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By SHELLEY HANSON
WHEELING -- Luke Saseen's goal was to become financially independent at an early age and he's done just that -- and plans to do more.
Saseen, 27, of Wheeling is co-owner and president of M&L Properties LLC, a company that owns and manages about 90 rentals across the Ohio Valley. He runs the company with his co-owner and brother Matthew Saseen.
Saseen founded the company in 2018. Prior to that he originally began pursuing a career in nursing. He said while in college is when he learned a new life lesson.
"I switched from nursing school to business finance/accounting. After reading 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' I felt a light bulb went off and I wasn't passionate about nursing school," he said.
"After I switched majors I developed a goal to become financially independent by the age of 30, not have to rely on a 9-to-5 job and enjoy life on my own terms.
"I laid out a plan to achieve that with my brother, knowing there will be lots of hurdles and scary unknowns. I am proud to say both my brother and I achieved financial independence -- me at 25 and Matt at 28.
"I would say the lesson is try to find something you are truly passionate about, that when you work it doesn't feel like work; you are enjoying yourself and having fun."
Saseen, who is single, said his new plan is to grow into a new market by the time he is 33 years old. He plans to continue his rental business in the Ohio Valley as well, potentially adding another 10 units.
"My brother and I can manage everything here with a team built to support each pillar of the company with minimal management," he said. "While we can focus and try to grow in a new market like Columbus, Pittsburgh or head south to Florida."
Saseen said he grew up in the Wheeling area on a farm that has been in his family for 100 years. He wants the farm to continue for future generations.
"I had a great foundation of connections and knew I could start growing the business with my brother right out of college," he said. "I enjoy this area so much; you are 45 miles to catch an international flight to anywhere and it is a very low cost of living.
"You get the best of everything I feel like. It is truly a unique place being surrounded by Columbus and Pittsburgh."
He noted a bright spot in the Ohio Valley are the number of young people doing business here. Young professionals, he said, are becoming entrenpreneuers and opening small businesses that are the backbone of the Ohio Valley.
For those just entering the workforce, Saseen advises people to "work to learn, don't work for money, work for knowledge."
"It just takes time; Rome wasn't built in a day and you have to make sacrifices for long-term gains," he said.
A typical work day for Saseen includes starting in the morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and working on general business, running errands, meeting with new tenants and doing showings. Every day at lunchtime he meets with his brother. In the afternoon he mostly is showing vacant properties to potential tenants, checking in on current "fix and flips/remodels" and looking at new properties to purchase. He also sets aside time to meet and network with people.
Saseen said he is most proud of working with his brother every day.
"We always had a close relationship growing up, but it is something truly unique when you can grow a business with family," he said.
A motto that Saseen said he lives by is "Sight is what you see with your eyes, vision is what you see with your mind" from Robert Kiyosaki.
"There is so much opportunity everywhere you just have to remove the blinders and think outside the box," he said.
In addition to running his own company, Saseen also works as a realtor for Paull Associates.