We recently connected with Ray Wells and have shared our conversation below.

Ray , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Establishing a successful construction business (Man Ant Services) as owner/operator, I wanted to still grow. I didn’t want to spend my entire life known as a business owner. Nothing wrong with that at all, it has paved the way for me and anyone around me to become better. I read an article about a guy who was an Army Ranger, a doctor, lawyer, and successful business owner who implied that you can always change your path and become who or what you want if you put in the dedication and time. That really made me switch things up a bit. I started managing my construction company more. That allowed me the time to go to school to get my Real Estate license, further my commercial realtor certification and Business Broker certification.
It wasn’t easy at all. At times I was very discouraged and thought if its this tough for me then ho can anyone do it lol! I would look around to others in that success I chased and knew they where no different than me. If anything I had something more. I had determination to not quit. It took me 3 times to pass the 75 hours class, however I was one and done on the state. I can’t eve recall the amount of money I spent.
I love adversity and the challenge of a sale or closing. I had came from nothing and I knew the school of hard knocks and hustle. I used everything that brought me to reflect that moment and used it daily as motivation. Its not an easy thing to say Im going to stop operating a successful business to pivot into something more long term and easy on my body. So Im even busier. I believe in hard work, and working smarter not harder.

Ray , 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?

I started Man Ant Services 6 years ago as of May 6th. With a $400 trailer and my used Ram pick up. I was one of the first muIti service business at the time. I would do anything from clean outs, lawn care, handyman work, concrete, demolition, carpentry. My slogan was “Ill get it done”! We are now more strictly privacy fences and concrete work. Man Ant Fence Man Ant Concrete. I furthered my expertise into Real estate from short term rentals and the purchase of my first home in 2019. My wife and I would rent a property, stage it with great looking furniture and get good pictures. Then sublease the property out on short term leases. That put my mental into real estate even more.
Commercial aspect of real estate was influenced from the commissions, period. I want bigger checks lol. I work with homeowners primarily with ManAnt Services, so I wanted to work with other like minded business owners on the commercial side of real estate. Im currently in land listings. Im reaching out to developers to see if they are interested in the land I have listed for sale.
Im based out of Douglasville. Ive been in Atlanta area for over 10 years now originally from Omaha, NE.
Hang with the winners, get what the winners got. Thats been my moto since high school. That brings you discipline to the details and your time. Spend your time moving in the right direction.’ I never loose at anything. Its always a lesson if its a loss of any sort. Many times it takes plenty of no’s to get the one yes that’s worth it.
I provide a personal experience with my clients. I try to treat customers as clients to show them their value to me, and what I can provide. I can give your business a free evaluation to see what how its doing and how it can possibly be more profitable. I can actually sell anything from your business to real estate.
I can solve an array of problems dealing with real estate or business. I can inspect your property or business to determine what the value is, and what’s needed to get the highest and best use.
What I think sets me apart from most are my accomplishments. I have an associates degree in business management from Drake state university 2008. Associates degree applied science specialization in heavy equipment and erosion control from Georgia College of construction 2010. Heavy equipment certification: skid steer, excavator, loader, Crane License 2010. Certified home inspector 2018. Licensed Realtor: commercial certification, Business broker certification 2022. Successful entrepreneur, husband, son, father.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My father raised me and my siblings after his divorce from my mother in 3rd grade. I moved from my home town in 2010 leaving everything I ever knew. My father would have a stroke in 2016 that disabled him immediately. One day he was driving the next he would never operate a vehicle again. In 2020 I moved my father down to Douglasville with me. Taking care of my father while maintaining my marriage, raising my son, and operating a successful business was very challenging. He had dementia, and several other lingering conditions. Life was challenging to say the least, at what seemed to be everyday. God bless those who can hold their own. I had so many reasons to stop, I always made one reason to continue. I lost my father in Aug. of 2021. That time taught me to appreciate everything. its never to good its never to bad. Life is what you make it. I choose to make it great. consistency brings value.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I always try to provide a service or product that I would want or better. In business unfortunately we can’t make everyone happy but being consistent brings value. I never loose its only a lesson to get better next time that situation arises. Word of mouth is everything I try to push for a satisfied customer always.

Contact Info:

• Website: 4manants.com
• Instagram: realraywells
• Facebook: xraywells
• Linkedin: randes wells