Answer extracted from The Purpose People Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What risk did Steve Mitchell take with his property investment that paid off significantly?
When Mitchell and his wife Donna moved to their current property seven years ago, they accepted a mortgage five times higher than their previous home—a bold gamble that most would consider reckless. But they had identified the potential to generate ten times more income by converting the property's barns and stables into revenue-generating businesses. The calculated risk transformed what could have been financial ruin into a thriving multi-business operation.
The property conversion was neither quick nor comfortable. Mitchell worked from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. every single day—through rain, wind, and snow—to build out their vision. His wife Donna's doggy daycare business (which has been operating for seventeen years) moved into one converted barn, while additional stables became an office space and a professional grooming salon. The family turned their property into an integrated ecosystem of interconnected revenue streams.
This wasn't blind optimism—it was based on concrete market research and existing expertise. As Mitchell explains in the episode, he and Donna had already proven that Donna's doggy daycare model worked. They simply needed more space and capacity to scale it. By identifying underutilized assets on the property and matching them to proven business concepts, they reduced the risk from speculation to strategic expansion.
Looking back now at what they started with compared to what they have built is what Mitchell himself describes as 'crazy.' The venture required absolute commitment—not just financial, but physical and emotional stamina across seven grueling years of construction, operation, and growth. The reward was proportional to the risk: the income potential increased tenfold compared to the original mortgage burden, fundamentally reshaping their family's financial trajectory.
This story illustrates a principle that separates successful risk-takers from reckless gamblers: the foundation was not hope alone, but a combination of proven business experience, realistic market understanding, and willingness to execute at an extraordinary level. Learn more about Mitchell's entire journey, from his transformation after leaving the army to how this property investment fits into his larger vision for personal and family development.
"Looking back now at what we started with compared to what we have built is crazy."
Steve Mitchell — Founder, Release the Best You. After six years as an infantryman in the British Army, Mitchell transitioned to entrepreneurship, building a career as a musician and entertainer before establishing his personal development coaching business. He has been sober for a decade and is now relocating to France with his wife Donna while scaling their property-based business portfolio.
See also
How long has Steve Mitchell been sober and how did this affect his career decisions?
Mitchell will have been 10 years free from alcohol and drugs as of New Year's Day 2027. Being sober fundamentally changed his perspective on work and lifestyle, enabling him to make intentional decisions focused on building lasting family wealth rather than chasing short-term thrills.
What is Steve Mitchell's current purpose and mission in life?
Mitchell's mission is to be as fit, strong, and healthy as possible mentally, physically, and emotionally so he has the best chance of living as long as possible and sharing that knowledge with others through Release the Best You.
What major career transitions has Steve Mitchell made after leaving the army?
After leaving the army, Mitchell pursued music seriously, performing as a singer-songwriter with multiple bands including Ebonfly and The Ley Lines. He also worked as a chef and in property maintenance while gradually building his personal development coaching business.