“I never had a plan. I just showed up.”
In this episode of The Will Frederick Podcast, we sit down with Mr. Ed Hoover, a local legend who built a multi-million-dollar empire from nothing.

He didn’t have a strategy. He didn’t write down goals. He just showed up and worked — every single day.

From $51 a week to massive real estate and auto parts success, Mr. Ed shares what really builds legacy: consistency, faith, and investing in people.

Whether you’re in business, real estate, or just looking for purpose — this one hits deep.

In this episode of The Will Frederick Podcast, we sit down with Tommy Wong, one of Hammond’s most respected community figures. From his family’s journey from Hong Kong and China to the United States, to building a restaurant empire with the legendary China Inn and investing in real estate across Hammond and Mandeville, Tommy shares the untold story of the Wong family’s legacy.

We talk about the immigrant experience, the rise of the Wong brothers in Louisiana, lessons on entrepreneurship, community giving, and even Tommy’s unexpected appearances in Hollywood films like G.I. Joe and Bill & Ted Face the Music.

If you’re interested in Hammond history, immigrant success stories, small business, real estate investing, restaurants, or the American dream, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

🎙️ EPISODE: "The Big White House on Happy Woods — A Legacy Restored"
On today’s episode of the **Will Frederick Podcast**, we dive deep into one of the most talked-about properties in Tangipahoa Parish: the mysterious "Big White House" on Happy Woods Road, now officially known as *Le Grand Maison Blanche*.

I’m joined by Kevin and Sonya Ratzman, the powerhouse couple who took a 31,000+ sq ft abandoned architectural marvel and transformed it into a stunning estate with a powerful mission. This home—once a decaying passion project of a billionaire class-action attorney—has a rich and wild backstory involving private jets, casino high-rolling, lawsuits that changed history, and even presidential visits.

We talk about:

• The jaw-dropping features of the property (800-year-old oak tree, marble gazebo, secret tunnels, and more)
  
  
• How tragedy turned into purpose for both the former owner and the Ratzmans
  
  
• The future of Le Grand Maison Blanche as a botanical garden, Airbnb, and elite wedding venue
  
  
• And why a couple who just wanted land for their firefighting company ended up changing the course of Hammond history
  
  

You’ll hear wild stories, heartfelt moments, and a vision for community restoration, all from two of the most down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet. This one is inspiring, entertaining, and deeply meaningful.

🔗 Check out *Le Grand Maison Blanche*: \[link in show notes]

🎧 Sponsored by:

• Norton Accounting Services – Real estate tax pros for investors in 48 states.
  
  
• New American Funding – The Family Team, where family and finance meet.
  
  
• Florida Lee Law and Title – Secure, reliable real estate closings across Louisiana.
  
  

📍 Don't forget to subscribe and share this story that proves how vision, faith, and a little bit of crazy can create something extraordinary.

\#RealEstate #LouisianaHistory #WealthBuilding #HappyWoods #TheBigWhiteHouse #LeGrandMaisonBlanche #TransformationStory #WillFrederickPodcast

Transcript

What if building a successful business didn’t mean losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Jonathan Wong opens up about the real cost of leadership, the struggle for balance, and the power of living with purpose. From his role in building well-known restaurants to his work in the community and at home, he shares how faith, humility, and structure have shaped his journey. This isn’t just another story about entrepreneurship—it’s a conversation about what actually matters when the pressure is high and the stakes are personal. You’ll hear about core values, failures, team culture, and even a little dancing—but more than anything, you’ll leave thinking about what drives *you*.

Is Airbnb Still Worth It? The Raw Truth from a Real Estate Investor

In this episode, we sit down with realtor and investor John  to get the unfiltered truth about Airbnb vs. long-term rentals. John shares what it’s really like managing short-term rentals, how regulations are impacting investors, and why he’s actually scaling back his Airbnb portfolio — even after years of success.

We dive into:

* How Airbnb income stacks up against long-term rentals
* What most people don’t consider about short-term rental expenses
* Why location (and zoning) matters more than you think
* What went wrong with one of John’s most promising properties
* How real estate investing has created freedom in his life
* And the one rookie mistake he’ll never make again

Whether you’re thinking about your first rental property or deciding between long-term vs. short-term strategies, this episode is packed with honest insights from the front lines of real estate investing.

👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real estate content and investor interviews.
📲 Follow us on Instagram @thegrindpc for behind-the-scenes and bonus content.
🔗 Check out our sponsor links in the description for trusted services we use!

Who wouldn’t want to be a cash buyer? On this episode of The Will Frederick Podcast, we’re diving into how you can be one—even if you don’t have hundreds of thousands sitting in the bank. Will sits down with Kevin of New American Funding to break down their powerful NAFCash Program, a game-changing way to buy your next home with the strength of a cash offer… and sell your current home after you move.

This episode is packed with real-world insights:

Why being a cash buyer matters more than ever

How the NAFCash program works (and who qualifies)

Tips for first-time buyers, investors, and anyone navigating this wild market

The real cost (and real value) of using NAFCash


💬 Drop your questions or stories in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, Matthias Rojo, owner of Nola Mia Pizzeria, shares his journey from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant. From overcoming challenges to achieving success, Matthias opens up about his culinary passion, building a family-oriented business, and the unique culture he’s created at Nola Mia. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, quality, and love for the craft.

Sponsors:
Norton Accounting: Providing expert tax strategies for wealth building, especially in real estate.

Fleur de Lis: Curating stunning floral arrangements to make your moments unforgettable.

This episode is brought to you by:

 lid.media, your partner for creating high-quality video content that matters.
for more information visit their website https://www.lid.media/

 Hey everyone, welcome back to the show! In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and go-to tax guru, Bob Norton of Norton Accounting Services, to break down one of the biggest hurdles we all face—taxes. We dive into how you can strategically save on taxes while building real estate wealth, flipping the script on what feels like an unavoidable expense. No boring tax talk here; it's all about smart moves, real talk, and tapping into the incentives the government actually wants us to use. If you’re ready to learn how to keep more cash in your pocket and play the tax game on your terms, this episode is a must-listen. Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one! 

In this episode, we’re joined by a special guest from Southeastern Louisiana State University, Dr. Scott Burns! With a fascinating journey from Baton Rouge to LSU, and earning his PhD at George Mason University, Dr. Burns has traveled the world and come back home to share his wealth of knowledge.  

We dive into the practical side of economics, discussing how national and local markets work, the Federal Reserve’s role in interest rates, and what it all means for your daily life. Dr. Burns even shares the story of how he discovered his passion for economics during the 2008 financial crisis.  

If you’ve ever wondered how economic decisions impact your wallet—or how a PhD in economics differs from being a medical doctor (yes, there’s a funny plane story)—this episode is for you!  

Worried about losing money in real estate? Sure, there’s risk—but staying on the sidelines could mean missing out on opportunities.  

On today’s podcast, we’re diving into flipping homes, taking calculated risks, and building long-term wealth. My guest, Erica Hemphill, shares her journey from custom builds to high-end flips, including her recent $500K condo renovation. Curious how she did it? Watch now.