Real Estate Investors and the Socially Evolved Enterprise

 By Joan Lee Tu

When I first learned that 100% of royalties from ’s books are donated to Habitat for Humanity, I was inspired and knew that I wanted to do something similar. Don expected to raise $20,000 for Habitat for Humanity, and the money he has raised for the charity now exceeds $1,200,000! His books continue to generate income and make a social impact which helps families to have safe and affordable housing, enjoy home ownership, and benefit from savings and wealth appreciation. 68 kids have been housed by Habitat for Humanity projects funded by Don’s books. Furthermore, with the “Women’s Build” initiatives, women learn valuable construction skills by volunteering their time to help build safe housing.

After building a small (but respectable) portfolio of rental properties, I decided to pursue personal growth to take my real estate business to the next level. In the domain of personal growth, I learned that many successful business people and entrepreneurs struggle with issues from childhood, especially adverse childhood experiences. Instead of buying more real estate, and instead of going back into the workforce after having my first child, I decided to take the time and liberty to raise awareness about child traumas and abuses. I collected children’s poems and stories and self-published them into a book with 100% of royalties going to Little Warriors in Sherwood Park, Alberta, a national charity committed to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse. I have raised over $500 since publishing the book, but I didn’t stop there.

As a landlord, my business is affected by a very prevalent and damaging social problem called domestic or family violence. When couples, partners, parents, and families fight at home, furniture gets thrown, walls are struck with hard objects which make dents or holes, people are pushed down stairs, and neighbors can hear loud noises and voices. Tenants move out unexpectedly, leases get broken, repair and vacancy costs increase, and rents go unpaid. Many people who experience domestic violence have difficulty getting to work, focusing on tasks, keeping jobs, and managing money. Broken homes result in more single or lower income households, struggling parents, and mental health issues. This affects all of us in terms of social costs.

In Calgary, where I live, domestic violence occurs in all parts of the city and in every community. “Calgary police respond to about 18,000 calls per year — an average of two per hour” (Rieger, 2015). In November 2015, Bill 204 was introduced by MLA Maria Fitzpatrick, a survivor of domestic violence. The bill allows victims of domestic violence to break a lease without penalty in order to leave an abusive situation (Ibrahim, 2015). Some landlords and property management companies have voiced concerns that tenants will abuse their rights with this bill. Having been a landlord for almost seven years (time flies) and having worked as a credit counsellor tasked with collecting payments from clients who consolidated their debts, I believe that the vast majority of people would rather use any other excuse than to disclose a domestic violence situation or accuse a family member of being violent or abusive. This is true even when people need a reason to miss work or school, and even when they need a doctor’s note. I hope that more people (both men and women) will exercise their right to live without fear of violence, get those doctors’ notes, take those days off, and stay safe.

At the same time, I don’t feel it is enough to just share an opinion on the matter. I am doing something today to help prevent domestic and family violence. I have started The Brave Man Book project. For this book, I am soliciting stories from men who caused domestic/family violence and who changed their ways to eventually find the redemption, wholeness, and love they sought in their family lives. Alongside these stories, I will include letters of loved ones (partners, children, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) of men who changed their ways. The stories and letters will be presented in a paperback and e-book in an embracing and compassionate way to illuminate an avenue of hope for men who find themselves on a path of destruction and who want to break a cycle of anger, abuse, or violence.

I feel that by taking action on the issue of domestic violence, I can not only help many families, but I can also help many tenants and landlords. Solving a social problem that is related to my business is a natural fit and the socially evolved enterprise (Silver 2015) is the new breed of business that is more relevant today than ever. It is the highest form of self-expression and self-actualization that we can achieve as human beings: making money by doing what we love and feel passionate about, and doing good by helping others at the same time, in a sustainable way. I enjoy the challenge of raising awareness about a complex problem with many nuances and intricacies, and raising funds. This spring, I will be crowdfunding for the first time in order to change the conversation about domestic violence on a large scale and I am looking forward to the growth potential that this will bring. I appreciate that crowdfunding can help make new social enterprises economically viable in a way that was never before possible.

Sitting in the same room as many real estate investors who have hundreds more properties than I do can make me feel as though I am being left behind, but I know that I am among the most privileged in the world to even contemplate questions about home ownership. I am grateful for every opportunity and advantage that I have been given. I am grateful for the lessons I learned at REIN and the support I received to have made it to the other side from rookie to sophisticated real estate investor in one piece. And I am grateful for the options that having a real estate business affords me. I have everything I need and all the tools at my disposal to buy more real estate, but I don’t have to right now. It is comforting for me to know that my real estate portfolio is my retirement nest egg. With the support of my husband, I have the option to follow my heart and immediately make an impact on the lives of others. This isn’t my time to “give back”. It’s a time to step up my game in both business and life, provide and deliver value, and just give.

Joan Lee Tu was awarded 2013 Alberta South REIN Rookie of the Year and Top Player. For more information go to www.joanleetu.com.

References

Ibrahim, M (2015, November 16). In her own words: MLA Maria Fitzpatrick recounts horrors of domestic violence. Edmonton Journal. Retrieved from http://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/in-her-own-words-mla-maria-fitzpatrick-recounts-horrors-of-domestic-violence
Rieger, S. (2015, November 18). Calgary Domestic Violence Heat Map Shows Incidents Stretch Right Across The City. The Huffington Post Alberta. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/11/18/calgary-domestic-violence-map_n_8595038.html
Silver, Y. (2015) Evolved Enterprise. United States: Yanik Silver.

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