Latest / Military Real Estate Rookie Show / From Duty To Dream

Transcript

From Duty To Dream · Military Real Estate Rookie Show

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Hello, world.
• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Mama Lisa, and I want to welcome you to this episode of Mama Lisa's Porch Talks.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: In this life, I've had many experiences and met lots of cool people, as I'd like to call them.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: In this episode, and all future episodes, I'll be sharing some of the interesting conversations that I think will benefit you and those around you.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll talk about everything from real estate and business to sports and family.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: So sit back, relax, and let's welcome today's guest to the porch.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the porch, Rena.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Hey, hey, how are you doing?
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: Righty, I am doing great today.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: So I just want to give you all a little background on Rena.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: She brings a unique perspective that's shaped by military leadership, public health research, real estate, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: She enjoys sharing her experiences and lessons learned to encourage others to step outside of their comfort zone, recognize their value, and build the future they want.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: So today we are going to talk real estate, transitions, and dreams.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: So, Rena, as we begin this conversation today, I want to start off by asking you what did little Rena want to be when she grew up?
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_01: Okay, thank you for that introduction, first of all.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_01: It's very rewarding.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_01: But I wanted to be something of making a difference in the world.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_01: So I wanted to make sure that I was very, as I told you before, I'm I'm very creative, but I just wanted to make a difference in my family tree.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Alrighty.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: So your journey began in the military, which I find to be very interesting.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to tell us about that choice, the path that you took through the military, and how that's shaped the journey that you find yourself on today.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so the military really opened my eyes to different things as far as traveling and seeing different people in the world.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_01: I mean, it just was not just my corner of my neighborhood or anything like that.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_01: So I got to meet different, different people of different races and different perspectives, you know.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_01: So it it really created some type of community and education because I got to see different people in the world that had different, and and we all go through most of the same thing, regardless of race or anything.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_01: So yeah, so it just it just opened my eyes a little bit more.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: So with you making that decision to go into the military, was that inspiration that came from outside or was that within yourself that you have to do?
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I was not even thinking about being in the military, honestly.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_01: My original plan was just to go to college and get a job.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_01: And my auntie, who was in the military, came home a lot.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_01: And she looked so good in her uniform, and she had a lot of money.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_01: She was sick, she's single, but she used to come home and she just looked like she was like so just so worldwide, so you know, fabulous and things of that nature.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_01: And she and like I said, she always gave us gifts.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_01: So I was like, oh my gosh, it's so rewarding.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_01: I I used to hate to see her go.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Like the kids say you want to grow up and be the rich auntie.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, that's exactly what she was, you know.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_01: So she was like inspiring to me, and I wanted to do that, is what she was doing.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: And so, and you did choose the army as your path.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm a proud army baby as well.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: I thank God for the United States Army because I don't think my parents would have met otherwise.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: So the army is definitely a part of my divine path.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so you said the military took you all over the world.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: So I love to hear about where people have traveled.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: So just let us know a little bit about the places you've traveled to.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_01: Well, I would tell you, like, I stayed in the States mostly, but during my initial term, I was active duty full-time.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_01: So I was in Alaska.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_01: And Alaska is a very beautiful place.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_01: It's good for racing kids.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_01: It's like a picture frame.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_01: And then, you know, just dealing with all the animals that just come in your yard and all the things.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_01: Really?
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_01: My daughters were very like small then, and it was just amazing because they command the land, right?
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_01: So if the animals out there, the deer and all that, then hey, you gotta wait till they leave because you cannot get out, you know, as far as like going, taking them to school and things of that nature.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_01: That's beautiful.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_01: So the the humans and animals just coexist together in peace.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, yes.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_01: I love that.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_01: Uh-huh.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_01: And then my daughters would go to school, but they have to be suited up totally because it's so cold, you know, in winters.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_01: And if you're not, you would get in trouble.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you would definitely get in trouble.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, so it's that the cold is that serious?
