Entrepreneurs often mistakenly believe they own a business when, in reality, they may just have a job. This episode explores the crucial distinction between working in a business versus working on it, highlighting that many entrepreneurs often become entangled in daily operations rather than focusing on strategic growth. I explore practical examples, such as house flipping, to illustrate how being involved in the minutiae of operations can hinder long-term success. By sharing my own experiences ...
Jul 07, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 102
Money does not directly equate to happiness; rather, it serves as a tool that can facilitate a fulfilling life. I explore the nuanced relationship between financial resources and personal well-being, emphasizing that while it is essential to have our basic needs met, happiness often stems from experiences and the goals we pursue. I've shared my own journey from living paycheck to paycheck to understanding the importance of saving and investing, which allowed me to gain financial stability and ti...
Jun 30, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 101
Celebrating our 100th episode, I reflect on the journey and the importance of taking consistent action in achieving success. Many individuals hesitate to act until everything is perfect, but the key takeaway from today's discussion is that taking action, even in a makeshift environment, is crucial. I share insights from past episodes, emphasizing that most successful guests faced significant challenges but found their way by committing to their goals and embracing the learning process that comes...
Jun 23, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 100
Cost segregation is a powerful tax strategy that allows property owners to significantly reduce their income tax liability by accelerating depreciation deductions. In this episode, I sit down with Yona Weiss , a renowned expert in cost segregation, to unpack what this strategy entails and how it can benefit real estate investors. Yona explains that cost segregation involves breaking down the components of a property to identify those that depreciate faster than the standard timeline, enabling ow...
Jun 16, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 99
Setting clear and impactful goals is essential for success in both real estate investing and personal development, as highlighted by Jon Farling in this episode. He emphasizes the importance of not only defining our goals but also communicating them to those around us, including family and team members, to foster accountability. Jon reflects on his own journey and the growth that comes from pursuing ambitious objectives, noting that the process can lead to significant personal transformation. He...
Jun 09, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 98
Work-life balance is a commonly discussed concept, but in this episode, I challenge the idea that such a balance truly exists. Instead, I propose that the focus should be on what I refer to as "filling your cup," which emphasizes the importance of personal fulfillment over the pursuit of an equal distribution of time between work and life. As summer approaches and my kids are home from school, I reflect on my experiences of working from home and how I've navigated the complexities of family life...
Jun 02, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 97
My friend John Chapman, a two-time guest on our show, shares his personal journey of transitioning from a demanding career as an attorney to embracing the world of real estate investing. We delve into the emotional hurdles that accompany such a leap, the initial exhilaration of freedom, and the unexpected challenges that arise when the structure of a traditional job is removed. John and I reflect on the importance of finding meaningful activities post-job and how this journey influences our over...
May 26, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 96
Understanding how to effectively buy more storage deals is crucial for anyone looking to expand their portfolio in the self-storage industry. So, how do you improve your underwriting practices, rather than just increasing marketing efforts or generating leads? I talk about the essential strategies to enhance your ability to identify and evaluate value-added opportunities within potential investments. You will learn my insights from conversations with other investors, especially those who are eag...
May 19, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 95
I'm excited to explore the inspiring journey of Chris Michaels, the new leader of the Storage Rebellion. Chris opens up about his path from financial struggles to becoming a thriving self-storage investor and how this shift unlocked opportunities for a richer, more meaningful life. Along the way, he shares how taking action, even in the face of self-doubt and limiting beliefs, was the key to his success. Chris emphasizes the powerful role of community support and reassures aspiring investors tha...
May 12, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 94
Ruben Izgelov from We Lend LLC joins me to discuss the dynamic landscape of private lending in today's market. A key point we explore is how the current era is being hailed as the "golden age of private credit," particularly as traditional banks tighten their lending criteria. Ruben emphasizes the importance of adaptability in lending practices, noting that his firm bridges gaps left by shrinking community banks to offer tailored financing solutions. We discuss the challenges and opportunities t...
