Even at first glance, it’s obvious that there’s something different about 29-year-old Eden April Alemania-Dayrit. It’s in the way she carries herself, the gleam in her eyes, and the skip in her step. There’s something different about this woman—something that tells you she’s had a lot of success in life.
By now, everyone in the real estate industry knows her name. After all, how many people do you know who have not only achieved great success in the real estate industry but have also done so at such a young age? With 28 properties worth P60 million under her belt, the term "golden girl" might be more than just a figure of speech when it comes to Eden.
But despite what many people might think, Eden did not have a strong background in real estate when she first started her career in 2008. Growing up, she was inwardly shy and preferred staying inside her room to read books rather than going out to play with other children. However, Eden always maintained an image of self-confidence at school. Not only did she represent their school in math contests from fourth grade to her fourth year of high school, but she was also part of her schools' newspapers from elementary all the way into college.
“In school, I was sort of a teacher’s pet and a nerd--always striving to be on top of the class,” Eden says. “At home, I grew up under Lola’s care. My mom single-handedly provided for us and had to sacrifice being with us by being an OFW for a very long time. I grew up in a strict environment--or that was how I felt then. I later on realized that it was for my own good.”
THE POINT OF NO RETURN
A chemical engineering graduate from De La Salle University, Eden had gone on to work for two semi-conductor companies and had been in the middle of her master’s thesis at Ateneo de Manila University before she felt the lure of entrepreneurship—the real estate industry, to be specific. “At that time, I was already tired of being employed, and I knew I had to do something about it,” Eden shares.
Back then, she and her boyfriend (now her husband) had just bought their first piece of real estate, thinking that they could use it in the future. She had then applied as an agent for the developer of their condo unit in Taguig and, after a few months, decided to contact the people in the industry who could teach her the tricks of the trade.
Thus, she signed up for entrepereneur Dr. Larry Gamboa’s Think Rich, Pinoy mentoring program. She came into contact with renowned names in real estate. Aside from learning from Dr. Gamboa himself, she had his Think Rich Quick book co-author Trace Trajano as one of her mentors as well. On the path to success, she also learned from Bo Sanchez of Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Nelson Terible of Techno-Asia, and more.
But while reading the books of businessman and self-help author Robert Kiyosaki fueled her desire to stand on her own two feet, the move from chemical engineering to real estate was still a huge leap of faith for Eden. Entrusting her future to her mentors was a risky move.
Despite her qualms, however, she still made that jump. “Once you’ve identified what you really like to do and why you are doing it, it is a no-brainer,” Eden shares. Guided by her instincts, she put her faith in her Think Rich, Pinoy mentors and worked hard. “I could’ve done it myself, but it wasn’t my style--and I didn’t have the guts. Prior to going into this venture, I read a lot of books, but I still couldn’t pull the trigger. I am the type who needs supervision and constant motivation to work on something, and that is what they provided me.”
LEARNING THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Having basically zero knowledge about the real estate business, Eden initially harbored more than a few apprehensions about herself. In fact, she would often call her mentor for advice whenever a client asked something that she couldn’t answer right away. “I’m the type of person who wants to be pushed to do something and also wants to have an assurance that I’m doing the right thing.”
Her first property purchase probably counts as one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in her career. “I didn’t have the cash to buy it in the first place. Still, I was bidding for the property--and won!” Eden exclaims. “I couldn’t sleep for a few days after that, constantly worrying if the deal would push through. But I felt relieved when I found an investor for the property, and everything else followed. I renovated the property, marketed it, and found a buyer. Every step of the way, I was convincing myself that I could do it. And I found myself loving the process.”
She soon started trusting in her own abilities as a real estate investor. “After the first deal, I gained a lot of confidence--that this is really possible because I’ve done it myself.” Eden humbly adds that much of it was due to the help of her mentors. While being a real estate investor has a lot of rewards, it is not without effort--at least, when you’re just starting out. For someone who had next to no background in the industry, Eden really managed to leave her comfort zone and stepped up her game.
While there have been a few close calls, real estate’s golden girl has never lost money. “The most worrisome part that I’ve encountered is the buyer not being able to pay for the balance as agreed,” Eden explains. “[It's a] good thing I structured the deal well because the balance that he is unable to pay only represents the profit, and I’ve already recovered the amount I paid to the seller and rehabbers. What I did was I talked to the buyer and restructured the balance according to his capacity to pay. I learned that, in this business, it also pays to be nice.”
HER CENTERS OF INFLUENCE
Of course, the move from chemical engineering to real estate did not go unnoticed. While her partner supported her all the way, her family was another matter altogether. “They were concerned about me, and rightfully so,” Eden shares. “They were mad at how I threw my master’s degree out of the window to pursue a career very different from where I started. But I understood their concern. It took about a year before they understood fully, and they are happy with how things turned out.”
These days, things are much more peaceful around the house. And while you might think Eden’s life has changed dramatically after making her first million, it hasn’t. Eden still enjoys the company of her friends and family. A self-confessed bookworm, she likes going to bookstores and perusing the shelves. “I read a book or two per week. But I notice that I buy more books than I can consume and have a long list of 'to-read' books,” Eden shares. On a regular day, when she doesn’t have to present at a conference, she can most probably be found at home “curled up with a book or a newspaper with my niece walking around and her lola on the sofa.”
Reading isn't the only thing Eden is passionate about. She is a fast learner, and what makes her different from other millionaires out there is that she constantly strives to improve herself. “I love reading books, and I love attending seminars,” she reveals. In fact, she even describes herself as a perennial student, always ready to attend more seminars and enroll in short courses that are relevant to her industry.
In life, Eden follows three simple principles. First, she says, do not do things just to get by. Once you’ve decided on what you want to do, go all out. Be passionate. Second, build and keep relationships—those that will keep you afloat during times of need. Lastly, live life now. Do not postpone doing the things you want to do because your time doesn’t allow it. Make time for it. With her upbeat and hard-working attitude, it’s no wonder that Eden is so successful in her career. There is no doubt that she’ll succeed in other aspects of her life too.
(Photos courtesy of Eden Dayrit)
