What happens when radio broadcasting skills meet real estate opportunity? Dave Cole's journey reveals how unexpected pivots can lead to entrepreneurial success when you're paying attention to the possibilities others miss.

Dave's story begins in Chicago's radio industry, where a station sale forced him to reevaluate his path. This unexpected development led him to telecommunications and eventually into real estate marketing, where he discovered his talent for finding unique angles to promote properties. When an expensive real estate kiosk technology was rejected by agencies for its high cost, Dave didn't see failure – he saw an opportunity to create something more affordable using phone technology. This pivot became the foundation for his success.

Throughout his career, Dave has maintained a competitive edge through meticulous tracking. Using nothing more sophisticated than an Excel spreadsheet as his CRM for 25 years, he records every contact, conversation, and follow-up. This discipline enables him to recall specific details from conversations years earlier, building credibility with clients and keeping perfect track of who delivers on promises. Dave's approach exemplifies how simple systems, consistently applied, often outperform complex technologies.

What truly sets Dave apart is his understanding of presentation strategy. He advises treating property marketing like a process: just as a cover letter gets someone to read your resume, which leads to interviews and eventually a job offer, property marketing should follow a purposeful sequence. His practical advice includes practicing 60-second property "commercials" without notes to develop your ability to highlight what makes each property unique. For formal presentations, he recommends preparing for five minutes, then condensing to three, and finally to two – ensuring you deliver your strongest material while having additional information ready for questions.

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What does it take to go from complete novice to successful commercial real estate investor? Beth Underhill's journey reveals it's not expertise, connections, or money—it's the courage to raise your hand and say "I can do that" even when you have no idea how.

Beth and her husband's real estate adventure began unexpectedly in 2018 when a middle-of-the-night infomercial led them to explore house flipping. Already running a successful outdoor construction company, they thought transferring those skills indoors would be straightforward. Then COVID hit, completely shifting market demands and forcing them to pivot into commercial real estate—a world Beth knew nothing about.

The vulnerable moments in Beth's story are what make it so powerful. From Googling terms like "pitch deck" and "investor portal" to feeling completely out of her depth in meetings with potential sponsors, she navigated the steep learning curve by leveraging her strengths in customer service and sheer determination. Beth's candid description of raising millions for deals while still learning the fundamentals herself highlights an entrepreneurial truth rarely discussed: sometimes you figure it out as you go.

Today, Beth has co-sponsored over 200 syndicated units and manages more than 400 student housing beds. Her real estate connections have opened unexpected doors to investments in sports licensing, boutique hotels, and even cannabis. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is refreshingly practical: focus on relationships, start with free communities before investing in expensive masterminds, and aim to connect with just three new people weekly. Most importantly, understand that even when the entrepreneurial journey feels like "the longest rollercoaster ride of your life," resilience is what separates those who succeed from those who don't.

Ready to build your own path? Connect with Beth at investingwithbeth.com or text her at 513-470-1078 to learn more about her approach to real estate and building a diversified investment portfolio.

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Todd Mitchell transforms cybersecurity for small businesses by bridging the gap between enterprise-level protection and solo entrepreneurs who lack resources but face the same legal requirements. Drawing from 20 years of Navy experience and advanced cybersecurity training, he focuses on protecting the most vulnerable business owners by taking a people-first approach rather than just securing networks.

• Spent 20 years in the Navy before transitioning to IT and cybersecurity
• Started his business after helping his DJ friend who lost all his music to hackers
• Discovered most cybersecurity companies only serve large businesses, ignoring solopreneurs
• Takes a holistic approach that prioritizes protecting people and information first
• Found success after identifying his true target market: women solopreneurs in finance and healthcare
• Helps clients meet cybersecurity insurance requirements and navigate industry regulations
• Pivoted his business model multiple times, including during COVID
• Emphasizes the importance of knowing who your customers really are and where they come from
• Creates detailed customer avatars to better understand and serve clients
• Found success by niching down rather than trying to serve everyone
• Focuses on human training since 90% of data breaches come from human error

Visit cybersecurity4biz.com to take a free assessment and learn more about protecting your small business.

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