Real Estate Mogul/Cancer Survivor Melanie Gamble shares her candid story on her achievement in the Real Estate Industry in Part I of her interview with Rodney Wayne Branche.
Melanie Gamble
Part I
"The Real Estate Experience"
by Rodney Wayne Branche
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Copa: Melanie, where are you from? Melanie: Pensacola, Florida. Copa: Where did you attend High School?
Melanie: Booker T. Washington High School. |
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Copa: How about college:
Melanie: I attended Florida A&M University. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Melanie: I attended Florida A&M University. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Copa: What were your aspirations immediately after you completed your studies?
Melanie: Initially when I entered college to pursue a degree in criminal justice. My first job was a position as Executive Director of the Florida Black Caucus. My boss at the time was Al Lawson, he was sworn into Congress a few months ago.
Melanie: Initially when I entered college to pursue a degree in criminal justice. My first job was a position as Executive Director of the Florida Black Caucus. My boss at the time was Al Lawson, he was sworn into Congress a few months ago.
Copa: When did the the Entrepreneurial Bug bite you?
Melanie: When I look back over my life I find that it has always been there... but I didn't always know how to pursue it. When I was younger I thought I knew everything. I didn't take the big plunge until I was married. When I was a single woman I didn't have the resources to support myself at the time.
Melanie: When I look back over my life I find that it has always been there... but I didn't always know how to pursue it. When I was younger I thought I knew everything. I didn't take the big plunge until I was married. When I was a single woman I didn't have the resources to support myself at the time.
Copa: What is your philosophy to becoming a great Entrepreneur?
Melanie: The way I operate my business is much different than many other people because I have a service mindset and a service attitude. I'm here to serve others and carry that out to the best of my ability. It's a constant strive for excellence in all we do.
Melanie: The way I operate my business is much different than many other people because I have a service mindset and a service attitude. I'm here to serve others and carry that out to the best of my ability. It's a constant strive for excellence in all we do.
Copa: What was you first business venture?
Melanie: My first business was being an Event Planner after Grad School when I moved to South Florida. One of the first events that I worked on was a fund raiser for Senator Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman elected to the US Senate.
Melanie: My first business was being an Event Planner after Grad School when I moved to South Florida. One of the first events that I worked on was a fund raiser for Senator Carol Moseley Braun, the first Black woman elected to the US Senate.
Copa: What was your second major job?
Melanie: My second event as an Entrepreneur was when I moved to Atlanta I began working with Christian Social events called 'Fellowship Fridays.'
Melanie: My second event as an Entrepreneur was when I moved to Atlanta I began working with Christian Social events called 'Fellowship Fridays.'
Copa: When did you begin your business venture as a Real Estate Professional?
Melanie: It's a funny story, I actually gained my interest in Real Estate by losing a piece of property. This situation was started by acquiring information on getting the property back in which I had inherited. Unfortunately I found it was too late, the redemption period had expired, this encouraged me to conduct more research into Real Estate. When I lived in Atlanta I worked for a broker for a while but when I moved to Maryland after I was married I was encouraged by the support of my husband to move forward more aggressively in the profession and I acquired a license.
Melanie: It's a funny story, I actually gained my interest in Real Estate by losing a piece of property. This situation was started by acquiring information on getting the property back in which I had inherited. Unfortunately I found it was too late, the redemption period had expired, this encouraged me to conduct more research into Real Estate. When I lived in Atlanta I worked for a broker for a while but when I moved to Maryland after I was married I was encouraged by the support of my husband to move forward more aggressively in the profession and I acquired a license.
Malanie Gamble with her husband and family at her book launch.
Copa: Please tell us more about being a Real Estate Agent and a Broker.
Melanie: There is a difference between a Real Estate Broker and a Real Estate agent. A Real Estate Agent has to hang their licence under a Real Estate Broker. I'm no longer considered and Agent, I have my own brokerage and I am a Franchisee with RE/MAX. In the State of Maryland, you have to be a licensed agent for 3 years before you can apply to be a Broker.
Melanie: There is a difference between a Real Estate Broker and a Real Estate agent. A Real Estate Agent has to hang their licence under a Real Estate Broker. I'm no longer considered and Agent, I have my own brokerage and I am a Franchisee with RE/MAX. In the State of Maryland, you have to be a licensed agent for 3 years before you can apply to be a Broker.
Copa: What type properties do you work with in the DMV?
Melanie: I'm licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia. One of the reasons I stepped out to acquire a franchise is because we service all types of properties. I have someone who heads my commercial division, a new homes luxury expert, and people who specialize in land, condos and rentals. We service any type of Real Estate need. We have a 'one stop shop.' We even provide Credit Repair and Loans.
Melanie: I'm licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia. One of the reasons I stepped out to acquire a franchise is because we service all types of properties. I have someone who heads my commercial division, a new homes luxury expert, and people who specialize in land, condos and rentals. We service any type of Real Estate need. We have a 'one stop shop.' We even provide Credit Repair and Loans.
Copa: Are there any other activities you are associated with?
Melanie: 'Esther's Closet' is a great non profit that's been established. We have an annual event where we have a Prom Dress Give Away, it's a pretty big event. Also this year we're planning some financial literacy instruction for a number of schools. This way they will have the right information to be prepared to have good credit for the time that they are purchasing a home.
Melanie: 'Esther's Closet' is a great non profit that's been established. We have an annual event where we have a Prom Dress Give Away, it's a pretty big event. Also this year we're planning some financial literacy instruction for a number of schools. This way they will have the right information to be prepared to have good credit for the time that they are purchasing a home.
Copa: What advise would you give to any young couple or individual who wish to purchase their first home? What information do they need to have before they approach a Real Estate professional like you?
Melanie: They first need to know what there Credit Score is, secondly they need have established a monthly budget. They shouldn't go to a Loan Officer and ask "How much house can I buy." Provide a realistic budget with information on your 'lifestyle expenditures.'
Copa: Are there any specific situations that house seekers have that you see at your offices?
Melanie: Okay, someone comes into my office, they have money saved and they have a 540 Credit score. They may have made a few late payments and a few accounts which have gone into collections. This is why I have a Credit Expert on my team because he will place them in a program that will diagnose their situation so they can get their credit situation in line to successfully purchase a home. This takes time, it's not a overnight process. We're going to give you to appropriate steps to take, which credit bureaus to contact and how to deal with it effectively.
Melanie: They first need to know what there Credit Score is, secondly they need have established a monthly budget. They shouldn't go to a Loan Officer and ask "How much house can I buy." Provide a realistic budget with information on your 'lifestyle expenditures.'
Copa: Are there any specific situations that house seekers have that you see at your offices?
Melanie: Okay, someone comes into my office, they have money saved and they have a 540 Credit score. They may have made a few late payments and a few accounts which have gone into collections. This is why I have a Credit Expert on my team because he will place them in a program that will diagnose their situation so they can get their credit situation in line to successfully purchase a home. This takes time, it's not a overnight process. We're going to give you to appropriate steps to take, which credit bureaus to contact and how to deal with it effectively.
Copa: What does the future hold for Melanie Gamble?
Melanie: The sky's the limit! I see nothing but open roads and blue sky's ahead of me.
Melanie: The sky's the limit! I see nothing but open roads and blue sky's ahead of me.
Later this week:
Part II
"Melanie's Breast Cancer Episode"
~Copa