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

Neema, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.

I have taken many risks in my life. Back when there was no GPS and I needed the TripTik made by AAA or an atlas map of where you were going, I chose a job which involves traveling because I wanted to see more than 4 walls of the workplace. My second job of out of college was of an installer/teacher of 4th Generation software and I travelled to Mexico, Chicago, Detroit, Connecticut, Florida, New York, basically all over the US and got lost many times but found my way and became more confident in my abilities to navigate through anything that came my way.

Another risk I took was finding and buying multiple properties in many states in the US. I became a Realtor so I could understand the buying and selling by helping other people do it. I learned a lot and put that to use to help my family and friends buy properties as their primary homes or rental properties.

So I learned when I faced my fears by learning all about them, not only did they stop being scary but I gained more knowledge and became more comfortable taking calculated risks.

Neema, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

While employed as a full time Software Engineer, I took care of two children and their after school participation in sports and after school activities. After working 23 years as a Software Engineer and becoming a Principal Engineer, I left to became self-employed and risked a plunge into side businesses to earn extra money and to have more time with my children and husband. I tried Primerica, an MLM (Multi-level Marketing) business model, where I had to get my securities series 6 and 63 exams and be licensed so I could talk to clients and help them with stocks for their portfolios. Then another MLM named Xango came along selling mangosteen juice for health at a hefty price for a bottle the size of a wine bottle. Although I ended up spending my money to get licensed and bought product to sell to customers, I learned some lessons that helped in my next career. One lesson from MLM particularly was edifying someone. I learned that if you tout your own talents people are bored and don’t believe you but if someone else says the same things about you they are believed!
In the back of my mind I always wanted to own rental properties since I bought one with a friend when I was just 24 and sold it to her a year later when I got a job in another state only to buy another house, by myself this time, within a week of being there. I kept this second house as a rental for 12 years when I moved away three years later to Northern Virginia and finally sold it when it had appreciated a lot and I had earned rental income for 8 of those years.
So in 2008, I bought a duplex in Wilmington, VA for cash and in the next few years, I bought properties in Ohio, Norfolk, Greenville,NC and Richmond VA. We now own 14 single family homes, 1 19-unit property, 1 quadruplex, 1 duplex. With taking the risks, both my husband and I now work on our properties from home and can make our own schedule as to when to work and NO commute!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After a 23-year career as a Realtor, I am finally a filmmaker! I actually became a Realtor so I could understand the market better and buy and sell properties, but not necessarily to be a typical Realtor who maintains a huge network and builds trust with clients before they will work with them. Now at 65, I decided to give up my Realtor license and get into my other passion of writing and making short films that will eventually lead to feature films. I’ve always been passionate about writing books and bringing them to life on the screen.
Another passion of mine is hand building clay pottery which I’ve been doing alongside my other career for over 10 years now. I am now one of the 45 artisans who has their pottery for sale in Manassas Clay. I feel like I meditate when I do pottery and find it thoroughly relaxing, empowering and nurturing myself which results in better relationships with family and friends and allows me to be calmer in any situation arising in my life that is stressful. I look forward to focusing on that now as well as pottery.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

It wasn’t long ago that I was trying too hard to get people to accept me, which usually meant agreeing with them, and I would go to any lengths to obtain their love and affection, first from my father, then my husband, and then anyone in my immediate vicinity. I was basically just searching for approval from anyone who would give it to me. In fact, this need of mine was probably the root of all my other emotional issues. Taking risks anyway and after some deep introspection, I realized how unhealthy this was and broke myself free of this chain. I also realized that I can get the job done on my own if I want. Teamwork is awesome, but you don’t need to put a band-aid on a hole in the roof. Just fix it yourself and if you can’t hire professional help and pay them well!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @neemajnene
• Other: email: neemajnene@gmail,com

Image Credits

Neema Nene