Does your Boss know that you are an investor?

Does your Boss know that you are an investor?

Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes

For those of you guys that still have day jobs... Does your employer know about your REI. I would like to hear the pros and cons of both sides. I will go first. My employer is fully aware that I am investor and close deals. I try to be honest in everything I do so when I needed off of work for closings/etc I was honest. I do not have a problem with this approach as my manager owns his own store outside of the company. The owners also own several companies. It has opened up good dialogue and if anything has only seemed to have a positive impact. When I need off early or to work a half day they have no problem with it. I also am a top sales rep for them so that could have something to do with it. I don't share specifics or details however. I won't tell them how much I am making/have made. They do not know that I run a direct mail campaign.

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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
11y

I am a buy and hold investor with a full time unrelated job.  My boss doesn't know and most of my co-workers don't know either.  If I need time,  I take the time I have coming to me and rarely share its purpose for RE or otherwise.  My business is my own business. Its not so much a secret as that I am in general private and keep some parts of my life separate from others. I will say that if someone asked I would be truthful but it's  an unrelated field and I am not in the office much so it would rarely come up.  Now I know the more typical real estate person is networking but it isn't one of my strong points.

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  • Homeowner · West Babylon, NY · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 4 votes
    11y

    I disclosed to one of my bosses I was trying to get into real estate investing, and it turned out that he owns a few properties of his own, and was willing to share some of his knowledge with me.  You never know...

  • Investor · Gaithersburg, MD · Member since 2013 · 660 posts · 441 votes
    11y

    I am fortunate.  I make my own schedule so if I need to take off for real estate activities it's pretty easy for me as long as I get my work done.  If I ever take off more than an hour or so, I usually use vacation.  My boss is fully aware of what I do and supports it.  He even asks me about it from time to time as he's interested.  He owns 1 rental himself.

  • Real Estate Agent · Owasso, OK · Member since 2014 · 517 posts · 400 votes
    11y

    I think it all comes down to intent.  If you are just investing for the sake of investing and can still perform your job without annoying colleagues by bragging about it all the time, you should be fine.  If you start advertising that you are simply keeping the job long enough to build up your portfolio so you can afford to jump ship....then you can expect to have issues.  

    If you pay attention, you will find enough people to network at work with that dabble in it to varying degrees.  Keep your discussions with them.  For everyone else, keep your discussions around the job, family, softball, weather and whatever other safe topics there are.  And be ethical.  When you are at work, do the job you are paid to.  Manage your schedule as needed to take care of your job and your side business.  

    The hard part really gets to the point where you are close to being able to jump ship.  In the beginning, with one property....it's a no brainer.  You are excited to grow but are still clearly dependent on that W-2.  As you get near that number (different for everyone) that can actually support you or at least enable you to jump ship and survive while continuing to grow....that's hard.  You want to leave but still like the safety and income.  That said, your focus tends to be more on the real estate vs your job so you really need to make up your mind.  For those that really love their jobs...this is less of an issue.  For most...including me...it's an active dilemma that only gets worse with age, a wife and kids.  

  • Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11y

    @Chris Simmons as always your thoughts are appreciated. 

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Spring Hill, FL · Member since 2014 · 234 posts · 132 votes
    11y

    No way I'd tell my employer, I don't trust them at all! Only one co worker knows as she's a friend outside of work too. I don't think its a good idea but I guess that depends on what type of work you do and who you're working for.

  • Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 70 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Chris Simmons:

    When you are at work, do the job you are paid to.   

     If people were to follow this advice, the BiggerPockets daily traffic would plummet.  :-)

  • Dana WhickerPro Member
    Investor · Fernandina Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 557 posts · 374 votes
    11y

    If you use your real name on this site, your boss may know whether you have told them or not.  If I google my name, my biggerpockets profile pic is third image result.  If you click on it it's pretty easy to determine what site it's from.

  • Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 70 votes
    11y

    Excellent point @Dana Whicker 

  • Real Estate Broker · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11y

    Exactly @Dana Whicker Way I see it they Google me and it is pretty easy to determine.

  • Residential Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2013 · 281 posts · 110 votes
    11y

    Boss knows...major reason Is i'm taking real estate licenensing classes to expand my REI and it accidently bumps into the end of my work day. I'm scheduled till 545 but rarely leave till about 6ish while my classes start at 6. I had to ask them permission to leave at my normal scheduled time. I work in banking so i help do closing procedures quite often.

    so far so good...but in banking I could see them using this as an excuse to "move on" if ever needed to reduce work force.

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Yes, the boss knows . . . but then, I'm the boss! Or is it hubby? ;-) 

    It's really quite handy to be able to multitask while on the job. Our business number is also our rental contact number. Closings are held in our office. We are able to take turns running RE related errands during business hours or take part of a day to work on rehabs. Potential tenants can come to our store to ask about rentals, fill out applications and have that first face-to-face meeting that is an essential part of screening.

    Being self employed has been a huge boost to our jump into becoming landlords.

  • Real Estate Broker · Austin, TX · Member since 2014 · 99 posts · 26 votes
    11y

    Im not sure how it is any of your boss's business unless you a REALTOR and you are talking about your BROKER. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Dana Whicker:

    If you use your real name on this site, your boss may know whether you have told them or not.  If I google my name, my biggerpockets profile pic is third image result.  If you click on it it's pretty easy to determine what site it's from.

