Founders In The Lab with Ruben Kanya

In this energizing and introspective episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Corey Ryan Bevilacqua and Cory Jacobson, co-founders of the Wealth Juice brand and podcast. These two long-time friends and partners share their inspiring journey from college roommates to building a real estate portfolio, launching a top-performing media platform, and now mentoring others on the path to financial freedom.

Corey and Cory pull back the curtain on how documenting their real estate journey in real time—not after reaching the mountaintop—opened unexpected doors and landed them interviews with Brandon Turner, David Greene, and other major figures. They reveal how starting with just a few properties and staying radically consistent for five years helped them grow a real estate and education business that is now scaling toward seven figures.

The conversation touches on key topics like navigating the 9-to-5 while building your dream, managing partnership dynamics with trust and clarity, and why mentorship, room selection, and mindset are the true multipliers. Ruben, Corey, and Cory also explore how reverse charisma and deep curiosity have helped them grow their influence by amplifying others—an underrated skill in business and life.

If you're building something from scratch, struggling with impostor syndrome, or dreaming of turning your passion into a full-time pursuit, this episode is a playbook for showing up, building intentionally, and trusting the long game. Tune in now to learn how Corey and Cory built momentum, overcame self-doubt, and turned a simple idea into a real estate and media brand with lasting impact.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

20:47 Cory talks about the value of finding people that are on the same path.

33:40 Ryan talks about reverse charisma and making others feel good, heard, and seen.

KEEPING IT REAL:

06:36 – From college friendship to real estate and brand building

11:53 – Impostor syndrome and documenting the journey in real time

17:04 – Getting in the right rooms and the power of proximity

23:45 – Reverse charisma and building trust through curiosity

30:58 – Navigating W2 life while scaling a business

38:56 – Full-time entrepreneurship and redefining success

47:00 – Scaling mentorship through ads, systems, and intention

1:05:20 – Legacy, gratitude, and building something worth remembering

1:07:30 – The power of partnership, trust, and showing up for each other

1:14:06 – Paradigm shifts from being in the right rooms

1:25:00 – Final thoughts, legacy goals, and where to find the Wealth Juice team

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://start.juice-enterprises.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthjuiceofficial/#

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wealthjuiceofficial

#MicroResorts #ExperientialHospitality #VisionaryLeadership #RealEstateDevelopment #ShortTermRentals #STRtoResorts #MindsetMatters #BuildWithPurpose

In this immersive episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Melissa Darnay, founder of Choose Panama and host of The Panama Podcast. Melissa shares her remarkable story of turning personal tragedy into purpose by relocating to Panama and building a thriving real estate and hospitality business. What started as a leap of faith became a decade-plus journey of entrepreneurship, lifestyle freedom, and helping hundreds of expats find their own piece of paradise.

Melissa reveals the practical and financial benefits of living in Panama—from 50% lower living costs to property tax exemptions and affordable beachfront real estate. She breaks down residency options, cultural differences, and how her vertically integrated business helps newcomers transition smoothly through real estate, rentals, and concierge services. Ruben and Melissa also explore mindset, manifestation, and how building a life abroad is both a financial and personal evolution.

If you’re looking to design a lifestyle of freedom, explore international real estate, or discover what’s possible beyond U.S. borders, this episode is your invitation. Tune in now to learn how Melissa built a 40+ unit short-term rental business, developed a powerful expat network, and created a life by design—one bold decision at a time.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

08:59 Melissa talks about the “richness of life in Panama

48:19 Melissa talks about breaking down hard things to make them easier to deal with

KEEPING IT REAL:

05:00 – How grief and change led to a new life abroad

10:08 – What “richness of life” means in Panama

13:16 – How far your dollar goes: real estate, insurance, and cost of living

20:05 – 50% cost savings and comparison with Dallas & Miami

22:05 – Real estate journey and early education

26:03 – Transitioning into Panama real estate and finding her niche

29:16 – Using vacation rentals to help expats experience Panama

32:02 – How to buy property or establish residency in Panama

36:20 – Building a property management and STR business from scratch

40:43 – Why concierge services matter for expats

43:04 – Learning through mistakes and building a team

47:00 – Navigating culture and building a high-end brand abroad

48:44 – Melissa’s mindset on grit, problem solving, and manifestation

53:11 – Choose Panama’s vertical integration: buy, manage, rent, repeat

54:04 – The Panama Podcast: content formats and funnel strategy

59:06 – Sneak peek at virtual reality tour experience launching soon

1:01:16 – Final thoughts on taking your life and talents overseas

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://www.choosepanama.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadarnay/?originalSubdomain=pa

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melissadarnayuncorked/

#ChoosePanama #ExpatsInPanama #InternationalRealEstate #LifestyleDesign #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #LiveAbroad

In this inspiring episode of In The Lab, we're joined by Brian Hatcher, founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, and Aaron Appleton, his trusted partner in Hatch Capital property management and founder of Mirror Haus Collection micro resort. Together they’ve moved from managing short-term rentals to curating branded micro resort experiences— both collectively and individually building their own respective brands Orenda by Brian Hatcher and Mirror Haus Collection Hauss by Aaron Appleton.

