⚖️ S.C.A.L.E Method guide for entrepreneurs 👉🏻https://www.joinplaybigger.com/scalemethod
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Gem Montero, a real estate investor in Arizona who came to the U.S. from the Philippines, worked a W-2 job, and went on to flip 200+ homes in just six years.
And this isn’t the HGTV highlight reel.
Gem gets real about what it actually takes to build that kind of momentum, the identity shift, the pressure of carrying risk, the deals that hurt, the mistakes that cost money, and the systems (and simplicity) that keep him scaling without drowning in chaos.
If you’re a real estate agent who wants to start investing or an aspiring investor who wants the truth behind the numbers, this conversation will challenge you in the best way.
Things I Cover in This Episode:
- Gem’s journey from immigrant + W-2 employee to flipping 200+ homes
- Who he had to become to build that level of success
- How he found and funded his first deal (and why mentorship mattered)
- The biggest misconception people have about flipping houses
- The real risks of flipping that nobody shows on TV
- What market shifts taught him (including the hard lessons from 2022)
- The traits that matter most in investing: grit, risk tolerance, and decision speed
- The “cheap” decisions that become the most expensive (roof, AC, cabinets, etc.)
- Gem’s non-negotiables when analyzing deals (what’s an immediate no)
- How he manages projects, contractors, and capacity without burnout
- The best first step for agents who want to get into investing (house hacking + networking)
- What it means to “Play Bigger” while staying grounded in family and values
If you loved this episode, take a screenshot, share it to your IG stories, and tag me @itsraquelq, I want to see what hit home for you.
And if you’re ready to stop thinking about investing and start building real structure in your business, check out my workshops and coaching programs at letsplaybigger.com.
Until next time keep taking bold action, stay aligned, and always Play Bigger. 🚀
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Connect with Gem Montero: @gem.montero
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