Rizz Patel, the Managing Director of Lint Group shared his success story at the Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre for the fourth consecutive year. Over the past 25 years, while registering continued growth, the business has forged long-lasting partnerships with local communities and authorities in many London boroughs. Pioneers in property lettings and management, the group has offices in the heart of East London.
The transition for students from GCSE to A-level is often the most daunting and challenging step in their careers. Choosing the correct subjects and helping pupils with the best opportunities to enter their chosen careers or higher education can often be a sobering reality.
Whether applying to University or starting an apprenticeship, Patel drawing upon his wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, highlighted the importance of setting personal targets and always aiming high. He said, “If I could give you one thing today, it’s the gift of desire and to want”.
Patel also impressed upon the students the importance of being able to visualise a goal and making it a reality. Referencing his own career and personal work ethos, he provided advice about what students should do to be the best version of themselves. He advised them on how to be disciplined, develop a strategy to plan and achieve their goals, go out into the world without fear, build confidence in their own abilities and acquire the job they want through determination. He reminded pupils to use pressure to their benefit and get help if they need to.
Newham Collegiate Sixth Form teacher Sumena Begum who found Patel’s talk exceptionally motivating said, “Setting targets is something kids don't think they need to do, but they do.”
Patel's story is one of immense hard work and determination. At the age of 17, he along with his friend and Co-Managing Director Sam Chand, founded Lint Group and set off on the exciting road to entrepreneurship. He was able to help the business grow through setting goals and adds, “Goals keep me motivated and I still do it to stay focused.” Initially it was a business that dealt with acquiring properties from private landlords, sourcing private tenants, rent and property management.
Lint Group rapidly grew, connecting with Boroughs across London to provide a solution to rising homelessness in the Capital. Patel and Chand began letting their properties acquired from private landlords to local authorities as temporary accommodation to those most in need. This initiative continued throughout their 25 years of business and is one of the core values driving Lint Group.
Patel has since helped tackle many social issues; from Lint Group’s homelessness housing scheme, to donations to charitable organisations and delivering talks in the local community. He has used his platform and perseverance to create social change; in particular he has spearheaded the development and begun the construction of a mosque in Gambia, which when completed will serve the local community.
He expressed the feeling of being able to provide villages with clean water as fantastic and said, “I have a desire to help and I’m thankful that I have the financial freedom to do so.” He added, "This teaches pupils that motivation to succeed can come from the want to help others, as everyone has the quality of wanting to be helpful."
