By: John Glover (MBA)

Let me tell you a story about Brendan Hsu, a guy whose journey from fixing phones in his college apartment to becoming a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Brendan’s story is all about curiosity, resourcefulness, and a whole lot of grit.

The Early Days: Curiosity and Resourcefulness

Brendan was always the curious type. As a kid, he’d bombard his dad with questions during car rides to Sunday school, always wanting to know how things worked. This inquisitive nature laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey.

“I was always curious and resourceful,” Brendan says. “I’d use Google, watch YouTube videos, and read books to teach myself new things. My journey into entrepreneurship probably started with video games. I was always thinking about how to optimize my character and how to get the best Pokémon. That mindset of constantly improving and building translated into my first business.”

First Business: From Phones to Success

Brendan’s first real venture was a phone and computer repair business. After college, with no solid job offers and facing financial pressure, he turned his knack for fixing things into a business. He learned how to fix iPhones from YouTube videos and got some hands-on help from a friend on campus.

“I started fixing phones and computers for people,” Brendan recalls. “It began in my apartment and eventually moved to a house with the siding falling off. Despite appearances, we became the top-rated repair business on campus, bringing in close to a million dollars a year.”

Diving into Real Estate Media: The Birth of Aerial Canvas

With the phone repair business running smoothly, Brendan was ready for his next challenge. Enter Aerial Canvas, a real estate media company offering everything from Matterport 3D services to drone photography. 

Learn more about Aerial Canvas here: https://vimeo.com/355448950. 

“We saw a gap in the market for a one-stop-shop in real estate media,” Brendan explains. “By combining various services under one roof, we provided a ton of value to real estate agents. We used Google ads and built a strong online presence, which helped us grow quickly.”

Mentorship and Partnerships: Building ACRE Partner

One of the things Brendan loves most is mentoring others. This passion led him to create ACRE Partner, a consultancy and mentorship platform for real estate media agency owners.

“I really enjoy teaching and mentoring,” Brendan says. “ACRE Partner came from a desire to help other business owners succeed. We offer them the knowledge, strategies, and resources I’ve developed over the years.”

Learn more about ACRE Partner here: https://demo.arcade.software/xvIZM20Q7wIiYm7NwhGT?embed&show_copy_link=true. 

Scaling and Managing Growth

Scaling a business isn’t easy, and Brendan has had his fair share of challenges. Aerial Canvas grew rapidly, and the need for effective management and maintaining company culture came with growth.

“We grew quickly, sometimes too quickly,” Brendan admits. “We had to make tough decisions about who to promote and how to manage our team. It was chaotic at times, but we learned a lot and emerged stronger.”

Innovating the Industry: Introducing Tonomo

Brendan’s commitment to innovation extends beyond his businesses. He developed Tonomo, a custom software solution for managing real estate media projects, which is now used by hundreds of agencies.

“Tonomo was born out of necessity,” Brendan explains. “We needed a way to handle the volume of projects we were managing. Now, it’s a tool many agencies rely on to streamline their operations.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of ACRE Partner and Beyond

Brendan is always looking forward, and his future plans are no different. He aims to continue growing ACRE Partner and Tonomo while exploring new opportunities for mentorship and innovation.

“I want to keep empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs,” Brendan says. “I’ve been fortunate to learn a lot on my journey, and I want to share that knowledge with others.”

Final Thoughts: A Journey Fueled by Passion

Brendan Hsu’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resourcefulness, and determination. From fixing phones in a cramped apartment to leading innovative ventures, Brendan has shown that anything is possible with the right mindset and a willingness to take risks.

“So many people have an entrepreneurial spirit; they just need to lean into it and take a chance,” Brendan reflects. “My journey has been about constantly learning, adapting, and never giving up. I hope my story can inspire others to pursue their own dreams.”

Brendan’s journey is far from over. With his passion for mentorship and innovation, there’s no telling what he’ll achieve next. But one thing’s for sure: he’ll continue to inspire and empower others along the way.

Published by: Holy Minoza