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_01: So if you take from school and they're not suited up in those big snowsuits, then they will report you.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_01: Oh shoot.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_01: So they're really serious about that.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: All righty.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for that trip.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: So now we're just gonna talk a little bit about because I know that your life passion is entrepreneurship and teaching people about entrepreneurship.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: So I know you as a real estate agent because we're both with Scott Realty professionals.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_00: But can you tell me a little bit about your entrepreneurship journey?
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Have you engaged in any other areas of entrepreneurship?
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm always thinking I have.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_01: So I first found real estate as a tool to use to gain wealth.
• 6:07
  SPEAKER_01: And I started listening to podcasts, I'm sure everybody knows about real estate.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_01: It was called the real estate experts.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_01: What's what else was it called?
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_01: It was some podcast about real estate.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_01: And I usually listened to it on my way to work and everything.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_01: And what I didn't know is that I know I had a VA loan, but I thought I had to buy just one house, you know, and I wanted to save that house until I retired from the military.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_01: It was my my way of thinking.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_01: But then I started educating myself and I just dived in and bought my first house.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_01: And that was my primary home.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_01: And I kind of regretted that because I should have just bought like a duplex or some type of investment property.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_01: And then at the end, buy my primary home.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_01: But it worked out.
• 6:55
  SPEAKER_01: So I started buying real estate every time I traveled to a new duty station, I PCS, you know, permanent change of station.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: Uh-huh.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_01: And I started working with a lender and they approved me, and I just kept doing it over and over again.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_01: And that's how I started building my portfolio.
• 7:13
  SPEAKER_00: So when you were purchased your homes when you went to your different areas, did you sell them when you moved or did you retain the homes?
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I retained it.
• 7:22
  SPEAKER_01: I retained all the homes.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_00: That is that is really interesting, Rena.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: So how many homes did you accumulate during your, like af after you had this awakening, how many homes did you end up purchasing and renting out?
• 7:35
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so it's it's kind of so the VA loan would give you like a certain amount, and I've already used all mine.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_01: So I I bought like four.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: That is really good.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're out there and you have your VA loan, so you used your VA loan four times.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: Yes, and they gave you a certain amount.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: So instead of just maxing out the first time, you stretch that out.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_00: That is a very unique approach.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you guys, I hope you guys picked up that particular nugget.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: So with this knowledge that you have, how do you share that with other soldiers?
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so I created a podcast, Military Real Estate Rookie, and it just teaches them about hey, the journey of being a military member and how to grow wealth while you're in the military.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_01: Because once you get out of the military, you're only gonna have that one check.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_01: So you want to make sure that while you, you know, in the military, you're building outside of the military, if that makes sense.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_01: So every time I get in front of a soldier and we're talking about real estate, I'm always telling them, hey, I did this, because I would never tell you something that I have not done before.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: So and so that that brings us to another, that's that's another blues clue about Rena.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_00: So we did talk about Rena spending time in the army.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_00: She is recently retired.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: So, how many years did you spend in the army total?
• 9:01
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, so I've spent 34 years in the military.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: That is absolutely beautiful.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I, oh goodness, I can't when y'all make sure y'all look at that podcast art because this woman is absolutely breathtaking.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_00: You would not believe that she's already had a 34-year career.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: I appreciate it.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: So now we're gonna tell y'all something else about Rena.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: So y'all know that she is a college-educated woman.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_00: She had a full military career, she's a full-blown realtor, a full-blown real estate investor.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_00: But Rena just completed her PhD.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: So I didn't properly introduce her to you guys, and that was on purpose because we are truly having a conversation with Dr.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: Rena Barron.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_00: So, how are you?
