Welcome, Traveler!
I’M DARRELL, AND THIS IS MY DAUGHTER JULIET
I believe that anyone can build an online business that allows them the freedom to travel the world and enjoy life now with friends and family rather than working it away at some 9-5 rat race to one day hope to retire with enough to travel and see the world when your too old to really enjoy it….
But the path hasn’t always been this clear.
We’re held back by the limiting beliefs that live within ourselves constantly reinforced by family, friends, and society. It’s not their fault! They just don’t know any different, but my hope is to change that for you…
You deserve to go on that dream trip. To create your dream life that provides you the freedom to travel the world now. There is no need to put that dream trip on the back burner, simmering in your soul for another day.
(I know the reality of this, because I too was a slave to my construction business that I thought would provide me and my family the freedom to live a better life until one day my world was completely turned upside down, and you can read my full story below ).
Let me first ask you a couple of questions?
Do you feel like you were meant to live a better life than you’re currently living?
Do you really want to be staring at yourself in the mirror from now wondering “What If?”
The one thing I regret more than than anything is not starting sooner…
I started this travel blog to show YOU that there was a better way!
What If you’d buckled down, dove head first and gave it your all so you can finally achieve the freedom you so deserve in you and your families life….
What If you actually stopped listening to the excuses your letting hold you back from creating your dream life?
Because You ABSOLUTELY Have The Power To Create Your Dream Life!
And, I’m Here To Help You Do It! 😃
Let’s Do It Together
Ready To Grow Your Online Business So You Can Experience More In Life?
MY STORY…
THE SHORT VERSION
Once upon a time, there was a young man who was led to believe by society and his peers that true wealth could be achieved through hard work and investing in real estate rental properties. At just 18 years old, he took a leap of faith and started his own construction business. Not long after, he launched his real estate investing career at the naive age of 21, inspired by a Carlton Sheets course that he took the leap of faith and invested in. This course led him to purchase his first home for just $5,000, turning a remarkable profit of $30,000 on his first investment property.
Amazed by this initial success, he quickly bought his second property across the street for $23,000, making a $28,000 profit in just a few short months. Driven by ambition and a relentless desire to create a life that others only dream of, he persisted through challenges with a mix of determination, stubbornness, and hard work. Over the next couple of decades, he built a robust real estate portfolio of 10 rental properties, sustained and grew his construction business for over 30 years, built two homes, and flipped several properties along the way.
Then, one wintery day, his life took an unexpected turn. While working on a construction job, his hand swelled up out of nowhere, turning his life completely upside down and throwing him into a tornado of turmoil. This sudden ailment crushed every belief he had worked so hard to make a reality. He rushed to the emergency room, desperate for answers. They ran test after test—checking for gout, arthritis, and more, taking blood and urine samples, and performing MRIs—but no one could figure out what was going on.
Sent home without answers, the swelling eventually subsided, only to return a few weeks later. More tests, bloodwork, and missed work followed, and the bills began to pile up with no remedy in sight. The swelling spread throughout his body, into his knees, feet, elbows, and eventually all his joints, crippling him for days at a time. His scalp began to itch, and he became the contractor he never wanted to be, frequently calling off jobs. Despite his every effort to keep it all together, the pain became so severe that he considered ending it all himself. However, he refused to leave his daughter behind to fend for herself.
While battling this internal demon, he was also fighting for custody of his daughter, a result of her mother’s drug addiction. Despite the overwhelming pain and challenges, his love for his daughter kept him going, fueling his determination to overcome the obstacles before him.
For thirteen long years, he battled the internal demon, which crushed him financially, physically, and mentally. He realized during this trial that he was truly a slave to his business and that anyone reliant on an income source that requires their direct involvement is in jeopardy of having their entire world turned upside down in a matter of days or less.
He swore that once he figured out how to create an income that wasn’t solely reliant on trading time for money, which would allow true financial and time freedom, he would share it with whoever was willing to listen
GET TO KNOW JULIET….
My Daughter Juliet: A Journey of Dreams and Aspirations
Let me tell you about my daughter, Juliet, a remarkable young lady who is growing up with dreams as big as the ocean and aspirations that reach the sky.
Juliet is now 15, and she has her heart set on becoming a professional volleyball player. From the moment she first picked up a volleyball, it was clear she had a natural talent and an incredible passion for the game. Juliet gives her all on the court, practicing tirelessly and always striving to improve her skills. Her dedication and commitment to the sport are truly inspiring.
