Best 'day job' to get into full-time adaptive reuse of CRE?

[Marshall Adams]

Hi everyone! 

I'm looking for some perspective from more investors who have done commercial adaptive reuse projects.

TLDR:  

Is operating my commercial property handyman company (it's just me right now) the most effective way to eventually do REI full time in adaptive reuse of commercial properties? (Buy, reno/modify, lease out).

BACKGROUND:  

I own and operate a local commercial property handyman company in my city that I started as a way to gain some familiarity with real estate for the purpose of eventually becoming a full-time real estate investor. It was an easy segue to this line of work from my 12 years in the corporate world with my experience and aptitude (mech engineer by degree). I started this company about 18 months ago.

I've discovered that adaptive reuse (or at least BRRRR) of small-medium-size commercial buildings is my biggest interest in REI. I enjoy the handyman work, but is operating this type of business the most effective/expedient way to secure my first deal of this type? I am wondering if somehow working in real estate development capacity would be more beneficial for this particular realm of REI. Can I somehow pivot my company to begin doing CRE development services? (any recommended/required licensing, etc for this?) Or get a "regular" W2 position with a commerical RE developer?

OR...maybe it doesn't really matter? - Like, if you can secure the deal, you can secure the deal, regardless of your "day job"?  Thank you for any thoughts!

[Eliott Elias]

The best job is completely submerging yourself in real estate. I wholesale and flip property so most my time is spent cold calling or dealing with contractors. Keeps me sharp.