Daily Grind #1: Ray Tamarra
Daily Grind is a not so glamorous account of the entrepreneurial life and the ups and downs of striking your own path. Please email rtamarra@thecrusade.net with your Daily Grind story and what you learned from the experience for a future column. Thank you.
Pressing on
Dealing with adversity is something that all entrepreneurs experience. Sure, it’s great being your own boss, but that luxury also entails handling problems when they arise.
And that’s my situation.
I purchased two multi-family houses and was unprepared for the problems associated with managing property. I had set aside money for emergencies but not a nightmare tenant and zoning inspectors. Long story short, I got hit for thousands of dollars from one tenant while another tenant skipped out on rent. Coupled with air conditioner repairs, plumbing problems, and exterminators, I was spending a lot more money than I was generating, and dangerously depleting my financial reserves. Naturally, I panicked, thinking I was going to lose everything, but reassuring advice for seasoned property owners (thanks Gamma and Ricky) put things in perspective.
But the kicker was getting attacked and robbed! During a recent black out in my neighborhood, I got blind side punched, my face smashed into the ground, kicked in the mouth, my two front teeth broken, and robbed of $39.
I was shook for a few hours after the attack, but that “keep going,” entrepreneurial spirit kicked in.
Going forward, I had to change my routine and be more vigilant. Even though it was a very traumatic experience, I realized that I was very lucky because it could have been a whole lot worse. My attacker didn’t get my laptop or wallet. And even though my grill was a mess, I was still alive.
With that mindset, and moral support from my girl, I called my dentist the next morning for emergency root canals, than later photographed a benefit exhibit opening that evening. I apologized to my client for my busted up face, but I just couldn’t pass up a paying gig, especially with my mounting expenses (no insurance, so add another few grand for the dental work).
It’s been two weeks since the attack and I’m getting better. I still get shook when a cat seems to be following me. But I’ve been able to retrace the route where I got got instead of taking a taxi and avoiding that place altogether.
Even though I’m still dealing with problem tenants, vacancies, and generating more money to cover my mortgages, I realize it could be a whole lot worse. Now, in the midst of the madness, I try to appreciate the adversity, learn whatever lesson I can from the experience, have faith, and press on.
BTW, I just got my teeth fixed so you don’t have to suffer that eye sore. If you need me, catch me on the block, getting my money up to pay for those bad boys!
Message Ray Tamarra and tell him what you think
By Ray Tamarra on 8/5/2005
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[23 comments]
The 2-Way
23 comments
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posted by: Elocin on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
I’m praying for you. You show the kind of reselience people long to have. I’m proud to be in your circle of comrads….and I hope your spirts stay up! Your a good soul, and you’ll be rewarded for it!
All the best,
ELO
posted by: sweet g on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Wow! What a traumatic experience. I am happy to hear that you were able to rise up and dust yourself off.&.keep it movin.
It ain’t easy, but we make it happen.
Reading this let me realize I am not the only one going through shit and if u can overcome goddammit..so can I.
God Bless!
G
posted by: sweet g on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
p.s. Glad you got your teeth fixed and your high spirit is still in tact.
posted by: Deka on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Ray, that’s a lot of weight on your shoulders man. I commend you for picking up the pieces and moving on. traumatic as it was your spirit out weights all of the BS. it’s so funny to try to do things in a positive fashion and get shafted with the BS. the early years of my life has been spent doing negative things to myself and other people, and for that I am in debt to my community until I’m planted in the earth. it was so easy to sell drugs, bust guns, etc. then as soon as I started to change myself for the better it was a greater challenge. it’s so easy to go to jail and die on a corner. but to leave the BS behind and move forward is a everyday hustle.
after the ecstasy, the laundry.
posted by: BILL COSY on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Ray, First off, Thanks for sharing your recent and past experiences with us.
***
Making it to the top of your field has never been easy; Trying to live life YOUR way has never been easy; chasing success and overcoming adversity has never been easy; dealing with everyday stress and bullshit from things that you CAN’T control has never been easy; Occasionally getting kicked back down a few steps while you climb the ladder of success has never been easy.
But 1 thing that I can tell you is:
Going thru headaches, dealing with obstacles that gets in your way and eventually TAKING control of things without being affected in any negative way and not loosing a drop off that Entrepeneurial spirit is what makes YOU A WINNER.
