The 3 Pillars That Took Me from Burnout to Multifamily Millions with Gino Barbaro

In this episode, I sit down with Gino Barbaro—multifamily investor, author, educator, and co-founder of Jake & Gino. We dive deep into the mindset, systems, and financial foundations that helped him scale from a pizza shop owner to a real estate mogul managing over 2,000 units.

Gino shares the critical role that Profit First played in helping him gain control over his personal and business finances—and why so many investors fail not from lack of opportunity, but from lack of clarity and discipline. This episode is a masterclass in building a long-term, values-driven real estate business that actually creates wealth and freedom.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:25] – From family business burnout to discovering multifamily real estate

[3:45] – Scaling with partnerships: how Jake & Gino built a vertically integrated company

[6:12] – Why multifamily is more forgiving than single-family investing

[9:00] – Using Profit First to remove emotion from business decisions

[10:40] – You can’t outsource what you don’t understand—why financial literacy is step one

[12:20] – The “3 pillars” of real estate success: buy right, manage right, finance right

[15:15] – Teaching your kids about money, wealth, and entrepreneurship

[17:50] – The one mindset shift that separates successful investors from burned-out ones

[20:30] – Why “purpose over profit” actually leads to more sustainable business growth

[23:05] – How Gino uses Profit First in both personal and business budgets

[26:00] – Where to start if you feel overwhelmed by your numbers

5 Key Takeaways

1. Clarity comes before scaling. Without control over your finances, more doors just means more chaos.
2. Profit First works because it’s simple. Gino uses it personally and professionally to stay focused and disciplined.
3. Vertical integration creates true freedom. Jake & Gino scaled by controlling management, education, and investing under one roof.
4. Teach wealth early. Gino involves his six kids in financial education—because legacy starts at home.
5. Mindset is the multiplier. If you don’t believe you’re worthy of wealth, no strategy will save you.

Links & Resources

• Connect with Gino: JakeandGino.com
• Gino’s book: The Honeybee
• Learn Profit First for real estate: SimpleCFO.com

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