RPM Experts has gone from zero to 330 doors in just three years. Learn tips from company Founder, Karim Lokas, to help you get started in the property management industry.
Property management was never part of my plan. I was born in Egypt, grew up in Sudan and after moving to the United States at the age of 17, completed my B.S. in electrical engineering, M.S. in biomedical engineering and went into automation engineering.
However, I always eyed something more. Even when I was working as an engineer, I was interested in software and other aspects of robotics and automation. Eventually, I went into project management, marketing, and sales, giving me the skills to thrive in any facet of business.
When COVID hit, I was already semi-retired but saw an opportunity to help my sister-in-law and her husband who had recently arrived from Lebanon to build a new business and source of income for their family. We started from scratch with zero doors when we opened RPM Experts in 2021, but my experience in these other areas helped immensely. By the end of 2021, we were up to 88 doors. We closed 2022 with 181 doors and 2023 with 284 doors.
Currently, RPM Experts manages about 330 doors, after having only been in the business for three years. It’s important to note that our success wasn’t all luck. I developed a plan, a culture, and a method of achieving fast growth in this industry. Here are some tips for starting fast as a new PM.
Learn the Benefits of Franchising
Before all else, we needed to determine the type of property management business we wanted to operate. I knew we could start a new company from the ground up, buy an existing business or buy a franchise.
Ultimately, buying into a franchise was part of our strategy. I knew we could build an innovative team, but I wanted the assistance of experienced professionals. With a franchise, you get leverage, a national presence, best practices, and systems that will help you reach your goals.
If you’re in a community of entrepreneurs, all innovating in the same context, it puts you in a powerful position.
Karim Lokas
Managing Partner
Real Property Management Experts
Karim Lokas resides in Waxhaw, NC. He is the husband of Ghazal Lokas and the father of Joy and Daniel. As a first-generation American, Karim Lokas was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in the East African country of Sudan. The son of a Dermatologist and a Business Owner with a JD/MBA, Karim came to the US to pursue an education in Engineering and now holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering.
Over the past 20 years, Karim has grown his professional career in the software industry. Most recently he has held Executive level positions in Product Strategy/Management, Marketing and Research & Development at Camstar Systems and Siemens. Karim has extensive experience working with global manufacturers in the automotive, high tech/electronics, semiconductor and life sciences industries developing enterprise manufacturing and supply chain strategies and solutions to drive operational excellence and innovation. A recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at industry events; Karim has been quoted and published in numerous online and print publications such as MX, Drug Delivery Technology, Medical Device Link and Managing Automation.
Karim founded Real Property Management’s Experts in Charlotte, North Carolina with his sister-in-law Dolly Wakim and her husband Elias Daniel during the height of the pandemic. Since opening their doors in March of 2021, RPM Experts has experienced rapid growth and enjoys a stellar reputation helping families build generational wealth and passive income through rental real estate properties while providing welcoming homes for their residents.
Today, Karim enjoys investing his time in his family, serving others through his church and local community, leading RPM Experts as well as coming alongside software entrepreneurs/founders with wise counsel and investing in select startups.
A feature case study and interview with one property manager having notable success in one or more areas.
