In this special compilation episode of Beyond the Deal, we bring you five powerful origin stories from real estate entrepreneurs who took very different paths, but all ended up building a business in real estate.

From gut-wrenching personal loss to casual curiosity, each guest reveals the pivotal moment that made them rethink their future and take the leap. You’ll hear from:

• A former car dealership owner who redefined his life after a series of family tragedies
• A physical therapist who found financial freedom after his father’s passing shifted his mindset
• A capital raiser who accidentally discovered her calling in investor relations
• A military officer who turned a hobby into a full-time real estate development business
• A newlywed who lost $60K on his first deal and still built a 900+ unit portfolio

Whether you’re stuck in analysis paralysis or just waiting for the “right moment,” these stories prove there’s no one way to begin, just your way.

You’ll Learn:

• Why emotional clarity often comes before financial clarity
• How different backgrounds (healthcare, military, marketing) can fuel real estate success
• The power of starting small, failing forward, and finding the right mentors

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guests:

Zander Kempf

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderkempf/

Eric Tomei

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tomei-1698664

Lauren Brychell:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-brychell-capital-raise-consulting/

Joshua Ferrari: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaferrari/

Alan Underwood: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-alan-underwood/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Cyndee Harding, a capital raiser who discovered her true calling in asset management. After helping raise over $5 million in her first year, Cyndee realized the real challenge wasn’t just getting into deals—it was managing them responsibly after the close.

She shares how stepping into asset management gave her a deeper sense of purpose, what it really takes to protect investor capital, and why she believes this side of the business is too often overlooked. Cyndee also talks about navigating partnerships, recognizing red flags, and how she learned to speak up and lead behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever focused solely on acquisition or capital raising, this episode will open your eyes to the importance—and impact—of strong asset management.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

✅ Why asset management is critical for long-term investor trust

✅ How Cyndee approached her first asset management role without prior experience

✅ The importance of speaking up when something feels off

✅ What to look for in partners beyond the pitch deck

✅ Why managing the deal after the close matters just as much as raising for it

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Cyndee Harding

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndee-harding-01a15ab/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Sylvia Khoury, a single mother of three who turned to real estate to support her family—while caring for her terminally ill parents and navigating a demanding pharmacy career.

Sylvia shares how she transitioned from buying rental homes to investing in multifamily properties, why COVID exposed the fragility of her income, and how she made her first deal using her retirement funds. She also explains how starting as an LP made her a better GP—and why trust, conservative underwriting, and communication are non-negotiable.

This conversation is an inspiring look at resilience, resourcefulness, and redefining what's possible when life forces you to pivot.

🎯 Key Takeaways:
✅ Why single-family rentals weren’t enough for long-term stability
✅ How she made the leap into multifamily (and what went wrong on her first deal)
✅ The role of mindset, mentorship, and networking in accelerating her success
✅ What she looks for (and avoids) when reviewing deals as a capital raiser
✅ How she juggles parenting, pharmacy, and real estate—all at once

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/
🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest –  Sylvia Khoury
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-khoury-88205948/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?
👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:
https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Brian Dordevic, an immigrant from Serbia who went from earning $4/hour as a virtual assistant to leading a 20+ person SEO team in the U.S.

Brian shares his incredible journey, from working in South Side Chicago to building a thriving business that helps local service providers dominate Google search. But this conversation goes far beyond SEO. Brian opens up about the power of belief, learning how to remove bottlenecks (including himself), and why hustle culture might be the biggest trap for entrepreneurs.

If you're building a team, scaling a business, or struggling with burnout, Brian's story will hit home.

 Key Takeaways:

✅ Why self-belief and energy can change your trajectory

✅ How to structure your business to buy back your time

✅ The pitfalls of hustle culture and how to build calm clarity

✅ What makes good SEO content in an AI-saturated world

✅ The role of manifestation and mindset in long-term success

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest –  Brian Dordevic

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandecoded/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Tyler Harding, a multifamily operator who left retail management to build a thriving real estate portfolio alongside his entire family. From a spreadsheet plan to buy single-family homes one by one, to managing 750+ units today, Tyler’s story is a crash course in scaling smarter—not harder.

He shares how a shift in mindset around debt and scalability led to multifamily investing, why his family business thrives on clearly defined roles, and the overlooked danger of not raising enough capital to finish the job.

Whether you’re new to real estate or looking to level up your multifamily game, this episode is packed with honest insights and tactical gems.

