From Corporate Real Estate to Full-Time Entrepreneur: Why I Launched The Fractional Analyst
Leaving Corporate to Start a Business: My Real Estate Career Path
After six years in real estate private equity, development, and asset management, I made the decision to leave my W-2 job and launch my own consulting firm, The Fractional Analyst. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly—but one that had been in motion for a long time.
If you’re wondering how to go from a full-time corporate job to starting a fractional consulting business, or you’re thinking about freelancing in real estate finance, this post will give you a look behind the curtain.
Building Experience in Real Estate Investment and Development
Before I was a founder, I was an analyst.
I spent years working with firms across the spectrum of real estate investing and development:
Case competitions with national real estate PE firms
Internships with Duane Bitner, Tunbridge Peak, Gryphon Private Wealth Management, and Invesco US
Acquisitions Associate at Caddis, focused on medical office assets
Senior Development Associate at D.R. Horton – Multifamily, helping build communities across Central Florida
Each role sharpened my skills in underwriting, financial modeling, and asset management—and exposed me to the operating challenges that investors, developers, and operators face daily.
Why I Started My Own Consulting Business
1. Growing Demand for My Skill Set
Over time, peers and founders began reaching out to me for help with:
Feasibility studies
Market research
Financial modeling
Real estate underwriting support
Fund and asset management strategies
I started helping on nights and weekends. Eventually, the side work was no longer a side hustle—it was a viable business opportunity. The consistent demand proved there was a real gap in the market for fractional real estate expertise.
2. Freedom and Flexibility
Like many new entrepreneurs, I was drawn to the idea of owning my time. I wanted to control my calendar, work with people I respect, and build something sustainable—not just for myself, but for the investors and operators I support.
3. Strong Foundation and Network
Because I had invested years into networking and building meaningful relationships, I didn’t launch cold. I had a warm network of people who already knew my work and were ready to engage.
What is The Fractional Analyst?
The Fractional Analyst is a lean advisory firm built to support real estate professionals, investors, and operators on a fractional basis.
We provide financial modeling, strategic advisory, and operational tools to help clients:
Underwrite new acquisitions
Evaluate development opportunities
Structure asset and fund strategies
Improve reporting for stakeholders
Make faster, more confident decisions
Our clients range from institutional firms to independent sponsors and family offices—anyone who needs clear thinking and great models, without hiring a full-time team.
Why We Made Our Financial Models Free
One of our first decisions was to make all of our off-the-shelf real estate models 100% free—including our flagship Multifamily Acquisitions Model.
Why?
Generosity builds trust
Good tools should be accessible
The value is in the conversation, not the file
Our models are easy to use, built on real-world experience, and regularly updated. They’re designed to save you time, reduce analysis errors, and streamline your process—whether you’re acquiring a property or raising a fund.
Lessons from My First Year as a Real Estate Consultant
1. Relationships Drive Everything
Every client I’ve worked with has come through a referral, a connection, or a LinkedIn conversation. Relationships, not advertising, drive this business.
2. Clarity Wins
Complexity kills deals. Whether it’s a pitch deck or a model, I’ve learned that clear, visual insights beat technical overload. My clients don’t want a data dump—they want a confident decision.
3. Done is Better than Perfect
Perfect is the enemy of launched. In consulting, delivering timely, actionable work beats obsessing over every formula. Speed matters.
4. Energy is Your Real Currency
Going solo has forced me to become ruthless about protecting energy and focus. I structure my days around deep work and meaningful conversations—and say no to anything that doesn’t serve that.
What’s Next for The Fractional Analyst?
We’re just getting started, but here’s where we’re heading:
✅ New Free Real Estate Tools
We’re building a library of free tools beyond multifamily—covering retail, industrial, portfolio models, and fund structures.
✅ Retainer-Based Strategy Packages
We’re rolling out retainer offerings for investors and operators who need part-time help across multiple priorities: acquisitions, reporting, capital planning, and investor communication.
✅ More Content & Community
We’re creating more educational content—how-tos, model walkthroughs, real estate trends, and founder interviews. Eventually, we hope to launch a lightweight community of real estate pros who want to learn and grow together.
Thinking About Taking the Leap? Here’s My Advice
If you’re reading this and considering launching your own consulting practice, real estate firm, or independent advisory business, here’s what I’ll leave you with:
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You do need to listen to what the market is asking you for.
Start small, deliver well, and let results speak for themselves.
You’ll never regret betting on yourself if you’re prepared.
Final Thoughts
It took me years of hands-on experience, dozens of relationships, and a handful of nudges to finally launch The Fractional Analyst. But now that I’m here, I can say this: it was worth it.
If you’re a founder, investor, or operator looking for a strategic partner to help you move faster, with more clarity—I’d love to connect.
– Spencer Vickers
Founder, The Fractional Analyst
Helping you move faster, smarter, and more confidently.