From Call Centre to Channel 4: Colin Horton’s Bold Journey in Property

What does it take to build a £4 million property business from just £3,000 and a personal brand?

According to Colin Horton, it takes grit, visibility, and more than a few sleepless nights.

In this episode of Made in Essex, Jill Willis speaks to the founder of Project & Co, a Wickford-based surveying and valuation firm that has grown from side hustle to serious player in just a few years. Colin’s journey isn’t polished. It is real, raw, and full of honest lessons for anyone scaling a business, navigating risk, or trying to build something from scratch.

If you’re looking for tangible takeaways from someone who has been in the trenches, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here.

How Colin Built a £4M Business Without Investment

Colin launched Project & Co in 2017 with just £3,000 in the bank and a gut feeling that he could do things differently. Today, the business is turning over more than £4 million, with a growing team of 30 and year-on-year growth consistently hitting 50 percent.

What’s more, he has become one of the most visible voices in the property industry. His refreshingly honest LinkedIn posts have earned him thousands of followers, a steady stream of inbound leads, and even a spot on Channel 4’s Selling Super Houses. His personal brand has helped position Project & Co as a modern, relatable alternative in a sector not exactly known for transparency.

Made in Essex podcast Colin Horton Project & Co

From Rejection to Resilience: The Hard Truths of Starting Up

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Colin’s journey started with what he describes as a rash resignation from a senior role without a plan B. Despite leading multi-million-pound portfolios, he couldn’t get a single interview after quitting. At one point, he applied for a role at Purple Bricks and didn’t even make the shortlist.

He has also faced some brutal business realities. An early venture had to be liquidated after unexpected regulatory changes, and he has been open about the mental toll of leadership, including anxiety, burnout, and the weight of being the sole provider for his family.

There was no financial safety net, no investors to fall back on, and no second chances. As Colin puts it, “If I lost everything tomorrow, I’ve got no one to turn to. That’s what keeps me going.”

The Strategy That Took Project & Co from Survival to Scale

Colin didn’t launch Project & Co with a big investment. He launched it with honesty, hustle and a laptop. In the early days, he turned to LinkedIn, not to brag, but to be real. He shared the tough stuff: setbacks, self-doubt, and small wins. That honesty, built trust, and trust, brought leads. Being visible online became his most powerful growth tool.

With no financial cushion, he focused on sales. Every deal mattered, and every relationship was earned. That sales-first mindset kept the business alive and growing.

But it wasn’t just about revenue. Colin built a company culture rooted in respect. “No one works for me. They work with me,” he says. That belief has helped him retain a loyal and ambitious team, and create a business that people want to be part of.

Starting without investment made him sharper, not smaller. He learned to move fast, stay close to the customer, and lead with empathy.

If you’re building something from the ground up or picking yourself up after a tough year, Colin’s story is proof that resilience, honesty and visibility can take you further than you think.

Collin Horton was talking to Jill Willis, Director of Attract & Engage and host of the Made in Essex Podcast.

🎧 Catch the full episode here or listen wherever you get your podcasts.👇

Keep your eyes peeled for more episodes as Jill invites the county’s most tenacious and successful business leaders to lift the bonnet on their entrepreneurial stories.

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