Many success stories start in humble places, but few begin behind the counter of a McDonald’s in the UK and lead to multi-million-pound real estate deals. That’s the journey of Sanmi Adegoke, CEO of Rehoboth Property International, who went from earning minimum wage to closing over £170 million worth of real estate deals, earning the title of Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021. His story, shared in a revealing interview with Business Elites Africa, is one of faith, failure, strategy, and relentless belief.

A New Start: Lessons from McDonald’s

After migrating from Nigeria to the UK, his first job was at a fast-food restaurant. But he paid close attention to more than just burgers. He noticed that McDonald’s didn’t just sell food—they owned prime real estate. That observation ignited a curiosity about the real estate industry, leading him to research and self-educate.

Discovering a Niche Market

While many pursued the crowded residential space, he focused on a unique gap: places of worship. In the UK, converting a space into a church requires a special classification (formerly D1, now F1). He realized there was high demand within faith communities for such properties, and few were meeting that need. His first major deal? Selling a 23,000 sq ft church building for £2.8 million.

Faith as the Foundation

Raised in a Christian household, faith became more than personal conviction—it became a business compass. He believes faith helped him think beyond immediate struggles and focus on long-term vision. His mantra: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Failure: The Hidden Teacher

Before his UK breakthrough, he ran several businesses in Nigeria that failed—from a printing press to mobile phone imports. While painful, these failures clarified his purpose and sharpened his entrepreneurial instincts. He believes that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a prerequisite.

Building with Creativity and Community

He didn’t just sell buildings; he reimagined them. From converting courtrooms and police stations into worship spaces to turning abandoned properties into business hubs, his creative eye and understanding of community needs became his competitive edge.

Growth Through Network

He credits his success to a strong network of agents, developers, and investors. His approach? Serve first, build trust, and let value speak. One of his landmark projects was converting a long-abandoned police station into a business ecosystem that now generates over £400,000 in annual income.

Bridging Two Worlds: UK and Nigeria

Though based in the UK, he has plans to replicate his success across Nigeria and Africa. He acknowledges the challenges—lack of systems, regulatory gaps—but believes that returning diaspora entrepreneurs are key to Africa’s transformation.

Entrepreneurship as a Lifelong School

To him, entrepreneurship isn’t a status—it’s a lifestyle. It’s early mornings, juggling multiple roles, and constantly evolving. He urges aspiring entrepreneurs to see it as an ongoing education that requires humility, hunger, and heart.

Purpose Over Profit

While he’s financially successful, he emphasizes that money is just a byproduct. Real success comes from solving problems and building something bigger than oneself. His guiding forces are: Faith, Tribe, and Legacy.

Strategies Entrepreneurs Can Extract from His Journey

1. Look Beyond the Obvious
   He saw opportunity in the real estate behind fast food, not the burgers themselves.
2. Serve a Niche Market
   Instead of competing in saturated spaces, he met an underserved demand: faith communities needing worship spaces.
3. Use Faith or Philosophy as Fuel
   His spiritual beliefs helped him persevere through uncertainty.
4. Leverage Past Failures as Insight
   Every failed business taught him something vital and brought him closer to his true calling.
5. Build Strategic Networks
   His strong relationships with stakeholders helped him scale creatively and sustainably.
6. Think Creatively About Value
   Converting nontraditional spaces into income-generating assets set him apart in the market.
7. Scale Only with Systems
   He advocates for building processes that work without constant oversight.
8. Stay in Learning Mode
   Books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and on-the-ground apprenticeships accelerated his expertise.
9. Lead with Vision, Not Money
   When your goal is impact, the money follows. Start by solving a real problem.
10. Define Your “Why”
    His enduring motivation: Faith, Tribe, and Legacy. Find your own version to stay grounded.

Sanmi Adegoke’s story is a testament to what’s possible when belief meets action. From burger flipper to boardroom deal-maker, he didn’t just build wealth—he built a legacy.