Send a text

What if part of the money you send to the IRS each year could instead be working for you in oil wells? In this episode, Steven welcomes John Engel, COO of Gulf Coast Western, for a clear and honest conversation about oil and gas investing. John explains how investors can participate in packaged wells that generate monthly cash flow, often to return initial capital in 18 to 24 months, depending on the project. They also talk through the real tax advantages, including the ability to write off a large portion of the investment in year one. You’ll hear the difference between high-risk “wildcat” drilling and proven field development, how long wells can produce, what decline curves mean, and what red flags to watch for. If you are a high-income earner looking for passive income and meaningful tax relief, this episode gives you a practical look at how it all works.

John Engel is the Chief Operating Officer of Gulf Coast Western, a Dallas-based oil and gas company focused on the exploration, development, and acquisition of domestic energy reserves. In his role, he oversees operations and works closely with partners and investors involved in the company’s joint venture drilling projects. Engel is known for emphasizing transparency, disciplined project selection, and long-term business relationships within the energy sector. He frequently speaks about oil and gas investing, including topics such as cash flow potential, tax advantages, and risk management in field development projects. His leadership centers on aligning operational performance with investor expectations while maintaining a strong presence in established U.S. oil and gas regions.

Connect with John:
Website: https://www.gulfcoastwestern.com/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(0:48) How the oil and gas partnership model works
(3:31) Major tax benefits and depletion allowance
(6:54) Why oil and gas demand is still strong
(15:15) Proven fields vs. exploratory drilling
(25:26) The investment hold period
(30:53) How long wells produce and decline curves
(34:14) Return targets and capital payback
(39:12) Year-one write-offs and reinvestment strategy
(42:34) Common mistakes and investor red flags
(48:43) Outro

—

Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

Send a text

What if the secret to building real wealth isn’t working harder, but getting smarter about ownership and leverage? In today’s episode, Steven chats with entrepreneur and investor Joe Edgar as he shares how calling himself a “lazy entrepreneur” actually helped him win. From buying his first fixer-upper at 14 to building tech platforms and launching Loca, Joe breaks down the difference between income, ownership, and systems that work without you. He shares lessons from real estate, venture capital, and time spent with Aboriginal communities in Australia that shaped his views on money and simplicity. If you earn well but feel stuck on a treadmill, this conversation will hit home. Learn how to let your money work harder than your time and build steady, lasting wealth.

Joe Edgar is an entrepreneur, investor, and technology founder known for his early start in real estate and his focus on scalable business models. He purchased and renovated his first property at just 14 years old, building a foundation in real estate that later expanded into lending, angel investing, and venture capital. Over time, he founded and led multiple technology platforms, including property management software and the local commerce rewards app Loca. Edgar has also worked with government-backed investment programs and venture funds, bringing a strong perspective on capital allocation and startup growth. Often calling himself a “lazy entrepreneur,” he promotes building systems that create leverage, passive income, and long-term value rather than trading time for money.

Connect with Joe:
Website: ​​https://loca.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-edgar-7a018521/
X: https://x.com/Joe_Edgar_
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Nyvxy-oCht0PX_sELkslg


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:40) Meet Joe Edgar
(5:18) Buying a house at 14
(13:35) Australia and cultural lessons
(20:02) Why lifestyle inflation keeps people stuck
(24:45) Lifestyle vs scalable entrepreneurs
(28:30) The vision behind Loca
(42:44) Connecting local businesses with real estate ecosystems
(52:20) Venture capital and fund of funds explained
(1:09:21) Investment strategies: Real Estate vs. Venture Capital
(1:19:47) The importance of home ownership and passive income
(1:30:12) Navigating investment choices
(1:44:42) Where to find and learn more about Joe and his resources
(1:45:25) Outro

—

Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

Send a text

What if the real key to strong investor returns isn’t focusing on investors first, but creating an amazing living experience for residents? In this episode, Steven sits down with John Makarewicz, President of Ferris Capital Partners, to break down what operator-level thinking truly means. John shares his journey from early struggles in college to building and exiting a major real estate company, and how clear systems, strong culture, and disciplined execution drive long-term results. He explains his simple 1-3-5 framework for goal setting, why resident experience fuels investor success, and how he builds high-performing teams across multiple markets. If you’re a high-income tech professional weighing DIY rentals versus passive investing, this conversation will give you clarity and confidence.

John Makarewicz is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate operator, currently serving as President and Managing Partner of Ferris Capital Partners. He specializes in multifamily real estate investing, focusing on acquiring and improving apartment communities to create strong returns for investors while delivering an exceptional living experience for residents. Prior to Ferris Capital, John served as President of Mark Spain Real Estate, where he helped scale the company significantly and played a key role in its growth and eventual private equity exit. Throughout his career, John has been known for his focus on systems, leadership, culture, and operational discipline, building teams that execute at a high level and drive long-term value.

Connect with John
Website: https://www.fariscapitalpartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_makarewicz/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:06) John’s background and private equity exit
(7:28) Systems and operational discipline
(10:33) Identifying his role in the business
(20:17) Target markets and investment strategy
(24:36) Resident-first philosophy
(26:56) Building culture through daily fundamentals
(33:45) The 1-3-5 goal-setting framework
(44:49) Passive investing vs. DIY rentals
(53:59) Books, learning, and long-term growth
(55:45) Where to find John and his team
(56:49) Outro

—

Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita