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From Engineer to Real Estate Investor: How Short-Term Rentals Changed Everything | Wanderlust Wealth Show
After 14 years of building one of the highest-performing ShelfGenie franchises, Alan Regala sold his business and stepped into a brand-new chapter of life. In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Alan shares how he went from mechanical engineer to successful franchise owner — and what it really takes to build a business that's actually sellable. We cover: ✅ The mindset behind long-term success ✅ How to avoid burnout as a franchise owner ✅ The systems that make a franchise valuable ✅ Why most people don't think about the exit early enough ✅ What Alan is doing now with Athlete2Owner Whether you're considering buying a franchise, scaling your business, or preparing for a future exit, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
Tap into a network of bold thinkers and industry leaders by sponsoring the Unlearn Podcast.Contact here: https://bit.ly/contact-barryoreilly____________________________________________________________Welcome to UNLEARN, the podcast where we talk about bold ideas, fresh thinking, and the mindset shifts needed for real change. Today, I'm excited to welcome John Avrett, former U.S. diplomat, aerospace and electrical engineer, and now Founder and CEO of Hive Modular. With past roles in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Department of State, John is leading a new wave of modular home building in the Philippines, tackling the global housing crisis with factory-made homes and smart design.John isn't just a builder; he also loves solving big problems and making homes better for everyone. His journey from engineering and diplomacy to modular homes shows how thinking differently can help fix housing issues in new ways, especially by building smarter and faster in places that need it most.John has worked across engineering and global trade before starting his company to build homes in a new way. At his factory in the Philippines, his team makes modular houses using a process like a car factory, helping build faster and cheaper. He focuses on smart design and shipping, bringing homes to places that need them, while using skills from aerospace and diplomacy to guide his work.Key Takeaways:Fixing Housing Problems: John shares how factory-made homes can help more people.Starting a Business: What he learned from taking a big risk to follow his dream.Thinking Differently: Why new ways of thinking are key to solving old problems.Global Experience: How living and working abroad shaped his big ideas.Smart Building: How using a car-like factory process makes building homes faster.Additional Insights:Mixing Tech and Building: John shows how factory skills can improve home building.Working in New Markets: What it takes to build homes in places with big needs.Learning from the Past: How John's old jobs help him find smart new ways to build.Solving Real Problems: How he uses design to make homes faster and cheaper.Adapting to Change: Why being open to new ideas helped grow his company.Join John Avrett as he shares how bold ideas, smart building, and global thinking can help solve housing needs and spark new ways to grow in today's world.Episode Highlights:[00:10] - Episode Recap"John Avrett joins to talk about solving housing issues with modular homes and lessons from past careers."[01:38] - Guest Introduction: John Avrett"John is an ex-aerospace engineer and U.S. diplomat now building smart, factory-made homes in the Philippines."[04:48] - Museum Visit Sparks a Big Idea"A prefab home exhibit opened John's eyes to a better way of building and inspired his mission."[07:25] - From Engineer to Diplomat to Builder"John shares how his global work helped him spot the housing crisis as a real problem to fix."[10:09] - Why Housing Innovation Fell Behind"Homes take longer and cost more today than in the 1960s, John...
Pedro Gomes, founder of Wallet Connect, reveals why blockchain addresses may soon matter more than passports.He shares insights on digital identity beyond borders, preventing wallet monopolies, and why stablecoins will transform commerce. In this episode, we explore:- How wallets could create monopolies without proper standards- Why national identity is becoming increasingly irrelevant- The moment they had to sanction both Ukraine and Russia- How personal brands are outperforming corporate brands- The stablecoin revolution that's already happeningAnd much more!__________________________________PARTNERS
SummaryIn this episode, Perry Marshall, a renowned business growth consultant, shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming a marketing guru. He discusses the evolution of marketing from direct mail to digital platforms and the significant impact of AI on the industry. Perry emphasizes the importance of unique perspectives, niche markets, and the 80/20 principle in achieving success. He also explores the changing landscape of the music industry and the tools available for modern musicians, highlighting the need for creativity and networking in today's market.TakeawaysPerry Marshall transitioned from engineering to marketing after being laid off.Direct marketing was a turning point in Perry's career.The internet revolutionized marketing practices.AI is reshaping the marketing landscape significantly.Understanding your unique perspective is crucial for success.Niche markets can be more profitable than large markets.The 80/20 principle applies to marketing and business.Creativity in artistic endeavors can enhance business performance.Networking and hustle are essential for success in any industry.Modern tools have made it easier for musicians to promote their work.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Perry Marshall03:04 From Engineer to Marketing Guru06:13 The Evolution of Marketing: Print to Digital09:14 The Impact of AI on Marketing12:03 Defining Marketing in the Age of AI15:11 The Future of Customer Interaction18:19 The Role of Expertise in a Noisy Market21:16 Case Study: Solar Quotes Australia24:13 The Asymmetry of Success in the Digital Age30:30 The Changing Landscape of Music Revenue32:42 Finding Your Niche in a Saturated Market35:05 The Power of True Fans39:36 The Importance of Understanding Your Audience44:16 Tools for Modern Musicians51:38 Balancing Passion and Profit56:24 Creative Expression in BusinessCredits:Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan RoghaarProduced by Ryan RoghaarTheme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM The Carton:https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggsFeature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now! https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28 The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:bit.ly/eggstunesThe Plugs:The Show: eggscast.com@eggshow on twitter and instagramOn iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOnStitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcherAlso available on Google Play Music!Mike "DJ Ontic":Shows and info:djontic.com@djontic on twitterRyan Roghaar:rogha.ar
What if one conversation could change the trajectory of your business? Entrepreneur and product developer David Sanborn shares how a chance encounter at a networking event led to the sale of his company and transformed his career. From launching a consumer brand in his garage to building a global manufacturing operation, David discusses the power of relationships, the evolution of e-commerce, and the impact of strategic partnerships. He also reflects on the lessons learned from navigating business growth, product innovation, and the unexpected shifts brought by the pandemic. [00:01 - 05:00] From Engineer to Entrepreneur How David transitioned from an engineering background into product development The early days of building a consumer brand from his garage Realizing the importance of understanding customer psychology beyond product creation [05:01 - 10:16] Scaling, Selling, and Pivoting Expanding from e-commerce to retail and the challenges of logistics The moment David realized his business had outgrown his home How he successfully sold his second company in 2020 [10:17 - 15:34] A Game-Changing Introduction How a chance meeting at a networking event led to a life-changing business opportunity The value of knowing the right people in scaling a business The difference between online and retail sales strategies [15:35 - 20:49] The Impact of COVID on E-Commerce & Business Growth How COVID changed the retail and supply chain landscape overnight The importance of diversifying sales channels beyond online platforms The role of partnerships in navigating business challenges [20:50 - 26:55] Lessons in Business and Innovation The importance of adaptability and learning from every business cycle Why manufacturing and product development are evolving faster than ever Advice for entrepreneurs on scaling, partnerships, and future-proofing a business Key Quotes: “You never know who you're going to meet, where you're going to meet them, and what the impact might be at the moment that you meet them.” — David Sanborn “You realize the number of things you don't know, and that's where relationships become invaluable.” — David Sanborn Connect with David: Websites: https://www.gizmoglobal.co https://www.gizmospring.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidasanborn Honoring: Matt Hariett Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on the following streaming platforms: Apple Spotify Google Podcasts IHeart Radio Stitcher
Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Staying Ahead of an Industrial Cybersecurity Attack with Carlos Buenaño, Armis CTOPub date: 2025-03-19Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationDino Busalachi sits down with Carlos Buenaño, CTO of Armis, to explore the evolving cybersecurity challenges in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT). Carlos shares insights from his extensive experience in process control engineering, industrial network security, and IT-OT convergence. He sheds light on how organizations can gain visibility into their OT environments, mitigate cyber risks, and implement effective security frameworks. From real-world ransomware incidents to strategies for network segmentation and asset monitoring, this discussion provides actionable insights for anyone involved in securing industrial infrastructure. Whether you're a plant manager, security leader, or IT-OT strategist, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.Chapters:00:00:00 - The High-Stakes World of Plant Management and Control Systems00:01:20 - Meet the Experts: Dino and Carlos on Industrial Cybersecurity00:01:55 - From Engineer to CTO: Carlos' Journey in Securing ICS00:03:15 - Designing Secure Control Networks: Lessons from Australia00:05:17 - IT vs. OT: Why the Security Approach Must Change00:08:14 - Breaking Down IT-OT Conflicts and Finding Common Ground00:13:52 - Hidden Cyber Threats in Industrial Control Systems00:23:16 - How to Stay Ahead of Cyber Attacks in OT Environments00:24:15 - Key Takeaways and Actionable Steps for Industrial SecurityLinks And Resources:Juan Carlos (Carlos) Buenaño on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety Group on LinkedInDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Velta Technology, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
What if you could turn an overlooked asset into a thriving business that employs over 500 professionals, raises $16 million in venture capital, and lands a spot on the INC 5000 list? Liza Rodewald did exactly that with Instant Teams, a company built to connect highly skilled military spouses with remote work opportunities. In this episode of On The Homefront, Jeff Dudan sits down with Liza to break down the real journey of building a business from the ground up, navigating the challenges of fundraising, and staying ahead of the competition. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone navigating the modern workforce. Whether you're scaling a startup, looking for hiring solutions, or just need that push to chase your big idea, this one's for you.
