Former Engineer Finds Freedom, Fosters Diversity with the Real Estate Management Franchise
When Eric Peoples left his demanding corporate career to become a Real Property Management franchise owner in 2014, he didn’t expect to work fewer hours. Instead, he found something better — autonomy. “I’ve always worked hard,” Peoples says. “But this is the first time I get to decide when and how I work those long hours.”
A former mechanical engineer, Peoples has worked for big names like Amazon, 3M and Anheuser-Busch. Yet, none of those roles allowed him the flexibility he craved. As a franchise owner, Peoples now enjoys a lifestyle where he can prioritize his family while running a successful business. “If my daughter says, ‘Hey, can you come eat lunch with me on Friday?’ I can say ‘absolutely,’” he explains. “I just tell people ‘I’m not available at that time.’ That’s freedom.”
That sense of freedom, combined with a promising business model, drew Peoples to Real Property Management. “I looked at the concept and thought, ‘Wow, I can make money managing properties without actually buying them,’” he recalls. For him, the franchise offered an ideal mix of professional challenge and personal interest. “I’ve always been interested in real estate, so it just made sense.” His enthusiasm translated into quick growth; three years after opening his Seattle location in 2014, he acquired the adjacent territory and has been steadily expanding ever since.
Flexible Model
Even as Peoples takes a hands-on approach — arriving first at the office each morning — he appreciates the flexibility the business offers. “One franchise owner I know hasn’t been to his office in over a year because that’s how he chooses to run things,” he notes. “This business lets you tailor it to your interests and strengths.”
Peoples takes pride in his diverse team, which includes employees from Nicaragua, the Philippines and China. “Our team just kind of came together naturally,” he says. “Janis, our accountant, was born and raised in South Korea and moved here for college. Selali, our business development manager, was born in Oregon but his parents moved here from Ghana. We have two Chinese leasing agents, a utilities coordinator from Nicaragua who speaks Spanish and grew up in Virginia, and many others who bring unique skills to the table.”
Seattle’s multicultural environment also plays a role in shaping the business. “Thanks to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, Seattle attracts talent from all over the world,” Peoples says. This diversity extends to both his clients and his team and has created a rich, inclusive workplace culture.
The Reality of Property Management
While the business offers flexibility and opportunities for growth, Peoples admits it comes with its share of challenges. “This isn’t a nine-to-five job,” he says. “Sometimes, you’re handling emergencies at 1 in the morning.” Peoples views each challenge as an opportunity to problem-solve — a skill he honed during his engineering career. “It’s about continuous improvement. Once you solve one problem, you move on to the next.” This proactive mindset also extends to educating property owners. “We help them navigate issues, from maintenance to tenant relations,” he explains.
Peoples’ hands-on approach aligns with the Real Property Management franchise model, which is designed for scalability. He started small, managing nearly every aspect of the business. “When I started, I did everything myself,” he recalls. “The first person I hired was for the task I hated the most, and then I kept building from there.” Over the years, his operation has expanded significantly. Today, his team includes 14 employees, six of whom are virtual assistants who play a crucial role in managing day-to-day operations.
Family First
Family plays a central role in Peoples’ business and life. His wife, who holds a master’s degree in education, now works alongside him, providing balance to the operations. “She helps us reflect on what we’ve accomplished, which I sometimes forget to do,” he says. Over the years, his family has been involved in different capacities. “My mom worked for me for six years and retired about two years ago.” All three of his children have worked in the business at some point, though they’ve each pursued different paths. “My daughter went to med school, my son became a pilot and my youngest is at Yale,” he says with pride. “Even if they don’t join the business, they’ve learned the value of hard work and entrepreneurship.”
For more information about the Real Property Management franchise, visit the brand’s website.
