In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen discuss how company culture can become a competitive advantage as investors grow and scale their businesses. They examine how shared values influence decision-making, accountability, communication, hiring, customer experience, and profitability.

Key Points From This Episode

[00:00:00] Defining company culture as how people behave when leadership is not in the room

[00:01:04] Shared beliefs, standards, expectations, and culture as a recruiting advantage

[00:01:44] How culture influences decision-making, communication, accountability, customer experience, and performance

[00:02:45] Why every company develops a culture, intentionally or accidentally

[00:03:28] Culture as a competitive advantage competitors cannot easily replicate

[00:03:57] Creating consistency, cohesion, and faster execution through a strong culture

[00:05:23] Establishing clear expectations and boundaries from the beginning

[00:05:51] Building a culture where employees help one another succeed

[00:06:39] Using collaboration and peer learning to improve team performance

[00:07:20] The connection between company culture and profitability

[00:08:04] How lower turnover, higher productivity, referrals, and client retention affect profitability

[00:09:22] Creating better customer experiences through a values-driven organization

[00:10:33] How culture shapes tenant service and problem-solving within real estate operations

[00:11:22] Why company culture starts with leadership

[00:12:22] Leading through actions rather than relying only on stated core values

[00:13:27] Leadership mistakes that can undermine accountability, teamwork, and integrity

[00:14:34] Creating fair and consistent policies for retaining top talent

[00:15:18] Providing employees with purpose, growth opportunities, recognition, and clear leadership

[00:16:06] Why top candidates evaluate company leadership and culture during the hiring process

[00:17:20] Recognizing departments and support teams beyond top sales performers

[00:18:13] The importance of every employee in shaping a customer or candidate’s first impression

[00:18:52] How company culture reveals itself during difficult market conditions

[00:19:39] Preparing teams and staffing levels for potential market downturns

[00:20:35] Addressing challenges openly to prevent uncertainty and discontent

[00:21:02] Building employee trust through transparency and a clear plan

[00:21:28] Creating lasting culture through core values, recognition, and accountability

[00:22:39] Celebrating employee wins publicly

[00:23:30] Encouraging employee feedback and open communication

[00:24:22] Developing internal leaders who already understand the company culture

[00:25:21] Using core values throughout hiring, meetings, and performance reviews

[00:27:14] Recognizing employees who consistently exemplify company values

[00:28:00] Why building culture requires consistent effort over time

[00:28:22] Establishing the desired culture early and hiring people who support it

Quotables

“Yeah, and I think it kind of goes hand in hand with consistency, but what culture can create is cohesiveness, right? It's everybody working towards the same goal.” — Nate Zielinski [00:05:51]

"The sooner you get that trust established, the more business they’re going to do with you." — Suzanne Andresen [00:10:15]

“Employees appreciate the trust and the transparency. And that's one of the ways where you don't really have a choice. Things are bad. Let's just be honest about it. Let's get it all on the table. But here's the plan.” — Nate Zielinski [00:21:02]

Links

Questions about the episode: podcast@rcncapital.com

REI INK: https://rei-ink.com/

REI INK Magazine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rei-ink-magazine

RCN Capital:

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen build on their conversation with RCN Capital CEO Jeff Tesh to examine what real estate investors should have in place before scaling a business.

Key Points From This Episode

[00:01:08] Growing to meet an established need instead of spending in anticipation of growth

[00:02:45] Managing staff capacity and bottlenecks before adding more employees

[00:03:09] Building systems and documenting repeatable processes before expanding the team

[00:04:19] Using standard operating procedures and automation to make responsibilities easier to teach and delegate

[00:05:14] Identifying key early hires, including virtual assistants, administrative coordinators, transaction coordinators, and acquisition managers

[00:06:00] Using fractional executives and other fractional roles to bridge staffing needs during growth

[00:06:39] Hiring for attitude, collaboration, and alignment with the company’s mission

[00:07:57] Measuring the financial and long-term return on new team members before continuing to hire

