Dream it. Do it. When it comes to pursuing a fulfilling career, few individuals embody the spirit of passion and perseverance as wholeheartedly as Blake Shultz. Growing up in the vibrant city of Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham, Blake had an active and adventurous childhood marked by his insatiable energy and a desire to explore the world around him.

 

“I was always the one in trouble,” he jokes. “I was the problem child with too much energy.” As the middle child, he had an older sister and a younger sister.

 

Blake's parents played an instrumental role in shaping his values and instilling a strong work ethic within him. “My parents were awesome,” raves Blake. His father was an electrical engineer and his mom was a stay-at-home mom. Blake treasures how his father interacted with him. “We were his hobby, which was really cool,” he comments. “He built our ramps for bicycles and played basketball with us. It had an impact on me.” Relationships mattered and Blake saw that firsthand, ingrained in him from his childhood days.

When it came to envisioning his future career, Blake focused on finding avenues that would allow him to enjoy what he did and make a positive impact on people's lives. Throughout his early adulthood, Blake explored different service-oriented roles, including participating in Habitat for Humanity projects and embarking on service trips. His affinity for construction and his love for working with people gradually led him to consider a career in real estate.

 

Blake longed for a career that he would love. “Enjoyment has always been the focus,” he says. “Whether at home or at work, I wanted to make sure that I enjoy what I do.” A natural with people, he wanted to work with others rather than being behind a desk.

 

After completing his bachelor's degree in business management from Auburn University, Blake found himself uncertain about his next steps. He admits, “I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” He wanted to be in construction and soon found a job that taught him many skills.

 

“I started working for a custom home builder here in Birmingham,” he explains. “He paid me less than $7.00 an hour.” However, Blake found the experience invaluable. “I would swing hammers, pour concrete, do sheetrock, lay brick, and do all the trim carpentry for crown molding.” On his last house, which was over 8000 square feet, Blake did all the trim, which took several months. However, seeing the transformation was priceless. “I really enjoyed working with my hands and being on site,” he comments.  Although the work was demanding, he thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the transformation of raw structures into aesthetically pleasing spaces.

 

“I did that for close to a year,” He reflects. The husband-and-wife builder team he worked for then had a new opportunity for him. When Blake was presented with the opportunity to sell software in the commercial construction world throughout the country, he said yes.

 

“I love a challenge,” he says. “For the next 6-8 months, I traveled around the Southeast trying to sell dictation software.” His biggest account was the University of Alabama for their construction team.

 

In 2013, when the market for residential real estate increased, Blake was asked to sell a few lots. He got his real estate license and learned the ropes. “I didn’t know you had to put your license somewhere,” he admits. “I went with Coldwell Banker for three months followed by ARC Realty with Vickie and Robert Warner. I ended up joining their team, splitting my time between working with them and working off of commission splits.”

 

When his friends realized that he was a REALTOR®, he started selling houses to friends. “Then I stopped working for the builder and just started selling houses,” he says.

In 2013-2014, investors would reach out to Blake for foreclosed properties. With his construction side, Blake decided to start flipping homes and purchasing foreclosed properties. He says, “There had to be a way to do this. I read books and listened to podcasts to find out about private money.”

 

Blake’s first house, which he describes as a “hoarder house,” was his first deal. “I purchased it for $95,000 and the builder funded part of it,” he comments. “My goal was not to lose money for investors and do all the work myself to save money.” He accomplished both goals, pocketing $500 after the end of the deal. He wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. “It’s pretty wild to look back at now,” he says.

Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, Blake acquired his builder's license in 2014 and started flipping houses while simultaneously managing his real estate business. He says, “People started asking if I could renovate for them since I was a contractor as well. I bought my first couple rentals and renovated and managed them myself.”

 

With so many professional pursuits, Blake realized the importance of focusing on a few things. He comments, “Back in 2013, a business coach reached out to me.” The advice that he gave him changed his life. “Don’t try to do everything yourself. Pick a few lanes and stick to those.” Blake hired him as a business coach, helped him to define his passion, and picked a few things to focus upon.

 

“I want to do what gives me energy and life,” he comments. “That came down to selling real estate to clients. I was going to grow my own real estate team.” He also aimed to continue building his investment portfolio.

 

“In 2018, I picked two lanes and kept my blinders on. I focused on commercial and multi-family real estate investments. I got away from single-family homes and small condo rentals,” says Blake. He also built a team, the Blake Shultz Team, with three assistants at ARC Realty.

 

What was the secret to his success? Blake realized the importance of outsourcing tasks that were not his unique abilities. He adopted a mindset of focusing on what he excelled at and delegating the rest to capable team members, including Stacey Smith, his transaction coordinator and Cindy, who excels in client relations. By doing so, he optimized his efficiency and created space for growth. This shift in perspective allowed him to establish a thriving business.

 

For Blake, success is not solely defined by financial achievements but rather by the freedom to live life on his terms. As he says, “Success is not a dollar figure.” He aspires to make a significant impact in the world, both through his investments and philanthropic endeavors. Blake dreams of giving away a million dollars a year, using passive investments to build generational wealth and create opportunities for others.

 

He also wants to help others. “I’ve made a ton of mistakes,” he admits. “Time mistakes. Money mistakes. You name it – I’ve made it.” Through his experience, he wants to help others not to make the same mistakes that he did and save time and money. “I want to help people with their investment portfolios or help them get into their dream home,” he reflects.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Blake cherishes his family and understands the importance of being present for his loved ones. He married the love of his life, Rachel, in 2015 after a long -distance relationship. In a matter of weeks, they got married, purchased a home, and renovated it before moving into it. It was a whirlwind.

 

To relax, Blake has numerous hobbies. “Rachel jokes that my hobby is getting hobbies. I’m trying to make my family my hobby,” he says. Exercising, mountain biking, road biking, golfing, and woodworking are some of his pastimes. “

 

Blake also continues to flip properties. What is his latest project? The Hartman Castle, which he recently purchased and hopes to rent out to the community. His father joined him in investing in 2016 and now works alongside Blake. “With him being an engineer, we complement each other pretty well,” he says.

Blake's journey is a testament to the power of following one's passion, embracing challenges, and continuously learning and growing. From his active childhood to his successful career in real estate and property investment, Blake exemplifies the values of perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of one's unique abilities. As he continues to expand his impact and build a legacy, Blake remains grounded in his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others while finding joy and fulfillment in his work and personal life.