Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Saivion Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Saivion, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
The Risk That Rewrote My Future: From Law School Exit to Building a Business Empire Before 30
By Saivi’on Lee
Walking away from law school wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It felt like I was turning my back on everything I had worked for—structure, prestige, and security. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t meant to follow a path that was already paved. I wanted to build my own.
That leap led me into consulting, where I started working with companies of all sizes—stepping into HR projects, compliance audits, and recruiting operations. At first, I was just solving problems. But over time, I started seeing patterns. I was absorbing the inner mechanics of how businesses truly function: how they hire, how they scale, and—most importantly—where they fail.
Every client was a case study. Every meeting, a lesson. I didn’t just consult—I studied.
At the same time, I dove into real estate. I didn’t do it for the flashy cars or commissions. I was drawn to the financial architecture of it all—meeting with builders, running numbers, understanding tax benefits, exploring software systems, and witnessing the true wealth-building potential that real estate offered. I was a licensed agent by day, an analyst by night—patiently learning how deals are built, how investors think, and how technology could one day modernize the entire process.
That dual path—consulting and real estate—eventually opened the door to something I never expected: insurance.
At 26, I became a Corporate Group Benefits Executive for a major firm, overseeing employee benefits and advising leadership on healthcare strategies for hundreds of employees. I’ll be honest—I never saw myself in the insurance world. But I quickly realized how powerful this space is. The learning curve was steep, but I embraced it. Now, I’m making waves, helping organizations think differently about benefits, compliance, and people-first planning.
What ties it all together is the same mindset: learn, apply, and build something better.
I’ve invested over $80,000 into my vision so far—with plans to invest another six figures into building technology that will revolutionize the real estate transaction experience. I’ve seen where the gaps are. I’ve lived the inefficiencies. And now, I’m quietly preparing my move—waiting for my broker license, and laying the groundwork for what comes next.
They called me crazy for leaving law school. They told me I was taking a risk that would bury me.
Now, I consult with companies, close real estate deals, lead corporate benefits strategies—and I’m just getting started.
Because risk isn’t just about what you leave behind. It’s about what you’re willing to build when no one else sees it yet.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
About Saivi’on Lee, SNL Consulting & SNL Real Estate
I’m Saivi’on Lee—an entrepreneur, strategist, and the founder of SNL Consulting and SNL Real Estate. My journey didn’t follow a straight path. I made the decision to leave law school and pursue a vision that felt more aligned with who I was becoming: someone who builds systems, solves people-centered problems, and turns ideas into businesses.
That risk led to the launch of SNL Consulting, a people-first advisory firm that helps growing companies scale responsibly. We specialize in HR compliance, recruiting strategy, onboarding systems, organizational development, and operations infrastructure. I’ve worked closely with CEOs, founders, and HR departments to streamline their processes, reduce liability, and build company cultures that actually retain talent. Our approach is simple: don’t just meet regulations—build systems that make people better and businesses stronger.
At the same time, I was immersing myself in the world of real estate—meeting with builders, learning the financial mechanics behind deals, mastering the software, and guiding clients through the rental and home-buying process. That passion became SNL Real Estate, a service-driven branch of my brand focused on helping people make smart housing decisions while preparing to scale into investment and development.
What sets my work apart is that I’ve done the groundwork in both fields. I’ve been in the recruiting trenches, cleaned up back-end HR systems, advised on group benefits, and walked countless properties to understand every angle of the real estate game. I’ve invested over $80,000 of my own capital into building these businesses—bootstrapped, hands-on, and fully committed.
I now serve as a Corporate Group Benefits Executive at Keystone Advisors, overseeing benefits strategy for corporations and helping them design plans that protect their people while optimizing costs. It’s not a field I ever imagined stepping into—but I’ve embraced it fully and continue to make strides in the insurance world while building for the future.
What I’m most proud of is the discipline to stay patient, learn deeply, and lead with purpose. I’m preparing to invest six figures more into tech that will revolutionize real estate transactions, streamline agent-client interactions, and close the gaps that still exist in both the HR and real estate industries.
Whether you’re a business leader trying to scale your team or a client preparing for your next move, SNL exists to make the process smoother, smarter, and more strategic—because I’ve built this from experience, not theory.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Calling: How I Built a Business Around Who I Am, Not Just What I Do
By Saivi’on Lee
What started as a side hustle quickly became the blueprint for how I now live, work, and lead across multiple industries. I didn’t set out to wear titles in HR, insurance, and real estate. I just knew I had ideas, and I cared deeply about helping people and businesses operate better.
My consulting journey started while I was still on the traditional path—studying law, taking on part-time recruiting work, and helping friends clean up business processes on the side. The more I did it, the more I realized how naturally it came to me. I wasn’t just giving advice—I was building systems, solving gaps, and creating order in chaos. What felt like side work became the seed for SNL Consulting, and I invested everything into it—my time, my talent, and eventually over $80,000 of my personal savings.
At the same time, I was learning real estate from the ground up—touring units, shadowing builders, understanding MLS systems, and eventually earning my license. That hands-on approach led to the launch of SNL Real Estate, a business rooted in helping people find homes, make smart moves, and understand the wealth-building power of property. Now, I’m preparing to scale it with tech that will modernize how transactions happen across the board.
As both ventures grew, I took on a full-time role as a Corporate Group Benefits Executive—a position I never expected at 26—but one that lets me advise companies on health plans and protect employees at scale. Balancing entrepreneurship and leadership wasn’t easy, but it taught me the power of intentional strategy and consistent execution.
Still, the biggest shift wasn’t just the business—it was internal.
People often ask me, “So what do you do?” And truthfully, I’ve never felt fully orthodox in how I answer. I have titles in several industries, but none of them fully explain who I am. I’m someone who leads with empathy, who values integrity, and who builds with the long-term in mind. The businesses are just vehicles for that impact.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the income or accolades—it’s that I’ve built a life rooted in purpose. Every milestone—from my first HR retainer, to closing my first real estate deal, to building corporate benefit strategies for entire companies—has come from a place of curiosity, care, and courage.
I never chased a single title. I chased impact. And that’s the difference that turned a side hustle into a movement.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
What’s Been the Most Effective Strategy for Growing Your Clientele?
By Saivi’on Lee
Honestly, my most effective strategy has been rooted in watching what others ignore.
I’ve built a large part of my client base by positioning myself as a second mover. While everyone else races to be first—launch first, pitch first, post first—I sit back, analyze, and observe. I watch how people are treated, where the follow-up fails, and where the hand-off gets sloppy. Then I step in, not just to offer a service, but to solve what others didn’t care enough to finish.
Most of the clients I’ve acquired didn’t come from flashy pitches or cold calls. They came from being the person who followed up when someone else didn’t. The one who asked better questions. The one who actually listened. Whether it’s consulting, group benefits, or real estate—I’ve built real wealth simply by doing the job other people avoided or didn’t respect.
There’s an incredible amount of money left on the table every day because people ignore clients they don’t understand or don’t want to deal with. I specialize in those clients—the “hard” ones, the “complicated” deals, the “small” accounts. I nurture them, solve for them, and they come back tenfold.
It’s not always glamorous. But it’s powerful.
My strategy isn’t about being loud—it’s about being precise. I let the noise die down, then I move in with clarity, empathy, and execution. That’s how I win—and why clients stay.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: saivionlee.re
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/saivion