Singing Pig

I’m new to this forum although I’ve known about it for a couple of years, I’ve been too busy to join up – more fool me. But when David sent me the link to this string I read the first 15 pages then the last 10 I thought I’ll put in my bit as I feel I’ve got some experience, a tale to tell and an opportunity.

Reading this string in the main it all seems to be about adversity and how to overcome, there are a few pages where people were having a go at each other, which is a pity but nonetheless expected I guess. However it seemed to me that while there is a lot of talented people here there’s not one opportunity where we could all work together to benefit each other – I don’t know if I should have split the post to another area so I’m not going to mention the name of the opportunity (so I don’t get flamed) but the opp IS part of the story so feel free to let me know one way or the other.

BACKGROUND STUFF
Was a builder who got sick of running 50+ subbies every day of the week I turned my back on the whole thing and got involved in a UK home-improvement franchise. So I missed the boat on something “that should have been a piece of cake for me”, I had a relatively big building contractors, my Dad had done the same. Over the last 20 years I should have had a huge property portfolio!!

But BETTER LATE THAN NEVER here some of my story, I’ve cut out the travelled the world bit and tried to keep it relevant (hopefully) to this string, to what I’ve found in life + how I intend to make it happen FAST and how with the help of others, I’ll help people who want to do the same.

I could rattle on and wax lyrical about this and that but there are only 3 or 4 true things in life and that will help you to success in property:

1)       You wont make money working for someone else: No matter how brilliant you are at your job, they will take all the credit, the profit, and the only thing you’ll receive in recompense ill be relative to what your boss/master thinks he/she can afford to give you by way of a pay rise!!

2)      If you DO NOT take a chance, no I mean TAKE CHANCE(S), because the reality is you’ll probably fail, or at least think you have, a couple times along the way but dust yourself off and try again. Don’t listen to detractors, because if YOU don’t do it – its definitely not going to come looking for you!!

3)      Build a team of good people around you: They’re like gold dust and when you find them, treat them well and keep them close to you.

4)      My ultimate tip = LEVERAGE, create a vehicle to give you it!!

Funnily enough one thing I did do “that has proved to be a huge asset” was to create a web design company, but when I realised (YET AGAIN) I was creating successful businesses for others I decided enough-was-enough. I came back into the property market in 2005 and bought a couple of properties, then I decided to use my internet resources, my building experience, my franchising experience, and began to develop business concepts with strong brands that the public would "TRUST".

This is where what I’m suggesting is a little different; I “KNOW” I can, and will, build the personal property portfolio that I want. However I also know IF I BUILD A NATIONAL COMPANY with (a hundred other people) who want to be successful in property, working in their own areas building their own portfolios under a “Trusted Brand” we can ALL use that LEVERAGE (I agree with lesson 3 way-down-south) to get the REAL BMV DEALS that will financially benefit everyone involved.

MEMBERSHIP: I'm a member of several UK property and angel networks and I have built up a solid network of professional contacts in the world of informal capital that I know I can rely on. I meet/know and continue to meet, property people via various events.

EXPERTS? (I don't mind admitting it – YES I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS WORD) There are way too many 'so-called' experts willing to cash in on the gullible/inexperienced, or just downright greedy. Well I’m going to say – shock horror; YOU DON’T NEED THEM!!!

THE SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT PROPERTY? - You need a 'vehicle' for sourcing BMV props, you need a good bridging company, and you need a good broker who is a packager (and on those initial deals you might need someone to hold your hand).

NEW OPPORTUNITIES 2008: I am currently looking for partners/associates to JV with me in ***** ******. I want people who have complimentary skill-sets, who can help promote and market the business online, work with me to identify new sources, to actively play their part in what I believe will rapidly become the largest ethical BMV brand in the UK!

I’ll be launching the business on an Agency basis (not a franchise) it will follow a simple business model, and collectively by way of our own intranet/forums we will help each others individual businesses by offering ideas for mutual benefit – oh and the buy-in will be low. I have a lot of franchise experience and while it’s a recognised business model I personally feel they are generally overpriced, also franchisees normally have no experience and rely on and are very demanding of the franchiser (perhaps its something to do with the huge upfront fees, and the monthly charges, royalties etc) lol. I’m looking for motivated people who can follow and add-value to the business for the benefit of everyone involved

ACHIEVEMENTS ONLINE:
2004 Started and SOLD the UK's FIRST professional trades directory www.homepro.co.uk
2005 I got involved in the Bulgaria property market www.bgplg.com

2006 Developed Britains Got Talent before Simon Cowell decided to borrow the idea.
2007 I began to develop the whole ***** ****** concept, its taken me the entire year of investment in the brand, the site, the marketing, the business model to get it ready-to-launch.

