When Dan Sofo, the 129th person I’ve met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers, suggested we meet at Pocket Pita in Neutral Bay, I thought it was just another restaurant.

But it turned out Dan owns the place.

Dan has a property business, Unicorn Buyers Agents. His background, though, is in hospitality.

When Dan was 22, he borrowed $60,000 to buy a coffee shop, in partnership with a friend. That was the first of 15 cafes, bars and restaurants he opened over the coming years. Most he sold, but he still owns Pocket Pita.

During Dan’s hospitality career, he ploughed most of his profits into new venues. Some of the money, though, was invested in real estate. One day, Dan realised it was easier making passive income from property than working 80-hour weeks to make money from hospitality.

During Dan’s property investment journey, he acquired his real estate licence so he could better understand the agents he was negotiating against. That eventually inspired him to become a buyer’s agent, in 2017.

Dan is one of those people you like the moment you meet him. He’s warm, down to earth and very generous. If I was one of his clients, I’d feel in very safe hands.