Local development is not just about finding deals.

It is about people, trust, and choosing the right kind of capital.

In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Raphael Collazo sit down for an in person conversation about what it really takes to scale local development while staying true to your mission. From juggling hundreds of moving parts in a development to deciding when to bring in partners, they break down the real decisions developers face behind the scenes.

They talk openly about the limits of using only personal capital, the difference between JV partnerships and syndications, and why not all money is good money. Drawing from years of experience with private equity, venture capital, and local projects, Kristi and Raphael share why being intentional about who you work with is just as important as the deal itself.

The conversation also looks ahead to 2026 and beyond. They explore the vision for Elevate as a community driven project, the importance of building locally with locals, and why growing a national community of local developers starts with small, consistent action. From informal meetups to walking projects together, this episode highlights how connection creates momentum.

This episode is a grounded reminder that no one starts at the top. You start small, build skills, earn trust, and over time open the door to bigger projects with bigger impact.

What We Cover:

✅ Why development means managing a thousand moving parts at once

✅ The limits of using only your own capital

✅ JV partnerships versus syndications and when each makes sense

✅ Why not all money is good money

✅ Lessons learned from private equity and venture capital

✅ Protecting your vision while scaling impact

✅ Building projects with locals, for locals, with locals

✅ Starting small and growing into larger community driven development

✅ The vision for meetups and a national local developer community in 2026

Bold Truth:

You can make real impact without starting big. Start small, choose your partners wisely, and stay intentional as you grow.

Connect with Kristi:

🌐 Website: https://kristikandel.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristikandel/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kandel-4b650a12/

Connect with Raphael:

🌐 Website: http://www.raphaelcollazo.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commercial_louisville/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo/

Listen + Subscribe:

Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Want more from Kristi?

Hear how she’s helping locals become developers in their own communities without the gatekeeping.

🎧 Local Real Estate Developer Podcast Playlist →

👉 Ready to become a local developer in your town? Apply for the Mentorship:

https://www.localrealestatedeveloper.com/dev-mentorship

🎧 Access all platforms, the Developer Vault, and more:

https://linktr.ee/localrealestatedeveloper

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