Regal Realty & Associates
A Success Story
E. Leigh Battle, President/CEO

If you grew up in the foothills of a coal mining town in Southwest Virginia, a dream of owning your own business seemed kind of ludicrous and completely unattainable. But for anyone who is on the downside of advantage, and relying purely on faith and courage….SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE.

Unlike some business owners, I cannot say that I have a 4 year degree in business or that I picked up the baton from a family member and marched on into Success. But what I can say is that my mother who only had an 8 th grade education instilled into me strong work ethics, a giving spirit, belief in oneself and a strong faith in a Higher Power. At 5 years old I had to learn the 23 rd Psalms. It has become a mantra for me in my everyday life. My education has been the school of hard knocks, trials and tribulation. But my lessons have built a strong positive character, integrity, and how to surrender to that Higher Power.

When I arrived in Richmond on March 1, 1970, I was employed by C& P Telephone Company of Virginia . Breaking the record on the test scores for passing the typing test at 105 words per minute, I was immediately hired. That is where I remained for the next 18 years until October 1988. I stepped out on faith changing careers to Real Estate. A brief part-time job in Real Estate had given me courage to believe that I could do it. It was unheard of to leave a job with that much service and without benefits but I had to go. I knew that God had my back in spite of the naysayers saying that I was crazy or on drugs.

Regal was born in October 1992 with only a check-list of “How to Open A Business on a Shoestring Budget”. I did not have any money or ideas of how to run a business. But what I do have is faith and a belief that I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.

One of the major things that I attribute to the success of Regal is having a giving spirit. You cannot beat God's giving no matter what the circumstances. I am reminded of a true story that I have told for years. When I first arrived in Richmond in 1970, there was a blind man who sat on Broad Street with his pail begging for money. He had been blinded from lye being thrown in his face. My heart went out to this man. I worked only a block from him and I would walk past him giving up my lunch money. He began to expect me and knew what time I would be coming. I talked to him and I suppose we became friends. Little did I know then that I was planting a seed and out of it would grow a great financial opportunity to purchase a building on Broad Street very near where the blind man was sitting. Coincidence, I do not think so. Acts of kindness and giving to others is God's word and it will never come back void. God has truly blessed me, opening doors that only he could open. I pay my tithes over and above because I know my God has performed supernatural feats in my life.

For the past 5 years, Regal hosted the “fish fry” for the SPBC Homecoming Celebration. We cooked and gave the fish away and what is so amazing, we never ran out of fish. Even when people came back for seconds it seemed to multiply. You can't beat God giving. It comes back more than you had invested.

Another true story on how Giving is a spiritual law worth all of us trying. Two years ago I lost my Aunt, my only living relative. She lived in Ohio and had a huge house that needed to be cleaned out, sorted and sold. I was overwhelmed at the thought I this feat. But I had 5 friends who took a week's vacation and went to Cincinnati to help me clean the house out. Afterwards, I wanted to do something for them so I invited them on an all paid vacation to the Bahamas . Showing my gratitude was very important because they didn't have to do this. We went a week before Christmas. On return I went to the post office and I had a check for $6000.00 from my Aunt's estate. My faith is constantly reinforced when I watch God at work.

When Regal Realty was given the opportunity of finding the 47 acres that our campus now stands, I was humbled by this assignment. It will be a part of this history of this great church called Saint Paul's . When I received the commission, I gave a portion back to the Church. I am very proud that my name and the names of my children lie on the stones at our church and my name is on the plaques in the halls. I love Saint Paul's Baptist Church and my Church Family.

Because of my faith, and because of my yearning to live a righteous life and because God said So, I am reaping the fruit of my labor. I am on purpose with my life. My business of assisting homebuyers is also my Ministry. I love what I do and I do it well. My territory has been enlarged, because God said So. I have no fear because Satan has no place in my life. My children are protective and covered in the blood of Jesus. I have divine health.

What I know now…for anyone who has the desire, seek first the kingdom of heaven, Surrender the ego, Let Go and Let God and then step out on faith. This I speak from my heart and I am a living witness to the Glory of God.

I am currently in Deacon Training for Saint Paul's Baptist Church, and a past Trustee for 5 years.

Regal Realty is a full service Real Estate Firm with 9 agents and 2 full time support staff. Specializing in New Construction, Listing and Selling Resale Property, HUD foreclosures, Investment Portfolios and Commercial Investments. We have been partners with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for 16 years working with 1st Time Homebuyers, with emphasis on grants and down payment assistance. My belief is that I am fulfilling dreams, enriching lives and building communities.

E. Leigh Battle
President/ CEO
Regal Realty

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