[00:10:28] Choosing affordable lead sources that work for the business before expanding marketing spend

[00:11:05] Tracking marketing performance to understand where to reinvest

[00:11:38] Establishing KPIs and scorecards for leads, appointments, contracts, conversion rates, deal size, and marketing ROI

[00:13:29] Setting job expectations clearly at the beginning of the employer-employee relationship

[00:14:11] Using measurable goals to create accountability during the early stages of scaling

[00:14:47] Creating incentives that reward employees for exceeding performance expectations

[00:15:13] Identifying and focusing on the KPIs that have the greatest impact on the business

[00:15:48] Learning to delegate, transition from operator to leader, and avoid micromanagement

[00:16:49] Recognizing when remaining a solo investor may be a better fit than building a larger company

[00:17:36] Setting realistic benchmarks when transferring responsibilities to new team members

[00:18:11] Using manageable performance goals to help new hires develop over time

[00:19:10] Assessing opportunities and maintaining consistency when expanding into new geographic markets

[00:20:38] Diversifying markets and asset types while considering local staffing and property-management needs

[00:21:30] Scaling through leadership by developing trusted people who can help grow the organization

[00:22:11] Demonstrating a proven business model before seeking outside capital

[00:22:39] Building accountability, ownership, communication, and shared vision as the company grows

[00:24:01] Including different parts of the organization when developing company core values

[00:24:18] Hiring people who bring stronger skills, new ideas, and different perspectives into the business

[00:25:25] Making the shift from a competitive individual investor mindset to leading a team of talented people

[00:26:06] Nate and Suzanne recap the factors investors should consider before deciding they are ready to scale

Quotables

“You want to make sure that the people that you’re bringing in, they fit with your whole (I’ll say) family….” - Suzanne Andresen [00:06:52]

“You need to have multiple sources and you need to have them delivering consistently.” Nate Zielinski [00:10:06]

“Yeah, and I think, specifically in this industry for investors looking to scale, one of the traits that they should be looking for is accountability.” - Nate Zielinski [00:14:10]

“And Jeff talked also when you’re doing your core values - you want people from every walk of life in a company…” - Suzanne Andresen [00:24:00]

Links

Questions about the episode: podcast@rcncapital.com

REI INK: https://rei-ink.com/

REI INK Magazine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rei-ink-magazine

RCN Capital:

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

Jeffrey Tesch, CEO of RCN Capital, joins Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen to discuss his path into real estate investing and the principles that shaped RCN Capital's growth. Jeffrey explains why the company focused on profitability from the beginning, how empowering employees has helped create a strong company culture, and why hiring people smarter than yourself can strengthen an organization. He also reflects on launching RCN during the aftermath of the financial crisis, adapting through COVID, the expansion of private lending, developing employee-led core values, and the importance of industry collaboration. Jeffrey also shares how family and time away from work help him recharge.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

[00:00:00] Jeffrey Tesch's introduction to real estate investing through a college course

[00:02:10] Moving from Subway ownership into investment properties

[00:03:25] Growing RCN Capital around profitability instead of rushing to scale

[00:05:11] Defining company culture through employee empowerment and career growth

[00:06:53] Balancing company growth with opportunities for existing employees

[00:07:40] How RCN Capital adapted from fix-and-flip lending into rental financing

[00:09:09] Launching RCN Capital during the aftermath of the financial crisis despite industry skepticism

[00:10:55] Why celebrating collective company wins and employee contributions matters

[00:12:50] Measuring trade show participation through specific goals, KPIs, and ROI

[00:13:31] Funding RCN Capital's early loans with owner equity and the evolution of private lending capital

[00:14:34] How RCN Capital handled COVID by retaining and repurposing its team

[00:15:53] Jeffrey's leadership philosophy of hiring people smarter than yourself and empowering them

[00:17:22] Learning from industry peers and the value of sharing best practices

[00:19:08] Collaboration through the National Private Lenders Association

[00:20:15] Creating RCN Capital's core values through a bottom-up, employee-led process

[00:21:59] Using speaking engagements and industry events as opportunities to learn and contribute

