Incredible success stories often start with humble beginnings, and Leonard and Emily Mcharo’s journey is no exception. This power couple from Nairobi, Kenya, turned their dreams of financial independence and early retirement into a reality through their real estate empire, Tsavo.
In this article, WoK dives into the captivating world of Leonard and Emily Mcharo and discover how they transformed their lives through real estate.
Love Story and a Shared Vision
Leonard and Emily’s paths crossed during their college days, and little did they know that they would soon embark on a remarkable journey together. In a video seen by WoK on their website, Leonard remembers the start when Emily sat at his desk while in campus and as one thing led to the other, their love story evolved into a shared vision of financial independence and a desire for passive income.
With Leonard’s architectural skills and Emily’s financial acumen, they were equipped with the perfect combination to tackle the real estate world.
Career Story: From Cubicles to Construction Sites
Leonard, an architect, and Emily, with her expertise in finance, initially pursued conventional career paths. However, they soon realized that the corporate world wasn’t aligned with their ambitions. They decided to take a leap of faith into the world of real estate.
Together, they would soon leave their work cubicles behind and dive headfirst into the construction sites, eager to make their mark.
Journey To Real Estate
Their journey began in 2004 when they set an ambitious financial goal of achieving economic autonomy and earning a passive income of Ksh 500,000 through real estate investing.
Early Investments
They started by investing in land near Daystar University in Athi River, Nairobi. With a purchase of one acre for Ksh 1 million, they made monthly instalments of Ksh 27,000. Leonard, an architect, secured a job at the university with a Ksh 15,000 salary, and they lived a simple lifestyle while saving diligently.
Challenges and Expansion
The couple faced initial challenges finding tenants for their first property, a building with 23 rooms. They had borrowed money and used Leonard’s family land as collateral for a loan.
Despite the obstacles, they gradually expanded their real estate investments by taking on more loans and building additional rooms.
They focused on meeting market demands by constructing studios and one-bedroom units, which proved to be highly sought after.
Early Retirement: A Life of Freedom and Purpose
In 2016, Leonard and Emily (then aged 42 and 37 years respectively) had achieved financial security and decided to retire.
Retirement didn’t mean idleness for this dynamic duo; it opened doors for them to explore new ventures and help others on their path to financial independence.
They found fulfilment in offering affordable housing options and creating opportunities for individuals and investment groups to join their projects.
Key Lessons Learned
Throughout their journey, the duo learned important lessons, such as the value of living below their means, being transparent about finances, and finding creative ways to increase income. They shifted from consumerism-driven thinking to an investment-based lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of investing in cash flow-generating assets.
Completed Projects
Tsavo has successfully completed several projects, including Laiser Place in Rongai, consisting of 60 units with exceptional architecture and quality finishes. They also completed 90 Degrees in Embakasi, featuring 104 studios and convertible units, and Coral Bells in Thindigua, a development of studios and one-bedroom units.
Ongoing Projects and Approach
Currently, Tsavo has ongoing projects such as Royal Suburbs in Roysambu and TSAVO Studios in Embakasi. Tsavo’s core ideology, TSAVOISM, revolves around their purpose, core values, and business model.
They aim to enable investors to achieve financial independence through low-risk, high-return real estate investments. Their approach emphasizes discipline, partnership, experience, and value innovation.
Tsavo’s Formation
In 2015, Leonard Mcharo and a team of capable individuals founded Tsavo with a mission to enable investors to achieve financial independence through low-risk, high-return real estate investments. Tsavo designs, sells, builds, and manages properties specifically for investment purposes.
They offer affordable apartments with payment plans and provide property management services for stress-free returns.
