Groundbreakers

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we sit down with Jinil Patel, Founder of Rising Capital, to unpack one of the most aggressive real estate scaling stories we’ve featured on the show.With just one single-family rental under his belt, Jinil took a leap most investors only talk about and acquired a 48-unit apartment complex as a solo GP. From there, he didn’t slow down. Within months, he closed a second deal, then locked up a 260-unit acquisition with over $3M of built-in equity.Jinil shares what it really takes to raise seven figures from friends, family, and extended networks, why capital raising is a pure numbers game, and the hard lessons he learned doing his first deals without partners while balancing family, a newborn, and operating franchise businesses.Key Points DiscussedMaking the Jump to Multifamily: Why Jinil stopped chasing single-family scale and committed fully to apartments, even before he felt ready.Raising $1.2M Without a Big Brand: How he spoke with 100–150 investors, had multiple conversations per person, and stayed motivated through rejection.Trial by Fire as a Solo GP: The stress, mistakes, and lessons from taking down a 48-unit deal alone and why he will never do that again.Speed Through Systems: What changed between his first deal that took nine months to close and his second that closed in 90 days.Conservative Underwriting Wins Trust: Why Jinil targets realistic returns, avoids overpromising, and prioritizes downside protection over flashy projections.Work Ethic Over Balance: His honest take on work-life balance, late-night investor calls, and what success really requires early on.Guest InformationName: Jinil PatelCompany: Rising CapitalRole: FounderConnect: LinkedInConclusionJinil’s journey is a real-world example of what happens when preparation meets relentless execution. If you’re a syndicator trying to raise your first million, debating whether to go bigger, or navigating the stress of early deals, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply immediately.

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Groundbreakers, we’re joined by Anthony Carlton, Founder and CEO of CRE Digital. Anthony works with real estate sponsors across multifamily, industrial, and commercial assets who are trying to raise capital beyond friends and family but keep running into the same problem. No one knows who they are.Anthony shares how he went from finance and private equity into building a growth and branding firm focused exclusively on commercial real estate. Along the way, he saw a clear pattern. Strong operators with solid deals were losing attention and capital to sponsors who simply understood distribution better.This conversation breaks down why brand and trust have become the true bottlenecks in modern capital raising, especially in a market where LPs have more options and more skepticism than ever.Key Points DiscussedWhen to Build a Brand: Why most GPs wait too long to start building visibility and trust.Brand vs Marketing: The difference between posting content and actually earning LP confidence.LinkedIn as a Trust Engine: Why LinkedIn has become the primary platform for long term investor relationships.Capital Is the Constraint: Why deals are no longer the limiting factor for most sponsors.Common Mistakes: The shortcuts sponsors take that quietly damage credibility.What Actually Converts LPs: How consistent, thoughtful content compounds trust over time.Guest InformationName: Anthony CarltonCompany: CRE DigitalWebsite: credigital.coLinkedIn: Anthony CarltonConclusionAnthony’s perspective reframes how sponsors should think about growth. In a crowded market, capital flows to operators LPs already trust. Brand is no longer optional. It is infrastructure. This episode is a must listen for any syndicator looking to scale capital raising in a durable way.

Episode 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 are buildings still made outdoors, one piece at a time?Rovo is building a first-of-its-kind facility in Colorado that uses robotics, a digital design engine, AI driven permitting tools, and a flexible modular system that adapts to each developer’s project. Their goal is to streamline everything from feasibility to fabrication to onsite installation, while shipping components nationwide by rail. Key Points DiscussedA Multi-Industry Background: How Nolan’s experience in carpentry, aerospace manufacturing and IT shaped the foundation of Rovo.Why Modular Has Struggled: The bottlenecks that caused past modular companies to fail — and how Rovo designed around them.A Flexible Building System: Why Rovo offers panelized walls, pods, or full modular units depending on each project’s location, scale and logistics.AI in Development: How their platform uses AI to interpret local codebooks, flag restrictions and coordinate inspections.Massive Time Savings: Why developers can save six to twelve months on build to rent projects by shifting work offsite.Shipping Nationwide: The role of rail access in distributing modular housing at scale.The Founder Journey: Nolan’s reflections on perseverance, loneliness and staying solution oriented while building a company from the ground up.Guest InformationName: Nolan AusanCompany: Rovo Industries GroupLinkedIn: Nolan AusanConclusionNolan’s story is a look into the future of development. His work shows how modular construction, robotics and AI can create faster, cleaner and more affordable housing at scale. If you want to understand the next wave of innovation in real estate, this episode is worth the listen.

Episode 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 operations, Justin in capital raising—give them an edge.Key Points DiscussedStarting Young: Jarom’s real estate journey began at 16, flipping distressed homes while learning construction hands-on.Trust and Teamwork: Justin shares how he decided to back his son financially and emotionally, leading to a powerful business partnership.The First Syndication: Their first deal was a distressed 17-unit property. They break down how they raised capital, structured the deal, and got it over the finish line.Why They’re Betting on Legacy: EagleCap isn’t just about returns. It’s about building generational wealth and helping other families do the same.Guest InformationNames: Jarom Pratt & Justin PrattCompany: EagleCap Legacy Wealth PartnersWebsiteLinkedIn: Jarom Pratt, Justin PrattConclusionJarom and Justin’s story is a testament to what’s possible when trust, grit, and long-term vision align. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to bring family into the business, their journey offers inspiration and tactical insight for every syndicator.Let me know if you want a shortened version for Apple Podcasts or Instagram blurbs.