[00:23:53] Continuing to seek feedback after speaking engagements

[00:25:44] How family time helps Jeffrey recharge outside of work

[00:26:42] The rescue farm at RCN Capital's office and its role as a positive break for employees

Quotables

"Culture has always been about empowering the employee to be the best version of themselves." — Jeffrey Tesch [00:05:11]

"The mantra amongst the managers is always hire somebody smarter than yourself." — Jeffrey Tesch [00:16:02]

"By giving freely of yourself to others, that rising tide really does lift all ships." — Jeffrey Tesch [00:18:26]

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nathan and Suzanne break down how real estate investors can turn website traffic into revenue. They explain why page views, clicks, and rankings matter only when they lead to calls, form submissions, appointments, and closed deals. The conversation covers matching website content to visitor intent, building trust through reviews and testimonials, simplifying offers, using strong calls to action, creating location-specific and video-enhanced pages, and avoiding common conversion killers. They also discuss tracking where leads come from, investing in professional website support, and continually optimizing the online experience to turn visibility into contracts.

Key Points From This Episode

[00:00:06] Turning website traffic into real estate revenue instead of focusing solely on visits

[00:00:39] Looking beyond vanity metrics such as page views, clicks, and rankings

[00:00:59] Measuring calls, form submissions, appointments, and closed deals as meaningful outcomes

[00:01:57] Understanding the difference between high-intent and lower-intent website traffic

[00:03:13] Matching website content to the visitor's mindset and level of intent

[00:03:50] The click-to-close framework and capturing attention within the first five seconds

[00:04:30] Building trust quickly with testimonials, videos, reviews, and other credibility indicators

[00:05:41] Strengthening local credibility through community engagement and useful content

[00:06:13] Making the offer simple by reducing friction and clearly communicating benefits

[00:06:57] Using strong calls to action throughout every page of the website

[00:08:00] Having a professional web designer audit the website and improve conversion opportunities

[00:09:09] Reducing friction and anxiety by removing barriers and addressing concerns

[00:10:03] Building website pages around a single conversion goal

[00:10:21] Using headlines, benefits, proof, calls to action, and location-specific pages

[00:11:02] Creating dedicated pages for individual cities and neighborhoods to support local SEO

[00:11:52] Adding videos that explain processes and address specific seller situations

[00:12:34] Avoiding conversion killers such as slow website speeds and poor mobile performance

[00:13:32] Prioritizing clarity instead of overloading website pages with content

[00:14:24] Avoiding weak calls to action and missing credibility indicators

[00:15:03] Tracking website performance and measuring visitor engagement

[00:15:20] Asking leads how they found the business and investing further in successful channels

[00:16:05] Budgeting time and money to build credibility and improve website performance

[00:16:59] Using relevant third-party content with permission and proper credit

[00:17:24] Treating traffic as potential and conversion as profit

[00:17:58] Asking professionals and other investors for feedback on the website experience

[00:18:18] Connecting SEO, digital branding, visibility, and profitability

Quotables

"If someone's confused, they're not going to convert. If it's a straightforward path and easily laid out for them, they're just going to keep taking step after step after step until you convert." Nathan Zielinski [00:06:39]

"You want to focus on one goal; conversion. That really is the purpose of why you're doing this. And your target has multiple components." [00:10:03] Suzanne Andresen

"You can't improve what you don't measure." Suzanne Andresen [00:15:10]

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen discuss how real estate investors can build an online presence that attracts sellers, tenants, and partners. They explain how localized SEO, educational content, social proof, reviews, and consistent messaging can establish an investor as a trusted resource in their market. Nate and Suzanne also cover mobile-friendly websites, conversion strategies, content creation, personal branding, and the importance of answering the questions audiences are already searching online. They close with a practical plan for building visibility in one market before expanding the strategy into others.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

[00:00:00] What it means to own your market online and become the go-to investor in your area

[00:00:55] Building authority through consistent educational content and messaging

[00:01:36] Leading with a desire to help rather than expecting an immediate financial return

