Meet Whitney Parkhill | Real Estate Investor

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

Hi Whitney, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After working in corporate America for over 15 years, I knew there was another way in the world. I was not opposed to working hard at all, but what left me feeling empty was the office politics, having a limit on my income, and navigating the antiquated 8am-6pm work week. I have always wanted to be my own boss from the time I was a little girl. After juggling the challenges that Covid brought, I decided it was my time to step out and build something on my own. Not only am I the creator of my own calendar, but I have freedom, my days are my own, and the sky is the limit on how much money I can make.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career started in the Bloomingdale’s Buying Office in NYC nearly two decades ago. From a young child, I always knew I wanted to work in fashion and teach the world how to dress. I went to college to study merchandising and business and from there launched my career with Bloomingdale’s where I started as an Assistant Buyer and made my way up to Buyer of Men’s Designer. After 5 years with Bloomingdale’s working in a cut throat environment, I moved to Target in Minneapolis where I was the Senior Buyer of Women’s Contemporary Apparel onboarding many of the vendors I worked with at Bloomingdale’s under a special label for Target at a Target price point. Leveraging relationships and my negotiation skills were key in executing this strategy. Buying for mass retail was far different than a high end department store! After Target, I moved to Stitch Fix in San Francisco where fashion met tech. The amount of data and client insights were incredible in informing all buying decisions. However, it was during Covid, working from home, that I decided retail was no longer filling my cup and I was ready for a new challenge. I didn’t know what that challenge was, but after spending a year decompressing and self reflecting, I chose real estate. The real estate path was confirmed for me when I sold my home in Oakland Hills to move to Miami after renovating it during Covid. Not only was it featured in the NYT, but I turned nearly a half a million dollars profit on my first house. The universe always has a way of sending signs to navigate the direction we are meant to be heading!

While I am very proud of my career in fashion and retail because it required me to work my tail off in an extremely competitive industry to be successful, I am more excited for where my new business is going to take me, leveraging all of the knowledge I gained while working in Corporate America for 15 years running $300M+ businesses.

What I want the world to know about my story and the lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1) It’s ok to start over at any age to better align with your goals and dreams!! You are never too old. 2) Our life’s priorities can be rearranged without our permission, many times while facing the hardest challenges we’ve ever experienced. At the other side of the rainbow, we learn our priorities being shifted was for the best. 3) Never settle. If it doesn’t light your soul on fire and make you jump out of bed in the morning-keep searching for that thing that does! Life is way to short to spend one minute doing anything that doesn’t bring us joy. 4) Leading with love and compassion is key!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the many reasons I moved to Miami was because there is SO much to do all the time! Upon moving here, I’ve had quite a few visitors because who doesn’t want to vacation in Miami?! I’ve had the opportunity to build a good number of itineraries. My most favorite thing to do here is be on a boat and cruise around the bay, soaking up the sunshine, admiring the skyline and architecture, and feeling the energy that is Miami! A few of my favorite places to eat that I always take my friends to: 1) Mr. Mandolin 2) Contessa 3) Kiki on the River 4) Sexy Fish 5) Gekko 6) Prime 112 7) Stiltsville Fish Bar 8) Mile. A smoothie at Apple a Day Cafe is always a favorite. Hitting a run along the boardwalk in South Beach, followed by a swim at Soho House. I am a triathlete, so love getting a bike ride in on Key Biscayne too! We also have to take my pup to the dog beach at Haulover which leads to excellent people watching. Perhaps hit the spa at the Standard and enjoy a dinner on the earlier side before heading to bed. The days of clubbing and staying out late are behind me! Health is wealth. My friends and I love to get our sleep so we can get up and work out before enjoying a good healthy meal!

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?
Wow! I have so many people to thank for pushing and encouraging me to start this journey and to many more who have stood by my side throughout the roller coaster! First and foremost, my aunt and uncle have been instrumental in helping me find the success I have found today. My uncle dove into the world of real estate many years ago after leaving Wall Street and has helped to not only educate me but also help me see the many benefits and joys of being self employed. My aunt has encouraged me to follow my dreams and stop at nothing less. My best friend, Jenna, has stood by my side as I went through a self exploration journey while making the decision to leave the world of fashion and corporate retail behind in search of something that truly makes me tick and brings me joy. I couldn’t have done this without her daily encouragement. I have joined multiple real estate mentorships which have been incredibly educational but most importantly have lead me to find amazing business partners, Denis and Su. I have the Women’s Real Estate Investors Network (WREIN) to thank for leading me to these two strong, independent, and smart women! Pace Morby has been one of the best blessings in my real estate journey. His community, knowledge and generosity has been life changing. My dear friend Marlene whom I met upon moving to Miami, has not only inspired me, but has also shown me the love and encouragement I’ve needed along this roller coaster being a fellow single female business owner. I learn from her grace and courage daily. Finally, to my success and mindset coach, Brad. I came into his orbit in 2021 and have never been the same since. He pushes me to set wildly outlandish goals and challenge myself to be the person I was put on this earth to be. Without all of these individuals,