Big Land, Small Team: The Danielson Sisters Strategy!

Kendall LeJeune
Dec 22, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Aug 1

OnlyLandFans Podcast Ep. 95

In the world of land investing, everyone talks about scaling up. Bigger teams. More VAs. Expanding into multiple states. But what if the secret to bigger profits was actually staying small?

Enter The Danielson Sisters.

Mary and Ann Danielson have built a thriving land business in Tennessee—not by hiring a massive team or chasing deals across the country, but by strategically keeping things lean and focused. They’ve mastered the art of running major subdivides without the overhead, proving that land investors don’t need a huge operation to land huge deals.

And in this episode of The OnlyLandFans Show, they break down exactly how they’re doing it.

The Myth of “Bigger is Better” in Land Investing

For most investors, the instinct is to scale fast—hiring VAs, expanding into multiple markets, and chasing dozens of small deals at once.

The Danielson Sisters? They flipped the script.

Instead of spreading themselves thin, they doubled down on one state, one strategy, and one core focus: large subdivides.

✅ They don’t chase every deal—they attract the right ones.

✅ They don’t operate in five states—they dominate one.

✅ They don’t build a massive team—they build strong relationships.

And here’s the kicker: Their deals are getting bigger, while their team is getting smaller.

How They Run a Million-Dollar Land Business Without a VA

Once upon a time, the sisters had a team of two virtual assistants. Now? Zero.

Why? Because they don’t need them.

Their inbound deal flow has grown so strong that they’ve paused outbound marketing altogether. Thanks to years of consistent networking, building a reputation, and being known as the go-to Tennessee land experts, deals now come to them.

But it’s not magic. Here’s what made it possible:

💡 They built deep relationships with local pros—surveyors, title agents, realtors, and even brush hoggers (yes, that’s a thing). Their network works for them, bringing deals and smoothing out the process.

💡 They established a reputation in the land investing community. Now, wholesalers and investors looking to offload Tennessee properties come straight to them, knowing they’re the best fit.

💡 They play the long game with sellers. Instead of chasing quick wins, they nurture relationships. One seller has had their card on their fridge for months. Another takes their calls like old friends. No rush, no pressure, just trust.

Why Large Deals Make Scaling Easier

One of the most game-changing insights from the episode?

Bigger deals = less work.

While many investors focus on flipping smaller lots at high volume, the Danielson Sisters buy big—so they don’t need to do big numbers to be profitable.

For them, a single 121-acre subdivide can be worth over $1 million.

👉 Larger deals allow them to work smarter, not harder.👉 Subdividing keeps their deal flow low but their profit high.👉 A few well-placed deals can fuel their entire business.

And here’s the best part: Big deals don’t require big teams—just the right people.

Their realtors, soil scientists, and surveyors do the heavy lifting. They simply manage the process, making sure every piece falls into place.

Want to Attract More Deals Instead of Chasing Them? Here’s What They Recommend:

If you’re tired of cold calling, blasting mailers, and hunting for sellers, the Danielson Sisters have a few game-changing pieces of advice:

1️⃣ Own your market. Stop jumping from state to state. Learn the ins and outs of one place. Tennessee is their domain, and everyone knows it.

2️⃣ Build deep, not wide. Having the right four realtors beats having ten who don’t know or care about land. Work with professionals who actually understand your business.

3️⃣ Be the investor that sellers and investors WANT to work with. Answer the phone. Follow up. Offer help before asking for deals. People remember who treated them right.

🎧 Want to Hear How They’re Pulling This Off? Watch the Full Episode!

Most investors think bigger means more complicated.

But Mary and Ann Danielson are proving that focusing small can pay off big.

If you’re ready to rethink your land business, stop chasing deals, and start attracting them, this episode is a must-watch.

🎥 Watch now

And if you found this insightful, share this post with a land investor who needs to hear it. Because sometimes, doing less is the smartest way to grow.

Enjoy the show!

“The Sisters” is how they're known in the Land space and their straight-shooting fun-loving approach to land investing is all about going big by staying small. The Danielson Sisters have nested their business in Tennessee where they're happiest operating large rural subdivisions with a quality crew and closing deals on a pontoon. The only all-female team in their market, they have chosen to ignore the noise to create an authentic and original brand that's as wild west as they are. Today joining us from Denver, Colorado and Manila, Philippines are Mary and Ann Danielson.