PERSONNEL FILE MASTER INVESTORS: Kelly & Chris Edwards, co-founders and managing principals of The Edwards Companies
WEB: TheEdwardsCompanies.com
HOMETOWN: Raleigh, NC
EDUCATION: B.A.s in political science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MBAs from East Carolina University FIRST PROPERTY: Bought a dilapidated house in 2002—against their real estate agent’s advice— which they still own. OWNERS OF FOUR BUSINESSES: The Edwards Companies, Edwards Capital Partners, Orange Elephant Painting and Restoration, Edwards Insurance Partners INSPIRING BOOKS: Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, Do Work That Matters by Jon Acuff “Regardless of your age or station in life, it all comes down to one simple truth: you just have to start.” The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko “Whatever your income, always live below your means.” FUN PURCHASE: Matching 2016 Chevy Tahoes in Iridescent Pearl Tricoat
Just get started, the brothers advise, or “five years passes you by.”
contractors and burning through them. Now we are the contractors,” says Kelly. This move brings them full circle when it comes to construction. They started renovating without much knowledge of repairs, and today they run a construction company. It fits their philosophy and the advice they give to other investors: Be confident that you can figure out what you don’t know. “You may not know the next 10 steps. You may not know the next five. But you can figure out that first step,” says Chris. “So, you’ve got to get started. Otherwise, five years passes you by.” From the Orange Elephant website, homeowners and landlords can get quotes and schedule work. “As a landlord, who would you rath- er handle your property maintenance, turnovers or painting?” asks Chris. The Edwardses’ experience renovat- ing property and hiring contractors
drove them to build a reliable, con- venient restoration company. They understand how valuable it will be for landlords to go on the Orange Ele- phant website and fill in any needs— such as “replace five switch plates and paint three rooms” —and instantly get a price and set a date. The future also includes the broth- ers’ television debut. While various Hollywood production companies had their ideas about the show’s theme, the brothers are sticking with their Southern roots and highlighting their brand of revitalizing old proper- ties in downtown Raleigh. “It’s like anything—be true to yourself and who you are,” says Kelly. •
Susan Thomas Springer is a regular freelance contributor to Think Realty Magazine. Contact her at susan@susantspringer.com.
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