The Lead Sponsor - Real Estate Investing Through Syndications and Funds

David T. Robinson

Welcome to The Lead Sponsor Podcast where host David T. Robinson interviews $100M+ real estate investors, syndication sponsors, and investment fund managers from all across the country. We extract their strategies, systems, and secrets to help you on your commercial real estate investing journey.

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Episodes

Andrew Young - Managing Partner of NorthRock Companies | TLS249
Mar 21 2023
Andrew Young - Managing Partner of NorthRock Companies | TLS249
21 Projects and $1.3Billion in 4 Years In this interview, Andrew Young, the founder and CEO of NorthRock Companies, shares his journey in the real estate industry, starting from his false start in the space to building a substantial portfolio of over 6,000 units and a billion dollars in acquisitions in just a few years. He talks about the challenges he faced and the grind he had to go through to build relationships and close deals. Young also discusses his future plans for NorthRock, which include branching into more institutional-type equity relationships, expanding into the self-storage/flex industrial space, and building a billion-dollar acquisition business in the smaller multi-family space. Overall, Young's story is a testament to the value of hard work, determination, and perseverance in achieving success in the real estate industry.Show Highlights:Andrew Young, the founder of NorthRock, shares his journey from a failed real estate venture to building a billion-dollar commercial real estate portfolio in just a few years.Andrew emphasizes the importance of building relationships and having a data-centric approach to commercial real estate investing.North Rock is focused on acquiring assets in the multifamily space and has a goal of reaching 30,000 units.Despite their success, NorthRock is using this time to fine-tune their processes and prepare for the next downturn, which they believe will present a buying opportunity.North Rock is expanding horizontally into additional verticals, including self-storage and flex industrial space, with a goal of building a billion-dollar self-storage business and another billion-dollar acquisition business in smaller multi-family space.Andrew highlights the importance of a flat organizational structure and an open-door policy, making himself and his team readily available to answer questions and build relationships.🤝 Connect with our Guest:Website: https://northrockco.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-young-123730a/Email: ayoung@northrockco.comARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Don Wenner - Founder and CEO of DLP Capital | TLS248
Mar 14 2023
Don Wenner - Founder and CEO of DLP Capital | TLS248
$4 Billion in AUM, Raising $474 Million in One Year, Building an Elite OrganizationStarting a real estate business is challenging, but with the right advice and support, it can be a rewarding experience.In this episode, I speak with Don Wenner, the founder of DLP Real Estate Capital and the author of a new book entitled “Building an Elite Organization –The Blueprint to Scaling a High-Growth, High-Profit Business.” Don shares how he was able to build an elite organization and achieve success quickly by applying what he calls "The five keys to success." He also walks us through what he looks for in a sponsor and the strategies he used to raise over $400 Million in one year. Learn from the master of scaling high-growth, high-profit entrepreneurial companies, and start building your legacy today!Show Highlights:✅ What is DLP Capital?✅ How he made the transition to the real estate space ✅ What sets him apart from other entrepreneurs✅ The 5 keys to success✅ $500 million portfolio transaction✅ Advice for sponsors 🤝 Connect with our Guest:Website: https://dlpcapital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwenner/Don's Podcast: https://impactwithdon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWennerCEO/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/don_wenner/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-CjLEtsNsWcl-AemvGYaBwBook: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Elite-Organization-High-Growth-High-Profit/dp/1544517491ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Sam Rust - Managing Parter at Lifebridge Capital | TLS247
Mar 7 2023
Sam Rust - Managing Parter at Lifebridge Capital | TLS247
13 Deals & $400 Million in AUM in 4 Years, Integrating Property Management, Strategies for Navigating 2023Are you looking to transition into real estate investing but don't know where to start?Today's guest Sam Rust is a managing partner at Life Bridge Capital and a full-time investor in commercial real estate. Sam graduated from Thomas Edison State University with a bachelor’s in Business Management and currently lives in Colorado with his wife and 5 children. He has been active in commercial real estate since 2017 and has led the acquisition of a portfolio of properties across Colorado and Idaho with value in excess of $100 million.When not underwriting or touring properties, Sam enjoys spending time outdoors with his family chasing beautiful views, Ultimate Discs, or big game.Sam Rust shares his insights and experience as a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur. He shares how his outlook on the market has changed throughout the years and why partnerships are so important to succeed in this business.He also shares his insights on the current state of the real estate market and provides strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2023. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to succeed in the competitive and dynamic world of real estate investment.Show Highlights:✅ What is life bridge capital, and how is it structured?✅ How he made the transition to the real estate space ✅ The importance of partnerships✅ His outlook on the market and how he has adapted over the years in the business✅ 160 unit- class A-  new build✅ Challenges he faced in his business🤝 Connect with our Guest:Website: https://lifebridgecapital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-rust-69b91710/Email: sam@lifebridgecapital.comPhone: 720-737-3111ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Ryan Tobias - Managing Partner at Triad Real Estate Partners | TLS246
