Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Venzen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a teen mom, and I feel like that is what really shaped my journey. The string of irrational decisions and lack of discipline that molded me for the better.
After graduating high school, I went to college for nursing, then fashion, then paralegal studies and finally political science. I ultimately changed schools about 3-4 times and only completed my Associate’s degree. Throughout my college journey, I worked full-time, went to school and was a single mom.
I had a couple of relationships that landed me in bad situations. While in one of those relationships, my partner was accused by the court of public opinion (social media) of killing someone. He decided to leave the state and I followed. I’m loyal to a fault. Nevertheless, I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I ultimately ended up in California for about 8 months. When I first arrived there, I was living out of my car with my two friends. We joined Planet Fitness to take showers. It was one of the most humbling experiences. We went to LA with this grand plan that we would be starting a new life. We would stay at extended-stay hotels until we saved enough to get an apartment. It was the summer at the time, so my oldest daughter was visiting with family while I was trying to figure out life in LA. My boyfriend’s sister lived there, so we ended up being able to stay with her for a while. I found out I was pregnant with my second child shortly after arriving in California. It was so stressful. My car got repossessed. I had to take public transportation to and from work (Nordstrom). LA public transportation is a far cry from NY public transportation. My boyfriend and I secured an apartment after about five months of me being in LA. I had my second child there and then left a few months after her birth.
I understood that LA didn’t make sense for me. It was such a struggle and with all my family on the east coast, it just wasn’t going to work. My boyfriend’s sister lived in Atlanta. Most of my family migrated to South Carolina, so I figured going to Atlanta would be close enough to my family as well. I made the move in April 2016! I’m so thankful I did.
When I first arrived, I had paid my rent a few months in advance. It was just my daughters and I. My boyfriend stayed in LA for a couple of months before coming to Atlanta. Since I didn’t have a vehicle or child care, I became a distributor for a company called ITworks. It was a line of health and wellness products. I would promote the products on social media to get sales and recruit other people to sell the products.
I’m a serial entrepreneur! Prior to moving out of NY, I had a clothing line which I called PCP (Politically Correct People). The purpose of the brand was to share a message through every stitch. I always worked, but I was always pursuing different businesses on the side.
Once my now ex-boyfriend moved to Atlanta, I ventured out to find a job. Keep in mind I still didn’t have a car. So I was back on public transportation. I started a hosting job at Legal Sea Foods. I wanted more, so I continued to look and apply for jobs. I quickly had two jobs. I started working at the St. Regis as a pool server. After working at the St. Regis for several months, an opening became available at the W Hotel in Midtown. I transferred there as a cocktail server in the Living Room. That is when I first heard about a position in property management. Two women I was serving worked for a property management company and felt I would be great in the industry. I started a second job in addition to the W. Then I started looking into taking the real estate course. I enrolled for the two weeks fast course. That didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel prepared, so I never went to take the school test.
Finally in August 2017, I got another car. Yes, I was taking public transportation or Ubers from April 2016-August 2017.
I started applying for property management jobs. I landed my first property management job at a Class A property in August 2017 as a leasing consultant making $15 hr. I finally felt I was headed in a career-driven direction because while I’ve always been an entrepreneur, I always understood the doors working for someone could open as well.
I was a leasing consultant from August 2017-October 2018 and then I became an Assistant property manager making $22 hr. Simultaneously, while working as a leasing consultant, I became an uber driver. I looked at Ubering as a way that I could help people (since I understood the struggle of not having reliable transportation) and make a little money doing it.
My ex and I had officially broken up in January 2019. I was back to being a single mom with no child care. And while the breakup wasn’t bad, the relationship turned hostile very quickly.
In July 2019, I was arrested for a DUI. That situation really made me think about how things were going in my life. I wasn’t living or doing the things I was capable of. I wasn’t happy. I decided to start looking for new property management positions to find a team where I would have more positive support and mentorship. A friend of mine who I had worked with in my first property management role as a leasing consultant was a property manager and she needed an Assistant. I applied with her company. I got the offer letter and provided my notice to the company I was working for. Next thing you know I wasn’t hired. I believe the DUI prevented me from getting the job or perhaps it was GOD who had a different plan for me. I took that as a sign to go complete the real estate course. I was jobless and approved for a $25,000 credit card. I figured that could hold me over until real estate kicked off. I took the course and passed the school test and state exam on the first try.