• 9:52
  SPEAKER_00: Tell us about what you received that PhD in, how you're activating that research, and what you want us to know because we're here with you today.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so I thank you so much.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_01: I started this journey in the beginning of my military career, but I couldn't move forward because of all the training that I had to be done.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_01: So I went back to school to finish up the PhD.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_01: And I have my PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in public health, which I am working as an epidemiologist.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_01: It's just the study of chronic diseases and surveillance.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_01: And it's just a it's a degree where I feel like it's a need in the community.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_01: And my specialty is working with diabetes because half of my family, unfortunately, have diabetes as in the African-American community.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_01: So I wanted to find out the behind the scenes of why we have diabetes so much, and that's why I chose my dissertation is self-caring African-American women and veteran dealing with diabetes.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_01: So basically, I wanted to find out why we're not taking care of ourselves.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_01: We know we have diabetes type 2 diabetes.
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_01: And so what I found out was it was mental health purposes and physical activity was behind it.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_01: Because if you don't have your mental health correct, you how can you go and get yourself motivated when you've got all this extra stuff dealing with emotional stress and things to get to that physical activity?
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_01: So until you fix the mental health piece of it, you're not going to be motivated to go to go work out or go walk or anything like that.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_01: So those are the two things, your mental health and your physical health.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_01: I found that out.
• 11:42
  SPEAKER_00: That is very interesting.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: So how are you applying that in the community?
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: And you know, are you doing any community outreach or just researching?
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I am definitely doing community out outreach.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_01: I am a member of the Alpha Calpha Alpha Incorp Incorporated.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_01: So we do a lot of community outreach, especially in the African-American community.
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_01: And then I'm also working with another sorority member, and she works at a community center where we teach, you know, people of our age to do take care of better themselves and identify the signs and what are your triggers?
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_01: Uh why you're not, you know, taking your medicine and eating right and things of that nature.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_01: And how can you eat right?
• 12:26
  SPEAKER_01: You know, so those are some things that we just have to keep giving the community information on.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_00: Gotcha.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_00: And so for people who may be listening and want to come out and attend the workshops you're doing at the community center, how can they find you guys out there?
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, you can just reach me at rena barren real estate at gmail.com.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_01: You can listen to my podcast, Military Real Estate Rookie.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_01: And yeah, so those are the two main ones, or you can DM me on my Instagram at Rena Baron Real Estate.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_01: And that's gonna change because I'm gonna change the name to DR Rena Baron Real Estate.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_00: Doctor, I love it.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_00: I love it.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: So, how important is family to an accomplished woman like yourself, Rena?
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so family is very important.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_01: That's you need that support.
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_01: Without that support, I wouldn't have been able to do my 34 years in the military.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_01: So now that I'm out the military now, I really concentrate on building my family bond even more close because you at the end of the day, that's all you got.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_01: You really do.
• 13:32
  SPEAKER_01: And you cannot go off to do military or any job without your family supporting you to do those things.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_01: And that means degrees and education and all the things.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_01: If I I wouldn't be able to get my doctorate without that the support.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_01: You're a mom of how many?
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_01: I am a mom of two.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: I'm married, I've been married for about 21 years, and I've been living in lovely Savannah, Georgia, for about 15.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_01: Awesome.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_01: So I fell in love with Savannah because that was my last duty station.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: And I really didn't know that.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_00: And and you have one grandchild, my colleagues.
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_00: I have one daughter, Kalani.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_00: Alrighty, congratulations.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_00: I hear a lot about Miss Kalani.
• 14:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I do look forward to meeting her one day.
• 14:19
  SPEAKER_00: Um so, what advice would you give to families with regard to supporting the passion of their loved ones?
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_01: I would just say support them because it's a lot on their shoulders.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_01: And just giving them kind words if you're not around them, would be very kind and support.
• 14:40
  SPEAKER_01: And just, you know, tell them, you know, you're proud of them.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_01: Even if you know you're not meeting that goal, just keep pushing them and giving them those kinds of words, helps them motivate them and things.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_01: And it feels good to know that you know they have somebody behind them so support them.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_01: So that's one of the things that I really truly needed was that push.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_01: Like you can do it, you know, and mom, you got this, you know, sis, you have this, you know.
• 15:06
  SPEAKER_01: So, and your family, your friends too, as well.
