Shows
Masters of Real EstateS1:EP26 - Domingo Valadez’s Blueprint: How Homebase CRE Helps Operators Raise Millions FasterIn this episode of The Masters of Real Estate, Nik Shah sits down with Domingo Valadez, founder of Homebase CRE, to unpack how he’s transforming real estate fundraising for operators. Domingo shares his journey from Google to launching a tech platform that’s helped syndicate $1M+ deals and onboard 3,000+ investors in just a year. Learn how Homebase streamlines deal administration, why most syndication software fails, and Domingo’s vision for a secondary market in CRE. Whether you’re a sponsor drowning in Excel or an investor seeking smarter deals, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
2026-01-3037 min
MyFinJourneyStop Chasing Investors: Build a Capital Raising System | Domingo ValadezMost people think raising capital is about charisma, a slick deck, or knowing the right people. Domingo Valadez says that’s the myth. The real drivers are systems, follow-up, investor experience, and back-office execution the stuff no one posts about.Domingo went from product strategy at Google to raising money as a real estate operator, going viral by crowdfunding + tokenizing single-family rentals, and building an investor database of 3,500+ accredited and non-accredited investors. That journey exposed the truth: investor relations become a bottleneck fast—especially when you’re juggling compliance, K-1s, and dozens (or hundreds) of LPs.H...
2025-12-3138 min
GroundbreakersHow Hayato Hori Is Building Multifamily in Supply Constrained MarketsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we’re joined by Hayato Hori, Managing Partner of Red Brick Equity. Hayato’s journey into real estate began in college, where he bought his first rental property from his roommate. What started as a single $70K rental quickly turned into a deeper realization about scale, compounding, and the long term power of multifamily investing. Before launching Red Brick Equity, Hayato built a high volume wholesaling business, sourcing and selling hundreds of off market single family and multifamily deals to both retail investors and large institutions. That experience gave...
2025-12-1735 min
GroundbreakersHow Modular Construction and AI Could Redefine Development with Nolan Ausan of Rovo Industries GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we sit down with Nolan Ausan, cofounder of Rovo Industries Group. Nolan blends three worlds that rarely overlap — construction, manufacturing automation, and tech — to build a modular housing system designed to cut construction timelines in half and make development more efficient for builders across the country. Nolan shares how he grew up as a third generation carpenter, spent a decade scaling tech companies, and eventually returned to real estate with a simple realization. If we can build cars in a factory with speed, precision and automation, why...
2025-12-0929 min
GroundbreakersHow Emanuel Stafilidis Built a 200 Home Portfolio Using Seller FinancingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we sit down with Emanuel Stafilidis, founder of Capable Capital, who has quietly built a 200 property portfolio by doing something most investors never even consider. Instead of chasing value add rentals or the Burr method, Emanuel buys low priced homes in landlord friendly markets, then resells them through long term seller financing to working families who cannot get traditional loans. His model creates steady income for investors while helping families become homeowners. Emanuel breaks down the mechanics behind his strategy. He explains how buying homes for about 50K cash and selling them for roughly three times that number is possible when you structure payment...
2025-12-0241 min
GroundbreakersHow a Father-Son Duo Scaled a Real Estate Business TogetherEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we’re joined by Jarom and Justin Pratt, the father-son duo behind EagleCap Legacy Wealth Partners. Their story starts in high school, where Jarom was flipping houses before he could vote—backed by his dad as the first investor. What began as a side hustle turned into a full-time partnership focused on multifamily real estate, legacy building, and investor trust.They open up about the lessons they learned from early flips, the challenges of managing construction-heavy value-add deals, and how their complementary skill sets—Jarom in acquisitions and operat...
2025-11-1934 min
GroundbreakersWhy Shannon Robnett is Betting Big on Industrial and Triple Net DealsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Shannon Robnett, founder of Shannon Robnett Industries, shares how he went from building police stations and firehouses to managing over $150 million in real estate assets across multifamily and industrial deals.With over 30 years in commercial construction and development, Shannon breaks down his transition from being fully funded by a single family office to raising $75 million from everyday investors, wealth advisors, and RIAs.He also explains why industrial triple net leases are the most overlooked long-term wealth strategy, and how communication—not projections—drives investor trus...
2025-11-1139 min
GroundbreakersHow a Toledo Firefighter Built a 300-unit Multifamily PortfolioEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Thomas St. John, founder of North Corp Capital and a full-time firefighter, shares how he built a 300-unit multifamily portfolio from the ground up while serving his community. Starting with single-family rentals in 2006, Thomas’s journey is a testament to grit, discipline, and learning through experience.He opens up about the creative financing methods that helped him buy properties during the 2008 crash, the hard lessons from losing six figures in a bad deal, and how those challenges shaped his mission to protect investors and build a platform rooted in...
2025-11-0434 min
GroundbreakersWhy Co-Living Is the Most Underpriced Asset in Real EstateEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jonah Platovsky, founder of The Coliving Concierge, shares how he’s helping real estate investors unlock 15 to 30 percent cash-on-cash returns by converting traditional properties into co living spaces. Jonah walks us through his journey from Wall Street and crypto to real estate, and explains why he believes co living is the most underpriced and underutilized asset class in today’s market.With over 100 successful placements and 50-plus investors helped, Jonah breaks down the economics, operations, and emerging trends in the co living space—offering insights for both first-time and se...
2025-10-2838 min
GroundbreakersDanny Flores on Scaling Prime Capital, Breaking Into New Markets, and Lessons from 18 Full-Cycle Multifamily DealsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Danny Flores, Principal at Prime Capital Investments and host of the Orange County Power Players podcast, shares how he built an 18-deal track record across multiple market cycles. From his early days in construction to becoming a banker and eventually a multifamily operator, Danny’s journey shows how discipline, systems, and long-term focus can turn small beginnings into a scalable real estate business.Danny breaks down the fundamentals of operating in growth markets like Arizona, how to build broker and management relationships out of state, and wh...
2025-10-2137 min
GroundbreakersCharles Rosano on Building 30–40% Return Co-Living Properties, AI-Driven Operations, and Solving the Affordable Housing Crisis at ScaleEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Charles Rossano, Co-Founder and CEO of Cohaven Capital, shares how he’s scaling a high-performing co-living model that delivers both impact and returns. With a background in building and exiting multiple companies, Charles brings an operational mindset to real estate—turning outdated single-family homes into high-density co-living spaces with 90%+ occupancy and 30–40% total returns.He breaks down how Cohaven is using AI, systems, and disciplined execution to solve one of America’s biggest problems: affordable housing for working professionals.Key Points DiscussedThe Co-L...
2025-10-1431 min
GroundbreakersSenior Living, Social Impact, and Scaling as a First-Time Syndicator with Vibha SalgamayEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Vibha Salgamay, founder of Relik Capital Group, shares her journey from product design to building a real estate investment firm focused on senior living communities. Vibha dives into how she transitioned into syndication, why she’s passionate about solving America’s growing senior housing shortage, and how first-time operators can successfully raise capital and scale.Key Points DiscussedFrom Product Design to Real Estate: Vibha’s background in product design taught her how to think from the end user’s perspective — a skill that now informs how she approa...
2025-10-0833 min
GroundbreakersBuilding Onarock Investments: How Jake Whitney is Turning a Passion for Real Estate into a $100M PortfolioEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jake Whitney, co-founder of Onarock Investments, shares his journey from the marketing tech world to building a purpose-driven real estate firm with a $100M vision. Jake discusses how his grandfather’s rental portfolio inspired him to take the leap from passive investing to full-time syndication, and how he and his team are scaling Onarock deal by deal.Key Points DiscussedFrom Passive Rentals to Full-Time Syndication: Jake’s path began with single-family rentals and small multifamily properties before moving into larger deals with his partners at O...
