Today we’d like to introduce you to Linh Nguyen.
Hi Linh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have owned American Blue Diamonds, a retail fine jewelry business in Austin, Texas, since 2005. I earned a decent living income and obtained additional degrees, including a Graduate Gemologist certification from the Gemological Institute of America at Carlsbad, California, an AAS in Jewelry from Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, and an MBA in Business Administration from Texas A&M University at Kingsville.
Until May 2018, I noticed it was harder to make money in fine jewelry as real estate rent and taxes increased, and buyer traffic decreased. At the same time, the real estate business was booming as big tech companies have moved from California to Texas. I obtained my real estate license on May 1, 2018, and began selling residential properties. It was challenging to generate income in the first two years of the new trade, as I had no sales in listings or purchases, but only rental deals. The day I said to myself, ‘If I quit this month, I will. Yet, that month, I finally sold three houses at once. I started to believe in myself again, thanks to the new sign that I can achieve even greater success.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course, it was not a smooth road…In any trade, there were trade secrets, discrimination, or favoritism among real estate brokers, which rewarded some agents but not others. No broker really has time to teach or share a real case from start to finish, or answer a specific question. It was hard to close a sale and bring a commission check home. Then the accountants acted like a Queen, holding the check for a week, while new agents needed the cut the most at the start of their self-employed business.
As you know, we’re big fans of AmeriBlueHomes LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My real estate business, AmeriBlueHomes, has been open since 2018. Yet, in real estate, I must work for other brokers till I have 5 years and sold enough properties to be an independent broker. It was a journey that I went through 3 brokers: Keller Williams Realty (2 years), Dash Realty (3 months), and Berkshire Hathaway Realty (5 years). Not only have I learned how to make money in real estate, but also the differences in management styles. There was discrimination in the workplace that the leads were never evenly distributed to all agents as they pledged at the start of the sponsorships. My dream is to create a profitable enterprise and to sponsor my three sons when time comes so that they can have a part-time job while they are attending college. It was hard the first 2 years as mostly I got rental contract but not selling any homes despite working without holidays break and giving the clients access to my service 24/7. Exhausted and the day I was about to call off that real estate was not for me, I was finally sold 3 houses. My persistence for two years paid off.
The third year in real estate business, I tried to break-thru the barrier to get into the commercial real estate market (more challenge than the residential market). All three brokers who sponsored me were not very supportive! They wanted me to send my commercial clients out to “commercial agents,” reasoning that they would be more experience than me and could give me 25% commission for the leads if closed. I did all as direct and never got a dime back from my commercial leads. They either did not take care it or it was gone in the years of their memories as commercial deal would take longer time to search and to close.
I was persistently asked by Rick Ellis, the Berkshire Hathaway broker manager, to keep his promise that I could be a commercial agent. He finally approved for me to sell. Yet, the first two commercial deals must be shared with Allan Hanson 50%, and I did not ever feel fair. I was the one finding the sellers and the one finding the buyers. I did all myself, yet the red tape system rewarded those who were in the company for a longer time but not a new talent. Even though I followed all demand, the surprised betrayal was I would never become “commercial agent” and have my name on BHHS commercial website. Just like I have no real home, no equal treatment, and that was a betrayal because it was half-truth. I was finally allowed do my commercial contract to bring money home, yet I am never become a real commercial agent on the BHHS website!
My thought about being an independent brokerage came stronger when BHHS refused to sponsor my son who has speech impediment. So, I finally split with BHHS, and I was so much happier since. I no longer must split my checks and wait for the cut by anyone, and I can sponsor all my 3 sons with no discrimination but rooting for their success. The hardship did not break me, it has made me stronger, more determined to do better for myself. I did open to sponsoring other agents and I would never treat others the way all brokers have treated me. I believe in teamwork and agents’ success is my success, so my agents under me should get the maximum training and approachable 24/7. Real estate should never sleep, and the clients are the Kings!
I have added mortgage business (licensed in Texas, California, and Florida) and property management in Texas. My first mortgage broker, Don Groff has robbed me my first loan I did under his sponsorship but no longer either. I am now a mortgage broker beside real estate broker, owning 100% my company, AmeriBlueHomes LLC.
I have one or two more years to bring my doctoral degree in Marketing at Pace University, New York, NY home. After that, I can have more time to give myself to sponsor other real estate new agents or new loan officers, and I would love to see them success as much as I do. I would go with the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Did I ever forget my career before real estate as a GIA graduate gemologist and AAS in Jewelry? Never. Our jewelry business was built 20 years (since 2005) and it is in our blood. Yet, I love real estate and mortgage businesses more because of the freedom to travel and low upfront cost. I have added a new venture, wildlife photography, named HoneycreeperPhotograpy. I do know how to balance all my big dreams. With any business, I found out education and teamwork are a true power and core of the company success. That is why I always reinvest in these areas and always question myself, “how can I serve my employees or agents better,” and “how can I recognize their talents and make them to become as productive as I am?”
My life is a journey that I constantly learn and improve. What I can provide to my clients is not only the professional services but the friendships that we try to make with them for a lifetime.
AmeriBlueHomes.com 512-535-8783
AmeriBlueHomesMortgage.com 512-574-7811
ABHpropertymanagement.com 512-535-8783
AmericanBlueDiamonds.com 512-249-7227
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Being a single mom with children is very hard, and from that background, I am the best supporter for single-mother families. I have helped many single mom to have a house to live in safely and raise their children.
I also believe that spiritual health uplifts my soul and that of others. I personally sing in our church each Sunday. I am connected to my late father in that way, and God helps me all the way, even on the darkest days in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: ameribluehomes.com
- Instagram: ameribluehomes
- Facebook: amerilbuehomes
- Twitter: ameribluehomes
- Other: ameribluehomesmortgage.com, and ABHpropertymanagement.com
Image Credits
I take all images.