I was licensed in January 2020! My new boyfriend was the first person to buy a house with me. I met him while I was working as the Assistant property manager prior to getting my license. He encouraged me to take the real estate course again. After he bought his home with me, he referred friends. I was also getting leads from Zillow. Business was going well for me.
My boyfriend and I started Airbnb and Turo businesses in July 2020. Business went well, but we didn’t have the marketing in place that we needed.
We then found out in September of 2021 that I was pregnant. We weren’t very excited at first because the baby wasn’t planned. Nevertheless, over time he became our reason for setting new goals and planning for his arrival became even more motivation to accomplish them. One thing we decided to finally start after we found out I was pregnant was a Youtube Channel to help people learn from our lessons in hopes that they won’t make the same mistakes.
Dior was going to be my first son. His due date was April 10, 2022! My boyfriend threw me my first baby shower (it was a surprise). It turned out so great. Yes, he was going to be my third child, but I had never had a baby shower. Two weeks prior to the baby shower in February 2022, my boyfriend lost his brother to gun violence. It was a difficult time for our family.
With the tragic loss of his brother his whole family was anticipating Dior’s arrival. He was going to bring the joy and life back into the family. On March 29th, at my 38 week doctor’s appointment, we found out that Dior didn’t have a heartbeat. It was completely heartbreaking. I gave birth to Dior on March 30th.
My mindset since has been focused on positivity. With every fiber of my being, I want to accomplish all my goals and dreams. I want to allow him to continue to make me better and my experience to make me stronger. I want to be an inspiration to others that life is really what you make it. Nothing is promised, and living life to the fullest is working hard every day doing the things you love. Life is a string of decisions whether good or bad that mold you. Be grateful every day and show up for yourself. Self-love is everything.
Through all my experiences a lot of people never knew what I was going through. People need to be more kind. Try to be the light every day. You never know whose life you can change.
At this point, I just want to live my purpose. My purpose is to share my story and knowledge to help others. I want to become a mentor, motivation speaker and overall positive energy influencer. I want to be the person that gives others hope.
No matter what cards you are dealt, make the very best of it. Without the darkness, we would never know the light!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think anyone’s life is a smooth road. It may appear one way on the outside, but you don’t know how things can affect people. While my journey wasn’t the smoothest, it could’ve definitely been worse and it still isn’t over. I’m grateful everyday I get another opportunity to grow, learn, inspire and live in my purpose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My real estate business Monarch Vision Co and Youtube Channel Major Lessons are my primary focuses right now.
The primary objective of Monarch Vision Co is to elevate Kings and Queens to achieve their real estate goals. Monarch Vision Co has been decades in the making through my experiences. With expertise focused in the luxury sectors of retail, hospitality, and property management, I have crafted my real estate company to provide a superior level of customer service and cater to the needs of all. The keys to success in the real estate business are to be resourceful and a phenomenal communicator. Those vital keys allow me to ensure my client’s success on their real estate journey!
I specialize in relocation to Atlanta, Ga and the surrounding areas.
A lot of agents aren’t passionate about helping people. Real estate is just a means of making money for them. They are very transactional. I put my everything into each transaction. I educate my clients and become a resource for them long after the transaction closes. I’m also a resource to other agents.
I’m most proud that my brand stands on integrity and money isn’t the motive. While compensation is important, it doesn’t move me. Money will always come when you are putting good into the world. Helping people, educating people and being a resource is what brings me happiness.
I want the readers to connect with me. I want to be a resource (life, real estate, parenting, business). I would love for them to subscribe to my YouTube channel to avoid making mistakes that I made https://www.youtube.com/
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think finding a mentor can be somewhat difficult. I haven’t been successful in finding one. I think Youtube is a great resource to find guidance. There are a lot of podcast shows that have made an impact on me and have helped to expand my knowledge.
I would also encourage people to read. Buy physical books and read!
I would say that networking is vital though. Even if you aren’t a business owner or entrepreneur. Atlanta is the mecca for professional events. Use resources like Eventbrite and Meetup to find different events to attend.
I think it is important to be well-rounded. To be successful you need a mixture of money, networking and the willingness to work hard. You can’t make it with just one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monarchvisionco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtor.vision/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxLsZB0zdZ1YljbvUyGVyJw
Image Credits:
Disturbia Productions, Belle J