What if you could turn an overlooked asset into a thriving business that employs over 500 professionals, raises $16 million in venture capital, and lands a spot on the INC 5000 list? Liza Rodewald did exactly that with Instant Teams, a company built to connect highly skilled military spouses with remote work opportunities. In this episode of On The Homefront, Jeff Dudan sits down with Liza to break down the real journey of building a business from the ground up, navigating the challenges of fundraising, and staying ahead of the competition. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone navigating the modern workforce. Whether you're scaling a startup, looking for hiring solutions, or just need that push to chase your big idea, this one's for you.
What are the red flags and hidden pitfalls in real estate syndication that even experienced investors often overlook? In this episode, Daniel Holmlund shares invaluable lessons from his extensive career in real estate syndication and investing. With insights drawn from over two decades of experience, Daniel delves into the nuances of raising capital, understanding SEC regulations, and the importance of knowing your investors. He also discusses strategies to build trust and avoid costly mistakes, providing a roadmap for those looking to excel in syndication and passive investing. [00:01 – 08:00] From Engineer to Syndicator Daniel's transition from engineering to real estate syndication Key experiences that shaped his approach to investing Lessons from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade [08:01 – 16:26] Building Relationships in Syndication The critical role of trust in partnerships Why knowing your investors' goals matters Structuring syndications for mutual success [16:27 – 24:34] Avoiding SEC Pitfalls Key SEC regulations every syndicator must know Real-life consequences of failing to comply with securities laws The difference between a syndicator and a broker-dealer [24:35 – 32:46]The 506(b) Strategy Benefits of using the 506(b) exemption for syndications Differences between accredited and sophisticated investors Tips for establishing pre-existing relationships [32:47 – 39:10]Engaging and Retaining Investors Strategies for maintaining investor interest and trust Using automation and thoughtful gestures to strengthen relationships Why a thought leadership platform is essential for syndicators Key Quotes: "Things are great while they're great, but when they're not, that's when you realize who your partners are." - Daniel Holmlund "Investors aren't just funding your deals—they're trusting you with their goals and dreams." - Daniel Holmlund Connect with Daniel: Website: https://alternativeinvestingclub.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-holmlund/ Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today! LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who wants to explode their business growth by sharing this episode. Are you confused about where to start? Join our community and learn more about real estate investing. Head over to our Facebook Page, YouTube channel, or website https://www.theacademypresents.com/jointhesummit36848306.
From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Hardik Jagda's Journey and Insights on AI, Fitness, and Financial Literacy In this episode, Steven invites Hardik Jagda, the founder and CEO of Proximity Works, to share his inspiring journey from a software engineer in India to a successful entrepreneur, speaker, and angel investor in Palo Alto, California. Hardik talks about his early influences, including his admiration for Bill Gates, and his dream of building a leading technology company alongside a philanthropic foundation. The discussion dives into Hardik's transition from employee to entrepreneur, the significance of mastering specific skills, and the importance of physical fitness in achieving business success. Hardik also shares valuable insights on AI, the future of education, and financial literacy, emphasizing the necessity of adaptability and continuous learning in today's fast-paced world. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical tips and motivational advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.
In this episode of The DTC Insider, we're joined by Yiqi Wu, founder of Aimerce, a SaaS platform specializing in server-based tracking for e-commerce. Yiqi brings a wealth of experience from her time as an engineer at Facebook and Reddit, where she worked on groundbreaking tools like Reddit's A/B testing platform. Now, she's leveraging her technical skills to empower DTC brands to make smarter, data-driven decisions that fuel growth. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: From Engineer to Founder: Yiqi's Journey from Facebook and Reddit to Aimerce Reddit's A/B Testing Platform and Its Influence on Data and CRO Key Data Pain Points for DTC Founders How Aimerce Helps Marketers Dive Deeper into Data Common Ad Performance Analysis Mistakes Essential Data for E-commerce Decision-Making Aimerce's Approach to Data Collection and Revenue Growth Server-Based Tracking vs. Traditional Methods for Performance Aligning Aimerce's Mission with Family Business Challenges Client Success Stories: Aimerce's Impact on DTC Brands Sponsor for this episode: This episode is brought to you by BSR Digital. BSR Digital helps e-commerce brands that want to scale their business to the next level through paid ads & email marketing. To learn more about BSR Digital, visit their website or book a call here.
In this episode, of The Product Podcast, we chat with Tomer London,Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gusto, the leading HR platform for small and medium-sized businesses in the US. Tomer shares his journey from coding his first inventory management system for his dad's clothing store as a teenager to building Gusto into a comprehensive payroll and HR platform serving over 300,000 small businesses. He opens up about the challenges of evolving his role as CPO, transitioning from hands-on coding to building product teams, and scaling the company while staying deeply customer-focused.In this episode, Tomer dives into the importance of embedding compliance into the core of Gusto's product, why he believes product management should be data-aware but not data-dependent, and how he fosters a culture of intuition-driven decision-making. He also shares how Gusto integrates AI to streamline processes, from payroll automation to enhancing customer support, all while maintaining the human touch that defines their success. CONTENT(00:19)
In this episode, explore the journey of Darius Lahoutifard, who transitioned from a robotics engineer to a sales leader and became the CEO and a key contributor to the famed MEDDIC sales methodology. Darius's story showcases how his passion for math and engineering naturally evolved into a successful sales career, fueled by his dedication to fair commission structures.Discover the critical role of leadership in shaping effective sales strategies, with real-world examples illustrating how active involvement can lead to success. We explore the balance between delegating tasks and hands-on leadership, as Darius shares valuable insights on utilizing company resources, including product reputation and customer success teams, to enhance sales performance. Additionally, we discuss the strategic importance of tech investments and the potential pitfalls of over-automation.Key Takeaways[00:01:18] - From Engineer to CEO[00:06:33] - Unlocking Sales Leadership Success[00:12:15] - Hiring for Attitude, Not Ability[00:27:23] - Importance of Human Connection in Sales[00:42:24] -Saying "No" in Sales Strategy[00:45:55] - Value Creation Over Exit StrategyTweetable Quotes“Moved to sales because I noticed that I am the one who is solving the problems and the salespeople are getting the commissions. So I thought that was not very fair. I moved to sales and naturally after two years of successful sales, I became a manager, country manager and ended up CEO of that subsidiary of Schlumberger at the age of 28.” - 00:01:49 Darius Lahoutifard“So sales has always been a center of interest I was passionate about. And obviously with my rational mathematician or robotician background, I was very analytical with sales and I was curious and passionate about understanding how it works. How do we sell? How people get convinced?” - 00:02:58 Darius Lahoutifard“The worst leaders are those who sit back and just ask for results. And they, you know, a lot of, sadly, a lot of managers are used to just give goals. And some of them don't even, are not even very good at articulating the goal. They don't even clearly say what I'm expecting from you.” - 00:19:41 Darius Lahoutifard“My first comment is don't do too much. Specifically in sales quota attainment, studies show that in the past 20 years, sales quota attainment and as a result of that, sales leaders' goal attainment has been going down little by little every single year. And I have no other explanation than automation.” - 00:29:05 Darius Lahoutifard“I say, sales is science, but sellers are artists.” - 00:31:43 Darius LahoutifardSaaS Leadership LessonsAdaptability and Resilience: It's crucial to be willing to pivot and explore new roles or industries when necessary, showcasing resilience in the face of change. His ability to thrive in startups and lead a Schlumberger subsidiary by the age of 28 demonstrates the importance of embracing change and leveraging past experiences to succeed in new environments.Active Involvement and Hands-On Leadership: Balance delegation with active involvement in their teams' activities. Drawing inspiration from leaders like Elon Musk, This hands-on approach ensures leaders are attuned to the challenges and successes of their teams, enabling them to provide better guidance and support.Coaching and Empowerment: Developing the skills of team members through coaching and empowerment is crucial. Focus on identifying and nurturing the strengths of their team members, providing continuous feedback, and creating opportunities for skill development.Balancing Automation with Human Connection: While leveraging technology and automation is essential, it's...