[00:03:18] Why sellers and partners use Google and online reputation as part of their due diligence

[00:04:01] Creating content around what tenants, sellers, and partners are actually searching for

[00:05:31] Using localized SEO and high-intent keywords to improve visibility

[00:06:46] Creating location-specific website pages to compete for multiple search results

[00:07:43] Building authority through seller guides, tenant education, market information, and case studies

[00:09:17] Turning successful transactions and real-life examples into evergreen content

[00:10:10] Using blogs, YouTube, and LinkedIn to expand authority and answer audience questions

[00:11:32] Strengthening social proof through Google reviews and short testimonials

[00:12:17] Creating short-form video content that captures attention quickly

[00:13:46] Converting website traffic with a fast, mobile-optimized experience

[00:14:18] Using clear offers and multiple contact options to move visitors toward action

[00:16:05] Creating seller-focused content around pain points without overcomplicating the message

[00:17:02] Educating sellers and tenants about timelines, availability, and expectations

[00:18:26] Attracting tenants with useful neighborhood and local-market content

[00:19:37] Establishing credibility through LinkedIn, deal history, and demonstrated results

[00:20:49] Using thought leadership to share wins, lessons, and knowledge with other investors

[00:22:06] How SEO, content, trust, conversions, and reviews create a continuous growth cycle

[00:23:06] Common investor mistakes with websites, branding, reviews, and short-term lead generation

[00:23:47] Why SEO requires a long-term strategy rather than expecting immediate results

[00:25:36] Publishing content consistently and considering outside help with content creation

[00:26:35] Collecting reviews and evaluating the website experience from a user's perspective

[00:27:53] Building a recognizable personal or company brand

[00:28:21] Scaling into multiple markets with localized SEO, content teams, video, and paid advertising

[00:30:22] Focusing on one market before expanding the strategy into additional locations

[00:31:08] Shifting from chasing leads to attracting them through brand-driven growth

[00:31:50] Staying patient and allowing SEO growth to develop organically

Quotables

"Visibility creates opportunity, but ranking creates leverage." — Nate [00:07:39]

"Owning your market online is like owning the main intersection in town." — Nate [00:02:50]

"Content builds credibility even before you speak." — Suzanne [00:07:43]

"Your deals are already out there. You're just not visible enough to capture them." — Suzanne [00:30:05]

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK:

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen discuss why search engine optimization matters for real estate investors and how a strong online presence can create consistent inbound deal flow. They break down the three pillars of an effective SEO strategy: local SEO, content built around seller pain points, and conversion-focused websites. The conversation also covers keyword strategy, Google Business Profiles, reviews, backlinks, mobile optimization, local authority, and realistic timelines for results. Nate and Suzanne close with common SEO mistakes to avoid and a five-step roadmap investors can use to begin building a long-term acquisition asset.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

[00:00:05] Why SEO can act as an investor magnet and help real estate investors win more deals

[00:00:48] How SEO compares with cold calling, direct mail, and paid advertising

[00:01:17] Reaching high-intent motivated sellers through Google and creating inbound deal flow

[00:02:39] The benefits of evergreen traffic, higher-quality leads, and lower costs over time

[00:04:05] Comparing the ongoing cost of paid advertising with the long-term value of SEO

[00:05:00] The time demands of cold outreach and why investors should monitor advertising budgets

[00:06:27] Combining SEO visibility with personal outreach and clear contact options

[00:07:11] Pillar one: Building a local SEO foundation with Google Business Profiles and reviews

[00:07:56] Keeping name, address, and phone number information consistent online

[00:08:09] Using localized keywords to reach sellers in specific cities and markets

[00:08:54] Creating dedicated location pages for individual cities and neighborhoods

[00:10:03] Pillar two: Creating content around distressed-seller pain points

[00:10:45] Using helpful, empathetic language instead of investor jargon

[00:12:09] Writing for sellers rather than stuffing webpages with keywords

[00:13:08] Pillar three: Building conversion-focused websites that turn traffic into leads