2025-09-3030 min
GroundbreakersCreative Financing, Cold Calling, and Building a $127M Portfolio with Matthew Teifke of TR3 CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Matthew Teifke, founder of TR3 Capital and Teifke Real Estate, shares how he built a $127M portfolio across multifamily, laundromats, RV parks, and more—while teaching others to underwrite, cold call, and close deals.Matthew’s not your typical investor. He started real estate at 17, worked at a grocery store while closing deals, and built his brokerage from scratch. Today, he hosts a weekly Zoom class that brings together brokers, underwriters, and sponsors to break down live opportunities and source deals directly.Key Points DiscussedTurn...
2025-09-2336 min
GroundbreakersFrom 6th Grade Science Teacher to Real Estate Syndicator: How Katie Claxton Closed 2 Multifamily Deals in 90 DaysEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Katie Claxton, founder of Claxton Capital Group, shares how she transitioned from teaching middle school science to closing two multifamily deals in her first 90 days as a sponsor. Katie discusses how she and her team raised over $2.5 million as part of a women-led investment group, and how she balances raising two kids with raising capital.Her story is a powerful example of grit, clarity, and taking action—even when the timing isn’t perfect.Key Points DiscussedFrom Teaching to Syndicating: Kati...
2025-09-1732 min
GroundbreakersHow Brennor Downs & Mitchell Rice Are Scaling a Section 8-Focused Fund with a Mission-Driven, Cash-Flow-First ApproachEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Brennor Downs and Mitchell Rice, co-founders of Haven Capital, share how they’re building a mission-driven real estate fund focused on high-quality Section 8 housing. Starting with one 4-unit deal in Little Rock, they’ve now launched a 39-unit fund and manage a growing portfolio valued at over $5 million.The duo breaks down why they believe Section 8 is one of the most overlooked asset classes in real estate—and how they’re blending impact, scale, and strong returns from the ground up.Key Points DiscussedWhy Section...
2025-09-1040 min
GroundbreakersHow Michael Mendoza Is Using Modular Construction and Opportunity Zones to Rebuild Communities and Deliver Faster, Smarter HousingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Michael Mendoza, founder of APEX Real Estate Contracting, shares how he’s using Opportunity Zones and modular construction to rebuild fire-impacted communities and deliver smarter, faster housing. A former U.S. Marine and MBA graduate, Michael brings a mission-driven lens to development, blending public-private partnerships, sustainability, and investor returns.Michael unpacks the strategy behind his 1,500-acre project in Colorado and walks through how APEX is tackling housing shortages by working with municipalities, leveraging government incentives, and embracing emerging technologies.Key Points DiscussedCommunity-First Development: Michael ex...
2025-09-0141 min
GroundbreakersBlending Hospitality, Tech, and Wellness: How René Bello is Redefining Real Estate with Atelier’s AI-Enabled, Short-Term Rental CondosEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, René Bello, founder of Atelier, shares how he’s combining AI, design, and wellness to reshape the short-term rental experience. Drawing from a background in boutique hospitality and $100M+ in real estate development, René is on a mission to create branded, owner-friendly short-term rental condos that merge luxury living with curated wellness.He breaks down how Atelier’s platform empowers owners to both enjoy their properties and generate income—while leveraging automation, design, and hospitality standards to elevate the guest experience.Key Points Discussed
2025-08-2744 min
GroundbreakersSteven Johnson on Why He Stopped Being a Landlord and Started Buying Mortgage Notes Instead to Build Passive Wealth at ScaleEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Steven Johnson, founder of JS Summit Global, shares how he walked away from landlord headaches to build a passive income empire through mortgage note investing. With a background in mobile home parks and single-family rentals, Steve explains why he pivoted to buying debt—and how the shift gave him more time, more control, and less stress.Steven also talks about his mission to help beauty and wellness entrepreneurs build generational wealth through real estate, drawing on lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey in Miami.Ke...
2025-08-1940 min
Groundbreakers How Troy Evans is Building a Luxury Short Term Rental Fund by Blending Hospitality, Impact, and Investor PerksEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Troy Evans, founder of the Luxury Residence Vacation Portfolio (LRVP), shares how he’s building a luxury short-term rental fund that blends real estate, hospitality, and social impact. With a background in nonprofit leadership and corporate marketing, Troy breaks down how his experience shaped a unique approach to fund management—prioritizing investor experience, mission-aligned assets, and long-term trust.Troy’s story highlights the value of transferable skills, creative structure, and purpose-driven investing in a competitive market.Key Points DiscussedFrom Nonprofits to Real Estate: Troy shares...
2025-08-1246 min
GroundbreakersHow Chad Freeman Built a 200-Pad Mobile Home Portfolio While Flying Full-Time and Helping Other Pilots Build WealthEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Chad Freeman, founder of MHPinvestors and a full-time airline pilot, shares his remarkable journey from buying a $200 crash pad to building a 200-pad mobile home park portfolio. Chad opens up about how he and his wife started with small rentals and house hacks, and gradually scaled into mobile home parks to create generational wealth—without leaving their W2s behind.Key Points DiscussedFrom Side Hustle to Scale: Chad’s real estate journey started with buying a crash pad for fellow pilots and house hacking a duplex. Over...
2025-08-0627 min
GroundbreakersHow John Casmon Scaled to $145M in Multifamily by Turning Rejection Into Investor TrustEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, John Casmon, founder of Casmon Capital Group, shares his journey from leading marketing campaigns at General Motors to building a $145M multifamily portfolio. John walks us through how he leveraged his corporate skill set, navigated early rejections, and built lasting investor relationships by focusing on education and trust.Key Points DiscussedFrom Marketing to Multifamily: John explains how working on multi-million-dollar ad campaigns for Fortune 500 companies helped him build the storytelling and relationship skills he’d later apply to raising capital and launching Casmon Capital Group.House Ha...
2025-07-2941 min
GroundbreakersHow Radhika Rastogi Scaled to Nearly $15M AUM in Senior Living While Balancing a W-2, Motherhood, and Building Relik Capital GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Radhika Rastogi, founder of Relik Capital Group, shares her inspiring journey from a career at a Fortune 20 company to building a $15M senior living real estate portfolio. Radhika opens up about how she balances her corporate job, motherhood, and scaling her syndication business — all while focusing on an overlooked but rewarding niche in senior living.Her story is a testament to resilience, clarity of vision, and the power of focusing on the right partnerships and investor education.Key Points DiscussedFrom Fortune 20 to Senior Living: Ra...
2025-07-2236 min
GroundbreakersFrom Deadliest Catch to Net-Zero Communities: How Jeff Hayton Built Luxe Living Homes by Prioritizing People, Energy, and Equity InvestorsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jeff Hayton, Co-Founder & CIO of Luxe Living Homes, shares his unconventional journey from fishing boats in Alaska to building net-zero, investor-friendly real estate communities. Jeff discusses how his early experiences in startups and grit-heavy jobs shaped his approach to real estate — and why prioritizing both people and energy efficiency is his competitive edge.His perspective blends operational discipline with a commitment to creating value for investors and residents alike, offering lessons on partnerships, sustainability, and scaling thoughtfully.Key Points DiscussedFrom Fi...