But volleyball isn’t Juliet’s only passion. She loves to eat great food, savoring every bite and always eager to try new dishes. From gourmet meals to simple homemade favorites, Juliet’s palate is as adventurous as her spirit. And if there’s a beach nearby, you can be sure to find her there, collecting seashells with a joyful smile. Each shell she finds is a treasure, a piece of nature’s art that she carefully adds to her ever-growing collection.
As she blossoms into a beautiful young lady, Juliet is also discovering her love for design. She has an eye for aesthetics, whether it’s in fashion, interior design. Her creative flair shines through in everything she does, and her ability to see beauty in the world around her is truly special.
Juliet also loves to take photos, capturing moments that tell a story and freeze time. Her photos are not just images; they are expressions of her unique perspective and her love for life. Whether it’s a candid shot of her friends, a stunning sunset, or a beautifully plated meal, Juliet’s photos are a testament to her artistic eye and her attention to detail.
Watching Juliet grow and pursue her passions has been one of the greatest joys of my life. She is not just my daughter; she is my inspiration, my pride, and my hope for the future. With her dreams, her talents, and her boundless enthusiasm, Juliet is on a path to achieve greatness. And I have no doubt that whatever she sets her mind to, she will succeed with grace, determination, and a heart full of love.
THE LONGER VERSION OF MY STORY…
Have you ever felt like the “wrong path” was the “right path” for you?
Yeah, a blessing in disguise.
I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe starting this travel blog sooner would have been a good idea, but skepticism is the #1 killer of dreams. Once you crush that thought, the possibilities are limitless. Especially today, as I write this, it’s never been easier to create your dream life.
As a child, I was raised to believe that if you work hard, go to school, you will eventually make it! A belief we’ve pretty much all been spoon-fed from our parents, and to be honest, I don’t blame them. For the longest time, that’s really the only path there was. It’s been passed down from parent to child for generations…
Here’s the deal:
I don’t know about you, but I love a great story about how a person picks themselves up and gets their shit back together. While my story is not fully written, here’s how we got here. I hope it gives you a better idea of who I am.
1981 – NHL Here I Come!
My mom started me in hockey at the age of 6, mostly to help me find my way. I played for a couple of years for the Massillon Mites. She would transport me early in the mornings to and from the Kent State Hockey Rink. The coach said he’d never seen anyone take to the ice like I did. I started with the walker for about two laps and then off I went on my own. I even landed a spot on the front page of the sports section of the Akron Beacon Journal, a local newspaper.
I played until my father talked me out of it, saying it wasn’t a real man’s sport and that he wanted me to play football or bowl. Like I said, he was something else. So much for that dream!
Some Other Horrifying, Exciting, and Memorable Moments
I watched my first horror movie in 1983 at the age of 8: “Cujo” by Stephen King. I can still picture that dog drooling in the car window trying to get in. Man, the nightmares that movie gave me.
We gave the neighbors a bike because I outgrew it, and then they gave it back for my sister to ride. When she got on to ride it, the front wheel shot out from under it. She went flying through the air…. I thought it was funny at the time; she felt otherwise.
1989 – A New Start!
Mom wasn’t having any part of us going to Barberton High School, so we moved to Green, Ohio, which at the time was a township. This move was so my sister and I could transition from private school to one of the better public schools in the area for our high school education. I started at Green High School, and my sister started at Green Middle School. It was an awkward transition for both of us, as I think it is for most kids. My sister struggled more than I did to fit in at first.
I initially just went with the flow but really struggled with identifying who I was and where I fit in. I wasn’t one of the kids who had any close friends growing up. Sure, I had some friends I hung out with occasionally, but I really wanted to be with the cool kids. Not really sure why, but looking back, I had a lot of insecurities, and at the time, I thought that being with the cool kids would help me overcome them.
I wasn’t really into any sports in high school. I did play tennis for a minute, but I think that only led to me being picked on more. I also struggled with bad acne throughout high school and beyond. “Pizza face” was one of the names I recall that stuck with me over the years and made me really insecure about my looks.
I somehow managed the courage to land my first girlfriend at the age of 16. We dated for about a year and a half. I thought the world of her, but apparently, she didn’t feel the same and dumped me for some red-headed Irishman.
1993 – Transitioning into the Real World!
After graduation, I continued working at the patio enclosure company for a while after my stepdad moved out and my mom and he got divorced. I bought my first new truck, a Ford Ranger, at the age of 18. At the time, I already had 12 credit cards in my name and was making more than most kids my age. However, things got weird working with my ex-stepdad, and I had to get out of there.
I floundered around for a while, trying to find a job that paid as well as the patio enclosure company. From waiter to laborer, I just couldn’t seem to find my place in this world.
