Revealing Lucrative Investment Secrets
Revealing Lucrative Investment Secrets
What motivates you to continue building?
For me, the biggest goal is the legacy I can create through hard work. It’s not just about the financial success—millions, billions, whatever your goal is. To me, it doesn’t mean much if you don’t have free time to spend with the people who matter most. It’s not worth having five boats or an airplane if you don’t have the time or family around to enjoy them with. That’s my "why"—and also giving back to the community. I’m very involved in community efforts and probably extend myself more than most. My goal for the future is to keep that up. Retirement, however you define it, to me means having more time to spend with family and to support the causes I care about, making our community a better place.
What is the value of thorough evaluations for real estate investments?
Early on, about a year in, I’d go to auctions where they’d auction off 20, 30, or even 40 houses in one night. I’d look at the ones I was interested in, hoping to win a bid or two. One night, I saw a sixplex that looked like a steal. I hadn’t checked it out in person—only saw the marketing photos online. It was going for really cheap, and no one else was bidding, so I went for it. A couple of days later, after paying a non-refundable earnest deposit (which turned out to be twice what I’d budgeted because I didn’t do my research), I met the auction company to walk through the property. As soon as I walked in, I realized why no one else had bid: it was a massive project, way beyond our means.
My wife was helping a lot back then, and we spent countless hot, sweaty days working in this run-down building. It really knocked the wind out of our sails for six months to a year and slowed us down, but we learned a lot. In the end, we made it work, but it was a tough lesson.
What process should business owners follow to evaluate properties effectively?
Reflecting on that property auction years ago, I’ve now developed a thorough process for evaluating properties, whether they’re at auction, wholesale, or listed on the MLS. I start with due diligence to ensure it meets my criteria before even visiting the property. This prevents wasted time, like rushing to see a property only to find it’s nothing like expected or has issues disclosed later that disqualify it.
Sometimes a quick five-minute check saves hours. After visiting a property, I follow another process: I take detailed notes and use a checklist to ensure I’ve covered everything. This avoids situations where, later, I can’t remember important details, like whether it had a new roof. You can’t make a big decision based on outdated Google Maps! The process is all about making sure I fully understand what I’m getting into.
Why is maintaining a strong reputation important for long-term business success?
You really find out who your true friends are when you’re in a tough spot. The people who know you, understand your drive and character, and believe in who you are—they’re the ones who can make or break you in those moments. And it all depends on how you treated them when things were going well.
If I lost everything, I would remind them I’m still the same person and work with them to figure out the next step, whether it’s getting a job, borrowing capital, forming partnerships, or something else. It’s about going back to the people you treated right and finding a way back up.
Why is networking with value-aligned mentors and peers necessary for business owners?
I do a lot of networking, but it’s not necessarily to build business relationships that will directly benefit me. Instead, it’s about being around the right people—those I want to emulate, whether that’s financially, in community involvement, or in how they treat their families. I make an effort to surround myself with like-minded people who align with my values.
I attend many real estate luncheons and networking events. Here in Wichita, we have a strong community that meets monthly, sometimes with 50 to 75 people. I also spend time in civic organizations, where I meet people who may not work in real estate but care deeply about our community. They’re hardworking, and while their businesses may be entirely different, we share similar goals.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