2025-07-1447 min
GroundbreakersHow Brock Mogenson Scaled from House Hacking to Managing $50M in Industrial Real Estate — Lessons on Partnerships, Niches, and Building a Vertically Integrated TeamEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Brock Mogenson, Managing Partner at Smart Asset Capital, shares his journey from house hacking his first duplex to managing a $50M industrial real estate fund. Brock discusses how he identified his niche in industrial and retail properties, built strong partnerships, and created a vertically integrated operation to scale efficiently. His experience highlights the importance of focus, trust, and systems in building a sustainable syndication business.Key Points DiscussedFrom House Hack to Fund Manager: Brock’s journey began with a duplex he house ha...
2025-07-0842 min
GroundbreakersWhy Georgy Marrero Left an $800K Meta Job to Build a $28M Real Estate PortfolioEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Georgy Marrero, founder of Equis Capital, shares his bold journey from earning $800k a year at Meta to building a $28M real estate portfolio. Georgy discusses how he walked away from a lucrative tech career to create a life of financial freedom and impact through multifamily syndications. His story highlights the power of courage, discipline, and strategic partnerships in scaling a real estate business.Key Points DiscussedFrom Tech to Real Estate: Georgy talks about his transition from a high-paying corporate job at...
2025-07-0340 min
GroundbreakersHow Lee Yoder Went from Practicing Physical Therapy to Scaling a $75M Real Estate Portfolio in the MidwestEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Lee Yoder, founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing, shares how he left his career as a physical therapist to build a real estate portfolio that now manages over $75 million in assets. Lee walks through the early steps of learning syndications, scaling his team, and how focusing on core markets in the Midwest helped him grow efficiently while keeping operations tight.Key Points DiscussedLeaving a Stable Career: Lee opens up about his decision to step away from physical therapy—first into a sales job, and then full-time in...
2025-06-2343 min
GroundbreakersFrom Managing 450+ SFRs to $150M AUM: How Ben Bowerman Helped Scaled HPP Equity Across Student Housing, Multifamily, and MoreEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Ben Bowerman, VP of Capital Markets at HPP Equity, shares how he scaled from managing 450+ single-family rentals to overseeing a diversified real estate portfolio with over $150M in assets under management. Ben breaks down the strategy behind HPP’s transition into student housing, multifamily, and build-to-rent—and why he believes in holding assets for the long term.He also shares lessons learned from property management, the power of in-house operations, and how his team built a vertically integrated platform that aligns investor goals with long-term generational wealth.K...
2025-06-1741 min
GroundbreakersThe 10x ROI Power of Cost Segregation: How Sean Graham Uses This Strategy to Boost Indefinitely Defer TaxesEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Sean Graham, founder of Maven Cost Segregation, breaks down the most overlooked wealth-building tool in real estate: cost seg. After getting laid off in 2020, Sean transitioned into real estate full-time—starting with his own deals before launching a firm that now saves investors millions in taxes every year.He shares how one property generated $400K in tax savings, why ROI should be measured in depreciation, and what most syndicators miss when it comes to maximizing after-tax returns.Key Points DiscussedFrom W2...
2025-06-1041 min
GroundbreakersHow Andrea Foley Scaled from Flipping Houses to Hotel Conversions and Launched a Car Wash Franchise Along the WayEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Andrea Foley, Director at Generational Wealth Capital, shares how she went from flipping homes in Kansas City to launching a real estate fund focused on hotel-to-multifamily conversions. Along the way, she’s tackled everything from diaper cleaning to owning car wash franchises—proving that building generational wealth takes hustle, grit, and the ability to pivot fast.Andrea breaks down her unique path, including the creative ways she sourced early deals, how she scaled into larger commercial assets, and why she’s bullish on hospitality conversions. She also opens up about the emotional side of entrepreneurship—juggling family, faith, and financial goals in a...
2025-06-0345 min
GroundbreakersHow Joey Schneider Scaled to 28 Units After a Career in Pharma, and Why He’s Focused on Educating Passive Investors Through Trinity Peak Partners & Ironton CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Joey Schneider—CEO of Trinity Peak Partners and Head of Investor Relations at Ironton Capital—shares his unconventional path from medical sales to real estate investing. After climbing the corporate ladder and managing a large sales team, Joey realized he wanted more than a high-paying job—he wanted freedom.That shift led him to real estate, where he started with flips and BRRRRs before building a multifamily portfolio and helping other investors do the same. Now, Joey educates high-income professionals on how to unlock passive income and reclaim their time.Key Points DiscussedWalking Away from W2: Joey opens up about his decision...
2025-05-2643 min
GroundbreakersHow Jaideep Balekar Built a 550+ Unit Portfolio While Working at Deloitte, Vertically Integrated His Ops, and Avoided the Biggest LP MistakesEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jaideep Balekar, Principal at Prosper Capital, shares how he scaled from a full-time role at Deloitte to building a 550+ unit portfolio, and why he chose to vertically integrate along the way.Jaideep walks through the early days of his investing journey, including what drew him to value-add multifamily, how he found his first deals, and the lessons he learned transitioning from LP to GP. He also unpacks the systems he’s built to manage operations in-house and the red flags he looks for when co-sponsoring deals.Hi...
2025-05-1845 min
GroundbreakersWhy Ian Noble Sold His 15-Location Dry Cleaner Business, Burned Out as an Owner, and Now Helps Other Entrepreneurs Invest Passively Through Real EstateEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Ian Noble, founding partner at RunSteady Investments, shares his journey from building a 15-location dry cleaning business to walking away from it entirely. After spending years managing 90 employees and growing a successful company, Ian realized the business was running him, not the other way around. Burned out and missing time with his family, he made the hard decision to sell and transition into real estate investing.Now, Ian helps other business owners achieve financial freedom through passive investing in recession-resilient assets like mobile home parks. His story is...
2025-05-1341 min
GroundbreakersEpisode 61: How Douglas Escobar Built a Two-Year Runway, Survived Corporate Layoffs, and Scaled to 2,000+ Units with a Fund-to-Fund StrategyEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Douglas Escobar, CEO of ESCFreedom Investments, shares how repeated corporate layoffs pushed him to take control of his financial future through real estate. After a long career in insurance and mortgage underwriting, Doug began investing in single-family rentals, exited before the 2008 crash, and later transitioned into multifamily. Today, he is invested in over 2,000 units and focuses on helping busy professionals generate passive income through a fund-to-fund model.Doug’s story is about building security when the job market couldn’t provide it and helping others do the same.
2025-05-0739 min
GroundbreakersHow Cody Wiseman Left a $300K Tech Sales Job, Built a Two-Year Runway, and Scaled to 129 Units Through Hotel-to-Apartment ConversionsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Cody Wiseman, founder of Wiseman Capital, shares his journey from earning $300K a year in tech sales to going all-in on real estate investing. After building a two-year financial runway, Cody left his W2 job to focus on multifamily, hotel-to-apartment conversions, and creating one of the largest multifamily meetups in the Midwest. His story is a blueprint for anyone looking to make the transition into full-time investing while minimizing risk and maximizing impact.Cody’s approach is a masterclass in preparation, execution, and community building.Key Po...
2025-04-2945 min
GroundbreakersHow Gregory Laskody Closed $3B in CRE, Built MasterCRE to Open the Industry, and Why 2025 Will Reshape Capital MarketsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Gregory Laskody, founder of MasterCRE, shares his journey from struggling college student to leading over $3B in commercial real estate transactions. After three decades in the industry, Greg has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for new investors and professionals to break into commercial real estate. Now, through MasterCRE, he’s focused on opening access, shortening the learning curve, and creating a more collaborative environment for future dealmakers.Greg’s story is about more than just big deals—it’s about changing how the industry works from the insi...
