Dr. Van Williams is the CEO of The Proactive Realty Income Fund, LLC, Dr. Van is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Dr. Van provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of The Proactive Realty Income Fund, LLC.
Dr. Van Williams joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Dr. Van join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Dr. Van Williams is an established professional in the real estate investment management industry. For more than 23 years, he has bought, sold, and repositioned multifamily and single-family real estate assets that amount to more than $30+ million dollars, in that time span and counting.
He completed his college education at Ashworth College with an associate degree in Business Management and Marketing. In addition, Dr. Van is also a Magna Cum Laude and Ph.D. in General Psychology graduate of Madison University in 2007.
After completing His Doctorate degree, He began venturing into the realm of meaningful Multifamily Investing. In 2009, He Graduated from Allied Business School in Laguna Hills, Calif, as a registered Professional Property Manager, and Certified Green Property Advisor. He went on to earn the designation: Registered Property Manager with The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). In October 2019 He Graduated from Richard Wilson’s Family Office Training as a Certified Private Equity Professional (CPEP). He is also a Certified Business Mediator via Lakewood College, and a Member in Good standing with: The National Association of Certified Mediators (New York, NY); The largest Recognized Mediator Association in The World.
In addition to that, he holds certificates/substantial course work in related practices such as Hotel & Restaurant Management, Substance Abuse Counseling, and Community Psychology & Social Work (Stratford Career Institute).
As an advocate of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, He focuses on Socially Impacting Lower-Income, and underserved and working-class communities to improve the lives of both investors and residents.
To further his goal as a socially responsible investor, he has formed and currently co-manages The Proactive Realty Income Fund, LLC (www.ProactiveFunds.com). As an Active Fund Manager and the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), he utilizes his knowledge in ESG to lead property and investment managers in rehabilitating and managing real estate properties in neighborhoods where there is a need for more affordable housing, Without Gentrifying these areas.
This Social Impact Fund, created by Dr. Van, Proactively encourages investors to take part in investments that aim to improve local communities. In Pandemic 2020 The Fund had a Net 12% return, beating the S & P 500 for 2020.
The Fund deploys Capital in affordable and quality Class C and Class B (distressed) properties to cater to the needs of low-income families and create Immediate Income for Investors. In return, its hands-on management of these assets generates healthy cash flow and minimum investment returns of 12% to 16%. The Fund uses World renowned JTC Group, as its 3rd party Fund Administrator. This partnership allows for Full Transparency for Investors, and Social Impact Measuring.
Furthermore, with a commitment to improving the lives of the people who are in the targeted communities, Dr. Van and his team also initiate the creation of job opportunities and support social programs that benefit them. The Proactive Income Fund has a Successful Track Record of Creating 1st time Homeowners in the Manufactured Housing space, while generating a 92 out of 100 on the Impact Rate of Return Scoring, created by Mr. Howard Buffett.
Last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Proactive thrived and beat the S&P 500, yielding a net return of 12% for its investors.
Q: How did you come up with your business idea?
I’ve been a private investor for several years focusing on rehabbing deteriorating properties and revitalizing underserved and working-class communities. I decided to further my mission by forming Proactive Realty Income Fund, because Social Impact Investing, comes naturally for me. I believe there are many investors out there who want to put their money into meaningful investments that will not just yield them great returns but also leave a long-lasting impact on communities and be Measurable/Accountable.
Q: What do you love the most about your profession?
I love how it allows me to do what I love and to practice my profession while helping transform communities. It feels so good to be able to give our investors healthy returns and provide homeownership and job opportunities to single parents and low-income families. This is definitely a life-changing opportunity for me and my team.
Q: How do you generate ideas?
Sometimes, talking to different people helps me come up with ideas, especially when questions arise and make me think. At other times, I go on a stroll alone, observe my surroundings, and try to look for problems that we need to find solutions to. Aside from that, I read success stories of other entrepreneurs and books that tackle different business strategies and tips for entrepreneurs. In addition, I also browse the internet and look at interesting trends.
Q: As an entrepreneur, what is one challenge you had to face and how did you triumph over it?
