On 27 August 2026, the Johannesburg Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship hosted a high-energy masterclass at JBS Park, challenging entrepreneurs to rethink what a career in real estate can look like. Titled “Build Your Future in Real Estate,” the session was led by renowned real estate entrepreneur and media personality Thato Mbha, better known as TT Mbha, who drew on his journey in the property industry to share practical insights on building a sustainable career, identifying opportunities and expanding beyond the traditional role of an estate agent.
This was more than a conventional discussion about buying and selling property; it offered participants a behind-the-scenes look at the business of real estate and the opportunities across its broader value chain. Throughout, the gathering demonstrated that building a career in property requires more than mastering a single role. It requires entrepreneurs to understand the industry around them, recognise where value can be created and remain resilient when opportunities do not unfold as expected.
For Mbha, one of the biggest barriers to growth is allowing a job title to define the boundaries of what is possible. His own career, which has expanded from property sales into financial services, construction, media and skills development, illustrates the value of looking beyond one’s immediate role.
“By the way, can you see how you can start growing in the space? Stop limiting yourself to being an estate agent,” he said.
The point was not simply to encourage participants to start more businesses. Mbha urged them to understand the broader real estate value chain and identify the many professions and services connected to a property transaction, from finance and conveyancing to property management, valuation and construction. For aspiring entrepreneurs, this wider view can turn an entry-level role into a platform for discovering new areas of expertise and opportunity.
Although he agrees that a career can provide a starting point, Mbha argued that entrepreneurs should continually ask what comes next. In an industry where income can depend heavily on commissions and market conditions, he urged participants to think about how they can build resilience through diversification.
“Crawl in the space. You want to diversify? Don’t be a one-trick pony because once the commission dries up. What’s next for you?” he asked.
His own response has been to build businesses and partnerships that extend the value of his real estate knowledge. From financial services and property-related media to construction and other ventures, Mbha has sought opportunities that complement his core expertise.
Behind every success story are moments when an idea could easily have been abandoned. Mbha shared an experience in which a proposed business concept initially faced rejection, despite receiving a positive response during the pitch. Rather than accepting the outcome, he challenged the decision and continued pursuing the opportunity.
“So sometimes a no is actually a yes. I’m so used to people saying no to me that I’m like, oh, they know,” he said.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the lesson is particularly relevant. Rejection does not always mean that an idea lacks potential. It may mean that the proposition needs to be refined, a different partner needs to be found, or another route needs to be pursued. Mbha’s experience demonstrated that resilience is not simply about refusing to give up, but about being willing to change course without abandoning the goal.
In a competitive business environment, growth does not always require entrepreneurs to compete for the same space. The masterclass encouraged participants to view collaboration as a way to expand opportunity, share expertise and build stronger businesses together. Reflecting on his experience, he recalled being approached by someone seeking to better understand the real estate space.
“I need to understand the space. I need to be an authority in the space,” Mbha said, explaining that he welcomed the opportunity to share his knowledge because the industry is big enough for everyone. “That’s what it’s about: collaborating with others, don’t hog the space. It’s too big. It’s way too big,” he said.
The session ultimately challenged participants to reconsider how they define a career. Real estate, he demonstrated, can be a starting point rather than a destination, with opportunities extending across a diverse ecosystem of businesses, professions and partnerships.
The message was clear: look beyond your current role, understand the value chain, remain resilient when opportunities do not go as planned and collaborate with others to create new possibilities.
