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What happens when a tech executive discovers she can beat her financial advisor's returns by 5%? Divya Smith, founder of Ascending Avenue, shares her journey from 20+ years in Fortune 500 leadership to managing $300M+ in multifamily assets while helping others achieve financial freedom without sacrificing family time.

[00:00 - 07:00] From Corporate Technology to Real Estate Investing

• 20+ years in technology leadership and executive roles at Fortune 500 companies
• The unsettling realization that financial advisors didn't know as much as expected
• Testing her investment skills: 19% returns vs advisor's 14% (minus fees)
• How a LinkedIn connection who quit corporate for real estate sparked the transition

[07:01 - 14:00] Learning from Single Family Rental Mistakes

• Managing one property with 5 tenants over 15 years - including police visits and drug issues
• Being $600 below market rent due to discomfort raising prices on struggling families

[14:01 - 20:00] Building a Different Kind of Real Estate Business

• Currently managing 3 investments per year (down from 4 to avoid burnout)
• The importance of in-house property management and construction teams
• Creating community through quarterly events: pizza parties, Halloween celebrations, Easter hunts
• Why Class B multifamily became the sweet spot for investments

[20:01 - 29:00] Final Four & The Real Goal of Financial Freedom

• Worst job: Asking for $9M in leftover funds for community initiatives - and being denied
• Paradigm-shifting book: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (re-read annually)
• Skill to learn: Guitar (gifted 2 years ago, still waiting to be played)
• Success definition: Helping others define their own success and touching 10,000 lives through career coaching

Connect with Divya:

Website: https://www.ascendingavenue.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyasmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investwithdivya

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Key Quote:

"The goal is not to quit your job. The goal is to do what you love to do." - Divya Smith

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What happens when a Hollywood producer trades movie sets for multifamily properties? Michael Jacobs, founder of Mar Vista Entertainment (sold to Fox Studios), shares his transition from 25 years in entertainment to building a vertically integrated real estate empire in Pittsburgh. 

[00:01 - 08:05] From Hollywood Producer to Real Estate Investor

• Built Mar Vista Entertainment from a 2003 business plan to Fox Studios acquisition
• Specialized in $5M-and-under movie production for Netflix, Disney Channel, Lifetime
• The decision to transition away from Hollywood's demanding travel schedule
• Started with three duplexes to test the rental market in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill

[08:06 - 15:40] Building a Vertically Integrated Real Estate Business

• How frustration with general contractors led to building an in-house construction team
• The challenge of 100-year-old infrastructure: cast iron pipes, knob-and-tube wiring
• Expanding from rental properties to becoming one of Pittsburgh's premier design-build firms
• Why complete gut renovations became the standard approach for old housing stock

[15:41 - 22:10] The "Singles and Doubles" Business Philosophy

• Why avoiding the pressure for home runs and grand slams builds sustainable businesses
• The danger of social media hype and "get rich quick" mentalities
• How to test, measure, and scale gradually while watching the numbers
• Balancing tenant satisfaction with property upgrades to reduce turnover

[22:11 - 28:40] Final Four & Building for the Future

• Worst job: Cleaning motel rooms for $6/hour time-and-a-half on Sundays
• Paradigm-shifting book: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell
• Skill to learn: Guitar (joining the ranks of aspiring musical entrepreneurs)
• Success definition: Providing for family and keeping nine children and two grandchildren happy

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://marvistadb.com
LinkedIn: Michael Jacobs 

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Tweetable Quotes:

"The numbers drive everything at the end of the day. " - Michael Jacobs

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 What does it take to gain the trust of investors and build a business that thrives in such a relationship-driven industry?

In this episode of Weiss Advice, Yonah speaks with Julia Anderson, founder of Capital Catalyst and fractional CMO, who shares her journey from managing restaurants to becoming a marketing leader in real estate syndication. Julia explains how her early hands-on business experience prepared her to help capital raisers build credibility, manage marketing systems, and create authentic connections with investors. She also discusses the pitfalls she sees when working with new clients, the importance of CRM systems, and why personal branding often outweighs company branding when raising capital. 

[00:01 - 07:30] From Restaurants to Real EstateKey Takeaways:

• How Julia transitioned from restaurant operations to real estate marketing.
• Why her early leadership roles shaped her confidence and skillset.
• The importance of seeing opportunity in unexpected industries.

[07:31 - 14:00] Thrown Into the World of Multifamily

• What Julia learned at her first Best Ever Conference.
• How she began to understand multifamily syndication from the ground up.
• The significance of asking questions and staying curious in new industries.

[14:01 - 21:30] Marketing Pitfalls and CRM Challenges

• Why CRMs often fail without proper customization.
• How messaging clarity impacts investor trust and action.
• The need to tailor marketing systems to both the business and its audience.

