In this special guest episode, I join the Uncontested Investing podcast to share the full journey of how I went from buying my first rental property—with no clue what I was doing—to leading the REI Deal Finders community and building a business that helps investors all over the country close more deals.

We talk about the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference, the real truth behind building a business that lasts, and the challenges and sacrifices most people don't see behind the scenes. If you're in the trenches trying to build something—or thinking about making the leap—this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[0:46] – How I got started in real estate investing (and why it wasn't easy)

[2:10] – Learning by doing: the role of mentorship and experience in early deals

[4:33] – The difference between flipping and wholesaling—and how I chose my lane

[6:57] – Building systems, hiring team members, and stepping into the CEO seat

[9:14] – What I wish I knew when I started (and the advice I'd give new investors now)

[11:50] – Dealing with fear, imposter syndrome, and moments when things don't go as planned

[14:25] – The mindset shift from doing deals to building a business

[17:39] – My why: building freedom, serving people, and staying grounded in faith

[20:52] – How REI Deal Finders started—and what I want it to become

[24:07] – Closing thoughts: you don't need to be perfect—you just need to keep going

5 Key Takeaways

1. You won't be ready when you start—do it anyway
2. The difference between hustle and growth is systems
3. Your "why" will carry you through the hard days—make sure it's real
4. Building a team means letting go—and trusting others to help you scale
5. You don't need 100 properties to change your life—just the right mindset and support

If this episode resonated with you, do me a favor—rate, review, and share the REI Deal Finders podcast. And make sure to follow Uncontested Investing for more powerful investor stories.

Let's go get that next deal.