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<\/p>\nA SAVVY teenager who used to work in a\u00a0call centre\u00a0is now running a \u00a32million business years later and has become a TV star.<\/p>\n
Colin Horton, from\u00a0Essex, went from zero to hero when he set out to carve a niche within the property industry.<\/p>\n
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The now 34-year-old is currently starring in Channel 4\u2019s new show, Selling Super Houses, a reality TV series that follows aspiring\u00a0estate agents\u00a0who will demonstrate their skills to earn the privilege of selling high-end properties.<\/p>\n
When Colin left school at age 18, he started working in a customer service call centre for a bank.<\/p>\n
He said: "This was a bit of a dead-end job, and I was earning \u00a314,000.<\/p>\n
"But back then, in my late teens, I had very little belief in myself."<\/p>\n
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Despite these humble beginnings, the savvy youngster was determined to strive for bigger and better things.<\/p>\n
"My dad left when I was four, so I was raised by my mum Vanda on her own," he said.<\/p>\n
"I\u2019ve never blamed dad for leaving, but I did miss having a male icon in my life. <\/p>\n
"As a result, my mum kind of became my icon \u2013 and remains so today.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "Despite having little money growing up, mum gave up everything to make sure my sisters Melanie and Holly and I were safe, fed and loved."<\/p>\n Colin said the family had to be really careful with food shopping, making \u00a35 feed all four of them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.<\/p>\n They also never went on holiday as a family, and often had to live in properties that were poorly managed by landlords. <\/p>\n Yet, thanks to a nudge in the right direction, Colin left the call centre after ten months in the job and went off to study.<\/p>\n "My friends managed to persuade me to go to the\u00a0University\u00a0of Portsmouth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n "I graduated three years later in 2011 with a degree in Property Development, Design and Marketing."<\/p>\n After graduating, Colin managed to land a job in asset management in Essex, working for Regis Group – one of the largest\u00a0freeholders\u00a0in the country.<\/p>\n He rose to become head of asset management before leaving to go it alone in 2017.<\/p>\n While it was a difficult decision, Colin said he knew he had to go solo to follow his dreams and goals.<\/p>\n "Coming from a broken family and challenging childhood, I wanted to do something more with my life," he said.<\/p>\n "I had a real drive to achieve, and was prepared to work really hard to get to where I wanted to go."<\/p>\n He now co-owns an award-winning surveying and valuation firm,\u00a0Project & Co, where he\u2019s the commercial director. <\/p>\n The company turns over \u00a32million a year.<\/p>\n He also co-owns\u00a0leasehold valuation firm Hortons Group, where he\u2019s the managing director.<\/p>\n So far in his career while working at his two firms, Colin has handled more than 5,000 lease extensions, valued more than \u00a34billion worth of property, and won a host of awards within the surveying industry.<\/p>\n He's also making moves by snapping up properties himself.<\/p>\n "I own five properties [worth a collective \u00a3700,000] with my business partner as well as a home of my own [worth \u00a3500,000],\u201d said Colin.<\/p>\n "I worked so hard to get where I am, and feel so grateful that it all paid off."<\/p>\n The successful businessman is also the host of a property networking group and recently organised an event with 300 paying guests.<\/p>\n "I was really proud of this achievement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n "When I first entered the industry, I felt so nervous and inferior, it was my aim to prevent others from feeling that way. <\/p>\n "That\u2019s why I launched my event business, Proparty, to bring people together from different backgrounds and create an environment that makes networking fun and easy."<\/p>\n Colin now hopes to host more events like this going forward.<\/p>\n He said: "I want to make the Property event in spring 2024 even bigger.<\/p>\n "I\u2019d love it if we could sell more than 700 tickets for the next one."<\/p>\n In addition, Colin has his own\u00a0podcast\u00a0series, Candid. This was once voted number 11 in the podcast charts.<\/p>\n The property aficionado now invests his money \u2013 mostly in property.<\/p>\n "I\u2019m really careful about putting money away, as I want to build a secure future both for me and for my family," he said.<\/p>\n "Everything I do is for mum. In fact, she\u2019s a tenant in one of my flats."<\/p>\n At the same time, Colin also enjoys spending his hard-earned cash. <\/p>\n He loves\u00a0sports cars\u00a0and drives the new Lotus Emira and a Range Rover SVR.<\/p>\n He also has a luxury watch collection stored away, and is helping his sisters buy their homes. <\/p>\n Colin puts his success down to hard graft \u2013 and a big dose of charm.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a happy-go-lucky guy, but I\u2019ve also had to work really hard to get here,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cI want to inspire young people in showing them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n The entrepreneur shared his top three secrets to success.<\/p>\n "Be kind and nice to everyone," he said. <\/p>\n "You\u2019ll be surprised how much more you can achieve by treating people with respect."<\/p>\n He also advises keeping fit, both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n "Running a business\u00a0is hard, and even more difficult if your mind and body aren\u2019t in a good place," he said. <\/p>\n "And finally, never expect anything from anyone. Business can be very dog-eat-dog."<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/70aebfc2-222c-447a-b0c3-e7ec28f8ce67.jpg\")
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