Ever wondered how firefighters can build wealth despite their demanding schedules? Mike Lowerey, a heavy equipment operator for Milwaukee Fire Department, reveals exactly how he acquired six rental properties in just six months while working one of the busiest trucks in the city.

Mike's journey began with an eighth-grade teacher who sparked his interest in finance and compound interest, leading to a finance degree before joining Milwaukee Fire in 2010. After seven years on the job, Mike leveraged his intimate knowledge of Milwaukee neighborhoods to identify promising investment opportunities in 2017 – just before the market took off and attracted outside investors.

The conversation delves into the practical mechanics of property acquisition and management that rarely get discussed in typical real estate content. Mike shares a remarkable early deal: a single-family home purchased for just $35,000 that rented for $900 monthly after minimal renovations. He explains how he used seller financing to acquire a duplex with $10,000 down that later sold for $165,000 – pocketing over $70,000 in profit.

What makes this episode particularly valuable for first responders is Mike's candid discussion of property management systems and tenant screening processes. He emphasizes treating real estate as a business rather than a hobby, establishing clear boundaries with tenants, and developing systematic approaches to maintenance issues. His advice on using separate phone lines for tenants and setting business hours provides practical solutions for managing properties while working 24-hour shifts.

Mike also addresses the challenges of real estate partnerships, explaining why he ultimately sold most of his portfolio during COVID despite strong appreciation. The conversation concludes with his current focus on vacation rentals in Northern Wisconsin and advice for first responders looking to get started in real estate.

Whether you're a first responder curious about real estate or an existing investor looking to refine your systems, this conversation provides honest, practical guidance from someone who's successfully balanced public service with wealth-building through careful property investment. Ready to take the first step in your own real estate journey? This episode gives you the roadmap to get started.

The path to financial freedom for first responders doesn't always require working extra shifts or sacrificing family time. Sometimes, it's about recognizing opportunities that others miss and taking calculated risks that yield outsized returns.

In this eye-opening conversation, Mike reveals how he transformed a dated but functional house into a profitable investment without going "HGTV style" on renovations. Walking us through his recent wholetail flip that netted $62,000 in just 48 days with only about 10 hours of his personal time invested, Mike demonstrates the power of strategic real estate investing for busy first responders.

Unlike traditional house flipping that requires extensive renovations, Mike focused on targeted improvements that would appeal to first-time homebuyers: replacing carpet in key areas, touching up paint, improving curb appeal with landscaping, and ensuring all systems functioned properly. The biggest expense was replacing a failing septic system, which he identified early and negotiated into the purchase price.

What makes this case study particularly valuable is Mike's transparent breakdown of the numbers and decision-making process. From the initial purchase at $168,000 to the final sale at $310,000, he shares exactly how much was spent, where the money went, and why certain renovation decisions were made. He also discusses potential pitfalls to watch for, including the unexpected complications that can arise with properties that have solar panel leases.

Perhaps most importantly, Mike emphasizes the value of building strong relationships in real estate. By treating the referring agent generously and focusing on long-term connections rather than maximizing profit on a single deal, he ensures a steady stream of off-market opportunities that don't require active marketing or lead generation.

Ready to discover how you can leverage your limited free time as a first responder to build wealth through strategic real estate investments? Listen now and learn how to identify, fund, and execute profitable deals that can dramatically accelerate your path to financial independence.

Mike Ettenberg never intended to choose between his two passions. Growing up in California, he found himself equally drawn to the thrill of entrepreneurship and the heroism of firefighting. Like many of us who've felt that pull in different directions, Mike initially thought he had to pick one path.

What emerged instead was Frontline Optics – a sunglasses company born from the frustration of repeatedly destroying $200 Oakleys in the back of fire engines. With remarkable candor, Mike shares how he launched his business with just $5,000 from forced overtime shifts while still working full-time as a firefighter. That initial investment covered 300 pairs of sunglasses, a basic website, trademark filing, and minimal marketing – a humble beginning for what would become a thriving business.

The real breakthrough came unexpectedly. After months of amateur marketing efforts, Mike created a video showing sunglasses falling in slow motion with fire equipment in the background. That single ad transformed his business from $30K to $170K in annual revenue. "I became a student of advertising at that point," Mike explains, highlighting how success often comes from identifying exactly what resonates with your specific audience.

What makes Frontline Optics unique isn't just their focus on durability for first responders – it's their commitment to values that mirror the brotherhood and sisterhood of emergency services. Their "no questions asked" replacement policy acknowledges the reality of gear destruction on the job. Their team structure provides customer service even during night shifts. And their charitable giving supports organizations like First Responders Children's Foundation.

For those dreaming of starting something, Mike's advice cuts through the noise: "If you go to bed at night thinking about doing something, and when you're running on a treadmill aimlessly you're thinking about doing something, and you're surfing podcasts and you're thinking about doing something – it means that it's in you. So just go do it."

Ready to support a first responder-owned business or find sunglasses that can actually survive your shift? Follow @frontlineoptics on Instagram or visit frontline-optics.com to see their full line of durable, ANSI-rated eyewear designed specifically for the demands of emergency services.