[21:31 - 28:30] The Power of Personal Branding

• Why investors follow people, not just brands.
• How authenticity and storytelling build trust.
• What the significance of consistency is in social media and content creation.

[28:31 - 34:47] Always Be Raising: Building Long-Term Systems

• Why raising capital isn’t an overnight process.
• How the right systems create sustainable investor relationships.
• The importance of preparation before a deal is on the table.

Connect with Julia:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersonjulia/

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WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

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Tweetable Quotes:

“People follow a person. They don't follow a brand… So they need to know who you are as a person.” - Julia Anderson

“The systems and the processes you build in a solid marketing foundation are what keep you from ever needing to scramble to raise capital quickly.” - Julia Anderson 

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What does it take to go from cash-advancing a credit card to building a vertically integrated, multi-state real estate empire? In this episode, Chris Hanson, the CEO and Founder of Hanson Capital Group, opens up about his real estate journey—from stumbling into trustee sales during the Great Recession to becoming a powerhouse in industrial real estate. He unpacks the lessons learned from losing deals, shutting down businesses, and redefining success beyond financial gains. He also reveals why small bay industrial is his top pick for 2025 and how he structures deals with a long-term vision and value creation in mind. 

[00:01 - 07:00] A Credit Card and a Craigslist Hustle

• Why starting small can lead to scalable success.
• The importance of offering value in a crowded market 
• How service-based business models can sustain early investing mistakes.

[07:20 - 14:24] When Apartments Clicked

• The significance of income-producing assets versus speculative flips.
• What can be learned from buying below market in a recession.
• The importance of persistence through uncertainty and fear.

[14:25 - 21:41] Discovering Industrial: The Quiet Goldmine

• How triple net leases create stable, low-maintenance income streams.
• Why a 7-cap with a 4% cost of debt made more sense than chasing overheated multifamily deals.
• The need to adapt strategy based on macroeconomic shifts, not legacy bias.

[21:42 - 28:19] Small Bay, Big Opportunity

• Why small bay industrial properties are in short supply and high demand.
• The significance of assembling smaller assets into institutional-grade portfolios.
• How last-mile logistics and population growth fuel tenant demand.

[28:20 - 37:49] Negotiating with Purpose & Redefining Success

• How Chris applies high-level negotiation strategies to real estate deals.
• The importance of shifting from player to coach in leadership.
• Why success is now defined by impact, not income.

Connect with Chris:

Website: https://x.com/HansonCapital

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.san12

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishansonre/

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Tweetable Quotes:

"Success comes from... the ability to help others improve their situation." - Chris Hanson

"If somebody else just lost $600K, I could lose the $70K... I hope I can figure this out." - Chris Hanson

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Can one focused year of lead generation change your entire real estate career? In this episode, Carl SanFilippo, real estate broker, investor, and founder of a top-ranked RE/MAX franchise in New Jersey, shares how he went from a “dream job” he hated to building multiple businesses by mastering lead generation, distressed property niches, and scaling through smart investing. He dives into the transition from agent to investor, the power of REOs and short sales, and why patience and consistency matter more than flashy marketing. Carl also explains how he helps his agents build their long-term wealth through real estate investing.

[00:01 - 07:35] The Sliding Door Moment

• Why Carl left his stable job to pursue real estate with zero clients or cash
• How he used a 0% credit card to survive his first year
• The importance of treating real estate like a full-time job from day one

[07:36 - 14:58] Building a Niche in Distressed Properties

• How Carl built his business by targeting distressed property leads
• The significance of learning lead generation techniques that scale
• Why having a clear niche helps agents stand out in a crowded market

[14:59 - 21:14] From Realtor to Investor

• What mindset shift helped Carl transition from flipping to holding
• Why buying even one property can become a wealth-building strategy
• The importance of scale in reducing investment risk

[21:15 - 28:00] Coaching Agents to Think Like Investors

• Why Carl pushes agents to invest in real estate
• How being a real estate professional creates tax advantages
• What agents need to understand about marketing and data targeting

[28:01 - 35:38] Data-Driven Growth & Expanding Into Commercial

• How Carl uses data to identify seller avatars and off-market deals
• What he looks for in a commercial property investment
• The importance of reputation and networking in deal flow

Connect with Carl:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.san12

LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/carlsanfilippo/reels/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the platforms below:

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None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“At the end of the day, we are in the lead generation business... You could be the best realtor in the world, but if you have nobody to provide that to, it's worth nothing.”

- Carl SanFilippo

“There are opportunities for you as an agent... we live and breathe real estate every day, but when you're able to make that leap from agent to investor, your life changes.”

- Carl SanFilippo

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 How does a teenager go from flipping code and mining Bitcoin to owning over 600 real estate units—all before turning 30?

