Photography: @michaelaclarkstudios
Shenetta Malkia
~ Model/Author/Actress/Inspirational Speaker/Realtor ~
~ Part One ~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Copa: Where are you from?
Shenetta: I'm originally from Jamaica Queens, New York. I also lived in Richmond, Virginia and ultimately settled in Maryland. Copa: What are some of the schools you've attended?
Shenetta: I attended Kenmore Middle School, which was a little crazy at the time. Later I attended Tall Oaks Vocational High School and Parkdale High School. When I entered High School, things eventually turned around for the better and I graduated as Valedictorian of my class. Later, I traveled to Atlanta to study TV and Film Production at American Intercontinental University (AIU). I needed more money for tuition so I went back home to start working for a while and enrolled at Bowie State College. I completed 3 years there, until I ran low on funds again. That was it, I needed God to show me something else...somehow I ended up in Property Management. 
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Photography: @michaelaclarkstudios
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Copa: So schools didn't prepare you for what for the future?
Shenetta: I would say that schooling didn't make me what I am today. I must make this point, many youths push the idea that they should attend college and focus on education, which is so important, but there are so many different choices that people could select other than the college option. In the Property Management field, you can attend college if you wish, however, you learn many things by working on the job.
While attending college, I had no clue that I'd be working in Property Management. I started in Leasing and worked my way to Assistant Manager. From there, to Resident Services, then Certified Tax Credit Assistant Manager and finally Property Manager. Later, I became certified in Section-8 Housing, Tax Credit, and mixed properties.
Shenetta: I would say that schooling didn't make me what I am today. I must make this point, many youths push the idea that they should attend college and focus on education, which is so important, but there are so many different choices that people could select other than the college option. In the Property Management field, you can attend college if you wish, however, you learn many things by working on the job.
While attending college, I had no clue that I'd be working in Property Management. I started in Leasing and worked my way to Assistant Manager. From there, to Resident Services, then Certified Tax Credit Assistant Manager and finally Property Manager. Later, I became certified in Section-8 Housing, Tax Credit, and mixed properties.
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Copa: How would you frame yourself as a Real Estate Professional?
Shenetta: How I function in Real Estate is a little different from other individuals. Property Management is my focus. I come from a background of experience in Residential Housing and worked for a few of the big boys, that was my niche. I love solving problems, how we came up with the phrase We Solve Problems. We don't just work with properties but also investors and landlords to show them how they can make their properties more profitable. I'm not only in Property Management, but also a Realtor. Things will change within 30 days because I have taken the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to educate and place myself into a position as a Broker. Today, I own the PMs of the City, that's my company which is a full service Property Management company serving Maryland and DC. This will change to the PMs of the City Realty, a full service brokerage with a property division. People don't realize the connection where it comes to property management, and real estate where it comes to revenue streams. There are at least 5 different revenue streams pertaining to property management. Many Real Estate Agents wish to focus on buying and selling properties. I don't, because I pay attention to a large number of lease owners so they to can become Home Owners. I don't, because really wish to have a client with only one opportunity and one purchase. I'm going to work with them to show them the next step. So we're dealing with Property Management, Sales, Construction, Renovation, and training. We're also able to manage properties every month and receive a management and consulting fee as well. So these are the many strings of income from one profession that I had no clue about. God had convinced me that I could make it all on my own. |
Copa: When did you realize you were getting close to your goal?
Shenetta: I realized this when I was working for the 'big' companies. My ultimate dream initially was to be a Regional Director or Asset Manager for Keller Management or other large companies and maintain a portfolio of over 3,000 to 5,000 units and oversee 15 to 25 employees.
I realized something else while I was speaking to a church member, who asked me about what profession on was in. I informed her that I was in Property Management. She informed me that she was a Real Estate Broker and I was leaving good money on the table. She went on to inform me that I could create a broader opportunity by managing other sites for investors and landlords of other properties. I knew I could do this quite easily. Later I acquired my Real Estate License that opened up a whole new world for me.
Shenetta: I realized this when I was working for the 'big' companies. My ultimate dream initially was to be a Regional Director or Asset Manager for Keller Management or other large companies and maintain a portfolio of over 3,000 to 5,000 units and oversee 15 to 25 employees.
I realized something else while I was speaking to a church member, who asked me about what profession on was in. I informed her that I was in Property Management. She informed me that she was a Real Estate Broker and I was leaving good money on the table. She went on to inform me that I could create a broader opportunity by managing other sites for investors and landlords of other properties. I knew I could do this quite easily. Later I acquired my Real Estate License that opened up a whole new world for me.
Photography: @michaelaclarkstudios
This is the end of PART One.
Part 2 will continue in June.
Photography: @michaelaclarkstudios
