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What if the secret to building real wealth isn’t working harder, but getting smarter about ownership and leverage? In today’s episode, Steven chats with entrepreneur and investor Joe Edgar as he shares how calling himself a “lazy entrepreneur” actually helped him win. From buying his first fixer-upper at 14 to building tech platforms and launching Loca, Joe breaks down the difference between income, ownership, and systems that work without you. He shares lessons from real estate, venture capital, and time spent with Aboriginal communities in Australia that shaped his views on money and simplicity. If you earn well but feel stuck on a treadmill, this conversation will hit home. Learn how to let your money work harder than your time and build steady, lasting wealth.

Joe Edgar is an entrepreneur, investor, and technology founder known for his early start in real estate and his focus on scalable business models. He purchased and renovated his first property at just 14 years old, building a foundation in real estate that later expanded into lending, angel investing, and venture capital. Over time, he founded and led multiple technology platforms, including property management software and the local commerce rewards app Loca. Edgar has also worked with government-backed investment programs and venture funds, bringing a strong perspective on capital allocation and startup growth. Often calling himself a “lazy entrepreneur,” he promotes building systems that create leverage, passive income, and long-term value rather than trading time for money.

Connect with Joe:
Website: ​​https://loca.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-edgar-7a018521/
X: https://x.com/Joe_Edgar_
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Nyvxy-oCht0PX_sELkslg


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:40) Meet Joe Edgar
(5:18) Buying a house at 14
(13:35) Australia and cultural lessons
(20:02) Why lifestyle inflation keeps people stuck
(24:45) Lifestyle vs scalable entrepreneurs
(28:30) The vision behind Loca
(42:44) Connecting local businesses with real estate ecosystems
(52:20) Venture capital and fund of funds explained
(1:09:21) Investment strategies: Real Estate vs. Venture Capital
(1:19:47) The importance of home ownership and passive income
(1:30:12) Navigating investment choices
(1:44:42) Where to find and learn more about Joe and his resources
(1:45:25) Outro

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For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

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What if the real key to strong investor returns isn’t focusing on investors first, but creating an amazing living experience for residents? In this episode, Steven sits down with John Makarewicz, President of Ferris Capital Partners, to break down what operator-level thinking truly means. John shares his journey from early struggles in college to building and exiting a major real estate company, and how clear systems, strong culture, and disciplined execution drive long-term results. He explains his simple 1-3-5 framework for goal setting, why resident experience fuels investor success, and how he builds high-performing teams across multiple markets. If you’re a high-income tech professional weighing DIY rentals versus passive investing, this conversation will give you clarity and confidence.

John Makarewicz is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate operator, currently serving as President and Managing Partner of Ferris Capital Partners. He specializes in multifamily real estate investing, focusing on acquiring and improving apartment communities to create strong returns for investors while delivering an exceptional living experience for residents. Prior to Ferris Capital, John served as President of Mark Spain Real Estate, where he helped scale the company significantly and played a key role in its growth and eventual private equity exit. Throughout his career, John has been known for his focus on systems, leadership, culture, and operational discipline, building teams that execute at a high level and drive long-term value.

Connect with John
Website: https://www.fariscapitalpartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_makarewicz/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:06) John’s background and private equity exit
(7:28) Systems and operational discipline
(10:33) Identifying his role in the business
(20:17) Target markets and investment strategy
(24:36) Resident-first philosophy
(26:56) Building culture through daily fundamentals
(33:45) The 1-3-5 goal-setting framework
(44:49) Passive investing vs. DIY rentals
(53:59) Books, learning, and long-term growth
(55:45) Where to find John and his team
(56:49) Outro

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For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

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What actually makes money in self-storage, and why do smart people still get it wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Vanderslice, co-founder and principal at VanWest Partners, for an honest, operator-first conversation about how these businesses really work. Jacob shares how pricing and revenue decisions happen day to day, why his team walked away from REIT management to run everything in-house, and how small choices add up to real NOI growth. We also talk about real risks investors should pay attention to right now, including new supply, local market pressure, and changes in how often people move. The big takeaway is simple. Strong results come from discipline, fast response, and caring deeply about operations.

