Here at Pollenizer we get to work with some amazing startup founders which I’d like to start introducing you to through regular blog interviews. To kick off we caught up with Julio Labraga, a general great guy and savvy entrepreneur I’ve had the pleasure to work with over the last few months:
What project are you currently working on with Pollenizer?
How did the idea come about?
The idea came from my personal frustration looking for unrenovated properties to purchase then renovate. Searching multiple websites, scanning various newspapers and making specific enquires relating to unrenovated properties became very time consuming so I starting thinking of how this problem could be resolved.
How did you hook up with Pollenizer?
It was by coincidence. I was referred to Mike Liubinskas by his financial planner to assist him with some personal finance matters. At the meeting, I asked Mike about Pollenizer. I then told him about my unrenovated business idea, Mike liked it and asked me to come to a boot camp workshop.
Is this your first start-up business?
No, it’s my 7th . My first business was a bookkeeping service while I was studying Accounting at Uni, this became an accounting firm with 3 partners that still is in operation 20 years later, then I join up with a client of my accounting firm and 2 others and formed an advertising agency, property developing and finance business. I also commenced a property presenting business which presents mortgagee repossessed properties for sale. Currently I have a finance business and purchase, renovate and sell real estate.
What attracted you to running a start-up?
The challenge and the feeling that what you put in is towards your own creation. I have always wanted to be in control of my own destiny.
What advice would you give to new budding start-up entrepreneurs?
If you have an idea/dream about doing your own thing then give the idea/dream an opportunity. Give it a go. You can always return to what you are currently doing if it does not work out.
It is a great feeling to get out of bed each day and do what you want on your own terms and get paid for it.