Welcome to a special edition of “The Most Wonderful Real Estate Podcast Ever!” Today, we’re diving into the extraordinary journey of Yamundow Canara, affectionately known as Yamu. A real estate investor and data scientist originally from West Africa, Yamu’s story exemplifies resilience, empowerment, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Let’s get into how she went from humble beginnings in Gambia to making waves in the real estate and tech industries in the U.S.
Embracing a New Life in America
Yamundow arrived in the U.S. in 2016, already a driven and accomplished individual. Growing up in Gambia, Yamu faced considerable challenges, including the loss of her parents at a young age. Despite these difficulties, she focused on her education as a way to rise above her circumstances. Even in a culture where young women are often expected to marry young, Yamu’s determination to succeed led her through high school and into college with the help of scholarships. She pursued a major in computer science and a minor in mathematics, fields with few women, especially from her background.
Defying Tradition to Pursue Education
Yamu’s story underscores the power of education. In Gambia, the cultural expectation is for women to marry early and dedicate themselves to family. Her aunt and sister advocated for her, allowing her to finish high school, even when many thought it unnecessary. When she received a college scholarship, Yamu seized the opportunity and excelled in her studies, later obtaining an internship as a software engineer.
Yamu’s tenacity not only led her to excel academically but also inspired her to start a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching girls coding. She used donated computers and recruited friends to help teach young girls from nearby villages, hoping to inspire the next generation of women in tech.
Building Wealth from Rentals in Real Estate
Yamu’s journey took another fascinating turn when she transitioned into real estate. Today, her Instagram and social media handles, “Building Wealth from Rentals,” showcase her efforts in real estate investing, focusing on financial independence through rental properties. At 35, she’s making a significant impact as a real estate investor, with her story resonating with thousands of aspiring investors.
Lessons in Health and Family
In her podcast interview, Yamu shared stories about her new life in Georgia and her family’s values. One particularly inspiring example is her 97-year-old aunt, a testament to a life of health and vitality. This Southern woman, who walks two miles a day and has led a simple, healthy lifestyle, symbolizes strength and resilience, qualities Yamu seems to carry herself.
Embracing Cultural Differences and Marriage in a New World
Yamundow shared how she married outside her tribe, a step that went against cultural expectations. In her tribe, marriage within the same community is often preferred, but her love story took her in a different direction. Today, she and her husband have two beautiful children and a loving marriage, built on understanding and shared values. This union reflects her ability to bridge her upbringing with her current life, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Overcoming Childhood Trauma and the Power of Forgiveness
Yamundow’s childhood was far from typical. Raised in a challenging environment, she faced various forms of abuse, often sleeping on floors with no comfort, longing for stability and safety. Even now, certain triggers, like seeing a cardboard box, bring back difficult memories. However, Yamundow channels these painful experiences into gratitude for the life she now leads. Reflecting on her journey, she often finds herself in awe of how far she has come and how faith has guided her through every challenge.
Educational Pursuits and Building a Life in America
Despite the adversities she faced early in life, Yamundow persevered. Her journey led her to the United States, where she pursued higher education, eventually earning a master’s degree. Balancing the financial and emotional demands of being an international student was no easy feat, but she managed with determination and resourcefulness. From sharing spaces with roommates to taking on part-time jobs, she made every effort to stretch her limited funds. This period taught her valuable lessons about budgeting, self-sufficiency, and the importance of community.
The Spark of Real Estate Investing
A pivotal moment in Yamundow’s life was the realization of the power of real estate. While studying, she noticed that many parents purchased properties near the college for their children, who then rented out rooms to fellow students. This arrangement allowed the property to pay for itself, a revelation that left a lasting impression on her. With this knowledge, she set her sights on building her future through real estate. Today, Yamundow is a successful investor in rental properties, a path she pursued to secure the stability and comfort she had longed for as a child.