Feb 28 2023
Ryan Tobias - Managing Partner at Triad Real Estate Partners | TLS246
21 Projects & 1.5B in Acquisitions; Ground Up Multifamily Development; Opportunity Zones; Transition from Broker to Developer For many brokers, transitioning into investing can be a natural career progression, but it may be difficult to take the first step.In today's episode, I talk with Ryan Tobias, a Founding Partner at Triad Real Estate Partners. Ryan has a BA from the University of Michigan and is a licensed real estate broker in the states of Illinois and Michigan. After living in Chicago for 9 years, Ryan moved to Ann Arbor, MI, in 2014 and started the Michigan office of Triad in 2015. Ryan enjoys running, traveling, boating, softball, and Detroit sports.Ryan discusses the concept of opportunity zones - designated areas that offer tax benefits to attract investors and stimulate economic growth, and the shift from being a broker to a developer. He shares his experiences transitioning from being a broker to a multifamily developer, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way.Ryan also shares the projects he has going on right now, including the 169-unit Avian Multi-family deal in Colorado Springs, CO.Whether you are an aspiring real estate investor or a seasoned industry professional, this discussion provides valuable insights and perspectives on the current state of the market and what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field.Show Highlights:✅ Who is Jackson Dearborn partners, and what do they do?✅ Ryan's personal journey from broker to developer✅ Advice for brokers who want to break into the developer space✅ "Avian" a 169 unit Multi-Family Development in Colorado Springs, CO✅ His predictions for the market in 2023🤝 Connect with our Guest:Website: https://www.jacksondearborn.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryan_Tobias_JDPARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Successfully Navigating Recessions with a Data Driven Approach - with Bruce Fraser | TLS241
Jan 24 2023
Successfully Navigating Recessions with a Data Driven Approach - with Bruce Fraser | TLS241
Bruce Fraser is a former hedge fund manager who, after trading to all-time highs during the 2008-2009 financial crisis, directed his attention to building a portfolio of hard assets. Bruce has been a full-time entrepreneur and investor fiduciary since 2000. He oversees the management of approximately $750M in investor assets. He has overseen over one hundred real estate transactions for partners. His prior experience spans hard money lending, ITIN borrower note originations, and tax lien acquisitions.  He is a disciplined quantitative investor that successfully utilizes macro-economic indicators that are the basis for the proven top-down investment approach. After having been heavily invested in real estate until late 2007, he liquidated all of his partnerships real estate holdings based upon the severe divergence of the macro-economic indicator imbalances. He began re-entering the market in 2010 and has since acquired roughly 2000 units.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:His background as a hedge fund managerHis transition to real estateWhat markets he focuses on and whyHow his business is structured today.How he navigated the 2008-2009 recession.The biggest challenges he is facing in his business today.His thoughts on the current economy and outlook for the next 12-18 months.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:elkhornpartners.comlinkedin.com/in/bruce-fraser-304120/ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
19 Deals, $232 Million, Utilizing Ukrainian Refugee Labor, and Critical Asset Management Reports - with Iven Vian | TLS239
Jan 10 2023
19 Deals, $232 Million, Utilizing Ukrainian Refugee Labor, and Critical Asset Management Reports - with Iven Vian | TLS239
Iven Vian is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Anthem Capital. Having retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force after 20 years, he is passionate about the operational excellence and execution of his apartment communities and their impact on their surrounding communities.Iven’s mission is to grow Anthem Apartments to 300 communities and donate $2.5M in profits to charity by 2030.When he isn’t working on real estate, you can find Iven spending time with family, hiking, and traveling with his family.Show Highlights:Business Overview - How is your business structured? Who are the key players? What market and asset type are you focused on?His Journey - started with one single-family home in TX while full-time Air Force, joined mentorship in 2016 and found his business partner, and jumped into multifamilyAcquisition Case Study: Hunter's Glen Apartments, Class C, Kansas City, MO, 253 units, Purchase $24M, $8.3M equity raisedAsset Management strategies, utilizing Ukrainian labor, and partnering with boots on the ground Co-GP’sPredictions for the market of the next 12 months. The most critical role in his business today and why. Connect with our Guest:https://www.facebook.com/anthemCPhttps://unlockwealthpotential.com/ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Buying 1 Billion in 5 Years; Navigating the 2008 Recession; Explosive Growth Strategies - with Gideon Pfeffer | TLS237
Dec 27 2022
Buying 1 Billion in 5 Years; Navigating the 2008 Recession; Explosive Growth Strategies - with Gideon Pfeffer | TLS237
Guest Bio:Gideon Pfeffer serves as the CEO and Managing Partner for The GSH Group, a full-service real estate investment firm focusing on existing residential multi-family apartment communities. Gideon is responsible for strategic partnership initiatives and ventures, equity and debt opportunities, overseeing investment performance, and approving decisions on investments and acquisitions. He also oversees daily operations. Under Gideon's leadership and direction, the GSH Group has raised and placed over $300 million of equity and assembled a portfolio of over 7400 apartment units in five states, worth over a billion dollars.Show Highlights:His business structure - 3 partners, 25 employees, 7400 units under managementHis buying criteriaHis journey from mortgage broker, to fix and flip, to buying thousands of foreclosure homes for institutional buyers, and his transition to multifamily. How he navigated the previous recession. How he built his business and acquired 1 Billion in multifamily in 5 years. Predictions for the multifamily market in the next 12 months.Advice for up-and-coming sponsors. Connect with our Guest:https://gshrealestate.com/ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
$300 Million in Mobile Home Parks; Park Management Strategies, 270 Unit MHP Case Study - with Sam Hales | TLS235
Dec 13 2022
$300 Million in Mobile Home Parks; Park Management Strategies, 270 Unit MHP Case Study - with Sam Hales | TLS235
Sam Hales is a Private Equity Real Estate fund manager with $300M+ AUM and Founder of the Saratoga Group. Saratoga Group was established in 2011 and is exclusively focused on the purchase, revitalization, and operation of Mobile Home Communities.Show Highlights:- Overview of Sam's company (Saratoga Group) - 6100 lots - across 17 states - 97 communities. - His schooling - Undergrad at BYU - Chemical Engineering- His first real estate acquisition- Sourcing Equity from Chinese Investors and buying large amounts of single-family homes. - Why and how he shifted to mobile home parks. - Type of mobile home park he is looking to acquire. - The management challenges and strategies of a scattered portfolio of mobile home parks.  - Why he has decided to keep management in-house.- Case Study: 270 unit MHP in Greenville, NC. - His top way to source deals- His prediction for the real estate market over the next 12 months. Guest Bio: Sam Hales is a Private Equity Real Estate fund manager with $300M+ AUM and Founder of the Saratoga Group. Saratoga Group was established in 2011 and is exclusively focused on the purchase, revitalization, and operation of Mobile Home Communities. Sam’s previous real estate experience includes distressed asset workouts, land development, redevelopment, and lease options. Aside from being the lead investor/developer in the entitlement and development of large tracts of land, since 2009, he has been actively purchasing single-family properties in the Sacramento and Bay Area markets. Sam has touched nearly every CRE asset class including industrial, office, hospitality single, and multi-family.  But he loves the MH asset class and believes it is a vital part of the solution to today's housing affordability crisis. Sam is passionate about helping local communities. He is an active member of the Auburn Economic Development Council. Sam currently sits on the board for Auburn Sutter Faith Hospital and volunteers with local Boy Scouts and Church youth groups. Sam received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business with an emphasis in Finance and a BS from BYU in Chemical Engineering. Connect with our Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhalesARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
Selling a 5000 Unit Portfolio; 1000 Units from Mom & Pop Owners; Successful Partnership Structures - with Stewart Beal | TLS234
Dec 6 2022
Selling a 5000 Unit Portfolio; 1000 Units from Mom & Pop Owners; Successful Partnership Structures - with Stewart Beal | TLS234
Stewart Beal is a serial entrepreneur who brings extensive management, marketing, and leadership abilities to all Beal Capital projects. Stewart has been actively involved in real estate, construction, acquisition, development, and management since 1997. When he was nineteen years old, Stewart founded Beal Properties, LLC, and has since founded more than twenty other companies in the real estate and construction industries. Beal Properties has purchased more than 100 properties over the past 17 years - in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Toledo, Detroit, Monroe, and Dundee. His company currently manages over 3,000 apartment units, office spaces, and single-family homes. Beal Properties employs more than 60 team members in Michigan and Ohio. Stewart is a founding member of Watermark Partners, which manages a set of real estate funds that have raised and deployed more than $100 million in equity, closed more than 150 real estate transactions, and acquired more than 6,000 apartments over the past 5 years.Show Highlights:How his business is structured and current portfolioSelling a lawn care business at the age of 19 for $250kHis first real estate investmentBuilding his property management companyAcquiring 300M in his first syndication companySelling the 5000 unit portfolio, dissolving the business, and going off on his own.6 Ways he finds off-market, mom-and-pop deals. What he’s looking for in a good dealConnect with our Guest:sbeal@gobeal.comARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
