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Show Summary
In this conversation, Jelani emphasizes the importance of progress and passion in his work. He expresses that his motivation stems from the desire to achieve more and take on bigger projects, rather than seeking accolades or financial gain. His focus is on the grind and the opportunities that come with pursuing what he loves.
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Jelani (00:00)
So I think really kind of having to factor all those things in I ultimately decided to pass some of it was ⁓ It’s wishing some of it was the economics of the deal some of it was getting like the timing and cash from all those things like I kind of mentioned But then the last piece I really did if you move was the gut feeling, you know, once the gut kicks in it’s like I’m not sure what it is. I mean, I’m going through it. I do know what it is. I’m going through itbut at the same time having enough I would
pause and kind of regroup and always trying to ground the logic and working with people that I trust in my circle to you know really kind of make what I feel like I would say this put is the right decision you know so that’s kind of an example of
So all of those things kind of coming together and trying to figure out how to make one decision on the fly because it happens really quickly.
Michelle Kesil (02:30)
Hey, everybody. Welcome to the Real Estate Pros podcast. I’m your host, Michelle Kesil. And today I’m joined by someone I’m looking forward to chatting with, Jelani Campbell, who has been making serious moves as a real estate developer and investor out in Georgia. So excited to have you on the show today, Jelani.Jelani (02:51)
Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here. Looking forward to sharing a little bit of my experience with the podcast.Michelle Kesil (02:58)
Yeah, absolutely. I think our listeners are going to take something away from how you’re approaching your construction projects. So let’s dive in. First off, for those not familiar with you and your world, can you share what your main focus is?Jelani (03:15)
Yeah, so my main focus is really developing new construction projects.So the one I’m working on right now is a ultra modern single family home up in Smyrna. And my biggest focus is really bringing and adding value, think, in an area especially in that side of Georgia. It’s a lot of contemporary homes, a lot of really, really nice homes, good school districts, a lot of families. It brings something that’s really unique and distinct in the area, but also brings value, right? Almost kind of starts to set a trend where you might start to see more and more of the like-minded type of properties kind of coming into the pipeline.
Michelle Kesil (03:52)
Yeah, absolutely. How did you get started in this realm?Jelani (03:57)
Yeah, well I mean this last one specifically I actually secured from a wholesaler.⁓ If you’re not familiar so typically, you know on a property owner wants to sell their property They can go to traditional route of listing it on like MLS and doing enterprise listing or it can also kind of go the route of you Giving the contract to a wholesaler with their whole specialty, especially the type of property It may be you tend to see a lot of wholesalers fit or focus on fix and flips So it might be a property owner. That’s distressed Probably does run down and it’s not inhabitable sometimes lots and things like that come across but
When I found my project now, it was actually a fix-and-flip where there was an old home. There’s about 75 years old So I purchased that home thinking that hey, maybe I might just be able to fix it and I was actually my initial thought process And after I acquired the home, I really looked into it, you know, obviously with it being so old There are a lot of things that weren’t to code right whether it was like the driver was outside the property lines and
things of that nature where you can’t have especially if do
a new construction you have to kind of come to compliance with the new county regulations so that was the biggest factor I think in having to actually ultimately tear down the house and start a complete scratch and you know people you always hear in the real estate game it’s always easier to start from scratch than it is to you know tear down walls and find and discover all types of you know hidden secrets and sometimes even bodies in the walls so
Michelle Kesil (06:18)
Yeah, absolutely. What are some of the things that have made the biggest difference in allowing your business to be able to grow and to run smoothly?Jelani (06:30)
Yeah, the biggest thing I think is definitely experience, even if it’s an area where maybe I’m not the most experienced to say estimating a takeoff.Right or or you know figuring out how much the budget needs to be for different things really being able to tap into a network of experienced, you know builders and developers Being able to team with you know other people that are you know, specializing in project management So either it’s me they may have a formal role on your project actually executing some of those activities Some of my team members that actually just consult right so I really just you know
pray for their time as they provide me advice guidance and kind of helping in certain strategic areas so I Think that’s one of the bigger factors for sure for me The other thing I think is I kind of mentioned earlier I’m kind of going back to the same thing about experience, but you know I studied architecture in high school So for me that was a big factor in you know me and having the ability to read documents architecture and structural documents being able to go through that engage to that design phase Definitely made a lot of the
things smoother and then looking for errors and mistakes and fixing things I mean a lot of that kind of kind of comes into play as you get into the construction framing and making sure the foundation of structure is all sound so
Michelle Kesil (08:01)
Yeah, absolutely. Those are really important aspects of this job.So tell me a little bit about the type of investments that you’re involved in. You mentioned fix and flips. Is that the main strategy that you’re using?