Brian Hatcher is the founder and CEO of Hatch Capital, a real estate investment and consulting firm focused on experiential hospitality and lifestyle-based asset creation. Brian started in the real estate space by house hacking and building data-driven systems that evolved into a vertically integrated business as seen in our previous episode Real Estate Hacking: Serial House Hacker to Developer. Now, he leads development efforts on branded micro resorts designed to deliver intentional guest experiences and long-term value.

Aaron Appleton is the Founder/CEO - Mirror Haus Collection, a real estate entrepreneur, strategic operator, and creative mind behind several real estate ventures. He has a background in short-term rental management and is now spearheading operations, team culture, and design strategy for the duo’s micro resort developments. Aaron brings a strong emphasis on intentionality, vision, and brand alignment to every aspect of their projects, pushing the limits of what hospitality can look and feel like.

In this episode, we dive deep into the power of vision, mindset, and aligned partnerships. Brian and Aaron share how their journey began with managing short-term rentals and evolved into developing bespoke micro resort experiences that serve both investors and guests. The conversation highlights how vision clarity, execution discipline, and long-term alignment create meaningful and sustainable business models.

We explore the mindset shifts required to level up in real estate—from chasing cash flow to building brand equity and hospitality that lasts. Ruben, Brian, and Aaron also reflect on personal growth, the impact of mentorship, and why leaders must be intentional with their direction, community, and legacy.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

20:42 Brian talks about having a vision as an important part of leadership

24:38 Aaron talks about redirection.

KEEPING IT REAL:

04:00 – Presence, mindset, and living where your feet are

05:00 – Knowing who you are vs. who you're not

07:00 – Avoiding goal paralysis by letting go of the “how”

09:30 – Defining a clear vision and creating from intentionality

11:00 – Visualization and the neuroscience of future-building

14:00 – Breaking free from society’s agenda and asking what you want

16:20 – Core values: Health, wealth, love, and happiness

18:50 – The balance between manifestation and doing the work

20:10 – Levels of leadership and visionary communication

22:00 – Blocking out noise to stay on mission

23:40 – Redirecting vs. exiting: Knowing the difference

26:00 – Why micro resorts are the next evolution beyond STRs

30:30 – Building irreplicable hospitality brands

33:00 – The global vision for boutique experiential stays

36:00 – Success clues, mentorship, and modeling behaviors

38:00 – Giving flowers, building community, and reflecting legacy

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Brian

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hatcher-82034450/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatch_capital/

Aaron

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-appleton-86228323b/

#MicroResorts #ExperientialHospitality #VisionaryLeadership #RealEstateDevelopment #ShortTermRentals #STRtoResorts #MindsetMatters #BuildWithPurpose

In this game-changing episode of In The Lab, Ruben links up with serial house hacker and investor and close friend Brian Hatcher to unpack the real estate cheat codes most people overlook. From their San Diego yacht-side conversation to boots-on-the-ground investing plays, this episode is packed with insider knowledge on how to hack your way into wealth without cutting corners. Brian shares his real-world blueprint for finding properties with in-law units or ADUs, leveraging low down payment loans, and eliminating your biggest expense—housing.

Ruben and Brian also go deep on the importance of playing the long game, why real estate is the ultimate end goal for wealth parking, and how you can build a sustainable portfolio without quitting your 9-5. They break down strategies for short-term and midterm rentals, cover the realities of e-commerce “fake wins,” and reveal how to make clean, sleep-at-night plays that actually last and build a legacy.

If you’re tired of the flashy quick wins and want a real plan that builds wealth over time strategically, this is the blueprint episode you need. Tune in now to discover how to stack smart real estate plays, house hack your first (or next) deal, and build long-term financial freedom the clean way.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

06:28 Brian talks about why entrepreneurs will always come back to real estate

14:28 Brian talks about really helping people

KEEPING IT REAL:

02:00 - The blueprint that helped Ruben house hack his first property

03:45 - Finding single-family homes with ADUs and in-law suites

04:50 - Why house hacking beats multifamily for first-time buyers

06:00 - How to stack equity, appreciation, and cash flow legally

07:00 - Renting vs. real estate: What the wealthy do with their money

12:00 - What high earners and doctors are realizing about short-term rentals

12:45 - Cost segregation, taxes, and keeping more of what you earn

15:00 - Credit hacking vs. credit literacy: What's ethical and what's not

17:00 - The myth of $100k months in e-comm and what gets left out

18:30 - Scaling from house hacks to short-term rentals and resorts

Connect with Brian:

Website: https://hatch-capital.com/

#HouseHacking #ADUInvesting #ShortTermRentals #FinancialFreedom #RealEstateHacks #PassiveIncome #CleanPlaysOnly

In this eye-opening episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with public adjuster Andy Gurczak of All City Adjusting for a second time to unpack the misunderstood world of insurance claims and temporary housing. Andy explains why most homeowners and investors are at a major disadvantage when filing insurance claims and how public adjusters can help recover tens of thousands of dollars more—often without the property owner having to lift a finger. Ruben and Andy walk through the lifecycle of a claim, the different players involved (staff adjusters vs. CAT adjusters vs. public adjusters), and how midterm rental operators can better serve displaced families by understanding Coverage D and building stronger relationships with adjusters, agents, and vendors.

You’ll learn why calling the insurance company first could cost you, how to shift deductibles strategically, and how to frame your housing proposals so they actually get approved. Andy also reveals how his team inventories personal property for families after a fire and why personal property often becomes the biggest overlooked payout opportunity.

If you’re in real estate—especially the midterm rental or insurance housing space—this is a must-listen conversation that could dramatically change how you approach claims and partnerships. Tune in now to learn how to build trust with adjusters, navigate insurance timelines, and position yourself as the go-to housing solution.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

08:59 Andy talks about calling a public adjuster first before talking to your insurance company.

29:59 Andy talks about why you should choose the home instead of the hotel.

KEEPING IT REAL:

05:00 - What a public adjuster does and how they get paid

10:45 - Why you should never call your insurance company first

14:00 - The difference between staff adjusters vs. CAT adjusters

18:30 - Adjuster motivations: bonuses, overwhelm, and bias

22:00 - Understanding Coverage D and relocation budgets

28:30 - Can relocation funds be extended or shifted?

32:00 - Should families stay in hotels or homes?

36:20 - How to build relationships with public adjusters and agents

44:00 - How PA services help investors inventory personal property

54:00 - How to speed up proposal approvals with adjusters  

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://allcityadjusting.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-gurczak-528b9b64/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allcityadjusting/

#PublicAdjuster #InsuranceClaims #CoverageD #MidtermRentals #TemporaryHousing #RealEstateInvesting #PolicyholderAdvocacy

In this high-energy behind-the-scenes episode of In The Lab, Ruben and Vivian sit down to unpack the real wins, surprises, and life-changing conversations that happened before, during, and after their sold-out MTR event in San Diego. From laughter to legacy, they reflect on the power of collaboration, the emotional feedback from attendees, and the unexpected impact of simply showing up in the room. They also break down what went right, what could be better, and how the event has inspired even bigger plans—including international retreats and future workshop-style summits.

This episode is a front-row seat to what it really takes to build community, plan memorable experiences, and maintain momentum after a successful event. Ruben and Vivian open up about parenting while building businesses, staying grounded with AI tools, and their shared immigrant values that fuel their work ethic. They share the unfiltered wins, from a surprise $1,000 donation to the LA Fire Department to attendees booking last-minute flights just to be in the room. If you’re looking to host your own event, level up your network, or simply get inspired to turn impact into action, this conversation is a masterclass in keeping it real while building big.

Tune in now to catch the spark, laugh along, and get a glimpse into what’s coming next.

KEEPING IT REAL:

05:30 - Immigrant communication styles and empathy in business

13:45 - Reflections on the event turnout and ticket sales

16:00 - Event planning challenges and team contributions

18:30 - Ideal event size, feedback, and vision for future meetups

24:00 - MTR bootcamp and insurance housing pitch

27:00 - Life-changing relationships born from the event

31:30 - Next year’s MTR Summit changes and potential rebrand

34:00 - Technical issues, sandwiches, and Gen Z slang explained

36:00 - Should the MTR meetup go national or quarterly?

42:00 - STR vs MTR: Breaking down the difference

46:00 - Vivian’s global connections and superpower as a connector

49:00 - Workshop format ideas and role-playing B2B outreach

52:00 - International MTR experiences and the “foodnominal” concept

57:00 - Las Vegas vision: work first, then experience

59:00 - Post-event follow-up plans and future directions

#MidtermRentals #EventStrategy #RealEstateNetworking #RentalCommunity #CollaborationOverCompetition

Welcome to the lab. Today, we're joined by Linda Holtz, a multifamily investor and property management expert who immigrated to the U.S. With over a decade of experience in property management, Linda learned the ins and outs of running efficient, profitable properties—until one powerful question changed everything: why manage properties for others when she could own them herself?

