THE FIRST asset people should invest in is themselves.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's the idea behind Project You, a completely free self-betterment program headed by Tamworth's Mark Sleiman.
It's been in the pipeline for almost as long as Mr Sleiman's been in real estate.
He knows what it's like to climb the ranks; from a cadet personal assistant to the head honcho to where he now employs almost 20 people himself.
"What Project You is about is virtually giving people who don't have that environment or the people around them who have done it the avenue to listen and be exposed to that," Mr Sleiman said.
"Originally it was Mark turning to Mark 10 years ago, but then I thought there must be other people out there finishing school thinking, 'Crap, what's next?'"
Project You is a non-profit initiative where anyone from school leavers to young professionals or junior associates can learn from the older and wiser.
All the events will be free, with established professionals donating time and expertise to help others.
It's early days as the project finds its legs, but Mr Sleiman's vision is to have presentations on anything from buying a first home to building a resume or public speaking.
"People that attend these events aren't putting their hand in their pocket for anything, and that's a rule," he said.
"They come, they listen, take what they want and if they like it enough they come to the next one.
"I'd love to see it grow, the number one thing for me is that I don't want people to not be able to afford to go.
"I want people to go and learn, one day they will give back in their own way to someone else."
The events will be targeted toward different age groups, drawing on the expertise of Tamworth professionals who specialise in certain areas.
Read also:
It offers life lessons that aren't taught in school, Mr Sleiman said.
"I have a lot of friends who are given a syllabus to teach, it's not their fault this isn't happening it's just not on the government agenda," he said.
"I think it's our responsibility as people who are ingrained in society and comfortable now to offer that to the people who aren't."
There's no topic off-limits at Project You, and professionals who have skills to share can contact the Facebook page.
The first event is on March 2, on the panel is Holly Goodman, Richard O'Halloran, Claudia Monique, Paddy Ryan and Ben Clifton talking about their professional journeys after school.