How We Built a Property Business Without a Silver Spoon or a Safety Net

The story behind PropInvest Co, and what it really takes to build something from scratch

When people see a successful property business today. Big projects, polished marketing, investor case studies, they often assume it started with wealth, connections, or a family portfolio.

Ours didn’t.

PropInvest Co wasn’t born from privilege. It wasn’t funded by a trust fund or backed by a property empire. It started with nothing but belief, grit, and a willingness to take real risks.

And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Zero-Income Phase: Our First 10 Months

When we launched PropInvest, we didn’t draw a salary for nearly a year.

We were sourcing deals during the day, learning everything we could at night, and living as lean as humanly possible. Some weeks we didn’t know how we were going to fuel the van, let alone fund a development.

But we backed ourselves. Not blindly, but with a deep belief that we could make this work if we just stayed focused and consistent.

That mindset, forged through sport and strengthened by pressure, still drives how we operate today.

From Rugby Pitch to Property Site

Both Joe and Tom came from professional rugby backgrounds. And while they’ve hung up their boots, the discipline from that world still shapes everything we do.

There are no shortcuts in sport. You train when no one’s watching. You show up whether you feel like it or not. And when things go wrong? You take ownership and keep moving forward.

We brought that same mentality to property.

When we didn’t have cash to invest ourselves, we sourced properties for others. We built trust, learned fast, and reinvested everything we made back into the business.

Our first real development project came through a referral - a dilapidated property no one else wanted, with a sitting tenant and major challenges. But it gave us a start. We borrowed funds and pulled in our first joint venture partner to make it happen.

It was messy, slow, and stressful. But it worked. And it was ours.

Early Lessons (And Mistakes We’ll Never Repeat)

We’ve made all the rookie errors. Rushed refurb timelines. Underestimated build costs. Took on the wrong partners. Let ego get in the way.

But we also learned fast. We realised early on that no one was coming to save us. we had to get better, not just busier.

Some of our biggest lessons:

• Trust is everything. Lose it once, and it’s hard to get back.

• Say no to the wrong deal. No matter how tempting the numbers look.

• Structure beats hustle. Long-term growth means getting systems in place.

We started using shared Google Drives, setting up limited companies for every JV, and building contractor onboarding processes. Because if we were going to scale, we needed infrastructure, not chaos.

Growing with Grit (Not Hype)

PropInvest didn’t explode overnight. There were no viral moments or 6-figure exits in our first year.

We grew by doing good work, again and again.

Over time, the deals got bigger. Investors started returning. One trusted us, then two, then five. And now, most of our funding comes from repeat partners who’ve seen how we operate, and want in again.

We’re now managing high-value barn conversions, new builds, and long-term projects. But we’ve never forgotten what it took to get here, or how hard the early days were.

And that’s why we take investor capital so seriously. We know what it’s like to go all-in.

Why We’re Still Just Getting Started

Today, PropInvest is a full-service development company. We manage projects end-to-end, build long-term partnerships, and source off-market deals others don’t even hear about.

But underneath it all? We’re still the same team who started this on a sofa with a baby, a dream, and no backup plan.

That experience didn’t just shape our values, it is our competitive edge.

We didn’t buy our way in. We built this. And we bring that same hunger to every single project.

Final Word: For Anyone Starting From Scratch

If you’re a developer, entrepreneur, or investor who’s starting without a head start, know this:

You don’t need perfect conditions.

You need:

• Relentless consistency

• A high standard for how you work

• The humility to keep learning

• And the courage to start anyway

The path won’t be easy. But if you build it on trust, grit, and transparency, you’ll last.

We’re proof of that.

Want to work with a team who’s built it from the ground up?

We don’t just deliver strong returns. We bring our whole selves to every project, with integrity, discipline, and care.

If you’re looking for a long-term partner in property development, let’s talk.

📩 Get in touch today.