Matthew Baron is the Founder and President of BPG, Formed in 2021, BPG has an active development pipeline totaling nearly 4 million square feet and over 3,600 new residential units, valued at over $2 billion. Under Matthew Baron’s leadership, the company’s current portfolio includes large-scale mixed-use and rental residential development projects in Long Island City, Queens, and Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, as well as the Miami metro area cities of Hialeah and Coral Gables.

Baron Property Group is a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm. Leveraging over 30 years of real estate experience, they develop residential and commercial properties nationwide, emphasizing New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak

1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Links:

Baron Property Group

Matthew on LinkedIn

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:10) - Life in NY RE

(00:3:00) - Matthew’s early career

(00:18:27) - Matt’s first deal

(00:23:52) - Pivoting into hotels

(00:28:08) - Starting a company during the GFC

(00:31:23) - Focusing on MF development

(00:34:36) - Mitigating risk

(00:36:30) - Location nuances

(00:42:03) - Design and construction

(00:46:24) - What’s stopping you from developing more projects?

(00:51:23) - Dealing with Unions

(00:53:01) - Getting into the Miami market

(00:54:10) - Identifying partners

(00:59:52) - Building out a team

(01:02:20) - What are you most worried about in the business?

(01:05:42) - What’s the biggest opportunity in Miami?

(01:09:07) - Hold strategies

(01:11:08) - What is your favorite hotel?

On this solo episode, we deep-dive into common mistakes when investing in the hospitality space. Enjoy!

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak

1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:19) - There is no substitute for experience

(00:05:00) - Location, location, location!

(00:19:54) - Broken business plans

(00:29:52) - Cost overruns

(00:34:52) - Misunderstanding customer needs

(00:36:19) - Ground-up developments

In this episode, I sit down with Avi Greenbaum to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the decisions that defined his career. Avi shares his early ventures, including trading baseball cards as a child and running a travel business in college, which laid the groundwork for his approach to business. We explore how his ability to spot opportunities and his drive led him from Wall Street trading desks to ventures in software, real estate, and more.

Our conversation dives into Avi’s entry into real estate, where he recounts his first deal in condo conversions and how he handled financing, zoning, and market trends. Avi explains how he built teams, used creative financing structures, and launched a mortgage bank to support his projects. His insights into market cycles and strategic pivots offer lessons in risk management and adaptability.

We also explore Avi’s ventures in urban redevelopment, including his work in Delray Beach, Florida. From assembling parcels of land to transforming properties, Avi’s stories are full of lessons on perseverance, negotiation, and vision. This episode provides practical wisdom and a behind-the-scenes look at how Avi turned entrepreneurial efforts into success.

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak

1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Links:

Triple Double RE - https://www.tripledoublere.com/

Avi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgreenbaum/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:36) - Avi’s background and career

(00:25:46) - Getting deals done in South FL in the GFC

(00:52:34) - How to negotiate well

(01:11:02) Avi on Workforce housing 

(01:24:26) - Hotel conversions

(01:33:22) - What deals won’t you do?

(01:39:14) - The state of Office

(01:52:54) - What’s your favorite hotel?

Isaac French crafts micro-resorts & boutique hotels. He designed, built, and sold the massively popular Live Oak Lake in Waco, Texas for $1M per key. He also founded Experiential Hospitality, an exclusive course and community for the next generation of hospitality trailblazers.

On this episode, Jake and Isaac discuss:

• Building and Selling Live Oak Lake
• What's next for Isaac
• Naivety as an advantage

Links:

Isaac on X

Experiential Hospitality

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak

1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:19) - The Nook

(00:10:21) - Landscape hotels

(00:14:47) - Getting into the hospitality business

(00:21:44) - Building Live Oak Lake

(00:44:57) - The numbers behind Live Oak Lake

(01:04:02) - Selling Live Oak Lake

(01:11:56) - What’s next?

(01:26:12) - Naivety as an advantage

(01:30:50) - What is your favorite hotel?

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities and opportunities of converting older mom-and-pop motels into modern, vibrant lifestyle hotels, particularly in resort areas. 

We discuss the importance of understanding the market, creative financing options, successful case studies, programming and amenities, renovation scopes and plans, and risk management.

Additionally, we cover listener questions on negotiating deals, alternative financing methods, and enhancing the online presence of independent hotels.

