From tradie and nurse to property pros: How the Kowalczyks turned $40k negative gearing into a success story

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant sits down with Michael and Nicole Kowalczyk from the Tailored Property Group to discuss how determination, education, and strategy can lead to a successful portfolio.

Starting from modest beginnings, Michael, a tradie, and Nicole, a nurse, began investing in property in their early 20s.

By 2017, the couple struggled and found themselves financially stuck with negative gearing of $40,000 while Nicole was pregnant, adding pressure to their situation.

After realising their buyer’s agent wasn’t meeting their needs, they took control, educated themselves, and transformed their portfolio within two years, emphasising that trust and referrals were the driving forces behind their business growth.

This belief shaped the foundation of their company, Tailored Property Group, which focuses on personalised, strategy-driven advice. Unlike typical data-heavy agencies, they prioritise actionable strategies aligned with client budgets.

Their approach has paid off, with their clients achieving an average capital growth of 28.6 per cent in 2024, underscoring the importance of grit, education, and a clear purpose in property investing.

They advise investors to set clear goals, form a solid team, and embrace calculated risks, highlighting that property is not just a financial tool but also a means to achieve life goals. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.