THE SHOW
Financial advisor and real estate investor Ayesha Selden joins Lisa to unpack her journey from humble beginnings in Philadelphia to financial independence. Ayesha brings candor and humor to this conversation that’s filled with timeless wisdom and hard won insight.
Behind Her Brilliance: Persistence and discipline
Say hi to Ayesha on Twitter and Instagram: @AyeshaSelden
THE GUEST
AYESHA SELDEN| Investor
After graduating from the 255th class of Central High School of Philadelphia, Ayesha attended Temple University, getting degrees in Marketing and Economics. As a self-described ‘stingy bastard’ she attended Temple so she could commute from home and attend for free as her mother worked in their Hospital. She didn’t want to burden herself or her mother with the skyrocketing costs of college, room, and board.
In 2000, she started her journey into the world of finance, eventually becoming licensed as a Financial Planner and a Stock Broker. This work and training exposed her to analyzing investments and helping high-net-worth clients achieve their financial goals.
In 2002, she bought her first home … by mistake. She purchased a property intending to rent it out, but near the end of the transaction found out her FHA loan required her to move into the property. Both she and he mother cried because they didn’t want to be separated.
Her Real Estate investment strategy has always been conservative. While many people, advisers, and gurus grow using the leverage of loans, she stayed financially disciplined and paid off the property she bought in 2002 only six years later in 2008. This means that the revenue from her rental no longer went to its own mortgage, and she could start investing in other houses.
During and after the financial calamity of 2008-2011, Ayesha started buying and rehabbing dilapidated properties in South Philadelphia, Allegheny West and other areas of the city. She kept and eye out for blocks that single mothers would want to live on, as that was her main clients.
After rehabbing over 30 houses and working with some shoddy General Contractors, Ayesha got her General Contractors license in 2019.
TOPICS COVERED
-What inspired Ayesha’s rise as a financial educator
-Ayesha’s early days in Philly
-Ayesha’s career path into finance
-How Ayesha has navigated her romantic life as a successful woman
-Where Ayesha began her personal investing journey
-How Ayesha learned to be a disciplined investor
-The nuts and bolts of how Ayesha started her real estate investment career
-Ayesha’s perspective on wealth building and work ethic
-How Ayesha navigated being a Black woman in an industry dominated by white men
-Ayesha’s reflections on the things most responsible for her success
-Why Ayesha chose to rent her primary residence even after she amassed a real estate portfolio
-And much, much more!
STUFF MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
–Mud to Millions by Ayesha Selden
–The Behavioral Investor by Dr. Daniel Crosby
–Dr. Daniel Crosby on Behind the Brilliance
– The Autobiography of Malcom X by Malcom X + Alex Haley (Ayesha’s book pick)
–The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (Ayesha’s book pick)
–Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson (Ayesha’s book pick)
–Sula by Toni Morrison (Ayesha’s book pick)