487. Learning How Natural Talents Set Her Apart

Edna Keep

Edna never thought just talking to people was a natural talent. “I thought, since it was so easy for me, everybody must be good at it.” Learning how her natural talents distinguished her has been the key to success after success.

As a real estate entrepreneur and investment advisor, coach, and trainer, Edna Keep helps people create passive income through investing in real estate. With $47MM in real estate assets—built in eight years primarily with “other people’s money”—she finally feels like she is exactly where she is meant to be: coaching and training people in all the skills she has acquired throughout her life.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

“I started taking correspondence courses on my own time in the evening. All I could afford was $25 a month. Whenever there were two courses I wanted to take, I had to finish one before I could take the other. But I learned I could study only what I wanted to study. I didn’t have to take classes that seemed useless to me. I got to expand on what I wanted to learn. I think that really helped.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“Learning that my forte was talking to people, and that my natural talents distinguished me from other people. I’m a natural conversationalist. It’s easy to me. I didn’t realize it was a strength. I thought, since it was so easy for me, everybody must be good at it. I remember meeting with a teacher, after I became successful. I asked him if he had ever thought I would be successful, and he replied, “Edna, I always figured if you could find something where you could capitalize on your social skills you would do well.” I had never even thought of my social skills something great! Later, when I became a financial advisor, those skills were what endeared me to people.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“I think I was born an entrepreneur because I never liked being told what to do. I didn’t go to university, and I had to start working right out of high school. As I look back, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me because, fortunately, I didn’t get stuck in a career that I had spent thousands and thousands of dollars on. So, I didn’t have that need just to continue in something I didn’t like. I’ve been able to build things I like to do.”