From Engineer to Entertainer: Avish Parashar's Journey to Speaking Success Welcome to Teach the Geek Interviews! In this episode, we delve into the world of professional speaking with Avish Parashar, a computer engineer turned speaker renowned for his unique approach of integrating improvisational comedy techniques into business and personal development. If you've ever pondered the path to becoming a successful speaker, you're in the right place. Avish addresses burning questions such as securing speaking engagements, pricing strategies, and transitioning to a full-time speaking career. Join us as we uncover Avish's journey and glean valuable insights for aspiring speakers. __ TEACH THE GEEK (http://teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.
“Sales is never a quick process. The only way you can have a lasting sales relationship is to be honest, have a positive attitude, and hustle.” - Fred Shurtz Discover the Roadmap to New Business Success! In our latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Fred Shurtz, owner of Precision Chemical, to explore the intricate roadmap of acquiring new business. Fred, a seasoned expert in the water treatment industry, shares his journey, challenges, and strategies that have led to his success. Here's a sneak peek into some of the valuable insights Fred offers in this must-listen interview. From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Fred's Career Journey Fred's journey began with an engineering degree and a pivotal role at NALCO in 1988. He emphasizes the unique advantage of a sales career: controlling your destiny. “When there's no ceiling, you can earn a lot of money if you treat people right and do the right thing,” Fred explains. He also highlights the importance of being a leader, stating, “You've got to be the person that people want to follow.” Sales: It's a Crockpot, not a Microwave Sales, according to Fred, is a long-term process that requires honesty, a positive attitude, and hustle. “It's never a quick process,” he notes, emphasizing that lasting sales relationships are built on these principles. The right technology also plays a crucial role in this equation. Earning Trust to Gain New Business Building trust is paramount. Fred listens attentively to his customers, understanding their needs through both words and body language. “If you are genuine with people and they have a need for what you have, then you'll make sales,” he explains. Fred stresses the importance of persistence, patience, and viewing every person at a facility as a potential door-opener. “If it's not a win-win, it's not worth doing,” he asserts. Client Surveys: Building Trust from the Start Fred emphasizes the importance of asking good questions, listening, and being attentive to clients' needs. Acting as an advocate and helper is essential in building trust with new clients. Crafting Proposals that Resonate Proposals should clearly demonstrate the benefits for the client. Fred believes in interactive presentations, using pen and paper to draw things out. “Hard selling doesn't work; you need to be a soft seller,” he advises, focusing on building partnerships rather than just making sales. Sustaining Client Relationships Over the Years Continuous engagement and feedback are essential. Fred emphasizes fulfilling promises and regularly checking in with clients to ensure their needs are being met. “It's all about the hustle,” he says, advocating for a proactive approach to client relations. Tune in to our latest episode to gain more insights from Fred Shurtz on building and sustaining a successful business in the water treatment industry. Don't miss out on this wealth of knowledge! Stay connected with us for more expert insights and strategies to scale up your water treatment business. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you about this day in history and being a kid in love with NASA's space program 05:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 07:00 - Interview with Fred Shurtz, owner of Precision Chemical 50:40 - Lightning Round Questions 01:00:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Sales is never a quick process. The only way you can have a lasting sales relationship is to be honest, have a positive attitude, and hustle.” - Fred Shurtz “When they say “no” they are saying I don't need you yet, but you stay with them because you never know when they will need some help. You need to stay persistent, patient, and keep calling.” - Fred Shurtz “You need to find out what's important to them. You need to ask good questions and listen. You need to be attentive to their needs.” - Fred Shurtz “You have to be their advocate, their helper. You need to build trust.” - Fred Shurtz Connect with Fred Shurtz Phone: 812.455.7378 Email: fshurtz@precisonchem.com Website: precisionchem.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fred-shurtz-7287b032/ linkedin.com/company/precision-chemical/ Links Mentioned The Hang July 11, 2024 AWT (Association of Water Technologies) The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Books Mentioned Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk by Billy Walters Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia Drop By Drop with James In today's segment, I have a “What If” for you. What if the deaerator vent is closed completely? I mean there is no little puff of steam coming out of the vent at all. What is the purpose of the deaerator vent? How will it being completely closed impact your overall steam boiler system? Which parts will be impacted first? What will the short term and long term impacts be? How will this impact your chemical levels in the feedwater and boilers? Could the closed vent have any impact upon the condensate system? How did it get closed in the first place? How far open should it actually be? How would you determine this? Do the operators and customers understand the importance of the deaerator vent? 2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Louie Bacaj (@LBacaj), once a Walmart engineer, made a bold career shift into the unpredictable world of venture capitalism and entrepreneurship. Now a co-leader of a thriving community for bootstrapped entrepreneurs, Louie reveals how the 'small bets' philosophy guides individuals toward financial freedom and fulfillment. Together with Daniel Vassallo, he has created a unique space that thrives on exclusivity and practicality, challenging the traditional go-big-or-go-home mentality.Reflecting on our shared transition from engineer to entrepreneur, we explore how small yet strategic side projects, a safety net of real estate investments, and the monetization of expertise can provide a mosaic of possibilities for those on the verge of leaving their day jobs. Join us as we uncover how integrating AI tools like GPT and Claude Opus helps our community members elevate content creation and make a difference. With inspiration from Sam Walton's step-by-step success, we see how impactful small bets can be. This journey isn't just about building businesses—it's about creating lives that align with our values. Tune in to hear great stories, strategies, and successes!00:00:00 From Engineer to Entrepreneur00:11:43 Transition From Engineering to Entrepreneurship00:20:27 Diverse Business Strategies and AI Implementation00:25:31 Advancing AI in Business Operations00:31:25 Building Success Through Small Bets00:39:48 Supporting Founder's Podcast and BooksThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.comThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/louie-bacaj-betting-small-to-win-big/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/318-louie-bacaj-betting-small-to-win-bigThe video: https://youtu.be/-c_Nh5_RbTgYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
Ever dream of taking a wild product idea and turning it into a $50 million exit? Your co-host (and today's guest) Joe Lemay did just that with Rocketbook.His initial idea was an app to digitize whiteboards in real-time. When that didn't pan out, Joe pivoted hard - creating the Rocketbook, a reusable notebook you could literally microwave to erase and reuse. This wacky "microwave to erase" gimmick went viral on Kickstarter, raising over $1 million. But actually manufacturing the microwavable notebooks was a nightmare...Hear the full story of constant pivots, huge challenges, and 24/7 hustle behind this wild entrepreneurial journey.00:00:00 - From Engineer to Entrepreneur00:03:50 - The Whiteboard App00:09:15 - Pivoting to Notebooks00:13:25 - Going Viral: Microwave to Erase00:19:20 - $1 Million in Pre-Sales00:22:20 - Manufacturing Nightmares00:26:45 - Surviving by a Thread00:30:10 - Shark Tank Roast00:31:25 - A Wipeable Wonder00:33:20 - Crowdfunding Kings00:38:15 - Word-of-Mouth Magic00:41:30 - Brick & Mortar Struggles00:44:50 - Exploring Exit Options00:53:50 - Selling to Bic: The $50 Million Deal00:56:40 - Post-Exit Life01:00:05 - Rapid Fire01:04:50 - Wrapping UpABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Joe Lemay:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lemayjoe/X: https://twitter.com/lemayjoeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemayjoe/?hl=en
From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Michael Hartel's Journey with Cabinet IQ - Discover Rapid Growth Opportunities and Career FulfillmentMichael shares 5 takeaways on this episode of Close The Deal. Com Podcast (Your First Franchise Episode):His favorite restaurant to do business in Austin, TXWhy he left his job as an engineer How he identified his lucrative niche with cabinetsThe numbers to start and what you might earn His vision and mission for the businessTune in to find out if you're a good candidate for Cabinet IQ.##Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Ryan Akkina is a member of the Global Investment Team at the MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo), which is responsible for managing MIT's endowment and pension plans. Ryan has invested in the likes of Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, a16z, Greenoaks and Initialized to name a few. Ryan also leads many of MITIMCo's direct co-investments including most notably into Coupang and Rippling. Prior to joining MITIMCo, Ryan was a consultant at McKinsey & Company. In Today's Episode with Ryan Akkina We Discuss: 1. From Engineer to LP with MIT: How did Ryan make his way into the world of fund investing as an LP with MIT? Why did he turn down the chance to be a VC early in his career? What does Ryan know now that he wishes he had known when he started at MIT? 2. The Manager Evaluation Process for MIT: What does Ryan look for most when investing in new managers? How important is track record when evaluating a new manager? What is the biggest mistake Ryan has made in picking a manager? What did he not see that he wish he had seen? How did that change his process? 3. How MIT Builds Their Portfolio: How does MIT construct their portfolio from private to public to everything in between? What are the three different types of check sizes that MIT writes when investing in new managers? What are the most common reasons why MIT will not re-up with a manager? What are the single biggest reasons why great managers turn bad? 4. MIT: The Direct Investor: Why does MIT see so much opportunity in direct investing? How does MIT approach the direct investing process? How do they approach underwriting themselves vs working with their managers in the process? How do MIT think about the right number of direct deals to make up their portfolio? How do they approach check sizing on a per-company direct investment? What has been Ryan's biggest direct investing mistake? How did that change his approach and mindset? 5. LP Markets Today and Where We Go From Here: Are LPs open for business today? What type of firms will not struggle? Which will? How does Ryan view liquidity windows today? When will M&A and IPO markets open? What would Ryan most like to change about the world of LPs? Why does Ryan believe the LP incentive structure in terms of compensation is broken?
This episode of the "Wealth Elevator Podcast" guides listeners through the journey from owning rental properties to achieving multi-millionaire status. It focuses on transitioning from labor-intensive earning to smart investing in syndications and private placements. The host, a former engineer and now an accredited investor, shares his personal experiences and strategies for financial freedom. Key topics include understanding net worth growth, effective asset allocation, leveraging tax strategies, and avoiding common investment pitfalls. The podcast emphasizes diversifying real estate portfolios, optimizing tax benefits, and adopting advanced wealth-building tactics for accelerated financial growth.Video Timestamps with Descriptions00:03:00 - "Rising to the Second Floor: Advanced Net Worth Strategies"00:07:06 - "From Engineer to Investor: My Personal Journey"00:10:15 - "Maximizing Returns: The Power of Syndications"00:14:24 - "Beyond Rental Properties: A New Era of Investing"00:17:40 - "Strategic Wealth Growth: Achieving the Multi-Million Milestone"00:22:05 - "Key Tax Strategies for the Savvy Investor"00:27:03 - "The Wealth Elevator Mindset: Building and Diversifying Your Portfolio"00:31:58 - "Reaching the Penthouse: Goals and Strategies for Advanced Investors" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ownership. It means, “I've got this.” It's the words, actions, and attitude. It's the competence and the confidence. It's not associated with any particular job title or level. When it's there, we feel good. When it's not, we're lost. In the world of information technology, ownership can be elusive. Development blames operations. Operations blames development. The business blames IT. IT blames the vendor. The vendor blames the other vendor. People suffer. At the end of the day, all we want... Read More Read More The post From Engineer to Owner appeared first on Zach on Leadership.
I remember a time when my faith was clouded by skepticism, which is why I'm thrilled to have John Vandervelde, the Campus Director of Ratio Christi at Colorado Mesa University, join us for an intriguing discussion about his journey from skepticism to deep faith. John opened his heart to Jesus, a transformation made possible by the marriage of logical facts and a personal encounter with God through music.In a surprising twist, John made a career shift from mechanical engineering to professional ballet dancing. We take a deep look into this unique journey, from the reactions he received from his colleagues and his church community, to how dance became the conduit for revealing his artistic talents. Drawing from Psalm 139, John shares insight into how his dance journey was a process of self-discovery and understanding God's plan for his life.Our conversation transitions to the societal and church views on masculinity, challenging the set stereotypes often portrayed by the church and touching on the concept of faux masculinity. We explore how biblical masculinity should be applicable universally, regardless of culture, and how the church can be more inclusive by breaking away from a narrow definition of what it means to be a man. Finally, we reflect on the pivotal role of the Bible in shaping our understanding of masculinity, gender, and identity. You definitely won't want to miss out on this episode!Timestamps:(0:00:17) - Embracing Biblical Masculinity and Career Transitions(0:14:26) - From Engineer to Dancer(0:19:36) - Masculinity in Society and the Church(0:29:42) - Gender Roles and Stereotypes(0:44:06) - The Bible in Our LivesJoin us weekly as we strive help people embrace God's standard for sexuality! Other ways to listen:https://linktr.ee/calibrateconversations#Masculinity #Sexuality #LBGTQ #BiblicalManhood #Bible
From Engineer to Cannabis Entrepreneur! Erika from Blue Mist talks to us about how the cannabis industry transformed her life to become an entrepreneur and business owner! Tap in to find how she became sucha BOSS! Interested in CBD and want the purest form! Click the link: https://www.bluemistcbd.com for more about Blue Mist and their products! Use CODE: Vtheplug for an exclusive 15% off on your purchase!
Christelle is a career optimization coach and the founder of Freedom Catcher Academy. She helps clients create profitable and fulfilling careers while balancing their personal lives. They discuss the importance of finding one's passion and aligning it with their career. Christelle emphasizes the need for self-awareness, identifying activities that bring fulfillment, and taking small steps towards change. They also explore the challenges and fears associated with making a career shift and how to overcome them. Christelle offers practical advice on redefining values, embracing small changes, and planning for a successful transition.In the fast-paced world we live in, many individuals find themselves trapped in careers that no longer align with their passions and values. They yearn for a sense of fulfillment and purpose, but the fear of change and the comfort of security often hold them back. However, there comes a time when we must break free from the constraints that limit our true potential and embark on a journey of self-discovery. In this blog post, we will delve into a fascinating conversation with Christelle Pillot, a career optimization coach, as she shares her insights on how to create a profitable career while rediscovering yourself, finding joy, and nurturing a fulfilled life.Unveiling the Path to Fulfillment:Christelle Pillot, the founder of Freedom Catcher Academy, highlights the importance of embracing our unique qualities and passions. She emphasizes that everyone has the potential to be amazing once they step into their zone of genius and align themselves with their true purpose. However, before embarking on this transformative journey, one must first become aware of their emotions, thoughts, and daily activities.Rediscovering Your True Self:In the pursuit of finding meaningful work, many individuals often face a dilemma. They struggle to identify their genuine likes and dislikes, leading them to invest their energy in the wrong pursuits. Christelle acknowledges that this initial step can be challenging, especially for individuals who have put their needs aside while taking care of their families. To overcome this hurdle, she suggests redefining personal values and exploring new activities that bring joy and fulfillment on a daily basis.Small Steps, Big Changes:Changing careers or pursuing a new path can be intimidating, particularly when it involves leaving a stable job behind. However, Christelle advises taking small, consistent steps towards your desired destination. By incorporating small activities or indulging in moments of self-care, you can gradually gain clarity about your current desires and aspirations. These small shifts, when practiced daily, accumulate over time and pave the way for significant transformations.Overcoming Obstacles:Throughout the career change process, individuals may encounter various obstacles that hinder their progress. Common hurdles include fear of failure, shifting identities, and feelings of guilt or selfishness. Christelle suggests addressing these challenges by assessing the resources at hand, planning the desired shift, and evaluating the level of risk one can comfortably undertake. Each person's situation is unique, and it's essential to create a customized approach that aligns with personal circumstances and responsibilities.From Engineer to Coach: A Personal Journey:Christelle's own transformation from a chemical engineer to a full-time coach serves as an inspiring example of embracing change. She found herself unfulfilled and lacking passion in her engineering career, and through self-reflection, she realized the importance of pursuing work that aligned with her values. By embarking on a journey of self-discovery and gradually incorporating activities that brought her joy, she was able to transition into a career that energized and fulfilled...
FULL TRANSCRIPT This Article 19 Mini Episode is a quick discussion with Tobias Morrison, one of our top Mac Enterprise Engineers. Join Tobias and Marty as they discuss Tobias' journey from an artistic film major to an experienced Apple Store Manager to a guest speaker at the MacAdmins conference on July 18-21 in State College, PA. At the MacAdmins conference speaks on shifting From Engineer to Manager: The Journey From Doing to Delegating. In the near future, we will have content from Tobias' talk on our website; "www.tammaninc.com/learn" so be sure to pay attention to our blogs and social media!
In this episode of How to Scale an Agency?, AJ Cassata is joined by Christopher Filipiak to discuss building a sales-ready organization and achieving sustainable business growth. Filipiak highlights the importance of effective sales conversations and the founder's role in driving sales. He addresses topics such as goal setting, overcoming resistance to change and fear of success, and the significance of clarity in sales and the founder's journey. Consistency in sales activities, structured strategies, and a simple approach to managing client projects are also emphasized. Filipiak provides insights on building sales tools and creating a sales-ready organization.In This Episode, You'll Learn:00:00:00 Christopher Filipiak Joins How to Scale an Agency with Excitement00:01:58 From Engineer to Consultant: Bridging People and Machines00:07:26 Sustainable Business Growth: Keys to Long-Term Success00:10:58 Mastering Sales Conversations: Founder's Role in Closing Deals00:14:11 Wanting and Achieving Goals: Putting Practice into Action00:19:09 Overcoming Resistance and Fear for Business Growth00:21:53 Clarity in Sales and Founder Journey: A Path to Success00:26:54 Consistency in Sales: Structured Strategies for Lasting Results00:29:52 Sales Tools: Building Effective Solutions for Your Process00:31:36 Simple Project Management: Efficiently Managing Client ProjectsLinks And Resources:Christopher Filipiak on LinkedInB2B Sales & Marketing Secrets
Dan Balcauski is a pricing expert and dropped by the pod to share key insights, hot takes, and practical advice for product teams and leaders to help unpack the pricing process, key variables, and mistakes to avoid. Show notes: 0:00-0:30 - Episode Intro 0:30-1:55 - Dan's Intro/Background 1:55-4:55 - From Engineer to Pricing Guru 4:55-6:42 - Biggest Pricing Pitfall 6:42-19:00 - Segmentation Myths and Realities 19:00-21:00 - defining value (3 Types) 21:00-26:35 - The Value Cascade 26:35-36:45 - How customers shape pricing 36:45-43:00 - Willingness to pay (WTP) (40:12) 43:00-47:30 - Pricing in B2B 47:30-56:50 - Freemium Good or Bad? 56:50-57:48 - Contact Dan 57:48-58:02 - Outro --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/productmanagementlessons/message
Episode 86 Many of us did not start our career path with a focus on property management. Most of us kind of fell into it. Our special guest John Carlson shares how his first impressions of Mark-Taylor Residential as a tenant led him to make the change from Engineer to a multifamily CEO. Host(s): Jonathan … From Engineer to Multifamily CEO Read More » The post From Engineer to Multifamily CEO appeared first on JuvoHub.
Welcome to the Eternal Optimist podcast! On today's episode, we have Dustin Riechmann, an engineer turned entrepreneur who has some amazing stories to share about his journey. From witnessing abuse in his home as a child, to getting married in high school and starting a family, Dustin has overcome many challenges. He also shares how he found his faith and how it has shaped his marriage ministry. We also talk about Dustin's business journey from Fire Creek to marketing to podcast guesting masterminds. He explains how he helps entrepreneurs optimize their offers and build referral networks through mastermind groups. Finally, we hear about the book that has given him value - The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. Join us for this inspiring conversation with Dustin Riechmann!In This Episode, You'll Learn:00:00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges with Dustin Riechmann00:02:52 Join Us for an Inspiring Episode with Entrepreneur Dustin Riechmann00:05:57 Marriage as a Driving Force Behind Dustin's Entrepreneurial Success00:10:03 Overcoming Adversity: Dustin's Journey of Healing and Reconciliation00:12:02 From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Dustin's 8-Year Journey to Success00:15:02 Innovating Marketing Strategies: Dustin's Road to E-commerce Success00:17:01 Building a Physical Product Empire with an Online Store00:19:38 From Engineering to E-commerce: Dustin's Transformative Journey00:23:32 The Power of Reciprocity: Dustin's Walmart Partnership Story00:28:14 Uncovering Unexpected Success through Podcasting and Partnership00:34:31 Connecting with Dustin for Limitless Growth Opportunities00:37:53 Building a High-Performance E-commerce Team with Diversity00:41:52 Overcoming Overwhelm: The Benefits of Joining a Mastermind Group00:43:32 Mastermind Groups: A Game-Changer for Entrepreneurs00:49:28 Celebrating Life: The Inspiring Legacy of Pearl Jam's 'Alive'Links And Resources:Dustin's LinkedInSimplesuccesscoaching.comEngaged MarriageThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Eternal Optimist? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!
Spark Faith Podcast Christian Women Get Healthy Mind, Soul, Body For God & His work Shame/Guilt Free
Industry Insider Truths: Processed Food, Pharmaceuticals and Medicine Kristy Dotson is amazing....From Engineer to Senior Food Ingredient Buyer to Wellness Consultant, Kristy Dotson exposes the truth about FDA approved ingredients, pharmaceuticals and how our medical system really isn't about keeping us healthy.
In this episode, I talk to Nikhil Bodhankar, PE, LC, LEED AP, Principal at Bergmann Architects, Engineers and Planners which joined Colliers Engineering & Design in 2021 about his career development and his path to becoming a principal and leader in his firm. He also provides some great steps you can take to become an […] The post TECC 282: From Engineer to Principal: How to Become an Established Leader appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
Instead of letting it sit in the bank, Deepa Akula put her hard-earned money to work through real estate. Now, she is the founder of Vinside Capital and is a GP for over 1000 apartment units and an LP for over 1300 units. She is grateful for the opportunity to be a full-time real investor, which gives her the freedom to travel the world and spend time with family. Today, Deepa joins us to talk about her investing journey, how she created passive cash flow to cover their daily expenses, and how she is using her engineering background to her advantage. [00:01 - 11:06] From Engineer to Investor Get to know Deepa She talks about the nitty-gritty of being an engineer Earning good money in her job and started to look for investments Being laid off gave her the chance to do real estate full time She learned about real estate by reading books and joining a bootcamp As an engineer, numbers are her thing and she's able to do well in underwriting Do not trust proformas, know your numbers [11:07 - 17:48] Building Meaningful Passive Income Stop hoarding cash and start investing How she transitioned from LP to GP Being a detail-oriented person has helped establish her credibility Deepa's goal in the future: doings deals at her own pace [17:49 - 19:47] Closing Segment Reach out to Deepa! Links Below Final Words Tweetable Quotes “ If you underwrite in a vacuum, you really don't know if it's good or bad… if you're just working and not having anybody check it, it's a big no-no.” - Deepa Akula “The number one thing is not to trust proformas when you receive them.” - Deepa Akula ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Deepa on the Vinside Capital website and follow her LinkedIn. Resource Mentioned: Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker Connect with me: I love helping others place money outside of traditional investments that both diversify a strategy and provide solid predictable returns. Facebook LinkedIn Like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or whatever platform you listen on. Thank you for tuning in! Email me → sam@brickeninvestmentgroup.com Want to read the full show notes of the episode? Check it out below: [00:00:00] Deepa Akula: I had learned about inflation, just very reading books. And I thought, you know, it's not a good thing that we are hoarding cash, but we did not know. We didn't want to hurry and invest in something that we didn't understand either. So in, in the time when I was doing the research and trying to get a proof of concept by investing as a limited partner, we had built up some savings. And once it looked like it was going to work, we kind of invested fast. [00:00:39] Sam Wilson: Deepa Akula is an LP and GP in over a thousand apartment units in Texas, Florida, and Arizona. She's also a former head of engineering turned full-time real estate investor. Deepa, welcome to the show. [00:00:50] Deepa Akula: Thank you. I'm so honored to be here, Sam. [00:00:52] Sam Wilson: Absolutely. Hey, the pleasure is mine, especially. I don't normally get guests calling from, I guess, you're halfway around the world. Where are you right now? [00:01:02] Deepa Akula: I'm in India right now, visiting my parents in Hyderabad. [00:01:05] Sam Wilson: That's awesome. Very, very cool. It's 9: 30 here in Memphis, Tennessee. So that puts you at roughly 8:30 there? [00:01:12] Deepa Akula: It's 8:06, yeah. It's 8:06 PM. [00:01:15] Sam Wilson: Well, soon enough, soon enough you can tell me what tomorrow is like. That'll be absolutely great. I'm looking forward to jumping in here today. There are three questions I ask every guest who comes to the show: in 90 seconds or less, can you tell me where did you start? Where are you now? And how did you get there? [00:01:27] Sam Wilson: Yeah, sure. [00:01:28] Deepa Akula: So I started as an LP. I'm a mechanical aerospace engineer by training. And I was looking to place my capital and started as an LP. And now I still do engineering on the side, but I'm a GP and an LP. And once I invested, I had proof of concept, and once the worth proof of concept, we