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:17) - Converting Motels into Lifestyle Hotels

(00:04:02) - Case Studies of Successful Conversions

(00:08:53) - Market Considerations for Hotel Conversion

(00:16:48) - Programming and Amenities for Modern Motels

(00:19:19) - Renovation Scope and Design Tips

(00:23:41) - Underwriting and Financial Considerations

(00:30:06) - Q&A Session: Institutional Buyers and Revenue Potential

(00:37:32) - Understanding Commission Structures in Hotel Bookings

(00:37:50) - The Importance of a Compelling Website

(00:39:16) - Leveraging Social Media and Influencers

(00:41:40) - Outsourcing E-commerce and Revenue Management

(00:42:25) - Challenges with Hotel Websites

(00:46:47) - Negotiation Strategies for Buying Hotels

(00:55:38) - Alternative Financing Methods

(00:58:46) - Converting Motels to Multifamily Units

(01:01:51) - Boutique Hotel Renovation Costs

(01:06:41) - Networking and Financing in Hospitality

(01:09:53) - Closing Remarks and Podcast Information

John Meadow is the founder and president of LDV Hospitality, a boutique hospitality group that was founded on his realization of the ambition to bring the dream of “La Dolce Vita,” to everyday life.

Focused on concept and business development, John drives the creative process for the company, envisioning restaurants and bringing them to life, as well as forging new partnerships with hotel developers to create bespoke food and beverage experiences for their guests.

John began LDV in 2008, with the critically acclaimed flagship Scarpetta restaurant, followed by signature brands American Cut and Dolce Italian.

This episode was originally released May 10th, 2023

On this episode, Jake and John Discuss:

• Creating the Ultimate Dining Experience
• Building a Restaurant in Rome
• Scaling LDV to a Global level
• Leadership Lessons

Links:

LDV Hospitality: https://ldvhospitality.com/

Ralph’s Restaurant in Paris: https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/global/ralphs-paris/7120

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: https://bit.ly/42k0AMX

The Grand Hotel Parker's Naples Italy: https://en.grandhotelparkers.it/

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on Twitter

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:14) - Introducing John & his journey into hospitality

(00:06:26) - Early lessons on how to cultivate an experience in Hospitality

(00:11:32) - What characteristics are you for in partners?

(00:13:39) - How do you set the vision for a project?

(00:16:05) - Scaling on a Global level

(00:27:14) - What are the tipping points for restaurants in design that you implement every time?

(00:31:35) - The changing way people engage with night life

(00:34:37) - Membership concepts

(00:37:54) - Designing a restaurant in Rome

(00:53:07) - What would surprise listeners about your leadership style?

(00:57:02) - Mentorship

(01:01:36) - Can a chef own a truly successful restaurant for a long period?

(01:04:17) - How have you managed to rebuild investor confidence and maintain relationships since the Pandemic?

(01:10:51) - How do you utilize what you learn from traveling?

(01:12:30) - What is your favorite hotel?

As Managing Partner, Chris oversees all of the company’s development and sales activities. With East West pioneering new communities in Charleston, Denver, Snowmass, Deer Valley and Kauai, Chris works with folks from coast to coast and helps guide these destinations toward the future. From his perspective, the agenda is actually quite simple, “We build places that put people first, where the experience drives design and sustainability governs construction techniques.”

Chris is a founding member and the board President for the Civic Center Conservancy, the City of Denver’s private partner at Civic Center Park. He is also Board Chair for the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization, and a member of the Board of Governors’ for the Denver Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

This episode was originally released July 2023

On this episode, Jake & Chris discuss:

- How they find deals

- East West's acquisition process

- Setting up multiple offices to enhance the development flow

- The difference between condos & hotels and how to make it work

- Large scale resort development

- Managing risk

Connect & Invest with Jake

Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Links:

Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cframpton1/

East West Partners: https://www.ewpartners.com/

Petit St. Vincent - https://www.petitstvincent.com/

Cayo Espanto Beliz - https://aprivateisland.com/

The Soho Grand NYC - https://www.sohogrand.com/

One Hotel Hanalei Bay - https://www.1hotels.com/hanalei-bay

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:05) Chris’ career in real estate

(00:12:17) East West’s focus on providing value to buyers

(00:16:39) East West’s PM approach

(00:19:51) An inside look at the 3 companies within EastWest

(00:26:08) How has the organization changed in your time there?