2025-04-2246 min
GroundbreakersHow Mathew Owens Rebuilt After Losing Everything in 2008, Flipped 1,000+ Homes, and Raised $150M in Private CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Mathew Owens, founder of OCG Properties, shares his journey from CPA to full-time real estate investor. After flipping over 1,000 homes, Mat was hit hard by the 2008 crash—losing everything but choosing to pay back investors out of pocket. That decision earned him a reputation for integrity and became the foundation for a career that’s since raised $150M+ in private capital.Today, Mat focuses on debt funds, mobile home parks, short-term rentals, and helping other capital raisers build compliant fund-of-funds structures. He pulls back the curtain on what it t...
2025-04-1440 min
GroundbreakersHow Mitchell Rice Raised $7M to Save His First Deal, Closed $500M+ in Transactions, and Now Converts Hotels into HousingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Mitchell Rice, founder of Elkstone Capital, shares how he went from a sales intern to raising $7M for a $27M multifamily deal—before he ever quit his W2. Mitch walks through how that first deal gave him a seat at the table, what he learned working inside the LDS Church’s real estate investment division, and how he now approaches hotel-to-multifamily conversions across the U.S.His story is a masterclass in resourcefulness, long-term thinking, and how to break into real estate by solving real problems for experienced oper...
2025-04-0737 min
GroundbreakersHow Zach Bagby and Courtney Erickson Built a $5M Real Estate Portfolio While Full Time in TechEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Zach Bagby and Courtney Erickson, co-founders of ZB3 Real Estate, share how they’ve built a $5M+ real estate portfolio across Colorado and the Midwest—all while working full-time in tech.Zach works at Medley. Courtney is at Visa. And together, they’re scaling ZB3 through careful underwriting, creative deal structuring, and a long-term thesis that embraces market volatility. From buying back a property they sold to navigating a tenant situation that made the local news, they’ve learned by doing—and built a system that balances career, capital, a...
2025-04-0241 min
GroundbreakersDeploying $100M+ Into Mobile Homes, Mental Health Housing & Diverse Operators with Ryo Ishida of Rainbow Capital PartnersEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Ryo Ishida, Managing Partner at Rainbow Capital Partners, shares how he’s unlocking alpha by backing overlooked operators and investing in underfunded markets. From working construction in high school to deploying over $100M in capital, Ryo’s journey is a masterclass in identifying market inefficiencies and betting on long-term trends.Ryo breaks down his firm’s investment thesis, how they built a 1,200+ person investor community, and why diverse teams consistently outperform in commercial real estate.Key Points DiscussedBacking Underrepresented Operators: Ryo explains how Rainbow Capita...
2025-03-2736 min
GroundbreakersHow Chris Lento Went from House Hacking to Building a $100M Real Estate PortfolioEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Chris Lento, founder of EM Capital, shares how he scaled from small house hacks in Boston to building a $100M+ real estate portfolio. Starting with a mechanical engineering degree and a career in aerospace, Chris realized that real estate offered a better path to financial freedom. Over time, he transitioned from self-managing triplexes to leading large syndications across the Southeast. His story is a masterclass in scaling, raising capital, and making smart investment pivots.Key Points DiscussedFrom House Hacking to Syndications – Chris started by living in hi...
2025-03-1837 min
GroundbreakersHow David Hamer Built a $15M Multifamily Portfolio by Finally Taking ActionEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, David Hamer, founder of Expedition Capital, shares his journey from spending 15 years on the sidelines to building a $15 million multifamily portfolio. David discusses how reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad sparked his real estate ambitions, the mental hurdles of raising capital, and why he focuses on value-add multifamily deals in landlord-friendly states. His story is a testament to the power of taking action, adapting to market challenges, and building a scalable investment strategy.Key Points DiscussedTaking the First Step: After 15 years of hesitation, David finally pulled the...
2025-03-1034 min
GroundbreakersFrom Interior Design to $40M in Multifamily—How Chelsea Garber Uses Design to Unlock ValueEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Chelsea Garber, CEO of Ascend Equity and ROI by Design, shares how she transitioned from a career in high-end interior design to managing a multifamily portfolio of over 430 units. Chelsea’s journey highlights the power of leveraging creativity, partnerships, and strategic design to scale in real estate investing.She discusses the lessons learned from flipping houses, the challenges of breaking into multifamily, and how design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a key driver of tenant retention, rent growth, and asset value.Key Points DiscussedFrom D...
2025-03-0335 min
GroundbreakersFrom Corporate Sales to 1,000+ Units: Brooke Ceballos-Piñero’s Playbook for Multifamily & NNN InvestingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Brooke Ceballos-Piñero, founder of 10X Business Consulting and an active real estate investor, shares how she left a successful corporate career to build a real estate portfolio spanning 1,000+ multifamily and Triple Net (NNN) units.Brooke breaks down the lessons she learned transitioning from corporate sales to full-time real estate investing, why she pivoted from multifamily to NNN retail properties for passive cash flow, and the importance of mentorship and partnerships in scaling quickly.Key Points Discussed:From Corporate to Real Estate – After 22 years in cor...
2025-02-2441 min
GroundbreakersFlipped 100+ Homes—Then He Went Bigger: Todd Dexheimer’s Path to SyndicationEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Todd Dexheimer, Co-Founder and Principal at Endurus Capital, shares his journey from being a high school teacher to completing over 100 real estate deals and scaling a multifamily and senior housing portfolio. Todd discusses the lessons he learned flipping houses, why he pivoted into larger commercial assets, and how he’s now focused on bringing property management and construction in-house to maximize efficiency.His story is one of persistence, adaptability, and long-term vision—showing that the best operators don’t just chase deals, they build lasting systems.Key Po...
2025-02-1643 min
GroundbreakersTurning Legal Nightmares into Real Estate Gold: Rodrigo Camargo, Founder of TantumEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Rodrigo Camargo, founder of Tantum, shares how he transforms distressed real estate into high-value investments. From navigating complex legal disputes to structuring creative financing, Rodrigo’s expertise lies in unlocking hidden opportunities where others see obstacles. With projects spanning Texas and Mexico, he’s redefining what’s possible in real estate development by combining legal strategy, marketing, and investment structuring into a seamless one-stop-shop model.Key Points DiscussedTurning Legal Roadblocks into Investment Wins – Rodrigo has built a niche around solving title issues, zoning challenges, and ownership disputes...
2025-02-1136 min
GroundbreakersRolling Up Car Washes: How Adeola Oladimeji is Using Private Equity to Build a Cash Flow EmpireEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Adeola Oladimeji, General Partner at Ascendi Capital, shares how he’s using private equity strategies to roll up car washes into a high-cash-flow empire. Starting in multifamily real estate, Ade saw a unique opportunity to consolidate fragmented, mom-and-pop car wash businesses and turn them into scalable, institutional-quality assets.Key Points DiscussedFrom Multifamily to Car Washes: Why Ade shifted from traditional real estate investing to an overlooked niche with strong cash flow potential.The Private Equity Playbook: How he identifies acquisition targets, structures deals, and increases operational ef...
2025-02-0442 min
GroundbreakersFrom Family Business to a $160M Real Estate Portfolio: Joseph Root’s Approach to Chicago Real EstateEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Joseph Root, Managing Partner at Root Realty and ESRE Partners, shares his evolution from managing a family business to building a $160M real estate portfolio. Joseph offers a deep dive into his strategy for identifying value in Chicago’s multifamily market, fostering community impact, and scaling sustainably in a competitive environment.Key Points DiscussedFrom Family Business to Leading a Portfolio: Joseph talks about his transition from working in his family’s real estate business to taking the reins at Root Realty and growing the portfolio to $160M.Ma...
