Nineteen-year-old Tauranga entrepreneur Benji Smith has secured a house deposit and prepared to purchase his first home after building Elevate Content, a real estate marketing business he launched out of his bedroom with six dollars in his bank account. Smith, who left school at age 17, started the company by cold-calling local real estate agents and offering free property shoots to build a professional portfolio.
Building a Real Estate Marketing Business From Scratch
Smith left school with a camera he purchased for about $2000 on his final day, utilizing a camera, lens, and camera stabiliser alongside a bank balance he described as showing six dollars. Having initially photographed school rugby matches and social events, he recognized that property agents constantly needed fresh visual material for listings. He began cold-calling Tauranga agencies, offering complimentary shoots to establish working relationships.
The venture quickly transitioned from still photography to video production. Elevate Content now produces social media campaigns and video content for real estate agents and businesses across the North Island. Harcourts real estate agent Kylee Anderson noted that Smith’s work stood out for its fresh approach and attention to detail, citing videos produced for several properties, including a successfully sold high-end Nautilus apartment.
During the early months of the business, Smith frequently worked up to 100 hours a week and spent roughly a year and a half without regular social interaction. That relentless schedule paid off when his pre-approval was accepted, allowing him to place an offer on a residential property before his 20th birthday.
Expanding Into Artificial Intelligence and Growing a Young Team
As the business scaled, Smith moved operations out of his bedroom and into an office space. He has since hired an 18-year-old editor as a paid staff member, alongside two other teenagers engaged for work experience and contracting roles. Smith structured his team around young individuals pursuing entrepreneurial ventures rather than conventional career tracks.
The company has also expanded its service offerings by developing artificial intelligence systems for clients, which Smith identified as the biggest growth opportunity. Priority One chief executive Dave Courtney noted that modern technology, social media, and artificial intelligence have lowered the barriers for young entrepreneurs aiming to launch independent enterprises.
Tom Collin, head of future pathways at Tauranga Boys’ College and Smith’s former Gateway teacher, observed that Smith frequently handled business calls or departed class to meet clients during his final year of school. Collin stated that interest in alternative pathways is rising, with nearly a third of senior students at the school now participating in the Gateway program to gain workplace readiness and financial literacy.
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