From modest beginnings to the growth of NP Immobiliare: the Cagliari-born entrepreneur recounts his sacrifices, unconventional choices, his first deals, and his plans for the future.
Nicola, who were you before becoming the entrepreneur we know today?
I was born in Cagliari and raised in Selargius in a modest family. We were four siblings; my father worked as a salaried employee and my mother primarily took care of us. I had no inheritance or significant connections. But even as a child, I was fascinated by successful people. I remember when, at about ten years old, I saw the yachts in Porto Cervo: I wondered what the owners did to afford them. I wasn't envious; I wanted to understand how they managed it.
You had a secure job. Why wasn't that enough?
At 21, I got a job at a telecommunications company. Everyone was happy: a salary, a contract, a stable future. I wasn't. I couldn't imagine my life behind a desk, taking orders and waiting for the weekend. I wanted to make my own decisions and build something of my own. I realized that if I wanted a different future, I had to start acting differently.
Why did you choose real estate?
I've always been fascinated by construction sites, cranes, and buildings under construction. I began studying Cagliari's market: prices, neighborhoods, building features, and redevelopment opportunities. I looked for opportunities on every street.
You spent two years almost isolated from the world. What was that like?
Extremely hard. While my peers went out and traveled, I split my days between work and study, sometimes seven or eight hours a day. I saved over 80% of my salary and even sold my new car to use my grandfather's. No dinners out, no clubs, no vacations. I had a goal written on a piece of paper. Those sacrifices toughened me.
Was there a moment when you thought about giving up?
One January evening, it was pouring with rain. After work, I had an appointment at the agency for a property. I searched for a long time for parking, arrived soaked, and discovered it had already been promised to another buyer. I got back in the car and sat there for two hours, staring into space. I'd been working for almost two years without results. I wondered if I was wasting my youth. That night, I hit rock bottom. But the next day, I kept going.
