Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this forward-focused episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down the three pillars he’s using to engineer a powerful and intentional 2026: a clear definite aim, an AI-powered execution toolbox, and the 1-5-10 framework for turning vision into action. After reflecting on Q4, two AI workshops, and the patterns he’s seen among operators and entrepreneurs, Ruben explains why most people fail at goal setting — and how a simple shift in mindset and structure changes everything.
He walks through why experimentation is the only path to discovering your purpose, how to filter every opportunity through a 10-year trajectory, and why alignment becomes your internal GPS. From there, Ruben shows how AI removes the two biggest excuses holding people back — lack of information and lack of time — and how to use AI as a personal board of directors to eliminate blind spots and accelerate execution.
Finally, Ruben breaks down the 1-5-10 framework, including how to define your 10-year dream life, reverse-engineer your five-year milestones, convert that into one-year focus, and translate everything into monthly and weekly sprints that actually stick. This episode is a practical blueprint for anyone who wants to avoid another “New Year sprint–February fizzle” cycle and instead build a system that compounds for years.
Tune in now to learn how to set a clear aim, harness AI, and build a weekly structure that finally closes the gap between who you are and who you’re becoming.
#EntrepreneurMindset #GoalSetting #AIForBusiness #ProductivitySystems #ExperimentNation #BusinessGrowth #VisionPlanning #RealEstateEntrepreneur #MindsetMatters #2026Planning
In this powerhouse episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Jack Martin — co-founder and CIO of 52TEN, one of the top mobile home park operators in the United States. Jack brings decades of experience across development, acquisitions, capital formation, and operations, having overseen over $1B in real estate projects and more than 2,000 lots nationwide.
Jack breaks down why mobile home parks sit at the lowest end of the real-estate risk spectrum, how they deliver unusually stable cash flow, and why investors from high-net-worth individuals to family offices chase the asset class for its superior tax advantages. He explains the core difference between mobile home parks and RV parks, why land improvements are the real engine of bonus depreciation, and how lot-rent economics create both affordability for residents and reliable income for operators.
Throughout the conversation, Jack unpacks key levers for value creation — sub-metering, operational discipline, expense reduction, proper sizing for scale, and what separates truly institutional-quality parks from everything else. He also reveals how his team evaluates 150 deals a year and buys only three, why scarcity drives long-term upside, and how EOS, belief, and people have shaped 52TEN’s rise into a market leader.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the real math behind mobile home park investing, see how large operators think, and learn why this niche remains one of the most tax-efficient, recession-resistant strategies in the country. Tune in now to discover why Jack calls mobile home parks “the most stable real estate in America.”
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
08:02 Jack talks about why MHPs are lowest on the risk spectrum
25:56 Jack talks about applying cost segregation
KEEPING IT REAL:
06:00 – Mobile home park model
08:06 – Why investors choose MHPs
10:36 – Bonus depreciation power
12:57 – Tax buckets clarified
14:49 – Investor profiles shift
21:17 – Land improvements explained
24:53 – Cost-seg advantage
28:10 – Evaluating properties
33:03 – Renting land, not homes
37:56 – Tenant stability factor
45:28 – Why new parks aren’t built
49:04 – Expense leaks & fixes
53:05 – Affordability for residents
57:22 – Yield expectations
1:04:12 – Belief, EOS, people
Episode Hashtags: #MobileHomeParks #RealEstateInvesting #AffordableHousing #WealthStrategy #PassiveIncome #TaxStrategy #LandImprovements #MHPInvesting #FinancialFreedom #ScaleWithStability
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://52ten.com/
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this reflective episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks one of the most overlooked success variables in entrepreneurship and temporary housing: your environment. After attending a high-level BookThinkers event hosted by his friend Nick Hutchinson of episode #99 and reconnecting with mentors and peers, Ruben breaks down how proximity, intention, and the rooms you choose to enter shape your growth more than tactics ever will.
He shares the deeper meaning behind the “white lab coat vs. the suit” rebrand—why beginner operators need experimentation, and why seasoned operators need depth, systems, and specialization. Ruben walks through how he discovered his tribe across short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, insurance housing, and beyond, with pivotal moments sparked by guests like Michael Sjogren (Episode 91), Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh (Episodes 81 & 263), and Will Dotson. Each connection created a bridge, a business model, or a breakthrough reminder.
