Ethan Hammond, a Property Developer’s growth has been impactful not only for himself but also for the individuals across London he has been helping passively invest in projects for good returns. He is the leader of the Communities Learn Property & Key Advantage group. He has been recognised across the UK, on all social media platforms, and YouTube as UK broadcaster Channel 4. I had the opportunity to interview him to give the young people of inside success the opportunity to gain insight into his journey for their benefit.
What is your background?
- I grew up in south London, Croydon, specifically Selhurst. I took the formal education route so I attended a state school. I Went through sixth form and university. I loved chemistry and math and always aimed to challenge myself as much as possible. I joined the grad scheme nationwide for 18 months trying different roles during university studying chemistry but I was still very heavily into property.
Describe yourself in your own words?
- I would say I am a problem solver who is very tenacious. I love learning through challenges and seeing all life’s positive aspects. I would say I am extroverted. I believe that if I read and educate myself I can add value to others “Every day I aim to strive and be better than yesterday”.
You went to university to study chemistry and ended up getting a career in property. Tell us how that happened and what advice would you give a younger person in university doing a degree they might not want a career in?
- I studied chemistry and ended up doing property. I believe that you should study a subject you enjoy and through any subject you study there is always the main thing that takes away the transferable skills you can use in another career. The experiences define a person, not the degree can always be taken into another industry.
How did you educate yourself on property and what things did you use to help you?
- For me, I took the boring route. I read books and listened to podcasts and videos religiously. I also invested my own money into it. I was taking money earned from my job to invest in my passion. I made use of the free resources and paid for resources also. I would say the price for a drink is the same as a book. I made use of attending mastermind groups and networking schemes over time. Through that, I found investors who believed in his vision and joined forces.
Do you feel like your upbringing in Croydon had a part to play in your chosen career path?
- Yes, I would say my upbringing had a part to play in my choice of career. I had humble beginnings and lived in a council flat with 3 siblings and my grandmother so that was 5 people living in a 2 bedroom flat. I would say that experience shaped me. I was also exposed to an affluent area where I was schooled which then fueled my hunger to want more for myself. I was finding it hard to relate to their problems. There was a contrast.
The process of doing a renovation and selling or renting out a property takes patience. How did you tap into finding patience in the process?
- If you look at successful people in property, they have been doing this for a long time. Instant results aren’t going to come, there will always be extreme hurdles. If things are easy the rewards aren’t always great so the most complicated work rewards the most. I would say be prepared to overcome challenges and delayed gratification, especially in property, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme it’s a get-rich-for sure play the game properly and you’re guaranteed to get rich route.
For someone who is starting with no money, what is the best route you would suggest for them?
- There is a big misconception that you need the biggest balance to guarantee entry. You can start by getting educated and finding resources and meeting someone with capital can make the ultimate partnership so it’s a win-win situation on both ends. It’s important to get educated and find people who need you to make them more money. Property seems like it is saturated but it’s not. There are so many different avenues to the property there are so many strategies to find a niche that works for you and dominate it to outdo your competitors.
How did you get into the property?
- Getting into property followed by leaving university and telling people what I wanted to do to open doors for myself as well as other people.
How do you know the property was what you wanted to do?
- Property sparked an interest I hadn’t felt before initially. I was addicted to it which led me to keep going down it. It’s not a passion I could ignore and I’m still fascinated by it till this day.
What made you want to teach others through your platforms to learn property?
- I wanted to teach others because that’s how I was able to learn and teaching was the most effective way to connect with people. It’s a good channel to make an impact. You’ll see the rewards for sure in the long run forming communities is always effective and beneficial.
How did you grow your network, and key advantage group?
- For me to grow my network I had started documenting everything ups and downs being authentic with my journey. This then allows people to be more relatable to the process through that I then grew my community and relationships.
What advice do you have for a young person fresh in their 20s looking to get into property?
- There is a barrier to entry and knowledge. I advise you to get a job that pays you well and take some of the money to invest in your learning. Be in an environment where they can grow your skills. I would also say put yourself in the right rooms. This is a long game so be prepared for it and have patience. The time it takes is very long, delays are inevitable, can throw you off, and one-off day can cost you one week. My last bit of advice is as a young person stay curious and stay hungry.