Building Wealth with Purpose: Fola Kongi’s Property Investment Journey

With nearly two decades of experience in corporate finance and financial services, Fola Kongi has seen firsthand how long-term wealth is built through ownership of income-producing assets. Today, through Fikraft Property, she helps professionals approach property investing with clarity, strategy, and a strong financial foundation. In this feature, she shares the lessons behind her journey and the principles that guide sustainable property investment.

“Wealth is built through ownership, not income alone.”

What inspired you to start investing in property?

My journey into property investing was shaped by both professional exposure and personal experience. Having spent nearly two decades working in corporate finance, with around fifteen of those years in financial services and asset management, I had a front-row seat to how wealth is built and preserved over time. One consistent pattern I observed was the ownership of income-producing assets, and property stood out as one of the most accessible ways to create long-term financial stability and legacy.

My own journey into property was not without its challenges. Like many aspiring investors, I experienced initial rejection when trying to secure my first property. Rather than being discouraged, it pushed me back to the drawing board. I invested time in deepening my knowledge, understanding different investment strategies, and learning how to analyse deals properly.

That experience strengthened my approach significantly. It reinforced the importance of preparation, understanding the numbers, and building the right foundation before making investment decisions.

How did your background as a Chartered Accountant help you in property investing?

My background as a Chartered Accountant, combined with many years working in financial services and asset management, shaped the way I approach investment decisions. In both finance and property, the numbers tell the real story.

It trained me to look beyond the excitement of a deal and evaluate the fundamentals such as cash flow, return on investment, risk exposure, and tax efficiency. That discipline helps ensure that investment decisions are grounded in sound financial analysis rather than speculation.

Financial confidence often begins when you understand the numbers behind your decisions, and that mindset has been a key advantage throughout my property journey.

What does a ‘data-driven’ property strategy mean in simple terms?

A data-driven property strategy simply means making investment decisions based on evidence rather than assumption. Instead of relying on hype or emotion, you analyse factors such as rental demand, local market trends, financing costs, projected returns, and the long-term sustainability of the investment.

Property rewards patience and preparation far more than speculation. When decisions are guided by data and financial analysis, investors are far more likely to build sustainable and profitable portfolios.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start investing in property but doesn’t know where to begin?

Preparation is the most important starting point. Before purchasing any property, it is essential to understand your financial position, strengthen your income foundation, and develop a clear investment strategy.

Many people focus immediately on the property itself, but successful investing begins much earlier than that. It starts with financial readiness, knowledge of the market, and clarity about your long-term goals.

When those foundations are in place, property becomes a far more powerful and sustainable wealth-building tool.

Can you explain what buy-to-let and the BRRR strategy are?

Buy-to-let is one of the most common property investment strategies. It involves purchasing a property and renting it out to tenants in order to generate rental income while also benefiting from potential long-term property appreciation. For many people starting their property journey, buy-to-let can be a relatively straightforward entry point because it focuses on stable rental income and long-term ownership.

The BRRR strategy stands for Buy, Refurbish, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. Investors purchase a property that requires improvement, add value through refurbishment, rent it out, and then refinance the property based on its new value. If executed well, the BRRR strategy can allow investors to recycle their initial capital and grow their portfolio more quickly.

However, BRRR requires a higher level of experience because it involves managing refurbishments, understanding valuations, and structuring refinancing effectively. When done properly, it can be a powerful strategy for accelerating portfolio growth, which is why careful deal analysis, planning, and the right professional support are essential to maximise the opportunity.

“Property success starts with strategy, not emotion.”

What are the biggest mistakes new property investors make?

One of the biggest mistakes is entering the market without fully understanding the numbers behind a deal. Many new investors focus primarily on the purchase price but overlook the broader financial picture, including refurbishment costs, financing structures, taxes, and ongoing expenses.

Another common mistake is investing without a clear strategy. Property investing works best when each decision fits within a well thought-out long-term plan rather than being driven by impulse or market hype.

How do you help people grow a successful property portfolio through Fikraft Property?

Through Fikraft Property, my goal is to create clear pathways for people at different stages of their investment journey. Many aspiring investors feel overwhelmed by the complexity of property, so we focus on combining education with practical support to help them move from uncertainty to confident action.

For those starting out, we provide structured learning through workshops, masterclasses, and practical tools that help investors understand strategies like buy-to-let and BRRR, analyse deals properly, and approach their first investment with clarity.

For professionals who want more personalised guidance, we offer one-to-one strategy and clarity sessions, coaching, and advisory support. This allows us to work closely with investors to review deals, structure investments efficiently, and build a roadmap for long-term portfolio growth.

For investors who prefer a more hands-off approach, we also provide done-for-you services including deal sourcing, refurbishment oversight, property management, and joint venture partnerships.

Our approach focuses on helping investors build strong foundations first from financial readiness and strategy selection to deal analysis and execution so that each investment decision supports long-term portfolio growth.

As I often say, property investing becomes far more powerful when clarity and strategy come before the purchase.

Why are you passionate about helping women get into property investment?

Property has traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated industry, and many women have felt uncertain about stepping into the space. I am passionate about helping to change that narrative.

When women gain financial knowledge and confidence around investing, they are empowered to make decisions that shape their financial futures. It also creates ripple effects within families and communities.

Seeing more women step forward with confidence in property is both inspiring and necessary.

What does ‘purposeful wealth’ mean to you?

Purposeful wealth means building financial success in a way that aligns with your values and long-term vision. It goes beyond simply accumulating assets.

It is about creating stability, options, and impact. When wealth is built intentionally, it becomes a tool that enables freedom, supports others, and leaves a meaningful legacy.

Purposeful wealth is not just about what you build, but what it allows you to do for others.

What message would you like to share with professionals who want to build long-term wealth?

Professional success provides a strong foundation, but long-term wealth is often built through ownership of assets. My advice to professionals is to approach wealth creation with the same discipline and intentionality that they apply to their careers.

Focus on strengthening your earning capacity, understanding the numbers behind your investments, and making thoughtful financial decisions. Building wealth is rarely about quick wins. It is about preparation, consistency, and a long-term perspective.

“Wealth is rarely built by accident. It is built through preparation, discipline, and the courage to move from knowledge to action.”