1996 – A New Opportunity Presents Itself
One day, an opportunity revealed itself. My mom’s attorney, who handled her recent divorce, was looking for someone to help his son with a restaurant renovation on a tight budget. I was just the young lad for the job. Armed with my tool belt and my first major tool purchase, a sawzall, I got to work remodeling and constructing my first commercial restaurant job. From painting the old tin ceiling to constructing handicap-accessible bathrooms, I was ready to take on the challenge. It was a tall task for a one-man operation, but it didn’t deter this young, naive 18-year-old. What’s the worst that could happen?
Unbeknownst to me, this would be the start of my construction company, which I would spend the next 25+ years working in.
1975 – From Nowhere to Somewhere
I was born on March 3, 1975, at City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. As the firstborn to my parents, Illona and Dennis, we lived in a small house in Barberton, Ohio, about 10 miles outside of Akron. Our house was on a dead-end street backed up to the woods. When it rained, the water flowed down through the neighborhood past our house. I would spend hours playing in that ditch, floating makeshift boats—some of which made it, and some didn’t.
When I was just a year and a half old, my parents welcomed my sister, Daneen, to the family on December 1, 1976. She was the baker and reader in the family, while I was on a mission to deconstruct everything in sight. If I wasn’t tied down, I’d have my hands on something, taking it apart to see how it worked and then attempting to put it back together. The majority of the time, I was successful too. She was more cautious, and I was always the risk-taker. We were pretty much inseparable when we weren’t fighting, that is.
My mom and dad divorced when I was 6. I did see him on the weekends until I was 10, but he hasn’t been in my life since. I don’t even think he knows he has a beautiful granddaughter. Such a shame—he’s missed some great memories. Some things are for the better, though. He was abusive to my mom, and I still remember the day he put his fist through the wall in the living room, knocking the ceramic sun off the wall in the bathroom. My sister later cut her leg on it. All because she wouldn’t stop crying about something. Just one of many incidents stuck in my memory.
Oh, and he did give me my first sip of beer at the age of 6. Come to think of it, I don’t really have any fond memories of my dad. He was, and is, something else.
My sister and I spent our younger years in private Catholic schools and with babysitters when my mom wasn’t working to provide a better life for us than she had growing up. She worked extra hard to make sure we had a great education. I still remember that wooden paddle with holes in it like it was yesterday. Those nuns didn’t play around. And my daughter thinks I’m strict? Please, she doesn’t even know.
It was just the trio of us for a while.
1986 – The New Guy!
When I was 11, my mom got remarried to my stepdad Kevin. I don’t remember much about our relationship in the earlier years of their marriage. He did teach me how to ride my first dirt bike, a Yamaha MX 80. I wore a figure 8 in the side yard of the house on the dead-end street. I almost peed my pants when he took me for a ride straight up a 70-degree incline in his lifted Toyota truck.
1990s – Early Work and Personal Growth
I purchased my first car at the age of 15—a Chevy Nova II four-door for $1,200 with the money I saved up from working summers with my stepdad at a patio enclosure company. This is where I first developed my skills as a carpenter. I later transitioned into a patio installer helper and honed my skills while working with my stepdad until I graduated high school.
Right after graduation, in the summer of 1993, my stepdad and mom were arguing about something in the kitchen. I was sitting on the sectional in the living room, and as I turned around to see what was going on, he was raising his fist to hit her. I immediately leaped over the back of the couch and yelled, “Don’t you even think about it.” Not sure where I got the courage to do so. Now mind you, my stepdad was like 230 lbs and 6’4”, and at the time, I was just this 5’11”, 150 lb kid. My reaction stopped him from going after her, but then he started to come after me. So I did what any wise person would do when a 230lb 6’4 grown man is coming at you—I ran out the back door to the neighbor’s house. That was the last time my stepdad would be living with us. My mom had been there done that…
1994 – Free College Tuition!
My mom landed a job at the University of Akron, which meant free tuition for me and my sis. My sister took advantage of this and earned two degrees, while my mom worked full-time and took evening classes, working her way up the university ladder. I, on the other hand, was all over the place—registering for classes in construction, fire emergency services, and early childhood education. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do for the life of me. I worked a few odd jobs, framing houses and working at Frito-Lay, but I always seemed to find my way back to construction.
1997 – Invested in My First Course
With my construction business gaining momentum, I decided to invest in my first course in real estate investing. Inspired by a Carlton Sheets course I saw on an infomercial, I purchased my first home for just $5,000, turning a remarkable profit of $30,000.
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