This episode zooms in on the power of alignment, integration, and why deeper rooms lead to bigger opportunities, why Q4 is advantage season, and how vertically aligning your mission, business, and contribution creates momentum that lasts beyond a single market cycle.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between where you are and the room you know you should be in, this episode is your invitation.
Tune in now to learn how to choose environments that elevate you, adopt belief systems that accelerate you, and build a business that serves something bigger than yourself.
#EntrepreneurMindset #RelationshipEquity #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #Networking #ExperimentNation
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this detailed episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with tax strategist and CPA, Michael Uadiale Michael brings the type of clarity most entrepreneurs wish their CPA would give them, breaking down the real tax game in a way that feels simple, concrete, and practical.
Michael shares why the tax code is built for business owners and investors, not W2 earners — and how most people are losing money simply because they’re operating in the wrong category. He explains the difference between tax preparation, tax planning, and tax strategy, why bonus depreciation is so misunderstood, and how entrepreneurs can position themselves before Q4 ends.
Throughout the conversation, Michael outlines the real KPIs that matter for understanding your tax position, the most common blind spots he sees in operators, and how AI is reshaping the accounting industry. More importantly, he gives a blueprint for building a tax-optimized business structure — from entity setup, to bookkeeping hygiene, to capturing deductions the right way.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stop guessing, stop overpaying, and finally understand how to use the tax code as a tool for building wealth. Tune in now to learn how Michael’s strategic approach can help you keep more of your money, protect your business, and plan for long-term freedom.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
11:50 Michaeil talks about the tax code and real estate success.
17:40 Michael talks about getting proactive on managing taxes
KEEPING IT REAL:
04:20 – What CPAs do
07:58 – Compliance vs. strategy
11:15 – Why books matter
14:42 – Cash flow leaks
17:10 – Business owner mindset
20:55 – W2 vs. 1099
23:41 – Entity structure basics
26:12 – LLC vs. S-Corp
29:09 – Audit red flags
32:44 – Deduction vs. credit
36:01 – Mileage & receipts
40:28 – Real estate benefits
44:12 – Depreciation explained
48:00 – Cost segregation use
52:18 – Passive vs. active
55:44 – Short-term rental rules
58:59 – Material participation tests
1:02:10 – Tax strategy stacking
1:05:08 – Mid-term rental angle
1:08:30 – Investor documentation
1:12:44 – AI and accounting
1:16:10 – Scaling financial ops
1:20:55 – Final takeaways
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smeedcpa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael_uadiale/?hl=en
#TaxStrategy #BusinessFinances #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialLiteracy #SREI #BusinessOwnerLife #CPAInsights #WealthBuilding
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes Giang Nguyen, founder of One River Capital, a former scientist turned real estate investor and syndicator. Giang shares her remarkable journey from working in gene therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to achieving financial freedom through multifamily real estate. Her story unfolds with precision and strategy—from buying her first $30,000 foreclosure property in cash to scaling into duplexes, five-units, and eventually syndications.
Giang breaks down the financial and emotional blueprint behind leaving a W2 job the right way—by doing the math, living below her means, and mastering capital allocation. She reveals how she bought, renovated, and refinanced early properties, often paying in cash before leveraging them to scale. As a mortgage broker and syndicator, Giang dives deep into the mindset and numbers that drive wealth building—covering how to calculate key performance indicators (KPIs), why cash flow matters more than NOI, and how investors can prepare to transition from single-family homes to multifamily investments.
This episode is a playbook for anyone looking to build wealth strategically, without hype—only math, milestones, and mastery. Tune in now to learn how Giang's methodical approach can help you engineer your exit from a W2 and design a business that funds your freedom.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
07:35 Giang talks about the push that made her need to grow in multifamily
22:21 Giang talks about how syndication performance is measured.
