The DMV (Washington, DC | Maryland | Virginia) Business Show

Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature Nick Grillo, Founder of Elevate Vending, to discuss his journey from growing up in an immigrant Sicilian family in Syracuse, New York, to building a fast-growing, innovative vending business in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area.
Nick shares his family’s close-knit dynamic and their collective migration to the DMV during the pandemic—a move motivated by a desire for better weather and new opportunities. He reminisces about his unique upbringing, cultural experiences, and how being first-generation influenced his perspective, particularly when it came to food, family, and tradition.
After high school and a stint working in his uncle’s roofing shop, Nick chose to enlist in the Air Force, inspired by his brother-in-law’s path. He spent 12 years in the military, working in aircraft mechanics and later transitioning into training management and strategic operations. It was during his service that he met his wife and experienced some defining moments of leadership and personal growth.
Post-military, Nick embraced entrepreneurship—first launching a handyman and smart home security business during the pandemic. What started with a single Nextdoor post quickly blossomed into a thriving venture, thanks to community demand and his technical skills. After exiting that business, a consulting opportunity introduced him to the vending industry.
Noticing how traditional and outdated the vending space was, Nick founded Elevate Vending in 2023 with the goal of bringing fresh, tech-forward solutions and a focus on customer experience to workplaces, residential, automotive, and public locations around the DMV. Nick emphasizes the importance of branding, locally sourced products, and partnerships, sharing how Elevate differentiates itself with AI-powered vending machines, open-market concepts, local snacks and meals, and a passion for community engagement.
The conversation covers the challenges and lessons of rapid growth, the importance of relationships and partnerships, learning from setbacks such as funding issues and contract negotiations, and how Nick balances business with family life—including fun details like his automated home hockey room for his family and friends.
Nick offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: focus on passion over money, build genuine relationships, learn to pivot quickly, and don’t be afraid to start small—even if it means driving around in a VW Jetta by yourself at first. Elevate Vending is now poised for major growth, aiming to expand its footprint and positive community impact throughout the DMV and beyond.
It’s a rich episode full of practical entrepreneurial insights, personal stories, and inspiration for anyone looking to innovate in a traditional industry!

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature ⁠Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation shares her inspiring journey from being a first-generation American and aspiring physician, to becoming a medical entrepreneur, and eventually leading a nonprofit that champions spine health education and advocacy across the nation.
Rita dives into the mission of the National Spine Health Foundation, explaining its focus on raising awareness and providing trusted resources about spine health—a subject that affects millions, yet often lacks national visibility. She recounts the organization’s evolution, from a research-focused group to a three-pronged mission encompassing education, advocacy, and research.
Rita’s personal story is both compelling and relatable. She discusses her multicultural upbringing—born in Oklahoma to Middle Eastern immigrant parents, living in London and Colorado, then attending George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her journey covers her academic drive, her pivot from a career in surgery to entrepreneurship in medical technology, and her eventual return to public health as the leader of a major nonprofit.
We highlight Rita’s entrepreneurial ventures in healthcare technology—starting and selling multiple companies, developing innovative e-learning and conference platforms, and navigating the dot-com boom and bust. Rita candidly discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in surgery, her transition into the technology sector, and the valuable lessons she learned about trusting her instincts and building strong teams.
The episode wraps up with Rita’s reflections on leadership, the importance of believing in yourself, and finding purpose through mission-driven work. She also touches on balancing her busy career with family, outdoor activities, and a new passion for pickleball.
**Key Themes:**
- Raising national awareness for spine health
- The immigrant and first-generation experience
- Pivoting from clinical practice to entrepreneurship
- The challenges and rewards of leading both for-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Building resilient teams and mission-driven cultures
- The value of self-trust and personal passion in professional success
To learn more about the National Spine Health Foundation, Rita invites listeners to visit spinehealth.org for resources, patient journeys, and more.
It’s a rich episode full of personal anecdotes, hard-won wisdom, and encouragement for anyone interested in business, healthcare, or nonprofit leadership!

