Surfing Through Life — How Justin Wilmot, Founder of 10 Hour Deals, Is Living His Best Life
By Space Coast Daily // September 7, 2024
Justin Wilmot is living the life that most only dream of. Each day starts early, spent strolling along the beach just a short walk from his home.
With a self-development audiobook playing in his ears and the ocean waves under his feet, he makes sure each day starts with direction and purpose. Though he’s a dedicated real estate investor, known for his innovative 10 Hour Deals course, he doesn’t let work stand in the way of living his life.
Sometimes, he’ll join the rest of the working world and head to the office, but more often than not, he steps onto his boat and makes that his workspace for the day. And instead of taking lunch breaks, he’s more about catching some waves on his surfboard whenever he can.
One day at a time, Justin Wilmot is proving to the world that when it comes to work and freedom, you don’t have to pick one or the other.
From Waiting Tables to Closing Deals
Before he was a real estate investor, Wilmot worked in the restaurant industry, describing one of his first jobs as a waiter as the worst of his life. The high-pressure environment was too much for many of his coworkers to handle, but Wilmot’s determination kept him around.
Although his time as a waiter was challenging, it also taught him a lot of valuable lessons that have stuck with him to this day. The money may have been good in the restaurant industry, but it wasn’t going to get him where he wanted to go. So, he eventually moved on to real estate investing.
When Wilmot first began getting more involved in real estate, he noticed that he was spending way too much time on the most essential tasks. Although tasks like marketing, negotiating, and managing contractors are integral parts of any successful real estate business, he knew he needed to find a more productive system.
Eventually, 10 Hour Deals was born, which allows most of the real estate investing process to be automated instead of hands-on. This approach was life-changing for Wilmot, who finally started to get his life back with the creation of this new system.
How 10 Hour Deals Changed Everything
10 Hour Deals didn’t come by mere chance. Instead, it was created to solve a specific problem. Wilmot found that he was missing out on the things he loved most about life, like spending time with his family and getting to surf.
As a traditional fix-and-flip developer, he figured that if he could come up with a way to automate the hands-on tasks, he could devote more time to what mattered most. 10 Hour Deals came to life, allowing Wilmot to scale his business and take on even more deals without extra work.
The change was monumental, shifting every aspect of how his business operates. After all, running a nationwide virtual wholesaling business was no easy feat.
Wilmot struggled to release control and trust in these new automated systems. He was used to relying on his own two hands, so the idea of a computer doing it for him was a foreign idea. However, he knew this is what had to happen if he wanted the business to grow.
Wilmot approached each challenge much like everything else in life, using his grit and determination to carry him through. Though he faced numerous obstacles, he compared them to the waves he often encountered when surfing, and kept navigating them with a never-quit mindset.
From building the right team to maintaining the same level of income and success, Wilmot worked tirelessly to ensure 10 Hour Deals would thrive. And, because of his efforts, it did.
With the creation of 10 Hour Deals, Justin Wilmot got his life back. He no longer had to spend hours on time-consuming tasks, but instead got to prioritize what mattered most to him again.
His business wasn’t just about making real estate investing easier but about making his life, and that of his family’s, better. By automating different parts of his business, he could surf, spend time with his loved ones, and tap into his passions, all while continuing to grow as an investor.
Family Bonds Are the Secret to Wilmot’s Success
Justin Wilmot’s love for his family has been vital in his success, both personally and professionally. In the early days of his business, as it was just starting to gain traction, his wife helped with tasks like cold-calling potential buyers. At one point, she even secured one of their biggest buyers.
Wilmot recalls how her confidence in not only him, but their shared dream, was what gave him that push to keep moving forward. When times were tough, it was his wife who stepped in to offer her support and made sacrifices for their family.
It’s these experiences that have made him a firm believer in the power of relationships. Wilmot isn’t only an investor, but also a coach, and he now encourages his students to build strong support networks that start at home.
Lessons Learned—Helping Others Find Financial Freedom
Justin Wilmot has learned a lot, but he doesn’t keep these insights to himself. Just as he shares the power of partnership with others, he also uses his success to help others achieve their own dreams by coaching them.
His move from sole investor to a passionate educator was a natural one, allowing him to give back to others. Wilmot’s lifestyle is the result of the systems he’s put into place and the efforts he’s made to achieve his goals, and he wants others to know they can do the same for themselves.
Through his 10 Hour Deals Wholesaling course, he teaches his students how to automate their investing processes so that they too can enjoy a life of both work and play. He refers to this as the “vacation lifestyle,” something that surely anyone would want.
Though he’s taken on more of a mentor role, leading others still has plenty of challenges of its own. Recently, Wilmot faced one of the hardest decisions of his career as the real estate market moved from a seller’s to a buyer’s market in several different states. This change forced him to rethink his approach to teaching and adapt to the new circumstances.
While the restructuring of the course may have looked simple to outsiders, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work that went into making sure everything stayed on track. Looking back, Wilmot acknowledges that he probably would have been better off making these changes sooner, as proactivity is key.
Still, his students continue to find their own success through his course, assuring him that he made the right moves all along. As the market keeps fluctuating, he remains committed to guiding others through the complexities of the real estate industry that he’s spent years mastering.
The Mindset Behind 10 Hour Deals
Justin Wilmot’s approach to 10 Hour Deals is largely rooted in lessons from his past. Working in the restaurant industry taught him how to be resilient and adaptable, especially in the face of challenges.
It also helped him see the importance of customer service and taught him how to interact with different types of people. Even when it has seemed like everything is falling apart, he’s been able to maintain his composure, knowing that the pressure is only temporary.
While many people are quick to blame their natural talents or intelligence for their success, Wilmot contributes much of his success to his commitment to never giving up. It’s something he believes is built into his DNA.
Just as he pushed through cold calls early in his career—something that terrified him—he continues to move past the discomfort and force himself out of his comfort zone. He admits to feeling doubt and fear just as anyone else does, but says that what sets successful people apart is their willingness to act despite how they feel.
Creating a Life Worth Living
Being an entrepreneur has been fraught with challenges, but Justin Wilmot always goes back to surfing when thinking about obstacles in his personal or professional life. Just like some days are peaceful and the waves are easy to ride, other days are filled with choppy water and situations that are harder to navigate.
Though he’s already happy with himself and his life, he’s always looking for the next opportunity, whether it’s a giant wave or a potential buyer. His approach to life is unique, the perfect blend of personal enjoyment and financial freedom. He continues to inspire the students he mentors, helping them believe in themselves as he does.
Everything about Wilmot’s life has been intentional, and this is what has allowed him to build a life he’s in love with. His story thus far has shown that with determination and passion, you can do anything you set your mind to.
