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