Dave Martin spent a lifetime in corporate America is various leadership roles, but entrepreneurship is in his blood. His grandfather was involved in the building of the Flanner House Homes in his hometown of Indianapolis. It was a postwar residential neighborhood in Indianapolis developed in the 1950s as a housing project for African Americans. As a “sweat equity” housing project, participants were required to work a minimum of 20 hours each week to support the project.

Participants worked in cooperative work groups to build the houses, gaining a skill set that would not only help in future maintenance of the structures, but in some cases also allow homeowners to find related employment. He always preached about home ownership as a way to build wealth.