I was living in my parents’ basement, broke as a joke, and chasing a dream I had no idea how to bring to life. But what I lacked in resources, I made up for with drive, conviction and purpose.

Working construction with my uncle wasn’t where I thought I’d be after college, but that’s exactly where I ended up. Long days installing tile and trim in a 5,000 square foot house in Lakeville, trying to figure out how to turn a real estate license and zero income into something sustainable. Uncle Jack, a former paper salesman turned self-taught builder, was relentless. He didn’t wait around for someone to tell him how to do it. He read the books, made the mistakes and figured things out. He believed anything was possible with the right mindset and work ethic. That rubbed off on me.

The first seed was planted back in college, renting a tiny apartment above Water Street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was owned by “Student Area Housing,” a company that seemed to control half the rentals in town. I remember thinking, “Who owns all this? And how does that even work?” I couldn’t shake the question.

 After four IT internships and 22 job interviews, I never landed a job in the field I had worked so hard to enter with my Management Information Systems degree. Sitting in my parents’ basement, broke and unsure of my next move, I came across a book: Retire Young, Retire Rich. It laid out a path to financial freedom through real estate and business ownership. I read the whole thing in one sitting. For the first time, I realized I didn’t have to force myself into a box—or cubicle—working at a desk for the next 40 years, coding software. Real estate was simply a better fit for my energy, ambition and love of genuine human connection.

Jack gave me my first shot, offering me construction work at $10 an hour. I pushed back and asked for $12. He smiled and took the deal. What started as a labor job turned into hands-on training in craftsmanship, negotiation and mindset. We talked about real estate daily. When I mentioned a rental opportunity in Arizona, he didn’t just encourage it, he offered to back it financially. “You handle the deal, I’ll bring the money,” he said. We bought two properties. That trust launched everything.

Years later, after 100 renovations and 30 new builds, I asked how I could help others avoid the hard lessons I had to learn. My business partner Jason and I developed what we now call the Value-Driven Approach to sell Real Estate. It’s built on experience, not theory. And it’s designed to help people protect their equity and make smart moves—not just quick sales.

But my greatest purpose was fully realized in 2016 when our daughter Shanley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. We nearly lost her. In that hospital room, everything in my life got stripped down to what really mattered. I started writing as a way to process and speak up. We launched Team SugarShay and helped raise more than $250,000 for Breakthrough T1D. I asked Shanley if she was comfortable with me sharing her story, she said, “Leaders don’t hide.”

For years, people had called me confident, even arrogant—but what they were really seeing was belief. I’ve always had a strong sense of who I am. It is my mission to use my strengths,  motivation, and purpose to impact my family, my clients and my community in a positive way. I tell my story to spark belief so others can find their purpose, own their identity and make a lasting IMPACT. Because when you lead with conviction, others find the courage to follow.

Leadership isn’t just a mindset. It’s how I show up for the people who trust me. I’ve been on the front lines, making decisions, solving problems and learning from every mistake in my own investing and development journey. That real-world experience gives my clients a clear advantage. I don’t just offer advice. I lead. I protect clients from rushed decisions, challenge what doesn't serve them and build strategies that move them forward with clarity and confidence.

Real estate is often the biggest financial move someone will ever make, and it rarely comes without challenges. Whether it’s buying a first home, upgrading for a growing family, selling after decades, or investing in a build - people need a guide who has been through it and knows how to navigate the process with skill and certainty. 

The Value-Driven Approach, devised from 20+ years of personal real estate investing experience, we treat your home like an investment: protecting you from making fundamental mistakes, costing you thousands - while at the same time executing our approach with our experienced team of designers, contractors and digital marketers. Our Approach is proven to give your home a competitive edge.

I’m here to help… 

 

 

 

Tim Murphy