Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Easton.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born an entrepreneur. When I was a kid, living near a golf course, I would often crawl through the bushes to find shanked balls, clean them up, and sell them back to the golfers. I was always a competitor. I played travel soccer from a young age and eventually began coaching. I love teaching and I love learning. I attended college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, San Marcos, in 1998, and subsequently worked in a biotech lab in San Diego. After that, I became an air pollution inspector for the county of San Diego, where I learned how to write reports that were court-ready. My entrepreneurial spirit was rekindled when I started working at a property management company owned by my father. My business was not started here, but the education on how to run a successful management company started there. My knowledge from coaching, experimenting, inspecting, and reporting has really enhanced my ability to create systems that work, enabling me to manage over 100 homes with ease. Working for myself has been a lifelong dream. I am not stopping here, however, as I have recently franchised my business model and I am now teaching other real estate agents how to own and operate their own management companies.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have always believed that struggles are what separate us from the pack. We all experience struggles, but it is those who persevere who excel. I was raising a 9-month-old baby alone when I started my business, but I did not consider it a struggle. I felt blessed to be able to attempt to start something and raise my own child. I checked emails at the park and at Legoland while my daughter met friends. I focus on the solution much more than the problem, I guess.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in property management for investors of any size. We utilize technology for everything except phone calls. We still answer the phone all day, any day. We do not believe any app can replace good customer service, so we will continue to be available to speak with customers directly, human to human, forever. We keep our rates flat, ensuring they are budget-friendly and there are no surprises. We take pride in our unsolicited online reviews.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I would love to be a mentor; in fact, that is what I am doing now with the franchise. I advise people to connect on LinkedIn, as I have connected with so many amazing real estate agents and business owners on that site. My advice would be, “never be afraid to ask for help or advice.”
Pricing:
- 8% of the rent – management fee
- $500 – one time start up fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluediamondinc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluediamondsalesrentals
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluediamondrentals/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tenanttalkpodcast
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-diamond-sales-and-rentals-encinitas
