By: Joshua Finley

Christopher Harrison has built an impressive real estate empire, with over 300 units and counting. But unlike many moguls, he didn’t start out rich or connected. Christopher bootstrapped his way up from humble beginnings, fueled by hustle and strategic risks. His journey reveals key strategies for aspiring investors to accumulate portfolios of their own.

Leveraging Early Work Experiences

Christopher got his first taste of business in childhood. He recalls, “I’ve always been business-minded.” His initial career running multiple businesses and then a hauling company also taught crucial skills for real estate. He explains, “When I was hauling and removing trash from properties, I met a ton of real estate investors, agents, and title companies.” Gradually acquiring this network would prove invaluable once he transitioned to investing. Early work can thus seed opportunities down the road.

Finding the Right Mentor

According to Christopher, the catalyst for his real estate success was a chance 2005 encounter. A hauling client that he knew owned hundreds of properties and took Christopher under his wing to become his mentor. As Christopher shares, “He mentored me and took me under his wings.” The right mentor provides insider knowledge you won’t find in books. Had Christopher not crossed paths with the mentor, he may never have discovered his passion. He urges investors, “Find someone already successful in your field and learn everything you can from them.”

Start Small, Then Scale

Despite having little capital when he started, Christopher used mentors to make his first investment happen. He bought his inaugural property in 2005 with 100% financing, relying on new found partnerships along with his mentor’s connections. While many wait until they have ample cash, Christopher believes starting small is key. His first deal gave him the track record and confidence to rapidly expand his portfolio. Christopher advises new investors, “Your first property gets your foot in the door. Once you prove you can do it, funding and opportunities start flowing.” Success begets success.

Developing a Disciplined Approach

In his early days, Christopher admits he bought too quickly and carelessly. But painful lessons from the 2008 crash taught him discipline. He cites tighter due diligence, focus on quality assets, and calculated expansion as critical changes. “I started focusing on the longevity of each deal instead of just buying anything,” he explains. Christopher also built a pool of investor funding to capitalize on deals quickly when they arose. By developing a systematic approach, he avoided past mistakes.

Adapting to Setbacks

Despite his disciplined methodology, Christopher emphasizes adaptability. When the market collapsed in 2008, he lost big. But instead of abandoning real estate, he took time to re-strategize. Christopher reflects, “I didn’t just hang up my shoes. I had serious, long-term plans and you have to keep striving for your goals.” He recommends reviewing projects after failures to improve. After 2008, Christopher slowed his pace and focused on high-return opportunities. Setbacks inevitably happen – growing through them is key.

From Side Hustle to Empire

When asked about his proudest moments, Christopher cites his portfolio of 300-plus units. He never imagined achieving this scale back when he started small. “It took a lot of work to get here,” Christopher states. Despite his success, Christopher remains ambitious. He’s currently aiming to reach 1,000 properties and expand to new markets. For this real estate mogul, even 300 doors is just the beginning. For aspiring investors, Christopher proves ambition and resilience can build wealth, even without family money. By starting small, learning continuously, and achieving milestones, Christopher built his side hustle into a multi-million dollar empire. His journey shows that real estate riches start with humble beginnings and the right mentality.

To learn more about Christopher Harrison, visit his LinkedIn profile.

Published By: Aize Perez