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Meet Travis Shelton of Shelton PLLC in Scottsdale

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Shelton.

Travis, before we jump into specific questions about the company, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up most of my adolescent life in a mobile home in Las Vegas. My parents divorced when I was a teenager. I was kicked out of my home on Christmas, before my 16th birthday. These were some of the best things to happen to me.

Why you might ask? Living in a mobile home provided me the fuel, fire and passion to own real estate. My parents divorcing provided me my best friend in my father who has been my hero, biggest fan and supporter from the moment I took my first breath on this earth. During the years of marriage struggle before the divorce, I “lost” my father to his struggles and sadness in his marriage. When my parents divorced, my father Earl was able to be himself again and the man, father and grandfather I respect and admire. Being kicked out at 16, as a straight ‘A’ student nonetheless taught me about grit, hard work, determination and made me grow up quickly.

If you have read “Rich Dad Poor Dad” my father was the stereotypical Poor Dad. Since we grew up modestly, he taught me to get good grades and a good steady paying career and all would be fine in life. So I followed his advice, was a good student, was accepted into Pharmacy School at Midwestern University – College of Pharmacy Glendale earned my Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2009 and begin my career at Mayo Clinic in Arizona as a pharmacist. Life was perfect, right? Wrong.

I quickly fell into the trap most middle class Americans fall into. I had >$120K of student loans, bought a $300K+ home and had a car payment and other bills. I was able to save money but was more focused on paying off debt that building wealth. Recognizing many other pharmacists were still living paycheck to paycheck after decades of being a pharmacist, I knew I had to be different.

I purchased my first home in 2009 and my first rental home a few years after (with the help of my father). I realized most Realtors did not have all the skill sets I wanted as representation. I had found both my properties and was not thrilled with the representation I received. I had a Doctorate, was good with numbers, detailed oriented and a good negotiator. (Note: You try negotiating with an MD to switch someone’s chemotherapy medication sometime and see how good of a negotiator you are when it comes to a life or death scenario.) So I decided to get my real estate license.

I never do the bare minimum. I did not just earn my Pharm.D. (Doctorate of Pharmacy) but also have earned my Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist certifications in addition to other “accommodates” in Pharmacy including current Alumni President of Midwestern University – College of Pharmacy Glendale.

I took the same approach in real estate. I wanted to be a great Realtor so I could find the best deals, save the most per transaction and grow a business. I have earned my Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and e-PRO designations as a Realtor and working on a few more. In the first few years, I used my real estate license for myself. It wasn’t until a roommate wanted me to represent her that I thought about representing others. However, once I did I was hooked.

I realized that by helping others with their real estate goals, it would help me accomplish my own. I’m using my real estate earnings to purchase more real estate. I’ve recently had the best real estate year to date but certainly not stopping anytime soon and plan to double my earnings in 2020. This year my wife Erin and I were able to invest in a 76 unit apartment syndication here in Phoenix, had our first child in July – his name is Cooper, and looking forward to more success and joy in 2020.

Has it been a smooth road?
Working a full time W2 job is difficult for any entrepreneur to overcome. I think it’s even harder when that W2 is a high earner. It’s easier to give up a lower paying job that didn’t require education to pursue something risky. It’s much harder to give up a $150K+ W2 job with phenomenal benefits/retirement that you had to earn a doctorate to practice to pursue a “sales job.” People think I’m crazy.

We’d love to hear more about your company.
Shelton PLLC is a residential real estate company focused on helping the needs of others. We strive to “go to bat” for each and every client and serve the needs of our clients before, during and after each sale. We don’t disappear after closing. We stay in touch and believe relationships are more important than transactions.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Our city if a mecca for real estate – whether residential or a commercial. If you are starting, find a mentor that is doing what you want to do. Educate yourself, always learning more and as I tell students “adding to your toolbox.”

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