Is it a man's world?

Detroit, MI · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 2 votes

Hello. My name is Hillary Dandridge and I'm currently residing in Atlanta Georgia. I'm a newbie in the real estate investing world, however, I'm doing all I can do to learn more about investing. I come from a background of investors (my dad and uncles) which spark something in my to get my feet wet into investing. However, all I've come across so far are men who are investors. From Youtube channels to Podcast that I've watched and listened to, it has always been MEN. So, I question: is this investing business a "man's world"?

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Mindy JensenPro Member

BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes

Originally posted by @Chinmay J.:

Originally posted by @Hillary Dandridge:

With first name like your's I am not surprised at your question.. LOL

To answer your question directly.... YES ! It is woman.. Deal with it. But its probably a lot better than it was 30 yrs ago. Just like most teachers are women and so are most nurses.

As a woman you also have inherent advantage - especially if you are good looking woman, more than us dudes have.. Use your charm to your advantage.

You usually give decent answers, Chinmay. But this one is completely uncalled for.

"Yes it is woman. Deal with it." Really?!?

And her first name has absolutely nothing to do with anything.

[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261

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Ryan Johnston
Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 127 posts · 48 votes
9y
Hi @Hillary Dandridge, welcome!
I work across many platforms of real estate here in Atlanta and have come across all types of Investors. While a lot of them have been men, the more you get to know some of them the more you realize there are a lot of strong women with them also making the decisions. Especially when it comes to agents who are also investors I see a lot of very successful women. They tend to be a little less flashy and ego oriented than some of the male counterparts. I have met a few women here over the past few years that could easily go toe to toe with any of the men I have encountered as well. I hope your time so far has in no way discouraged you, great opportunities are available for both genders in the ATL!
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Nicole A.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
There are plenty of female investors! I know some of the most successful female investors in Baltimore are female, one owning (and managing!) well over 100 units. While there may generally be more men doing this, I wouldn't say it's a "man's world."
Welcome to the exciting world of REI!
4 Reply
Chris Schuler
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2017 · 53 posts · 14 votes
9y
Is this a serious question? This isn't a serious question.
3 Reply
Ben S.
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 122 posts · 87 votes
9y
In my expience, female investors just aren't the ones making the videos and podcasts and starting the REIA groups and doing speaking tours and that sort of thing. They seem to prefer to focus more on the business and not be as interested in being in front of a microphone. Of course that's a generalization that maybe isn't true outside of the couple circles I am part of.
1 Reply
Teddy Smith
Real Estate Broker · Wilmington, NC · Member since 2016 · 236 posts · 126 votes
9y
I've met women MASSIVE residential & commercial investment portfolios.
Real-estate attracts wealthy/powerful people of all backgrounds. You really can't judge a book from it's cover in this industry. You get exposed to some really fascinating, but weird people.
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Michaela G.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
Yes and no.
While the majority of investors and contractors and subcontractors are men, that doesn't mean that there isn't a place for women. It somehow balances out.
I tend to not go into it with the thought of being a woman, but that I'm an investor. But that's not to say that there aren't a lot of 'good ol' boys' in the Atlanta area, that underestimate you, if you're a woman. But, that can also be an advantage.
For example, if I really want a house, I don't send a letter, I knock on the door. As a woman, owners are less guarded, than if I were a man. Especially other women. I don't have a 'spiel' or set speech, but just knock on the door, tell them that I noticed this property and wonder, if they're interested in selling. I then let them talk and improvise on whatever their response. I don't pressure. ...it's much more difficult for an owner to slam the door into your face, than to hang up the phone or throw away your card. In person they tend to tell you details of what's really going on.
Yes, you will have to deal with condescention, but you will also have advantages, so it works out.
Join GA REIA and you'll meet many other women. And don't just go to the main meeting, but join some sub-groups, where you'll get to know more people close-up.
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Stephanie WalkesPro Member
Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 8 votes
9y
I agree with @Michaela G. I feel like I have a bit of an advantage as a woman when it comes to dealing with contractors because they assume I know very little and I go with it and ask questions. It makes it easy to be able to tell who's full of crap. So no, REI is not a man's world at all. And even if it is, that shouldn't be a reason to deter you from doing whatever you want. Go gettum!
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Ben S.
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2017 · 122 posts · 87 votes
9y
@Michaela G. and @Stephanie Walkes good points. I'll have to keep that in mind. My wife has just started to gain an interest in real estate investment, so I'll be sure to tell her about these advantages she has and can use.
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Chinmay J.
Investor · Northern, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 904 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Hillary Dandridge:

Hello. My name is Hillary Dandridge and I'm currently residing in Atlanta Georgia. I'm a newbie in the real estate investing world, however, I'm doing all I can do to learn more about investing. I come from a background of investors (my dad and uncles) which spark something in my to get my feet wet into investing. However, all I've come across so far are men who are investors. From Youtube channels to Podcast that I've watched and listened to, it has always been MEN. So, I question: is this investing business a "man's world"?
With first name like your's I am not surprised at your question.. LOL
To answer your question directly.... YES ! It is woman.. Deal with it. But its probably a lot better than it was 30 yrs ago. Just like most teachers are women and so are most nurses.
As a woman you also have inherent advantage - especially if you are good looking woman, more than us dudes have.. Use your charm to your advantage.
1 Reply
Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
9y
Hi @Hillary Dandridge .
I have found that there ARE men in this industry that will treat you like you're an idiot. I call them "people I won't work with."
Yes, it is a male-dominated industry, but @Michaela G. said it very well, it isn't male-only.
Come on in, there's plenty of room for you.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
9y
Originally posted by @Chinmay J.:
Originally posted by @Hillary Dandridge:

Hello. My name is Hillary Dandridge and I'm currently residing in Atlanta Georgia. I'm a newbie in the real estate investing world, however, I'm doing all I can do to learn more about investing. I come from a background of investors (my dad and uncles) which spark something in my to get my feet wet into investing. However, all I've come across so far are men who are investors. From Youtube channels to Podcast that I've watched and listened to, it has always been MEN. So, I question: is this investing business a "man's world"?
With first name like your's I am not surprised at your question.. LOL
To answer your question directly.... YES ! It is woman.. Deal with it. But its probably a lot better than it was 30 yrs ago. Just like most teachers are women and so are most nurses.
As a woman you also have inherent advantage - especially if you are good looking woman, more than us dudes have.. Use your charm to your advantage.
You usually give decent answers, Chinmay. But this one is completely uncalled for.
"Yes it is woman. Deal with it." Really?!?
And her first name has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
9 Reply
Daren H.
Real Estate Investor · Desoto, TX · Member since 2013 · 560 posts · 528 votes
9y
I agree with @Chinmay J. on a few points. My wife and I argue about gender roles all the time. It is fact, certain jobs, industries, roles, etc are male or female dominated. Blame it on the "founding fathers" for starting this male dominated narrative, lol. There is a minority and majority in just about every group. The minority group has to deal with it and overcome the obstacles and open the door for more like them. Again, those damn founding fathers were only looking out for themselves, lol.
We both have pros and cons in this world we live in. In reality, I believe woman are 10X more powerful than men. The most powerful men in the world have done the craziest sh*t over a woman. Also, as my wife says, "I can grow a nine pound baby inside me and push it out through a tiny hole, you try that sh*t!"
3 Reply
Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
9y
@Michaela G. when I was door knocking every NOD in the Portland metro area.. I had 3 teams of door knockers.. ( I never sent letters ) male female.. my females rocked my males could hardly close a paper bag... Females dominate many aspects of the retail real estate sales space...
most of the top producers on the west coast are female... the males that are top producers generally are leading a big team.
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Michaela G.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
I believe that there are traits that are inherintly male or female. We all have each of those individual traits on a spectrum. I know there are some traits in me that fall more on the masculine side and some that fall more on the feminin.
So, I think the masculine and the feminine complement each other. I don't think that men and women are the same. Not one is better than the other, but rather that we all have strengths and weaknesses and if we can acknowledge those and work together, then we can accomplish so much more, than if we're trying to one-up each other.
1 Reply
Chinmay J.
Investor · Northern, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 904 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:

Originally posted by @Chinmay J.:

Originally posted by @Hillary Dandridge:
Hello. My name is Hillary Dandridge and I'm currently residing in Atlanta Georgia. I'm a newbie in the real estate investing world, however, I'm doing all I can do to learn more about investing. I come from a background of investors (my dad and uncles) which spark something in my to get my feet wet into investing. However, all I've come across so far are men who are investors. From Youtube channels to Podcast that I've watched and listened to, it has always been MEN. So, I question: is this investing business a "man's world"?
With first name like your's I am not surprised at your question.. LOL
To answer your question directly.... YES ! It is woman.. Deal with it. But its probably a lot better than it was 30 yrs ago. Just like most teachers are women and so are most nurses.
As a woman you also have inherent advantage - especially if you are good looking woman, more than us dudes have.. Use your charm to your advantage.
You usually give decent answers, Chinmay. But this one is completely uncalled for.
"Yes it is woman. Deal with it." Really?!?
And her first name has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
Mindy. You are awesome. I love to see you on podcasts. Here is the thing with the question. Its the OP's first post, and with a name like Hillary you are bringing on yourself a taunt or two. OK that was a cheap shot. I admit - especially if its her real name and not just made up one to rile up the other side.
Here is the thing. I am tired of seeing woman play their "Female Card", just like I am tired of minorities playing the "Race Card". And as you can probably see that I am one myself (minority..not a woman). Also, all you guys out there, I am tired of you whining and acting like a woman too. I don't give anyone any benefit because they are of certain gender, nor do I look down upon them due to their gender. You are not going to get an Awwwwww from me because you are a woman trying to make it in man's world. You will get the same respect though. I love strong woman.. Just love them. So, if she was trying to get some sympathy with her post, which was very first post BTW, she ain't getting any from this NATS fan.
God made men different from women, and endowed us with different qualities. Hence, there are just some fields that are more dominated by women and some by men. That doesn't mean the other gender can't make it. Hence my statement "DEAL WITH IT !".
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
9y
@Chinmay J. , I read your comment as you calling her "woman". Not cool. Then telling her to get over it. Not cool again.
Yes, you are 10,000% correct - there are way more men in this field than women.
I didn't read her post as whiny or complainy or playing the gender card at all. She's asking a question. Is this a man's game. Yes it is.
I'm glad to read that you treat everyone the same, regardless of gender or race. That attitude will go a long way to evening the investor field.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
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Stephanie WalkesPro Member
Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 8 votes
9y
Wow! I didn't think she was looking for sympathy at all. I thought she was just asking a question, trying to get a feel for the industry. @Michaela G. you're a girl after my own heart. I agree with everything you said.
I've found that I prefer working with other women in this industry more than the men. I think women are better at planning, scheduling, billing...
@Chinmay J - sorry but I associate whining with men even though I do usually say things like 'he acts like a little girl' but I don't remember the last time I said that a woman acts like a little girl.
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Jeff Filali
Rental Property Investor · Broken Arrow, OK · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Money is GREEN and GENDER NEUTRAL!!
4 Reply
Linda WeygantPro Member
Investor and CPA · Arvada, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
@Chinmay J. -
Just started a list of "Misogynists Not to do Business With". Guess who just got put at the number one spot.
Guessing there's several women and not a few men who did the same thing. Way to reduce your profit potential with your neanderthal ways.
Podcast Guest on Show #244
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Chinmay J.
Investor · Northern, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 904 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Linda Weygant:

@Chinmay J. -
Just started a list of "Misogynists Not to do Business With". Guess who just got put at the number one spot.
Guessing there's several women and not a few men who did the same thing. Way to reduce your profit potential with your neanderthal ways.
Yawn.
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Steve B.
Engineer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
@Stephanie Walkes
Wow ! Just wow! I read your comment. Not cool!
saying " I've found that I prefer working with other women in this industry more than the men. I think women are better at planning, scheduling, billing..."
that's sexist and misandristic - completely uncalled for!
and...
"sorry but I associate whining with men" Really?!? SMH, this gender-ism and sexism needs to stop!
2 Reply
Chinmay J.
Investor · Northern, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 904 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:

@Chinmay J. , I read your comment as you calling her "woman". Not cool. Then telling her to get over it. Not cool again.
Yes, you are 10,000% correct - there are way more men in this field than women.
I didn't read her post as whiny or complainy or playing the gender card at all. She's asking a question. Is this a man's game. Yes it is.
I'm glad to read that you treat everyone the same, regardless of gender or race. That attitude will go a long way to evening the investor field.
Of course she didn't say it directly, but that's the direction I sensed the wind was blowing. I am allowed to have my own opinion and perception, right?
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
9y
We are both allowed to have our opinions.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
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Stephanie WalkesPro Member
Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 8 votes
9y
@Steve B. absolutely. And you may be right, if preferring to work with women makes me sexist then I probably am, but that's based on my personal experiences. Misandristic? I don't think so. But you're definitely entitled to your opinion and perception.
But for the record, I don't in any way think that all .....(fill in the blank) are good any more than I believe that all ..... (fill in the blank) are bad.
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Hillary Dandridge
OP
Detroit, MI · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 2 votes
9y
Ok...so first and foremost thanks for the great input. This is my first post and all I was looking for was some input of which I've received from both genders and for that I am grateful. As a woman entering this field I just wanted the input that there were women who are able to do well with investing seeing that all I've seen thus far were men. Thanks again guys!
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