Jelani (08:16)
No, the biggest thing for me is kind of is new construction so I kind of prefer a tear down just because it’s there’s a Level of efficiency there. I’m open to fix and flip so you know one I was actually looking at The seller was kind of going a little bit crazy, but the value on that street a little undeniable, but there’s a house there alreadyvery expensive area to live in as far as the homes go. ⁓ But that home itself, just some of the dynamics didn’t work itself out. I think, you know, ⁓ really new construction is my way to go. if it really we’re talking about kind of like renovating and adding value in the commercial space is kind of where a big focus is for me where I can get a ⁓ unit apartment building or even a mixed use commercial space. You know, maybe there’s a store, maybe there’s three or four apartments attached to it.
Things like that just have a lot of flexibility where you know whether it’s kind of getting the right tenant in that the commercial side of it ⁓ Or finding other ways to diversify and bring more value to the home ⁓ That’s kind of like a bit of my focus, but again new construction is kind of like what I enjoy the most
Michelle Kesil (09:30)
Yeah, absolutely. That’s awesome that you’re able to tap into new construction and enjoy that creative process.So every business owner has those moments where things get real. Maybe you have a deal that doesn’t go as planned or you need to make some fast pivots. Would you mind sharing one of those moments you’ve experienced and how you overcame it?
Jelani (10:33)
Yeah, I go through that one of those right now actually I mean, you know in the construction game It’s sort of like, you know this project I’m on finishing right now It’s pretty much in line in terms of the schedule and what is left and I’m looking to the next opportunity now so I was actually looking at a House that’s in a very expensive area of Atlanta again and the real plays a teardown But you know the previous ownerspent a lot of resources fixing the house. Attempted to fix and renovate the house and either rent it out or to sell it. Neither of which was done efficiently so just like a terrible job actually in terms of the approach because really the real play was new construction and
was just going back and forth with the seller. The seller was also the realtor, which also kind of added an interesting dynamic so that seller did not have an independent person consulting them, giving their point of view. They were just sort of acting out of their own, again, sort of emotional, current financial state. you know, the house went from, it was going to be 518 to 540 to 550 to 560.
Now it’s almost kind of like, you know, and at the point I was still out there at the end of the day I was at the table still ready to do the deal and Then the seller counted again. I Said you know what that was a pivot moment because I think you know, I was gonna put myself, you know, you know, you know in a riskier deal Which on that back end could obviously pay off very very nicely
Thinking about the added stress the You know having to be strategic about cash flow on another project and I find it the right balance and timing I think it’s everything
⁓
I think really kind of having to factor all those things in I ultimately decided to pass some of it was ⁓ It’s wishing some of it was the economics of the deal some of it was getting like the timing and cash from all those things like I kind of mentioned But then the last piece I really did if you move was the gut feeling, you know, once the gut kicks in it’s like I’m not sure what it is. I mean, I’m going through it. I do know what it is. I’m going through it
but at the same time having enough
I would say pause and kind of regroup and always trying to ground the logic and working with people that I trust in my circle to you know really kind of make what I feel like I would say this put is the right decision you know so that’s kind of an example of
So all of those things kind of coming together and trying to figure out how to make one decision on the fly because it happens really
Two weeks in the next year, you you got another project, you got a whole other set of things that you’re trying to get done. It’s almost December. I try to take December off.
