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.

Ready to transform your real estate marketing approach? Subscribe to Forged in Fire for more insights from entrepreneurs who've navigated the challenges you're facing. Leave us a review to help others discover these valuable lessons from the trenches of real business building.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

Ever felt that gnawing sensation—the one where you're working at your corporate job until 1 AM, only to go home and hustle on your side business until 4 AM? That entrepreneurial itch that just won't go away? Matt knows this feeling all too well.

After nearly 11 years on Wall Street at prestigious institutions like Bank of America and UBS, Matt finally took the leap into entrepreneurship, founding both a private wealth management firm and a real estate investment business. But his journey wasn't an overnight success story—it was paved with baseball card trading ventures as a kid, a college cigar business, a failed t-shirt brand, and countless late nights wondering if he was making the right choice.

What does it really take to transition from corporate security to entrepreneurial freedom? Matt cuts through the romanticized notions of business ownership to reveal the raw truths: "I think I work more now than when I did in the investment bank, but the crazy part is I feel like I have a lot more energy now." When you're building something you truly believe in, the extra hours don't feel like a sacrifice—they feel like an investment.

Perhaps most revelatory is Matt's approach to deal-making in real estate. When confronted with HOA restrictions that limited ownership to five units per LLC—a roadblock for most investors—Matt structured an innovative solution involving multiple owners and an agreement to share profits. As he puts it, "Deals aren't found, they're made." This creative problem-solving mindset separates successful entrepreneurs from those who merely wish for success.

Whether you're contemplating your own leap into entrepreneurship or looking to level up your existing business, Matt's candid insights about networking, partnerships, and the absolute necessity of "burning the boats" will transform how you approach your entrepreneurial journey. Listen now and discover why having no Plan B might be your greatest strategic advantage.

Send us a text

What truly separates effective marketing from forgettable noise? The answer lies in powerful, persuasive copywriting – and few understand this craft better than Holly Seibert, founder of Holly Seibert Copywriting.

In this captivating conversation, Holly shares her unconventional path from marketing major to HR professional to successful copywriting entrepreneur. After experiencing two corporate layoffs, she realized the illusion of job security and took control of her own destiny. "Nowhere is safe," she reflects. "If your job is going to get eliminated, it's going to get eliminated. Having that control and being on my own was really what I needed."

Holly breaks down the psychology behind effective copywriting – that perfect blend of art and science that connects brands with their target audiences. She offers three immediately applicable strategies that will transform your business messaging: focus on benefits rather than features, keep your language clear and casual instead of complex, and always include a specific call to action. These fundamental principles work across industries, from tech startups to local service businesses.

As AI tools reshape content creation, Holly provides a refreshingly balanced perspective. While acknowledging AI's usefulness for research and brainstorming, she highlights why human copywriters remain irreplaceable: "AI is a machine. It doesn't understand the creativity and emotional connections of your audience." This explains why copywriting job openings have increased 22% despite AI's rise – companies recognize that truly persuasive messaging requires human insight.

For entrepreneurs struggling with productivity, Holly emphasizes the importance of avoiding "shiny object syndrome." Rather than chasing every new tool or trend, focus on revenue-generating activities and simplified systems. Her own success comes from implementing consistent daily habits, including identifying her five most important tasks each day using a pen-and-paper planner.

Ready to craft messages that truly connect and convert? Listen now to transform how you communicate your value and build meaningful relationships with your audience.

Send us a text

Mark Schinski, CEO of Capital Companion, shares his journey from psychology and engineering studies to building a successful real estate investment firm with his business partner Joe. His background in construction combined with strategic partnerships has enabled him to tackle challenging properties that other investors avoid, turning the "worst houses" into profitable investments.

• Background in psychology, engineering, and 20 years in construction provides unique perspective on real estate investing
• Started as project manager for luxury custom home builder before launching his own general contracting company
• Met business partner Joe through a mentor who recognized their complementary skills would make a perfect team
• Uses his construction expertise to take on properties in terrible condition that most investors would avoid
• Emphasizes clear communication with contractors through printed materials and regular site visits
• Moving from individual fix-and-flips to larger multifamily projects to maximize efficiency
• Values his business partnership as a "marriage" where each partner brings different strengths
• Recommends joining industry groups and reinvesting profits into education and networking
• Uses CompanyCam app to monitor construction projects remotely and share progress with investors
• Credits "YouTube University" and Naval Ravikant's book for much of his business knowledge

Leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts - it helps us bring on more amazing guests and continue to deliver the content you want to hear.