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we share the journey of Hector Collazo, President of Navteca, discusses his journey from humble beginnings in Puerto Rico to leading an innovative technology company in the DMV area. Hector shares his childhood experiences, growing up with a single mother, discovering a passion for fixing things, and eventually excelling as an elite table tennis athlete. He talks about the discipline and sacrifice required to reach a high level in sports, and how those lessons translated into his professional life.
Hector details his early engineering career, including significant roles supporting the U.S. Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Air Force—highlighting a transformative year spent in Iraq during wartime, supporting military missions as a contractor. He underscores the importance of taking calculated risks, a recurring theme in his story, from moving overseas to shifting between technical fields like engineering and cybersecurity.
After a career that took him from Puerto Rico to Las Vegas, Texas, and ultimately the DMV area, Hector shares insights on the importance of building strong relationships and the value of mentorship and service. He reveals how his passion for innovation and mission-driven technology led him to Navteca, where he’s now president and part-owner.
Hector explains what Navteca does: specializing in cloud solutions, AI, data science and visualization, and software development, particularly for government agencies like NASA and NOAA. He highlights impressive projects tackling real-world problems—such as using AI and data visualization for wildfire response and collaborating with NASA on open science platforms and mission-focused solutions.
Throughout the episode, Hector emphasizes leadership, team-building, the value of sharing knowledge, and cultivating long-term relationships, both personal and professional. He offers career advice for anyone looking to climb the corporate ladder or make bold career pivots, especially in tech and government contracting.
The conversation also covers business ownership, the future of innovation in the public sector, current challenges like finding top tech talent, and Hector’s excitement about expanding Navteca’s footprint, particularly within the Department of Defense. The episode wraps up with reflections on balancing work, family, and personal development—underscoring Hector’s drive to make a positive impact for future generations.
If you’re interested in technology innovation, government contracting, or stories of perseverance and leadership, this is a must-listen episode!

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠ as we unveil the blueprint of success in LinkedIn with ⁠Harris Fanaroff⁠ of ⁠Linked Revenue⁠ based out of the Washington, DC metro area! Catch this incredible interview where Harris spills the secrets to growing a business in one of the most underrated social media platforms. He shares how stand out on LinkedIn and gives us proven strategies anyone can use to build their brand. Harris shows us how to transform our LinkedIn profile with a few easy steps to create the perfect LinkedIn format. He tells us his secret on unlocking productivity and how he comes up and writes his content, it is all about his notes app! Harris mentions proven ways to build real relationships on LinkedIn, it is about authenticity and not being spammy. He goes into the best approach to balancing balancing personal and business content, and finding the right balance of personal vs promotional content. You have to mix up your content strategy for maximum visibility and engagement. He shares an amazing LinkedIn sales hack very few use, sending video messages! LinkedIn is a very powerful tool that anyone can utilize to transform their business!

This episode is sponsored by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET'S CONNECT!

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In this engaging interview on ⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠, host ⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠ talks with ⁠David Stocks, Jr.⁠, President and CEO of ⁠Stocks General Contractors⁠, a company out of Virginia that specializes in underground utility construction, water lines, sewer, and storm drains, as well as electrical and communications work. Born and raised in the DMV area, David comes from a family with a 3rd-generation construction background. His father, David Sr., worked for various companies and also had his own company.David's childhood was spent playing on construction sites, observing his father's work, and helping out with small projects. Despite initially not wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, David began to develop an entrepreneurial spirit, starting his own lawn mowing business and eventually running his own company. He credits his parents, who were both entrepreneurs, for instilling in him a strong work ethic.David's career path is marked by an unconventional transition from construction to military service. He served in the US Army for 4 years, working in military intelligence and as a ground station operator, traveling between different bases in the continental US. After his military service, David considered pursuing IT or government contracting but ultimately decided to help his father's construction company grow, despite having a different business approach.David worked with his father's company for a while but their styles clashed, and he eventually decided to pursue his own construction career. It took him a year or two to figure out what he wanted to do, during which time he worked at an electrical contractor and realized that wasn't his passion. Eventually, he landed a job in underground utilities, working on vac trucks and identifying underground utilities. He worked for a company for a while and then left to start his own business, founding Stocks General Contractors.Remember that leadership is not just about the title or the role but about the values and principles one embodies. David Stocks Jr.'s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging others to pursue their passions, take calculated risks, and strive for greatness. His entrepreneurial spirit and unconventional career path have led him to success in the construction industry.

This episode is sponsored by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we share the journey of Jesse Konig, Co-Founder and CEO of Jesse and Ben's and  Swizzler. We delve into Jesse's background, his journey from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant to consumer packaged goods, and the challenges he faced along the way.
Jesse met his co-founder Ben while studying at Wake Forest University. Initially, they studied business with a focus on finance but later changed their major to English and entrepreneurship. During their college days, they launched a food truck business on campus, which laid the foundation for their future ventures. After graduating, they launched a food truck in the DMV area, which eventually evolved into Swizzler and Jesse and Ben's.
The idea for a food truck, Swizzler Gourmet Hot Dogs, was born out of a desire to fill a gap in the college food scene. They started operating in DC and eventually moved to farmer's markets, eventually leaving hot dogs behind and focusing on burgers. Jesse and Ben chose DC as the location for their business due to its strong alumni network, good infrastructure, and the opportunity to be the best food truck in the city.
After years of success as a food truck, Jesse and Ben decided to pivot to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. They signed a lease in 2019 and began building out the space in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Instead of hiring professionals for the entire construction process, they decided to take a hands-on approach, doing much of the work themselves, including demolition and installation of new features. They hired professionals for the more complex tasks, such as custom cabinetry and electrical work.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Jesse and Ben were able to save money by doing much of the work themselves and were able to open their restaurant in May 2020. The success of their brick-and-mortar restaurant was a testament to their hard work and determination. Today, Swizzler has a location in Washington, D.C., serving smash burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches. Jesse and Ben's is a frozen french fry brand that makes Belgian-style restaurant-quality fries at home, available in local grocery stores and nationally at Sprouts Farmers Market.
By sharing his entrepreneurial journey, Jesse provides valuable insights and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. His perseverance, creativity, and willingness to adapt have led to the success of his businesses, and his story serves as a reminder that with hard work and determination, anyone can turn their entrepreneurial dreams into a reality.

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET'S CONNECT!

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Email Me!  [email protected]

Text Me!  240-706-7584

Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature Jay Nwachu, President and CEO of Innovation Works. He shares his inspiring journey and the mission of his organization. Innovation Works is a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore City, dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap by supporting social entrepreneurs and providing impact investing.
Innovation Works was founded with the goal of testing the model in Baltimore City, identifying entrepreneurs, and partnering with mentors. The organization collaborated with the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University to adapt their model for an urban market in the United States. This led to the launch of Ignite Capital, an impact investing arm that provides capital to social enterprises.
Ignite Capital's first fund was a local fund seeded by the Jesuits and later attracted institutional philanthropy. Despite launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund successfully raised $4 million. One of the organization's first investors is now a board member, demonstrating the organization's impact on the local community.
Jay Nwachu migrated to the United States in the 9th grade and has been living in Baltimore for over 25 years. He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, with a loving family and community that relied on each other for support. After arriving in the US, he experienced a significant culture shock, particularly with the cold weather and Halloween celebrations. He found solace in the diversity of his school, Laurel High School, which had a large population of immigrant families, allowing him to connect with others who shared similar experiences.
Jay attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he initially studied computer engineering but later changed his major to psychology. He navigated his undergraduate and graduate studies, working in a research lab and as a corporate recruiter while pursuing his degrees. He landed a job as a corporate recruiter and worked in this role for over a decade, also pursuing a master's degree in industrial psychology.
Jay transitioned from corporate recruiting to innovation and entrepreneurship, citing his desire for a values-aligned corporate role. He joined a nonprofit that recruited and trained mission-minded individuals and later became an innovation strategist, helping organizations develop innovative products and services.
The key takeaways from Jay Nwachu's story are:
* The importance of finding one's own path and being open to change and new experiences
* The value of adapting to new environments and finding opportunities that align with one's values and passions
* The impact that innovation and entrepreneurship can have on closing the racial wealth gap and supporting social entrepreneurs
Jay's story is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and values-driven leadership.

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Excited to introduce ⁠Dr. Minnie Cruz-Tolentino⁠, the Founder and Medical Director of ⁠My Wellness Physicians⁠, a weight loss clinic in Leesburg, Virginia on ⁠The DMV Business Show⁠ with ⁠Otto Sevilla⁠ this week. Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's unique approach to weight loss combines physical health with chronic issues and patient goals, providing a holistic solution for those seeking a healthier lifestyle. We will delve into her personal background, cultural heritage, and experiences as a Filipino doctor living in the United States.Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's childhood was marked by her move from the Philippines to Connecticut at the age of 8. She lived with her grandparents, who taught her to speak Tagalog fluently, a skill she still uses today. Her grandparents' conservative upbringing had a significant impact on her life, shaping her values and perspective. Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's husband, also Filipino, often teases her about her language skills, and she has three daughters, including a 21-year-old senior in college.Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's family has faced its share of challenges, including the time her husband got a job in Connecticut while she was in residency in upstate New York. They navigated a long-distance relationship, with Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's husband driving from Connecticut to Utica every Friday and back on Sundays for three years. When she finished her residency, they moved to Maine, where her husband did consultancy work before joining her in her residency program. Their experiences in Maine and later in Virginia have been filled with triumphs and lessons learned.As the founder of My Wellness Physicians, Dr. Cruz-Tolentino's clinic takes a holistic approach to weight loss, considering the interconnectedness of physical health, chronic issues, and patient goals. Her experiences with medical missions in the Philippines have given her a unique perspective on healthcare and a desire to continue making a difference in the future.