So that wasn’t going to help my vacation time.
Michelle Kesil (13:43)
Yeah, makes sense. That’s important to trust how you feel and your intuition and know that there are other opportunities that will be more aligned for you moving forward.Yeah, you’re playing the long game.
Jelani (13:58)
it is that you said it’s spot-on right I mean anything that’s for you will be right for you you know and they won’t feel that goes for anything in life and it is a long game so there’s no rush like so I told myself today the next deal an opportunity that I see is gonna be even better in the economics on this one because this one was it was kind of it was enticing all rightMichelle Kesil (14:17)
Mm-hmm.Yeah, totally. What are you most focused on solving or scaling to next in your business?
Jelani (14:36)
think the next thing for me is definitely going be doing multiple projects at the same time.You know, so even whether it’s wrapping up one and working on another one finding one strategic partners where there’s a lot of development happening in Atlanta So in terms of if it’s gonna be a town home community I could get the chance to get one or two of the lots right like My biggest next thing also whether it’s if it’s not a large commercial deal
definitely want my next development to be a two or multi unit. So at least a two or three unit like town home You know, everybody’s got their own private three levels
outdoor indoor space you know it’s something that I might be able to live in part of that’s kind of it’s kind of the dream at this point right now
Michelle Kesil (16:03)
Absolutely. Do you have a strategy that you’re going to use to get there?Jelani (16:12)
Yeah, I mean right now actually I’m gonna contemplate what I was thinking about over the last couple of weeks is although I’m I don’t I hate not say I hate but you know hard moneyare a asset to the for leverage and They don’t require a ton of capital up front depending on what you’re doing so I’m open to you know looking to scale the business by Using some more hard money loans especially if it’s like a
Pretty quick flip again is something like I’m not as Crazy about flips, but I’m open to them so if I can get two or three of those going and I know that the Exit plans are really really clear and strong then you know I’m open to you know kind of expanding through that route I’m something I heard from I think another developer just kind of that’s a different conference and You hearing him talk about he’s he took his first new construct flip
and then broke that down and did five hard money deals and five projects. I was like, okay, yeah, that’s a way to move faster, all right? Obviously, if you’ve got the logistics and team in place that can support that,
Michelle Kesil (17:26)
Yeah, absolutely. What does your logistics and team look like?Jelani (17:32)
⁓ that’s kind of mixed bag i mean you know i get all my supplies materials from china so that’s kind of a team of coordination from that side ⁓ have different contractors for all different trades⁓ foundation framing i tend to hire ⁓ independent businesses that have their own contracting
Alright, so least then that won’t from that standpoint. I’m primarily coordinating with one person who’s managing There you know what I mean, but they’re the generally like they won’t be GC’s they specialize in their trade right so Foundation business framing business electrician plumbing HVAC and I like so I almost
Actually also operating as a project manager GC on my project as well, so you know think developer builder PM Investor all at the same time, but I kind of enjoy that because it keeps it keeps me busy and engaged and I don’t really have to rely on Well, I’ll I’m taking the accountability for everything kind of happening as I would want it and expect it to
versus having to rely on somebody else to kind of put that operational integrity in place. And for me, I think my next step in terms of scaling is getting a project manager who is gonna play that role. Like I know I’ve got confidence in their ability to deliver on quality, planning, team management and things like that.
Michelle Kesil (19:04)
Yeah, absolutely,important to have the right people on your side.
