Semi-finalist Q&A: Custom Flipz

Custom Flipz gives low income individuals and families the chance to custom design a rental property with the option to buy. They believe if a person feels that they helped create the design they will feel more obligated to better maintain the property. This could in the long run help maintain neighborhoods property value and help less fortunate people feel that to can have "a piece of the American pie."

Information from her grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea for my business from REAL life experiences. Being a single mother of two with a tight budget doesn't always make it easy to obtain the housing that i desire and deserve. Working for a real estate development company for the last several years Ive learned that the markup for custom real estate is sometimes up to 300% for no reason, with that being said those prices often puts these types of homes out of reach for low to mid income families. I find that to be unfair and believe that we should all have equal housing opportunities.

What do you love most about running your own business?

The best thing about owning my own business, especially one that i am so passionate about is that I know I am helping other people like myself obtain something that they may not be able to in different circumstances. Since my company is a small business i am able to have one on one contact with my clients and help them with their individual needs as opposed to a larger company who has general guidelines that may not be applicable to everyone.

What makes your business unique?

My business is very unique because unlike most businesses my main focus is not to make the most profit but to help the most people. I strive to improve our neighborhoods and the people in it. I believe that everyone deserve a fair chance at everything an i am willing to work with people on an individual basis not just as a whole. Many businesses find the least expensive product and sell it for the most profit not realizing they have possibly taken money from the very community in which they live. The end result being a lot of people with no money and useless goods or nice home that they can only temporarily afford leading to foreclosures and homelessness.

What are some of your top business-related accomplishments, or business lessons learned?

Throughout the years of trial and error in the real estate world Ive learned that the opportunities for low and mid income homes are not as great compared to other levels of income and i have found a way to satisfy all. At Custom Flipz hires qualified unemployed or unemployed workers because I feel that is a great way to develop a good relationship with the people who i plan on doing business with. Developing close relationships with people and working your way to the top, i feel is apart of the key to success.

Why should the Idea Cafe regulars vote for you?

Idea cafe regulars should vote for me not only for all the reasons mentioned above but because i am not just a business owner but i am a consumer and i fully understand the wants and needs of different communities and the people who live in them.

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for preventing automated spam submissions.