Erica Odom wins Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at IMA 2026

Erica M. Odom, known as Coach Erica, was named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards E2 on July 1, 2026, in recognition of her real estate business and mentorship work. The award spotlights her role as founder of Odom Investments & Property Management in Milwaukee and her push to build wealth and opportunity through education.

Why it matters: - The award recognizes a business leader whose work spans real estate, mentorship, publishing, radio and community education. - Odom’s profile shows how entrepreneurship can be tied to wealth-building, workforce development and financial literacy. - Her win also puts attention on a Milwaukee-based business with a community-revitalization focus.

What happened: - Erica M. Odom received the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Influencer Magazine Awards E2 on July 1, 2026. - Odom is widely known as Coach Erica. - Odom is the founder and owner of Odom Investments & Property Management in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - The recognition highlights her work building an impact-focused business and empowering others.

The details: - Odom has more than 20 years of experience in real estate and seven years of entrepreneurial leadership. - Her real estate work includes fix-and-flip projects, buy-and-hold investments and project management. - The business is described as rooted in strategy and execution. - Odom’s work has supported community revitalisation and long-term wealth-building opportunities. - Odom said entrepreneurs often do not pause to celebrate, and the award was a reminder that dedication, consistency and hard work matter. - Odom’s early real estate career included a setback with her first investment property, which she later used as a learning experience. - Odom created the Scale Up Journey Internship Program to teach real estate fundamentals and give aspiring professionals practical experience. - The internship program is aimed at building the next generation of investors and entrepreneurs. - Odom is the author of Journey to Success, published in 2022. - Odom is also the author of Journey to Success: The "Unforgotten" Teen (All the Things You Don't Get Taught), published in 2023. - Odom hosts On The Journey With Coach Erica on 101.7 FM The Truth Radio. - Odom holds an associate degree in criminal justice, plus bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. - Odom is a licensed social worker. - Odom leads financial bootcamps for children and young adults focused on financial literacy and generational wealth. - Odom was recently selected to appear on Women In Power on the Inside Success TV Network.

Between the lines: - Odom’s story blends business growth with a public-facing teaching role, which can deepen trust and expand audience reach. - The combination of real estate, media and education suggests a brand built around influence as much as income. - Her social work background likely shapes the community-centered tone of her mentorship and financial education efforts. - The award also signals growing recognition for entrepreneurs whose value proposition includes social impact.

What's next: - Odom is expected to keep expanding her mentorship and education work through the internship program and financial bootcamps. - Her upcoming appearance on Women In Power may further broaden her audience and visibility. - Odom’s continued real estate and media activity positions her for more public recognition in entrepreneurship and community leadership.

The bottom line: - Odom’s award crowns a business career built on real estate execution, teaching and community impact, not just personal success.