The Best Ever CRE Show JF 4045: Boring Business Myths, Burnout Lessons and Passive Wealth ft. Ian Noble
Oct 1, 2025
Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments and a former small-business owner, discusses the realities behind seemingly boring businesses. After facing burnout and a significant revenue drop during COVID, Ian pivoted to real estate, emphasizing low-risk private lending and mobile home parks. He shares insights on crucial due diligence, red flags to avoid, and the importance of trustworthy operators. Ian also highlights his commitment to passing beneficial terms to investors while ensuring thorough vetting processes and building strong partnerships.
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From Laundry Carts To Burnout
- Ian grew up in his family's dry cleaning business and learned every role from pressing clothes to operations.
- After 14 years he burned out and eventually sold the company to preserve his family life.
Don't Buy A Business Without Systems
- Avoid buying a business thinking it will be instant passive income without mentorship or systems.
- Hire and empower a team, implement processes, and don't assume your W-2 habits translate to owner-operator life.
COVID Nearly Wiped Out Revenue
- COVID collapsed Ian's dry-cleaning revenue by roughly 80–85% overnight, forcing layoffs and store closures.
- He scrambled for survival, applied for government support, and restructured the business under immense pressure.
