Gary: I grew up in South Florida and went on to attend the University of Florida earning a Business degree. After college I sold sunglasses at a local mall. Why? Because it was the only job that would hire me. While working in retail I focused on networking with other business professionals and investors who were willing to hear my ideas on a few inventions I had been brainstorming. I went on to raise a large amount of capital for this investor to get the products off the ground. During this period, one of the angel investors had a condo in Miami that he wanted to sell. I decided to get my real estate license and, using my business knowledge and mind for sales, sold the condo for a record price. I stayed motivated and became an award-winning sales person in my first year in real estate.

Gary: After growing up in Miami-Dade, I decided to take my talents to Broward. I figured you can never lose where can you buy the best bang for the buck. I purchased the smallest oldest house in an established luxury neighborhood that cost the same amount of money as buying a house that was completely renovated in a not so great neighborhood. My ideology turned out to be correct and that’s how I learned about “buying” vs “selling”.

Gary: My sales background goes back as far as High School. You don’t need a degree to be a good salesperson. You need determination, integrity and dedication. I would shop at the local flea markets and in turn sell the clothing in school. During these years I realized that you don’t walk away from a sale just because it could mean you don’t get the gains you wanted. Selling to someone and making some profit was better than making no profit.

Gary: I didn’t have a choice. Some people come from a legacy family business where their worth has been previously established. Others come out of school, in massive debt, with nothing but a piece of paper to show for it. I could have strived to work for someone else, but I wanted to create my own legacy not take over an existing one.

Gary: When I was awarded the top 5 real estate professional in the state of Florida, there was only one person who could have walked on stage with me, my mother Lori Sholomith. Growing up, my mother worked two jobs to raise my sister and I. It was truly her dedication that showed me what a work ethic was. My Grandfather was the most influential figure I had growing up, his hustle and “old school” mentality really made me the salesman that I am today.

Gary: It is still working out, I have attained many of my goals and reshaped my business time and time again to achieve new goals. I am currently an entrepreneur, investor, sales professional, and dog dad. I have failed upwards and I have had setbacks, but I always land on my feet. I take pride in my success and I owe my wisdom to my failures. I am now taking the knowledge and wisdom I have accumulated and turning that into a learning opportunity for others who are willing to put in the work. Integrity’s definition is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. That definition and by working 80 hours a week gave me autonomy, so I didn’t have to work 40 hours a week for someone else.