Making decisions as investor and a fund manager means having to face risks. And if you are a beginner in this industry, sometimes, taking the first leap can be really hard. As humans, it is normal for us to feel fear especially when we are in the face of threat. And this is what leads to the situation which we know as fight or flight. In short, the fear we feel helps us decide whether to move forward or take a step backward.
Through the years, I learned that an investor who is consistent in doing some research and calculating risks is more likely to overcome this kind of fear and make informed decisions. Doing this has kept me grounded throughout my career as a real estate investment manager.
Q: What do you think makes you successful?
My Faith in God, and dedication to Serve in all that I do both Professionally, and in my Personal Life. What I know for Sure about Success is that Service keeps me on the path to Success. Because of my goal to help transform communities, I/We meet a lot of people from all walks of life, that are in need of assistance. We work to do the Best in our Space. To serve those in need of Housing that is: Affordable, safe & Secure.
Q: How do you define success?
In Service to the communities that we Work in, and the Returns that We generate for Our Investors. As for me, this would simply mean putting smiles on the faces of my loved ones, our investors, and the people who live in communities where we invest in. Having found my way to Serve, is my Success.
Q: What is your most satisfying achievement in life or as an entrepreneur?
Aside from being able to buy, sell, and reposition real estate properties that amount to a total of $30+ million, what gives me a great sense of fulfillment is seeing the positive impact that we are having on our targeted communities. Its Satisfying to be The Change, that We would like to see in our targeted Communities. I am very happy to be part of a good change and help build a brighter future for these people and their families.
Apart from that, I am very proud of our team’s most recent achievement. Last year, many businesses suffered the effects of the pandemic. But despite the challenges it has brought, we emerged stronger and delivered a net return of 12% to our investors. Our Investors Come First. Period. It is Satisfying to continually Strive for the Best Service to Our Investors & Our Investment Communities.
Q: What piece of advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs?
Service. I cannot emphasize that enough. Read, Research, and Listen. Being an Entrepreneur is No Cake Walk. What I know for Sure is that: as you strive to make your dreams a reality, aim to deliver excellent products or services that will truly create a positive impact on Society, and the lives of people you work with and areas You work in. Be a Good Corporate Citizen.
Q: What are the top 3 traits that a person must possess to become successful?
“Where There is No Vision, The People Perish” Proverbs 29:18
To become successful, Serve. Find a way to Serve. To Serve others in this World. A life of service, on whichever Path you choose. What I know for Sure is that: a person must have a clearly defined Vision, along with: Optimism, Tenacity, and Chutzpah. When you have a Compelling Vison, others respond. Clear Vision with Clear Boundaries, keeps one focused because you know and understand the reason why you even started. Aside from that, it helps you set your goals that will determine the direction of your life, and you learn where to Serve.
Optimism and creativity, on the other hand, work together. With optimism, you are able to bounce back because instead of focusing on failures, you see setbacks as opportunities to improve and think of other possible ways to achieve your goals. This is where your creativity comes in.
Q: What business-related book would you recommend other people to read?
If you’re curious about how you can actually start with sustainable investing, try reading Invest for Good authored by Mark Mobius, Carlos Hardenberg, and Greg Konieczny. This book is full of fun and informative stories based on the real-life experiences of the three authors. In addition to that, it will help you understand how this investing strategy truly affects businesses & comm unities. Book: Am I Being Too Subtle, by Sam Zell. Book: Principles by, Ray Dalio.
Book: The Path Made Clear by, Oprah Winfrey (Must read for any Entrepreneur. You Must be in touch with who you are and Your Path, to succeed in Anything, especially Business)
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
If you want to make a difference and leave a lasting impact on society, challenge yourself to find solutions to harder problems because it will help improve your skill and develop creative thinking. Study the Life of: Sam Zell, Warren Buffets Son Howard Buffett, and Focus on the Meaningful. Trust God and demonstrate the Love of Christ in everyday moment
Dr. Van Williams, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course The Proactive Realty Income Fund, LLC, nothing but the best.
