Breaking Resistance The Jalal Azar Podcast

What does becoming a successful entrepreneur and leader take in today's ever-changing world? In this episode, Hemal Badiani shares his fascinating journey from growing up in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the US. He talks about his family's entrepreneurial background and how he was exposed to intelligent conversations early on. Hemal discusses the importance of understanding organizational politics and soft skills as a leader and discloses his introspection on his leadership style and preferences. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional in all decisions, playing fast in the micro and slow in the macro, and understanding market cycles to generate high returns with low risk. Join us for this engaging discussion on leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, cultural differences, adapting to change, and much more!

[00:01 - 07:46] A Journey of Resilience & Success in Commercial Real Estate

• Hemal shares his journey as a real estate entrepreneur

• Growing up with a family background in entrepreneurship

How his grandfather was a significant influence and encouraged intellectual debate

• Hemal attended a unique convent school with a mix of religious and secular education

[07:46 - 14:55] From Global Exposure to Eternal Learning

• Having global exposure to different religions and ways of thinking

• Why Hemal's grandfather was a significant influence on his life

• How Hemal got into management consulting

• From Chick-fil-A to management consulting

[14:56 - 22:16]Culture Shock and Career Accidents

• Two years of culture shock and working odd jobs

His experience with different exposures, lifestyles, and cultures

• Why Hemal decided to move back to Charlotte

[22:17 - 29:43] From Frying Burgers to Working with the Vatican

• How Hemal realized that every job has its own price and importance

• Working with the Vatican Ministry of Communications

• What kind of Hemal is, and who he liked as a leader

[29:44 - 37:24] Leadership Lessons Learned: Flexibility, Loyalty, and the Self-Made Myth

• The importance of collaboration in leadership and being willing to do whatever is needed to fill gaps

• Prioritizing forward thinking and ensuring everyone is going in the right direction

• Loyalty and the ability to deliver bad news effectively are crucial

• The qualities Hemal considers when hiring

[37:25 - 44:35] Being a Student, Not a Follower

• How one man built multiple successful businesses by following his own path

• Competence can be taught, but self-drive cannot

• Make sure to build businesses around individuals with strong leadership skills

• Not listening to outside noise and sticking to core values are essential for success

[44:36 - 52:12] Finding True Happiness and Success

• How Hemal shut down a successful business to find true happiness and success in real estate

• His journey to finding something where he could operate at a senior executive level

• Making passive investments and learning from seasoned or up-and-coming sponsors

[52:13 - 59:14] Wrapping Up! 

• Hemal’s private disciplines and strategic habits 

• Be vulnerable on things that you don't know

Key Quotes:

“You play fast in the micro and slow in the macro; you gotta make sure every day counts and be focused on the process.” - Hemal Badiani

“If I do something, I'm going to do it a hundred percent; it doesn't matter what timeframe it takes, I'm just going to do it right.” - Hemal Badiani

“You may all have your say, but you may all not have your way with me.” - Hemal Badiani

Connect with Hemal:

The true measure of success isn't in what you achieve but in the progress and growth you experience while pursuing your goals and helping others.

In this episode, Rod explains the mindset required to recover from losing $50 million in the crash of 2008 to the success he enjoys today. He brings incredible authenticity and insight to his approach to real estate, mindset, success, and life. Rod talks about Real estate, the psychology of success, and any business topic in great depth, contributing incredible first-hand, technical, and motivational knowledge and skills to the conversation.

Rod Khleif is a multiple business owner and philanthropist passionate about business, high performance, real estate, and giving back. As one of the country's top real estate and peak performance luminaries, he has also owned over 2000 properties. 

[00:01 - 06:20] Rod K Clive's Incredible Journey to Multi-Family Real Estate Mogul

• How Rod got involved in the real estate business

• Getting his real estate broker's license when he turned 18

• Learning about mindset and psychology

• How to overcome limiting beliefs and make a commitment

[06:21 - 12:25] Taking the First Step Towards Real Estate Investing

• The importance of knowing what you want and why you want it

• Push through the fear and limiting beliefs

• Decision-making is critical - one must be 100% committed to the decision

• Take the first step towards achieving your goals

[12:26 - 18:36] Prepare for the Ugly

• “Take that first step in faith; the next step will be revealed."

• The most challenging and stressful but necessary to achieve success

• The law of the first deal

• Focus is vital: whatever you focus on gets larger

[18:37 - 24:42] Play to Your Strengths & Choose Your Peers Proactively

• People should spend more time planning their lives than planning a birthday party

• How multi-family business is a team sport

• When you love what you do, work becomes play, and success is inevitable

• Surround yourself with people who will support you

[24:43 - 30:51] Don't Fear Failure and Regret; take Action and Thrive!

• Take advantage of free platforms to educate yourself

• Life is about meaning, and you choose the meaning you place on events

• Recognize that bad things can lead to good outcomes

• It's never too late to make a change

[30:52 - 36:55] The Power of Gratitude & Giving Back to Achieve Fulfillment

• Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can help manifest anything in life

• Achieving goals is not the only way to be happy

• How giving back is also fulfilling

• Rod's journey to enjoy life more

[36:56 - 45:30] Wrapping Up!

