Start Your Business from Scratch—No Excuses, Just Results.

From Side Hustles to Eight Figures: Greg Dickerson’s Blueprint for Real Estate Entrepreneurs

In the world of real estate and business, few voices offer such refreshingly straightforward, experience-backed advice as Greg Dickerson—especially when it comes to starting a real estate business with no money, no connections, and no prior experience.

If you’re a real estate investor, developer, or entrepreneur trying to build something from nothing, this is your roadmap.

The No-Excuses Entrepreneur Mindset

“I don’t have any money.”

Sound familiar?

It’s the most common excuse for not starting a business—and Greg Dickerson shuts it down fast. “I started my first business with no money, no college degree, no connections, and no experience,” he says, proving that excuses don’t build empires—action does.

In 1997, Greg launched a handyman business out of necessity. His first job? A $500 deck repair. That simple beginning eventually evolved into a company doing $30 million a year in revenue.

The key wasn’t capital—it was action.

5 Steps to Starting Your Business from Scratch

Step 1: Define the Business You Want to Build

Start by clarifying what business you want to be in. Whether it’s real estate investing, house flipping, construction, landscaping, or a service-based gig—Greg stresses that you must define your lane early.

Once you know what problem you solve and for whom, everything else gets easier.

Step 2: Create a Simple Business Plan

Forget 50-page documents. Greg insists: “If you can’t put your business plan on a napkin, it’s too complicated.”

Your plan should cover:

• What you do

• Who you serve

• How you’ll get customers

• How you’ll get paid

Simplicity allows you to act fast, learn quickly, and pivot when necessary. It removes the barriers that stall most new entrepreneurs.

• Setting up an LLC or legal entity

• Creating a simple website or social media profile

• Designing a flyer or one-sheet that explains your services

These foundational pieces signal professionalism and make it easier for people to trust you.

Step 4: Get Your First Customers—The Hustle Phase

Here’s where most people hesitate—but Greg’s advice is clear: “Go knock on doors—literally.” Whether it’s real estate agents, contractors, neighbors, or small business owners—your first few jobs will come from talking to real people in your community.

Some quick win tactics from Greg:

• Drop flyers at real estate offices

• Offer to help contractors clean up job sites

• Partner with mortgage pros, insurance agents, or other business owners

• Hang out where your target customers spend time

This direct approach still works, especially in local service-based real estate businesses.

Step 5: Build Your Brand Through Results

“Do what you say you’re going to do. Show up early. Early is on time; on time is late.” That’s how Greg built his brand—by overdelivering.

You don’t need a big portfolio to gain credibility. You just need a handful of happy customers willing to refer you.

As you stack small wins, your name starts circulating. That’s when the momentum builds.

Use the Gig Economy to Fund Your Dream

Need cash to survive while you’re building your business? Here are some ideas to get your creative thinking flowing.  You can:

• Drive Uber or deliver food

• Do small gigs on Facebook Marketplace

• Offer services on Upwork or as a virtual assistant

“You can make some money that way and build a business off of that,” Greg explains. These hustles can help fund your marketing, buy materials, or cover living expenses while you gain traction in your main business.

You Don’t Need a Degree—You Need Discipline

Greg never went to college. Instead, he mastered the art of taking action and delivering results. If you're trying to build a real estate business from scratch, you don’t need credentials—you need work ethic, resilience, and resourcefulness.

This is a business of relationships, reputation, and results. That’s what wins deals—not a resume.

Final Word: Start Where You Are, Use What You Have

Greg’s entire career is living proof that anyone can build a real estate business with no money. He started with a hammer and a flyer—and built a multi-million-dollar empire.

Whether you’re looking to start wholesaling real estate, flipping houses, or offering local services, the same principles apply: define your idea, start small, do excellent work, and stay consistent.

Don’t wait for the stars to align. Just start.

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