In this episode, Morgan Ehrenzeller, a real estate investor who began his entrepreneurial journey at just 14, shares how his early ventures in software and cryptocurrency laid the groundwork for his transition into real estate, where he now owns hundreds of units across multiple states. His story is grounded in resourcefulness, persistence, and a hands-on understanding of construction from his upbringing.

[00:01 - 07:36] From Coding to Bitcoin: The Early Hustle

• How Morgan’s frustration with PayPal led him to discover Bitcoin
• Why he started a software company at 14 and profited by 15
• The importance of finding workarounds when traditional systems don’t support you

[07:37 - 14:29] First Real Estate Deal at 17

• How the decision to invest stemmed from observing wealthy individuals
• The significance of his construction background in evaluating properties
• What it meant to Morgan to secure his first duplex with only $5,000

[14:30 - 21:03] Scaling Without the Bank

• Why traditional banks rejected him and how that shaped his strategy
• How creative financing allowed him to bypass institutional limitations
• The importance of using past success to attract investor capital

[21:04 – 28:20] Community as Strategy

• How he leverages mentorship groups for faster learning and connection
• Why starting a community helps with deal flow and boots-on-the-ground operations
• The need to align human capital, media, tech, and capital for business success

[28:21 - 34:58] Giving Back and Building Legacy

• What drives Morgan to keep going despite financial security
• The importance of being around people who live the life you want
• Why working for free under the right mentor can be more valuable than a salary

Connect with Morgan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-ehrenzeller-7353651a5

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganehrenzeller/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morganehrenzeller

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“You have four levers in business: capital, human capital, media, and technology. If you can blend them, you’re really well positioned.” - Morgan Ehrenzeller

“The more you learn, the more you earn. That stuck with me since my teenage years.” - Morgan Ehrenzeller 

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How can rethinking local zoning laws turn small residential lots into high-yield, multi-unit housing solutions?

In this episode, Jonathan Mitchell, founder of ADU Pals, a real estate developer specializing in scalable, affordable housing solutions in San Diego, shares his journey from growing up in Section 8 housing to launching a solar company and ultimately becoming a real estate developer focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). He breaks down how ADUs in San Diego have evolved from simple backyard structures to fully stacked multi-unit developments, and why that matters in a city with soaring housing costs. They discuss how city policy, construction know-how, and personal mission converge in Jonathan’s work, and what it takes to build profitably and responsibly in California.

[00:01 - 06:24] Origins and Intentions

• How growing up on welfare in San Diego shaped his views on housing
• Why personal definition of success centers on using time wisely
• The significance of being a positive influence on future generations

[06:25 - 12:43] From Solar to Structures

• How bootstrapping a solar company led to licenses in contracting
• Why learning on the job taught him about scaling and finance
• The importance of understanding margins over revenue

[12:44 - 18:19] Redefining the ADU Model

• Why San Diego allows stacked ADUs that resemble multifamily buildings
• How zoning bonuses are tied to affordability through AMI
• The need to balance profit with policy in high-demand regions

[18:20 - 24:00] Strategy, Risk, and Process

• How they rehab properties, develop in-house, and lease while building
• The importance of understanding entitlements, density, and financing
• What the “triple play” model means for equity, cash flow, and debt

[24:01 - 31:54] Challenges, Culture, and Perspective

• The significance of understanding local policy shifts
• How bad actors in the space affected legislation
• Why consulting with experienced developers mitigates risk

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: www.adupals.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-mitchell-a1493410b 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

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None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“I don’t want to waste time, man. I want to utilize the time that God has given me to be a light, to be productive.” - Jonathan Mitchell

“You can build a 10-unit property under one roof and call them ADUs—that’s how the game has changed in San Diego.” - Jonathan Mitchell 

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What happens when generational grit meets strategic growth in commercial real estate? In this episode, Yonah sits down with Frank Sproviero, founder of One Alliance Companies, to unpack a career built on family legacy, hands-on experience, and entrepreneurial drive. From helping his immigrant family manage rental units in Brooklyn as a child to scaling a multi-division real estate company across the Southeast, Frank shares lessons on risk management, team culture, and long-term vision. He also discusses how he built a fully integrated real estate operation by recognizing market gaps and staying focused on execution.

