Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with @HoustonGunn – Houston Gunn is a 17-year-old entrepreneur, author, real estate investor and musician who is on a mission to inspire other young people to take steps now to build successful futures. Houston used money he earned from appearing in a TV commercial to make his first real estate deal at the age of 13. By 14 he had started writing his first book. The CEO he interviewed for a job shadow assignment during his freshman year of high school challenged him to write what became his first book, Schooled for Success: How I Plan to Graduate from High School a Millionaire. Since, Houston has been featured on several national media outlets as the voice of the next generation. For more information, visit www.houstongunn.com
SmallBizLady: What inspired you to write a book about your goal to graduate from high school a millionaire?
Houston Gunn: It was my first day of high school in Sumner, Washington; I was a wide eyed and excited freshman. We had a “welcome to high school” assembly where the leadership teacher went on to announce if you get good grades in high school, graduate, go onto college, get good grades, graduate with a degree and get a job, most of us on average would make 1 Million dollars over our lifetime! The kids were cheering for that and the teachers were giving high fives and everyone was so excited to hear that news and make that a goal to strive for. I did the math. If you work for 50 years of your life say from age 20-70 that is only 20K per year not including taxes. I made my goal right then and there to be worth more than 1 million dollars during my lifetime and I wanted to make a goal to graduate from high school a millionaire and I have 1 year left.
SmallBizLady: How long have you been an entrepreneur?
Houston Gunn: I’ve been an entrepreneur since preschool. I started doing print modeling and commercials. This led me into making money and I liked it. When I was in 6th grade I landed a car commercial as a principle role and from that residual income it allowed me to start to invest in real estate. Next I did my first real estate deal “fix and flip” then did my first private money loan as well for another investor making a great rate of return.
SmallBizLady: How did you learn about real estate?
Houston Gunn: My entire family has always been in the real estate world. My great grandparents were contractors, my Grandma Linda was a real estate developer and investor, my Dad was a general contractor and my mom an investor and property manager and real estate consultant. I have always heard about real estate and I listened and wanted to participate and get my money working for me, instead of having it sit in CDs making almost nothing.
SmallBizLady: You got an interview from Donald Trump for your book as well as an endorsement. How did you do that?
Houston Gunn: I am very thankful to Mr. Donald Trump for the interview he shares in my book as well as endorsement of my book. I sent out over 100 interview requests to successful entrepreneurs when I was writing my book and Donald Trump was my first and only reply. I simply took action on what I wanted to do and asked. As I always say and want to share with others “Always ask!” “A no is better than not knowing at all!”
SmallBizLady: Can you tell us what you hope to inspire others of all ages to do?
Houston Gunn: I hope to inspire, educate and excite youth and future generations, as well as their parents and grandparents about entrepreneurship. Everyone should have an opportunity to be an entrepreneur – it is like food you don’t know if you like until you try it! Find what you love to do and find a way to make money at it!
SmallBizLady: What is the name of your book and where can people find it?
Houston Gunn: I actually have 2 books out now! Schooled for Success – How I Plan to Graduate from High School a Millionaire, which is endorsed by Donald Trump and Shooting for Success – Your Launch Pad for Skyrocketing to the Top, which I am proud to say is endorsed by ABC’s Shark Tank/Barbara Corcoran.
SmallBizLady: Can you share with us about your second book “Shooting for Success” and the webseries videos that go along with that book?
Houston Gunn: In February I was in LA shooting some quick tip videos for a web series on YouTube called “Shooting for Success” and after about 10 videos were shot, we all had an “ah hah moment” what we had written and what I had said on the videos would be great advice for so many people! Whether 13 years old or 63 these great tips are to help people be more successful and reach their goals. We thought we would make a tip book and in this book there are 21 tips and topics and even 11 bonus interviews from industry professionals as well.
SmallBizLady: What other projects are you working on to help you reach your goal and spread your message?
Houston Gunn: Well, that is a 2 part question. I am still doing real estate matters and just had a property in Chicago pay off and close a few weeks ago, as well as book tours and marketing my books.
As for spreading my message, I am working as editor and chief of a new teen magazine JOLT the Young Entrepreneur Revolution and have just mixed and mastered my first 3 tracks in Nashville as I am also a musician and singer/songwriter. That is why our family moved to Nashville 2 years ago. I have a lot of projects and recommend to everyone to get involved in many things so you can have multiple streams of income. That is something my family has always taught me.
SmallBizLady: You have a website and are active on social media. Do you handle your own online and social media presence?
Houston Gunn: My mom and I found a great company to work with for HoustonGunn.com and hosting my website as it is packed full of information and videos and interviews and articles and more. As for social media – yes I do my own social media, but during a school day my phone has to be off, so my mom will watch it periodically for me.
SmallBizLady: You mention the school day – are you homeschooled, private or public school and what grade are you starting in the fall?
Houston Gunn: I have been in public school since kindergarten in Washington State. When we moved to Nashville, I started my sophomore year at a public high school in Tennessee. I am a regular high school student (just with a lot more absent days when off on book tours or traveling or working on projects or speaking for events). I am ahead on credits for graduation next year so I am going to take a few virtual classes this fall and return to high school in January for the second semester. This way I can travel more and plan to do more public speaking at events and for entrepreneurs and for students as well. I would love to do a high school tour and inspire teens my age to set their goals and then take action to go reach them!
SmallBizLady: You mention goals and in your book you state some pretty strong goal directions – can you share some today?
Houston Gunn: Yes: Date it and Do it! Set a date to your goal with little ones along the way if needed, and do just 1 thing each day or each week, or when you can, to work towards your goal. Put post it notes on your computer, bathroom mirror, fridge and car radio to remind you each day of your goal. Another great thing is to get an accountability partner.
If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9 pm ET; follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter. Here’s how to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/1hZeIlz
For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.
Leave a Reply