Meet Lavonta Nixon | Realtor & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lavonta Nixon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lavonta, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When i think risk, i automatically think about the “pros & cons” and “risk” vs “reward.” Also, in order for me to take risk i believe any and every moved need to be calculated, well thought out and well planned to the best of my ability. I’ve been working on myself lately turning bad habit into good ones, getting uncomfortable and putting myself into places that would challenge me to get out comfort zone but in a good way. Growing up it was just my sister, mom and i. My mama was always working so we at the house chillin low-key a-lot. We didn’t really get to go many places because she was out “bussin” her bubble to make ends meet. So i think growing up in an environment like that kind of make me a little anti-social but i already felt weird being out in public and having to meet people i don’t know. So, i was in the military and i had about 3 or 4 months before i got out. I had saved up some money from working and decided to buy a sony a73 in at the time it was like $2000. I had told myself if i was going to spend $2000 on a camera i had better made my money back. So fast forward a month later uncle sam cut my orders sent me back home because i was 30 days from ETS. So i’m like “wooooow!” ok its time to adjust i didn’t have time to think about it much because as soon as that happen i was thinking about how am i about to make this work. so i started thinking of ways to meet people the first thing that i had thought was “go to the top, because i want to be at the top.” I ended up going on event brite and searching up networking event found one that fit my schedule for when i got back in town, registered, i invited my friend and went. The few hour prior to, was the hardest for me because the anticipation was shadowing me like a cloud in the sky. I was nearly convincing myself not to go but what i ended up doing was calling my friend Ezidore, that i invited to the event and asked him if he was going. He was like, “Man, i already went i met a few people got some connections and i’m already booked.” i’m in my head like “damn, my boy went and did his thang.” That really motivated me to go even more. So, i get there and of course i’m there with my camera, i sign in then boom. Im along doing all this stuff along, if nothing happens right now its because i was too scared to make something happen. If i yield no results i could even complain because i didn’t event try. So i pushed myself to small talk with people to try to get myself comfortable, you know because this all pretty much a new experience for me. My goal was just to go every table and speak with people and see what they had to say about their company or what they represent. Eventually i started being able to open up more in talk to people. The more i did it the more comfortable i got. I ended up speaking with a marketing company they held pretty big healthcare expos the company was IMG the guy i spoke to Andrea, seen that i was a photographer and wanted to hire me to do cover his event. At this point i’m ecstatic because i felt a little. more fulfilled because not only did i set out my comfort zone i was able to gain business by getting uncomfortable and opening up a opportunity for myself that would not have been there if i didn’t come, yet alone speak. Ended up making my first $800 check with him. After speaking to him another guy approached me Ivan Sanchez president of the Houston Millenials pointed to me and said ” hey, are you a photographer.” i told him yes. He asked “how much for a three hour event?” i told him $200 but we ended up agreeing on $150. Now, i didnt know this guy at all completely random. Comes to find out hes throws the biggest professional networking events in town. That was also a blessing. That night along taught me so much about putting yourself in the right places can literally change your life. Now, these days im all up for a challenge and i can speak with people with not hesitation. That skill along has caused me to be able to meet people and had enabled me to be more social and not let myself down. Its the reason i can succeed at being an entrepreneur because the biggest thing is communication and you cant communicate if your avoiding social interaction.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Im a Realtor and i chose to become a realtor because obviously i wanted to make money, but I also wanted to learn about exactly what a realtor does and how the everything works within. My plan is to build my wealth and invest is into residential and commercial property not only for me but for my family and generations to come. Im dedicated to helping individuals find their next home or sell their properties and at the same time build honest and genuine relationships with my clients, because if they don’t know anything about me. I want them to know that they can trust me and know that i will always be fair, honest and working in their best interest. I got where i am today because i my first business as a photographer helped me learn to be personable, social, business-oriented, and learn about client expectations. It came pretty natural to me because for one i love all the psychology as a whole, i love talking to people and learning about them. The only obstacles i had when i first started entering the entrepreneur lifestyle was getting up and going places to put myself in position to succeed. It not often that opportunities come knocking at your door, you have to go out and go get it if you really want it. Me knowing this i had to go put myself in places to gain some comfort and confidence. I started going to networking event to talk to people in hopes to find like minded individuals, ultimately i needed good energy and vibes to bounce off of to boost my confidence in a room full of unknowns. Although i am still in my journey to success i have learned a-lot of lessons. one, you cant be afraid to get out your comfort zone especially if there are opportunities out there that will benefit you. two, a chance thats not taken is a chance you never had. three, always look good everywhere you go to represent yourself and your business because unfortunately sometimes people judge you off first impression. four, stay organized and on top of your work because procrastination will decrease your performance, if it does that it will reflect back on your client opinion of your work ethic. Five, last but not least. Everyday you have to work towards your goals, make everyday count because its getting very expensive to live a decent lifestyle these days. We do not have time to play, every day we must aim to be better than we were the previous day. I want the world to know that i am dependable, a good friend, a social-lite, loyal, dependable, trustworthy and that i am improving myself everyday in my business and in my personal life to become a better professional, husband, friend, son, and a human being. Remember this, “faith without work is dead.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If i had friends visiting for a week one trip i would definately bring them to some of my favorite vegan spots to eat like Casabel, Korny Vibes, Lindiana Kitchen over in 3rd ward, Sunshine Vegan over in 5th ward, Houstalantavegan, Veegos, and Juiceland to name a few. If we where dining in to get some cool outside social vibes. Just about any bar on Washington Ave, Monstrose, or Downtown Clutch Bar like Concrete Cowboy, Handle Bar, Kung Fu Saloon,Kamp , Lincoln Bar , Pour Behaviour, Seaside Lounge, Prospect Park, and a few other places. For sight seeing i would bring them to Discovery park, Museum District, Local Parks, Downtown Houston, The Zoo, Post HTX, and the The Aquarium,

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shout out Ezidore for always having that hustlers ambition that always fueled me. Andrea at IMG. Ivan Sanchez, he picked up and showed my the Houston Millennial’s way. All my family and friends that gave kind words and had faith in me. I truly appreciate all the support and like my good friend Ivan says, “see you at the top!”

Instagram: lavontanixonofficial

Linkedin: lavontanixon

Facebook: closingwithnixon