DeLisa Guerrier talks real estate empire, marriage, and moving from California to Nashville | HHV Business Talks

DeLisa Guerrier talks building real estate empire with her husband

DeLisa Guerrier, along with her husband, Elde, are well-known in the real estate world. Those who are trying to make an impact in that world know who they are. Many people trying to break into real estate have followed their blueprint. Now, DeLisa is giving those people a rare glimpse into how they made their business happen.

DeLisa Guerrier depicts herself as the ultimate team player. Alongside her husband, Elde, she is one half of a team. First, her job is that of being Elde’s wife. Second, her job is that of being Elde’s business partner. His knack for making deals happen and her organizational skills make them the perfect pair. It is their collective skill that rounds out the rest of the team.

DeLisa Guerrier recently spoke to Hip-HopVibe.com about her business. Guerrier Development has their hands in many pots. As a result, they have a lot of business going on. There are many people on the outside looking in who would like this information. Mrs. Guerrier took the time out to explain a little bit of what she and her husband have going on.

Read the entire interview below:

Delisa Guerrier, welcome to Hip-Hop Vibe, we are very excited to be speaking with you. You and your husband Elde Guerrier are out here killing it!

Moving from California to Nashville:

You come from California, what part of Cali you are from and what was it like to have that leap of faith and make that move from California to Nashville? I’m from Northern, California, the bay area, specifically Oakland! Honestly, I did not want to leave California.

I was determined to stay home after high school and go to a local college. However, my mom made me leave. She said she wanted me to experience something different. So I went to Nashville because my sister (who’s one year older than me) went to Nashville the year before. I followed her, begrudgingly! Ha!

The Business of Guerrier Development:

Life is full of surprises, as we see you met your husband all because you wanted your windows tinted and boom here is Guerrier Development! How does it feel to look back on the success you two have accomplished and what’s next to come? Isn’t it funny how life happens and one thing always leads to another? I’m humbled when I look back and think about all of the wrong turns I could have made or almost made and I am just grateful that our encounters led us here!

Our story is even more funny when you think about the fact that I met him my sophomore year of college and all of his attempts trying to date failed – for three years!!!! Finally, I gave him the time of day and here we are nearly 15 years later.

We’ve only ever known to work together, I jumped in and helped him grow his automotive company, and then we pivoted to real estate, grew in it together on every level. Next, well besides building a theme park, we plan to make intentional investments in communities outside of Tennessee.

Guerrier Properties:

The fact that y’all have invested in over 1,000 properties is amazing, team work makes the dream work and stats show married couples DO BETTER! How do you and Mr. Guerrier compliment each other as partners? This is something people would love to know especially as a married couple who is out here doing it and making it happen? Thank you!! What I learned early on is that we each have our gifts and I can honestly say that we would not be here without each other. I say that we have learned to stay in our own lanes and operate in our own strengths – that’s step one for a successful building a company with a spouse.

He has a gift to put deals together, he thinks outside of the box when it comes to structure. Maybe from his years in the automotive industry, he’s mastered the art of negotiating and he has discipline- he pushes himself, he pushes everyone around him.

On my side, I have a knack for details, so I spend the time putting things together on paper, building out models, working with architects and land planners and community to ensure we capture the visions for our projects. It’s been a fun journey, not always easy but definitely worth it.

The Truth About Real Estate Investing:

What advice would you give to people that’s looking to get into real estate but want to avoid the scammers? I think social media is a platform to allow for many people to paint a picture for others to buy into. If they are good at marketing or they find a niche, they will gain a following. Unfortunately, many people think that the following creates justification.

This happens in so many industries, not just real estate. I, myself have found it in the beauty and hair industry, and have heard horror stories about others. The one thing about real estate, unlike those other industries, is that it’s easy to find a way to vet the deal. I always talk about building a team. On that team, there needs to be a real estate attorney.

My husband and I run every deal by our real estate attorneys. They have ways to look at the property, they will review partnership documents. Also, if they have been around long enough, they can share their perspective on reputational factors regarding potential partners. Do your due diligence. That’s my advice!!

Adding on to that, real estate comes off as very lucrative because unlike other investments (record label, real estate, restaurant), it just appears to be a “Safer Bet,” because everyone needs a place to stay! Having a place to stay is a societal need! Agreed, my dad always said two things about real estate – “1. God’s not making any more of it and 2. It will never be worth nothing.” Those factors make it much safer than other things like stock, etc. Yes, there will be ups and downs but it will never be worth nothing.

Future Projects:

I can’t wait to see how this Storyville Gardens project comes along, the seeds are planted and will come to fruition. Would you say this is your most exciting project to date? I think that what makes it exciting is that it’s so different from the normal things that come out of the ground every day, we have been extremely quiet about the details regarding this project but it will not disappoint.

What I’m most proud of is PURPOSE. If we allowed purpose to lead us in our work, the impact would be greater. Storyville Gardens is a theme park with the mission to help children and young adults discover and rediscover a love for books and reading. That excites me. To see that lifelong impact that it will have one people!

Favorite Rappers and Rap Albums:

Now this is Hip-Hop Vibe, at the end of the day (laughs). We have to talk Hip-Hop before we let you go. That being said, being the ambitious woman you are, I’m sure you have your list of go to songs or favorite rappers that get you ready to start the day. What is Mrs. Guerrier rocking to these days, past and present? Hahahahaha!! I’m in this season where I am loving music that feeds me. So, Fridayy’s song “Came Too Far” has been my morning anthem!

Can you name us your top 5 rappers of all time? TuPac, Dr. Dre, Master P, Drake, and my husband is adding Biggie to the list.

What about your top 5 rap albums of all time? Outkast – Stankonia, TuPac – All Eyez On Me, Nas and Stephen Marley – Distant Relatives, BoneThugs – E 1999 Eternal and lastly, I would say T Pain – Epiphany.

Keep it 100, whose that one rapper or what’s that one song people would be shocked that you love, like the guilty please? (HAHAHAHA) I have to admit that I love. Too Short – Blow The Whistle.

Any famous rapper that you would like to work with. As far as business go, who is that person or those few names where you admire their brand and be like “I knew if me and my husband linked with him/her, we could dominate?” I love what Master P has done in music and on a business level, he sees opportunity, executes and gives back, his values are aligned with Elde and mine in that we keep God first and builds on family. If we ever worked with him, we would definitely create something incredible!

How to Get In Contact:

Thank Mrs. Guerrier, any final words for the fans of Hip-Hop Vibe and how they can reach you? I just want to thank you for taking time with me and I appreciate all of the support. After growing up in Oakland, California and making it to where I am now, I just want to leave a nugget with the listeners/readers. Go do something great, no one’s past dictates their future!

DeLisa Guerrier talks building real estate empire with her husband