This episode is sponsored by:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature Cecilia Hodges, the Regional President at M&T Bank, has dedicated her career to serving the Greater Washington DC and Virginia market. With a rich history, M&T Bank prides itself as a community bank, despite being the 11th largest bank in the country.  Cecilia's role is crucial in maintaining the bank's strong presence in the region.
Born and raised in Rocky Mount, Virginia, Cecilia grew up in a small town with a population of a few thousand. She attended Virginia Tech, where she majored in business management, but didn't initially plan to pursue a career in banking. After college, she took a job at a mortgage company, but soon discovered that it didn't challenge her. Cecilia's career trajectory changed when she landed a role at Columbia First Bank in DC, which was a chance encounter.
Cecilia comes from a family business, a building supply company, which her parents still own and operate at the age of 84. Her brother now runs the business, and Cecilia has spoken highly of her parents' dedication and commitment to their work. This family dynamic has likely played a significant role in shaping Cecilia's values and work ethic.
Cecilia's career is marked by her passion for commercial real estate, which began at Columbia First Bank. She helped establish a customer service department and later transitioned to commercial banking as a credit analyst and lender. After being laid off due to an acquisition, she joined Provident Bank, where she played a crucial role in opening a new office in Virginia and eventually becoming the regional president for the Greater Washington and Virginia region. When Provident Bank was acquired by M&T Bank in 2009, Cecilia transitioned to M&T, where she currently serves as regional president for the Greater Washington and Virginia region. Cecilia attributes her success to building strong relationships with clients, many of whom have been with her for over 30 years.
Cecilia Hodges' journey is a testament to her dedication to community leadership and her ability to build lasting relationships. Her story serves as a valuable lesson to leaders and professionals, highlighting the importance of staying active, committed to family, and focused on serving the community.

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The DMV Business Show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otto Sevilla⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as we feature Brian Valdivia, CEO of Beltway Lending, to share his personal and professional journey in the real estate industry. As a full-time real estate investor, Brian has accumulated over 200 rentals in under four years, demonstrating his expertise and success in the field. He joined forces with his partner to establish Beltway Lending, a company that caters to investors seeking to fix and flip or keep rental properties.
Brian's real estate journey began when he purchased a property in Southwest Baltimore for $20,000 in 2019 and sold it in 2020. He then worked as a financial analyst for Northrop Grumman but left to pursue a career as a hard money lender. Brian credits the owner of a local lender, as a mentor who played a crucial role in his success. Brian's first property was a single-family home in a rough part of Baltimore, which he bought with seller financing. Although he did not make a profit from the property, he sold it for a significant amount of money, which he used to fund a hard money loan. This experience laid the foundation for his future investments, including a rental property he purchased in May 2021.
DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) loans are a type of investment property loan that allows borrowers to use rental income to qualify for a loan. Beltway Lending specializes in DSCR loans, offering a 30-year fixed-rate loan that is underwritten based on the property's income versus the borrower's debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. To be approved, the property must produce a positive cash flow. DSCR loans are beneficial for self-employed individuals or those with poor credit who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. However, DSCR loans require an appraisal, and the appraisal form must consider the property's condition and market rent.
When evaluating a DSCR loan, it is essential to consider the overall picture, including the property's cash flow and the potential risks and benefits of the loan. Investors must carefully assess the property's ability to generate positive cash flow and determine whether the loan is suitable for their investment goals. By understanding the requirements and benefits of DSCR loans, investors can make informed decisions and achieve success in the real estate industry.

Brian Valdivia and Beltway Lending are a testament to the potential for success in the real estate industry. By sharing his personal and professional journey, Brian highlights the importance of mentorship, hard work, and strategic planning in achieving his financial goals. Beltway Lending's DSCR loan product offers a unique opportunity for investors to access capital and grow their portfolios. By understanding the key requirements and benefits of DSCR loans, investors can make informed decisions and achieve success in the real estate industry.

This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEVI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://seviproperties.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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