• What scares Rod the most and what makes him the happiest

• Take advantage of the current market conditions to capitalize on what's coming

• The most challenging thing for Rod to unlearn

Key Quotes:

“The comfort zone's a nice warm place, but nothing freaking grows there.” - Rod Khleif

“Don't fear failure, fear being in the same freaking place you are right now a year from now unless you absolutely love where you are right now.” - Rod Khleif

“There's no more powerful emotion available to us than gratitude. It strengthens our immune system, lowers our blood pressure, makes our heart stronger, and brings us closer to our spirituality.” - Rod Khleif

Connect with Rob:

In this episode, Vikram Brar discusses his journey from growing up in India, immigrating to the United States, and eventually founding Baja Capital, a real estate firm focused on the Arizona market. He talks about lessons they have learned such as reading Dave Lindell's book and the importance of hard work and focus for success in commercial real estate. Vikram shares his inspiring stories of resilience, hard work, and success in commercial real estate.

[00:01 - 13:38] From Life-Altering Event to Real Estate Investment

• Vikram grew up in India with military father, studied Industrial Engineering, and moved to US with his wife
• After pivoting from Deloitte to startups, Vikram invested in multi-family real estate in Tucson with a focus on high-quality, low-emission housing for tenants
• A life-altering event in 2013 led Vikram to realize the importance of housing as a basic necessity

[13:39 - 32:25] Overcoming Challenges in Real Estate

• Started researching real estate in 2013 and bought condos in Chicago area sight unseen
• Experienced hardship leaving friends and changing locations frequently, but learned to make new friends and stay in touch with old ones
• Learned about organization and how to maintain meaningful connections when moving to the US
• Biggest challenge in breaking into Arizona real estate market was finding sponsors and operators due to language, customs, and culture differences

[32:26 - 48:33] Lessons on Hard Work and Focus for Success in Real Estate

• To minimize risk, focus on a specific market like Tucson
• Success requires putting in hard work and making time for it, even if that means waking up early and sleeping less
• Building cash reserves for variability is crucial, as it helps to weather worst-case scenarios
• To be successful, one needs to be in the details, stay focused on what they're good at, and leverage the power of "why" to guide them from darkness to light

Quotes:

“There are two outcomes of situations where you have to move for a short term. You can either be very intentional and still engage at the core level, or you can be superficial, knowing that you're going to move and it doesn't matter to you.” - Vikram Brar

Connect with Vikram Brar:

Jaime Rionda joins us today to share his story of business experiences and how he was led to real estate investing. Listen in as he shares his invaluable lessons learned from the wide array of expertise he has and how his early exposure to the world of business helped him unlock the keys to business success!

[00:01 – 16:29] The Early Beginnings to the Business World

• Guest Jaime is from Mexico and was raised in Mexico City playing soccer
• Taking on his first business venture - selling soccer shoes - where he learned about credit
• Opening a Domino Pizza franchise with the help of his dad in Mexico City

[16:30 – 26:23] Big Lessons Towards Successful Business Growth

• Learning how to raise capital from his father at age 18 to start Domino's Pizza branch
• Knowing that it is never too early to start a business
• Starting a computer support business after working at a brokerage firm

[26:24 – 55:37] Lessons Learned from Real Estate Investing Experience

• Jaime shares his rich experiences on being into mining, freight trade, and direct door-to-door sales
• Leaning into the real estate realm and achieving success in negotiating deals with developers
• Knowing the DNA of running a business is key

[55:38 - 01:00:19] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Jaime
• Final words

Quote:

“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t understand the business, there’s no way you can run it.” - Jaime Rionda

Connect with Jaime:

In this episode we have Shawn Dimartile, a successful multi-family investor, podcaster, and operator. Sean shares about his journey from air traffic controller to real estate success, the growing trend of military service members transitioning into real estate, and tips for beginner investors. He also explores the success of two friends who invested in a 32-unit apartment complex, the differences between multi-family and Airbnb investments, and their San Diego meetup "Beers & Deals." Join us for an inspiring conversation on real estate investment.

[00:01 – 12:17] From Air Traffic Controller to Multi-Family Investor

• Starting a college education and working full-time to pay for it can be challenging.
• The journey to success can be unpredictable and sometimes come from unexpected places
• Building relationships and networking can lead to valuable opportunities and connections
• Adapting and being open to new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth

[12:18 – 24:06] Overcoming Financial Hardships and Finding Financial Success

• The availability of information is at an all-time high with numerous sources of free content on the internet.
• A humble upbringing in Louisville, Kentucky, with limited financial resources taught the speaker the value of hard work and the desire to improve their financial situation.
• The speaker recognized the importance of financial literacy at a young age and pursued a career in engineering to increase their earning potential.
• The speaker's drive to move up the social class ladder and improve their financial situation motivated them to seek higher education and career opportunities.

