Using your "Day Job" as a resume for personal development projects

So most of us here are employed at various shops in various industries. I assume most people have a long term goal to get invested in either their fund, whether its by participating in carry or by some other various real estate investments outside of your day job. Some of you may like to buy and slowly build a portfolio of small (1 - 4 unit) multi family for example (or maybe you did during 09 - 13!). Have any of you done any kind of development outside of your day job? I am talking about perhaps building a custom home or small infill town home development (2 - 5 units?). If so, how much did your day job, resume and skill set apply to getting the financing (banks) or equity backers you required? Was it an 'easy' sell to basically say 'hey I am already doing this in real life'. What challenges did you face? I would think that our day jobs and resume's would greatly help us in pursuing personal projects.