KEEPING IT REAL:
00:05 – Offense vs. defense
01:09 – Scientist to investor
06:23 – Choosing freedom over medicine
08:58 – First $30K property
10:35 – Learning by doing
14:04 – Living below one’s means
15:57 – Employer match strategy
17:00 – No car philosophy
18:35 – Comfort in numbers
21:01 – Financial blind spots
23:33 – Tracking key KPIs
25:01 – Distribution vs. NOI
30:55 – Cash flow clarity
33:37 – Proof of concept
35:04 – Multifamily cash flow
36:09 – Zoning strategy explained
37:26 – Buying “by right”
38:05 – Highest and best use
40:06 – Transition to 5+ units
42:00 – Immigrant lending limits
43:40 – Lender risk factors
1:41:13 – Power of community
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://onerivercapital.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatsalsainvestor/
#RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #Syndication #Multifamily #W2ToWealth #CashFlow #ImmigrantEntrepreneur #WomenInRealEstate #MortgageBroker #OneRiverCapital #InvestSmart #BuildWealth#CapitalRaising #FinancialStrategy
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with August Biniaz, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at CPI Capital, to unpack how he went from building homes in Canada to managing large-scale U.S. multifamily funds. August shares his journey from being a general contractor and developer to launching CPI Capital, a cross-border real estate private equity firm that bridges Canadian capital with U.S. opportunities.
He breaks down the real roadmap for scaling in real estate—starting from joint ventures, to syndications, closed-end and open-ended funds with the road to ultimately launching a REIT. August also highlights why CPI shifted focus to U.S. markets like Tampa Bay and San Antonio, where rent control, entitlement speed, and yields outperform Canadian markets.
Listeners will gain deep insights into capital raising, fund structuring, investor relations, and how credibility and reputation equity become key leverage points when scaling to institutional investors. Tune in now to learn how August’s strategic evolution from builder to fund manager can help you structure smarter, scale faster, and raise with confidence.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
16:12 August talks about syndication
21:48 August talks about progression from joint ventures to syndications
KEEPING IT REAL:
09:01 – Private equity structure explained
17:12 – Syndications vs. funds overview
20:45 – Managing investor expectations
28:08 – The pivotal land assembly deal
31:04 – Structuring partnerships and equity
35:01 – Why U.S. over Canada
45:01 – Launching CPI Capital
51:03 – Navigating cross-border challenges
55:21 – Entitlement timelines and delays
59:09 – Partnering with experienced operators
1:01:02 – Market focus: Tampa and San Antonio
1:02:09 – Build-to-rent explained
1:05:17 – Duplex strategy and investor returns
1:07:01 – Raising from retail to institutions
1:08:01 – The 30,000-door vision
1:13:18 – From syndication to REITs
1:16:02 – Final thoughts
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://cpicapital.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz/
#RealEstateInvesting #Syndication #REIT #PrivateEquity #Multifamily #BuildToRent #CommercialRealEstate #InstitutionalCapital #FundManagement #WealthBuilding #CrossBorderInvesting #CapitalRaising #FinancialStrategy
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this reflective episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks the concept of “relationship equity”—the unseen deposits we make when we give value first without expectation in return—and how this principle has created full-circle moments in his real estate and entrepreneurial journey. Drawing from his own experiences and those of past podcast guests, Ruben highlights how relationships built on giving often return dividends in the form of opportunities, mentorship, and growth.
He recalls pivotal lessons from Michael Elefante (Episode 161), whose transparency and content-driven brand inspired collaboration and mutual support, and Michael Shogren (Episode 91), whose Airbnb strategy shifted Ruben’s path entirely. Ruben also shares how contributions to Dr. Rachel Gainsbourg (Episode 263) and Will Dodtson ( Episode 265) later came full circle into opportunities that opened new doors.
This reflective conversation breaks down why “relationship equity” matters more than transactions, how small acts of service compound over time, and why long-term giving creates reputational capital that no market crash or downturn can erase.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn networking into true opportunity, this episode will shift your perspective. Tune in now to learn how to build a relationship equity bank that compounds into partnerships, contracts, and doors you never knew existed.
#EntrepreneurMindset #RelationshipEquity #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #Networking #ExperimentNation
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with George Otel, a finance expert, entrepreneur, and investor who has carved a unique path from trucking fleets to becoming “the finance guy” for business and real estate deals. George immigrated to the U.S. in 2011, built a trucking fleet, then pivoted into real estate, business loans, and funding strategies after realizing the leverage and creativity that come from finance. Today, he’s the go-to resource for SBA loans, equipment financing, commercial real estate, private lending, and complex deal structuring.
