John Laine's Linkedin Analytics

My twin brother and I started our first "business" when we were just 11 years old. We created a "chain" of 3 Kool-Aid Stands on the Army base where we grew up. It was the Summer of 1977 (The same year Star Wars debuted). :) :) We hired neighbor kids as "Marketers" and "Brand Influencers." Word of Mouth took over, and we instantly became the darlings of the Army base (in Ft. Ord, California). Soldiers (and their families) would drive miles out of their way to buy a $0.10 Dixie cup of Lemonade :) To put things in perspective, in 1977, our dad was a US Army Helicopter Pilot, earning about $800 a month. Our humble little Kool-Aid Stands brought in about $200 a month! It was awesome! We bought a bunch of Star Wars cards and figurines, built tree houses and go-carts, and dreamed of epic battles between Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Vader. I've been "Rebel Scum," fighting the "Evil Empire" ever since. :) I loved being an ol' school "Shoe Dog" :) I enjoyed sitting at the feet of little ol' ladies. I thrive in an environment where Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a big part of the job description. Then, I got sick. I mean -Really- F'n - SICK! I was diagnosed with a golfball-sized brain tumor in April of 2001. I stood (helplessly) in the parking lot, watching my car get repossessed. I emptied my 401K, futilely attempting to continue paying for my medical expenses. In September of '01, the bank foreclosed on my home. The bank took (stole) my house for $.50 on the dollar. I WAS PISSED! I always struggle with this part of the story. I cannot describe the helpless rage I feel whenever I recite this part of the story. How do you scream at God, demand a solution, and still remain faithful? How often did I read Psalm 23 or the Book of Job, and then throw my bible against the wall? I wasn't pissed... I was filled with RAGE! I had to do something. ANYTHING!!! My life depended on it. Then it happened. I saw a late-night infomercial on Real Estate Investing. A friend helped me attend a 5-day "Boot Camp", where I learned the basics of "no money down" real estate investing. I began "flipping houses" in late 2001. In my first real estate transaction, I made $25,000 in just six weeks. Over time, I got better. Surgery, Radiation, & Medications. I have long-term symptoms, but now, I live a comfortable/happy, and fulfilled life :) Ok, fast forward 8 years. When the real estate market crashed in 08-09, my partners and I had amassed $77M in assets and controlled 429 properties. Before the crash, we made a million dollars a month for 18 months. It was a lot of fun :)