Jacob Vanderslice is a seasoned real estate investor and co-founder of VanWest Partners, a Denver-based investment firm that focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing value-add self-storage facilities across the U.S. He began investing in real estate in 2005 and now leads VanWest’s Investor Relations effort, where he is known for high transparency in reporting and strong partner relationships. Under his leadership, the firm has deployed hundreds of millions in capital into self-storage and other real estate assets, including significant residential acquisitions earlier in his career. Before real estate, Jacob served as a professional firefighter and arson investigator in Colorado. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Craig Hospital, which specializes in neurorehabilitation and research. Outside work, he enjoys aviation, skiing, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

Connect with Jacob
Website: https://www.vanwestpartners.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-vanderslice-02905b16b/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanWestPartners/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanwest_partners/?hl=en
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanwest-partners/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:12) Jacob’s journey into real estate and his family life
(5:28) Why self-storage became the long-term focus
(9:46) Revenue management, data, and month-to-month pricing
(17:21) The hard lesson that led away from REIT property management
(20:41) Why controlling operations changes performance
(30:45) Where self-storage fits in today’s risk landscape
(35:24) Who self-storage customers really are and why they stay
(46:01) Why taking calculated risk is the only way to learn
(50:07) Outro

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For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

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What really happens after a big startup exit, and how do the ultra-wealthy actually decide where to put their money? In this episode, Steven chats with Tad Fallows, Managing Director of Long Angle, as he shares what he learned after selling his bootstrapped SaaS company and suddenly facing the question: “What do I do with all this capital?” Tad opens up about the challenges of wealth management, what most people get wrong about investing, and why he built Long Angle, a private community for first-generation wealth creators and execs looking for honest, no-sales conversations about money, legacy, and smart decision-making. We talk about how managing $100K is surprisingly similar to managing $10M, and what shifts (and what doesn’t) when wealth comes into play. If you're thinking long-term, personally or financially, this one’s worth a listen.

Tad Fallows is the Managing Director of Long Angle, a private community for high-net-worth individuals, including founders, executives, and first-generation wealth creators. After graduating from Harvard and starting his career at McKinsey, Tad went on to co-found and bootstrap iLab Solutions, a SaaS company he scaled to over 75 employees before selling it in 2016. Following his exit, he launched Long Angle to help others like himself navigate wealth management and long-term investing through trusted, peer-driven insights. Today, he leads a growing network of over 6,000 members focused on smart capital allocation, private market access, and building meaningful legacies.


Connect with Tad:
Website: https://www.longangle.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fallows/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Meet Tad Fallows and his journey from Harvard to startup exit
(5:30) How Long Angle started: friends helping friends
(11:23) Different paths to wealth and why the community grew fast
(24:28) How Long Angle gets access to top-tier private investments
(29:32) Who’s allowed in and what makes the community work
(41:40) How members actually allocate their portfolios
(48:22) Mindset differences between earned vs inherited wealth
(53:05) Why your goals matter more than your portfolio strategy
(55:06) Where to find the free reports and research Tad mentioned
(56:36) Outro

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Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

Send a text

What happens when the market crashes, you lose everything, and you have to start all over again? In this episode, Stephen Arita sits down with Fuquan Bilal, a real estate investor who’s been in the game for 26 years and has seen it all. From flipping hundreds of homes before 2008, to bouncing back through the world of mortgage notes, and now focusing on multifamily rentals and luxury spec homes, Fuquan shares the mindset shifts and lessons that helped him reinvent himself again and again. He opens up about what real estate taught him about personal growth, why cash flow matters more than quick wins, and how he’s building a legacy, not just for his family, but for the communities he serves. Whether you're new to investing or thinking about your next move, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and probably a few laughs.

