I didn’t come from money—I came with a mission.
Dionte Chantel didn’t have startup capital, a family legacy in real estate, or insider connections. What she did have was grit, strategy, and an unwavering belief that real estate could be more than profitable—it could be purposeful.
Today, she’s a full-time real estate developer, coach, podcast host, and founder of Journey to DevelopHer, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women and minority developers break into the industry. But her journey didn’t start with multimillion-dollar deals. It started with zero dollars, no credit, and a determination to figure it out.
“I realized that money follows good deals,” Dionte says. “Too many people wait until they have savings or perfect timing. But real estate is about knowledge, relationships, and strategy. That mindset shift changed everything for me.”
Through creative financing, building genuine relationships, and learning the ins and outs of development, Dionte went from struggling to thriving—and now she’s helping others do the same. Her signature programs, First Deal Blueprint and Zero to Developer Accelerator, are turning aspiring investors into full-fledged developers.
The First Deal Blueprint walks newcomers through the process of closing their first real estate deal—no experience or capital required. Meanwhile, Zero to Developer Accelerator helps seasoned investors transition into small and large-scale development projects. She also hosts the Journey to DevelopHer Podcast, where she shares actionable real estate strategies and interviews top industry leaders.
But for Dionte, this isn’t just about personal success—it’s about building communities. Her development work focuses on affordable, workforce, sustainable, and transitional housing, creating safe spaces for those often left behind: youth aging out of foster care, survivors of trafficking and domestic violence, individuals with mental health challenges, and people navigating life after the justice system.
“I’m not just flipping houses,” she says. “I’m building solutions.”
That people-first approach is the heartbeat of her nonprofit, Journey to DevelopHer. The organization provides mentorship, training, and access to funding—resources that are especially scarce for women and minorities in real estate.
“There are too many talented people being locked out of this industry because they lack connections or capital,” she explains. “We’re changing that.”
Her results speak volumes. Alumni from her programs have gone on to quit their 9-to-5 jobs, close their first deals, and even break ground on multi-unit buildings—some developing 12- to 18-unit apartment complexes from scratch. And with the podcast expanding to new platforms, Dionte’s message is reaching a global audience.
Looking ahead, her goals are crystal clear: go bigger and make a bigger impact. She plans to expand into larger multi-family and mixed-use projects, collaborate with cities to tackle the affordable housing crisis, and continue scaling her programs to reach tens of thousands of aspiring developers.
If you’re inspired by Dionte’s journey and want to work with her, there are several ways to get involved. You can start with First Deal Blueprint, a step-by-step system designed to help you close your first profitable real estate deal—even if you have no experience. If you’re ready to go beyond investing and move into real estate development, the Zero to Developer Accelerator teaches you how to build, fund, and scale your own projects. Her nonprofit, Journey to DevelopHer, is focused on empowering women and minority developers with the resources, mentorship, and funding support they need to thrive. And through the Journey to DevelopHer Podcast, Dionte continues to share real estate insights, success stories, and wealth-building strategies—available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.
You can learn more at www.JourneyToDevelopHer.com or follow Dionte on Instagram at @DionteChantel and @JourneyToDevelopHer.
From starting with nothing to building a blueprint for others, Dionte Chantel proves that real estate isn’t just about buildings—it’s about building better lives.