May 05, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 93
The LFG Mastermind represents a unique gathering of entrepreneurs with a shared commitment to growth, both personally and professionally. In this episode, I provide insights into the mastermind's structure and its focus on high-level business operations, rather than basic self-storage or real estate principles. Currently, the group comprises 18 members from diverse fields including self-storage, restaurants, landscaping, flipping, and wholesaling. The common thread among these individuals is the...
Apr 28, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 92
Bob Bush, the president and CEO of Mutumbo Coffee, shares his compelling story that blends his personal history of global culture and social impact. From humble beginnings in a small Midwestern town, his journey to becoming a key player in the coffee industry is as much about self-discovery as it is about professional achievement. Bob reflects on how his early life experiences, combined with a passion for learning, propelled him into diverse academic and professional environments, ultimately lea...
Apr 21, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 91
In this conversation with Anthony Kusky , we talk about the key themes of adaptability and growth in the real estate industry. Anthony shares his inspiring journey from self-storage investor to skilled entrepreneur, highlighting how he is successfully navigating various investment fields, including wholesaling and mobile home parks. He speaks openly about his experiences and stresses the importance of seizing opportunities and building strong relationships in business. Anthony also points out ho...
Apr 14, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 90
I take a closer look at some of the popular trends and terms that have emerged in the world of real estate investing, especially those championed by various educators and self-proclaimed gurus. One term that stands out is "mastermind." Its meaning has changed quite a bit over the years and is now often used to describe almost any group gathering. In addition, I’ll talk about the rise of coaching, the growing need for executive assistants, and the hot topic of relationship capital. As I navigate ...
Apr 07, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Eric Burns, the founder of Flowers Capital , breaks down the world of commercial real estate capital raising. He talks about how he brings together investor funds to help acquire large apartment complexes. We talk about Eric's unique career journey, which has taken him from studying finance to serving as a firefighter, and finally to becoming a successful entrepreneur in real estate investment. Eric shares how he made a significant shift from managing single-family rentals to exploring the bigge...
Mar 31, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 88
We live in a world overflowing with things that can pull our attention away—from binge-watching our favorite shows to getting lost in the endless scroll of social media. These distractions can seriously derail our ability to achieve both personal and professional success. I’ll share some of my own experiences and observations and emphasize the importance of recognizing and tackling these distractions head-on. It’s crucial to understand how external influences can take control of our focus and sh...
Mar 24, 2025•18 min•Season 2Ep. 87
Let me introduce you to Mitchell Pater, who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. His journey has been nothing short of transformative, as he's moved from various retail roles to building a strong real estate portfolio. In our discussion, we focus on his latest endeavor: self-storage development. Mitchell has a keen eye for identifying profitable locations and is committed to creating high-quality facilities that are attractive to larger buyers. We get into the details of his career, starting fro...
Mar 17, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 86
I've gotten a few questions about my team lately, so I wanted to share some thoughts on what makes it so special. When I think about my journey in real estate investing, it really started with just me focused on one thing. But over time, that has transformed into a more complex operation, thanks to the incredible people I’ve brought on board. I want to highlight the key roles that my team members play. We’ve got an attorney, a CPA, a district manager, a maintenance technician, and an executive a...
Mar 10, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Tim Bratz , Owner of Legacy Wealth Holdings, a multifamily investor currently based in Charleston, South Carolina, shares profound insights into the evolving landscape of commercial real estate investment. Within this conversation, he highlights the significant depreciation in property values that has transpired since 2022, a consequence of rising interest rates and escalating operational costs, which has largely evaded mainstream discourse. Bratz talks about the necessity for investors to adopt...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 84
Brent Bowers , a renowned land investor and entrepreneur, shares his transformative journey into the world of land investing, shedding light on the potential for financial freedom through passive income. He reflects on his early experiences in real estate and the pivotal moment in 2016 when the birth of his son ignited a deep desire to reclaim his time and pursue a more rewarding career. Throughout our conversation, Brent highlights the strategies he used to navigate the complexities of land acq...
