In this episode, Brian Green interviews TJ Burns, who shares his journey from growing up in Long Island to studying engineering at MIT and eventually working at Amazon. TJ discusses his experiences at MIT, the challenges he faced while working at Blink, and the lessons learned from his startup life. He also talks about his transition into real estate, the importance of mentorship, and how he built his investment portfolio. Finally, TJ introduces Zendra Lending, a new venture aimed at providing funding for fix-and-flip projects, emphasizing the importance of customer obsession and seamless service.

Takeaways

• TJ faced multiple rejections before landing a job at Amazon.
• Mistakes are essential for growth and learning in business.
• Personal growth is crucial for job satisfaction.
• Building relationships is key in real estate investing.
• Investing in real estate requires patience and education.
• Choosing the right investment group is vital for success.
• Zendra Lending aims to simplify the lending process for borrowers.
• Customer obsession is a core principle in business.
• Ownership and accountability are important in leadership.
• Networking and adding value can open doors in business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to TJ Burns and His Journey

02:44 Life at MIT: Engineering and Athletics

05:24 Career Path: From MIT to Amazon

10:24 Lessons from Startup Life at Blink

16:12 Navigating Mistakes and Leadership

21:38 Transitioning to Real Estate: The Why and How

26:35 Investing in Real Estate: Early Experiences

32:00 Building Zendra Lending: A New Venture

37:16 Zendra Lending: Business Model and Investor Appeal