You see, All the shit that you’re going thru - from the shady lowlife tenants, to the thugs attacking you on the streets and bustin’ yo grill, to all the shit that you’ve been thru in the past, to grinding it out in the “square”…. is what’s gonna make YOUR BIOGRAPHICAL SUCCESS STORY an interesting one to read. If things were too easy, THEN you should be worried. The shit that you are going thru now are just god’s way of testing you to see if you have the mental stamina necessary to succeed. So keep on doing what you are doing. DRAMA and STRESS are NOTHING compared to your inner strenght.
Good luck with all that you do and also know that you serve as a “stay-on-yo-grind” role model to me and to alot of us in here.
posted by: JC on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Props to you for staying strong. Much respect!
posted by: em dizzle on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Keep that head up pimp…
posted by: Slyscorpiomoon on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
I am so sorry to hear about the recent events in your life! One thing I know is that when one is hit with a series of negatives, it is only a short matter of time before the positives start flowing in.
I will be keeping my eyes and ears open for all opportunities for us to work together…
Peace and blessings.
posted by: erban on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
best wished to you. keep your head up.
posted by: ultra on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Respect Ray, as usual. You’re very insightful and intelligent and it’s been a pleasure knowing you for over a decade! We have lots to discuss!
posted by: Froglips on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Dang Ray, Way to keep your head up bruh!!!
posted by: womeninnetworking on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Ray - thank you for always sharing your life and insights with us.
– WIN
posted by: socialb77 on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Very inspiring read Ray!! Only good things will come to someone as positive and determined as you. Remember, after the rain, the sun will shine.
posted by: mrdilligaf456 on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Ray-T
As per usual, always the realest of the real.
D
posted by: LKaos on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
This is going to be a great column I look forward to this valuable information!
Thanks Ray.
posted by: Ray Tamarra on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Thank you Elocin, sweet g, Deka, BILL COSY, JC, em dizzle, Slyscorpiomoon, erban, ultra, Froglips, womeninnetworking, socialb77, mrdilligaf456, LKaos, Liane, Jeff, Rock, et. all. for taking the time to read and respond. I appreciate the support and well wishes.
Bill is absolutely right about adversity testing your character. I certainly don’t like losing money and my teeth but that was the cost of the valuable life lesson that I learned. I now realize that a lot of good can result from trying experiences.
With respect to the tenant problem, I can now screen and get people in my apartments that appreciate the housing that I’m providing.
Another very valuable thing that I was reminded of is “every little bit of money I make helps pay off those bills.”
I’ve been working non-stop getting my “paper up.” (per Crusade dictionary). What’s helped me tremendously is going after everything instead of hoping a BIG check comes in. $40 licks here, $15 hustles there, a $100 job yesterday, an $800 gig next week, and the always “for sure” 452 loot. Big money or small money, I’m after it, if its the most productive use of my time.
Being proactive about getting money sure beats HOPING that Source check arrives soon!
THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE. Stay tuned for more Daily Grind entreprenerial adventures!
posted by: Gregoire on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Ray, There’s no question that you are as Dills put it “the realest of the real”. Knowing that you have a clear purpose in your day-to-day living really helps you in obtaining the calm confidence that you have. People would pay for that, Ray!
Please keep your notes for the autobiography. Paz e Felicidade.
posted by: Dead Wrong on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Glad to hear that you are back on your grind. My boy Seed said he ran into you and copped one of them papers from you. Small world.
posted by: Willy Beamish on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
So inspirational! To know that you went through all of that to where you are right now! I needed to read this today!!! Thanks for sharing your personal experience!
posted by: dreadmedia on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
hey ray im really sorry to hear what happened
i have always fond you to be a humble cool dude and when you speak from your personal voice here on the crusade I have always taken something from it
thanks for being an example keep it up
posted by: Jigsaw on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Yo, hang in there man…cliches’ aside…some times you have to see that dark day to see the light. i know that personally. you stay on the grind…i dont think i know anybody on the grind like ray hahaha
posted by: SmacksRecords.com on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
I visit the site to see what my homie is up to and what do I find but the hecticness! I am sorry to hear that happened but I am so glad you are OK- still staring down danger just like at that Busta show years ago I see LOL! Stay SAFE Ray and I’ll see you when I see you as always. Best Wishes, Nandi
posted by: JtothaI on 08/5/2005 at 10:20 am
Wow, sorry to hear about that Ray. Karma is MF’r…especially when the person that caught the L is a stand up guy like yourself…they will get it back tenfold.
Your resilience will bring you good fortune.