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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/

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WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

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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 o

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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:

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

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

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 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—w

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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

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.

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

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:

“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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