What does it take to retire at 44 without winning the lottery or inheriting wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Tony Lopes, CEO of Dirty Boots Capital, real estate professional, best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Tony shares how his immigrant roots, engineering background, and calculated risks in real estate allowed him to achieve financial independence and how you can apply the same principles to your own journey.
In this episode, we chat about…
Tony's journey from mechanical engineer to full-time investor and entrepreneur
The wake-up call that shifted his mindset after being laid off at 28
Why keeping a W-2 job at first can be a powerful tool for real estate investors
How to leverage 401(k) funds wisely to build your investment portfolio
The psychological barriers (fear, resistance, conditioning) that hold people back from starting
Tony's "swim lane" in multifamily real estate and why he focuses there
The role of networking and coaching in finding opportunities and accelerating growth
Building not just wealth, but a legacy for future generations
Financial independence starts with understanding your expenses and creating enough cash flow to cover them.
A W-2 paycheck can be an advantage, banks value stability when you're just starting out.
Don't reinvent the wheel, model the success of others who've done what you want to do.
The biggest hurdle is often mindset, not money, overcoming fear and resistance is critical.
Networking opens unexpected doors; opportunities often come from simply sharing your goals.
Legacy matters: investing in real estate can provide stability and opportunity for future generations.
Retiring early isn't about quitting life, it's about having freedom to live on your terms.
Resources from Tony
LinkedIn | Dirty Boots Capital | www.thriftbooks.com
Books recommended: The ONE Thing | The War Of Art
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
