The $586,000 Lesson I Learned in Flip-Flops.

Why Judging People Can Cost You More Than You Think.

In 2021, I closed $586,000 in real estate while wearing flip-flops.

The agent who judged me lost half his earnings — and a long-term client.

This isn’t just a real estate story.

It’s a reminder that wealth hides in unexpected places — and that every small encounter can teach us timeless lessons about trust, service, and opportunity.

The Day That Changed My View on Business

I closed $586,000 in real estate deals while wearing Crocs and shorts.

The agent who helped me? He earned only half the commission — because he couldn’t see past my flip-flops.

This story changed how I see people, relationships, and business forever.

Returning to a Place I Once Called Home

It was 2021 — the world was still recovering from the pandemic.

I was traveling across the United Arab Emirates, using my travel products from the direct selling company I’ve worked with for more than 25 years.

That’s my lifestyle — travel, explore, and keep an eye open for opportunities.

One of my stops was Ras Al Khaimah.

I had lived there from 1990 to 1992, when it was a quiet coastal town with very few buildings and simple life.

When I returned after 30 years, I couldn’t believe my eyes — Ras Al Khaimah had become modern, vibrant, and full of potential.

Between meetings, I noticed something:

real estate in Ras Al Khaimah was booming.

Beautiful beachfront apartments, great prices due to the pandemic, and growing demand.

That’s when I decided to explore.

I started calling agents — and that’s how I met Rashid.

The First Call

Rashid sounded professional, confident, and full of knowledge.

He shared details about several projects and answered my questions with patience.

I thought to myself, “This guy understands what he’s doing.”

We agreed to meet the next day.

But when he met me in person, everything changed.

The Meeting That Revealed Everything

That morning, I was in full vacation mode.

I had just come from the beach — wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops.

Rashid showed up in a formal suit, ready to impress.

But the moment his eyes looked me up and down, I felt it.

Something in his attitude shifted.

He smiled politely, but his energy changed.

He had already decided who I was — just by how I looked.

Still, he drove me to the developer’s office — a modern showroom with glass walls and luxury models of beachfront apartments.

Then he said:

“I have another appointment. Karim will take care of you.”

And he left.

What “I Have Another Appointment” Really Means

When Rashid walked away, he didn’t just leave the meeting.

He sent a message:

“You’re not serious.”

“You’re not worth my time.”

“You can’t afford this.”

He saw flip-flops instead of a client.

He saw a tourist instead of an investor.

In that moment, the suited agent walked away from the barefoot investor.

The One Who Stayed

Karim, the developer’s sales executive, treated me differently.

He smiled, shook my hand with confidence, and listened carefully.

He didn’t care what I was wearing — he cared about my questions and my goals.

He showed me the apartments, explained the details, and gave me his full attention.

By the end of the meeting, I bought my first apartment worth $293,000.

Rashid still earned his commission because he had introduced me.

But the story didn’t end there.

The Second Deal

The next day, I came back to the same office.

I had done my research and decided to buy another unit.

But this time, I didn’t call Rashid.

I called Karim — the one who had truly helped me.

And that day, I bought my second apartment — another $293,000 deal.

Rashid got nothing.

People don’t lose clients because of competition.

They lose them because of judgment and miscommunication.

The Call That Came Too Late

When Rashid found out about the second purchase, he started calling me repeatedly.

Suddenly, he wanted to “reconnect” and “build the relationship.”

But it was too late.

He had already shown me what I meant to him.

He had given away the opportunity — and Karim had earned my loyalty.

That’s the price of half-commitment in business.

Four Lessons That Changed How I Do Business

1. Wealth Doesn’t Always Dress Up

I’ve closed big deals in offices, hotels, and beaches.

Truly wealthy people often dress for comfort, not for show.

In business, judging by appearance can cost you your biggest opportunity.

2. Finish What You Start

Rashid started the connection but didn’t finish it.

He left too soon.

The person who stays until the end — wins the trust, the loyalty, and the income.

You can’t outsource relationships.

3. Be Fully Present

When Rashid said, “I have another appointment,” I knew I wasn’t his priority.

And every client can feel that.

The deal you have now is always more valuable than the one you’re chasing.

4. Trust Is Earned — Never Assumed

Rashid assumed I wasn’t serious.

Karim made no assumptions — he simply served.

That’s why he won.

Service always beats assumptions.

The Real Cost of a Quick Judgment

Rashid lost around $8,800 to $14,600 in commission on that second purchase alone.

But his real loss was much bigger.

He lost a long-term client, potential referrals, and future deals.

He traded a partnership for a quick assumption.

That’s how many people lose fortune — not because of bad luck, but because of short-sighted thinking.

What This Means for You

If you’re in sales, real estate, consulting, or entrepreneurship, remember this:

Don’t judge people by how they look. Your next big client might show up in flip-flops.

Don’t hand off a client before you build trust.

Be present — people remember how you make them feel.

Serve every person as if they’re already your most important client.

The Bottom Line

I bought $586,000 worth of real estate wearing Crocs and shorts.

The agent who judged me lost the opportunity.

The one who served me gained a loyal client and a friend.

That’s the difference between chasing deals and building wealth.

One is about appearances.

The other is about relationships.

Before Your Next Meeting

Next time you meet someone who doesn’t “look” successful — pause.

Next time you rush to another appointment — think again.

Ask yourself:

“What if this person is about to invest half a million dollars?”

If you’re in direct selling, think about this:

How many times have you invited someone to a meeting, then left them alone to “network” — only to see them join someone else’s team?

That’s the same mistake Rashid made.

The best clients rarely look like it.

And the biggest opportunities often come dressed in flip-flops.

Final Thought

Stay curious. Stay humble.

And remember — the next person in flip-flops might just change your business forever.

This article is part of my series on Unconventional Wealth Principles — real stories from 25+ years of business across 30+ countries.

📖 Read my latest stories: www.medium.com/@andreabouzeid 

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www.amazon.com/s?k=andre+abouzeid 

🌍 More insights and resources:  www.andresuccess.com/blog 

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Andre Abouzeid 

Wealth Strategies | International Entrepreneur | Co-Author with Brian Tracy

25+ years helping entrepreneurs and investors build wealth, create passive income, and achieve financial freedom through proven strategies, smart partnerships, and entrepreneurial leadership.