Brick by Brick - Wealth Building Conversations

In this episode of Brick by Brick: Wealth Building Conversations, we sit down with Alexander J. Brown, Managing Partner at Beacon Venture Partners, to pull back the curtain on what really drives smart venture capital investing.

With over a decade of experience in startups, strategy, and venture, Alex breaks down the mythologies that dominate the VC world — from celebrity founders to billion-dollar unicorn dreams — and shares how seasoned investors can cut through the noise to find truly scalable opportunities.

We also dive into:

• How Alex blends agile methodology (Scrum) into venture operations

• Why hands-on leadership matters in early-stage investing

• A real-life story of stepping in to lead a struggling portfolio company

• Tactical advice for founders seeking capital the right way

Whether you're raising your first round or deploying your tenth, this episode is a masterclass in strategic investing and entrepreneurial leadership.

📍 Connect with Alex:
📧 [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn
🔗 Scrum Alliance Profile
🔗 Beacon Venture Partners

In this episode of Brick by Brick: Wealth-Building Conversations, host Loren Wernette welcomes Adam Williams, Founder and CEO of Elevest Capital, for an eye-opening conversation on strategic real estate investing in the multifamily sector.

Adam brings over 20 years of experience, having weathered market downturns and emerging stronger with a focus on value-driven leadership and crisis-era adaptability. He walks us through:

• Why multifamily is experiencing what he calls “the perfect storm”—and why that presents massive opportunity for investors

• How to vet a fund manager and protect your capital

• The importance of follow-up and consistency in long-term investing success

• Why real estate isn’t a “get-rich-quick” play—it’s a “get-wealthy-for-sure” blueprint

• His personal story of the 2007 crash and how it completely changed his investment philosophy

🔗 Watch Adam's Perfect Storm breakdown on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pO7J2NF2_8o

Whether you're a passive investor, aspiring syndicator, or seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on building sustainable wealth in turbulent times.

Guest Contact Info:
🌐 Website: https://elevestcapital.com
📸 Instagram: @awinvests
🔗 LinkedIn: Adam Williams
🐦 X (Twitter): @aw_invests
📱 TikTok: @awinvests
▶️ YouTube: Adam Williams Invests

Episode Summary:
In this episode of Brick by Brick, Loren sits down with Pam Fisher — a powerhouse in the world of manufactured homes and creative real estate deals. With a background as an ER nurse turned full-time investor and founder of both FPR-Fisher Properties & Rentals and VH-Vision Homes, Pam shares how she found her niche in “wobbly boxes” and why now is always the best time to start.

Tune in to hear her unique perspective on persistence, negotiation, creative financing, and what it means to help others realize their own potential through real estate.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Pam transitioned from healthcare to real estate

• The overlooked opportunity in manufactured homes and parks

• Tips for finding your niche in real estate investing

• The value of persistence and creative deal-making

• How VH-Vision Homes is helping investors and families alike

Connect with Pam Fisher:
📍 Facebook: Pam Fisher Personal | VH-Vision Homes

📄 Show Notes:

In this powerhouse episode of Brick by Brick Wealth-Building Conversations, we sit down with John Hetherington—AI strategist, automation expert, and founder of We Deliver Your Vision—to unpack the exact systems business owners need to stay ahead and stay sane in the AI era.

We dive into:

• The AI Implementation Ladder—and where most businesses are getting stuck

• Why the risk of not using AI far outweighs the risk of using it wrong

• How to stay secure in a world of automated decision-making and data exposure

• Real talk on burnout: if you or your team are overwhelmed, here's your first step to reclaim your time

• The critical mindset shift from process chaos to profit-driving systems

With 25+ years of experience and 100s of companies served, John breaks down complex tech into practical, actionable steps to help you grow revenue, reclaim bandwidth, and future-proof your business.

📍 Connect with John Hetherington:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhetherington1
Instagram: @thejohnhetherington
Upcoming Book: Why Technology Will Break Your Business

What happens when you walk away from a 17-year, six-figure corporate career with no safety net—and no plan B? In this episode of Brick by Brick: Wealth-Building Conversations, I sit down with Jason Seward, host of Burning The Ships and co-founder of 608B Capital Funding, to talk about what it really takes to go all in.

Jason shares how he went from playing it safe in insurance sales to building a $10M+ real estate lending business in under two years. We dive into mindset shifts, the power of mentorship, and the real meaning behind the name "608B" (hint: it's got a backstory you'll want to borrow). Whether you're stuck in a W2 or scaling your empire, Jason’s story proves that it’s never too late to pivot—and win.

