In this episode, I’m joined by one of my favorite humans and my very first Simple CFO client—Rich Lennon. Rich has done it all: from flipping houses to owning rentals, and now, he’s built a life of freedom through private lending. We unpack how he made the shift from operator to lender, what a “fractional wrap” is, and why lending has become his favorite seat at the table.

Whether you’re deep in real estate or just starting to stack cash, this episode gives you a blueprint for transitioning into lending the right way. Rich breaks down the systems, the mindset, and the returns—and shares how you can lend with both profitability and integrity.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:15] – My early days working for Rich and how he became Simple CFO’s first client

[5:00] – How Rich discovered $800K hiding in his books and started thinking differently

[6:00] – Reaching financial freedom during COVID—and shutting everything down

[7:00] – Falling in love with lending: high returns, minimal hours, and maximum freedom

[9:00] – From flips to funding: Why lending is easier and less risky than operating

[12:00] – What a fractional wrap is and how Rich earns 30-50% ROI with lower risk

[14:30] – How to structure lending deals with skin in the game and built-in protection

[17:00] – Why you only need to do 2-4 deals per year to create serious passive income

[19:30] – Can you scale lending into a real business? Rich explains how he did it

[21:00] – Why staying local is crucial for successful private lending

[23:00] – How to underwrite a deal (even if you’ve never flipped a house)

[25:00] – The moral code of lending: returns are great—but do it the right way

[27:00] – How to get in touch with Rich and learn his full lending system

5 Key Takeaways

1. Lending can be simpler and safer than flipping — if you structure your deals correctly and underwrite with discipline.
2. Fractional wraps allow you to combine your money with others, lend it at a higher rate, and pocket the spread—earning 30–50% ROI.
3. Having skin in the game protects both you and your lender. Don’t cut corners on underwriting or paperwork.
4. Stay local so you can personally inspect properties and build trust with borrowers.
5. Integrity matters—Rich teaches not just how to make money but how to do it in a way that serves everyone involved.

Links & Resources

• Text Rich Lennon directly at (804) 601-0330 to learn more about his training on fractional wraps and private lending.
• Need to stack cash first? Book a free financial clarity call at simplecfo.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating, following, and sharing the podcast. Your support helps more investors build financial clarity, cash flow, and consistent profit!

In this episode, I’m joined by Dean Rogers—former NFL player turned real estate investor, coach, and community builder. Dean opens up about the moment he walked away from the NFL, the painful identity loss that followed, and how real estate became the path to financial and personal freedom.

We explore the mental, emotional, and financial rollercoaster Dean went through—from blowing $250K early in his career to now leading a thriving real estate business and coaching program. He shares how discipline from football translated into real estate, why trying to do it all alone almost destroyed him, and how collaboration and mentorship ultimately led to success. This episode is packed with hard-won wisdom and real talk on what it takes to build a life and business you love.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:15] – Dean’s college football career and how it led to the NFL

[3:40] – The physical price of professional sports and the decision to walk away

[5:00] – Wrestling with identity loss after leaving football

[7:25] – Starting over financially and emotionally—with no plan B

[9:12] – How a podcast episode opened Dean’s eyes to real estate investing

[10:45] – Getting obsessed with learning: YouTube, books, and mentors

[12:00] – First wholesale deal and the adrenaline of closing it

[14:20] – Scaling fast—and the traps that come with early success

[17:00] – Partnering with Sean Terry and stepping into mentorship

[18:45] – The $250K mistake that nearly destroyed the business

[20:00] – How asking for help saved Dean’s career and shifted everything

[22:05] – Finding faith, focus, and freedom through accountability

[23:30] – Creating the “Friends with Benefits” model for JVs

[26:10] – Coaching others through the same transformation he lived

[28:30] – Why community, mindset, and financial structure go hand in hand

[30:00] – Final thoughts on taking control of your time and your money

5 Key Takeaways

1. Discipline beats motivation. Dean’s training in the NFL gave him the consistency to succeed even when results weren’t immediate.
2. Ego can cost you everything. Trying to figure it out alone led to massive losses—collaboration brought the breakthrough.
3. Mistakes are tuition. The $250K lesson taught Dean more than any win ever could.
4. Real freedom requires real systems. From financial structure to JV partnerships, sustainable growth depends on structure.
5. Surround yourself with winners. Community and mentorship accelerated Dean’s transformation from stressed out to scaling up.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Dean: DeanRogers.com
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: SimpleCFO.com

If Dean’s story moved you or motivated you, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review for the podcast. And share this episode with someone who’s ready to stop playing small and start building something bigger—with structure, purpose, and profit.

In this episode of the Profit First for REI Podcast, I’m joined by Etinosa Agbonlahor—a real estate investor, behavioral economist, and the host of the Her First House podcast. Etinosa brings a unique blend of corporate financial insight and personal real estate experience to the table. From working in publishing and banking across continents to designing large-scale financial behavior interventions, her journey is anything but ordinary.

We dive into the psychology of money, why most people don’t follow good financial advice, and how to design systems that actually help people take action. Etinosa also shares her path into real estate, how she built her portfolio from abroad during the pandemic, and why she intentionally slowed down her investing for the sake of peace and sustainability. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale with clarity, this episode will give you a powerful perspective on financial decisions—from mindset to execution.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:35] - Etinosa’s background: from corporate finance to real estate investing

[5:33] - The pivotal book that changed her life (and her career direction)

[9:25] - The mentor who helped spark her interest in behavioral economics

[13:13] - What behavioral economists actually do—and how they help companies change financial behavior

[18:10] - The “Benefits Finder” case study that impacted an entire nation

[20:01] - Why simplifying financial decisions is the real game changer

[21:00] - How a rough year in real estate led her to launch Her First House podcast

[23:20] - The wisdom of slowing down: why she didn’t buy a rental in 2024

[25:38] - Reflections on building a sustainable, peace-driven business and life

5 Key Takeaways

1. Behavioral economics helps bridge the gap between intention and action—especially when people feel overwhelmed by financial decisions.
2. Etinosa’s passion for personal finance was sparked by her first paycheck—and honed through global experience.
3. Mentorship doesn’t have to be long-term to be transformative. A single book or conversation can redirect your life.
4. In real estate, success isn’t always about scale—it’s about sustainability and alignment with your personal definition of peace.
5. Financial education should be designed with psychology in mind. Simplifying the user experience increases the chances people actually take action.

Links & Resources

• Website: HerFirstHouse.org
• Instagram: @RealEstateWithEtsi
• Book Mentioned: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
• Podcast Mentioned: Her First House podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review the show. Share it with someone who’s ready to take control of their finances—and take action toward their first or next real estate deal!