7 Mortgages, No Job, Baby on the Way — Then Everything Changed | Colin Lee

Have you ever wondered how some people turn hardship, rejection, and starting over into a life of financial freedom and purpose?

In this episode of the Find Your Influence podcast, we dive deep into the story of a Sydney-based property strategist and buyer’s advocate who went from a migrant kid watching his parents sacrifice everything, to a financially free investor who retired his mum and dad and built a business on genuine care. You’ll hear how he navigated cultural shock, career resets, redundancy at the worst possible time, and the pressure of seven mortgages and a baby on the way—then used property to create flexibility, security, and choice. We unpack what influence really means, why mindset matters more than tactics, and how treating every role like it’s your own business can 10x your results. If you’ve ever felt stuck, undervalued, or unsure how to turn your purpose into profit, this conversation will give you both inspiration and practical direction.

Summary:

Colin Lee shares his journey from migrating from Malaysia to Australia to becoming a leading property strategist and buyer’s advocate. He describes the culture shock his family faced, his father’s painful career reset, and how that experience became the driving force behind his promise at 21 to one day retire his parents. Colin explains how he ultimately did retire them, paying off their mortgage and funding their holidays, using equity built through a carefully constructed property portfolio. He reveals how property became not just an investment vehicle but a safety net that allowed him to start his own business after being made redundant while holding seven mortgages and expecting his first child. Colin walks through his shift from failed early business owner to junior property manager, then top sales agent, emphasizing the power of mindset, humility, and adding genuine value. Throughout, he frames influence as inspiring others through example, caring deeply about people’s stories, and helping them move from where they are to where they want to be.

Takeaways

• Influence is being inspired by someone whose life you want to emulate and allowing their example to positively shape your own.
• Profit must eventually follow purpose; if nothing changes in what you do, nothing changes in your financial reality.
• Property, when built as a solid asset base, becomes both a safety net and a vehicle for freedom, giving you options when life throws you a curveball.
• You’re only as good as the value you add to an organization, both in revenue growth and in the efficiencies you create.
• People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and that starts with truly understanding their story, their dreams, and what matters most to them.

Quotes:

• Influence is being inspired by someone whose life you want to emulate and allowing their example to positively shape your own.
• Profit must eventually follow purpose; if nothing changes in what you do, nothing changes in your financial reality.
• Property, when built as a solid asset base, becomes both a safety net and a vehicle for freedom, giving you options when life throws you a curveball.
• You’re only as good as the value you add to an organization, both in revenue growth and in the efficiencies you create.
• People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and that starts with truly understanding their story, their dreams, and what matters most to them.

Timestamp:

0:00 – What Influence Really Means

1:20 – Meet the Host and Guest

2:50 – Migrating from Malaysia to Australia

4:45 – Dad’s Career Struggles and Rejection

6:40 – A Son’s Promise to Retire His Parents

7:55 – How Colin Retired His Parents with Property

9:10 – Why Colin Chose Property as His Vehicle

11:45 – Redundancy, Seven Mortgages, and a Baby

13:10 – Using Property as a Safety Net for Business

15:00 – The Big Why: Freedom and Family

15:55 – Defining Influence: Impact and Inspiration

17:25 – Leaving Engineering and First Business Lessons

19:00 – When Purpose Lacks Profit

20:20 – Discovering Wealth Through Property Research

22:10 – Meeting Joseph and Entering Real Estate

23:30 – From CEO to Junior Property Manager

25:00 – Treating Every Role Like Your Own Business

27:00 – The Power of Genuinely Caring About Clients

28:30 – 10x Growth in Property Management Portfolio

31:10 – Transitioning into Top Sales Performer

33:20 – Helping Investors Consolidate and Retire

36:00 – Reinvesting Commissions into His Own Portfolio

37:00 – Discovering His Gift for Advising Buyers

38:45 – Becoming Principal and Partner in the Agency

40:10 – Adding Value Through Revenue and Efficiency

42:05 – You’re Only as Valuable as the Value You Add

43:40 – Why Passion-Only Businesses Fail

44:55 – Colin’s Leadership Philosophy: Inspire and Be Inspired

46:20 – The Real Purpose of Business: Happy Clients

48:00 – Inspiring the Host’s Vision on Leadership

50:00 – Wrap-Up, Intros, and Call to Subscribe

Conclusion:

This episode shows that influence is not about titles or status, but about the lives you impact and the legacy you consciously build. Colin Lee’s story demonstrates how a migrant family’s struggle, a son’s promise, and a series of humbling restarts can evolve into financial freedom, business ownership, and meaningful service to others. His journey through property management, sales, and ultimately buyer advocacy reveals the power of mindset, mentorship, and relentless focus on adding value. Listeners are reminded that if they clarify their “why,” commit to growth, and treat every opportunity as if it were their own business, they can turn adversity into advantage. As you finish this episode, you’re invited to reflect on how you can use your own influence, skills, and choices to design a life of purpose, profit, and genuine impact.