BUSINESS
MAKING THE RIGHT INVESTMENT IN YOU WRITTEN BY DR.RANDY WHETSTONE, JR.
T hroughout United States history, the Black community has invested much of its time, resources, and energy into people, places, things, and systems that show no return on investment. Inevitably, many in the Black community have witnessed untapped dreams and ideas merely float in the atmosphere due to no concrete plan of action. Some fail due to external forces and systems that have hindered their growth and advancement in society. For others, it may be internal fear that has kidnapped the belief that one can achieve their goals and dreams. “There’s an idea that goes around that says all the best ideas are in the cemetery,” says Louie Leger, Founder and President of Leger Investments. “What that means is people don’t move on ventures that could be great for the world, (or) the city because of fear of trying something new. I tell people everybody is born with a gift. Our gift is what we enjoy or what we think we can be good at. People have things that they are interested in and love, but then the fear stops them from trying. You have to try.” Leger Investments is a real estate investment company that specializes in Short Term Rentals (Direct Bookings, AirBNB, Homeaway, etc.), Long Term Rentals and property acquisition. They are one of the early pioneers of the Short Term Rentals market in Louisville, KY (Source:https://www.legerrentals.com/ about-4). Born in Haiti, Louie came to America in 1992 on a small boat. Louie and his family spent almost two years in
Guantanamo Bay detention camp. They were eventually sponsored by a church in Indianapolis, In. Louie still remembers learning English and the first time he saw snow, he stated. After gaining nearly two decades worth of corporate experience and working in real estate on the side for ten years, he realized “what I want to do for the back half of my life”. His courageous pivot now allows him to take full ownership of his ideas, vision, and innovation to make an “impact” in the life of someone else. His investment philosophy transcends brick-and-mortar. Leger values the educational principles that constitute investing from a fundamental point of view. “I want to teach people how to invest. I want to teach people about the importance of retirement. 401ks are great and all, but it can’t be the only way to focus on retirement… Real estate is a physically live asset that people can see and that’s why we get such great returns with our company when people invest with us.” A key tip to building business synergy in the Black community is valuing partnerships and potential partners. Some prospective entrepreneurs may straddle the fence and are apprehensive about starting their own business because they feel they will be isolated and must work alone. Leger has valued healthy and vigorous partnerships that lead to a greater impact. “You have to find the right partner and the right people who have the same philosophies as you,” he adds. “If you’re
in a space that you enjoy, well, odds are you’re not the only person who enjoys that space. I think we can get further quicker and better together as opposed to every single one of us trying to do things individually.” Leger has stirred the pot of success from two essential ingredients. Similar to salt and pepper, he believes in “I Do” and “I Don’t” as inseparable elements to success. DO – DO THE RIGHT THING “Do the Right Thing. In the nature of making decisions, if it’s something you would do for your family – even if you have disagreements – whatever the right answer is, is the right answer. My biggest philosophy is if it’s right, it’s right… if it’s wrong, it’s wrong. At the end of the day, you can’t be perfect, but you have to be loyal to who you are and
what your belief system is.” DON’T – NOT TRY
“I have met people and have talked with them. I say, ‘you have an incredible idea, and you should move on this”. They hesitate. It’s just not trying. We have the beauty of living in America where you only have to be right one time. You can try as many things as possible within (what’s) reasonable. Not trying or at least not believing in yourself (makes) it hard to have others believe in your ideas and what you’re doing if you don’t believe in them.”
40
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software