[24:07 – 34:41] Lessons Learned from Real Estate Investing Experience

• Making mistakes is an important part of learning and growth in real estate investment
• The unique challenges and variables in each deal help build thicker skin and prepare you for future deals
• Every deal is different and requires calculated risk taking
• Buying older assets may come with unexpected challenges and should be approached with caution

[34:42 - 43:06] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Shawn
• Final words

Quotes:

“There is no amount of reading you're gonna do. There's no amount of podcast listening you're gonna do. There's no amount of anything you're gonna do to avoid making some mistakes. I promise you you're gonna make mistakes. You should make more. That's just important.” - Shawn Dimartile

Connect with Shawn:

In this episode, Saul Levy shares his experiences as a managing partner at PR Residential, a private equity group specializing in multi-family real estate in the Southeast US. He discusses taking risks for reward, believing in oneself, and transitioning from oil trading to real estate, even amidst the 2008 financial crisis. Saul and John also share the story of launching a fund for quick capitalization and wealth preservation for investors. Listen for inspiration and practical advice on risk-taking.

[00:01 – 10:00] Opening Segment

• Saul Levy leads PI Residential, a private equity firm acquiring institutional multi-family properties in the southeast US
• Founded in 2009, the company started as a property investment advisory firm and later evolved into multi-family acquisition
• Saul runs the acquisition division, while his brother runs operations and cousin runs capital markets
• Saul's background shows entrepreneurial drive and success as an immigrant in the US

[10:01 – 21:08] Reinventing Yourself in Business

• Reinventing oneself is crucial for success, especially in an entrepreneurial setting.
• Finding the right business to get into requires research and exploration
• Taking advantage of opportunities in real estate can lead to successful ventures
• Adaptability is key in overcoming business challenges, such as the financial crisis in the real estate market

[21:09 – 32:24] The Importance of Honesty, Fun and Reputation in Business

• It's important to have fun in your business, as it is not sustainable to be in a business that is not fun for a long time
• It's essential to have honest intentions and always do the right thing, as this will lead to a good reputation and legacy
• Sometimes it will not be all fun and games, but as long as you do things right, time is on your side and you'll be able to keep moving forward
• Your reputation is everything, and treating your employees well will result in a positive impact on your business in the long run

[32:25 - 48:05] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Saul
• Final words

Quotes:

“Work gives you dignity more than money. That's the most important thing to gives you dignity. It makes me purposeful to make you somebody that's contributing to society that you're building something.” - Saul Levy

“As long as you do things right, as long your intention is always honest and correct, time is on your side, you'll be able to stand up, pick up the pieces and move on.” - Saul Levy

“All we have in this world is our reputation” - Saul Levy

Connect with Saul:

Hosts John Azar and Francisco Herrera sit down with Dave Seymour, a successful real estate investor who has come a long way since his humble beginnings in England. Dave shares his inspiring story of overcoming the odds and finding success in America, discussing how he had to adjust to a new culture and learn to navigate the white-collar world as a blue-collar guy. He talks about how his parents were technicians for heat and air conditioning, and his mother was also a secretary at a bank. Through sheer perseverance and hard work, Dave was able to realize his potential wealth in real estate investments. He credits his wife Mary Beth for being the rock that supported him throughout this process. The conversation highlights the power of permission and how it can help people achieve success. It emphasizes the need for informed and disciplined decisions when investing in real estate, as well as staying ahead of market cycles and opportunities while taking past experiences into account. Dave also stresses the importance of remaining humble throughout your journey.

[00:01 - 14:26] Opening Segment

• Welcoming Dave to the show
• Dave’s background and career
• Dave’s story from being a firefighter to a real estate investor
• The concepts of Rich Dad Poor Dad
• Dave’s financial mistakes due to ignorance

[14:27 - 26:57] Creating a Home for Someone: The Power of Permission and Real Estate Investing

• The importance of realizing the passion for what you do
• Creating homes for people and seeing their appreciation
• The focus on potential clients has grown as the business has grown
• The secret to success is getting a great deal, funding it, working it, repositioning it, and selling it
• Staying disciplined is the only way to consistently stay ahead in this business
• Mistakes can be costly due to the current market conditions

[26:58 - 45:38] Doubling Down on Due Diligence: How to Stress Test Deals in an Inflationary Landscape

• Stress testing deals to ensure the break-even point
• Learning from experience and not assuming you know everything
• Working on projects to solve the workforce housing problem
• Building for yield rather than chasing it in the marketplace
• Creating a mastermind group of select few individuals called the Titans Table
  • Sharing experiences, deals, business, and ideas
  • Ideation of deals and experiences that may not have been seen before

[45:39 - 48:05] Closing Segment

• See the links below to connect with Dave
• Final words

Quotes:

"My wife is the rock that I get to stand on so I can look cool." - Dave Seymour

"It wasn't necessarily just the beauty of creating a home for somebody. It was how they felt about the home we had created for them." - Dave Seymour

"You're only as good as your last decision. You're only as good as your last deal." - Dave Seymour

"There's nothing more dangerous than that investor/realtor/syndicator/fund operator who says 'I've seen everything.'” - Dave Seymour