Episode 378: How Wonderful Togbey Built a 20-Unit Portfolio Against the Odds

Jun 5, 2025

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Wonderful Togbey joins us to explain how he's grinded to build a rental portfolio of 20 doors and is actively scaling!

Wonderful shares his start in REI back in Omaha, Nebraska. He breaks down a deal in Bronzeville that closed right at the onset of COVID that came equipped with non-paying tenants! Wonderful reflects on lessons learned from gut renovations including considerations on layouts to maximize rents. He has multiple examples of pivoting while under, and even getting a second job to get deals done. This episode is a motivating one with countless stories showcasing perseverance and grit.

If you enjoy today's episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content!

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Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com

Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com

Guest: Wonderful Togbey

Link: Wonderful's Instagram Link: How to Win Friends & Influence People (Book Recommendation)

Link: Eric Workman (Network Referral)

Guest Questions

02:17 Housing Provider Tip - Leverage Google Earth and other tools for measurements and floor plans!

03:55 Intro to our guest, Wonderful Togbey!

09:21 Starting real estate investing in Omaha, NE.

13:40 Challenging Bronzeville Deal with COVID looming!

19:51 The power of long term investing and dealing with non-paying tenants.

30:16 Wonderful's first gut rehab project and buying another property simultaneously!

36:38 Cultivating perseverance in real estate.

41:56 Lessons learned from redeveloping a building.

47:41 Wonderful's long term investing goals.

50:36 Management systems for small investors.

52:14 What is your competitive advantage?

52:50 One piece of advice for new investors.

53:34 What do you do for fun?

53:45 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

54:23 Local Network Recommendation?

54:52 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media