In this episode of Path of Progress, host Alex Kononov sits down with Maria Zondervan  ⁨@bluevikingscapital⁩  CEO of Blue Vikings Capital, who manages over 2,000 multifamily units and leads with both financial acumen and purpose.

Maria’s path wasn’t traditional. From buying her first house with a lease option as a broke student, to launching a Massage Envy franchise before the 2008 crash, and then scaling into multifamily syndications — Maria reveals how trust, transparency, and long-term vision have fueled her growth.

But Maria’s mission goes far beyond building wealth. Inspired by her son, she founded Valhalla Villas, a nonprofit creating sustainable housing for autistic adults. Her story proves that real estate can deliver both financial freedom and meaningful impact.

👉 Whether you’re just starting out or already scaling, this episode will show you how to raise capital the right way, build authentic relationships, and create a legacy that outlasts you.

📌 Key Takeaways

✅ How Maria bought her first property with no money down using a lease option

✅ Why house hacking before it was trendy changed her financial trajectory

✅ Lessons from selling before the 2008 crash and pivoting into business ownership

✅ The danger of being a “secret agent” in real estate — and how to build credibility

✅ Why trust before money is her golden rule for raising capital

✅ How SPV fund structures helped her investors earn top-tier returns

✅ The mission behind Valhalla Villas and building housing for autistic adults

✅ Why 85% of investors come from in-person relationships

✅ The role of masterminds, networking, and education in scaling fast

✅ Why legacy bigger than returns in long-term real estate investing

🌐 Connect with Maria Zondervan

Website → https://www.bluevikingscapital.com/

Nonprofit → valhallavillas.org

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/investwithmariaz/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-zondervan-b5b61544/

https://www.facebook.com/maria.zondervan

🎧 Listen & Watch the Full Episode

YouTube → https://youtu.be/q9WPaf5QoW0

Spotify

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/path-of-progress/id1782550599

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#PathOfProgress #MariaZondervan #AlexKononov #BlueVikingsCapital #RealEstateInvesting #MultifamilyInvesting #ImpactInvesting #CapitalRaising #FinancialFreedom #ValhallaVillas #LegacyInvesting