In this episode, Linda shares her path from employee to investor, revealing the mindset shifts, skills, and systems that helped her scale from her first property purchase in 2020 to building a robust portfolio. She discusses lessons from her early mistakes, the importance of thinking like an operator, and why emotions can be the biggest liability in real estate. With practical advice on partnerships, asset management, and investor education, Linda pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in multifamily investing.

If you’re a property manager looking to transition into ownership or an investor who wants to run leaner, smarter operations, this episode is packed with takeaways you can implement immediately. Tune in now to hear Linda’s journey, and leave equipped to own your next opportunity.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

17:54 Linda talks about having discipline in one’s journey of entrepreneurship.

21:24 Linda talks about transitioning to become a business owner.

KEEPING IT REAL:

07:14 – From property manager to property owner

11:39 – Lessons learned from the first investment property

17:28 – Managing emotions and expectations in multifamily

23:02 – Scaling with partners and thinking like an operator

29:49 – Biggest myths and realities in multifamily investing

36:58 – Systems, mindset, and building a long-term vision

44:38 – Advice to new investors

51:12 – The importance of mentorship and surrounding yourself with experts

58:45 – Navigating market volatility and investment strategies

01:06:20 – Leveraging technology and AI in property management

01:13:55 – Future outlook: opportunities in multifamily and commercial sectors

01:22:29 – We are OUT!!!

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://married2realestate.com/home#section-_VBI9eii5g

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-holtz-1493495a/?locale=en_US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m2retx/

#MultifamilyInvesting #PropertyManagement #RealEstateStrategy #InvestorMindset #WomenInvestors

In this eye opening episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks the hidden truths behind what it really takes to succeed—across life, business, and real estate. Drawing parallels between biotech innovation, basketball shooting averages, Airbnb crisis management, and entrepreneurial mindsets, he reveals a powerful framework: success isn’t a straight path—it’s earned through failure, structure, and service.

Ruben shares a deeply personal reflection on why most people quit too early, and how embracing the “fail forward” principle—combined with white-glove hospitality and decision-making systems—can create outsized rewards. He emphasizes how real transformation happens before the result shows up, and why your job isn’t to avoid problems, but to address them with speed, empathy, and professionalism.

Whether you’re an Airbnb host, a corporate operator, or just navigating your own “lab,” this episode will give you the reset you didn’t know you needed. Tune in now to reframe your setbacks, build structure, and serve at a level that guarantees repeat business and long-term wins.

#FailForward #ShortTermRentals #MidTermRentals #RealEstateSuccess #HospitalityBusiness #OperatorMindset #BusinessResilience

In this expansive and thought-provoking episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a powerful concept that’s shifting the way high-level operators grow: owning less, but earning more through collaboration. Drawing from real-time projects, events, and conversations inside the Experiment Nation community, Ruben explores the idea of building a business model that grows through shared success rather than isolated competition.

Ruben shares how applying this mindset — whether through partnerships, teams, or infrastructure — has opened up new levels of leverage, fulfillment, and scale. He also unpacks how nature reflects this same principle, from seed-to-tree metaphors to ecosystems that thrive through interconnected growth. With examples ranging from Jeff Bezos to everyday operators in the midterm rental game, this episode is a challenge to zoom out, think abundantly, and ask: what if your piece of the pie didn’t have to be the biggest, just part of something massive?

If you’re ready to expand your reach, build something that lasts, and explore what’s possible when you grow alongside others — this episode is for you. Tune in now and discover the power of scaling through shared success.

#CollaborationOverCompetition #ThinkBigger #EntrepreneurMindset #ScaleYourBusiness #MidtermRentals #AbundanceMindset

In this reflective and action-driven episode of In The Lab, Ruben dives into a transformative concept that has fueled much of his growth: the power of one-to-many. By unpacking this principle, Ruben reveals how leveraging single actions to create exponential impact can unlock the next level of growth in your business and life. Through personal examples from real estate, community building, and content creation, he demonstrates how this principle is not just a strategy, but a mindset shift that accelerates results.

Ruben shares why one-to-many isn’t just about business models but about leverage across every area of life. From relationships with relocation specialists to midterm rental strategies, from masterminds to meetups, and even down to content distribution—Ruben illustrates how you can multiply your efforts without multiplying your workload. Drawing parallels to nature’s own systems and leveraging insights from mentors and personal experiments, this episode will help you rethink how you’re spending your time and energy.

If you’re looking to break free from the one-to-one grind and start building systems that scale effortlessly, this episode is your roadmap. Tune in now to learn how to identify your own one-to-many opportunities, amplify your impact, and accelerate your journey to sustainable growth.

You can check out more of our content here: https://bit.ly/3h40ykkThanks for Watching! There’s only one thing left to do, Let’s build!

#OneToMany #Leverage #ScaleYourBusiness #MidtermRentals #EntrepreneurMindset #ExperimentNation #BusinessGrowth #CompoundEffect