🎯 Key Takeaways:
✅ Why scaling with single-family homes wasn’t sustainable
✅ How Tyler and his family built High Caliber Multifamily from the ground up
✅ The mindset shift that turned debt into a tool for growth
✅ Why raising enough capital is just as important as closing the deal
✅ The family dynamic behind managing acquisitions, asset management, and marketing

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Tyler Harding:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-harding-89960b84/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with David Hrizak—a serial operator and acquirer who’s built his career by mastering the fundamentals: great partnerships, operational excellence, and long-term thinking. David shares how he transitioned from contractor gigs to acquiring companies, why he bets on people first, and how he structures deals for both growth and sustainability.

From creative financing to defining roles early on, David brings a no-fluff approach to building successful business partnerships. If you’re looking for insight into operator-led growth, this episode breaks down the mindset and systems required to scale without chaos.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Why great partnerships start with aligned vision and clear roles
• How David structures equity and compensation to keep operators motivated
• His approach to buying companies without being the day-to-day guy
• Lessons from failed deals—and what he looks for now before moving forward
• The value of creative structures, even in simple service businesses

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet David Hrizak and his early entrepreneurial roots

03:30 – Why long-term alignment matters more than quick wins

07:00 – Structuring ownership, equity, and incentives

10:00 – The operator-first approach to deal-making

14:00 – How to recover when deals fall apart

18:00 – Raising capital and attracting the right investors

22:00 – Making acquisitions without losing control

26:00 – Final advice on partnerships, clarity, and playing the long game

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – David Hrizak:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-hrizak-29634627/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Jacobo Hernandez, the entrepreneur who unknowingly launched Michael’s coaching journey. From building a 7-figure Amazon business and weathering supplier sabotage, to scaling Airbnbs with social media-style tactics, Jacobo reveals the mindset and strategies that helped him thrive through risk and reinvention.

Now focused on boutique hotels—a.k.a. commercial Airbnbs—Jacobo shares why he pivoted to commercial real estate, how he evaluates opportunities, and how his background in e-commerce gives him an edge. This is a must-listen masterclass in scaling income and impact, all while designing a life of freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• How Jacobo scaled his first Airbnb portfolio using influencer wishlists and Amazon-style SEO tactics
• Why boutique hotels offer better margins, scalability, and operational freedom
• The difference between residential and commercial real estate valuation (and why it matters)
• How Jacobo managed debt, stress, and burnout during his Amazon days
• The power of manifestation, mentorship, and immersion in new ventures

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – How Jacobo inspired Michael to coach capital raising

01:30 – From Airbnb to boutique hotels: what it really means

04:00 – Profit margins and operational differences in boutique hotels

06:00 – Extra revenue streams: weddings, resort fees, and more

10:00 – Jacobo’s early entrepreneurship journey in China and Amazon

13:00 – How he hacked Airbnb’s algorithm and scaled with influencers

16:00 – The downside of product-based businesses and why he left Amazon

20:00 – Law of attraction, spirituality, and managing financial panic

23:00 – Why education and masterminds are Jacobo’s first step in any venture

26:00 – Building the right routines for sustained high performance

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Jacobo Hernandez:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobo-hernandez-747299128/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, Michael Wagman speaks with Sid Shamim—an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who walked away from a high-paying oil and gas job to take control of his first underperforming apartment complex. That decision sparked a 10+ year journey to building a vertically integrated real estate firm managing over $500 million in assets and 4,300+ units across Texas and Arizona.

Sid breaks down how he scaled from single-family homes to multifamily syndications, what made him ditch third-party property managers, and the systems behind raising $150 million in investor capital. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go from side-hustle landlord to full-time operator, this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why operational control changed everything for Sid’s portfolio
• How he raised his first round of capital through trust, not marketing
• The key difference between a good spreadsheet and a good property
• His approach to scaling with accountability—and why it starts with hiring
• The massive tax advantages of multifamily real estate (and how he pays almost nothing legally)
• Why the real edge in real estate is being both an operator and an owner
• How Sid structures bonuses to build long-term commitment from his team
• What he looks for in today’s market and how he’s positioning for distressed opportunities

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Sid Shamim's Journey: From Immigrant to Real Estate Mogul
00:01:55 From Academia to Oil and Gas Industry  
00:03:47 Transition from Oil and Gas to Real Estate Investing
00:05:33 Transitioning from Single Family to Multifamily Real Estate
00:07:14 Transitioning to Multifamily Syndication  
00:09:00 Understanding Real Estate Depreciation and REP Status
00:10:46 Becoming a Property Manager: A Personal Journey
00:12:28 Overcoming Challenges in Real Estate Management
00:14:20 Strategies for Raising Capital Without Digital Presence
00:16:19 Building a Property Management Empire
00:17:51 Innovative Employee Incentive Structures
00:19:31 Navigating Multifamily Investments in a Competitive Market
00:21:19 Interest Rates and Market Cycles in Real Estate
00:23:03 The Role of Timing in Real Estate Investment
00:24:53 Market Challenges for Recent Buyers  
00:26:42 Navigating Investment Challenges: Problem-Solving and Discipline

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Sid Shamim:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sid-shamim-a920b6177/

https://headwayinvestment.com/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom? Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship.