George reveals how he helps entrepreneurs and investors unlock capital, stack funding sources, and position themselves for growth—whether it’s acquiring businesses, scaling commercial assets, or tapping into the $10 trillion wave of baby boomer business exits. With a deep belief in buying back your time and focusing on one core skill, George shares how discipline, mentorship, and deal structuring literacy shaped his journey.
If you’re looking for a roadmap to financing smarter, leveraging hidden equity, and positioning yourself for the coming wealth transfer, this episode is packed with practical strategies and actionable insights. Tune in now to learn how George’s “finance-first” approach can change how you play the game.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
21:38 George talks about creative financing.
43:45 George talks about the $10 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer.
KEEPING IT REAL:
09:10 – Redefining financing
12:40 – Structuring deals with multiple funding stages
17:18 – Equity in equipment as collateral
19:13 – Commercial brokers vs. finance brokers
22:28 – Seller financing and tax advantages in acquisitions
26:05 – Bridge loans, DSCR loans, and refinancing strategies
31:12 – From trucking fleets to real estate and finance
37:45 – Adding value when networking with mentors
44:00 – The $10 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer opportunity
51:50 – The sweet spot for acquisitions
55:30 – Buying back your time and building teams using Dan Martell’s frameworks
1:02:25 – Business owners should own their buildings
1:09:00 – Where capital is flowing next
1:27:04 – How to connect with George
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website:https://www.usbizfunding.net/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeotel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeotel/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/george_otel
#BusinessFunding #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #WealthTransfer #PrivateLending #CommercialRealEstate #BusinessAcquisition #FinancialLiteracy #IndustrialRealEstate #DealStructuring
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connectGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this episode, Ruben shares a simple but powerful framework from his mentor, Myron Golden —the three C’s of fulfillment—and shows how it applies to business, real estate, and life. If something feels “off,” it’s usually because one (or more) buckets is empty: Create (projects, content, opportunities), Connect (community, proximity, masterminds), and Contribute (impact beyond self). When all three are present, work becomes meaningful and momentum compounds.
Ruben maps the 3 C’s onto the temporary housing / mid-term rental niche: creating listings and deal flow, curating rooms and meetups that foster connection, and building brands and businesses that contribute to something bigger. You’ll hear practical ways to fill each bucket—hosting or co-hosting meetups, joining rooms outside your niche to expand surface area for luck, creating content because “if they don’t know you, they can’t flow you,” and designing purpose-driven business systems that reward contribution across your team and partners.
If you’ve ever grown your numbers but still felt underwhelmed, this episode is a reset: fill the three buckets and fulfillment will follow.
Tune in now to learn how to use the Create–Connect–Contribute framework to realign your business, energize your week, and build a portfolio (and life) that actually feels good to run.
#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateStrategy #MidtermRentals #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #ExperimentNation
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this solo briefing, Ruben breaks down Airbnb’s move to a single host-only fee (15.5%) for listings managed through property management software (PMS)—what’s changing, when it hits, and what it means for operators. He clarifies the Aug 25 & Oct 27, 2025 timelines and why this shift underscores a hard truth: Airbnb optimizes for guests first, not hosts.
Ruben shares the immediate, practical fix: adjust PMS channel markups (not your global pricing tool) so Airbnb prices reflect the new fee without mispricing you across other OTAs. Then he zooms out to strategy—leverage Airbnb’s traffic, but don’t depend on it. Diversify across VRBO/Expedia/Furnished Finder/Zillow, build direct-booking pathways through brand presence in-stay, and set business guardrails (no auto IB if it breaks your ops).
You’ll also hear how to turn Airbnb visibility into long-term relationships, protect margins with smarter pricing ops, and operate like a true B2B temp-housing brand. This isn’t “Airbnb or nothing”—it’s Airbnb and a resilient distribution stack.
Tune in now to learn exactly how to update your pricing, protect profits, and future-proof your portfolio while still riding Airbnb’s massive demand engine.