2008 I will be involved "exclusively" in the sales and marketing (news/print/media) of ***** ******™

SATISFACTION: Outside of and (before) the world of property its my family and that's I am also involved with two environmental businesses tackling arguably the most important issue we all face - Global Warming - Because I want them to have a Future!

LIFESTYLE: Life is too short, you have to relax; and while most of us realise this, we all want to be as WELL-OFF as we can be, consequently we work too hard. My philosophy is "you can do both" business can be done anywhere providing you have the technology. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your lifestyle.

Am I a millionaire yet? – On paper just about.

Will I be in 2008 YES

Will other Local ****** be YES

Am I where I want to be – as yet NO.

** By the end of 2008 I hope to have built a brand known throughout the UK, in your town there will be around 20 estate agents and I don’t know how many BMV buyers, but there will only be (1) ***** ******.

CONCLUSION: Over the last few years I learned a lot about what works and what doesn't work regarding doing business online. However I (learn more every day from others) and I continue to build my network of like-minded people who can share ideas, capital and experience together for mutual advancement.

Now I’m getting involved in a market that (lets face it) hasn’t got the best press, there can be no doubt people in difficult positions are being take advantage of by a lot of people servicing this sector. However there is an outstanding business opportunity to be had and if I can get the right people following a simple company ethos in their local areas we can help change this while building profitable property portfolios and providing credible services.

I have a lot of respect for the SP site and the people on it and I believe that the experience I need is here. I’ve already ID’d some people whom I would like to help and I’m hoping that they’ll get in touch – Well I guess we’ll see.

i read this post with anticipation -  we get few new interesting life stories on here lately, and sadly i was disappointed.

 angels says 

"" However it seemed to me that while there is a lot of talented people here there’s not one opportunity where we could all work together to benefit each other – I don’t know if I should have split the post to another area""

in my view you certainly should have split this post.     You have been using this "inspirational" thread as a potential "profitable thread"  to market your franchise - and this is clearly not what this thread is about   - and you yourself knew that   -  otherwise  why should you  use ***s to market  your company product - -   you know full well that the mystery of " ***** "  will get you some enquiries.

i have no objections to reading about your business opportunity - in the appropriate arena  - but please dont come here and try to sell your wares  -  this is not why this thread is a "sticky" one.  

if you do tell us your life story - it may well be inspirational  -  at the moment you come across as an underhand salesman   ........... 

This was what I didn't want to do but it might have served you to pm me to tell me if I was going off string (it’s certainly what I would have done),

I could have added a lot more to the post, my life has been very varied but perhaps no more so than some of the stories I have read here. I actually thought I was giving a bio of how I got to where I am right now. The fact that I have a concept where (if anyone’s interested) we can all work together to tie in some brilliant experienced people and we can all have additional success is secondary - and that’s exactly why I didn’t mention a name, or go into ANY detail..

I wanted to find out if people would be interested in (1) who I am and how I made a huge mistake not getting into BMV before it was even invented and I thought I had explained that (2) If people were interested in finding out more about the opp I hoped to get pm'd if they were, I didn't expect replies on this string. I'm sorry that you feel this way, I'm very disappointed as I thought I was genuinely letting people know a little about myself and a good opportunity at a time of the year when its all supposed to be about spreading goodwill or at least that’s what I was brought up to believe - not about pulling someone apart or being negative.

I'm here to try to help; there are lots of things that I don’t like about this whole sector and the people who operate in it, I’m not here to try to highjack a great string. I’m a straightforward guy and if you knew me you wouldn’t have written this, I do hope I don’t have to answer any more posts from sceptical or suspicious minds (there a cue for a song) however as I said there is a huge opportunity for the good guys (and gals) to work together to collectively make things right.

If anyone would like to help me on how I should go forward I’d greatly appreciate it, I came to this site because I believe it is a place where people actually CARE and I don’t want to fall foul of forum rules.