Giving Back and Building a Legacy
Now a mother, Yamundow is fiercely protective of her children and committed to providing them with a secure and loving home. She has become an advocate for others, passionately speaking out against child abuse and vowing to protect the innocence of her own kids and others. She recognizes that her journey has given her not only strength but also a sense of purpose. Yamundow is driven to use her success to create a positive impact, both within her family and in her community.
The American Dream Realized
Reflecting on her journey, Yamundow’s life embodies the resilience and tenacity that define the American Dream. She came to America with little more than her hopes and dreams, and through hard work and unwavering faith, she has built a life filled with love, purpose, and financial stability. Her story is a reminder of the strength found in overcoming adversity and of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of others.
Overcoming Hardships: Dwan’s Story
Dwan Bent-Twyford is a seasoned real estate investor with a journey rooted in hardship. She began her real estate journey when she was a young mother with her life turned upside down, faced with an unexpected divorce, and struggling with only $75 in her pocket. Yet, her desire to create a better life for herself and her daughter drove her to enter the real estate market, specifically investing in Section 8 rentals. Section 8 housing—affordable, government-subsidized homes for families in need—became Dwan’s focus for over 30 years.
Dwan’s commitment to helping others goes beyond providing housing; she supports tenants working toward a better future. Many of the mothers she rents to are determined to break the cycle of poverty by attending college and eventually owning their own homes. Dwan celebrates these victories alongside her tenants, even selling some of her properties to families who work through the system to achieve self-sufficiency. “I rent to people who are determined to get ahead in life and break the poverty streak,” she shares, proudly acknowledging her role in her tenants’ journeys.
Yamundow Canara: A Rising Star in Real Estate and Philanthropy
Yamundow Canara, another inspiring figure in real estate, was introduced to investing under challenging circumstances, managing her first rental with little capital and facing numerous hurdles. Her early experiences were a crash course in resilience. When she found tenants leaving or unable to pay, she quickly adapted, navigating obstacles such as pandemic-related eviction freezes. One of her first solutions was converting her rental into Section 8 housing to ensure stable cash flow. Over time, her perseverance paid off as she continued to grow her portfolio, expanding to new markets and enhancing her cash flow.
Beyond real estate, Yamundow’s life goal centers on helping others. She started a nonprofit to support underprivileged children in Africa, a passion project through which she has taken in 17 children, providing them with a stable and supportive environment. As a mother herself, with dreams of having more children, she balances her personal ambitions with her mission to uplift those in need.
Lessons from Dwan and Yamundow’s Success Stories
Resilience is Key: Both Dwan and Yamundow faced hardships in their personal lives and early investing days. Dwan’s story of being a single mother and Yamundow’s journey with limited capital underscore that resilience and a willingness to adapt are essential in real estate and life.
The Power of Helping Others: Dwan’s commitment to providing opportunities for Section 8 tenants and Yamundow’s dedication to supporting children in Africa show that real estate can be a platform for change. By helping tenants become homeowners or funding education, they’ve both created meaningful social impact alongside their financial success.
Keep Learning and Adapting: In real estate, surprises are inevitable. Yamundow’s journey involved learning on the fly, managing unexpected expenses, and adjusting strategies during the pandemic. This adaptability allowed her to turn difficult situations into growth opportunities.
Vision and Faith: Both women speak openly about their faith and belief in speaking goals into existence. Dwan’s biblical perspective on manifesting change and Yamundow’s clear goals for her future—whether in real estate or family—illustrate the importance of maintaining a positive vision for what lies ahead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dwan Bent-Twyford and Yamundow Canara exemplify how real estate can be a tool for personal transformation and positive social impact. Their journeys reveal that real estate success isn’t solely about profit—it’s about resilience, helping others, and staying true to one’s vision. These two remarkable women have used their experiences to uplift their communities, break cycles of poverty, and inspire others to persevere in the face of hardship.
For those looking to learn more from Dwan’s insights, Dwanderful offers valuable resources to support aspiring investors. As the founder, Dwan shares her expertise through a free book, Real Estate Lingo, and her comprehensive guide, Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing, helping others achieve success while making a difference.