Send us a text

Joe Frederick's real estate journey began with a teenage epiphany in a New Jersey beach house. "This is not the family type that I come from," he recalls thinking at 16, discovering the owner built wealth through real estate. That moment sparked a decade-long path from finance student to savvy entrepreneur.

Frederick's tactical approach to building wealth started with house hacking at 22, purchasing a duplex and renting the larger unit while living in the smaller one. Despite being younger than his tenants, he positioned himself as "just the property manager," a clever strategy that established authority while concealing his inexperience. He expanded by systematically purchasing properties with 5% down conventional loans, living in each for a year before moving to the next—until marriage put an end to his nomadic investment strategy.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Frederick reveals his struggle with authenticity during his private equity career. "I faked every single day of being there," he admits, describing how he felt out of place among Ivy League graduates. A brutally honest call from a LinkedIn connection became his watershed moment: "I will never answer a freaking call from you again... you are inauthentic." Instead of becoming defensive, Frederick embraced this feedback, dropped his façade, and transformed his approach to business relationships.

Now co-founder of Capital Companion, Frederick has built a versatile investment company that handles fix-and-flips, buy-and-holds, and strategic partnerships—including innovative arrangements with retired NFL players who provide capital. His company is expanding into wholesaling and planning a hedge fund, demonstrating the power of authentic networking and complementary partnerships.

For entrepreneurs struggling with work-life balance, Frederick offers a simple yet powerful practice: putting his phone down at home while keeping it on loud. "I want to be tested," he explains, training himself to remain present with family despite notifications. His advice to ask family members about their day creates meaningful connections that sustain him through entrepreneurial challenges.

Ready to forge your own authentic path in real estate? Subscribe now for more unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs who've faced the fire and emerged stronger.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://www.forgereiacademy.com

If you're interested in learning more about Real Estate and connecting with us:

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/184CJG3S4w/

Be Our Guest! We are continuously working hard to help our listeners with their journey to real estate & entrepreneurship. If you think you can add value in any way to our listeners who are in the industry, then let's connect.

Apply here: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/uO1DPkcqTgLTgVSJeWBi

Send us a text

What happens when you find yourself crawling through an attic at 2AM, breathing insulation, and realize "this isn't it"? For Alejandro, that moment sparked a transformation from blue-collar HVAC technician to successful entrepreneur helping others access interest-free capital and harness the power of AI.

Alejandro takes us through his journey of investing $40,000 in mentorships and courses (most of which he candidly admits was "bullshit") before finding the strategies that allowed him to build a thriving business. He shares how he helps entrepreneurs structure their profiles to secure high-limit, 0% interest credit cards that can be converted to capital, and how he's developed systems to "reset the 0% clock" every 12-24 months, creating a perpetual cycle of interest-free funding for his clients.

The conversation dives deep into how Alejandro built an AI-powered CRM that handles everything from inbound calls to appointment booking, allowing him the freedom to travel the world while running his business remotely. His tactical approach to testing Facebook ads (starting at $30/day before scaling winners), finding early clients (working for free to build testimonials), and structuring business systems provides a masterclass in modern entrepreneurship.

Most powerful is Alejandro's perspective on what truly matters: "It's not about where you put your time, but where you put your attention." He emphasizes that attention is our most valuable currency, while highlighting the importance of physical fitness, faith, and taking care of your mind and body throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

Want to learn more about accessing interest-free capital or implementing AI in your business? Find Alejandro on YouTube and Instagram at cashflowalejandro, where he shares free courses and valuable content to help you scale your business.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://www.forgereiacademy.com

If you're interested in learning more about Real Estate and connecting with us:

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/184CJG3S4w/

Be Our Guest! We are continuously working hard to help our listeners with their journey to real estate & entrepreneurship. If you think you can add value in any way to our listeners who are in the industry, then let's connect.

Apply here: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/uO1DPkcqTgLTgVSJeWBi

Send us a text