because the counselor hired was a former student of mine. That gave me peace because I know that she will do an awesome job. On the other hand, I prepared financially by adding another investment property to my portfolio to supplement my income.

I truly believe that timing was perfect, and I am walking in my purpose. I recently passed the VA Broker’s exam and I’m now an associate broker at my company. I have to ability to hire agents as well as start my own brokerage. Additionally, my business, Pearl’s Design Properties LLC, is flourishing rapidly and we’ve helped a lot of families this year with homeownership. Moreover, I am in a 12-week Accelerator program called B-Force run by a non-profit organization, Bland Brand, which supports black-owned businesses by providing free financial planning, technical assistance, and access to capital. Participating has provided so many opportunities for my business. I recently won $4000 in a Pitch contest sponsored by Black Brand and IKEA during Pharrell William’s Mighty Dream Forum event. I’ll be using the money to facilitate first-time homebuyer, investor, and credit repair workshops and resources for the community. I’ll also be paying it forward and sponsoring two individuals attending my workshop. Making this career move was the best decision and I’m excited to see what the future holds!

Adrienne , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have almost 20 years of customer service and sales experience and 8 years in the real estate industry. I have a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. With my experience and careers, you can see that I have always been in customer relations and servicing others. I believe that helping others is my calling.

Before becoming a real estate agent and with my uncle as a mentor, I completed my first rehab and flip with one of my close friends. I enjoyed the process so much that I wanted to continue. Pearl’s Design Properties LLC was then established in 2016 as a property investment company. Although it’s not always easy, I enjoyed seeing the transformation of giving homes a “facelift” and “makeover”. I was also good at what I did. Unfortunately, after an influx of competitors, need for contractors, and market shift, I decided to look at other ways the company can grow. For years, I began to focus strictly on being a real estate agent.

I help families with various real estate needs providing a ‘white-glove” experience. I rejoice in the feeling of helping someone’s dreams or something they thought they’d never accomplish in ownership, come true. I teach buyers how to leverage homeownership to generate equity to better their future without having to make 6 figures. I also teach investors how to leverage homeownership to build real estate portfolios to increase assets for theirs.

People, particularly in the minority community, can’t see themselves as homeowners or generating wealth and assets through real estate. Additionally, they’re not aware of the importance and benefits of homebuying. As a result, they choose to rent even though renting a home is more expensive than buying one. Pearl’s Design Properties LLC helps to shift these mindsets so that people can make long-term choices for their families. I help first time homebuyers advance from middle-class renters with no assets to property owners building equity. I also provide investment coaching and services to those wanting to attain properties for residual income to create better opportunities for their families’ future.

There are thousands of agents and realtors; however, what makes me different is that I care about building up my community and showing families that financial independence is possible once they become homeowners. I am passionate about this this because I have experience it firsthand. I didn’t grow up in the upper class, but it was the total opposite. My mom was an awesome, hardworking single mom of three girls on government assistance. In my community, there was no one teaching us about financial literacy, credit, or savings. I was 23-year-old when that knowledge was shared with me, and I used what I’d learned to purchase my first home instead of renting an apartment. I was scared but I knew that I wanted a better future for myself. Over the years, my home appreciated in value and built equity. I was then able to pull the equity out and that’s how I purchased my first investment property with my close friend as mentioned.

I am grateful of the position homeownership has put me in and my goal is to pass the knowledge on to as many families as I can. My focus is building long-lasting relationships with families and providing them with the knowledge and resources needed through homeownership, so they learn the importance of building equity and ways it can help create a better lifestyle for their families’. I also plan to purchase more properties soon to provide affordable housing to the community.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I keep in touch with clients by reaching out to them via phone and email just to check in. I also send out gifts and communicate with them on special occasions. Additionally, I communicate with most of my clients through my social networks like Instagram and Facebook.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I am a spiritual and faith-based woman who knows that my business would not be where it is today without God. Therefore, I start my day off with my daily devotional scriptures from the Bible mixed with praise and worship music by various artists. My favorite biblical verses are Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 25:21 and Matthew 7:7. After my devotional period and before bed, I listen to self-affirmations for women by Alana Foxx on YouTube. Her affirmations are amazing and positive. I am a firm believer that you are what you think, speak, and believe. Therefore, I am careful of my works, how I speak, and treat others.

Some books that have aligned with my philosophy and has helped me over the years include “Be Nice or Else…what’s in it for you” by Winn Claybaugh foreword by Larry King, 7 Habits by Sean Covey, and “Don’t Settle for Safe” and “Women Evolve” by Sarah Jakes.

Other motivational speakers and influencers that has impacted my life are my mom Linda Pearl-Howell, Earl Nightingale, Eric (E.T.) Thomas, and Robert Kiyosoaki.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.adriennepearlproperties.com
• Instagram: @apricelesspearl
• Facebook: @apricelesspearlrealestate (Pearl’s Design Properties & Adrienne Pearl Real Estate)
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
My Photographer is Jeanita R. Castille