Meet Deidre McHenry | Real estate Investor/Elite REALTOR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deidre McHenry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deidre, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Generational wealth and freedom. I have actually started 3 different businesses. The first was a daycare in Nagano Japan. It’s called Alphabet Kids International Academy. It was started in 2018. Initially it was so my son could have a place close by to learn and speak English. The goal was initially very small. I was thinking 5-6 children inside of a community center a couple of days a week. The next thing you know I’m renting a big building, hiring teachers, marketing, and preparing for an open house! We only started with 5 students and struggled to find our place for a while but I’m proud to say that part of our program is full and our newest program is doing very well also. When I started to focus on real estate investing and being a favorited agent my mind set was to do something that would take care of my family’s finances. I needed to scale up to match or beat the income that my husband had coming in. I really want us to be comfortable and be able to live with worrying about money.

What should our readers know about your business?
An investment in 2008 at the age of 25 allowed me to start aggressively investing in real estate in 2020. I knew in 2008 that it was a great investment and would pay off later. I wish I had enough money back then to invest more. However just having money or capital is not enough. It’s grinding and getting out there and making things happen. It’s not easy. There are times when I think of going into a different profession or getting a 9-5. I’ve gone so far as to update my resume and sign up to LinkedIn. Times like that I just talk to my support system and they remind me of my accomplishments and how much more I can to do in the future. I think the best piece of advice someone gave me when it came to entrepreneurship was “just be yourself”. I was kind of annoyed at that advice for a long time especially since I asked for advice and mentorship and that was all I got. I have come to understand how important that one line is. I will always be me and true to me. I know what I want. I’m hungry but have standards and I won’t compromise myself. To me that’s the biggest lesson when you don’t have company training and a rule book. Be true and fair to yourself. I want the world to know that Deidre (Dee) McHenry as an elite Realtor and MFamllc is a force to be respected and will make a way even where there is none. Go ahead and put my chair at the table!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since it’s spring/summer time I think some outside fun would be necessary. First picking her up from the airport and hoping it’s a late night flight we would have to grab food and drinks from Plated in East Point. Chef Aleem is the best. Then breakfast with the Breakfast Boys for the shrimp and grits. Then we can go walk the trails at sweet water park in Douglasville. We can get a room at Foxhall resort in Douglasville so we can continue to drink and eat and ride horses and shoot bow and arrows into the night. Massages at some point at Heavenly Foot Massage on Ponce after going roller skating on the beltline. We have to make sure to stop and get vegan food on the beltline from GABS (Good as burgers) and say hi to Jovan and K.O. We will go somewhere where we can be low key and ourselves to go party for the night. MJQ is definitely that place! I have never had a bad night there. If we want to be on the scene a little more without the big crowds we would go to the Red phone booth and enjoy a cigar and drinks. I can’t let my friend leave without a day at The Battery to catch a Braves game or just restaurant hop and just down the street we have to go to Round One to play games and remind me of Japan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that I can say thank you to. The first person is my husband Anthony Mchenry. He has supported me with encouragement and any way he can every time I get even so much of an idea. He even sends me little encouragement texts that pick me up when I’m down and celebrate me when I’m up. My partner, staff, and support at AKIA in Nagano JApan. Moses and Kendi Whitaker who own Rochelle’s coffee bar in Birmingham AL. They always look for opportunities to lift up others and their businesses. They always call to check on me even if it’s just a couple min phone call. Very thoughtful friends. Before I was an agent and bought my first house I became friends with my agent Lamar Golar. He always made sure I was taken care of. He encouraged me to get my real estate license and was so open and honest with the home buying process. He’s even till this day only a phone call away and always so full of great advice and information. Owning a business def has its positive and negative side. Shout out to my besties (Keisha, Len, Joan, Runyi) who remind me not to worry when things don’t go as planned. Last, my friend Hameeda Bello, who owns First Step Property Solutions. Watching her work ethic motivates me. She’s a great role model and mentor. She believes in me enough to partner with me in another venture. This is only a small fraction of people that have a part in my story. There are two quotes that live rent free in my mind.

“Just do it” – Art Williams

“ Give yourself no choice but to succeed. Let the consequences of failure become so dire and so unthinkable that you’ll have no choice but to do whatever it takes to succeed.” -Jordan Belfort

Website: Www.homesbydeemchenry.com

Instagram: Buysellwithdee