Raise the Bar

Richard and Chris attribute their success to disciplined, high-quality execution rather than flash or shortcuts, arguing that consistent focus and effort aligned with favorable market trends is what separates the top 1% from the rest. Chris reflects that one of his most significant recent risks was shutting down a highly successful brokerage team that was generating nearly $100 million in annual transactions, choosing instead to fully pivot toward his passive fund business as market dynamics shifted, a decision that ultimately paid off. Richard shares that his biggest risk was deliberately stepping into something entirely new in real estate, partnering with Chris and committing nearly all of his net worth to a handful of properties and a new venture that initially struggled before gaining traction. He concludes that, beyond strategy, the real determinant of success has been persistence, knowing when to adapt but refusing to quit on something he truly believes in.

Richard McGirr and Chris Lopez explain that what places them in the top 1 percent is disciplined execution and an uncompromising focus on quality, paired with the ability to work hard while staying aligned with major market trends rather than forcing outcomes against the current. Chris shares that one of his biggest risks was shutting down a highly successful brokerage organization that was doing nearly $100 million in annual transactions, choosing instead to pivot fully toward his passive fund business as market conditions shifted, a difficult decision that ultimately paid off. Richard reflects that his greatest risk was intentionally stepping into something completely new by moving into real estate, partnering with Chris, and committing nearly all of his net worth to a handful of properties and a new venture that initially struggled before gaining momentum. He concludes that beyond strategy, the true differentiator has been persistence, knowing when to adapt but refusing to quit on something he believes in.

This podcast is a masterclass in modern capital raising. Richard and Chris break down why small landlords are equity rich but cashflow poor, and how repositioning into debt funds solves that problem. They walk through the rise of Independent Capital Aggregators, the importance of choosing the right avatar, and their own journey to more than $1M in annual recurring carried interest. The core themes: simplify, focus, double down on what works, and stay relentlessly consistent. They show how a normal high-income professional with the right network can raise seven figures simply by following a proven system.

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Seth Bradley’s Links:

https://x.com/sethbradleyesq/

Richard McGirr/Chris Lopez's Links:

In this episode, Adapia explains that she made her first million through real estate investing, and her last million came the exact same way. Right now, she is in an in-between season, deciding whether her next million will come from scaling a business to seven-figure revenue or from returning to investing after a challenging few years. Adapia emphasizes that growth is not always linear and that taking time to pause, reflect, and reassess is essential. She believes periods of stillness are necessary to evaluate what went wrong, what needs to change, and what direction feels aligned moving forward. Adapia notes that she is less risk-tolerant now than she was in her twenties, and she is deliberate about taking the time needed to make major long-term decisions.

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Seth Bradley’s Links:

AdaPia d'Errico's Link

In this episode, Adapia explains that what separates Adapia in the top 1 percent is the refusal to ever think of Adapia as being in the top 1 percent. Adapia never rests on past achievements and constantly pushes to learn, adapt, and stay sharp in a rapidly changing world, especially with the speed of AI. Adapia shares that the biggest risk ever taken was jumping into the real estate crowdfunding space in 2013 before the industry existed. Traditional real estate voices insisted it would not work, yet Adapia helped launch one of the first firms in the space, which ultimately built a long-term career in real estate private equity and private credit. Adapia made the first and last million through real estate investing. For the next chapter, Adapia is in a strategic transition, deciding whether to scale a business or re-enter investing after challenging years. Adapia emphasizes the value of taking intentional time to reflect, evolve, and make thoughtful long-term decisions.

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Seth Bradley’s Links:

AdaPia d'Errico's Link

Raising capital is easy when times are good but maintaining investor confidence when the market tightens takes a different skillset. In this episode of Raise the Bar, AdaPia D’Errico investor relations strategist, fintech pioneer, and leadership advisor joins Seth Bradley to reveal the systems and mindsets that create lasting investor trust. AdaPia unpacks what authentic communication really looks like, how emotional intelligence drives capital growth, and why consistency is the most underrated form of marketing. If you raise capital, lead a team, or manage investor relationships, this conversation will completely shift your perspective on what “professional” IR looks like.

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AdaPia d'Errico's Link

In this episode, Jennings explains that he made his first million by buying apartment complexes, stabilizing them, improving operations, and exiting for profit. His last million came from the same business model, continuing to buy, fix, and sell multifamily properties. Looking ahead, Jennings plans to make his next million through a flex warehouse development project. Jennings  building a 37,000 square foot industrial property, dividing it into smaller contractor garage units, and selling them individually under a condo structure. Jennings expects to be all-in for about $4.2 million with a projected exit around $9 million.

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Seth Bradley’s Links:

Jennings Smith Jr.'s Link

In this episode, Jennings explains that the biggest risk he ever took was a highly distressed 208-unit property in Oklahoma. The asset was half vacant, most of the remaining tenants weren’t paying rent, and it required a $2.5 million rehab while being located halfway across the country. The deal demanded consistent oversight, weekly calls, and frequent trips to Tulsa to keep the project on track. Jennings and his team bought it for roughly $5 to $5.5 million, were all-in for about $8 million, and ultimately exited for $12.6 million. For Jennings, this deal is the perfect example of big risk producing big reward.

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Jennings Smith Jr.'s Link

The last two years have tested every real estate investor’s limits. In this episode, Jennings Smith, CEO of My First Million in Multifamily and co-creator of The Deal Room, joins Seth to break down what’s really happening in today’s market. Jennings opens up about over-scaling, selling off high-risk assets, and pivoting into easier, more stable investments.

Jennings also shares how he grew one of the fastest-rising Facebook groups in the real estate space by giving massive value, staying transparent, and teaching others to raise capital ethically and sustainably.

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Jennings Smith Jr.'s Link

What happened to the easy money era? In this episode, Seth reconnects with investor and BiggerPockets personality Matt Faircloth, founder of The DeRosa Group. They unpack how the capital-raising landscape has shifted, why fund-to-fund models are gaining traction, and why flipping homes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Matt also shares his unfiltered perspective on the future of multifamily, the rise of accredited vs. non-accredited structures, and where smart money should focus next.

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Seth Bradley’s Links:

Matt Faircloth's Link