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Rising Star: Ant Stroud. November 2022
Rising Star: ANT STROUD
Passion and Overcoming It All
By Brandon Jerrell
Everyone has a dream, but time and time again, obstacles can get in the way. For some, however, overcoming the challenges serves to only sweeten the reward.
REALTOR® Ant Stroud has overcome many obstacles in his life in order to be where he is now and uses the lessons he has learned to dedicate himself to his ultimate goal: to always give back.
Anthony Stroud, better known as Ant, is the head of the Ant Stroud Group, backed by Navy to Navy Homes. Ant brings a unique perspective to the industry that is all about giving back. After all, the Ant Stroud Group does everything under the motto, “Always family, never customers.”
SELF-SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION
Ant was born in Providence, RI, and moved to San Diego, CA, when he was 2. He is the middle child of three; he has an older sister and a younger brother. Ant explains that his father was not in the picture, and so the responsibility solely fell upon his mother.
When Ant was 15 years old, his family became homeless. During this time, Ant began to ditch school in order to work more hours so that he could provide additional financial support for his family. “I already had a job, but when we became homeless, I had to work a little more so that we wouldn’t look homeless. More importantly, my brother wouldn’t go to school homeless,” Ant reflects.
“So, then I would have to ditch some days of school,” he explains. Although he was abundantly successful through all 12 years of his education, Ant was informed by his high school that he would not be graduating because he missed too many days. “I had As and Bs, a couple of Cs, but I had As and Bs and maintained all of that. The people who got all Ds graduated. My butt did not graduate because the system said I had to be in that chair for so long.”
Within two weeks of being informed of the high school’s decision, Ant earned his GED. After that, he enrolled in a vocational night school, where he earned his medical assisting license. During the days, he would continue to work and would be attending his classes during the night — all while living
paycheck-to-paycheck. From there, he worked at a nursing facility before he enlisted in the Navy, where he also served in the medical field.
“Growing up was not so fun … it was always a survival mode. You don’t know where your food is coming from. You don’t know where your money is coming from, or if you’re ever going to get it. So, it is always that survival mentality,” Ant says.
Ant served nine years on active duty in the Navy and continues now to serve as a reservist.
TAKING CONTROL
“I’ve been told that I had every excuse in the book to become a drug addict — to be out there in the world doing whatever stupid things,” Ant shares. “At some point, you turn 18 and you
become an adult and you determine if that’s the life you want — if that’s the lifestyle you want your name to be associated with. What I answer to is my choice.”
Ant continues, “What happened to me at the age of 18 and before was someone else’s choice. But at that moment, from that moment on, it’s my choice, my name, my reputation. In this business, your reputation is part of your offer. So you don’t mess it up. You become a professional on all levels.
“When I was told that I wouldn’t be graduating, I realized that businesses, companies, the government, or whatever it may be… don’t let them win. Some people give up and say it is what it is. That’s not me. That’s not happening,” Ant says.
COMING INTO REAL ESTATE
Ant entered into real estate in 2016, but he didn’t truly begin until 2018, as he was still on active duty in the Navy. Ant’s primary reason for getting into real estate was to break out of the cycle of debt that he had found himself in. He knew that the type of pay coming from his Naval career was not going to cut it, so he sought out a new field where he could better apply his skills and earn more money.
“I didn’t see a way for me to get out of debt with the Navy. Because, as you know, it’s very structured in your pay. The Navy doesn’t care how much you bust your butt, how many other sailors’ jobs you take on, or how many great things you do. No matter what, you were always making that same pay,” he recalls.
That is when the REALTOR® who sold Ant his house inspired him. Bernie Bristow, who is now a business partner of Ant, was the one to get him thinking about real estate. She knew of his debt worries and told him that he would be a great agent with his personality and the way he cares about people. Most importantly for Ant at the time, it was an opportunity for him to get out of debt by working hard and being rewarded for it. “And that is how I became a REALTOR®: because she saw something in me, and I believed her.”
Ant enjoys spending time with his daughter, Lexi-Mae, and son, Leland.
ANT’S PASSION
Ant provides a unique perspective to the industry. He understands what it’s like to be living paycheck-to-paycheck and still
in debt. He knows what it’s like to be homeless from a child’s perspective without a pillow to call his own and cry his worries away at night.
“Life sucks sometimes,” Ant says, “and I believe that the givers of the world make it better.”
Which is why a large part of the Ant Stroud Group is their involvement with Homes for Heroes. They donate a quarter of their commission to community heroes just to say thank you for what they do.
Ant and his wife, Julianne, will celebrate 12 years of marriage next month.
“Honestly, it’s about giving back to my industry of professionals, about giving back to the family members I serve, and giving back to my wife, Julianne, son Leland, and daughter, Lexi-Mae. My family allows me to do a lot. I volunteer a lot. I help a lot. People call me, friends call me, and my family gives me that time because giving back to people is what fills me, it is what my passion is, and they recognize that.”
Congratulations to Ant Stroud, this month’s Rising Star. It is clear that he has all the qualities of a great and successful agent and then some.
WEBSITE: ANTSTROUDGROUP.COM
