“Go as big as your mind can dream. Then go bigger.”-Britnie Turner
Empower Magazine: Britnie, Thank you for your time and contribution to the empowerment of women. We are happy to share your empowerment story.
Empower Magazine: At what age do you start your company Aerial Development? What was your inspiration behind starting this company?
Britnie T: I was 21 years old when I started Aerial Development Group to feed two passions: revitalizing urban neighborhoods and supporting orphans in Africa.
Empower Magazine: Your Company is praised as the fastest growing residential and commercial real estate renovation and Development Company in Nashville, what factors have contributed to your success?
Britnie T: Hard work. Willingness to work for free in order to learn the business and the ability to learn from my setbacks or mistakes.
Empower Magazine: You are committed to empowering communities locally and internationally by raising money for overseas orphanages and assisting in the revitalization of communities in your home of Nashville TN. What motivates you to be a humanitarian and philanthropist?
Britnie T: My philanthropy and commitment to a social enterprise business model began while I was overseas on a mission trip as a teenager. During that trip, I met a little orphan girl who could not speak because she was the victim of her father’s sexual atrocities. I saw the brokenness in her eyes and the children around her who could do nothing about the abuse because this was an acceptable practice in the region. Feeling the weight of what I saw, I dedicated my life to creating opportunity for the less fortunate. Real estate became my means for doing this.
Empower Magazine: You have been recognized by many organizations like, “Women to Watch” by the Council of Workforce Innovation, “Top 30 under 30” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and “Entrepreneurial Winning Women”, by Ernest & Young. As one of the most influential women entrepreneurs. How would you describe your rise to success?
Britnie T: I was 18 years old when I decided real estate investing would be the means by which I could build a solid base and have the funds needed to build orphanages in Africa. The market was crashing just as I was getting my start. At 21, I was new to Nashville, broke and in debt. I lived in my car on and off while working for free for some house rehabbers so I could learn this business. One of the principles I have learned to live by is “give first.” I served their business without pay for nine months and learned about Nashville, how to raise funds for projects and how to design and sell houses. I started managing rental properties and earned enough commission to renovate a house on my own that was seller-financed. I renovated the home and just before selling it, the home was raided by burglars who destroyed much of the renovation. Everything seemed to go wrong with that project, but I got it done and finally sold. I then went on to rehab 107 more homes over the next two years.
In 2012, the business I had built up was destroyed when the contractor working for me stole materials, kept the money I gave him that should have been paid to subcontractors, and went missing. He left me with very unhappy workers, disorganized subcontractors, eight houses with contractor liens and in-debt to my private investors. It was the most painful experience of my life, but I put my boots on, managed the projects to completion, repaid my investors and learned some very valuable lessons. Five months later, my company was five times bigger. The lessons I learned from the early tragedies have been the pillars we get to stand on as we’ve grown into Nashville’s largest residential infill development company in only 2 years.
Empower Magazine: What drives your passion for real estate? What advice would you give a woman starting her career in real estate?
Britnie T: I’m committed to the social enterprise business model. I’m passionate about improving neighborhoods for current and future residents and giving a percentage of our profits to improve the lives of others on the local and global level.
My advice to young women starting in real estate is: know your stuff, don’t quit, and focus on the end goal not the present pain.
Empower Magazine: Tell us one challenge that you have faced as a young woman entrepreneur that you would use to empower other women.
Britnie T: When I started my business at 21, I was one of the only females in a predominantly male industry with no experience, no college degree, no connections and I had newly relocated to the city. I had no backers and even no support from some of the closest people in my life. I fought against stereotypes and kept in mind that all of my hard work and sacrifice was for the children in Africa. I rolled up my sleeves, accepted no excuses and began pursuing my calling of changing communities. I succeeded because of my willingness to spend hours working for free so I could learn from others in the field and build my credentials.
Now, I can support other female entrepreneurs. I mentor two women just starting in the development business. They are partnering with me on a project that will help them build their resumes, gain hands-on experience in a safe environment and build their confidence. I teach them best practices, coach them about the obstacles they’ll face as women in a male-dominated industry and help them develop what they’ll need to overcome those obstacles: a resume, great presentation skills and understanding how to work with contractors.
Empower Magazine: With so many great accomplishments, tell us the accomplishment you are most proud of and why?
Britnie T: Starting my business in 2007-2009 was a real struggle. Pulling myself out of debt and overcoming the negative mindset that resulted from continued failure is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Empower Magazine: Where do you see your company in the next five years?
Britnie T: In the first five years, after founding Aerial Development Group, we have built 200 homes. We’re beginning work on a 62-home cottage development and a multi-family mixed-use development in Nashville. We are expanding into other markets and have recently purchased multi-family units in Knoxville, Tenn. and Savannah, Ga. In the next five years, we will continue to revitalize neighborhoods throughout the southeast U.S., making them healthier and safer as we “practice” for the skills to develop 3rd world countries. We will also continue to develop additional micro-community orphanages in Kenya and explore other ways to elevate the lives of people living in Africa.
Empower Magazine: Share with our readers your top 3 characteristics every woman in Real Estate should have?
Britnie T: Perseverance. Mental fortitude. Willingness to learn from others. Building a network supporters and advisors is also important.
Empower Magazine: If someone wanted to contact you for real estate services, how might they reach you?
Britnie T: Aerial Development Group, 521 5th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, Phone 615-669-6785, info@aerialdevelopmentgroup.com
Empower Magazine: Tell us one quote that you apply to your daily life?
Britnie T: Go as big as your mind can dream. Then go bigger.
Thank you for your empowerment!!!