    Interesting. I googled my name, in quotes, on an image search and it returned no photos of me at all! It had photos from my Facebook pages, all either objects or graphics, one of my mother from her obit, one of my great great grandfather from Ancestry, several of my LinkedIn contacts, and many that had nothing at all to do with me, including a line drawing of a naked woman dancing with a pig!

  • Lanham, MD · Member since 2014 · 6 posts · 4 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Jared Benson:

    My dad has shared some great advice with me. "People want to see you do well, just not as well as them." While that seems pretty petty, a lot of people are exactly like that. I think it really comes down to the individual person. Some bosses are great and want the best for all of their employees, and some are insecure middle managers.

    I realize I'm the flip side from most of the other commenters, but I work for a small company and I see some petty BS occasionally. When I finally get going(looking for my first buy and hold right now) I will most likely not let my bosses know, if at all possible.

     I agree with Jared. Unless there is some value to be added by the people you tell about your choice of becoming financially free, I wouldn't. Things may go your way, but there is always the jealousy factor that may come into play. As an Investor-minded person, ask yourself, does the risk outweigh the reward here? If nothing to gain, stay humble and get rich and don't give people who still have some power over you an incentive to keep you down where they are or slow you down. Once you are able to quit your job, you can tell people why and they may invest any funds they have with your new business so that they can follow you into the promised land. Which at this point benefits you and cannot hurt you, being that you no longer work under their power. 

    I recall a man in the neighborhood I grew up in deciding to purchase a restaurant that was frequented by the community. He merely purchased it and kept some members of the family who owned it employed there so that the quality of the food and service wouldn't change. Now because this man was appearing to escape the rat race of his piers, the restaurant saw a major decline in customers. Had he kept it quiet that he was the new Owner, he wouldn't have lost on that Investment. 

    Food for thought!

  • Real Estate Broker · Laval, Québec · Member since 2014 · 183 posts · 59 votes
    11y

    I have told my boss and occasionally talk to co-workers (just in case there are some networking opportunities) but generally I keep it confidential because my full-time job is community work which is oftentimes at polar opposites with respect to the mentality involved in community, non-profit work and the mentality involved in real estate investing.

  • Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 70 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Sylvia B.:
    Originally posted by @Dana Whicker:

    If you use your real name on this site, your boss may know whether you have told them or not.  If I google my name, my biggerpockets profile pic is third image result.  If you click on it it's pretty easy to determine what site it's from.

    Interesting. I googled my name, in quotes, on an image search and it returned no photos of me at all! It had photos from my Facebook pages, all either objects or graphics, one of my mother from her obit, one of my great great grandfather from Ancestry, several of my LinkedIn contacts, and many that had nothing at all to do with me, including a line drawing of a naked woman dancing with a pig!

    Your Facebook settings probably prohibits your profile photos from appearing in google searches.  If you did a search merely on "Sylvia B", your BP photo would appear in the results somewhere. 

    Now off to search for you dancing naked with your pet pig.  :-)

    ETA: I don't recommend doing the above search from a work computer!!!!  

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    @Account Closed

    Well, the problem I have with googling my name is that my last name is also a common English word, with two very different meanings, depending on its use. Then there is a city in KS named Sylvia. The combination has returned some very "interesting" results.

  • Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2014 · 79 posts · 70 votes
    11y

    @Sylvia B. 

    No interesting pics when my name is googled.  Mostly pics of a doctor with the same name     

  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 451 posts · 96 votes
    11y

    Other than currently employed with my company im in the same boat as @Brie Schmidt 

    with everyone knowing. It landed me some contract work on the side along with having a more seriously taken input in our (unrelated) business with them knowing I actually run a business.

  • Scott TrenchPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    11y

    I certainly keep it a secret from @Joshua D. 

  • Houston, TX · Member since 2013 · 483 posts · 189 votes
    11y

    Interesting topic. I am very selective when it come to discussing Real Estate at work. If any of my co-workers show interests i am willing to talk about it and share with them. I actually acted as an agent and help a co-worker closed a deal. Most corporate people is about job security. They will stick to their 401k and not ready to try anything different yet.

    I also do have a jealous co-worker report me doing RE business during working hours so..watch out!!!!

    I'm close with my boss and want to talk him into Real Estate but he has absolutely  no interest so... He knows but as long as i get my job done. i think i am ok....finger crosses.

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 55 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    @Ryan Dossey 

    My boss doesn't know i am one.  But if he asks which he won't because he doesn't know about it.  I do real estate investing on the side since i currently have a full time job that requires all my attention.   I take my lunch break or whenever i have sometime, i would swing by my project to check on the progress.  I also got a good contractor and he goes to the same church as me, so i don't have to be there all the time to manage all the details.  If he messes up, i know where he is on Sunday.

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 55 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    @Huy N. 

    Your coworker is messed up.  He reported you....What a hater..

  • Realtor · Brownsville, TX · Member since 2014 · 66 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    My supervisor and co workers don't know I am in REI. At work I stick with work duties and well out of work that would be my own thing. I work at a call center I feel in a case I do have to leave for a REI reason It is more laid back as for getting days off of missing than other jobs.

  • Rental Property Investor · Morristown, NJ · Member since 2013 · 27 posts · 12 votes
    11y

    In my experience, I would not recommend that you let them know, they will use it against you if things don't get done in time or well.  I have held management positions so I know what is said at the management meetings.  Keep your business to yourself

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