Feb 24, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 83
Join me for an insightful analysis of the self-storage market. My guest is Matt Bilger, a seasoned commercial appraiser from Colliers whose expertise spans multiple asset classes. I am surprised to hear that Bilger's appraisal assignments in the self-storage domain have dwindled due to a combination of heightened interest rates and stringent loan underwriting practices. This shift has not only reduced the volume of transactions but has also altered the investment strategies of regional and natio...
Feb 17, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 82
Navigating the complex world of entrepreneurship is no easy feat, but in this episode, I am going to provide you a wealth of knowledge gained from my extensive involvement in masterminds and networking groups. I outline ten key lessons that have shaped my understanding of success, starting with the undeniable importance of building relationships. I emphasize that the connections made through these groups have not only enriched my business life but also fostered personal growth. The accountabilit...
Feb 10, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Neil Twa shares his extensive experience in e-commerce, revealing the intricacies of building a successful online business. My discussion with Neil begins with a simple yet profound definition of e-commerce, emphasizing the importance of identifying a product in demand and creating a brand around it. Neil elaborates on his journey through various industries, highlighting how he transitioned from traditional business models to e-commerce, particularly on platforms like Amazon. Our conversation to...
Feb 03, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Dave Demink shares his transformative journey from a successful corporate sales career to becoming a self-storage investor and coach. After being let go from his high-paying job, Dave found the freedom to pursue his passion for real estate, focusing on building a cash flow engine through self-storage facilities. He emphasizes the importance of preparing for unexpected changes in life and the advantages of having multiple income streams, which he had established before his transition. Through his...
Jan 27, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Learn invaluable insights on the importance of mastering the fundamentals and maintaining a growth mindset, emphasizing that the best performers never get bored with the basics. Allen Stein Jr. offers a unique perspective on performance and success, stemming from his extensive background in basketball training. He begins by recounting his early experiences as a player and how they shaped his philosophy as a performance coach. Allen's transition from sports to corporate speaking highlights the im...
Jan 20, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Gabe Hamel shares his inspiring journey from a novice wrestler to a successful real estate investor and Guinness World Record contender in diamond push-ups. He emphasizes the power of belief and how a strong mindset can lead to achieving seemingly impossible goals. We talk about the importance of setting clear intentions and aligning business pursuits with personal values, particularly the quest for time freedom. Gabe also discusses his experiences in various investment strategies, from small mu...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 77
What is the real the significance of setting serious goals and the pitfalls of New Year's resolutions? I emphasize that if you're not committed to starting your goals today, they are unlikely to stick, regardless of the time of year. As we reflect on the past and look ahead, I also share my thoughts on the concept of retirement savings, particularly 401(k)s, and suggest that there may be better alternatives such as real estate investing. I offer a free hour for anyone interested in discussing th...
Jan 06, 2025•17 min•Season 2Ep. 76
I take a look at the often-overlooked aspects of real estate investing, particularly within the self-storage sector. The common metrics of success touted by industry gurus is unit count and total square footage of properties owned. While many boast impressive figures—like owning thousands of units or millions of square feet—I emphasize that these numbers can be misleading if not accompanied by a solid understanding of cash flow and equity. Through anecdotes and discussions with my peers, I illus...
Dec 30, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Personal and professional growth is a journey that requires the right tools and mindset. I outline three essential tools I have leveraged to foster growth in both real estate investing and personal development. The foremost of these tools is networking. I discuss the power of building relationships and engaging with others in the industry. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards; it's about forming genuine connections with individuals who can offer insights and support. By attendi...
Dec 23, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Are you acting as if the world is your ally? Jon explores the importance of adopting a value-producing mentality that views the world and the people in it as supportive rather than adversarial. He reflects on personal experiences, highlighting how a mindset shift can lead to greater confidence and success. By giving back and helping others, you not only uplift those around you but also create an environment where good things come your way. Additionally, he emphasizes that there are no true losse...
Dec 16, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 73