Jelani (19:07)
Mm-hmm.Michelle Kesil (19:11)
When it comes to growing your business, whether that’s been networking or marketing or those types of modalities, what are some keys that have made the biggest difference for you?Jelani (19:25)
Yeah, yeah, I think the biggest thing that’s made a difference definitely networking because I connect with a lot of different realtors right like I don’t sign Exclusive agreements right like anytime. I’m gonna work with whether it’s a realtor who’s bringing me opportunities or even a realtor that’s interested in and being able to work to find a buyerBig factor for me is keeping my options open by so you think about it like dating right? mean, you know, you want to keep your options open So I talked to all different realtors because they all their networks are different and all the deals that they have access to I’ve been a very right like it’s one thing you can go on MLS anyway, you want MLS and Church well listings are out there I’m always found on the pavement trying to connect to who’s got the access to the off market listings, right? So like having you know multiple wholesaler distribution lists talking to ⁓ different real
about the different opportunities they’re connected to and really trying to find these best off-market deals because you know those type of things really hit the market especially in the commercial space but even more so in the I say the most of the home buying space but kind of like a wholesale is almost like an off-market deal because it’s not listed on MLS right so tend to find those being those properties would be more distressed or
some lands on who just wants to get it off quickly doesn’t really wanna back and forth you know what I mean but yeah definitely the networking piece I don’t do much marketing although I have the producer who is producing kinda like behind the scenes movie the story of some of the different projects but
I tend to rely in the marketing space on the realtor side, that client facing. I love to be more behind the scenes. That’s why I have an Instagram page, Quantum Azul. It’s like an Instagram page. I post about the project on there, but for the most part I’m not…
doing a lot of like anything quantum client facing. But quantum azure, I call it quantum azure, my favorite color is blue if you know anything and then quantum is like the future of computing so it’s kind of like, I put quantum because anything we do is gonna be futuristic, it’s gotta be cutting ends, technology enabled. I’m in tech myself so it’s only right that you’d be able to talk to your house and do all the different things.
Michelle Kesil (22:03)
Yeah, absolutely. So cool that you’re thinking of the future and definitely networking and relationship building are such key components of having success in this realm.Jelani (22:17)
ThankMichelle Kesil (22:20)
What would you say some of your goals are for where you want your business to look like or head to?Jelani (22:27)
Yeah, I don’t give a… I’ll start with the generic answer everybody always talks about and that’s financial freedom.But, you know, the ultimate goal is, you know, the most beautiful and divine thing we have the ability to do in this reality is to create. Is to bring to existence what wasn’t there before. And it starts with just an idea. So it’s really the most powerful thing for me is having the opportunity to, what I call, from paper to the pavement. Just like, you know, just start it as an idea and then actually you know it’s in real life. You can touch it, can feel it, right? The only next most divine thing we have the ability to do is to bring life into this world.
And that definitely takes at least two people. Although I didn’t build this house by myself neither, but ⁓ You know, I think I look forward to just bigger better crazier projects like you know anybody that knows me will tell you like, you for me it’s always just about progress like I don’t even care as much about like the accolades the
Wow, you know the awards, I don’t care about anything. I do everything that I do is for like what I call the grind, you know? Just the opportunity to achieve more, to reach to a new level, to see progress, you know? It’s never really been about the money, like, it’s never
me money. I’m some people that is about money, you do things you love and you’re passionate about and the money’s gonna come. So it’s kind of the way it works.
Michelle Kesil (23:56)
Yeah, totally. I love that you shared it like that.before we wrap up here, if somebody wants to reach out, connect, learn more, where can people find you?
Jelani (24:07)
yeah, they can go to my Instagrams quantumazul, A-Z-U-L, quantumblue, but Azul in Spanish, it’s kind of a little Spanish fix, but that’s okay. They can also email me at ⁓ qestatesatl at Gmail. Those would be the easiest ways to get indirect contact.Michelle Kesil (24:33)
Perfect. Well, I appreciate your time, your story, and your perspective. Thank you for being here.Jelani (24:38)
Absolutely, thank you for having me.Michelle Kesil (24:40)
Of course. And for the listeners tuning into the show, if you got value, make sure you’ve subscribed. We’ve got more conversations with operators who are building real businesses. We’ll see you on the next episode.