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
#ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #PMS #MidTermRentals #HospitalityOps #RevenueManagement #OTAstrategy #ExperimentNation
In this focused solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks the lessons he learned from attending a three-day Nike tennis training camp and how they directly apply to business, real estate, and personal growth. He reflects on the four key pillars that make intensive training so powerful—proximity, reps, correction, and longevity—and why missing just one of these can make the entire experience meaningless.Drawing from his own journey as an athlete, coach, and entrepreneur, Ruben explains how the right environment accelerates progress, why repetition creates mastery, and how a single correction from a mentor can completely shift your trajectory. Most importantly, he emphasizes the compound effect: real transformation doesn’t come from a one-time intensive but from consistent application over time.If you’ve ever been inspired by a boot camp, conference, or training program but struggled to sustain the momentum afterward, this episode will show you how to turn short bursts of intensity into long-term growth. Tune in now to learn how to leverage intensive training for lasting success in your business, health, and personal experiments.
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connectGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #RealEstateStrategy #MindsetShift #CompoundEffect #ExperimentNation
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this reflective solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben shares the lessons he gained from running his first 10K race and how they directly apply to entrepreneurship, real estate, and life. From training with mentors to pushing through discomfort and finding the right environment, Ruben unpacks why success is less about talent and more about discipline, persistence, and proximity to the right people.
Using powerful analogies from sports and business, he explains how identifying your targets, surrounding yourself with the right environment, and pacing yourself against stronger peers can accelerate growth. Ruben also dives into the importance of environment over automation in today’s AI-driven age—and why genuine relationships remain irreplaceable.
If you’re re-evaluating your goals mid-year or searching for the right push to keep going, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and realign with the fundamentals that never change: preparation, mentorship, consistency, and celebrating each milestone along the way.
#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #MentorshipMatters #Resilience #RealEstateStrategy #Leadership #MindsetShift #ExperimentNation
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this high-impact episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Brandon Rickman, an Atlanta-based investor, entrepreneur, and general contractor who has flipped over 500 houses, developed 100 new-construction single-family homes, and built vertically integrated businesses spanning private lending, self-storage, and consumer products. With over 25 years in real estate, Brandon shares how his career evolved from flipping houses to raising private capital for large-scale developments—including a three-story, Class A self-storage facility outside Atlanta.
Brandon opens up about the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship, from multi-million-dollar exits in the consumer products world to surviving the 2008 market crash when banks abruptly called his loans. He reveals the data-driven criteria he uses to reverse-engineer self-storage projects for REIT buyers, the add-on revenue strategies that maximize NOI, and why private lending has become a major growth focus.
If you’re looking for a transparent blueprint to scaling across multiple real estate verticals while building resilience through challenges, this conversation is packed with insights on strategy, mindset, and execution.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
14:46 Brandon talks about self-storage investment strategy
44:55 Brandon talks about entrepreneurial resilience and scaling across multiple real estate verticals
KEEPING IT REAL:
05:20 – Why self-storage is Brandon’s top focus today
06:47 – How syndication works for self-storage investors
10:04 – Understanding demand: square footage per capita and site selection data
14:46 – Reverse-engineering self-storage for REIT buyers
17:47 – Pricing power and tenant retention in self-storage
22:05 – Increasing NOI through add-on services and rentals
26:27 – Automated vs. manned self-storage operations
30:08 – From consumer products to multi-million-dollar exits
44:51 – Surviving the 2008 market crash and negotiating with banks
59:22 – Big wins: high-margin flips, 7-figure syndication potential, and legacy deals
1:10:08 – Building a $20M/year private lending business
1:14:10 – Advice for 20-year-old entrepreneurs
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-rickman-9885a22/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonrickman08/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQGTzF6JvH4qqT_V8Lx2cw
#RealEstateInvesting #SelfStorage #EntrepreneurMindset #PrivateLending #FlippingHouses #ResilientEntrepreneur #CommercialRealEstate #BusinessGrowth #REITStrategy #FinancialFreedom
