R
ajan Chidambaram, a fourth-year Commerce student at the University of Virginia, is taking an unconventional path to success. While his peers focus on academics and post-graduation plans, Chidambaram has been building a real estate empire from scratch. His entrepreneurial journey began in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic when he launched a sneaker resale business inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk's content.

    Chidambaram's passion for real estate led him to put a house under contract on his 21st birthday, although it didn't go through. Undeterred, he partnered with friend Renzo Sanio to develop a land project called Royal Oak Retreat in Shenandoah Valley. Their vision is inspired by the luxury micro-resort Live Oak Lake in Texas, which sold for $7 million after being built for $2.1 million.

    Breaking ground on their project was a significant milestone, but Chidambaram acknowledges that real estate investments come with risks. He took out a $276,000 loan to fund the development and admits that he could be "screwed" if things don't work out. However, he's willing to take the risk, knowing that social media plays a crucial role in selling his properties.

    Chidambaram's Instagram account has gained over 92,000 followers, with his fraternity and sorority house tours being a major hit. He creates content around his real estate ventures, including behind-the-scenes looks at construction and vlogs about his sneakers. His goal is to build a personal brand and customer base that will help him succeed in the real estate market.

    As graduation approaches, Chidambaram is focused on building his future one cabin, video, and idea at a time. With the support of his family, he's betting on himself and taking calculated risks to achieve his goals. Whether Royal Oak Retreat becomes a viral success or a valuable learning experience, Chidambaram is determined to make it happen.