started investing more and more. And now we have enough passive income to just cover our daily bills. So we are financially free and it gives me the freedom to travel the world and spend some time with family. And also look for deals at the same time. I'm working. This is not a vacation, but freedom of place too. So, yeah. [00:02:08] Sam Wilson: That is fantastic. I wonder there's so many things there I wanted to dig into. What is a space engineer? [00:02:17] Deepa Akula: It's mechanical and aerospace engineering. So Boeing paid for my masters and I worked on the materials for the outside, for the skin of the aircraft on friction stir building. So, yeah, Boeing was looking into using different alloys, different element alloys and it was research. So I was one of the research assistants and that's what I did. I'm a mechanical engineer, got a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, master's in mechanical engineer, space engineering. [00:02:46] Sam Wilson: That's awesome. I love it. Even those words, I probably couldn't even spell those words. So, you know, I look at people like you and I'm like, oh my gosh, she is way smarter than I am. [00:02:55] Deepa Akula: Oh, you're too kind. [00:02:57] Sam Wilson: No, no, that's really, really cool. I absolutely love it. I love to fly. I'm a pilot as well. And so I'm grateful for all the work for that you guys do. And I oftentimes look at it and I'm like, I have no idea how this thing works. [00:03:08] Deepa Akula: A lot of work goes into it. Every life's important. So a lot of work goes into it. [00:03:13] Sam Wilson: A lot of work goes into it, so I'm grateful. Thank you. I think that's absolutely cool. What was your tipping point? What was the thing when you're like, okay, hey, cool. I am a mechanical engineer. I'm an aerospace engineer. I got to do something else. Was there a light bulb moment? Tell me about that. [00:03:29] Deepa Akula: Yeah, so it was pretty gradual. And me and my husband, we moved to Seattle and were making good money. And so I was starting to think about investments. So I just had to place our capital somewhere and I was looking into different investment vehicles and I'm an avid reader. So I stumbled onto syndications. And I did not know anybody that was doing syndications at that time. And looked into it and through a random connection, found a general partner and invested in her deal. And once I started to see the distributions come in quarterly distributions, then I had proof of concept that, oh, well so this is real. And it can work. And we started to invest more and more, and it was pretty gradual. And the light bulb moment was really, there was not one, but I got laid off during the pandemic. And I was like, okay, this is my chance to not have a W2 and work for myself. And that's when, I was a GP already, but I chose not to get another job in engineering and do real estate full-time. [00:04:35] Sam Wilson: Wow. That's a big, big jump. I mean, tell me, I guess, so you said, Hey, you, you figured out, you know, okay, I became a GP. What was the timeline between when you first heard about syndications until you put, or excuse me, an LP until you put your first money in a deal? [00:04:48] Deepa Akula: Oh, when I first put up a single penny, it was about three years. I had analysis paralysis big time. So I actually knew how, how to underwrite a deal before I invested as an LP. So that's the kind of work I did just because I did not know anybody that was doing it at that time, and I did not want to lose $50,000 just by investing because I read in some book. So I took a three-day course, a bootcamp through RE Mentor. And it was just a three-day bootcamp and that was all the education I got in person, but everything else was just reading books. I might have read hundreds of books in those three years and had enough confidence to put my first $50,000 in 2019. [00:05:35] Sam Wilson: That's wild. So you felt like you had a full understanding of how to underwrite a deal before you ever put your money and how did you practice that? [00:05:44] Deepa Akula: So just on random deals on CoStar. Just random deals. So, yeah, and I had a loose mentor who was just looking at those numbers because, you know, if you underwrite in a vacuum, you really don't know if it's good or bad, you know. If you really don't know how to estimate taxes or when the taxes are assessed and different states do it differently, so if you're in a vacuum and just working and not having anybody check it, it's a big no-no. So I had a gentleman that was kind enough to kind of guide me and he's a loose mentor. If you'd ask him, Hey, were you Deepa's mentor? He's like, no,. But I really did not pay for mentorship. I loosely have ties with people that I kind of come in contact with and just ping them and learn. And I used to underwrite single-family homes too. That's kind of how I got interested. I really dislike shopping, like any kind of shopping, but real estate. I'm all about it. So, I'm not in shopping about clothes or anything else, but real estate, I would just underwrite the deal of their deal. So that's kind of how I was like, you know, I should really do what I like. to decompress for a living, then I would really not feel like I'm working. And even without knowing, even when I was in school, I would just randomly look at single-family house in the areas. And I was like, oh, it's pretty simple, the math is. So yeah, that's kind of how I started and learned. And there's a little bit more to multifamily. And, you know, just there's so much resources out there. I would just attend multiple webinars to learn and practice. [00:07:25] Sam Wilson: When you say so many resources out there, I mean, either you're an Excel guru, which wouldn't surprise me, or you borrowed somebody else's model out of the gate because there are a lot of nuances to it. How did you build your first or what did you use as a resource for your first underwriting model? [00:07:42] Deepa Akula: So the very first one was Michael Lang's model. And I had bought it for fun years ago and I was modeling it. And, you know, I am pretty good at Excel because I was, when I was head of engineering, I was building these templates for my engineers to work in. So they're kind of like sandboxes and to make it foolproof because if something goes wrong, these structures are out there. We are driving under it, their houses under it, so, let me take a step back. I was designing overhead structures there, maybe about 10,000 structures that me or my team designed are in service right now in the US and Canada. So I was designing the spreadsheets in which my engineers would design the structures. So I love tinkering with Excel and I saw Michael's model and then made some additions to it to just make it my own. [00:08:38] Sam Wilson: You made some additions, you mean you poured gasoline on a fire. It was like, oh, okay. Yeah, this is okay. But I'm an aerospace engineer and I can do a lot better than this. So, you know, if I can push, I'd love to see your model but I'm sure it would make all the rest of us jealous. That's really, really cool. And you said something here that I don't think I've ever heard on this show, which is you said that I did it for fun. Like, underwriting is work for most of us, you realize that, right? [00:09:06] Deepa Akula: I understand. I understand. But, you know, as engineers numbers is our thing and, you know, you feel like you have more control. You change one number and you have control to like change all the numbers on the sheet. So just playing with different numbers is more fun. And more than that, I used to code in VBA. So coding in VBA was more fun. So I would just code and create buttons and everything and try to make it more fun and easy and I'm trying to hide the code behind it and make it easy. So building it was more fun. And the more formulas I write and debugging is a lot more fun to me. So that's what I, all my formula would, like, have to wrap and then debugging would be like, oh, where, where did it go wrong? Why is it not working? So, yeah. That's what I did to de-stress. [00:09:54] Sam Wilson: That's amazing. Wow. Some of us go to the gym. Some of us do yoga. Some of us have bad habits. You, on the other hand, underwrite multifamily deals. That's a unique skillset. What would you say is the number one thing that you learned when doing that? [00:10:10] Deepa Akula: Number one thing while creating the model or underwriting? [00:10:13] Sam Wilson: Underwriting. [00:10:14] Deepa Akula: Underwriting, the number one thing is not to trust proformas when you receive them. The seller might have expenses that they're putting on a corporate level that we are not seeing on the property level. So just knowing the numbers and at least having an idea of what it's going to cost per door. And that just comes from practice. You know, it's catch-22, you just do it, learn it and then keep doing it and get to learn more. [00:10:42] Sam Wilson: Absolutely. Yeah, at times I wonder why commercial brokers, which, I mean, I have my real estate license. Do I do commercial brokerage? Not necessarily, but why do they even put the proformas out there? Because most of us are just like, I'm not even like paying. [00:10:58] Deepa Akula: Yeah. We just have to underwrite from scratch. [00:11:00] Sam Wilson: It really is true. So yeah. That's really, really interesting. Yeah. I like that. Don't trust the proforma. Let's talk a little bit about passive income to cover your bills. I thought that was an interesting statement you had made, it takes a lot of investments. This is my thesis. It takes a lot of investments to create any sort of meaningful, passive income. I think passive income is great, but even if let's suggest, say that we're, you know, we put 50 grand in a deal and it's whatever, a eight cap, I don't know. I'm making up numbers here, but let's say it throws off, you know, 700 bucks every quarter. I mean, that doesn't really put a dent in the income to cover bills category. Now, how did you do that? Like what did it take to get that income stream built up? You know, we've all hit the equity multiple. I believe most of us have hit an equity multiple in a deal we've passively invested at some point, and those are great pay days. But not until the exit do we normally