Real Estate Is a Great Investment, But Not Always a Great Business
We recently wrapped up a team meeting at Cost Plus Construction, and I left that room with two thoughts on my mind: Growth & Security
Not just revenue growth or expanding service areas—although we’re doing that too—but growth in leadership, systems, and sustainability to weather financial storms. A few years ago, I made the decision to rebrand and restructure our construction company from the inside out. We focused on transparency, systematizing our operations, and building something more stable for both our customers and our contractors.
We’re still dialing things in. Still tweaking. Still learning. But we’re building the type of company I always envisioned. And that’s something I’m proud of.
But Let Me Shift Gears…
This post isn’t just about construction or team meetings. It’s for my fellow real estate investors, especially those feeling the squeeze right now.
You’ve probably seen what I’ve seen…
- Investors backing out of deals
- People pausing their business
- Others running back to traditional jobs because they “need the stability”
Let’s be real: this market has spooked a lot of folks.
But here’s the truth:
Real estate is a great investment—but if it’s your only income stream, you’re just one market cycle away from getting rocked.
I’ve been through it all over the last 18 years—recessions, interest rate hikes, booms, busts, and everything in between. And I’ve been able to survive, thrive, and stay in the game because I never relied solely on real estate to “pay my bills.”
This Is Why I Built Businesses
Yes, I flip homes.
Yes, I’ve built a rental portfolio.
Yes, I invest in land, parks, and funds.
But what’s kept me in the game through every high and low is this: I built multiple businesses that cash-flowed, even when the market didn’t.
- It’s how I’ve paid over 10,000 mortgage payments to private lenders.
- It’s how I’ve returned over $50 million in capital—on time, every time.
- It’s how I’ve funded projects, grown teams, and kept moving when others had to sit out.
The difference?
I didn’t just build a real estate business.
I built real businesses that could stand on their own—construction, acquisitions, education, consulting.
That’s the secret to staying power.
The Blueprint for Real Wealth
If you’re serious about building real, lasting wealth—especially in a volatile economy—you need a new mindset:
You Need to Start Thinking Like a Business Owner.
Here’s the framework I’ve followed (and still do):
- Cast the Vision – Know what you’re building and why.
- Build the Systems – Don’t let your income depend on you doing everything.
- Build the Team – Delegate. Hire. Lead.
- Create Businesses That Cash Flow – Daily. Weekly. Monthly.
- Invest the Profits Into Long-Term Real Estate – Rentals, notes, funds, land… you name it.
This isn’t a side hustle strategy.
It’s not a get-rich plan.
This is the long game—and it works.
Don’t Let the Market Dictate Your Life
The market will rise. The market will fall. It always has.
But you don’t have to ride that rollercoaster if you build the right foundation.
And that foundation starts with learning how to operate like a business owner, not just a hustler chasing the next deal.
So here’s the callout to all my fellow investors:
Stop building your entire life around your next flip or wholesale check.
Start building businesses that can weather the storm.
That’s how you gain freedom, stability, and wealth that lasts.
If you’re ready to start building your business the right way—or you want help mapping it out—reach out here (brantphillips.com/coaching), or check out some of the resources we’ve built to help other investors take control of their future.
Let’s build something that lasts.
#BuildTheBusiness #ThinkLikeAnOwner #RealWealth #BrantPhillips #CostPlusConstruction #Entrepreneurship #MultipleStreams #LongGame