ERA, Where Every Journey Finds Its Own Path

Matthew Tan’s journey to success didn’t begin in a lecture hall — it began with uncertainty, trial, and a relentless drive to prove himself. Dropping out of school might have seemed like a setback, but for Matthew, it was the turning point that led him to one of the best decisions of his life: a career in real estate. Over a decade into his real estate journey, Matthew has transformed from a struggling student into a trusted property advisor, a seasoned negotiator, and a consecutive Millionaire agent. His story is proof that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about how you adapt, learn, and push forward.

A defining moment—Matthew celebrates his ERA Millionaire achievement on stage

Choosing a Different Path

School was never Matthew’s strong suit. He struggled to stay engaged, frequently skipped classes, and eventually found himself too far behind to catch up. “I was more focused on having fun than studying. I skipped school a lot, and at some point, I realized I couldn’t keep up anymore,” he shared. His decision to drop out of polytechnic came as a shock to his parents, especially since he had already retaken his O-levels once to secure admission. While they initially struggled to accept his choice, they eventually supported him, trusting that he would find his way. To make use of his time, he enlisted for National Service early, giving himself a window to reflect on what he truly wanted for his future.

Drifting Through Jobs, Searching for Purpose

After leaving school, Matthew drifted through various part-time jobs—waitering, event crew work, and even selling fruits. Each job kept him busy, but none gave him real direction. He admitted that during this time, he often felt lost. But he didn’t dwell on it too much, knowing that army was mandatory. It wasn’t until after his National Service ended that the weight of his next steps truly hit him. To secure stability, he took on a full-time marketing job, believing it would provide long-term career growth. Instead, he found himself earning less than $3,000 a month with little room for progression.

The Wake-Up Call: Discovering Real Estate

Everything changed when he met friends who were already working as real estate agents. He quickly realized that some of them were making in a single month what he was earning in an entire year. Seeing the stark contrast between his stagnant income and the limitless potential in real estate, he knew he needed to make a change. “That moment frustrated me, but it also inspired me. I didn’t want to stay stuck in a job where my income had a ceiling. I knew I had to change my life,” he said. Despite knowing that real estate required dedication and adaptability, he was drawn to the idea of limitless income potential and the ability to be in control of his own success. 

Stepping into Real Estate—And Learning the Hard Way

Without any prior background in property, Matthew had zero expectations stepping into real estate. But he quickly realized how different it was from a regular salaried job. “The biggest fear was uncertainty—when would I close my first deal? Could I even sustain this as a long-term career?” he reflected. Unlike his previous jobs, there was no guaranteed paycheck. Every success depended entirely on his own efforts, persistence, and ability to deliver results for clients. Instead of letting doubt consume him, he relied on pure grit and discipline to navigate the early challenges. “I was thrown into the deep end and had to learn to swim. There was no shortcut—it was trial and error, pushing through long hours, and learning from every mistake,” he shared.

He credits ERA’s mentorship programs and training support for guiding him through those initial struggles. Learning from experienced realtors and structured training sessions gave him the confidence and knowledge needed to establish himself. “Having mentors I could turn to made all the difference. Their insights, along with ERA’s training, helped me refine my approach, sharpen my knowledge, and develop the skills I needed to close deals.”

The Power of Strategy: A Data-Driven Approach

Real estate is often an emotionally driven industry, but Matthew knew that emotions alone could lead to costly mistakes. To give his clients an edge in property decision-making, he developed a Risk Analysis Framework—a structured approach that ensures every property purchase is backed by data, not just sentiment. His framework covers:

✔ Property Life Cycle – Understanding when to buy and sell
✔ Demand vs Supply – Evaluating long-term appreciation potential
✔ Minimizing ABSD Through Decoupling – Optimizing property investment strategies

“Numbers don’t lie. I wanted my clients to make well-calculated decisions, not just impulsive ones,” he explained. This structured, strategic approach helped him stand out in a crowded industry. Over time, it earned him a loyal base of repeat clients and referrals, solidifying his reputation as a trusted property advisor.

Overcoming Stigmas & Proving Himself

Many assume that without a degree, success would be harder. But for Matthew, this was never a limitation. “On the contrary, I never felt underestimated. If anything, I like proving people wrong—it gave me the hunger to push myself harder,” he said. Instead of dwelling on what he lacked, he focused on action, discipline, and consistency—qualities that helped him stand out in the competitive industry. “I’m a doer, not just a thinker. I take action, I work hard, and I don’t settle for less.” 

The Rookie Milestone: A First-Year Breakthrough

Success didn’t come overnight, but when it did, Matthew made sure it counted. In his first year as a real estate agent, he was awarded Top Rookie in his division—a recognition that solidified his belief that he had made the right choice. “That was the moment that proved to me—this was the right path. I had no regrets from the day I stepped into real estate,” he said. Instead of looking back, he focused on moving forward, growing his expertise, and building stronger client relationships.

One of Matthew’s earliest achievements — marking the beginning of a promising journey in real estate

A Career, A Legacy, and A Life Beyond Real Estate

Now, nearly fourteen years into his real estate career, Matthew has built a successful and sustainable business, with a steady stream of clients who trust his expertise and refer others to him. Looking back, he’s grateful for the journey, the people who believed in him, and the lessons that shaped him. “I’ve been blessed with great clients and friends, and most importantly, my family’s support. My wife was my biggest pillar — when I started with nothing, she was the one helping me financially. Today, we’re building a future together.”

His next goal? Early semi-retirement — achieving financial freedom so that he and his wife can travel, explore, and live life on their own terms.

A decade of success—Matthew’s Millionaire wins, backed by his biggest supporter, his wife.

A Message to Those Who Feel Stuck

Matthew’s story is proof that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about where you decide to go. “A degree is great, but it’s not the only path to success. What truly matters is adaptability, perseverance, and hunger.”

For those who feel stuck in their careers or doubt their ability to succeed, his advice is simple: “Stop overthinking. If you’re hungry for success, take action. Work hard, be disciplined, and never settle for less.”