Rob Beardsley didn’t flip houses. He didn’t save up for years. Instead, he went straight from college to commercial real estate—and scaled to $750M in acquisitions in just seven years. In this episode, Rob breaks down how he used partnerships, mindset, and relentless focus to overcome limited capital, lack of experience, and a steep learning curve. You'll learn what it really takes to scale a multifamily business from zero, how to raise capital without a track record, and why operating in today’s market is the ultimate advantage. If you’re serious about building a business—not just doing deals—this is a can’t-miss episode.

From College Kid to $750M Operator

• Why Rob skipped flipping and went straight to syndications
• How growing up in a struggling real estate household shaped his long-term mindset
• What triggered his obsession with scaling—before he ever bought a deal

How to Raise Capital Without a Track Record

• Why being naïve can actually help early investors take action
• The moment Rob realized capital raising is sales and marketing
• How he overcame his fear of “selling” and built a system for trust and credibility

The Power of Partnerships in Multifamily

• Why going it alone almost never works—and what to do instead
• How Rob structured his first deals with more experienced partners
• The myth of “less equity” when you partner—and how the pie gets bigger

What Most Investors Get Wrong About Scaling

• The difference between doing deals and building a real business
• How Rob built Lone Star Capital from a two-man shop to a vertically integrated firm
• The right first hire if you want to get out of spreadsheets and grow

Lessons from $750M in Deals (and What Rob Would Do Differently)

• The #1 thing he wishes he knew before his first deal
• Why he avoids C-class properties despite their “better returns” on paper
• How less leverage and better locations create more stability—and scale

What It Takes to Succeed in Today’s Market

• Why flat or down markets are the ultimate test of operational excellence
• How Rob stayed active—even without new acquisitions—by doubling down on systems and team
• The creative strategies he uses to stay top-of-mind with investors between deals

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In this episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with two of our Deal Maker Mentoring students — Ryan Kindred and Russell Cannon — who broke free from the grind and did something most people only talk about: they bought a 240-unit self-storage facility and raised $1.9 million to do it.

Ryan and Russ didn’t grow up in real estate. They weren’t born entrepreneurs. But they took action, surrounded themselves with the right people, and now they’re building a portfolio that’s changing their lives forever.

Whether you're a high-income earner ready to pivot, or a burned-out investor trying to scale, this episode is packed with real talk, tactical steps, and one heck of a comeback story.

From the Corporate Grind to Full-Time Investors

• Ryan was managing $200M in power systems. Russ ran $100M+ construction projects. Both felt stuck.
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• They knew their time wasn’t really theirs, and they were done trading hours for dollars.
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• This is how they made the leap — while still working full-time — and never looked back.
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Crushing Limiting Beliefs That Keep Most People on the Sidelines

• “I don’t have the money.” “I’ve never done this before.” “Who’s gonna invest with me?” Sound familiar?
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• Ryan & Russ had every reason to stay in their comfort zone — but they didn’t.
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• You’ll hear exactly what shifted their mindset and how you can do the same.
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Behind the Scenes of Their $1.9M Raise on a 240-Unit Deal

• How they found this off-market self-storage opportunity
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• Step-by-step of how they raised $1.9M in equity — without a big investor list
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• The six-figure acquisition fee they earned and how they set themselves up for long-term cash flow
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Why Mentorship and Community Made All the Difference

• The moment they realized they couldn’t do it alone
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• How they leveraged our team, the community, and deal support to get across the finish line
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• What actually moves the needle when you’re doing your first commercial deal
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What’s Next: Scaling Up & Building a Real Estate Business

• Ryan and Russ aren’t stopping at one deal — they’re already teeing up the next
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• Their 3-5 year vision: more deals, more cash flow, and total lifestyle freedom
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• How they’re using this deal as a launchpad to financial freedom
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LinkedIn - Ryan Kindred

LinkedIn - Russell Cannon

Sable Capital Website

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Think you need years of experience or loads of cash to invest in multifamily? Think again. In this solo episode, Michael Blank busts the two biggest myths that keep people from getting started in apartment syndications: lack of experience and lack of capital. He shares real-life strategies for building a winning team, raising money as a beginner, and scaling fast—even if you're starting from scratch.

Key Takeaways:

• Experience ≠ Access: Multifamily brokers care more about your team’s track record than yours.
• Build the Right Team: Partner with experienced operators, lenders, and property managers to gain instant credibility.
• Capital Raising Is a Learnable Skill: You don’t need your own money—just the ability to educate and connect with potential investors.
• Focus on “Who,” Not “How”: Don’t try to do everything. Find partners who fill your gaps.
• Anyone Can Start: With the right mindset and system, beginners have raised millions—even on their first deal

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For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session473/