Episode 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 transparency and trust.Key Points DiscussedFrom Firefighter to Founder: Thomas shares how his entrepreneurial drive led him from shift work at the firehouse to managing a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio—and why it took nine years to buy his first multifamily property.Creative Financing in the 2008 Crash: When banks stopped lending, Thomas got creative—using credit cards, hard money, and even crowdfunding platforms like Lending Club to keep growing his portfolio through the downturn.Lessons from a Six-Figure Loss: After losing a major investment with an underperforming GP, Thomas launched North Corp Capital to raise capital responsibly and vet sponsors with the same diligence he brings to his own deals.Due Diligence and Discipline: Thomas breaks down his process for evaluating deals, from stress-testing pro formas to flying out and walking every property in person. His rule of thumb: “I have to be okay selling it tomorrow—or holding it forever.”Building a Fund of Funds: Through North Corp Capital, Thomas helps everyday investors access top-tier multifamily deals with lower minimums via SPV structures, allowing them to benefit from institutional-quality opportunities.Guest InformationName: Thomas St. JohnRole: Founder at Northcorp CapitalWebsite: North Corp CapitalLinkedIn: Thomas St. JohnConclusionThomas St. John’s story is proof that persistence and integrity pay off. From working 24-hour shifts as a firefighter to building a respected real estate investment firm, he’s shown that consistency and strong values can outlast any market cycle.Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn to learn more about his work at Northcorp Capital and how he’s helping investors participate in vetted, high-quality multifamily opportunities.

Episode 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 why most investors underestimate the importance of operations and debt structure in today’s market.Key Points DiscussedFrom Construction to Capital Raising: Danny started his career as a general contractor before transitioning into finance and real estate. His background in both industries gave him an edge in analyzing deals, managing renovations, and understanding risk.Breaking Into Out-of-State Markets: Danny shares his playbook for building new relationships in unfamiliar markets—from researching population and business growth to calling brokers weekly and flying out for in-person meetings until credibility is earned.Scaling Through Systems: With 18 full-cycle deals completed, Danny explains how he built workflows that allow him to review every property’s financials twice a week and make real-time operational adjustments.The Arizona Advantage: Danny outlines why he’s bullish on Arizona despite recent oversupply headlines—strong job growth, infrastructure investment, and incoming business relocations are setting the stage for long-term rent growth.Lessons From Tough Deals: From managing problem tenants to navigating California’s rent control laws, Danny discusses early mistakes that shaped how he underwrites, structures loans, and approaches risk management today.Guest InformationName: Danny FloresRole: Principal at Prime Capital InvestmentsPodcast: Orange County Power PlayersLinkedIn: Danny FloresWebsite: Prime Capital InvestmentsConclusionDanny Flores’ story is a masterclass in resilience and operational discipline. His transition from construction to multifamily syndication shows that experience, patience, and process are what separate great operators from good ones. For anyone looking to invest out of state, build lasting broker relationships, or understand what it takes to go full cycle on deals, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Connect with Danny on LinkedIn to learn more about Prime Capital Investments and his work in the Arizona multifamily market.

Episode 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 approaches building senior living projects that balance functionality, aesthetics, and dignity.Senior Living as a Social Impact Investment: Vibha shares why she’s focused on senior housing as both a high-demand asset class and a way to create meaningful impact. She breaks down the demographic tailwinds behind the sector and why she believes it’s one of the most overlooked opportunities in real estate today.Raising Capital as a First-Time Syndicator: Vibha talks candidly about her early challenges with capital raising, how she built trust with investors without an existing track record, and the lessons she learned about communicating value to LPs.Design Thinking in Real Estate: She explains how principles from her design career influence how she approaches real estate development — from layout and flow to how spaces can enhance quality of life for residents.Long-Term Vision for Relik Capital: Vibha outlines her vision for scaling Relik Capital into a platform that builds modern, thoughtful senior living communities across the country — creating both strong returns and lasting social value.Guest InformationName: Vibha SalgamayRole: Founder at Relik Capital GroupLinkedIn: Vibha SalgamayWebsite: Relik Capital GroupConclusionVibha Salgamay’s story is a powerful example of how skills from outside real estate can be leveraged to build a meaningful investing career. Her focus on senior living as both an investment opportunity and a mission-driven pursuit shows how syndicators can create impact while building wealth.Connect with Vibha on LinkedIn to learn more about her work at Relik Capital Group and her approach to senior living investments.

Episode 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 DiscussedTurning Sweat into Equity: Matthew shares how his early grind—cold calling brokers, doing free labor, and bringing value to experienced partners—helped him break into multifamily without institutional backing.Building a Real Estate Community: He talks about how his free weekly underwriting and cold-calling Zoom class (every Thursday at 1pm CT) has become a grassroots pipeline for both deals and relationships.Why Brokers Are Still the Key: In a world full of AI deal sourcing and off-market platforms, Matthew explains why old-school broker relationships remain critical—and how most investors aren’t calling enough.Operating Across Asset Types: We dive into how his team structures funds, manages diverse asset classes, and handles investor relations while staying lean and scrappy.Guest InformationName: Matthew TeifkeRole: Founder of TR3 Capital and Teifke Real EstateLinkedIn: Matthew TeifkeWebsite: tr3capital.comConclusionMatthew Teifke’s journey is proof that consistent action, community, and boots-on-the-ground hustle still matter. Whether you’re cold calling, underwriting, or fundraising—this episode will give you real-world strategies to scale in today’s market.