[00:01 - 06:45] Family Roots in Real Estate

• How growing up in an immigrant family shaped Frank’s early exposure to real estate
• Why multi-tenant buildings were a strategic move for his relatives
• The significance of hands-on learning from a young age

[06:45 - 12:10] From Employee to Founder

• How Frank’s experience at a commercial real estate firm expanded his skills
• Why he relocated to North Carolina and what challenges followed
• The importance of mentorship and formal training in building expertise

[12:11 - 18:30] Building One Alliance Companies

• \Why he began with management before adding brokerage and building services
• The need for specialization and how each division operates independently
• How working with out-of-state property owners grew the business

[18:31 - 24:46] A Fully Integrated Real Estate Firm

• The strategy behind offering brokerage, insurance, and possibly lending
• What sets One Alliance apart from national firms
• The significance of internal culture and team cohesion

[24:47 - 30:58] Lessons, Legacy, and Leadership

• How controlling risk and adjusting to market shifts protect growth
• Why Frank sees his work as a long-term calling, not a path to retirement
• The importance of staying grounded while scaling a business

Connect with Frank:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40698917/admin/dashboard/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/On%E2%80%A6ies-100084948727630/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onealliancecompanies/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

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None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"We don't retire from this business. If you're passionate about it, you'll be successful—and it's hard to walk away from that." - Frank Sproviero

"What I was doing in life—financially and business-wise—was correct. The compound effect reinforced that for me." - Frank Sproviero

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What happens when commercial real estate owners ignore the fine print in their loan documents, and how can one mistake cost them everything?

In this episode, Yonah welcomes Shlomo Chopp, a seasoned expert in structured finance, real estate, and distressed asset workouts. Shlomo shares his unconventional path into commercial real estate, the importance of understanding debt structures, and the major pitfalls borrowers face in today’s high-interest environment. From his early days in flooring and software sales to managing complex loan workouts, Shlomo breaks down how structured finance operates, why many borrowers are in distress, and how his patented solutions might help reshape the future of shopping centers.

[00:01 - 07:00] From Flooring Sales to Finance

• How career pivots shaped Shlomo's real estate journey
• Why necessity led him to structured finance
• The importance of deep document knowledge in distressed assets

[07:01 - 14:00] What Structured Finance Actually Means

• What sets structured finance apart from traditional loans
• How lenders reduce risk by syndicating deals
• Why structured deals exploded pre-2008 and again recently

[14:01 - 21:00] Current Market Distress & Why It’s Happening

• Which asset classes are struggling most—and why
• How overleveraging and poor planning created problems
• Why technicalities in loan documents can trigger major consequences

[21:01 - 28:30] Innovation, Patents & Retail Reinvention

• Why Shlomo filed patents to rethink shopping centers
• How micro-fulfillment might bridge e-commerce and retail
• The significance of patience in innovation and timing

[28:31 - 34:33] Philosophy, Negotiation & Defining Success

• How he measures success beyond just profits
• Why mentorship and strategic relationships matter
• The value of reading widely to stay sharp

Connect with Shlomo:

Website: www.caseinv.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chopp

Twitter: x.com/ShlomoChopp

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WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

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None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“There’s no such thing as passive income—only passive losses.” - Shlomo Chopp

“Structured finance isn’t just about money. It’s about aligning risks and rewards so everyone involved sees the path to getting paid.” - Shlomo Chopp

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What if your community's blighted mall could be transformed into a thriving, income-producing asset? Andy Weiner, founder of RockStep Capital, joins Yonah to share how he revitalizes struggling shopping centers by turning them into community-centered investments with strong cash flow. Drawing from over 30 years in retail and real estate, Andy explains why secondary and tertiary markets are prime for investment, how local partnerships reduce risk, and the philosophy behind his company’s culture of adaptability and integrity. 

[00:01 - 06:27] From Retail Collapse to Real Estate Opportunity

• Why Walmart’s dominance led to the end of Wiener’s retail chain
• How retail operations experience became the foundation for Andy’s real estate investment approach
• The importance of understanding tenant risk in shopping center investing

[06:28 - 12:34] Investing in ‘Hometown America’

• Why RockStep focuses on secondary and tertiary markets
• The role of local business leaders as equity partners and risk reducers
• How community banks offer flexibility national lenders can’t

[12:35 - 18:22] Turning Blight into Economic Engines

• Examples from Louisiana, Kansas, and South Dakota showing how RockStep transforms communities
• How public-private coalitions help reposition underperforming malls
• Using incentives and local alignment to unlock property value

[18:23 - 25:57] The RockStep Philosophy: Culture, Values, and Direction

• The meaning behind the company name "RockStep"
• A breakdown of Andy’s 25 “Rock Steps” – internal rules of behavior
• How culture drives performance, retention, and investor trust

[25:58 - 31:00] Cash Flow, Malls, and the Future of Retail

• Why retail’s decline is overstated and where the opportunities are
• Three strategies to reposition malls for cash flow or mixed use
• RockStep’s goal to educate investors on shopping center economics

Connect with Andy:

Website: https://rockstep.com/learning-center

 https://investclearly.com/sponsors/rockstep-capital

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-weiner/

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

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www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“We call it RockStep because it’s a dance move. You’ve got to be nimble. When there’s a threat or opportunity, you switch direction.” - Andy Weiner

“If we can’t get a local investor to believe in me, RockStep, and the asset, we won’t do the deal.” - Andy Weiner

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