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

Ivy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started my business in my early 40s, during the midpoint of my career. Looking back, I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to start earlier. There’s definitely value in starting young—the earlier you dive in, the more time you have to learn and grow. But no one is ever truly prepared for the realities of running a business. Entrepreneurship is messy, stressful, and unpredictable, no matter how much experience you have.
That said, I’m glad I waited until I had years of professional experience under my belt. Working for others taught me so much—not just about the industry but also about leadership, resilience, and problem-solving. By the time I launched my business, I felt ready to take that leap. There’s a lot to be said for the confidence that comes with maturity and knowing you’ve built a solid foundation.
Of course, the fears that hold you back at any age are often just in your head. At some point, you have to give up on perfection, trust yourself, and take the plunge. Much like parenthood, entrepreneurship requires you to embrace the chaos, adapt on the fly, and find joy in the process. It’s stressful but incredibly rewarding.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Ivy Sbaiti, the founder of Ivy Home Solutions, and my journey into real estate stems from a lifelong passion for architecture, design, and problem-solving. After years in architecture and commercial real estate, I started this business to address a critical gap in the housing market. At Ivy Home Solutions, we specialize in buying homes directly from owners, transforming them through thoughtful renovations, and selling them to new buyers.
What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to solve real problems for homeowners while creating beautiful, functional spaces for families. We work with sellers who need to move quickly, often due to life changes such as relocation, inheritance, or financial challenges. By purchasing homes as-is, we eliminate the hassle of repairs, staging, and lengthy waits for the right buyer. This streamlined process is especially valuable in today’s market, where elevated interest rates and slower buyer activity can make selling traditionally a challenge.
What sets Ivy Home Solutions apart is our personalized, hands-on approach. We honor the history of every house we work on while giving it a new lease on life. Each home becomes a fresh start for its sellers and a professionally renovated space for its new owners. Our focus is on creating win-win solutions that turn challenges into opportunities.
At its core, my business is about transformation—improving homes, providing relief for sellers, and creating opportunities for families to start fresh. My goal is to continue making a difference, one house at a time.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team effectively starts with recognizing that you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. While many entrepreneurs wear multiple hats at the beginning of their journey, it quickly becomes clear that no one can run a business alone. The quality of your hires will make all the difference—not just in how efficiently your business operates but also in the morale of your team.
I like to follow a 10-80-10 rule when managing my team. I handle the first 10% by setting expectations, defining processes, and sharing a clear vision and direction. From there, I delegate 80% of the work, trusting my team to take ownership without micromanaging. Finally, I come back to verify the last 10%, ensuring everything aligns with the goals we set. This approach relies heavily on clear communication, which is the cornerstone of effective management. When expectations are clear, delegation becomes seamless.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to align people with tasks they genuinely enjoy. When team members are doing work they like, they tend to excel at it—and that creates a positive feedback loop. They enjoy what they’re doing, they feel successful, and morale naturally stays high without the need for constant external motivation.

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

Several books have significantly shaped my approach to management and entrepreneurship, each offering unique insights into running a business effectively and leading a team with purpose.
One standout is Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, which completely reframed how I think about delegation. It emphasizes the importance of finding the right people to take on tasks, allowing you to focus on working on your business rather than getting stuck working in it. It’s been a game-changer for how I structure my workload and build my team.
Another invaluable resource is Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman. It’s a book about creating systems, and while that might sound dry, it’s anything but. The key takeaway is that your business operates like an ecosystem—it thrives when you establish clear processes and a defined path for everyone to follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ivyhomesolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_home_solutions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivyhomesolutions/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IvyHomeSolutions

Image Credits

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