2025-01-2839 min
Groundbreakers1,700 Multifamily Units and Counting: How Dr. Rajkumar Venkatramani is Helping Physicians Invest in Real EstateEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Dr. Rajkumar Venkatramani, founder of REIDOC Capital and a pediatric oncologist, shares his unique journey from medicine to real estate. Raj discusses how he transitioned from being a passive investor to actively helping physicians achieve financial freedom through syndications and automation. His dual expertise in healthcare and real estate highlights the importance of diversification, efficiency, and trust in building long-term wealth.Key Points DiscussedFrom Passive to Active Investing: Raj’s journey began with passive real estate syndications as a way to diversify his investments beyond the st...
2025-01-2230 min
GroundbreakersFrom Medicine to a $40M Multifamily Portfolio: Victor Leite, Founder of 25/8 CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Victor Leite, co-founder of 25/8 Capital, shares his incredible journey from a career in medicine to creating a thriving real estate business. Victor’s story exemplifies the power of pivoting, perseverance, and building efficient systems to scale rapidly in the real estate space.Victor dives deep into how he leverages his unique background to approach real estate investing with precision and a focus on scalability. From developing a $40M portfolio to helping other investors build generational wealth through private equity, Victor’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow...
2025-01-1540 min
GroundbreakersFrom House Hacking to 250+ Mobile Home Lots: Jeff Flynn, Founder at Aspen Ridge CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jeff Flynn, Founder of Aspen Ridge Capital, shares his inspiring journey from a Navy veteran leveraging a VA loan to building a thriving career in mobile home park investing. Jeff discusses the innovative strategies he uses to find off-market deals, the challenges and opportunities in the affordable housing space, and how Aspen Ridge Capital is making an impact in small-town communities by focusing on tenant-first solutions.Key Points DiscussedFrom Navy Veteran to Investor: How Jeff used his VA loan to purchase his first property, house-hack his...
2025-01-0833 min
GroundbreakersFrom Brokerage to $100M in Multifamily: Luis Frias, Founder of Caltex Capital GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Luis Frias, founder of Caltex Capital Group, shares his journey from a career in real estate brokerage to becoming a multifamily investor with over 700 units and $100M in assets under management. Luis opens up about how his background in underwriting deals helped him confidently transition into multifamily investing and why Texas remains a top market for real estate opportunities. He also dives into his strategies for adding value to properties, navigating market challenges, and building a resilient real estate business.Key Points DiscussedFrom Brokerage to Multifamily...
2025-01-0242 min
GroundbreakersBuilding a $30M Portfolio in Mortgage Notes: Christopher Seveney, CEO at 7e InvestmentsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Christopher Seveney, Founder and CEO of 7e Investments, dives into the world of mortgage note investing, sharing how he transitioned from civil engineering and construction management to building a $30M portfolio of over 500 mortgage notes. Christopher’s unique approach to real estate investing focuses on creating win-win scenarios by helping borrowers get back on track while delivering consistent returns for investors. His recession-resistant strategy and equity-based model offer a fresh perspective on generating passive income in uncertain markets.Key Points DiscussedFrom Civil Engineering to Note Investing: Ch...
2024-12-1941 min
GroundbreakersBalancing a Corporate Career and a $40M Real Estate Portfolio: Shawn Dwyer, Founder of Golden Oak REIEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Shawn Dwyer shares how he has successfully balanced a demanding corporate career with building a robust real estate portfolio focused on mobile home parks and self-storage facilities. Shawn discusses how he strategically entered real estate investing, chose recession-resistant asset classes, and managed his time effectively to achieve sustainable growth. His approach emphasizes creating value for both investors and the communities he serves, making his story a must-listen for aspiring investors juggling full-time careers.Key Points DiscussedBuilding While Balancing: Shawn'a practical tips for starting and scaling a...
2024-12-1233 min
GroundbreakersFrom Tech Sales to 5,000+ Multifamily Doors: Jeremy Dyer, Managing Partner at Starting Point CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jeremy Dyer, Founder & Managing Partner at Starting Point Capital, shares his inspiring journey from tech sales to becoming a passionate advocate for passive real estate investing. Jeremy discusses his transition from actively flipping houses to syndicating multifamily properties as a limited partner, emphasizing the importance of community, trust, and the right partnerships in achieving long-term success. His story highlights the power of collaboration and how Starting Point Capital is helping investors access institutional-grade real estate opportunities.Key Points DiscussedFrom Tech to Real Estate: Jeremy’s career pi...
2024-12-0432 min
GroundbreakersFrom Cold Calls to Closing Real Estate Deals: Jarod Alexander’s Journey in Multifamily InvestingEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jarod Alexander, founder of Optimal Equity Group, shares his inspiring journey from a successful sales career to building a thriving multifamily syndication business. Jarod dives into how his upbringing in a real estate family shaped his approach to investing and how he now helps busy professionals achieve financial freedom through passive investments. He discusses the challenges of scaling single-family rentals, the importance of trusting the right operators in syndications, and the innovative strategies he uses to maximize returns for investors.Key Points DiscussedFrom Sales to Real...
2024-11-2733 min
GroundbreakersFrom Silicon Valley Brokerage to Multifamily Syndications: Arn Cenedella, Founder at Spark Investment GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Arn Cenedella, founder of Spark Investment Group, shares his journey from Silicon Valley residential brokerage to becoming a multifamily syndicator in South Carolina. With over 40 years of experience in real estate, Arn brings a wealth of knowledge about navigating market cycles, scaling through partnerships, and leveraging local expertise to succeed in multifamily investing. He discusses the lessons he’s learned, the challenges he’s overcome, and his advice for aspiring investors.Key Points DiscussedFrom Single-Family to Multifamily: Arn’s transition from decades of residential brokerage and single...
2024-11-2142 min
Forged In FireEpisode 5: Breaking Barriers in Real Estate Syndication with Domingo ValadezDomingo Valadez is an ex-Google Product Strategy Lead, seasoned real estate investor, and host of the Groundbreakers podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs and real estate operators about their journeys and current deals. He has syndicatedtwo deals himself, building an investor base of over 3,000 accredited and non-accredited investors. After experiencing firsthand the complexities and pain points that syndicators often face—from fundraising to deal administration—Domingo started building Homebase to simplify these processes. Launched earlier this year, Homebase is designed to streamline deal administration, inv...
2024-11-1828 min
GroundbreakersFrom Capital Markets to Sustainable Real Estate: Jack Arevalo, Director at AVLV and Founder of STOA CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jack Arevalo, Director of Finance and Acquisitions at AVLV and founder of STOA Capital, shares his unique journey from capital markets to real estate development. With deep experience in finance, architecture, and community-focused projects, Jack offers an insightful look at how to approach development sustainably and holistically. He discusses the importance of hyperlocal market knowledge, creating impact-driven projects, and building vertically integrated teams that bridge architecture, development, and finance.Key Points DiscussedFrom Capital Markets to Real Estate Development: Jack’s transition from a background in...
2024-11-1332 min
GroundbreakersFrom Passive Investor to Syndication Sucess: Ryan Byrne, Founder at Cashflow Capital ClubEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Ryan Byrne, Founder of Cash Flow Capital Club, shares his transformative journey from the stock market to building wealth through multifamily syndication. Ryan’s story highlights the power of leveraging passive investments as a limited partner (LP) to gain experience, build confidence, and transition into active roles as a general partner (GP). He dives into the strategic importance of operational efficiencies, tenant-centric improvements, and conservative planning in multifamily real estate to drive long-term returns and build resilient portfolios.Key Points DiscussedFrom Stock Market to Real Estate: Ry...
