When most people think about real estate investing, the first images that come to mind are often an endless stack of contracts, house tours, negotiations, and the hunt for the best properties. But beneath the surface of this transactional world lies a powerful truth: real estate is still very much a people business. This principle is at the heart of the podcast episode.

The episode features Jarrod Frankum, an investor, realtor, and founder of a family-run real estate business, as he sits down with Jay Conner to break down the real journey behind private money, deal-making, and why relationships are the ultimate currency for success.

The Unexpected Path to Private Money

One of the most compelling aspects of Jarrod Frankum’s story is how his path into private money wasn’t something he planned. He didn’t approach investing with a wealthy background, a trove of connections, or a pile of capital. Instead, his journey began with sharing excitement about his business with people he already knew—without any intention of pitching for funds. What happened next signaled a core reality for real estate entrepreneurs: often, genuine enthusiasm and consistent action attract others who want to participate.

By being open about his goals, Jarrod Frankum found himself approached by someone willing to partner and supply the capital he needed for his very first deal. Later opportunities arose through a mixture of referrals and organic connections at investor meetups. The lesson is clear—building trust and communicating authentically about what you are doing can be a magnet in itself. Importantly, many of his early deals were funded by those who believed in him, not just the numbers.

Referrals and Reputation: The Real Deal-Makers

Throughout the episode, Jarrod Frankum repeatedly emphasizes that referrals have played a pivotal role in sourcing private lenders. Instead of chasing every dollar, he focused on being active, visible, and reliable in local investor networks and professional circles. Delivering on promises, managing deals well, and communicating clearly with partners generated a network effect; each successful transaction made the next connection easier.

Jay Conner reinforces this pattern with his own experience, having also raised capital through personal contacts, specifically through shared communities like churches. Being known as someone who does what they say and values transparency becomes much more important over time than any marketing gimmick or pitch. Deals come and go, but reputation endures and pays dividends as word spreads organically among peers.

Transparency: The Ultimate Safeguard

Mistakes in the private lending world can be costly, and Jarrod Frankum notes that the biggest he’s observed among peers is masking risks or being less than forthright with partners. Huge issues arise when people use new funds to patch over old mistakes or don’t present a realistic picture of the numbers. Instead, Jarrod Frankum’s approach is to front-load honesty: he shares comps, renovation budgets, and even points out risks with each deal. Trust is built on full disclosure, and if potential partners walk away, that’s better than jeopardizing anyone’s capital. In his view, always being upfront ensures that only the right kind of people, with the right expectations, get involved.

Preparation Beats Panic

A recurring theme is the importance of finding money before stumbling into desperate need. Too often, novice investors are told to get a deal under contract and assume the money will follow. The reality is that having funding lined up enables investors to act quickly and confidently. This confidence, in turn, makes it easier to secure more deals, grow the business, and help more people.

Getting Started: Mindset and Intentional Action

For those just starting out, Jarrod Frankum stresses the importance of understanding both what you'