catch enough money to go, okay, this is meaningful. [00:11:55] Deepa Akula: Right. Right. So me as head of engineering, I'm a licensed professional civil structural engineer. I'm a self-taught civil structural engineer. And as head of engineering, I was making meaningful money. And my husband is in information technology. He's in, it works for wild Disney and pretty simple, like I said, I do not enjoy shopping. So we had good, good savings. And we were hoarding cash. Like I said, as we were starting to earn money through our W2s, it was just sitting in the bank and we didn't spend it anywhere. We're just trying to look for a meaningful vehicle for us to invest in. And by the time I did all my research and started to invest. It was about three years of research went from 2016 to 2019. There was a lot of research and studying and talking to people. And that's when we started investing as an LP. But once we saw the distributions coming in, we kind of really escalated and put in big amounts, big chunks enough to cover our, like, and I'm not even counting the exits. This is just quarterly distributions that I'm talking about. It's enough to cover our expenses. [00:13:05] Sam Wilson: That's really cool. I love I love that and yeah, it does take some capital upfront, I think, in order to attract that initial, you know, nut where you're like, oh, okay, , this is now doing something that that I appreciate. [00:13:17] Deepa Akula: Right. And it was out of necessity. I had learned about inflation, just by reading books. And I thought, you know, it's not a good thing that we are hoarding cash, but we did not know. We didn't want to hurry and invest in something that we didn't understand either. So in the time when I was doing the research and trying to get a proof of concept by investing as a limited partner, we had built up some savings, and once it looked like it was going to work, we kind of invested fast. [00:13:46] Sam Wilson: That's awesome. [00:13:47] Deepa Akula: With multiple deals. [00:13:48] Sam Wilson: You've moved into the code GP space. What's that transition been like and how did that happen? [00:13:54] Deepa Akula: Right. Yeah, no, no. I love it. Thank you for the question. So I was an LP in a couple of deals before I got a call to be a co-GP. And as an LP, I would read the PPM the whole way. Some of them were 80 pages, the other one was 200 pages. And I would read the whole thing a few times and catch some mistakes in it and call the GP and say, Hey, you need to get a better lawyer or the legal person need to like, they're calling a something, two different things in two different places. And I was like, is it the same thing? And they were like, you read the whole thing? I'm like, yeah. And that you know, inadvertently, it told them that I'm a details person. And I would just ask a lot of questions and just from my questions and the fact that they knew I was catching their lawyer's mistakes in the PPM, they were like, okay, so she knows. And when the time came for them, just me and my husband both are engineers. And most of her friends were like, Hey, how are you guys getting this distributions? And we were doing 506B deal. and I wanted to introduce my friends to the GPS, but they couldn't really take their investments because they did not know them. So they were like, okay, Deepa, do you want to raise capital and be on this deal? I was like, really well, I was like when, and they go right now. So it was just out of the blue call saying, Hey, we have a deal on the contract. And I trust this person. I had invested my money with them. So I didn't really have to do any due diligence on the person, on the group. I did some due diligence on the project itself and it looked pretty good. And that's how I got my foot in the door for a co-GP position. [00:15:41] Sam Wilson: That is really cool. I love the fact that you said you read the documents, you know, end to end. I know in my first limited partner's deals, I did the same thing. If it was a repeat investment with the same sponsor, maybe I wasn't as meticulous, but certainly, read line for line. And it's a laborious process. I think it took me like four hours to get through the 200 pages, 'cause you're just like, I need this to be on like napkin sized, this just need, this is what you're going to do, this is what I'm going to do. And this is how we wrap this up. Okay, except 200 pages later because that's the world we live in. And so yeah, it kind of shocked the sponsor as well. They're like, wow. Like, this is a really detailed question. I have a public confession here to make in that I just recently didn't read through the entire stack of my deal deck or of my documents. And it was probably the most embarrassing thing as a general partner I've ever done in that I got the documents back. I read through them high level. It was a new attorney group for us. And I said, man, everything seems to be in order. And I was the receiving call of the investor like you going, Hey, there's some conflicting pieces of information here. I turned inward like, oh no, like I'm hot now, just like my body temperature goes up thinking about it. I'm like I have done this so many times and I have never had that call from an investor. I wanted to crawl on a hole. [00:17:02] Sam Wilson: So note to self: one, read all the documents if you're an LP, and two, read all the documents if you're a GP. That's the rule I think that Deepa is teaching us here and that's yeah, that's just a, you know, that's a hard lesson learned both ways. So, you know, thank you certainly for sharing that, what does the future look like for you? [00:17:19] Deepa Akula: Thank you for that question because I am actively trying to not build myself another high-stress job. So, it's tough. It's tough to not work as much now that this is my first summer without a job. I am trying to say no to more deals than I say yes to. And I'd like to do at least one deal every quarter, and that would be a good pace for me. And want to do that for the foreseeable future. [00:17:48] Sam Wilson: That's awesome. Very, very cool. Deepa. I loved your journey here in real estate. I loved how you started off just learning for three years. I think one of the fun facts you gave me was that you read a book. What was it? The barking up the wrong tree or barking up the right tree. I can't remember. You said you read it five times. [00:18:05] Deepa Akula: Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker. [00:18:08] Sam Wilson: Yeah, you said you read that over and over and over until you finally graphed it in detail. As an engineer, I'm not shocked, knowing that you're an engineer, I'm not shocked that your attention to detail is the way it is, but the really cool story on how you've transitioned from an aerospace engineer into now full-time real estate, clearly taking a measured approach to life and getting what you want out of it, which is why you're out of the country doing this podcast at, you know, late in the evening now the other side of the world with me. So certainly appreciate that. And love your story of coming in as an LP first and doing a lot of deals as an LP, and then joined the general partnership side. So very, very cool. If our listeners want to get in touch with you or learn more about you, what is the best way to do that? [00:18:49] Deepa Akula: LinkedIn would be the best place to reach out to me. My LinkedIn profile has my full name, so it's Deepa Reddy Akula. And another place is vinsidecapital.com is my website. So those are the two places to get a hold of me. [00:19:05] Sam Wilson: And what, what's the name of the website again? [00:19:08] Deepa Akula: Vinside, V I N S I D E, vinsidecapital.com. [00:19:13] Sam Wilson: Got it. We'll absolutely make sure we put that all in the show notes. Deepa, thank you so much for coming on today. I certainly appreciate it. [00:19:19] Deepa Akula: Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure. Thanks, Sam.
If you have ever suffered from decision fatigue that comes with figuring out what to wear, are overwhelmed by all of the clothes in your closet, or don't know how to dress, you don't want to miss this episode with Alison Lumbatis! From Engineer to style expert and author of "The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas" Alison shares with us tips on how anyone can learn style! Let me know what tips you enjoyed the most. Connect with Alison at https://alisonlumbatis.com/ and @alisonlumbatis on Instagram. Get Alison's FREE style guide that includes an easy shopping list and outfit ideas!
From accidentally taking LSD at 12 years old, to using Ayahuasca to become more authentic - Vegan BodyBuilder, Nimai Delgado, shares his experiences with psychedelics, and how they made him the person he is today. He shares the stories that most people don't know about him, and how he used psychedelics to heal. From Engineering, to Bodybuilding, to Podcast hosting, Nimai is in a constant evolution to become more aligned with his authentic truth. === TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 4:06 From Engineer to Vegan Bodybuilder 9:00 Sharing the Vegan Message 27:38 Psychedelics 37:22 Bring in our Authenticity 44:10 What People Don’t Know About Nimai 49:20 Psychedelics & Relationships 57:49 Functional Mushrooms 1:03:57 Vision for the future 1:09:12 Conclusion === NIMAI DELGADO: https://www.instagram.com/nimai_delgado/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-JiCSn29MdBYX5rRxuacQ https://veganfitness.com/ https://www.vedgenutrition.com/ === Step into the Multiverse with us... Instagram: Into the Multiverse: https://www.instagram.com/intothemultiverse/ Multiverse Marketplace: https://www.instagram.com/multiverse/ Super Mush: https://www.instagram.com/supermush/ Multiverse Marketplace: https://yourmultiverse.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After retiring from a successful career as an engineer, Jeff Abraham wanted to take his career in a different direction. And different he did. After investing in a sexual wellness company, Jeff went on to become the CEO and transformed the company from a small boutique, to a global company with products in Target, Walmart, […] The post From Engineer to Sexual Wellness, With Jeff Abraham first appeared on Business Creators Radio Show with Adam Hommey.
Thibaut LaBarre joined Amazon as an intern where he built Heartbeat, a Natural Language Processing tool that combines millions of data points from disparate feedback sources like product reviews, customer contacts, social media, and provides this information to worldwide product teams. Thibaut grew the team from my internship project to an organization of 20 engineers, transitioning into a manager role. After 7 years at Amazon, he made the jump back to a builder role at a startup. Watch the YouTube HERE: https://youtu.be/fPTdz-c2MN4 ABOUT OUR GUEST Thibaut LaBarre moved from France to Seattle 10 years ago to study computational linguistics at the University of Washington. He spent 7 years at Amazon in various software engineering roles. At the start of 2020, he made the jump to the startup world. On the side, he volunteers for Techstars Startup Weekend and is a long time organizer of the annual Startup Weekend Education series at the Seattle Public Library. Don't forget to subscribe to Educative Sessions on YouTube! ►► https://www.youtube.com/c/EducativeSessions ABOUT EDUCATIVE Educative (educative.io) provides interactive and adaptive courses for software developers. Whether it's beginning to learn to code, grokking the next interview, or brushing up on frontend coding, data science, or cybersecurity, Educative is changing how developers continue their education. Stay relevant through our pre-configured learning environments that adapt to match a developer's skill level. Educative provides the best author platform for instructors to create interactive and adaptive content in only a few clicks. More Videos from Educative Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/c/EducativeSessions/ Episode 73: "From Engineer to Manager (and Back)" with Thibaut LaBarre of AngelList | Educative Sessions
From #1 leading e-learning platform in Vietnam to #1 leading online classified website in Vietnam. And, in between 2 x Iron man 70.3. An inspiring conversation with Duy Truong – Director of Engineering at Chotot.vn. In this episode, Truong shares his journey from becoming a manager and building an engineering team, to building and scaling new services and applications. Truong also shares his experience on how and when is the right direction for using microservices. Last by not least, what the Ironman training journey and the racing taught him. Chapters of the episode: 00:45 Career Journey 06:31 Building with Microservices 07:35 Slips into over-engineering 12:00 From Engineer to manager 13:30 Building a company through structure, process, and human 16:45 Managing an engineering team 18:00 Hiring and keeping talent 24:30 From "zero" to IRONMAN 70.3 33:00 Experience failure If you are a builder, Developer, Cloud enthusiast, and looking forward to stepping up to IRONMAN racing, this episode is for you!
Sometimes it takes a real number cruncher to recognize the power of networking. Join Debby and Greg as we chat with our South African connection, Eduan Snyman. He reveals his journey from engineer to entrepreneurial success using the precepts of great networking. Resources: - Email: esnyman@basecloudglobal.com Groups Mentioned: - BNI, http://bni.com Comments: https://www.facebook.com/TheReluctantNetworker/ https://www.facebook.com/connextnation/ Listen for: [0:25] How many quarts of strawberries? [2:00] From Engineer to Digital Marketer [11:19] What is a Digital Marketing High Performance Specialist? [16:58] Tip #1: See as many people as you can [18:27] Spreadsheets are amazing! [20:19] Tip #2: Educate and not sell [22:07] Tip #3: Show confidence. Show passion. More Information: If you'd like more information about our virtual training programs, go to: https://www.connextnation.com/mini-course/ "Porch Swing Days - faster" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/3rdgennetworking/message
In this episode, we talk to Peter Vanderzee, President and CEO at LifeSpan Technologies, about his career journey and experience transitioning from electronics to chemical to environmental to geotechnical and then finally to structural engineering. He also shares some great strategies and tips for the startup engineering business owner. Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of […] The post TSEC 56: From Engineer to Successful Business Owner appeared first on Engineering Management Institute.
From Engineer to Head of Global Business Strategy and Engagement at Facebook, we sit down with change-maker, Arielle. A role model for women+ and professionals looking to do more with the careers and take action rather than waiting for permission to achieve their goals, she shares her journey from her career as an engineer to her role at Facebook, where she is currently leading community-driven initiatives striving for a more inclusive world. To help keep The WOW Series going, you can donate to our crowdfunding site: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/wow-series This podcast was hosted by Abigail Gibbons. Audio editing by Mirabai Siegel and Marcy Laufer. Mixing and production by Marcy Laufer. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewowseries/message
Essence of Life with Advait Danke | Wellness Vibe | BodhMarga Foundation
From Engineer to DJ to Sound Therapist | Journey of Advait Danke in conversation with Arshit from KnowYourProfession (KYP) Questions answered in this Episode - 00:00 Introduction about me and what is my profession? 01:15 How did I get into the practice of Yoga & Spirituality? And at what point I decided that is the path for me? 06:30 Top skills which one should have to progress in the path of Nada Yoga, Ayurveda & Spirituality and what are the top skills which one should have to progress in the path of Leadership & Management 09:36 Any qualifications needed to practice Nada Yoga, Ayurveda, Sound Therapy or Meditation? 11:50 Any last minute tips & advices for the audience Know more about KYP here - 'KnowYourProfession' through the stories of experts, industry professionals, and some success stories that will help you get clarity, growth, or simply find your path. If you wish to connect with us here are our contact details Email: knowyourprofession.mail@gmail.com LinkedIn: https//www.linkedin.com/arshitchabukswar --- About Advait Danke - Advait Danke is an internationally certified Sound Therapist, Music Therapist (Raga-Chikitsa) & a Nada Yoga Teacher with Ayurveda as his major subject. He is the Project Director at BodhMarga Foundation & Wellness Vibe. He is on a mission to catalyze Spiritual Awakening & Expansion of Consciousness thru Sound, Devotion & Nada Yoga. He has impacted 3000+ people as a Spiritual & Happiness Coach. His hobbies include Composing Electronic Music, Video Games etc. About Me -
From Engineer to TOP AirBnB Host - https://mycashflowacademy.com/ If you are looking for From Engineer to TOP AirBnB Host, then watch this video to learn everything you need to know about From Engineer to TOP AirBnB HostJoin me as I chat with Elizabeth Maora Sickles, a top Airbnb hostess, who went from Engineer to real estate investor. We will hear how she got started, her biggest triumphs and the challenges along the way.How does she identify properties that will make money?downtown, suburbs, condos vs duplexes or SFRs etc.How does she chose the theme, colors, decor, furniture ? and what does she typically spend ?Does she require deposits, rental contracts, etcWho is on her team to handle the 20 or so properties she manages and How do they get paid W2, 1099, or?How many STR platforms is she on? or is it just her website?Check out the pictures on her website at https://elizabethmaorallc.com/Are you as curious as I am on how she scaled her business in just 3 years to quit her day job as an engineer and create the great success it is.Elizabeth Maora Sickels is a farm girl originally from the east side of Indiana. A Boilermaker (Purdue engineering grad) she considers herself a reformed corporate engineer! She had a rewarding career in corporate, traveling the world.When she was about to run out of vacation days mid 2016 she decided to take the leap, "retire" from her planning/strategy position at Ford Motor Company to strike out on her own!How it all started...She traveled for 6 months, and Airbnbed her condo in Michigan. Having a great experience being a host, she has built a full-service hospitality and property management business for short and long term rentals as well as a full-service cleaning company.Her leadership...Elizabeth is also a licensed realtor, real estate investor and philanthropist. She is the President of the Indiana State Real Estate Investors Association, one of only five state REIA's in the nation. She teaches monthly at the Central Indiana Real Estate Investors Association. She serves on two committees for VRMA (Vacation Rental Management Association). Elizabeth is also the cohost of the 2 Wealth Show podcast, aired biweekly. She is a sought after speaker and teacher, traveling nationally.#Airbnb #VRBO #STR #shorttermrentals #realestateinvesting #INdy #INREIA #womeininvesting #WiI! #athenapaquette #ElizabethMaoraSickels
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