Happy New Year to you Clottie

Crikey a lot of wonderful stories. I didnt do particularly well at school. Kicked out at 16, by my DAd  i was working in hotels so that i had somewhere to live, Either waitressing or bartending. Married an out and out tosser at 22. Had my eldest daughter at 24.(she is now 21). Got a job as a Kitchen Designer at 27 which was the turning point. Actually found something I was quite good at.Selling kitchens.Only was doing it a few months and this was in the 80's went from  Income Support getting £50.00 a week to my first commission cheque for £545.00. I couldnt believe it. I felt i was rich. Kicked tosser of husband out and started to build a life for me and my daughter. The firm I went for went bust, so I decided it was now of never so I refinanced my house, (only had a 17,000 mortgage) borrowed 20,000 and set up my own kitchen business in 1990. Met another partner this lasted a bit longer that the last had another 2 children.But have brought the 3 ofthem up on my own for the last 8 years. And they are my success. Started in property 3 years ago, I own 8 houses. 2 in this country, 2 in bulgaria, 1 in florida and 2 in dubai.Still doing kitchens, however long for the day when property and the buying and selling of them is the only thing i do for a living. If I could give anyone any advice it is to only associate with people that are succssful, and know more than you. Especially if you are starting out in business, your best freinds will try to talk you out of it if they can. Dont listen to anyone, JUST DO IT!

Im a sucessful woman in a mans world! And its hard.

Thanks to David Beard, who sent me an email to this thread. And I probably have a similar background, leaving school at 16 and variety of jobs and had a couple of businesses and divorces. Ok I have a failing or two. I got interested in millionaire mind sets a couple of years ago and have been following them through web sites and so on. 

Over the last year I took Parmdeep's course and have been taking the mini-course and emails from one or two people including Glenn Armstrong. I have learnt a lot about property from a zero start. A house is a house and you live in it idea. Never really thought of the business side of it as I was always too busy elsewhere.

What excites me is the strategy these guys use. Its creative use of finance.

As yet I havent done the first deal so I need to get moving and join the gang. Maybe not a millionaire mind yet but I plan to get there. In the meantime I am continuing in Business Development helping businesses reach their potential.  

Probably a little late, but I know several lads working on refurbs in Hull. If you need their numbers let me know.

 I have off plan properties in Hulme, Bolton and BTL that are paying their own way.

Let me know if I can help

I learned to trade after I had kids. I'd been working 24/7 to pay the bills and used to sit in the carpark crying when I dropped my babies at nursery. I never thought I'd have kids and then let strangers look after them and it gutted me. I spent a fortune attending courses but I truly believed this was the way out as it ticked all the boxes. Ie. I could work from home, end-of-day, with massive leverage, in and out of trades quickly, low set-up costs etc. It was a sharp learning curve and was one of the scariest times of my life. Bills were mounting, I was spending on courses I couldn't afford. I just had a dream to go on. But once I set out on the journey, I knew there was no turning back and only one way to go - and that was forward.

You just have to keep the faith and follow your dream. It's scary but if your goal is big enough and your reasons strong enough, you'll get there in the end. My kids were what drove me. My kids are out of nursery now and I am trading 'full-time' (ie couple of hours a day). I have skills to change our lives for good and no longer worry about my pension. I only wish they taught wealth strategies in school and I'd learned all this sooner. At least my kids will never have to struggle like I did. My son is a fine little trader and already understands chart patterns at age 11. Hopefully it will turn his life around like it did mine.
 

sizzle:

I learned to trade after I had kids. I'd been working 24/7 to pay the bills and used to sit in the carpark crying when I dropped my babies at nursery. I never thought I'd have kids and then let strangers look after them and it gutted me. I spent a fortune attending courses but I truly believed this was the way out as it ticked all the boxes. Ie. I could work from home, end-of-day, with massive leverage, in and out of trades quickly, low set-up costs etc. It was a sharp learning curve and was one of the scariest times of my life. Bills were mounting, I was spending on courses I couldn't afford. I just had a dream to go on. But once I set out on the journey, I knew there was no turning back and only one way to go - and that was forward.

You just have to keep the faith and follow your dream. It's scary but if your goal is big enough and your reasons strong enough, you'll get there in the end. My kids were what drove me. My kids are out of nursery now and I am trading 'full-time' (ie couple of hours a day). I have skills to change our lives for good and no longer worry about my pension. I only wish they taught wealth strategies in school and I'd learned all this sooner. At least my kids will never have to struggle like I did. My son is a fine little trader and already understands chart patterns at age 11. Hopefully it will turn his life around like it did mine.
 

Great post sjh - thanks for the insight into your story.