2024-11-0633 min
GroundbreakersFrom Local Roots to Queens Multifamily Impact: Jorge Jorge & Daniel Papa, Co-Founders of Leather Street RealtyEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, George and Daniel Papa, co-founders of Leather Street Realty, discuss their thoughtful journey from property management to launching a specialized real estate firm focused on the evolving market in Queens, NYC. George and Daniel share how their hyper-local knowledge and deep roots in the community provide them with unique insights to identify value in overlooked areas. They delve into the complexities of working within NYC’s rent-stabilized sector, their strategic planning for Leather Street Realty, and the critical role that relationships and market understanding play in their success.Ke...
2024-10-3048 minGroundbreakersFrom Corporate Finance to Multifamily Success: Vessi Kapoulian, Managing Partner at DBA Capital GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Vessi Kapoulian, founder of DBA Capital Group, shares her journey from corporate finance to full-time real estate investing, detailing how she built multiple income streams to achieve financial freedom. Vessi offers valuable insights into diversifying investments, performing deep market research, and adapting creative strategies to navigate today’s challenging economic conditions. Her focus on both risk mitigation and long-term wealth creation provides an inspiring roadmap for those looking to build sustainable success in real estate.Key Points DiscussedFrom Corporate Finance to Real Estate Investing: Vessi’s tran...
2024-10-2241 min
Groundbreakers35 Wholesale Deals in Year One: Jeff Ortiz, Founder of Ortiz Equity GroupEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jefferson Ortiz, founder of Ortiz Equity Group, shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to Canada to building a $40 million multifamily real estate portfolio. Jeff discusses how he started in wholesaling before transitioning into multifamily investing, and how mentorship played a crucial role in his rapid success. He dives into his approach to creative financing, market selection, and value-add opportunities, offering listeners valuable insights into scaling a real estate portfolio.Key Points DiscussedFrom Wholesaling to Multifamily: Jeff’s transition from wholesaling real estate deals to in...
2024-10-1543 minGroundbreakersFrom Soil Science to Real Estate Private Equity: Jasmine Nazari, COO at Urban Green InvestmentsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Jasmine Nazari, COO of Urban Green Investments, shares her journey from an unconventional background in soil biogeochemistry to becoming a leader in urban real estate investing. Jasmine discusses the importance of strategic diversification and sustainable development, highlighting how Urban Green balances high-yield investments with positive community impact. She delves into the firm’s diversified portfolio, spanning multifamily, office spaces, and data centers, and emphasizes the role of transparency and strong investor relationships in achieving long-term success.Key Points DiscussedFrom Science to Real Estate: Jasmine’s un...
2024-10-0838 min
GroundbreakersUnlocking Creative Deals in Real Estate with Max Shah, CEO of ROS CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Max Shah, CEO of ROS Capital, shares his journey from a successful career in tech with Microsoft to becoming a real estate investor and business acquisition expert. Max provides insights into how he shifted from focusing on tech deals to mastering multifamily and commercial real estate acquisitions. He dives deep into the importance of investing in people, not just properties, and how creative deal structuring has allowed him to scale quickly. Max also opens up about the challenges he faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and how adaptability turned a near-crisis...
2024-10-0125 minGroundbreakersScaling a Multifamily Portfolio with In-House Operations: Justin Elliott, Managing Partner at BLVD VenturesEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Justin Elliott, Managing Partner at BLVD Ventures, joins us to discuss his path from corporate America to becoming a full-time real estate investor. Justin shares how his background in corporate finance helped him transition into multifamily real estate, and how building strong partnerships has been instrumental to scaling his portfolio. He also offers insights into the benefits of bringing property management in-house, the challenges of rising interest rates, and strategies for continued success in an evolving market.Key Points DiscussedFrom Corporate America to Real Estate: Justin’s...
2024-09-2431 minGroundbreakersFrom Wall Street to Multifamily Investing with Adam Dresher of Break of Day CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Adam Dresher, Investor Relations Manager at Break of Day Capital, shares his journey from Wall Street to real estate investing. Adam discusses how his career in institutional sales and stock trading shaped his approach to raising capital and connecting with investors in multifamily real estate. He highlights the importance of empathy in building trust with investors, as well as the value of NOI-driven strategies to increase property valuations. Adam provides valuable insights on navigating the challenges of the real estate market, especially during periods of rising interest rates....
2024-09-1738 minGroundbreakersFrom Private Equity to Building Wealth in Real Estate with Chutima Barrios of Rent Roll CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Chutima Barrios, founder of Rent Roll Capital, shares her journey from private equity finance to becoming a full-time real estate investor. Chutima discusses how her background in financial analysis equipped her with the skills to scale her portfolio, and how she now helps busy professionals grow their wealth through strategic multifamily real estate investments. She highlights the power of co-investing and the importance of efficient operations in maximizing returns.Key Points DiscussedFrom Private Equity to Real Estate: Chutima’s transition from finance and corporate development to bu...
2024-09-1033 minGroundbreakersBuilding a Family Office for the Average Family: Gurjote Sethi at Hukam CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Gurjote Sethi, founder of Hukam Capital Group, joins us to share his inspiring journey from tech and mergers & acquisitions to becoming a successful real estate investor. Gurjote’s story highlights the importance of mission-driven investing and the power of leveraging one’s background to make impactful career shifts. He discusses his approach to value-add real estate projects across multifamily, retail, and student housing, and how he aims to help immigrant families build generational wealth. Gurjote also shares his insights on navigating risks in the real estate market and his vision for...
2024-09-0352 minGroundbreakersFrom Ministry to Real Estate Mastery: Nick Stromwall, Founder of Oak & Vine CapitalEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Nick Stromwall, founder of Oak & Vine Capital, joins us to share his remarkable transition from a college pastor to a thriving real estate investor. Nick’s journey is a testament to the power of strategic career moves and the importance of mission-driven investing. He discusses how he leveraged his background in ministry to build a successful real estate portfolio, focusing on commercial properties and fund management. Nick provides valuable insights into the current real estate market, the importance of strong partnerships, and the opportunities in niche asset classes.Ke...
2024-08-2730 minGroundbreakersInvesting in Manufactured Housing with Leo Young of Cornell CommunitiesEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Leo Young, Principal at Cornell Communities, joins us to discuss his dynamic journey from working at Tesla to becoming a leading figure in the niche market of manufactured housing communities. Leo shares how his background in finance and real estate, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, led him to co-found Cornell Communities. He delves into the unique opportunities within mobile home park investments, the challenges of managing these properties, and the social impact that drives his work.Key Points DiscussedCareer Transitions: Leo’s journey from Tesla’s sale...
2024-08-2127 minGroundbreakersPassion, Hustle, and Real Estate: How Michael Sambrowsky Built A Class InvestmentsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Michael Sambrowsky, CEO and Founder of A-Class Investments, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a young stock market enthusiast to a successful real estate investor. Michael discusses how his early experiences shaped his approach to investing, the challenges he faced managing properties during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his innovative strategies for investing in niche markets such as housing for recovering addicts. He also provides insights into balancing multiple business ventures, including his ventures in car rentals through Turo and a helicopter charter company.Key Points DiscussedEntrepreneurial Beginnings...
