In an era where real estate headlines often focus on urban towers and luxury high-rises, Drew Haney is quietly flipping the narrative—literally. As the founder of Rooster Capital and a veteran of over 700 land deals across 30+ states, Haney has carved out a high-impact niche in the land investing world, combining military discipline, entrepreneurial instinct, and relationship-first leadership to build a 7-figure business with a national footprint.
But behind the success metrics lies a story of resilience, recalibration, and deep-rooted purpose—a journey that began in uniform and now thrives on land.
Chapter One: Boots, Risks, and the Pivot That Changed Everything
“I started in the U.S. Army,” Haney recalls. “That’s where I learned discipline, integrity, and mission-focused thinking—foundations that stuck long after I hung up the uniform.”
After his military service, Haney ventured into day trading, chasing freedom and financial upside. It was fast-paced, exhilarating—and brutally unforgiving. “I lost half my net worth in twelve hours during the COVID flash crash,” he says candidly. That pivotal moment forced Haney to reevaluate his values, prompting a pivot into land investment—a world he saw as both grounded and scalable.
From Dirt to Deals: The Rise of Rooster Capital
The land business offered something day trading couldn’t—tangibility. Starting with vacant plots, Haney taught himself the art of evaluating properties based on data, topography, access, and zoning. Over time, he expanded into more complex deals, eventually founding Rooster Capital, a funding powerhouse that now facilitates 15–20 land deals per month.
But the real catalyst behind his growth?
“Raising capital and underwriting well were game-changers,” he explains. “But none of that compares to finding the right people—operators I trust with my life. This business lives and dies by relationships.”
A High-Trust Model in a Fast-Moving World
Rooster Capital runs lean. The core team? Just Haney and his executive assistant, Kelley. The magic happens in the network—a curated circle of vetted land operators across the country.
“I flew to Alaska just to meet one of them,” he shares. “Brought my daughter along. That wasn’t just about business—it was about trust. I want to work with people I’d invite to my dinner table.”
That philosophy carries over to every facet of Haney’s leadership style. Instead of micromanaging, he empowers. Instead of chasing shiny objects, he prays, pauses, and plays the long game.
Faith, Family, and Freedom—The Cultural Compass
Even in a decentralized, remote-first business, Haney fosters culture with surgical precision and human warmth.
“Whether it’s texting daily, remembering birthdays, or praying with my partners—these aren’t tactics. They’re values,” he says. His leadership philosophy rejects transactional norms in favor of transformational relationships. “If I wouldn’t be friends with someone outside of work, I don’t want them in my business life either.”
His calendar is tightly structured, his teams highly accountable, and his Saturdays sacred. “That’s family time,” he says. “I try not to even check my phone.”
Scaling with Soul: The Next Chapter for Haney and Rooster Capital
Looking ahead, Haney envisions bold growth—expanding Rooster Capital into larger, even international land development projects. But the heartbeat of his vision remains unchanged.
“It’s about building something that outlives the deals,” he shares. His podcast, The Other Side of Enough, explores exactly that: finding purpose beyond success, and redefining what “enough” looks like in business and life.
Haney’s leadership is no longer about being in every room or making every decision. “It’s about trusting the people I’ve trained and invested in,” he says. “If I get the relationship right, everything else flows.”
Words to the Wise: Advice for Entrepreneurs and Veterans Alike
When asked what he’d tell aspiring entrepreneurs or veterans stepping into the private sector, Haney doesn’t hesitate.
“Never stop learning,” he says. “Be curious. Read, ask questions, and surround yourself with people outside your comfort zone. Think about what kind of life you want 10, 20 years from now—and reverse engineer it. The journey is just as important as the destination.”
In a high-velocity industry, Drew Haney has built his empire on the rarest of currencies: character. From rural plots to high-stakes deals, he’s proving that success isn’t about conquering land—it’s about cultivating trust.
