In this episode of Rich Roots, Vessi Kapoulian shares her journey from being a commercial lender in Bulgaria to becoming a successful real estate syndicator. She discusses the evolution of her understanding of wealth and financial freedom, the mission behind her company DBA Capital, and the importance of education in investing. Vessi emphasizes the significance of conservative underwriting, understanding CAP rates, and the impact of market dynamics on investment decisions. She also shares insights on the challenges faced during her transition to active investing, the importance of building trust with general partners, and the role of AI in underwriting. Vessi concludes with her perspective on the current market cycle and the opportunities it presents for investors.

00:43 Guest Introduction

02:05 Defining Wealth and Financial Freedom

05:10 The Mission Behind DBA Capital

10:07 Transitioning from Banking to Real Estate

13:21 Understanding Conservative Underwriting

17:12 Cap Rates and Their Importance

20:11 Market Analysis and Its Impact

25:23 Challenges in Transitioning to Active Investing

28:24 Navigating Relationships in Investment Partnerships

34:14 Identifying Green Flags in General Partners

37:30 The Importance of Trust and Diversification

42:31 Learning from Past Mistakes in Syndication

51:16 Understanding Joint Ventures vs. Syndications

58:04 Market Insights and Future Predictions

Syndications vs. Stocks: Which Path to Financial Freedom?

Join Vibha and Radhika as they dive into one of the most common questions they get when speaking to new real estate investors. They share their personal journeys with initial investments, underscore the importance of strategic financial planning, and illuminate the power of self-directed IRAs.

They also explore the potential for higher returns in syndications, especially in today's inflationary landscape, and discuss why a balanced investment portfolio is key.

Chapters

00:00 - Investing in Syndications vs. Stock Market

10:58 - Understanding Self-Directed IRAs

15:00 - Comparing Returns: Syndications vs. Stock Market

Bonus: Find out how Vibha and Radhika calculated their financial freedom numbers – and you can too! ⁠Plug your own figures into this ⁠Freedom Blueprint Calculator⁠⁠ and share your insights with us in the DMs and comments.

Not all real estate investments are created equal. In this episode, Vibha and Radhika explore different asset classes—multifamily, industrial, self-storage, senior living, and data centers—breaking down what makes each one unique. They dive into market trends, demand drivers, and key risks to help passive investors navigate their options.

You'll learn:
– Why multifamily remains a strong investment choice– How industrial real estate benefits from e-commerce growth– The surprising demand for self-storage during economic shifts– Why senior living is a booming market– How data centers are powering the digital economy

If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio or better understand real estate investing, this episode is packed with insights to help you make informed decisions.

In this episode, Ryan Twomey and Lucas Ravanis, co-founders of TR Capital Partners, share their journey into real estate investing, discussing their early influences, misconceptions, and the lessons learned from their experiences as landlords. They delve into the importance of financial literacy, the concept of syndication, and the strategies they employ for risk management. The conversation also touches on personal growth, the transition to full-time real estate, and the fulfillment that comes with achieving time freedom.

Chapters

00:00 Episode Intro

00:14 Intro to Ryan and Lucas

00:37 Starting with Ryan

01:30 Foundations of Wealth Building

05:08 Aha Moments in Real Estate

06:18 Lessons from Landlord Experiences

08:16 Understanding Passive Investing

10:49 Demystifying Syndication

11:53 Targeting Asset Classes and Markets

18:09 Risk Management Strategies

19:10 Navigating Risk Management in Real Estate Investments

21:42 Key Considerations for Passive Investors

23:08 Overcoming Challenges in Property Management

25:16 The Importance of Financial Literacy

28:30 Transitioning to Full-Time Real Estate Investing

32:12 Personal Growth and Mindset Shifts

37:47 Connecting with Capital Partners

You can learn more about Lucas and Ryan online at TR Capital Partners.

In this episode, Radhika and Vibha explore the nuances of real estate investing, focusing on the differences between active and passive investing. They share personal experiences, insights on property management, and the importance of education for first-time investors. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced in the industry, the hidden costs of investing, and the significance of networking to build knowledge in real estate.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome back to Rich Roots

01:33 Personal Investment Journeys: From Passive to Active

03:40 The Experience of Being a Landlord

05:44 Property Management Insights and Challenges

08:06 Evaluating Syndication Deals as a Limited Partner

09:33 Key Considerations in Real Estate Investments

14:24 The Resilience of Senior Living Investments

15:34 Emotional Aspects of Large Investments

16:49 The Importance of Education in Investing

18:32 Hidden Costs in Active vs Passive Investing

20:43 Educating First-Time Passive Investors

23:20 The Homework Required for Investing

24:47 Our Approach As GPs - How we build investor relationships

28:09 Rosy numbers in multi family syndications

29:09 Challenges Faced by Minority Investors

In the debut episode of the Rich Roots podcast, hosts Radhika and Vibha explore their personal journeys into real estate investing, emphasizing the importance of education and alternative investment strategies like syndications. They discuss the shift from traditional savings to real estate as a means of building generational wealth and achieving financial freedom. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding risks, the role of education in investing, and the diverse definitions of financial freedom. The episode concludes with a preview of future topics and guests.

Key Takeaways:

• Financial freedom is about creating choices and flexibility in life.
• Investing in yourself is the first step toward personal and financial growth.
• Understanding risk is essential for making smart investment decisions.
• Real estate syndications offer opportunities for passive income.
• Education is the foundation for confident investing.
• Setting clear financial goals helps map out your wealth-building journey.
• Diversifying your investments can help reduce risk and grow wealth.
• Personal experiences shape how we approach investing.
• Building connections and finding mentors can open doors in real estate.
• Wealth building is a long-term commitment, not a quick win.

Tune In If You Want To:

• Start your own path toward financial freedom through real estate.
• Learn how beginners can use syndications to earn passive income.
• Discover mindset shifts that help in building generational wealth.
• Get simple, actionable advice for defining and reaching your financial goals.

👉 Subscribe to Rich Roots Podcast and join us we grow our wealth together, one step at a time! 🌱💰

Welcome to Rich Roots, where two first-gen investors—Radhika and Vibha—figure out real estate investing while juggling our corporate jobs.

A few years ago, real estate felt overwhelming—like something only the ultra-wealthy could do. We didn’t grow up around investors, and no one handed us a roadmap. But step by step, we’re learning, making mistakes, and discovering strategies that actually work. And now, we’re sharing everything so building wealth through real estate feels possible—even if you’re just getting started.

From how we took our first leap into real estate to the strategies we’re using to grow (like syndications, self-directed IRAs, and passive investing), we’re breaking it all down—wins, mistakes, and lessons we wish we’d learned sooner. We’ll also bring in guests with unique experiences and expertise so we can learn together through real stories, insights, and the kind of advice that makes real estate investing seem doable.

If you’ve ever been curious about real estate investing this podcast is for you. We’re asking the questions, sharing the lessons, and taking you behind the scenes—because if we can do it, so can you.

New episodes drop every first and third Thursday—come learn as we grow our wealth together!