ROBERT NELSON
THE BEST YOU CAN
From auto mechanic to mayor to who’s who in America. How is this possible and why: Mayor Robert K. Nelson was recognized as Marquis “Who’s Who in America in 2024. Robert comes from humble means in the state of New Jersey but managed to elevate himself over many years to become the Mayor of the City of Bay City, Texas. Robert was raised by a single mother (from the time he was 13 years old) along with six siblings. His mother has always been his inspiration. Marion was born in 1916, did well in school and was active in sports. She was one of a few women of color who managed to break the color barrier in her life and career. His mother taught him about having good moral values and principles. She always managed to pay her tithing and we always had a roof over our heads and food to eat. We had what we needed. Robert eventually became the oldest sibling at home and helped his mother with his younger siblings. Robert started work at 9 years old cleaning offices with his stepfather at the time. At 12 years old he started delivering newspapers. He realized then the value of money and how to monetize a dire situation. He took on two additional paper routes, hired two of his friends and had them do the other routes. He was making money from others’ efforts, while at the same time providing employment for his friends. Robert applied for and received his first loan at the age of 13 with the co-signature of his brother. He learned a valuable lesson about interest, borrowing money and making payments on time. The borrower becomes the slave to the lender. However, I did not learn the difference between wants and needs. I fell victim to believing my wants were not my needs. I spent more than I made and saved. Having a sound financial understanding is a very important key to success.
Robert loved cars and pursued a career in auto mechanics. He didn’t see the need for a college education at that time. Robert also had an entrepreneurial spirit. He would work on cars outside of his full- time mechanic’s job, helping others, giving back to his community, and garnering valuable lessons. Although Robert didn’t realize it at the time, he enjoyed working with his hands, not just being an auto mechanic, and began a small contracting business, remodeling house interiors, i.e., kitchens and basements, etc. He realized then that he needed additional education in business. He eventually started taking classes through a tuition reimbursement program at his job. It took him a total of 19 years to complete his bachelor's degree program. In the interim he started other business ventures. After one such failed venture, he packed up and moved his family, which consisted of a wife and two children and a very large debt and moved to Texas. Once in Texas Robert began to rebuild his life. After many jobs, bankruptcy, divorce and living on unemployment and food stamps he ventured into real estate. The first venture ended disastrously. He started taking real estate courses and spent thousands of dollars and hours to learn all he could about the many facets of real estate. He used credit cards and debt to finance his education and purchase properties. All this while he worked a full-time job, remarried, and started another family. The investments paid off. Robert bought, sold, and owned several single and multi- family homes until a heart attack set him back several years. Robert regained his health and ventured back into real estate. This time, smarter, stronger, and wiser. After retirement Robert went back to school to learn about finances and how to be a financier. That’s when the light bulb came on, he realized all his mistakes and
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