My Journey
A personal account of the opportunities, setbacks and hard-earned decisions behind more than 25 years in business and property.
My Property Journey
A personal account of the beginnings, decisions, deals and hard-earned lessons behind my journey in business and property.
Bola Ranson · My Property Journey · 23 minute listen
After being repeatedly rejected for work placements, I proposed something my university had never approved before: a self-employed placement. With no experience in business, sales, negotiation or publishing, I created a magazine to help graduates find work in technology.
After building a successful graphic-design business, I wanted an alternative to its unpredictable income. In 1999, I bought my first rental property. Its dependable cash flow led to a second purchase—and a decision to master property and build a substantial portfolio.
During the 2008 financial crisis, a collapsed off-plan strategy cost me more than £400,000. I refunded my buyers even though I could have retained their deposits. The experience changed how I assess every opportunity: understand the worst possible outcome before entering the deal.
“Have the goal. Keep your focus. Stay with it—and you will get there in the end.”
Put experience into practice