Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Elayne Brunson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Elayne , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

When Dr. Elayne Brunson began investing in commercial real estate through purchasing unwanted dilapidated buildings on Main St. Districts she had no clue what she was embarking on. Unexpectedly in 2022 she became the youngest, the only woman, and the only black woman to redevelop a historic municipal electric power plant. To make matters more complex she’s doing this in a Main St. central business district where white men usually dominate in real estate and business.

What started off as a simple investment strategy to build wealth for her family turned into much more. So many Main St districts across America are currently being redeveloped along with new residential properties being built that it’s causing minorities across the country to be squeezed out. More specific to South Carolina minorities are being gentrified from Main St districts. During a time when many low to moderate income communities are being broken apart Dr. Elayne Brunson has been rapidly expanding.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

President / CEO of Urban Property Firm Dr. Elayne Brunson BS Dr.h.c. Dr. Elayne Brunson is an accomplished real estate investor, nonprofit founder, & charter school board member, known for community service and serial entrepreneurship. She has a background in project management, organizational management, & property management. Dr. Brunson has experience investing in opportunity zones and main street districts across South Carolina and isn’t stopping anytime soon!
Dr. Brunson began her journey in entrepreneurship and real estate investing through a cleaning company she founded called Angel Maid while residing in South Florida. It was during this time that the housing market crashed, and she witnessed firsthand how properties were liquidated in mass quantities during the national housing crisis.
Dr. Brunson is a strong believer that while traveling forward one should reach back and pull fourth another. In 2018 she began speaking publicly at engagements as well as events she personally organized, teaching the importance of real estate investing in urban communities. 2020-2023 Urban Property Firm has grown to offer, property management, shared rental properties, and a new real estate investors club.
The Art of Business, Dr Brunson has been a major player in recent art projects throughout Sumter, South Carolina. Its no secret that art plays a significant role when it comes to economic development offering a quality of life based around the local community culture. Dr. Brunson not only plays the violin, she has served on the Sumter County Culture Commission through February 2023 serving as the Vice Chair. During her tenure she was able to assist in receiving multiple grants for arts related campaigns to include Creative Canvas and the South Sumter Art Park.
In 2020 Dr. Brunson co-founded the Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce, a non profit, offering resources to minority owned businesses to scale and grow their brands. Fueled by the passion she has to see her hometown have economic development in the low to moderate income community while preventing long term residents from being displaced. The membership has been growing over the years and partnerships are being formed. Ms. Brunson’s work in her community is geared towards bringing residents from her community forward while she is working on her own businesses. The chamber was founded roughly around the time of the death of George Floyd, although there is no relation to the chamber’s start. The Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce is an official chapter of the National Black Chamber of Commerce.
It’s no wonder why Dr. Elayne Brunson has made the list, she’s been previously awarded #top20under40 twice and now #40under40 twice as well as a host of other awards, accomplishments, and accolades. DR. Brunson is currently redeveloping Sumters first powerplant est 1921 which hosts two buildings on 2.03 acres commercial land located in the central business district. Catch the project reveal on the blox reality entrepreneurial competition representing #teamSumter

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being the Only Woman in America renovating a Historic Municipal Electric Power Plant, the only black women in America renovating a Historical Municipal Powerplant, and on a Main St district is built on resilience. Main St District Renovations across America are typically done by middle aged conservative corporate white men and I’m the opposite. While many of my business views are conservative I do not fit the typical stereotype.

Prior to getting my latest Main St Acquisition I survived losing my first Main St property to a fire. Moving forward I’ve had to overcome behind the scenes scare tactics meant to discourage me from moving forward with the project. There are times when I reach out to contractors and or municipalities and the entities acted as if I were ignorant to real estate and construction.

As an African American woman building a tech village I’ve been tapping into industries where folks don’t look like me and they don’t come from low to moderate income communities that I’ve lived in. Daily while investing in Main St Districts I have had to learn to be resilient as I am simply diving into new territory as I’m from the side of town where folks usually get squeezed out of. Not only is a Main St District tough I’ve learned how to be patient and expand over time. I’ve learned how to find opportunities in the opportunity zones that work for me.

Initially all my projects were residential but this commercial project is mixed use.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Princess Z Commercial Holdings is a new real estate venture for me that I have been able to start by selling my very first real estate investment property. When I first began investing in real estate I always promised my self I was in the game to buy and hold. Initially my only exit strategy was to pass all the properties held down to my children and their children one day. After transferring ownership I envision my children paying me a stipend and percentage once I retire and transferred the business ownership rights to them.

As I ran into the opportunity to become not only a main st investor but a notable developer I knew I had to take a risk and I had to make a change in my everyday business operations to become a real estate developer.

When the opportunity presented itself to buy the remaining lot of land and electrical power plant surrounding my office on main st I knew I needed capital to see the company grow and fast. I decided to take a risk and sell an income producing property to acquire the remaining parts of the block that my company owns.

Now that Princess Z Commercial Holdings is all in on equity we are working to build cash flow. The goal is to began pre-leasing in the spring of 2024 commercial spaces that are more turn key. Also for additional capital we are currently working to market the different areas of the project where businesses can aquire naming rights.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.urbanpropertyfirm.com/
• Instagram: @ceo_princessofrealty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/profile/in/elayne-brunson-bs-dr-h-c-66601b202
• Other: Email [email protected]