Written in Partnership with Amir Bakian
Shawn Bullard, a prominent entrepreneur in Philadelphia, has gained recognition for his development projects that have established him as one of the city’s top entrepreneurs. He attributes his incredible success to his upbringing, which, despite growing up in the inner city, was kept focused on the track to success by his strong family ties and great parents.
In high school, Shawn was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track, and he excelled in track and field, becoming an All American. He attended Temple University and walked onto the football team, eventually earning a full scholarship. After graduating with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management, he played for the National Football League for three years before experiencing a career-ending injury.
Shawn discovered his passion for real estate after hearing a teammate discussing buying homes to rent out to college students. He became obsessed with the industry. His first development project was a twin Victorian that he bought with a massive hole from the roof down to the basement. He hired a team to restore the building to its original glory and eventually rented it out to a university fraternity house.
Shawn’s portfolio primarily consists of mixed-use real estate properties that have commercial space on the first floor and apartments above. He believes that the commercial component helps shape a community and provides more influence on its growth.
After many successful real estate development projects, Shawn wanted to give back to the city and developed “The Bullard” at 1620 Cecil B Moore. He spent almost 40% more in construction costs to make the building more diverse and affordable by including smaller two- and one-bedroom units. The building generates the same rental income but is more diverse and community-friendly than a massive 22,000 square foot building that could have turned into a college party house.
His latest development project is the Hagert Estates, featuring modern and minimalistic living. Bullard is the Developer and Contractor. The completion date is scheduled to be this month, May 2023.
A collaboration of visionary architects, meticulous builders, and extraordinary designers. The Hagert Estates collection of townhomes presents timeless residences that capitalize on their Fishtown location. These warm modern artistic spaces are beautifully proportioned and constructed with integrity. These elegant one- of -a kind townhomes elevate the Northern Fishtown, Philadelphia lifestyle.
The project includes 31 townhomes with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Elegance is coming to Fishtown.
Shawn has also given back to the community by hiring and providing job opportunities to local residents in the community.
In addition to his real estate ventures, Shawn opened a high-end coffee shop called the Common Grounds that offers healthy food options and embraces pop art and hip-hop culture. Although the shop did not make much profit in its first year, it was priceless in servicing the community as a black-owned business and being a role model to the youth in the area. He leased his commercial spaces to diverse businesses, including a fitness gym, black-owned property management offices, a hair salon, a fresh produce café, and an African American woman-owned financial business, to help propel community development forward.
Shawn spent time in Sherman Oaks, CA while filming the reality show, Match Made in Heaven. He still frequents the LA area a few times each year. “LA feels like a second home to me, I hope to continue visiting as often as possible and perhaps one day expand my company to the LA area. A future goal is to buy a home in the Hollywood Hills,” stated Shawn.
His plans for the future also include adding more units to his real estate portfolio and launching his ZADDY Men’s Skincare line and he is working on a screenplay about his life.
You can learn more about Shawn by visiting:
@Shawn_zaddy_bullard
@Bullardbuilders
@hagertestates
@zaddyproducts
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