DARREN FRANCIS has built a robust rental portfolio .
We share excerpts from Darren ’ s story from his book below :
Part I : Failure
Chapter 1 : Failure , My Teacher Francis introduces the concept of failure as a critical learning tool . He recounts his early struggles , including being bullied and facing academic difficulties . A turning point came when he joined Leon Bailey ’ s karate class . Bailey ’ s insistence on perseverance and his mantra , “‘ Kan nie ’ is dood ” (“ Cannot is dead ”), instilled in Francis the importance of resilience and viewing failure as an opportunity for growth .
Chapter 2 : Overcoming Fear Fear is depicted as a major barrier to financial success . Francis argues that financial education is essential to overcoming this fear . He shares personal stories of how understanding financial principles and investment strategies helped him make informed decisions and mitigate fear-induced paralysis .
Chapter 3 : The Cost of Ignorance Francis stresses the dangers of financial ignorance . He illustrates this with examples from his early life where lack of financial knowledge led to poor decisions . He advocates for continuous learning and staying informed about financial matters as a means to avoid costly mistakes .
Part II : Success
Chapter 4 : Taking the Leap The importance of taking calculated risks is highlighted . Francis shares his first significant investment experience — purchasing a property for R340,000 , which later appreciated significantly . This chapter emphasizes the need to recognize opportunities and act decisively .
Chapter 5 : Building a Network Networking is presented as a cornerstone of success in property investment . Francis discusses how building relationships with industry professionals , attending networking events , and joining investment groups provided him with valuable insights and opportunities .
Chapter 6 : Success in My Backyard Investing locally is a key strategy for Francis . He describes how investing in properties within his
Real Estate Investor Magazine JUNE 2024 33