✔️Summary:

In this episode, I interviewed Randy Langenderfer, a former corporate executive turned full-time multifamily real estate investor. Randy shared his journey from the corporate world to multifamily real estate investment. A year ago, he left his corporate job to focus solely on multifamily investments, a journey that began a decade prior while working for the private equity firm, Carlyle Group. Concerned about job security, Randy sought an alternative income stream and explored various options like small business ownership and franchise opportunities before finding his passion in real estate.

Initially dabbling in single-family home flipping, Randy eventually shifted to multifamily properties due to their scalability and potential for passive income. He appreciated the advantages of non-recourse loans and the syndication model, allowing multiple investors to acquire large properties. Over four years, Randy transitioned from a limited partner to a general partner, methodically building his expertise and confidence before leaving the corporate world entirely.

Randy discussed strategies to mitigate the challenges posed by high-interest rates, such as seeking unique investment opportunities and avoiding variable-rate debt. For example, he mentioned properties with tax abatements and build-to-rent townhouses in high-growth areas like North Dallas.

Addressing the attractiveness of real estate investment versus risk-free options like treasury bills, Randy highlighted the long-term benefits of real estate, including tax advantages and appreciation potential. He emphasized the importance of relationships, advising passive investors to get to know their general partners and understand the deal analytics. He encouraged aspiring investors to take a long-term view, stay educated, and follow the playbook of successful predecessors.

⭐️About Randy:

Randy Langenderfer is a seasoned real estate investor with over a decade of experience. His journey began with single-family home remodels. Transitioning to multifamily investments, Randy discovered the path to true financial freedom.

With an MBA in Finance and over 25 years of corporate leadership in various industries, Randy's expertise lies in risk management and governance. He founded InvestArk to identify low-risk, high-return investment opportunities. Currently, his portfolio includes nearly 4,000 units, all managed by top-tier property management and operational oversight teams.

Randy advises new investors and busy professionals to consider passive investment in multifamily real estate. This approach offers diversification, lucrative and recession-resistant returns, tax savings, and the creation of legacy assets without the hassles of active property management.

For those interested in hands-off real estate investing, Randy invites them to learn more about InvestArk Investors Club through LinkedIn or by visiting InvestArk's website to watch the free training, “How To Recession-Proof Your Retirement With Hands-Off Commercial Real Estate Investing.”

💜 Where to find Randy:

► Website: https://www.invest-ark.com/

► Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-langenderfer/

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randy.langenderfer

☞ Randy’s Book Recommendation:

► “The Hands-Off Investor: An Insider's Guide to Investing in Passive Real Estate Syndications” by Brian Burke

✔️Summary:

In this episode, I interview Riggs Eckelberry, President & CEO of OriginClear, Inc., who shares his diverse background, which includes international living due to his father’s career, work in the nonprofit sector, and a stint as a professional Merchant Mariner. He emphasizes that these experiences have given him a global perspective and a drive to use technology for positive change. Initially, his ambitious tech endeavors in New York failed due to lack of capital, teaching him resilience and the importance of persistence.

His career took off in Los Angeles in the high-tech industry, particularly in computing for communication, where he ascended to C-level positions, ultimately leading a company onto the NASDAQ. However, he then shifted focus from tech to green energy, specifically biofuels from algae. Despite initial success, this venture collapsed when crude oil prices fell, prompting a pivot to wastewater extraction technology.

The company, now known as OriginClear, transitioned to focus on decentralized water treatment solutions, addressing the significant gap in water infrastructure, especially highlighted by climate change and rising demand. OriginClear’s innovative approach involves creating modular, containerized water treatment systems for industries and communities, reducing reliance on central systems. They also developed a financial model to support this through regular investors, making water treatment accessible and scalable.

Riggs notes that while large corporations have their own solutions, OriginClear’s niche lies in serving smaller entities like mobile home parks, which face stringent sanitation requirements. By offering water-as-a-service, OriginClear alleviates the financial burden on these communities, making essential upgrades feasible without upfront capital.

Looking forward, Riggs is excited about the potential of decentralized water treatment systems to solve significant water issues globally, drawing parallels to how cell towers leapfrogged landlines in developing regions. This decentralized approach is not only more cost-effective but also better suited to the needs of modern water management, ensuring sustainability and efficiency.

⭐️About Riggs:

Long a disruptive tech marketer and executive, Riggs Eckelberry became involved in the early “green” space when he co-founded the company that eventually became OriginClear, taking it public in 2008.

Beginning in 2014, he and his team developed a series of transformative businesses which OriginClear manages in its role as the Clean Water Innovation Hub™.

Riggs Eckelberry is passionate about Break To Build™, which is about reinventing, with a team.

💜 Where to find Riggs:

► Company Website: https://www.originclear.com/

► Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riggs/

► X: https://x.com/riggseck

☞ Riggs’s Book Recommendation:

► “The Innovator's Dilemma” by Clayton M. Christensen

► “Foundation” by Isaac Asimov

► "Dune" by Frank Herbert

✔️Summary:

In this episode, I interviewed Damion Lupo, the author of a book I purchased years ago on qualified retirement plan (QRP) after hearing him on the Bigger Pockets podcast. Damion appreciates the support and reflects on his writing journey, emphasizing that writing has helped him clarify his ideas rather than aiming for bestseller status. He has authored 12 books, with "Unicornomics" being the latest, encapsulating his business principles.

Damion shares his extensive entrepreneurial experience, having started and managed over 70 companies. He believes that understanding foundational business principles can significantly increase the chances of success, countering the common belief that most businesses fail. He argues that many businesses lack a solid foundation, which is crucial for long-term success.

Damion's current focus is FrameTek, a vertically integrated framing company revolutionizing the construction industry by manufacturing house frames in a controlled environment, drastically reducing construction time and waste. He explains that FrameTek's approach addresses the shortage of skilled labor in construction and offers a predictable, high-quality, and efficient process. The company is expanding rapidly, with plans to build additional plants in various locations.

Damion discusses the importance of having a mission-driven business rather than solely focusing on making money. He shares his own experiences, including significant financial losses, which taught him the value of having a clear mission and serving others. This mission-centric approach has been central to his various ventures, including eQRP, which empowers people to take control of their financial future.

He emphasizes the importance of focus, saying that diversifying too much can lead to mediocrity. Damion advises aspiring entrepreneurs to narrow their focus, master one thing, and avoid chasing too many opportunities simultaneously. He also underscores the value of mentors, stressing that finding the right mentor can accelerate personal and professional growth. Damion concludes by encouraging people to embrace the process of building something meaningful, staying patient, and being willing to invest in their growth and learning.

⭐️About Damion:

Over the last 35 years, Damion Lupo has owned and started more than 70 different companies and personally purchased over 150 houses in 7 states, apartment complexes, completed condo developments, and more.

His mission is to help 10,000 families become debt-free with at least $100,000 in annual perpetual passive income for life.

The family of companies working together to make that happen includes FrameTec®, eQRP®, My Gold Advisor, Vitruvian Ventures, and FU Media.

💜 Where to find Damion:

► Website: https://damionlupo.com/

► Company Website: https://frametek.com/

► Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damionlupo/

☞ Damion’s Book Recommendation:

► "Mastery” by George Leonard