In this episode of the Wealth Wisdom Financial Podcast, host Brandon Neely sits down with Mickey Curd, a seasoned healthcare operations leader turned full-time real estate investor. After 25 years in logistics and support services for hospitals across the Midwest, Mickey made the bold leap in 2024, leaving his W-2 behind to focus fully on real estate.

But this wasn't a jump without a parachute.

Mickey shares how he restarted his real estate investing journey in 2018 with just two properties, and scaled that into a diverse portfolio of 38 units, including single-family homes, duplexes, and 4-plexes, primarily in the Youngstown/Boardman, Ohio area.

We dive into:

• Why he chose to re-enter real estate—and what he did differently the second time around

• The step-by-step growth from 2 to 38 doors in just 5 years

• How he prepared financially and emotionally to leave his 9–5

• Tips for managing long-term rentals and Airbnbs without losing your sanity

• What it really takes to make the leap from employee to entrepreneur

Whether you're just getting started in real estate or wondering if it's finally time to go all in, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and inspiration.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:24 Meet Mickey Curd: Real Estate Investor

01:31 Mickey's Real Estate Journey

02:28 Transition to Full-Time Real Estate

03:45 Understanding Velocity Banking

04:14 COVID and Financial Strategies

06:38 Deep Dive into Velocity Banking

10:30 Tracking Finances with Spreadsheets

17:05 From Velocity Banking to Infinite Banking

21:51 Introduction to Policy Repayment Schedules

22:13 Detailed Breakdown of Loan Payments

23:00 Planning for Taxes and Insurance

23:31 Second Policy Overview

24:15 Leveraging Policies as Assets

26:33 Analyzing Real Estate Investments

27:21 Property Analysis Example

31:01 Cash Flow and Property Management

35:55 Scaling Real Estate Investments

38:28 Final Thoughts and Advice