📌 Topics we cover:

• Leaving corporate life with nothing but conviction

• Raising capital in today’s market

• Building a brand with authenticity and grit

• How 608B Capital is scaling fast in the lending space

• The real cost—and reward—of betting on yourself

Follow Jason: linktr.ee/jasonseward

🎧 Episode Description (SEO-Optimized):
If you're a real estate business owner looking to scale smarter, boost wholesale profits, and buy back your time, this episode is a must-listen. We sit down with Theresa Sage, founder of Get Sarah, a cutting-edge AI agent system built for real estate professionals, to talk about how AI-powered lead generation is transforming the game.

In this episode of Brick by Brick, you'll learn:

• How to use an AI agent to grow your real estate business and close more deals

• The backstory behind Get Sarah, the tool that’s helping agents increase profits and reduce burnout

• Theresa’s journey from childhood hustler to 7-figure entrepreneur

• Mindset shifts every business owner needs to scale sustainably

• Why personal development is the real engine behind consistent success

Whether you're flipping, wholesaling, or scaling a brokerage, Theresa drops real talk on using automation, strategy, and mindset to build your empire — brick by brick.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
👉 Get Sarah – The AI agent designed to help real estate professionals close more leads and reclaim their time
👉 Follow Theresa on IG: @theresasageaz

In this episode of Brick by Brick, Loren sits down with Anton Zherelyev, the CEO of REI Lead Pros and a master of direct-to-owner lead generation. Based in Medellín, Colombia, Anton shares how he scaled his business to 7 figures by helping real estate investors crack the cold-calling code and build predictable lead pipelines.

Anton opens up about the $100K deal that changed everything—thanks to one smart decision (hint: it came from his wife). He drops gems on how to take massive action, why sitting on the sidelines is the biggest risk in today’s market, and how automation and AI are rewriting the playbook for real estate pros.

Whether you're a wholesaler, flipper, or just looking to grow your team with A+ talent through his new venture, Smart Hire Pros, this episode is packed with real-world takeaways.

📲 Follow Anton:
LinkedIn | Instagram
🔗 Learn more: REI Lead Pros | Smart Hire Pros

This week, we’re joined by Dan Rivers, founder of Rivers Capital Group (RCG) and partner at SynergyStays, to talk about what it really takes to build wealth through real estate — and why your mindset is your most powerful asset.

Dan opens up about his incredible journey, including surviving two heart surgeries and now living with a mechanical heart valve (yes, you can actually hear him tick). Through it all, he’s kept one thing at the center: his Why.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The strategy behind SynergyStays and how they help clients outperform STR market averages

• Why mindset matters more than the market

• The importance of adaptability when life hits hard

• Building wealth with intention — in both business and life

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or someone navigating the ups and downs of life, Dan’s story will inspire you to lead with purpose, stay resilient, and keep moving forward.

🔗 Connect with Dan:
Instagram & Facebook: @DanRivers_RCG

Synergy Stays: https://www.synergystayslocal.com/

🚀 Thinking about hiring your first employee? Not sure when the right time is or how to manage company culture as you grow? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Hanis, Founder of Fortitude HR Solutions, to break down the biggest HR challenges business owners face and the mindset shifts every entrepreneur must make to scale successfully.

✅ Topics We Cover:

• 📌 When is the right time to hire your first employee? (Signs you’re ready to grow)
• 🏢 How to build and manage a strong company culture as you scale
• 🧠 The essential mindset shifts entrepreneurs need to lead a team successfully
• ❌ The fears business owners have around firing employees – and how to handle it with confidence

💡 Whether you’re a startup founder, business owner, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you navigate the tricky transition from solopreneur to leader.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert business growth advice!

📢 Follow Scott Hanis & Fortitude HR Solutions:
🔹 Facebook: @FortitudeHRSolutions
🔹 LinkedIn: Fortitude HR Solutions

🎧 Listen now and take your business to the next level!

🔥 #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #HiringEmployees #CompanyCulture #Leadership #ScottHanis #FortitudeHRSolutions #MindsetShift #ScalingYourBusiness #StartupSuccess #HRStrategy #Podcast

Welcome to The 4 C’s of Lending, the podcast that breaks down the four fundamental pillars of lending—Credit, Collateral, Capacity, and Character—and how they shape real estate financing and private lending decisions.

Whether you’re a borrower looking to secure funding, an investor evaluating deals, or a lender refining your underwriting criteria, this show gives you the insider perspective on how lenders assess risk, structure loans, and make profitable lending decisions.