When Evart real estate broker Ashlee Flachs started Dreams Realty in April of 2019, she knew her life was going to change. However, she had no idea that – less than 4 years later – she’d be starring in a reality show about entrepreneurs.
Last summer, after a few emails and a round of interviews, she was approached by producer and reality star Wes Bergmann – known for reality shows such as MTVs The Real World and The Challenge – and was offered to participate in Season 4 of a show called “The Blox”. “The Blox” is considered “the largest competition TV show on the planet for startups” according to betablox.com
“The Blox” producers were intrigued by her story; that of a small-town, independent entrepreneur from northern Michigan. No franchise, no financial investors, no corporate rules.
So she flew down to Kansas City to compete against 59 other entrepreneurs. Many of whom did have large financial backings or were already well established.
“I met so many great entrepreneurs from all over the world,” Flachs said. “From nail salons, to recording studios, crypto companies, IT companies, to restaurants… I was competing against people who were already established – and many of them were already millionaires. It was a really cool opportunity. ”
During the course of the competition, Ashlee was selected by the judges on multiple occasions, and finished in 1st place among women competitors, and won top ten overall.
Being from a small town in rural America, she was considered an underdog throughout the show.
“One of the judges said, have you read the bible?” Flachs said, “You’re like David in this competition [going up against the Goliaths].”
“I learned so much from so many great entrepreneurs,” Flachs said. “It was amazing. Going into the competition I was a little apprehensive. A lot of contestants had been on things like the TED show, they all had their podcasts, and were very rehearsed in how they’d talk. And I have never had any experience with that.”
Ashlee said that her group of competitors were all supportive and offered guidance throughout the show.
“Everyone was very competitive and wanted to win, for sure,” Flachs said. “But the camaraderie – even when we talked with each other we were on the same page – we could understand each other more than anyone else because we were facing the same adversities.”
Since returning home from filming, Ashlee’s company, Dreams Realty, has continued to grow. She now has 7 agents working alongside her in her downtown Evart office. But her philosophy hasn’t changed.
“We’re not like those big [real estate franchises], where everything is handed down or directed from higher up, and it’s all about how we can make more money,” Flachs said. “That’s not us. We’re invested in our community and we try to give back to our community as much as possible. That’s what it’s all about.”
And as one of the top contestants on “The Blox” season 4, Ashlee has been given the opportunity to attend casting for an upcoming season of “The Blox All-Stars”. She’s looking forward to what the future has in store.
“It’s exciting. It was a really cool opportunity, and things have really taken off.”
Season 4 of “The Blox” can be found streaming on many platforms, including for free on “The Beta Blox” app.