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow acquirers and operators!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Pat Zingarella, founder of InvestClearly, a platform that’s changing the way Limited Partners (LPs) evaluate General Partners (GPs) in real estate syndications.

Pat shares how his own experience with a fraudulent operator inspired him to create a review platform for LPs, where verified investors can rate and review GPs based on actual deal participation.

He walks us through the platform’s mission, challenges of launching a startup, legal limitations, and the importance of due diligence on sponsors—not just the deals. If you’re an LP looking to avoid red flags or a GP seeking to build trust with transparency, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

✅ How one bad experience led Pat to build a company that protects LPs

✅ Why underwriting sponsors is just as important as underwriting deals

✅ How verified reviews from real investors create accountability

✅ What LPs should look out for—and how to avoid influencer bias

✅ Lessons from launching a tech startup in a traditionally private industry

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Deal

00:01:44 Journey from Corporate Sales to Real Estate Entrepreneur

00:03:19 Discovering a Fraudulent Mentor  

00:04:43 Navigating LP Fraud Prevention Strategies

00:06:22 Evaluating Real Estate Investment Testimonials

00:08:03 Balancing GP and LP Perspectives on Investment Platforms

00:09:54 Introduction to Nimble Capital Group

00:11:23 Launch and Growth Strategy for Investment Platforms

00:13:00 Optimizing GP Profiles for Better LP Engagement

00:14:35 Startup Challenges: First Launch Failure and Lessons Learned

00:16:07 Challenges in Product Development and Launch

00:17:42 Overcoming Challenges in App Development

00:19:19 Negative Reviews Impact on GP Practices  

00:21:02 Transformative Power of Routine and Health

00:22:36 Overcoming Mental Challenges in Entrepreneurship

00:24:12 Overcoming Entrepreneurial Stress and Building Resilience

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Pat Zingarella:

🔗 https://investclearly.com/

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasqualezingarella/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom? Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship.

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Alice Chen, former corporate lawyer turned serial entrepreneur and private equity investor. Alice shares her remarkable journey from working in mergers and acquisitions law to founding multiple businesses—including a top Canadian wine export firm and a boutique M&A company acquired by PwC.

Now, as a partner at Pendra Hastings Capital, Alice leads U.S. operations focused on land development, investing in best-in-class developers who turn raw land into build-ready lots for national homebuilders. She explains why entitlement and horizontal development are overlooked wealth-building strategies and breaks down the model that allows her firm to deliver 25–27% targeted IRRs with pre-structured exits.

From scaling startups to managing investor capital and maintaining daily peak performance, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Alice identifies trends, adapts to global forces, and makes big moves in real estate and business.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Why Alice left a promising legal career to chase entrepreneurial freedom

✅ How she scaled a wine export business to 16% of Canada’s wine exports to China

✅ What makes land entitlement & development so powerful in today’s market

✅ The mechanics of pre-structured exits with national homebuilders

✅ Her morning routine & mindset shifts that support long-term success

Timestamps:

00:00:00 From Lawyer to Serial Entrepreneur: Alice Chen's Journey

00:01:40 Journey from Lawyer to Entrepreneur: Embracing Entrepreneurship

00:03:20 From Legal Path to Wine Exportation Business Success

00:05:01 Passive Investing Strategies for Building Wealth

00:06:48 Chinese Acquisition of American Businesses and the Shift in Government Mandates

00:08:31 Becoming a Passive Real Estate Investor

00:10:11 The Role of Horizontal Developers in Land Development

00:11:53 Strategies for Sustainable Land Development Investments

00:13:35 Addressing the U.S. Housing Supply Gap

00:15:22 Land Ownership and Its Financial Implications

00:17:02 Profitable Land Acquisition Strategies and IRR Goals

00:18:50 Future Trends in Housing: Single Family vs. Multifamily Development

00:20:36 The Rise of Built-to-Rent Communities

00:22:20 Optimal Daily Habits for High Performance

00:23:56 Morning Gratitude Practice and its Importance

00:25:32 Morning Routine for Success

00:27:02 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – Alice Chen:

🔗 https://alicechencompanies.com/

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceychen/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom? Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship.

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow investors and entrepreneurs!