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this powerful and paradigm-shifting episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Jay Cameron, real estate investor, international speaker, and founder of Maximum Impact Travel. Jay opens up about the pivotal moment when he realized that grinding through life just to pay bills wasn’t enough. After building financial stability through real estate and entrepreneurship, he made a bold decision to travel to Africa—facing his fears, confronting his conditioning, and ultimately transforming his life.Jay shares the mental due diligence required to break out of the bubble, why many Americans have a flawed perception of Africa, and how embracing global citizenship reshaped his identity and his business. From launching a multimillion-dollar travel company to leading over 2,000 people on transformative international trips, Jay explains how deep experiences—not just dollars—pay the highest dividends.If you’ve ever felt stuck in routine, this episode will challenge you to rethink your own story. Tune in to hear Jay’s journey from constraint to clarity and how you can unlock a life filled with purpose, expansion, and global impact.HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:11:03 Jay talks about overcoming the old paradigm of fear, routine, and mental confinement38:33 Jay talks about why Africa’s branding is broken KEEPING IT REAL:04:26 – How travel shaped his identity and business10:58 – The old paradigm: fear, routine, and mental confinement13:30 – First fearful leap to Africa in 201816:55 – A better way to grind? Unpacking hustle culture20:39 – Use low overhead to create freedom30:58 – Reframing travel as a personal investment32:59 – “Die With Zero” and building memory dividends37:15 – Why Africa’s branding is broken42:27 – Doing your own mental due diligence45:53 – How expanding your mind dismantles generational programming50:26 – Smiles, dignity, and the universal human connection51:22 – Turning the world into an adult summer camp53:23 – From viral YouTube video to travel empire54:05 – Why this business is the reward after the grindCONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://www.maximumimpacttravel.com/#Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-cameron-532a2951/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaycameronofficial/?hl=enYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/maximumimpactwithjaycameronLinktree: https://linktr.ee/maximumimpacttravel#RealEstateInvesting #GlobalCitizenship #MindsetShift #LifestyleDesign #EscapeTheGrind #MaximumImpact #TravelEntrepreneur #MentalDueDiligence #AfricaUnfiltered
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this deep-dive episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Joel Friedland, founder of Brit Properties, to explore an uncommon but powerful approach to real estate syndication: acquiring industrial properties with no debt. Joel, who has been in the industrial real estate game since the age of 22, shares his evolution from working under a Chicago family office to building his own portfolio of high-performing industrial buildings.
The conversation spans everything from the anatomy of industrial leases and long-term tenant retention to the personal values that shape Joel’s unique investment philosophy. Joel opens up about surviving the 2008 financial crisis, the dangers of signing standard loan documents, and how he now protects his investors through detailed side letters and ultra-low leverage—or none at all.
You’ll hear how Joel evaluates industrial assets, builds long-term relationships with tenants and investors, and why he believes most operators are taking unnecessary risk in the name of returns. His perspective is rare, contrarian, and backed by decades of experience.
If you're a syndicator, investor, or entrepreneur curious about how to build a portfolio with resilience and integrity, this episode will shift how you think about risk, returns, and relationships. Tune in now to learn why Joel is one of the few operators in America focused on building a community through no-debt deals—and how you can apply the same principles to your business and life.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
21:34 Joel talks about building relationships
13:11 Joel talks about his lawn mowing business at age 14
KEEPING IT REAL:
05:00 – Why industrial outperforms office and retail
08:13 – Long-term leases and tenant retention
10:00 – Triple net leases and low-maintenance management
11:16 – Entry into industrial real estate
13:11 – Lessons from starting a lawn business at 14
15:06 – Are entrepreneurs born or made?
20:19 – From chasing deals to building relationships
30:16 – A model focused on long-term trust and low turnover
36:08 – The critical importance of reading legal docs
42:46 – Hidden risks in loan documents
47:04 – Avoiding high leverage even if it means lower returns
52:00 – Strategy and differentiation: why safety wins
56:00 – Why he doesn’t use infinite banking or other loan-backed strategies
59:03 – Hiring mistakes and how to identify A-players
1:03:01 – Likability ≠ capability: the hiring lesson most learn too late
1:06:10 – Current focus and future direction
1:08:55 – Why he only buys infill industrial in Chicago
1:10:50 – The shrinking market advantage in industrial real estate
1:13:02 – Parting advice and how to connect with Joel.
