What does it take to build a powerful personal brand alongside a significant real estate portfolio?

Welcome back to ep111 of Inspired To Invest. To watch rather than listen, click here.

🎙️ Episode 111: From HGTV to Real Estate Freedom with Wendy Russell

What does it look like to blend creativity, business savvy, and nearly three decades of real estate investing? In this episode of Inspired to Invest, I sit down with the multi-talented Wendy Russell—best known as the award-winning producer and TV host of HGTV’s She’s Crafty, as well as a seasoned real estate investor, general contractor, speaker, and personal brand coach.

Wendy shares her fascinating journey from the film and television world to building a cross-border real estate portfolio, coaching entrepreneurs, and producing live events. From dirt-cheap deals in Indianapolis to the importance of trusting your gut with property managers, her story is packed with lessons, laughter, and a dose of straight-talk inspiration.

✨ If you’ve ever thought about expanding into U.S. real estate—or you’re looking for permission to stop doing the stuff you hate—this conversation is for you.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Wendy transitioned from TV hosting to real estate investing (and why both careers are more connected than you think).
• The economics of buying U.S. properties during the 2010 downturn—and why Canadians still have opportunity south of the border.
• The single biggest mistake investors make with property management (and Wendy’s system for vetting the right partners).
• Practical strategies for managing projects remotely, from cameras to clear systems.
• Why investors must detach emotionally and focus on the numbers.
• How showing up—even when uncomfortable—can create breakthrough opportunities.
• The branding insight that shifts your mindset from “selling a product” to “selling yourself.”
• Wendy’s unapologetic advice: Stop doing the sht you hate.*

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

• 0:00 – Welcome & Intro
  Meet Wendy Russell—TV host, producer, and real estate investor with 28 years of experience.
• 3:40 – From Stage to Strategy
  How Wendy’s background in TV and public speaking organically evolved into real estate investing and coaching.
• 9:15 – Breaking into the U.S. Market
  The story of starting in Indianapolis in 2010—buying single-family homes for $30K–$50K and applying the “3% rule.”
• 15:30 – Scaling Up
  Acquiring a 14-unit apartment building during the pandemic and the surprising opportunity to sell for major gains.
• 20:05 – The Hard Truth About Property Management
  Why your property manager can make or break your investment—and how Wendy now interviews them like key hires.
• 27:00 – Cameras, Contractors & Airbnb Guests
  Creative systems Wendy uses to manage projects from afar (and catch unexpected surprises).
• 32:20 – The Craziest Investor Story Yet
  The shocking letter that revealed one of her U.S. rentals was sitting completely empty.
• 39:40 – Branding & Business Energy
  Why people aren’t just buying your product—they’re buying you. And how Wendy helps entrepreneurs harness storytelling to grow.
• 45:50 – Showing Up Changes Everything
  From producing her own TV pilot to landing HGTV, Wendy shares the power of stepping out of your comfort zone.
• 52:10 – Best Advice Ever Received
  “Don’t get emotionally attached—it’s just a roof.” Practical wisdom for every investor.
• 57:30 – What’s Next: Fearless Toronto
  Wendy’s new event for female entrepreneurs happening October 4th—and how you can get involved.
• 1:02:00 – The Ice Cube Perspective
  The quote that keeps her motivated: Your life is like a melting ice cube.
• 1:05:00 – Final Advice
  “Stop doing the sh*t you hate.” Why life’s too short to spend time on things that drain you.
• 1:08:00 – Connect with Wendy
  Find her on Instagram at @thoughwendyrussell and grab her free Mastering Your Brand Story Starter Kit via the link in her bio.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. When you invest in yourself, the sky’s the limit.

💬 If this episode moved you — comment below and share your biggest takeaway. 

📌 Resources & Links:
🔗 Learn more about Wendy Russell https://wendyrussell.com or @thewendyrussell
🎧 Subscribe to the Inspired to Invest Podcast

Thank you to M1 Capital Connectors for bringing us this month’s episodes of “Inspired To Invest”.  If you’re an experienced real estate investor who needs support raising capital, find out how to raise your next $1 to $3 million dollars in the next 90 days. Learn more!

“Inspired to Invest” is proud to support the Beyond Success Program, a not-for-profit financial literacy program for students, launched by More To Give & MAK Investments. Find out more at @more2give.ca.

➕ Follow Serena Holmes for all things related to personal branding, business, real estate, investing, wealth (and more!). I'm on a mission to help others create wealth because "when you invest in yourself, the sky's the limit" 🚀

➕ Follow Serena Holmes for all things related to business, entrepreneurship, real estate, investing, wealth (and more!).  I'm on a mission to help others create wealth because "when you invest in yourself, the sky's the limit" 🚀 

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Serena Holmes is a licensed REALTOR®, real estate investor, real estate investing coach, podcast host, published author and chief content officer of Executive Lens. She is also the former CEO of Tigris Events, a multi award winning brand experience agency.  

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