My guest today is Mike Zlotnik, CEO of TF Management Group and host of Big Mike Fund Podcast. In this episode Mike reflects on his upbringing in the Soviet Union, his journey from Moldova to New York, and his shift from a technology career to real estate investing. He and Ken discuss how chess and poker develop critical skills vital for investing and business, and highlight the challenges of real estate investing, particularly maintenance costs and leveraging in the current market. 

Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Zlotnik.

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For more insights like these and to contribute to the conversation go to: https://www.ridgewoodinvestments.com/insights-from-our-founder  

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Resources

bigmikefund.com

https://tempofunding.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzlotnik/

https://thecollectivegenius.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell/dp/0451526341

Show Notes

• [00:01:17] -Reflecting on his upbringing in the Soviet Union, Mike describes the hardships his family endured.
• [00:09:14] -Ken and Mike discuss how chess and poker teach critical thinking, adaptability, and decision-making, skills vital for investing and business.
• [00:17:33] - Mike recounts his journey from Moldova to New York, highlighting his family's immigration, education, technology career, and transition to real estate investing.
• [00:20:36] - Mike shares lessons from real estate investing, focusing on the challenges of maintenance costs and leveraging in the current market.
• [00:27:01] -  Highlighting his path in the industry, Mike’s shares his transition from personal real estate investing to joining Tempo Funding.
• [00:32:22] -  Ken & Mike discuss the Tempo Advantage Fund, designed to provide mezzanine financing for real estate projects facing difficulties due to higher interest rates.
• [00:37:11] - Recounting Tempo Funding's evolution from short-sale flip financing to hard money lending and eventually to launching commercial investment funds and syndications.
• [00:43:32] - Discussing the obstacles confronting recent real estate investments amid market shifts and increasing interest rates, highlighting investor communication and the unpredictability of market timing.