How do you go from finding clients on Gumtree to selling a 145-property portfolio?

In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Hayden D'Arcy, co-founder of Home Hero. His journey is one of the most relatable and inspiring stories we've had on the show.

He started in 2015 with no clients. He drove a wrecked car to his first listing appointment (and hid it around the corner!). But through a relentless "Say Yes" strategy, he built a massive property management business on the Gold Coast, survived COVID, and recently achieved a successful exit.

We dive into the reality of running a service business alongside a tech company, how to value your business for a sale, and why buying a cleaning company was the key to solving his operational headaches.

#FromHustleToExit #ScaleWithSystems #AccommodationGrowth

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1. YouTube Chapters

This is a fantastic "Building It" episode. It has everything: a humble beginning (Gumtree!), a struggle phase, a tech spin-off (Home Hero), rapid growth during COVID, and finally, a successful exit.

The story about hiding the wrecked car around the corner is absolute gold—it's the perfect hook to show how far he came.

Here are the promotional assets for the episode with Hayden D'Arcy.

1. YouTube Chapters

00:00 - Intro: Selling a 145-Property Business

01:46 - The Humble Start: Getting Clients on Gumtree in 2015

03:04 - The "Wrecked Car" Story: Faking It 'Til You Make It

05:34 - Co-founding Home Hero & Annoying Airbnb for API Access

09:38 - The Reality of Running Two Businesses at Once (18-Hour Days)

12:11 - The COVID Pivot: How He Grew When Others Quit

16:21 - The "Say Yes" Strategy: Taking Opportunities Others Refused

19:05 - Solving the Ops Nightmare: Buying a Cleaning Company

20:32 - The Hardest Founder Lesson: Learning to Let Go

22:31 - The Exit: Why He Sold His Portfolio to Focus on Tech

25:41 - How to Prepare Your Business for Sale (Valuation Tips)

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https://www.striveconferences.com

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.