2024-08-1334 minGroundbreakersUnlocking Value: Retrofitting and Modular Construction in Real Estate with Aundre Oldacre, Co-Founder & MP at AoRa DevelopmentEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Aundre Oldacre, Managing Partner at AoRa Development, shares his expertise on sustainability in real estate development. He delves into innovative technologies and renewable energy sources that enhance efficiency and profitability in their projects. Aundre discusses modular construction, retrofitting existing buildings, leveraging financial incentives, and the importance of timing in real estate investing.Key Points DiscussedSustainable Practices in Real Estate: Aundre emphasizes AoRa Development’s commitment to sustainability through the integration of innovative technologies and renewable energy sources.Modular Construction: The benefits of modular construction, including cost sa...
2024-08-0651 minGroundbreakersScaling Up: Transitioning from Single-Family to Multifamily Investments with Anthony Gair from Wooded Oaks Capital PartnersEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers,, Anthony Gair, founder of Wooded Oaks Capital Partners, shares his journey from starting in real estate in 2019 to transitioning to larger multifamily deals. He discusses the importance of mentors, networking, and the challenges of raising equity for deals.Key Points DiscussedAnthony's journey from single-family homes to commercial multifamily.The importance of networking, mentorship, and hiring a coach in real estate investing.Strategies for due diligence on deals and the challenges of raising equity.Wooded Oaks' investment thesis focusing on larger multifamily properties.The significance of relationships...
2024-07-3030 min
GroundbreakersRebuilding After the Storm: Overcoming Adversity in Real Estate with Eric Brody from ANAXEpisode Summary:In this episode of the podcast, Eric Brody, Founder & Principal at ANAX, shares his journey from construction and development to venturing into the tech-enabled capital advisory space. He discusses the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the strategies he implemented to navigate the real estate market successfully.Key Points Discussed:Eric's journey from college to becoming a successful real estate developer and entrepreneur.The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Eric's business and the lessons learned from facing adversity.The transition from real estate development to capital advisory services at...
2024-07-2345 minGroundbreakersBuilding the Future: PropTech, AI, and Real Estate Trends with Zach Aarons from MetaPropIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Domingo interviews Zach Aarons, co-founder and general partner at Metaprop, the leading venture capital firm in the prop tech industry. Zach shares insights into his career journey, the evolution of the prop tech industry, and valuable advice for early stage founders and real estate investors.Key Points:Zach discusses the history and evolution of the prop tech industry, emphasizing the importance of innovation and efficiency in the built environment.He shares his personal journey, from working in real estate to investment banking to founding Metaprop.Zach highlights the significance of AI...
2024-07-1553 minGroundbreakersFrom Failed Startup to Million-Dollar ARR with Tem of OptemizationIn the 19th episode of Groundbreakers, Domingo interviews Tem, the founder and CEO of Optemization, a tech consultancy focused on accelerating the adoption of modern productivity and collaboration tools. Tem shares his journey from starting his first company in college to founding Optemization and reaching a significant milestone of hitting a million in ARR this year.Tem reflects on the challenges he faced in the early days of his business, including the struggle to find a sustainable growth system and the importance of creating a great wiki or knowledge base for onboarding new team members. He also...
2024-07-0349 minGroundbreakersReflections building in the Built World with Sara Pearce-Probst In the 18th episode of "Groundbreakers," Sara Pearce-Probst joins us to share her inspiring entrepreneurial journey from co-founding SiteTrace to her current role as a Product Manager at Kojo. Sara's story is a testament to the power of embracing ambiguity and the unknown in the startup world.Sara co-founded SiteTrace with three friends from Stanford, where they initially aimed to create a task management solution for general contractors. Through multiple pivots, they eventually focused on materials management for the sheet metal industry, a niche chosen for its complexity and significant pain points around procurement and scheduling. Sara...
2024-06-2330 min
Real Tech Talk with Eric BrodyDomingo Valadez, HomebaseNYC Developer and PropTech Investor, Eric Brody, sits down with Homebase's Co-Founder, Domingo Valadez. Homebase gives you the opportunity to own real estate in just a few clicks, all without having to go through the traditional process. Unlike with most physical assets, real estate transactions don’t require any physical interaction with the property, only the records around it. By moving home records onto the blockchain, Homebase allows you to invest in rental properties from the comfort of your home. Is this fractional ownership model the way of the future? Tune in and find out!
Where to fi...
2024-06-2037 minGroundbreakersInvesting in Affordable Housing with Peter Neill of GSP REIIn this episode of Groundbreakers, host Domingo interviews Peter Neill, founder of GSP REI, about his journey into real estate investing, specifically focusing on affordable housing. Peter shares how his early exposure to his father's property management role sparked his interest in real estate. He discusses his transition from a job in distressed mortgage investment to founding GSP REI, emphasizing the importance of fundraising and understanding all facets of the real estate business. Peter focuses on affordable housing developments and talks about the importance of tenant experience and how it is one of the main drives of success for...
2024-06-1645 minGroundbreakersFrom Children's Ministry to Real Estate Mogul with Dedee Boring of Boring & Co.On this episode of Groundbreakers, we delve into the journey of Dedee Boring, founder of Boring & Co, a commercial real estate investment company specializing in self-storage. Dedee shares her story from working at a children's ministry to launching her own real estate fund, including running an advertising agency with her husband for almost 20 years. Tune in to hear how Dedee's diverse career path led her to have success in the real estate investing world and even launch Wise, a community of women who are involved and invest in commercial real estate.
2024-06-0536 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers Episode 15: The Story of Goliath Data with Co-Founder Austin BeveridgeIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we interview Austin Beveridge, co-founder of Goliath Data, prop-tech startup that helps real estate professionals find and close more off-market properties through real-time, custom data pipelines.. Austin shares his journey from Wisconsin to startup intern to co-founder, highlighting experiences with large corporations, cease and desist notices from Uber and Instagram, and the exciting challenges of entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn how Austin's path led him to founding Goliath Data and disrupting the real estate industry.
2024-05-1837 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers Episode 14: From Frontliners to Real Estate InvestorsIn the 14th episode of Groundbreakers, Javier and Yessenia Gonzalez, co-founders of Frontline Investment Partners, share their journey from high school sweethearts to successfully managing multiple real estate syndications together. Javier and Yessenia highlight their journey in flipping properties and the slow but steady growth they experienced. Tune in to hear how they turned their passion for real estate into a thriving business dedicated to helping frontliners make their money work as hard as they do.
2024-05-0339 minGroundbreakersEpisode 13: The Gentle Art of Crushing with Randy Smith, Founder of Impact EquityIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Domingo sits down with Randy Smith, founder of Impact Equity and host of the "Gentle Art of Crushing It" podcast. Randy shares his career journey from being a sales professional for Fortune 100 and Fortune 200 organizations to becoming a successful real estate investor. Tune in to learn how Randy transitioned from a sales role to offering carefully vetted investment opportunities with Impact Equity, aiming to reduce investors' dependence on their W-2 income.
2024-04-1836 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 12 - Interview with Patrick Traynor, Managing Director of Gamma Income
In this episode of Groundbreakers, we sit down with Patrick Traynor, Managing Director of Gamma Income. Patrick shares his journey from corporate finance to real estate investing, offering valuable insights into building passive income and financial independence. He discusses the challenges and successes of running a private equity fund focused on hotels, storage, and apartment buildings.
Join us as we delve into Patrick's career journey, the process of building a real estate portfolio, and the importance of team building in the industry. Discover the st
2024-04-0238 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 11 - Interview with Calvin Lowe, Founder of PEACEquityCalvin Lowe, a physician and founder of PEACEquity, shares his journey from the emergency room to real estate investing on the 11th episode of Groundbreakers. Despite his fulfilling medical career, Calvin sought passive income through real estate to accelerate his retirement. Tune in to hear how his background in real estate influenced his path to creating generational wealth and peace of mind.
