Axel's journey from Paris housing commission to owning a multi-million dollar Australian property portfolio is proof that background doesn't determine destiny. Arriving in 2014 with no English and $5,000, he started a landscaping business with borrowed equipment and built it into Sydney's premier garden service with Australia's first subscription model. But this isn't just a business success story. In five years, Axel went from pushing a mower to owning three Australian investment properties plus a Spanish apartment for his mum - all while working 80-hour weeks in the garden industry, where cash is king and property investing seems impossible. In this conversation, Axel reveals why he rejected cash jobs to show bank-worthy numbers, how he used 10% deposits and LMI strategically when everyone said don't, and why he bought properties he's never inspected while flying to Spain to sign papers in person. From listening to audiobooks while mowing lawns to understanding equity release and compounding growth, his self-education transformed a tradesman's income into a portfolio heading toward $100 million. Axel shares the brutal mortgage broker rejection after year one, the tax mistake that delayed his second purchase, and why cutting expenses and eating hot dogs on footpaths was his secret to rapid portfolio growth. His goal isn't just wealth - it's giving back to young people trapped in environments like the one he escaped.
Axel's journey from Paris housing commission to owning a multi-million dollar Australian property portfolio is proof that background doesn't determine destiny. Arriving in 2014 with no English and $5,000, he started a landscaping business with borrowed equipment and built it into Sydney's premier garden service with Australia's first subscription model.
But this isn't just a business success story. In five years, Axel went from pushing a mower to owning three Australian investment properties plus a Spanish apartment for his mum - all while working 80-hour weeks in the garden industry, where cash is king and property investing seems impossible.
In this conversation, Axel reveals why he rejected cash jobs to show bank-worthy numbers, how he used 10% deposits and LMI strategically when everyone said don't, and why he bought properties he's never inspected while flying to Spain to sign papers in person. From listening to audiobooks while mowing lawns to understanding equity release and compounding growth, his self-education transformed a tradesman's income into a portfolio heading toward $100 million.
Axel shares the brutal mortgage broker rejection after year one, the tax mistake that delayed his second purchase, and why cutting expenses and eating hot dogs on footpaths was his secret to rapid portfolio growth. His goal isn't just wealth - it's giving back to young people trapped in environments like the one he escaped.
(11:00) Arriving in Australia with no English and three "whats"
(21:00) The crushing mortgage broker rejection after year one
(29:00) The 10% deposit LMI strategy most investors avoid
(33:00) First property: $520k to $900k in three years
(47:00) Hot dogs on footpaths: the real cost of wealth building
About Axel:
Axel Verite is an entrepreneur and innovator with a remarkable journey. He is the founder of Gardenlust, Sydney’s number one landscape company specialising in horticulture. In 2019, he not only launched and scaled the business quickly but also pioneered the industry’s first subscription model, securing over $1 million in subscribed customers in less than a year.
Beyond business, Axel is also a multi-property investor across Europe. His story of building a thriving company while growing a property portfolio is a powerful example of how vision, determination, and smart investing can create long-term wealth. What makes Axel’s journey so inspiring is that he’s achieved success across very different industries, showing that the principles of discipline and innovation apply everywhere.
Today, we’ll unpack not just his business journey, but also his property journey, and the lessons listeners can take away for their own investing path.
Connect with Axel:
Visit the website: https://www.gardenlust.com.au/
Follow Axel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/axel.verite/
Follow Gardenlust on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gardenlust.au/
Follow Axel on LinkedIn: