
The Gentle Art of Crushing It!
Hello, and thank you for joining us today on "The Gentle Art of Crushing It!" podcast, where we focus on learning and sharing with our listeners all there is to know about how to create success in our lives. This show stands on the shoulders of Giants. Our mission is to empower and inspire our listeners to create the life of their dreams whilst having a blast in the process. Let's celebrate life together! Welcome to the show.
Latest episodes

May 8, 2025 • 41min
EP 261: Jeff Ervick's Path Scaling to 2,000 Doors While Working a W-2
Jeff is an accomplished real estate operator and Investors Relations Maverick. He has successfully deployed over $40M of equity into a $160M portfolio of assets under management and development, which consists of multifamily, luxury SFHs, ground-up development, and light/flex industrial properties. Jeff’s LP and GP portfolio comprises over 2000 doors under management and development.Jeff is a devoted family man who treasures quality moments with his amazing wife and business partner, Kim, and their three wonderful kids. Outside of running his businesses, his hobbies include boating, golfing, sharing his love for vintage cars and motorcycles, and inspiring young athletes as a coach for youth Travel Baseball.For LinkedIn (Resume), Facebook, X, YouTube, and to schedule a meeting with me, please visit:https://linktr.ee/jeff_ervickChapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:30 Current Market Overview and Its Impact on Passive Investing06:25 Jeff's Journey into Real Estate10:00 Balancing W2 Job and Real Estate Investing12:43 Private Lending Experience and Strategies15:52 Understanding Infinite Banking and Its Benefits23:27 The Power of Strategic Investments25:53 Leveraging Whole Life Insurance for Financial Growth27:38 Rapid Growth in Multifamily Investments31:09 The Art of Raising Capital33:35 Educational Resources for Passive Investors36:35 Due Diligence in Real Estate Investments38:25 Bucket List Adventures and Investment Strategies42:45 outro CONNECT WITH OUR HOSTConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordsreal estate, passive investing, multifamily, private lending, infinite banking, market trends, capital raising, investment strategies, Jeff Ervick, Randy SmithSummaryIn this episode of the Gentle Art of Crushing It podcast, host Randy Smith interviews Jeff Ervick, co-founder of Valorous Capital. They discuss the current state of the real estate market, Jeff's journey into real estate investing, and the balance between W2 employment and real estate. Jeff shares insights on private lending, infinite banking, and how he scaled his multifamily portfolio to over 2,000 doors in just two years. The conversation also touches on the challenges of raising capital and the importance of building trust with investors. Jeff provides valuable resources for new investors and emphasizes the need for continuous education in the passive investing space.

May 1, 2025 • 44min
EP 260: From Sales Rep to $100M AUM—Michael Wagman’s Real Estate Journey
Michael Wagman is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Nimble Capital Group, a boutique private-equity firm investing in multifamily real estate acquisitions and developments. He also mentors students on how to raise more capital and transform their lives. He is the host of Beyond the Deal, a podcast about mindset, success, and overcoming challenge in life and business. When he's not focusing on real estate Michael is an active music producer in the Dubstep genre, releasing his music on Spotify.RANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorChapters00:00 Introduction to Michael Wagman and Market Insights03:33 Michael's Journey: From College to Real Estate07:04 The Transition to Sales and Entrepreneurship09:58 Building a Real Estate Portfolio and Lessons Learned12:46 Current Ventures and Future Plans21:19 The Journey to Real Estate Success29:00 Transitioning to Development Projects37:24 Advice for New Investors and Resources46:38 outro SummaryIn this episode of the Gentle Art of Crushing It podcast, host Randy Smith interviews Michael Wagman, co-founder of Nimble Capital. They discuss Michael's journey from being a digital nomad to building a successful real estate portfolio focused on multifamily development. Michael shares insights on the current market cycle, his experiences in sales, and the importance of systems in business. He also talks about his future plans in real estate development and offers advice for new investors.Keywordsreal estate, multifamily, investment, capital raising, entrepreneurship, market trends, personal growth, sales experience, development projects, passive income

Apr 29, 2025 • 6min
EP 259: Take Action Now! The How And Why
SummaryIn this episode, Doug Clark emphasizes the dual importance of mindset and action in achieving personal goals. He argues that while action is necessary, a positive mindset is equally crucial for success. Doug encourages listeners to take immediate action towards their dreams, regardless of their current circumstances, and to nurture their minds with positive thoughts. He provides practical suggestions for taking action and emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself to overcome limitations and create a fulfilling life.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Mindset and Action03:19 Taking Action: Steps to Move Forward05:49 outro Keywordsmindset, action, personal development, self-belief, goal setting, motivation, life planning, overcoming limitations, positive thinking, self-improvement

Apr 24, 2025 • 41min
EP 258: Joe Rinderknecht on Passive Investing & the Sub-100-Unit Advantage
Joe Rinderknecht is the founder of Upgrade Partners Capital (Fund of Funds) and Cowboy Capital (GP Sponsor), a real estate investment firm specializing in acquiring and operating value-add apartment buildings under 100 units. He focuses on deals within a four-hour drive of his home, ensuring hands-on management and strong market expertise. His latest acquisition, a 54-unit property built in 1998, has seen a $2.5 million value increase in just six months through strategic improvements and operational efficiencies.With nearly a decade of experience in commercial real estate, Joe has owned and invested in approximately 600 apartment units across Montana, Idaho, Utah, Texas, and Ohio. His background includes property management, constructions management, asset management for large portfolios, and capital raising for various deals.Joe earned his BS in Finance with a minor in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship from Utah State University in 2018. He also runs Tiny's Tribe, a 506(c) nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by life-changing accidents.When he's not working on real estate deals, Joe enjoys fishing, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors with his wife and three children.SummaryIn this episode, Randy Smith interviews Joe Rinderknecht, co-founder of Upgrade Partners Capital and Cowboy, discussing the current state of the multifamily real estate market, challenges faced by passive investors, and Joe's personal journey from ranching to real estate. Joe shares insights on building a multifamily portfolio, focusing on sub-100 unit investments, and strategic approaches to deal sourcing. He emphasizes the importance of construction management and personal connections in real estate transactions, while also providing educational resources for aspiring investors.Chapters00:00 Market Dynamics and Passive Investment Challenges06:20 Joe Rinderknecht's Journey and Background12:56 Real Estate Ventures and Lessons Learned18:52 Navigating Construction Challenges and Fund Strategies21:19 Exploring Fund Structures and Deal Flow23:21 Market Focus and Asset Selection26:54 Navigating Tertiary Markets and Local Resources27:37 The Niche of Sub-100 Unit Properties32:43 Educational Resources and Learning Opportunities37:47 Due Diligence in Construction Management40:48 Personal Growth and Investment Strategies42:39 outro RANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordsreal estate, passive investing, multifamily, market trends, investment strategies, construction management, deal sourcing, education, investment portfolio, financial growth

Apr 22, 2025 • 13min
EP 257: Why you should take responsibility for everything
SummaryIn this episode, Doug Clark discusses the importance of taking ownership of one's life and the concept of extreme ownership. He emphasizes that accepting responsibility is crucial for personal growth and achieving dreams. Doug shares inspiring stories of individuals who overcame adversity to achieve success, highlighting that many self-made millionaires started from humble beginnings. He encourages listeners to believe in their dreams and take actionable steps towards making them a reality.Chapters00:00 Taking Ownership of Your Life04:36 The Power of Overcoming Adversity10:44 Inspiration from Success Stories12:33 outro Keywordsownership, responsibility, adversity, success, dreams, self-made millionaires, inspiration, motivation, personal growth, life goalsTakeawaysIt's up to me to take ownership of my life.Accepting responsibility allows for honest self-assessment.Creating the life of our dreams requires taking risks.Adversity can be overcome with determination and belief.Many successful individuals started from poverty and achieved greatness.Wealth creation opportunities are more accessible than ever.Inspiration can be drawn from the stories of others.Believing in oneself is the first step to success.We deserve to live extraordinary lives, not settle for average.Taking action is essential to turn dreams into reality.

Apr 17, 2025 • 45min
EP 256: Building Wealth, Leadership & Passive Investing – Lessons from Schuyler Williamson
Schuyler Williamson is a leadership expert, entrepreneur, and decoratedmilitary veteran who has consistently achieved at the highest level in bothbusiness and service. As the author of The Steady Leader: Leadership ModelsThat Bring Clarity to Chaos, Schuyler provides actionable strategies for leadingthrough uncertainty, drawing from his experience as a Bronze Star Medalrecipient and combat officer with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A topgraduate of West Point and McCombs MBA, Schuyler ranks in the top 1 percentof real estate agents nationwide, with hundreds of millions in sales andownership of over fifty-five investment properties. He is the founder of multiplesuccessful businesses, including Williamson Group and Mission HomeBuilders, and leads the Corporate Battlefield Mastermind, helping highachievers build wealth and leadership. Schuyler’s insights have been featuredon his Money Mission YouTube channel and hundreds of blogs, and he hasinspired audiences at Oracle, Dell, Keller Williams Realty, Care.com, Logitech,Smith + Nephew, and Financial Executives International with his message thattrue leadership thrives in chaos.https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/https://www.instagram.com/schuylerwilliamson/https://www.linkedin.com/in/schuylerwilliamson/https://www.youtube.com/@thesteadyleaderChapters00:00 Current Market Insights03:39 Skyler's Journey to Real Estate06:33 Building a Real Estate Portfolio09:26 Transitioning to Leadership13:07 The Construction Business15:51 The Laundromat Venture26:16 Cash Flow Focus in Business27:50 Partnering with Passive Investors30:24 Choosing the Right Partners35:17 The Steady Leader: Insights from Schuyler's Book40:05 Recommended Resources for Investors46:08 Due Diligence for Passive Investors47:53 Bucket List Adventures and Investment Insights49:58 outroRANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordsreal estate, passive investing, market insights, leadership, construction, laundromat business, partnerships, expectations, book release, investment advice

Apr 10, 2025 • 39min
EP 255: Short-Term Rentals, Market Trends & Smart Investing with Brian Tibbs
Brian Tibbs is on a mission to serve people by leveraging his skills and experience in building significant wealth. He is eager to hear your story and walk alongside you in your wealth-building journey. From a young age, it was evident to both Brian and those around him that he was destined to be a businessman. By the age of 26, he had already begun investing in real estate, was an executive in his father’s financial services company, and co-owned a small online retail business. However, Brian felt called to a different path. Over the next three years, he married Jill Bramhall, resigned from his father’s company, sold his online business, liquidated 60% of his real estate portfolio, and moved—sight unseen—to Guatemala.For the next 16 years, Brian built a team that recruited and trained 380 leaders to plant 96 churches across 11 countries. Together, they raised over $20 million for their cause and constructed more than 150,000 square feet of churches and related facilities. Despite dedicating themselves to ministry, Brian and Jill earned very little money. When calculated against their total working hours, their earnings equated to just $9.20 per hour—less than the legal minimum wage in most states.Even with their limited income, they successfully built a multi-million dollar net worth. They no longer rely on jobs to pay their bills but instead have the financial freedom to choose work on their own terms. Their modest salary forced them to develop a wealth-building philosophy that didn’t depend on a high income. It was through this financial constraint that the HACKER Method was discovered and implemented, enabling the Tibbs family to achieve financial independence by Brian’s 44th birthday.Although Brian has stepped away from full-time missionary work, his passion for serving others remains strong. He launched The Unexpected Investor with the singular goal of helping people who feel financially constrained transform into wealthy, powerful, and generous investors using the HACKER Method.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Current Economic Perspectives04:46 Investment Strategies in Changing Markets08:39 Brian Tibbs' Journey and Experience12:18 Key Metrics in Short-Term Rentals16:04 Navigating Airbnb's Algorithm and Reviews19:40 Regulatory Landscape for Short-Term Rentals22:41 Navigating the Challenges of Short-Term Rentals25:08 The Value of Specialization in Real Estate26:44 The Growth Potential of Short-Term Rentals27:57 Exit Strategies in Short-Term Rental Investments29:00 The Hacker Method: Building Wealth31:50 Educational Resources for Short-Term Rental Investors34:26 Due Diligence in Passive Investing36:43 Supporting Emerging Entrepreneurs37:41 Investing in Others: A Personal Touch39:02 outro RANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordseconomy, investing, short-term rentals, Airbnb, market trends, passive income, real estate, Brian Tibbs, The Hacker Method, community building

Apr 3, 2025 • 41min
EP 254: Avoiding Costly IRA Mistakes: Prohibited Transactions Explained with Kaaren Hall
Kaaren Hall is the founder and CEO of uDirect IRA Services, LLC, a leading provider of self-directed IRA accounts since 2009. With over two decades of experience in real estate, mortgage lending, and property management (and especially Self-Directed IRAs) Kaaren has empowered thousands of people to take control of their retirement funds and invest in alternative assets, such as real estate, private lending, precious metals and more.Her expertise in self-directed retirement accounts has made her a sought-after speaker, and she has been a featured panelist and presenter at industry-leading conferences, including BiggerPockets’ BPCON22, 23 & 24.Kaaren is also the founder of OCREIA (Orange County Real Estate Investors Association), where she fosters a vibrant community of real estate investors through education and networking since 2012. Adding to her accolades, Kaaren is now the author of the newly published Self-Directed IRA Investing: A BiggerPockets Guide, the definitive resource for investors looking to unlock the power of self-directed IRAs to build wealth. Published by BiggerPockets Publishing, this comprehensive guide combines actionable insights, real-world examples, and Kaaren’s extensive industry knowledge to help investors confidently navigate the world of self-directed retirement accounts.Beyond her professional achievements, Kaaren’s entrepreneurial journey has enabled her to support meaningful charitable giving, and inspire others to take control of their financial futures. She also serves on the Board of Directors for The Council on Aging Southern California as well as the board for RITA (the Retirement Industry Trust Association), where she continues to advocate for transparency and education in the retirement industry.Buy her book for $9.99 - https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/self-directed-ira-investing-a-biggerpockets-guideChapters00:00 Introduction to Self-Directed IRAs03:18 Market Trends and Investment Opportunities06:22 Karen Hall's Journey to CEO09:31 Differentiating UDirect IRA Services12:17 Understanding Self-Directed IRAs15:09 Prohibited Transactions and Compliance18:04 Checkbook Control vs. Custodian Management20:44 Navigating UBIT and UDFI Taxes23:33 Fair Market Value Requirements24:25 Understanding Fair Market Value in Self-Directed IRAs28:26 The Importance of Contributions and Retirement Planning30:13 Managing Idle Cash in Your IRA31:23 Educational Resources for Passive Investors34:26 Due Diligence for Passive Investors36:11 Bucket List Achievements and Future Aspirations37:34 Investing in Boutique Hotels38:57 Connecting with uDirect IRA40:11 outroRANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordsself-directed IRA, passive investing, UBIT, UDFI, market trends, investment strategies, retirement planning, fair market value, prohibited transactions, educational resources

Mar 31, 2025 • 12min
EP 253 Know Thyself
Chapters00:00 Know Thyself: The Importance of Self-Discovery03:36 Earned Euphoria: Pursuing Healthy Experiences06:26 Core Beliefs: Guiding Your Path09:40 Entrepreneurship: Building Your Own Dreams11:38 Dreaming Huge: The Power of Aspirations11:50 outro music riverside.mp4

Mar 27, 2025 • 42min
EP 252: How to Build Your Passive Buy Box with Jonathan Greene
Jonathan Greene is a thought leader in the real estate investing space. His podcast, Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is one of the fastest-growing real estate podcasts in the world. He is a lifelong real estate investor, on-market team leader, and luxury agent, as well as a certified life coach and real estate coach. He hosts in-person and online real estate investor meetups monthly.Jonathan’s company, Streamlined Properties, is a single-member LLC that sources off-market deals in New Jersey and other cities across the country. Streamlined Properties, brokered by ΓEA⅃, is his solo team that helps buyers, sellers, and investors make wise and informed real estate decisions. His team has been featured in RealTrends America’s Best for 2022, 2023, and 2024, ranking in the top 1.5% of teams in the country.Jonathan has been involved in real estate transactions for more than 30 years. He runs a separate family real estate partnership with his sister, Karin. They have owned countless properties in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California that were managed as both long-term and short-term rentals.Jonathan Greene provides real estate investment guidance, Zoom workshops, and in-person meetups monthly through his investor/podcast brand, Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing. His on-market team covers New Jersey and has deal funnels and agent relationships in every primary market. Jonathan is a licensed real estate associate broker in the state of New York and a licensed real estate broker-salesperson in the state of New Jersey.Jonathan is a national speaker who has been featured at Dippidi Deep Dive 2021 (keynote speakers were Gary V and Tom Ferry), Curaytor Excellence, NurtuRE Con, and local events. He was on the panel, How to Find Deals in an Uncertain Market, at BPCON 2023. He has been a guest on several real estate podcasts, such as BiggerPockets Podcast three time (eps. 584, 667, and 1054), The Best Real Estate Investing Show Ever, The Passive Income Attorney, and Multifamily Insights.Jonathan’s background is as a former attorney, gallerist, museum curator, and educator. He grew up in Brooklyn Heights, NY, but graduated high school in NJ at the Peddie School. He has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Hartford and a J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Jonathan lives in Mendham, New Jersey, and has two adult children.Jonathan’s hub site can be found at www.trustgreene.com.Social links:www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.comwww.trustgreene.comwww.streamlined.propertiesChapters00:00 Introduction to Passive Investing06:41 Transitioning from Active to Passive Investing12:24 Understanding the Passive Buy Box18:10 Exploring the Sub-100 Unit Market23:57 Navigating Debt and Investment Risks31:34 Resources for Passive Investors36:43 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations41:15 outro RANDY SMITHConnect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestorKeywordspassive investing, real estate, syndications, market trends, investment strategies, multifamily, due diligence, buy box, debt management, wealth building
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