Daniel Helps People Create Passive Income Through Property Investments
What’s your story?
Growing up, the lack of money was often a source of tension. I did well in school and spent 10 years in the public sector, serving as the Assistant Director of Organisational Development (OD) in the Prime Minister’s Office. However, I was working long hours and I really desired to spend more time with my wife and kids. I wanted to find a way for money to work harder for me. I learnt how to invest in rental properties in the United Kingdom (UK). I accumulated a portfolio of over 50 rooms across 15 properties in the past 8 years, and they generate a passive income for me every month.
Interestingly, I never imagined sharing publicly about financial mastery or property investing as it was a private thing. I started Born Poor Die Rich in 2018 because two close friends made bad financial decisions. “Friend A” had $50k in credit card debt, and “Friend B” had lost over $200k in bad property investments. I wanted to help people, like my friends, take control of their financial future.
What excites you most about your industry?
Money and investing are topics many people feel uncomfortable talking about, yet it is one of the most important areas we need to steward well. Quite ironically, Born Poor Die Rich is not about mindlessly chasing after money, but a way of learning how to define wealth in terms of what it means to each individual and how to live a life of purpose. Money is a means and not an end.
I have coached hundreds of people and there are 3 things that are desired and common to the people I have coached: (1) Spending more time with children or loved ones; (2) Travelling the world, experiencing other cultures; (3) Giving back to society.
It’s amazing to be able to achieve these through property, as it is an asset that’s easy to understand, provides a basic need in life, and leaves a legacy for the next generation. I’m passionate about restoring houses to homes, and partnering with social enterprises to provide homes for the homeless.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I love living in Singapore where everything is so convenient.
Living in a globalised world, I teach my clients to invest where their strategy works best, and, with the returns, create their desired lifestyle, anywhere in the world. For my family and I, Singapore is home.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore, for the ease of business, their strong legal system, and efficient government.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realise they were the big things.”
In “The Alchemist,” the King of Salem tells the story of a boy who must travel the world carrying a spoon of oil, which must not spill. It is important for the boy to experience the world, but on this journey, he shouldn’t be distracted from his own personal goals and purpose in life.
Fulfilling God’s purpose in my life, being a doting husband, a role model to my children, a filial son, and a loyal friend, are the drops of oil I carry in my spoon everyday. This helps me keep sight of my “true north” in life.
Who inspires you?
People who make a decision to change their lives for the better inspire me. Passion is contagious, and my clients, through their desire to learn, inspire me to give them my best effort when sharing my experience, the successes as well as the mistakes, to help them learn to make better financial and investment decisions.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
A friend of mine took 6 weeks off work to serve in the operations of a swab isolation facility, looking after migrant workers impacted by Covid-19. That really inspired me to be more selfless, and reminded me of the Starfish story, where one may not be able to impact all the starfish, but one just needs to make a difference to each one that we encounter.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Not chasing every opportunity there is.
I started a lifestyle evangelisation business selling T shirts, trading in stocks, options, Forex Trading, to name a few. I was so stressed and burnt out in the end, and it also burnt a hole in my pocket. From that, I learned there is no “get rich quick” scheme. There isn’t an “invest with little or no money” scheme. That’s not to say it hasn’t been done before, but it’s unlikely to happen for most investors.
It is about being laser focused on my purpose and excelling at what I do best.
How do you unwind?
I meditate, listen to “Coffee and Piano” on Spotify and enjoy a cup of mint tea. I strongly advocate finding time for self-care and unwinding. It helps me to be at my best.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Japan! Good food, clean toilets, great culture and shopping, sakura, onsen. What more can one ask for?
Everyone in business should read this book:
“The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines Into Massive Success and Happiness,” by Jeff Olson.
Shameless plug for your business:
Founded in 2018, Born Poor, Die Rich (BPDR) conducts seminars and coaching on investing in overseas properties that generate a passive income so that people can maximise their financial resources, and spend time on things that truly matter. We have educated many people to build their wealth through property investment. Join us at our next seminar or webinar!
How can people connect with you?
Website: www.bornpoordierich.com
Youtube Channel: https://tinyurl.com/BPDRYT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpdrich
Instagram: @bornpoor_dierich
Email: [email protected]
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connects’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
Connect with Callum on Twitter and LinkedIn
Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