2024-03-1231 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 10 - Interview with McKinsey Lux, CEO of Ride IQIn the 10th episode of Groundbreakers, McKinsey Lux, co-founder of Ride IQ, shares her journey from working on a real estate team at Blackstone to starting a company for horseback riders. Despite the unexpected career change, McKinsey's background in horseback riding made it a natural fit. Leaving a job in finance to pursue her passion for equestrian sports, McKinsey's bold move to launch Ride IQ showcases the power of following one's true calling. Join us as we explore McKinsey's inspiring story of transitioning from the world of finance to entrepreneurship in the equestrian industry.
2024-02-2931 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 9 - Interview with Chelsea Lamego, CEO of FundminerIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Chelsea Lamego, co-founder of Fundminer, shares her journey from working in nonprofit to overseeing fundraising operations in higher education. She explains how she stumbled into the fundraising space and developed a love for the impact it has on the community. Chelsea discusses her career growth and the challenges she faced while working in the nonprofit sector. She also talks about the pivotal moment that led her to found Fundminer, a platform that simplifies and automates fund management. Tune in to hear Chelsea's inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and making a difference in the world...
2024-02-1531 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 8 - Interview with Luke Truitt, CEO of BridgesplitIn this episode of Groundbreakers, Luke Truitt, co-founder of Bridgesplit, shares his incredible journey in the world of finance and technology. From his early days as a quant to his experience in running a tech startup, Luke's passion for crypto and economic experiments led him to the creation of Bridgesplit, a tokenization network and financial platform. Tune in to hear Luke's inspiring story of success and the lessons he learned along the way.
2024-02-0141 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 7 - Interview with Tomas Garcia, CEO of ARXIn this episode of the Groundbreakers podcast, host interviews Tomas Garcia, CEO of ARX, an AI-driven real estate analytics platform. Tomas shares his journey from working at Goldman Sachs to starting his own company in the real estate space. He discusses the challenges they faced in building the ARX platform, which automates the underwriting process for millions of properties. Tomas also highlights the importance of working with a co-founder, especially when it's a family member, and how their trust and expertise in different areas have contributed to their success. They also discuss the unique approach of ARX, which allows...
2023-12-0642 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 6 - Interview with Tony Plasencia, Co-founder of Underdog ProtocolIn this episode of the Groundbreakers podcast, host Domingo interviews Tony Plascencia, co-founder of Underdog Protocol. Tony shares his career journey, starting from his upbringing in East Oakland to his experiences working at companies like Uber and Thumbtack. He discusses the challenges and learnings he faced in those roles, emphasizing the importance of hustle, collaboration, and having an opinion. Tony then dives into the story of how Underdog Protocol came to be, starting with their initial focus on social tokens and pivoting to reputation and community management. He highlights the value of NFTs as database markers and tools for...
2023-11-2937 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 5 - Interview with Zach Gorman, Co-founder of BHRIn this podcast, the host interviews Zach Gorman, Co-founder of BHR, a property intelligence solution for real estate investors. Before starting BHR, Zach had a diverse career that included working in the defense industry, being a music producer, and a designer. He shares his journey and how his experiences in the music industry helped him build the skills he brings to startups. Zach also discusses his previous venture, Torii, a tech-enabled real estate brokerage, and the challenges of building a business in a competitive space.
2023-11-1542 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 4 - Interview with George Bonanno, CEO of EmpireDAOIn this episode of Groundbreakers, host interviews George Bonano, CEO of EmpireDAO. EmpireDAO is a membership-based co-working model with a unique incentive system where members are rewarded for the time they spend in their spaces. George shares his career journey, from working in the securities industry to his involvement in digital assets at BNY Mellon and Wells Fargo. He also discusses the catalyst that led him to leave his stable job and start EmpireDAO. The episode explores the vision behind EmpireDAO and its plans for expansion, including upcoming locations in Jersey City and New York Metro. Listeners can learn...
2023-11-0843 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 3 - Interview with Sean O'DowdThe podcast episode features an interview with Sean O'Dowd, a general partner at Scholastic Capital. Sean reflects on his childhood experiences of constantly moving, which sparked his interest in real estate. He attended Wharton undergrad, worked in consulting at BCG, and later started his own consulting firm. Throughout his career, he invested in real estate, which led to his current role at Scholastic Capital. Sean also shares a personal anecdote about accidentally starting his consulting practice when he needed to make a large payment for an engagement ring.
2023-11-0139 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 2 - Interview with Julian Alvarez, CEO of WisdoliaIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we sit down with Julian Alvarez, co-founder and CEO of Wisdolia. Julian shares his inspiring journey from leaving his job at Meta to becoming a startup founder. He discusses the importance of finding product-market fit, the power of pivoting, and the value of building in public. Julian also dives into the vision of Wisdolia, which aims to create exponential individuals who can thrive in our fast-paced world. Tune in to learn more about Julian's insights on AI, the challenges of building an AI app, and his advice for aspiring founders.
2023-10-2436 minGroundbreakersGroundbreakers: Episode 1 - Interview with Daniel Godbout, CEO of Arrivo- The podcast episode features an interview with Daniel Godbout, co-founder and CEO of Arrivo, an all-in-one solution for property management.- Daniel discusses his background working in IT and his experiences investing in real estate, which ultimately led to the creation of Arrivo.- His co-founder, Vince Samuel, is introduced as the CTO and Daniel's brother-in-law, highlighting their complementary skills and shared entrepreneurial drive.
2023-10-1638 min
Proptech EspressoDomingo Valadez - Reevaluating Home OwnershipWhy is the reasoning from first principles approach so successful in unlocking creative solutions to complex problems? What can you do to differentiate true customer needs from the noise of what customers are asking for outloud? How long does it take the average homeowner to save up their down payment on their first home? Why does the real estate industry thrive on information asymmetry? What is the benefit to the individual investor of cutting out the middlemen currently involved with most residential real estate transactions? How can you achieve transparency with blockchain based transactions without completely forgoing privacy? What...
2023-05-1044 min
The ZeitgeistDomingo Valadez, Co-Founder & CEO - HomebaseThis week's guest is Domingo Valadez, Co-founder & CEO of Homebase, a platform that lets people invest in tokenized residential real estate for as little as $100. As real estate prices continue to get more and more unaffordable for people, Homebase aims to be the destination for US renters to invest in the US residential real estate market via fractionalizing NFTs. Show Notes:0:50 - What is Homebase?2:05 - Why Solana?4:06 - How does it work?7:09 - Benefits using web3 and Solana9:17 - Us vs International11:11...
2023-05-0427 min
Forward Thinking Founders882 - Domingo Valadez (Homebase) On Building Wealth With Rental PropertiesDomingo Valadez is the founder of Homebase. Homebase lets anyone invest in real estate for as little as $100.
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2023-03-1006 min
Future SignalE64 - Tokenized Real Estate On Solana Starting At $100 With Domingo ValadezOne of the complaints I often hear about web3 is that a lot of the projects, companies and ideas are solutions looking for a problem. Meaning that we already have suitable web2 solutions and that just because your project is backed by blockchain doesn’t make it necessarily the best real-world fit to solve the outlined problem. To be honest, I understand this criticism. I think it’s valid. As it is today, blockchain, crypto, NFTs and web3 can only do so much but where it can find a good solution-problem alignment is where it will thrive.
On t...
2023-02-2834 min