The Value Builder Podcast

This episode Saul sits down with Rafik Moore, CEO of BRAIT Capital and the visionary behind the Value-Add Network, to explore how he transforms forgotten properties into high-yielding assets. Rafik breaks down his “rough-diamond” philosophy—buying well-located buildings the market has written off, then unlocking hidden value through adaptive reuse, aggressive leasing, and disciplined budgeting. From converting vacant big-box stores into fully leased small-bay industrial hubs to re-imagining single-story office parks as co-working and flex space, Rafik shows why the Midwest’s overlooked real estate is his favorite hunting ground.

You’ll hear:

The three ingredients of a true “deal”—replacement-cost discounts, functional obsolescence you can fix, and compelling exit cap-rate spreads.

Why “cash-flow first” beats market speculation, and how soaring construction costs have reshaped his underwriting.

Lessons from a $4.5 M Ohio mall that’s on its way to a $30 M valuation—and the discipline it took to weather years of zero distributions.

The power of community: how Rafik’s Value-Add Network is grooming 100 investors to build $100 M portfolios by sharing capital, confidence, and contacts.

Rafik also opens up about the biggest risk that paid off (both in business and life), the importance of mentors, and the mindset shift that turns property problems into generational wealth. If you’re itching to scale from flips to eight-figure commercial deals—or just need a shot of CRE inspiration—this episode is pure fuel.

This episode Saul welcomes Shoaib “Sho” Kabani—ex-management consultant, e-commerce entrepreneur, and now full-time small-bay operator—to unpack how he vaulted from passive LP checks to hands-on industrial deals in record time. Sho walks through closing three self-storage facilities while expecting his first child, converting a handshake-lease warehouse in Florida into a seven-figure performer, and breaking ground on a 35 KSF flex development outside Houston. 

You’ll hear:

The “LP tour” that paid off —how dabbling in hotels, multifamily, and storage gave Sho the confidence to syndicate his own deals.

Seller-finance mastery —structuring a note when 80-year-old owners have no leases, no books, and only handshake agreements.

From $11 gross to $13 NNN —raising rents, adding cams, and doubling value in a once-ignored Port Charlotte flex park.

Why small-bay beats self-storage —sticky trade tenants, zero TI requests, and operations that free you to chase the next deal.

Ground-up economics 101 —land at <$6 SF, all-in at ~$130 SF, targeting 15–16 NNN, and an 11-cap cost basis.

Biggest lessons learned —move fast, delegate sooner, and pay up for an A-team architect/GC to dodge municipal landmines.

Sho also shares the mindset shift that let him balance newborn life with aggressive deal-making—and the legacy he hopes to hand his daughter one warehouse at a time. If you’re eyeing the under-built small-bay niche or just want a blueprint for turning rough assets into cash-flow machines, this episode is pure fuel. Press play and level up your industrial game!

In this launch episode, host Saul Zenkevicius shares the origin story of the Value Builder Podcast—from scribbled newsletter notes to a growing movement. Hear why he's bringing the mic to the world of value-add real estate, business, and beyond—and what you can expect from future episodes. If you're obsessed with taking things from underperforming to unforgettable, this podcast's for you.

No fluff. Just real strategies, conversations with operators at the top of their game, and a behind-the-scenes look at what separates those who build lasting value from those who just talk about it.

Subscribe, share, and join the movement at joinvaluebuilder.com.