From a Duplex to $390M Portfolio; A-class Value-add Strategy; and 12-Month Market Prediction - with Vehano Joseph | TLS232
Nov 22 2022
From a Duplex to $390M Portfolio; A-class Value-add Strategy; and 12-Month Market Prediction - with Vehano Joseph | TLS232
Vehano is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Dreamstone, a rapidly growing multifamily investment firm with bases in Atlanta, Nashville, and Tampa MSA’s. Under his leadership, Dreamstone has moved from emerging to an established player in the multifamily space. Prior to launching Dreamstone, Vehano, Chartered Accountant/CPA from Cape Town, South Africa, was a Fortune 50 financial consultant. He managed business mergers and acquisitions in excess of 5 billion dollars. Vehano brings his exceptional financial acumen and managerial experience to drive favorable investor returns. He has relevant experience in several adjacent industries and has worked with category leaders in commercial banking, consumer goods, private prisons, real estate investment trusts (REITs), environmental engineering, retail manufacturing, and regenerative tissue engineering.SHOW HIGHLIGHTSReview of his Business Structure and PortfolioHis background in the corporate world - M&AHis first investment property -Going all in on real estate295 Unit Class- A Case StudySynthetic Bridge DebtPredictions for the next 12 monthsCONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Vehano.Joseph@dreamstoneinvest.comARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
$700M in Self Storage & Mobile Home Parks; Unique Management Strategies; and Deep Value Add Self Storage Case Study - with Ryan Smith | TLS231
Nov 15 2022
$700M in Self Storage & Mobile Home Parks; Unique Management Strategies; and Deep Value Add Self Storage Case Study - with Ryan Smith | TLS231
Ryan Smith is the co-manager of multiple investment funds, which specialize in investing, both directly and indirectly, in mobile home parks and self-storage assets representing more than 20,000 units located in more than 25 states.Mr. Smith graduated from the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. An athlete, he was highly recruited for both baseball and basketball and was drafted as a senior in high school by the Baltimore Orioles, and again in college by the Anaheim Angels. Mr. Smith pursued his athletic talents by playing baseball throughout his college experience.Mr. Smith currently serves on the board of Young Life College – UCF and is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Christian Foundation’s Orlando chapter. Mr. Smith lives in Orlando with his wife and four children.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:His background growing up in a real estate familyHow he built an application for his Dad’s real estate company that eventually had 110k users around the worldHow he started investing in Single Family in his early 20’sWhy he decided to move into Mobile Home Parks and Self Storage versus Multifamily.What he looks for in his deals.His unique management structure for his assets.Case study of his deep value add deal in Las Vegas that he acquired for 11.3M in 2021 and recently appraised for 16MHis outlook in the current economy and how he is leading his company through it.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:elevationfund.comARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!
$250M Portfolio of Student Housing and Multifamily, and Sourcing True Off-Market Deals - with Alix Kogan | TLS230
Nov 8 2022
$250M Portfolio of Student Housing and Multifamily, and Sourcing True Off-Market Deals - with Alix Kogan | TLS230
Alix has been involved in real estate, construction, and development for the last 20 years. Alix started his career in Colorado founding his own high-end construction company and grew it to be the largest and most successful firm in Southwest Colorado. After 20 years in Colorado, Alix had a successful sale and liquidity event in late 2019. Shortly after starting his own building company in 1999, Alix started investing in real estate with single-family spec homes, single-family rentals, and commercial and multifamily rentals. Over the last 15 years, Alix has successfully completed several townhome, mixed-use, and single-family developments. Alix owns over 1700 apartment units as an LP, Co-GP and KP, and self-manages his portfolio of single-family rentals as well as a small portfolio of commercial properties. In addition, Alix invests and owns a substantial portfolio of mortgage notes. Alix has had various multifamily experiences with building, owning, and managing assets. Alix has broad-based experience and knowledge of multiple real estate asset classes and is focused full-time on growing his private equity real estate firm.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:- His background in construction- Building his Custom Home Building Business- Building a portfolio of small-scale multifamily and single-family rentals.- Exiting his Construction Business- Sourcing True Off-Market Opportunities- His Perspective on the Economy today and how he plans to navigate that.CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:https://ashlandcapitalfund.com/ARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!