Local Vision
Aerial Development is more than an outfit of real estate go-getters; it is a bright, young team of visionaries whose mission is to elevate everything they touch.
“Whatever we do, we do it big,” CEO Britnie Turner told me confidently.
Turner, at only 25, is making headway in the Real Estate world as the only female developer in the area that is under 30. She bought her first house at just 18 and started flipping houses soon after that in 2009. “One day I thought, how can I impact everything I touch in a positive way?” Turner posed. “Then I built a business around that.”
“The idea is to flip houses and make a percentage of what we turn around,” Turner explained, but as the new development group moves forward in that semblance, they are seeing full spectrum desires manifested as they build from the ground up. The team is translating for Nashville what it means to find beauty in the broken, inviting us to the crossroads where the old meets new, and somehow not forcing us to leave the beauty of one path to enjoy that of the next.
In prime example, their recently renovated office space that was a once-historic home turned burned down shack turned creative headquarters now showcases their humble yet powerful statement of design and purpose.
“We wanted to create something that stood for who we are. We all have a special love for historic things, but the challenge comes with putting a fresh spin on the inside. Everything is built to make you think. From the foyer to the light fixtures.” Turner has an eye for the little things, weaving messages and inspiration through every last detail in her unique flair dubbed “Princess Industrial.”
These bold yet simple statements that instigate thought and revelry for the mind and eye will soon be offered to the public as an event space to house community meetings, small gatherings and et cetera.
The team came along a year and a half ago, and now with 16 people by her side that she says were “dropped in my lap by God,” they are building up communities and not just salvaging old properties.
With 107 houses in Davidson Co. under their belt, 67 properties revitalized within three neighboring streets in Salemtown and ongoing projects within 12th South and East Nashville, Aerial Development is sprinting forward at lightning speed to transform the neighborhoods and communities of Nashville to attract growth, business and safer streets.
With their own construction company, design department, acquisition and sales team, in-house agent with Village Real Estate and a special apartment division, Aerial is able to tackle 50 to 60 houses at a time while also buying hundreds of apartment units.
“We have a passion for seeing the inner city revitalized.”
As real estate developers, the Aerial team will buy a lot and renovate the structure, often leading to a change in the entire community. “We never buy anything nice. We find a struggling community and pick the worst houses to tear down and build something new.”
The goal Turner set out with though was not one of financial or industry prowess or even personal fulfillment. Serving others has ever been her motivation, and serving alongside her staff keeps her moving. “It’s like a family. We’ve got each other’s backs and we’re all on the same page – purpose-driven. We’re living and breathing what we talk about.”
“There’s been plenty of stressful days when I want to throw in the towel, but I don’t quit because it’s not about me.”
Global Vision
The name aerial actualizes the recurring theme of keeping the big picture in mind. Turner likened it to an army general strategizing his next move by first looking at a map of the whole battlefield. In elevating everything they touch, Aerial Development is literally building up from the ground on new foundations while also dedicated to building up others as they do what they do best.
Their giving-back continues to eclipse their taking by partnering with Horizon Initiative to sponsor orphans in Africa. With each house sold, a percentage is sent back to the area where Turner was first moved to action while on a mission trip. The sponsorship is made in the name of the homeowner – Aerial pays the first year – so the family has the option to continue giving on their own.
After her first trip to Africa, Turner was awakened to the need and softened to the hearts of children without a home. Between building orphanages and learning the ins and outs of the system, she decided the only good option for instigating lasting change was to help build sustainable business.
By building additions to these orphanages and purchasing cows, chickens and several other animals her team has been able to jump start a revenue for each orphanage which averages $11,000/mo. to maintain. The homes first provide for the children, and by selling extra resources at the market – such as milk and eggs – these locations produce overflow.
Going one step further, Turner made sure that these children that “graduate” from orphanages are not pushed out of the door with empty hands but receive a small inheritance to sustain their transition into the working world.
“These kids we’ve been able to help will not leave their orphanage with the mindset of an orphan, but they get to experience a real family model with our partners overseas.”
Originally published by 12th & Broad of The Tennessean