Mary Anjou Martinez
I was born in Saudi Arabia. If that was not unconventional enough, my Filipino Christian parents chose to name me “Anjou.” They were looking to name their third daughter with anything that starts with “Anj.” So, they browsed the Britannica Encyclopedia and found “Anjou,” a historical and cultural region in France, well known for its delicious wine.
My parents were both business owners. My dad was an electrical engineer, who worked abroad in Saudi Arabia and later built his construction company while my mom ran her own hardware stores. A year after I was born, we settled back in the suburbs of Manila, Philippines with my two older sisters. Later on, my two younger brothers were born. My parents instilled in us the values of perseverance, discipline, and integrity.
After waiting for two decades, our immigration petition to America was finally approved. Suddenly, my parents faced the fork on the road. Should we continue living a good life in the tropics or have a better life in America? They wanted the best for us, so we moved to New Jersey, where we had some relatives.
Adjusting to a new country and starting college at the same time was quite an adventure. In 2001, I got accepted at Rutgers University. While at school, I built a network marketing business with around 100 people in my team. This experience has taught me the power of mentorship, team building and personal development. At age 20, I graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Journalism, and a minor in Spanish.
Then, I worked for a $3 billion international shipping company for a decade. I started in Customer Service and was promoted to Financial Analyst and eventually, Financial Controller, overseeing the full accounting and finance functions for a $600 million region. I also became a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). I realized that I enjoy working with the numbers, increasing revenues, decreasing expenses, and optimizing operations.
I stumbled upon real estate in 2008. I was looking to replace the side business with a more passive one. I was 9 months pregnant with our first child when I saw a Dean Graziosi infomercial promoting his real estate book. I ordered it and several months later, we bought our first multifamily property.
I wanted to work in the financial capital of the world. I thought that if I could make it in the rigorous and fast-paced world of Manhattan, I can make it anywhere. Thus in 2015, I worked in New York City for a global media and events firm as the Group Controller, leading the Financial Planning & Analysis team for 100 properties, each with its own P&L. Simultaneously, I earned my Executive MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.
Eventually, I joined a healthcare startup as the Head of Finance, managing Accounting, Finance, Taxes, Investor Relations, Real Estate, HR and IT. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, especially during COVID.
In 2021, with three kids in tow, we finally moved to Houston, Texas to enjoy warmer weather, reduce our taxes, be closer to family and pursue the American dream of entrepreneurship.
I created Beam Investment Group so I can pursue my passion for real estate investing, practice my professional expertise in increasing asset value and most importantly, fulfill my purpose of helping others create passive income for their families. Real estate is such an amazing vehicle for wealth generation. I am excited to share this opportunity with you!