• 15:10
  SPEAKER_01: So that that support system is very key to all your success, I believe.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_00: And I would definitely say, Rena, just for being an outsider and observing, you know, you did mention that that's 21 years of marriage, and that says a lot.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_00: And during this career that you've had, it really demonstrates something about your character because you are obviously living in a way where your husband trusts you because you mentioned buying the multiple homes the 34 years, the 34 years have not always been sitting still.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_00: And I know just from knowing you that you know your deployments have taken you away from the home front before, and you're still married, and that is beautiful, and then you worked on a PhD, see, because sometimes family can create chaos and not believe in you, you know, and you could be a woman who has dreams that are left and cast to the side, but you have a husband and you have daughters, and I'm sure your friends, as you mentioned, yeah, they are telling you, you go, girl.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, we believe in you.
• 16:24
  SPEAKER_00: What do you need?
• 16:25
  SPEAKER_00: And that is truly a blessing, and not just a blessing, but it's also a testament to your character.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm I, you know, I I I you know I love I love watching you work.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: And um, it's it's really something beautiful.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_00: So let's go back to little Rena now.
• 16:43
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_00: So in the beginning of the interview, I asked you what did she want to do?
• 16:50
  SPEAKER_00: You said really little Rena wanted to make a difference for her family.
• 16:55
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 16:55
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you could go back and tell her three things about her future, what would you tell her?
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_01: For one, I would tell her trust in God and put him first.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_01: And the second one, I would say, go for it.
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_01: You you it's gonna be okay, you know.
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_01: And the third thing would be listen to your parents and making sure that you tell them that you love them and because my mom recently passed and my dad.
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_01: So at the end of the day, it worked out it'd be okay.
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_01: Live your dreams, go get it.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_01: At some point, you know, I had difficulties and stuff like that, but you know, just drive on.
• 17:44
  SPEAKER_01: You're gonna it's gonna work itself out anyway.
• 17:48
  SPEAKER_00: Amen, Rena.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I want to thank you for joining us on the porch today.
• 17:57
  SPEAKER_00: Just thank you for being the amazing woman that you are.
• 18:01
  SPEAKER_00: You are a living legacy.
• 18:04
  SPEAKER_00: I love the fact that you did it for your family and you did it while holding on to God's hand.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 18:12
  SPEAKER_00: That really, you know, again, that just says a lot about you.
• 18:16
  SPEAKER_00: So we we have told you guys a few times throughout the podcast how you can find her.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_00: But I always like to wrap up every interview with mentioning that again so you can share how people can find you on your podcast as well as social media platforms.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_01: So you can reach me on the all the podcast networks.
• 18:38
  SPEAKER_01: My the name of my podcast is Military Real Estate Rookie.
• 18:43
  SPEAKER_01: And it's basically like Lisa said, it's just giving information and education about building wealth while you're in the military and even when you're out.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_01: And it could be for ordinary person, so it's a good informational tool.
• 18:58
  SPEAKER_01: And then, like I said, my Instagram is Rena Baron Real Estate, and you can just reach me over there.
• 19:04
  SPEAKER_01: I give little videos, open houses, and all the things, little funny little tidbits.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_01: And my email is rena baron realestate at gmail.com.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_01: That's R-E-N-A-B-A-R-R-O-N, and then realestate at gmail.com.
• 19:22
  SPEAKER_00: All right, guys.
• 19:22
  SPEAKER_00: So the theme for today's episode featuring Dr.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_00: Rena Baron was From Duty to Duty.
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_00: So this week I'd like to leave you with Psalms 46.5.
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_00: God is within her.
• 19:34
  SPEAKER_00: She will not fall.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: God will help her at break of day.
• 19:39
  SPEAKER_00: Once again, we'd like to thank you for listening in on this week's podcast.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_00: You can follow me at Mama Lisa Talks on Facebook.
• 19:51
  SPEAKER_00: And please remember to give us a five star rating and share this podcast with a friend.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: Bye bye, everybody.