From Humble Beginnings to Leading One of Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing US Companies

To really understand where I am now, you’d have to understand where I started. My story isn't one of instant success or privilege. Instead, it's a tale of how a girl who once cleaned synagogues to support her family became the CEO of Blue Lake Capital, recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States this year. Growing up as the eldest of four in a modest household, I learned the value of hard work early on. These early experiences shaped my character, teaching me resilience and instilling in me the drive to dream beyond my immediate circumstances.
 

My teenage years were a blend of challenges and hopes. Marrying young, I saw it as a gateway to a better life, but it soon turned into a journey of self-reliance and tenacity. Juggling multiple jobs to support my family while nurturing a dream to break the cycle of poverty, I was determined to make something of myself. Law, especially real estate law, became my passion and my escape. It was my first step towards building a future I had always envisioned.

After years of hard work, I transitioned from a diligent law student to a successful lawyer, specializing in real estate. But merely advising on transactions wasn't enough for me; I yearned to be the decision-maker, the investor shaping the real estate world. My legal career, as fulfilling as it was, became a springboard to something greater.  

Life’s trials, including a health crisis and a challenging marriage, prompted a profound reassessment of my life. These challenges opened the door to pursuing my true passion. Ending my marriage and leaving my stable job were difficult but necessary decisions. During this period of transformation, I sought to enhance my business acumen and applied to MIT. The MBA program at MIT was not just an educational journey; it was an experience that reshaped my understanding of business, strategy, and leadership. It equipped me with the skills to scale operations and build a lasting enterprise.

 
Building Blue Lake Capital: A Dream Realized
 

Founding Blue Lake Capital was the culmination of my experiences and the realization of my aspirations. What began as a vision to create a significant impact in the real estate sector turned into a thriving business. The most remarkable aspect of our journey to being recognized on the Inc. 5000’s list is our team's size. With only 10 employees, we stood out in a category usually dominated by companies with staff in the triple digits. This achievement speaks volumes about our efficiency, strategic vision, and the effectiveness of a dedicated and skilled team.

The success of Blue Lake Capital lies in our unique approach. We focused on creating symbiotic partnerships, leveraging our combined strengths to innovate and expand in the market. Our small team fostered a culture where ideas and collaboration were valued over individual accolades, allowing us to be nimble and responsive in the dynamic real estate landscape.

 
Reflections and Future Aspirations
 

Looking back, I see a journey that started with a young girl cleaning synagogues and led to leading a company that is a testament to efficiency, vision, and the power of a small, dedicated team. Being recognized by Inc. 5000 is not just a milestone; it's a validation of our approach and a reminder that with determination, a clear vision, and a committed team, extraordinary achievements are possible.

My story is a message to all aspiring entrepreneurs: Embrace your beginnings, no matter how humble. Believe in your dreams, and understand that success isn't just about the size of your team but the strength of your vision and the passion you bring to your work. At Blue Lake Capital, we have shown that with passion, perseverance, and strategic thinking, even the smallest team can achieve remarkable success.

As always, Be Bold, Be great, and Keep Pushing Forward!

 

P.S. If one of your priorities, like mine, is building and preserving your wealth through multifamily real estate investments, click here to discuss how we can partner together.

 

---

 
About Ellie Perlman
 
 

Ellie Perlman is the founder and CEO of Blue Lake Capital, a woman owned multifamily real estate investment firm focused on partnering with family offices and accredited investors to build and preserve generational wealth. Since its founding in 2017, Blue Lake has successfully acquired and operated multifamily assets across high-growth U.S. markets, completing $1B+ in transactions.


At Blue Lake Capital, Ellie and her team work exclusively with family offices and accredited investors, offering carefully curated investment opportunities that emphasize long-term wealth creation, stability, and risk-adjusted returns. A defining aspect of Blue Lake’s investment strategy is its integration of advanced AI-driven analytics and data science into the entire lifecycle of acquisitions and asset management. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the firm executes data-driven forecasting on market trends, asset performance, and tenant behavior, ensuring strategic decision-making and optimized returns.


In addition to leading Blue Lake Capital, Ellie is the original founder and host of "REady2Scale - Real Estate Investing" podcast, which provides insights into multifamily real estate, alternative investments, and finance.


Ellie began her career as a commercial real estate attorney, structuring and negotiating complex transactions for one of Israel’s leading development firms. She later transitioned into property management, overseeing over $100M in assets for Israel’s largest energy company.


Ellie holds a Master’s in Law from Bar-Ilan University in Israel and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.


You can learn more about Blue Lake Capital and Ellie Perlman at www.bluelake-capital.com. 


*The content provided on this website, including all downloadable resources, is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. Furthermore, this material does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Back to List Next Article