Beyond the Deal

What happens when you leave a high-paying tech job, move across the country, and live in a spider-filled hotel just to get your dream off the ground?

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, Michael sits down with real estate investor and operator Tim Ensmann, who shares how he went from corporate sales to building a thriving boutique hotel portfolio, starting with the bold decision to live on-site during a full renovation.

Tim talks about:

• The real numbers behind long-term rentals vs. boutique hotels
• Why Airbnbs capped his potential and how hotels unlocked real value
• The $20K booking that changed everything
• Lessons learned from managing renovations, guest experiences, and investor capital
• Scaling up without losing the magic of experience-first hospitality

Whether you're a passive investor or an aspiring operator, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to build a hospitality brand from scratch and how to know when it’s time to go all in.

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 – Tim Ensmann

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ensmann/

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 sits down with entrepreneur and author Carson Jones to talk about his unconventional journey—from broke and pitching marketing services door-to-door, to running restaurants, investing in oil and gas, and now thriving in real estate syndication and brokerage.

Carson shares the hard-won lessons that inspired his new book, The Red Flag Playbook, a guide for passive investors on how to vet sponsors, understand deal assumptions, and avoid costly mistakes in real estate and beyond.

They discuss:

✅ Why Carson left corporate America early—and never looked back

✅ How his experience in the restaurant world shaped his business instincts

✅ What he learned (and lost) in oil and gas investing

✅ The red flags LPs miss when vetting syndications and operators

✅ How getting sober changed the way he handles entrepreneurial stress

Whether you’re an investor, operator, or simply navigating your own entrepreneurial path, this conversation is packed with honest reflections and practical insights you won’t want to miss.

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 – Carson Jones

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

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 special compilation episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman brings together insights from six real estate entrepreneurs who’ve mastered the art of buying, scaling, and managing real estate across different asset types.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to spot hidden market gaps
✅ The power of exclusivity in acquisitions
✅ Creative ways to build community and boost tenant retention
✅ What makes a market worth investing in
✅ How to scale with boutique hotels and RV resorts
✅ Mindset and psychology tips for raising capital with confidence

From on-the-ground due diligence to strategic renovations and community-first thinking, this episode is packed with tactical advice you can actually apply.

Tune in and get the tools to think smarter, act bolder, and go beyond the deal.

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:
Tyler Harding:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-harding-89960b84/
Cyndee Harding
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndee-harding-01a15ab/
Jacobo Hernandez:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobo-hernandez-747299128/
Guy Salani:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-michael-s/
Brad Blazar:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradblazar/
Zander Kempf
🔗 https://clearsummitinvestments.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 LPs and real estate investors!

In this episode of Beyond the Deal, Michael sits down with his former student turned deal partner, Jacobo Hernandez, to share the story behind their newest acquisition, a 59-unit motel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas that they’re converting into a boutique hotel.

They break down:

✔️ How they found the deal after reviewing 2,000+ properties

✔️ Why baby boomer-owned commercial assets are a goldmine

✔️ The power of seller financing (and how they secured 100% of it)

✔️ Raising capital before you even have a deal

✔️ Lessons learned from a painful contract negotiation

If you're an aspiring real estate investor, capital raiser, or boutique hotel operator, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain of what it really takes to get a deal like this done.

Want a deeper look at this project and how we structure our deals?
 📄 View the Pitch Deck - https://thespringsretreat.site/

Curious about our vision for The Springs Retreat?
 🎥 Watch the Webinar - https://thespringsretreat.space/webinar/#vision

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 – 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 special behind-the-scenes episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman is joined by his business partner Mike Angelo to break down one of their most unique projects to date: transforming a neglected warehouse in Casa Grande, Arizona into a thriving entertainment and retail hub called The Terminal.

They walk through:
✅ How they discovered the opportunity during a multifamily development trip
✅ Why Casa Grande is a sleeper market with serious growth potential
✅ The difference between ground-up development and redevelopment
✅ How they secured 100% owner financing
✅ The financial model behind triple net retail
✅ The biggest challenges they faced (and how they solved them)

Whether you're a multifamily investor curious about retail, or just want to hear what it actually takes to turn a vacant building into a community staple, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hard-earned lessons.

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 –  Mike Angelo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeaangelo/

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

In this special compilation episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman brings together six powerful voices sharing the real habits that keep them sharp, steady, and successful.

From sleep routines and mindset rituals to social media limits, fitness commitments, and purposeful journaling, you’ll hear the small daily decisions that create massive long-term impact. These aren’t hacks, they’re sustainable practices that help entrepreneurs manage stress, protect their energy, and stay aligned with what matters most.

If you’re looking to upgrade your habits and build a life that supports your ambition, this episode is packed with real-life inspiration and actionable takeaways.

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:

Jacobo Hernandez:

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

Alice Chen:

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

Jay Bourgana:

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-bourgana/

Kaaren Hall:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaarenhall/

Pat Zingarella:

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

Keshav Kolur

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

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.

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!