(00:30:19) How did you expand to all these different markets while maintaining the core value of living where you work?

(00:35:04) What incentives worked when giving ownership to employees?

(00:38:35) How have you been able to survive real estate cycles and maintain a massive development pipeline?

(00:43:17) Fee Development for another party

(00:49:15) Is there room for more master resorts?

(00:51:32) What was your greatest investment?

(00:54:24) How are you capitalizing deals?

(00:57:02) How do you approach reporting?

(01:01:18) Is there a mistake that you made that lingers for you?

(01:04:09) How are you managing risk through the acquisition pipeline?

(01:11:17) How do you structure a Condo Hotel?

(01:19:28) What is your favorite hotel?

Chris Pronger is a former NHL MVP who played 19 years in the league before embarking on his journey into entrepreneurship with his adult beverage business.

JRNY is a Canadian whisky created by the Brothers Sean and Chris Pronger with award-winning distillery Niagara Falls Craft Distillers Whisky. 

This episode was originally released March 2024

On this episode, Jake and Chris discuss:

- Life in the NHL, mistakes, and lessons learned

- Developing a professional mindset in athletics and business

- Launching JRNY and competing in the beverage market

Check out JRNY here: https://jrnyspirits.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:04:34) - How youth sports have changed

(00:09:44) - Developing a professional mindset in athletics

(00:12:01) - Misconceptions about leadership in pro sports

(00:14:36) - What it takes to play 19 years in the NHL

(00:16:37) - Transitioning back to civilian life

(00:19:18) - Mentors & investing

(00:33:32) - Discovering yourself after retiring

(00:39:27) - Launching a whiskey brand

(00:52:02) - Bouncing back from failure

(00:53:24) - How to pick great partners in business

(00:58:51) - Competitive advantages

(01:01:17) - Brand inspirations

(01:06:32) - Building relationships

(01:08:57) - Chris’ real estate strategy & career reflections

(01:24:56) - What is your favorite hotel?

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

In this special coaching-call episode, we deep dive into what has made Blackberry Farm a successful hospitality operation before getting into some Q&A where we discuss:

- Advice to independent developers

- Operating agreements w/ restaurants

- Scaling w/ investors vs. bootstrapping & a ton more!

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:04:38) - Inspirations from Blackberry Farm & Blackberry Mountain

(00:21:14) - Advice to independent developers

(00:25:40) - Operating agreements with third-party restaurants

(00:35:27) - Purchasing an existing hotel vs. developing from the ground up

(00:44:12) - Pop-up hotel experiences

(00:48:03) - Scaling with investors vs. bootstrapping

(00:55:05) - The risk of betting on newer brands

(01:00:21) - Creating a case for a market where there’s little data available to pull

Gabe has led more than $50mm of multi-family investments in metro Denver, across more than 500 apartment units in Denver, Lakewood and Aurora. Gabe is also the co-manager on over $25mm of multi-family investments (164 units) in Los Angeles.

This episode was originally released October 2023

On this episode, Jake & Gabe discuss: 

• Going from Wall St. into Real Estate
• Building Generational Wealth
• Raising Capital
• Executing Value-Add Strategies

Links:

Gabe on Twitter

Tekton Group

Connect & Invest with Jake:

Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak

Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/

Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo

Topics:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:48) Going from Wall St. into Real Estate

(00:09:38) The desire to create generational wealth

(00:11:14) Balancing raising capital while building wealth in assets

(00:14:26) What are some key principles you abide by to protect you against being a forced seller?

(00:20:15) Waiting for the Fat Pitch

(00:25:46) Can you define sub-institutional real estate and what are some market inefficiencies you see around the asset class?

(00:30:43) How do you find deals?

(00:34:07) A walkthrough of a deal that closed 2 weeks later

(00:39:01) How do you execute quickly on your value-add strategy?

(00:43:03) What’s the structure of your fund and why did you decide to have a fund?

(00:47:48) What did you learn from the first and second funds that you’ll implement in the third?

(00:59:18) Have you thought about deals that you never want to sell?

(01:02:28) What have you learned from your worst deal?

(01:06:23) Getting tenant feedback for Capex

(01:08:26) Gabe’s philosophy around 3rd party managers

(01:12:15) What are your goals over the next 3 years?

(01:17:12) What is your favorite hotel?