Chris Christofi’s journey in the property industry started when he was just 19. By 24, he owned eight properties, driven by a desire to secure his family’s future and achieve financial freedom.
In this interview, Chris talks about the challenges he faced, like the collapse of a business partnership that left him with significant debt and the personal struggle of nearly losing his son. He explains how these experiences motivated him to establish Reventon, a well-known name in property and finance.
Chris shares insights on building a supportive work culture at Reventon, his dedication to philanthropy, and his efforts to give back to the community through initiatives like the Vinnies CEO Sleepout and the Lead With Kindness event.
Chris, you got into the property industry at 19 and owned eight properties by 24. What sparked your interest in property investment at such a young age?
Beyond a keen interest in property development, from the age of 19, I was driven by two key goals – setting my future family up to be financially secure and achieving financial freedom. From the get-go, I was confident that the property path would enable me to create a life that was lived on my own terms and pursue my passions without being reliant on a single source of income.
You’ve faced some significant challenges, like the collapse of your business partnership in Queensland. Can you share how you navigated that tough period and what kept you motivated?
It was an undoubtedly tough time. With a $348,000 debt, I moved back into my parent’s home in order to repay these debts. However, the toughest challenge of losing it all, by far, was almost losing my son at the same time.
He contracted bacterial meningitis and was hospitalised for 2.5 weeks. It almost killed him and as a result, he became permanently deaf in both ears. He now has two bionic implants. In fact, it was my son who motivated me to never quit and ever since I’ve seen challenges as opportunities to grow and show up.
As I began to repay debts and set up my own business, Reventon, I wanted to be an example for my son, my future kids and of course myself – a stark reminder to never quit.
Reventon has become a well-known name in the property and finance world. What do you think has been the key to its success, and how do you keep your team motivated?
Reventon’s success lies in having a team of great people with similar mindsets, driven by a common goal. I love what I do and I feel so grateful to work alongside amazing people and clients.
I think the key to keeping a team motivated is fostering an environment where each member knows they’re valued, respected and empowered to make an impact. I think a hard working yet supportive culture is key, so we regularly celebrate wins and look to provide opportunities for growth within the business.
You’ve been a top fundraiser for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for almost seven years now. What drives your passion for supporting the homeless, and how do you manage to balance this with your home and work responsibilities?
Balance? Never heard of it….. Personally, I’ve always been an excessive person by nature, fully committing myself to everything I do, whether it’s work or philanthropy. However, I am lucky enough to have an amazing team of people around me, both at work and at home, who I love and who allow me the opportunity to work very hard both on myself and in helping others.
Helping others is non-negotiable for me because, at the end of the day, we are all just human beings, nothing more and nothing less. I hold onto that as a reminder to help Australians doing it tough, always looking for ways to provide hope for the future.
Your Lead With Kindness event recently raised $80,000 in one night. What inspired you to create this event, and what are your goals for its future?
Since the beginning, I’ve always looked for creative ways to build awareness and raise money for the Vinnies CEO sleepout. The Lead With Kindness annual event brings together the community, with a common goal to break the cycle of homelessness in Australia. I am always blown away by the generosity of people and next year will be our 5th edition. I know this is an event that will continue far into the future and will continue to make a real impact.
For other business owners who want to give back, what advice would you give on integrating philanthropy into their business model?
I feel it is our moral obligation as leaders of the community to give back and offer hope. Making philanthropy a core part of your company’s mission and values from the outset is a great way to ensure you’re consistently giving back. Where possible, allocate a portion of profits or revenue to support causes that are aligned with your business goals and team interests. It’s a great way to engage employees, by making sure everyone is involved in selecting charitable partners.
It’s an investment with a great return that can never be measured in numbers. Lead with authenticity and remember, giving is contagious.
Looking ahead, what are your future plans for Reventon and your ongoing charitable efforts? What new projects or goals are you excited about?
Looking ahead, we have several exciting charitable initiatives in the works.
At Reventon, a major initiative we’re proud of is our ‘Brick By Brick’ project. We’ve built a house in Victoria and all proceeds from its upcoming Spring auction will go to supporting Vinnies. We’re hoping this home will sell for over $1 million and provide a major boost to Vinnies’ efforts.
Personally, I always want to improve. The goal is to be 1% better every day. It’s an ongoing pursuit of growth and continuous learning. I am competitive but I don’t compete against others. My fiercest competitor is Chris Christofi. I’m constantly striving to build upon the person I was yesterday, pushing my own boundaries and capabilities.