[00:14:00] Using clear headlines, calls to action, testimonials, and trust signals

[00:14:27] Why website speed and mobile optimization matter for investors

[00:15:29] The relationship between search rankings, conversions, and deal generation

[00:15:43] Focusing SEO content on intent-based keywords used by motivated sellers

[00:16:54] Layering location terms and long-tail keywords to find lower-competition opportunities

[00:18:12] Building authority through useful content, social media, reviews, and video

[00:19:34] Using backlinks to strengthen a website's authority and usefulness

[00:20:40] Leveraging directories, professional partnerships, PR, and local news exposure

[00:21:48] Creating locally relevant content around community events and activities

[00:22:46] Setting realistic expectations for SEO growth over the first 12 months

[00:24:00] How a well-ranked page can continue generating leads for years

[00:24:42] Keeping SEO content fresh to protect rankings over time

[00:25:40] Connecting online visibility with real-world community involvement

[00:26:23] Common SEO mistakes, including expanding too quickly and ignoring mobile users

[00:26:53] Why duplicate content, poor tracking, and giving up too early can hurt results

[00:28:27] A five-step SEO roadmap for real estate investors

[00:29:26] Staying patient while SEO gains traction and begins producing returns

Quotables

"Ranking gets attention, and conversion gets deals." — Suzanne [00:15:29]

"You're not writing for Google; you're solving problems for sellers." — Nate [00:12:09]

"You're building a long-term acquisition asset." — Nate [00:24:42]

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Nate Zielinski and Suzanne Andresen sit down with Phil Ganz, founder of Next Wave Mortgage, to discuss the lessons behind his 25-year career and more than a billion dollars in closed loans. Phil explains why patience, discipline, integrity, and attention to detail separate successful investors from those who struggle. He shares his approach to entering new markets, knowing when to walk away from a deal, and building an online presence through domain matching and SEO. The conversation also covers DSCR loans, long-term investment strategies, misconceptions about FHA and conventional financing, and the values Phil brings to Next Wave Mortgage.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00:00] Introducing Phil Ganz, founder of Next Wave Mortgage.

[00:01:04] Phil's start in the mortgage industry and his path from telemarketing.

[00:01:53] Integrity, transparency, honesty, and creating alignment with customers and business partners.

[00:02:59] The "billion-dollar perspective" and traits Phil sees in successful real estate investors.

[00:04:33] Why patience and learning from the ground up matter when entering a new market.

[00:06:02] The risks of early success and why investors should avoid scaling too quickly.

[00:10:47] Career turning points and the importance of building skills before leveling up.

[00:12:02] Why attention to detail can create an advantage in mortgages and real estate.

[00:13:43] Using focused websites and domain matching to compete for online search traffic.

[00:15:14] How SEO and domain matching have helped Next Wave Mortgage generate leads and grow.

[00:17:05] The long-term strategy behind Next Wave Mortgage's network of websites and CRM development.

[00:18:38] How DSCR loans work and why Phil believes they can help investors scale their portfolios.

[00:22:29] Looking at population trends and taking a long-term approach when choosing investment markets.

[00:24:20] Why integrity is the principle Phil prioritizes throughout his career.

[00:25:28] Common misconceptions surrounding FHA and conventional loans.

[00:27:42] The core values Phil brings to Next Wave Mortgage and the importance of continuous improvement.

[00:29:05] How daily walks and becoming a father have given Phil renewed energy and purpose.

[00:30:21] Phil's experience with surrogacy and his perspective on family and the cycle of life.

[00:32:52] Finding motivation and purpose through family.

Quotables

"You can't just be a little bit better. You need a contrast." — Phil Ganz [00:01:53]

"A lot of the best deals are walking away so you can live another day." — Phil Ganz [00:02:59]

"Details are what wins. The nerds will always win because they'll be good at the details." — Phil Ganz [00:12:02]

Links

Phil Ganz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/askthemortgageexpert

Next Wave Mortgage - https://www.nextwavemortgage.com/

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/