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://www.britproperties.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-friedland/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brit-Properties/61561165483112/?_rdr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@investingwithjoel
#PublicAdjuster #InsuranceClaims #CoverageD #MidtermRentals #TemporaryHousing #RealEstateInvesting #PolicyholderAdvocacy
In this timely episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down when and why you should consider shifting to a hybrid short-term and mid-term rental model and how the latest tax legislation makes it even more lucrative. Coming off last week’s Driving Conversations with AI vs. Questions, he explains how operators can strategically layer MTR contracts over STR availability to increase monthly income while protecting long-term upside.
Ruben shares why hybrid models aren’t just a fallback when STRs are soft—but a proactive strategy that aligns with seasonality, market demand,and most importantly the tax code. He covers how to position your properties to attract both leisure guests and insurance contracts, the systems you need in place to pull it off, and how to avoid making reactive decisions that hurt your business in the long run.
If you’re looking to increase occupancy, optimize taxes, and build a more resilient and profitable rental portfolio in today’s evolving landscape, tune in now and learn why now is the best time to execute the hybrid STR/MTR model.
#MidtermRentals #ShortTermRentals #STRStrategy #MTRGrowth #HybridHosting #RealEstateInvesting #VacationRentalTips #InsuranceHousing
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this informative episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a powerful framework for how to actually use AI as a strategic partner—not just a search engine. Drawing from real-world conversations he's had with AI to help close deals, refine business plans, and optimize decision-making, Ruben reveals how the right prompts, context, and conversations can turn ChatGPT into your most valuable board of advisors.
This isn't about asking better questions—it's about having better conversations. Ruben shares the difference between surface-level prompts and deep AI dialogue that reveals blind spots, sharpens thinking, and accelerates progress. From uploading your favorite book frameworks to building bots that mirror your business philosophy, this episode maps out exactly how to scale your thinking using AI.
If you’re ready to move faster, make clearer decisions, and unlock unfair advantages with AI in your back pocket, tune in now and upgrade the way you operate—before your competition does.
#RealEstateStrategy #MidtermRentals #Entrepreneurship #TemporaryHousing #BusinessGrowth #MTRAccelerator #Q3Planning #RealEstateTips
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben delivers a powerful, high-impact debrief heading into Q3 2025. With the lab coat on and lessons in hand, he walks through seven strategic experiments and three hard-earned insights from the previous quarter that every real estate entrepreneur needs to hear. From HELOCs on second homes and appraisal strategies to AI integration and bank account structuring for business credit, this episode covers the exact tweaks Ruben is using to grow Invested Escapes and support clients nationwide.
Ruben dives deep into how to structure relocation proposals, why in-person events still win in a digital world, and how compressing negative timeframes can drastically improve your quality of life. He also breaks down the importance of storytelling, the untapped power of leveraging GPTs for niche business use, and what it means to move with clarity in your next season.
If you're looking to sharpen your edge, build systems that scale, and lead with purpose this quarter, tune in now and take these 10 proven strategies into your lab.
#RealEstateStrategy #MidtermRentals #Entrepreneurship#TemporaryHousing #BusinessGrowth #MTRAccelerator #Q3Planning #RealEstateTips
Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this data-packed episode of In The Lab, we sit down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former President of Vrbo, Chief Strategy Officer at HomeAway, and COO of Expedia Group. Jeff brings decades of experience in travel and hospitality tech to a fast-growing platform that has quietly become a powerhouse in the midterm rental space. Under his leadership, Furnished Finder has doubled its team, modernized its infrastructure, and doubled down on transparency—offering rare insights into tenant demand, booking trends, and platform economics.
Jeff walks us through how Furnished Finder is fundamentally different from traditional OTA platforms—highlighting landlord control, flat-rate pricing, and a commitment to empowering hosts with direct lead access. He unpacks the tenant segments behind over 2 million inquiries per year, including construction crews, relocating families, digital nomads, and healthcare workers. From scalable furniture ROI to market mismatch signals, Jeff shares actionable insights that today’s operators can apply immediately.
If you’re looking to scale with better data, more control, and deeper tenant insights, tune in now to learn how Jeff Hurst is leading a marketplace revolution—one booking request at a time.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
12:14 Jeff talks about pricing transparency
42:58 Jefftalks about chasing shiny objects
KEEPING IT REAL:
08:25 – How Furnished Finder differs from OTA platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo
11:00 – Why tenant experience and pricing transparency matter
14:00 – The role of data in trust-building and growth
17:00 – Tenant breakdown: business travelers, relocation, and digital nomads
19:45 – Rise of renovation relocation and local stay trends
22:30 – Super agents and power users: Furnished Finder’s enterprise use case
24:30 – Jeff’s product roadmap and replatforming efforts
26:30 – 130% YoY growth in relocation booking requests
29:30 – Room count and pricing by bedroom type explained
34:00 – 10% of tenants are large families—how to meet that demand
37:00 – Extended stay hotels vs. MTR: the real comparison
40:00 – Life hacking with Furnished Finder and furniture savings
43:00 – Product philosophy vs. chasing shiny objects
47:00 – How private ownership shapes Furnished Finder’s decision-making
52:00 – Operators vs. entrepreneurs and solving real problems
54:00 – Advice to 20-year-old Jeff and early-career insights
59:00 – What’s next for Furnished Finder: messaging, sort order, and tools
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hurst-atx/
#MidtermRentals #FurnishedFinder #RealEstateInvesting #CorporateHousing #TemporaryHousing #InsuranceHousing #FurnishedRentals #MTRStrategy
Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect
Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint
In this insightful episode of In The Lab, we’re joined by Gabriel Wacker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Transitions Group—a vertically integrated firm providing solutions in corporate housing, furniture rental, and temporary accommodations. Gabriel has been a key player in the evolution of furnished housing since the early days of Oakwood and Marriott’s foray into corporate housing. His background spans decades of leadership at Executive Stay, Vicinity, and Furniture Options, positioning him as an authority on scalable housing solutions across the Midwest and beyond.
Through Gabriel’s lens, we explore the challenges and opportunities in temporary housing—from military and intern housing to large-scale insurance displacements. He unpacks the history of corporate housing, including Oakwood’s rise and exit, and reveals how today’s midterm rental operators can scale by leveraging supplier networks, CHPA partnerships, and match leases. Gabriel explains how controlling logistics, furniture, and housing—without owning property—can unlock cash flow, using real-world examples of 100+ unit contracts built on strategic relationships.
If you’re looking to scale your rental operation, tap into legacy networks, or grow through strategic partnerships without owning property, this episode is for you. Tune in now to learn how Gabriel built a vertically integrated platform, secured complex 100+ unit contracts, and unlocked cash flow—one strategic relationship at a time.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:
21:22 Gabriel talks about having a realistic path to scaling
41:53 Gabriel talks about how insurance housing fits into their business model
KEEPING IT REAL:
07:00 – Differences between midterm rental and corporate housing terminology
10:05 – Why corporate housing began in multifamily apartments
11:45 – The scale and strategy behind Oakwood’s 15,000+ units
13:33 – How Oakwood and Marriott transitioned executive housing brands
16:00 – The journey from Executive Stay to Transitions Group
20:48 – A realistic path for operators scaling from 5 to 100+ units
24:00 – Unlocking growth with furniture rental as a scaling strategy
27:01 – Intern housing, FEMA, and other complex housing projects
29:00 – How Transitions Group partners and bids on major housing contracts
32:00 – Logistics and warehousing behind 100+ furnished unit deployments
34:00 – How pricing and net terms are structured with corporate clients
36:00 – The origin story of Furniture Options and its corporate housing pivot
40:00 – What’s ahead: volatility, post-COVID trends, and the new normal
42:30 – Insurance housing’s place in the midterm rental strategy
47:00 – How CHPA supplier networks drive collaboration and opportunity
50:30 – Franchising, licensing, and the Marriott model for revenue sharing
54:02 – Final advice: mentorship, partnerships, and playing the long game
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: https://www.transitionsgroup.net/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielwacker/
#CorporateHousing #MidtermRentals #InsuranceHousing #CHPA #RealEstateScale #TemporaryHousing #FurnishedRentals #HospitalityBusiness