Fuquan Bilal is a seasoned real estate investor with over 25 years of experience across residential and commercial markets. He is the Founder and CEO of NNG Capital Fund, a private equity firm focused on alternative real estate investments including multifamily rentals and luxury single-family developments. Fuquan began by flipping distressed properties and later expanded into mortgage note investing, raising over $50 million in capital along the way. Today, his work spans multiple states with a focus on building long-term wealth through strategic, diversified investing. He’s also passionate about educating others, sharing insights on mindset, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Connect with Fuquan:
Website: https://nngcapitalfund.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuquanbilal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FuquanBilal

Download his Ebook: https://tinyurl.com/38wrsy43

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:58) Fuquan Bilal and his journey
(4:39) Flipping 200 homes... and the big mistake Fuquan made
(5:59) Growing up in Newark and giving back to the community
(8:44) Discovering the note business (by accident)
(12:31) Falling in love with real estate (and hypothecation)
(15:29) Shifting strategy after COVID: rentals and luxury builds
(19:02) How Fuquan used a 3-part strategy to scale up
(25:37) Why managing large multifamily is a whole different game
(28:38) Where Fuquan’s drive really comes from
(33:32) Building community impact beyond just curb appeal
(36:59) Fuquan’s top book recs for mindset and growth
(38:43) Teaching his kids about money and real legacy
(41:36) “Real estate is therapy” and Fuquan’s final advice for investors
(43:54) Outro

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Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

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Can you really build wealth through rental properties without ever setting foot in them? Melissa Nash says yes, and she’s done it. In this episode, Melissa shares how she built a 7-figure rental portfolio entirely out-of-state, all while living in California and raising four kids. She breaks down what passive investing actually looks like when you still want ownership and control. From choosing landlord-friendly markets to building reliable teams and using smart financing options like DSCR loans, Melissa walks through her step-by-step system for turnkey real estate success. Whether you're looking to replace income, retire early, or just get started, this is a must-listen if you're serious about owning rental properties without adding a second job.

Melissa Nash is a real estate investor, mentor, and entrepreneur who built a seven-figure rental portfolio entirely through out-of-state, turnkey rental properties. With a background as a busy mom of four and no prior real estate experience, she created a repeatable system that’s helped over 2,000 investors build passive income while still maintaining ownership and control. Melissa is the founder of Passively Rich Investments and the host of the “Passively Rich with Rentals” podcast, where she focuses on helping professionals, especially women, invest confidently in landlord-friendly markets using vetted teams and smart financing strategies. Her approach emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, and building long-term wealth through real estate.


Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://www.hellomelissanash.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-nash-35aa0745/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelissanash/?hl=en

Tune in to her podcast: https://passivelyrichwithrentals.buzzsprout.com/

Join her free community: https://www.skool.com/passiverentals-free


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:14) Melissa Nash, and how she started with zero experience and built her portfolio
(10:01) What “turnkey” really means
(13:04) Finding the right markets, teams, and systems
(19:54) Melissa’s process for helping over 2,000 clients
(26:52) Financing: DSCR loans, HELOCs, and scaling smart
(33:02) How to snowball rental income into early retirement
(45:53) Teaching her kids about generational wealth
(51:30) Where to find Melissa, her podcast, and free resources
(53:32) Outro

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Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

Send a text

Are hidden fees eating away at your investment returns? In this episode, Steven Arita sits down with Robert Rolih, author of The Million Dollar Decision, to talk about what really hurts long-term investors, and it’s not just the market. Robert shares how even a small 1% fee can quietly cost you hundreds of thousands (or more), why short-term trading usually backfires, and how you can build a simple, hands-off portfolio with just a couple of ETFs. Whether you’re focused on real estate or looking to clean up your stock market game, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes and feel more confident with your money.

Robert Rolih is the international bestselling author of The Million Dollar Decision: Get Out of the Rigged Game of Investing and Add a Million to Your Net Worth. After losing most of his wealth by following traditional financial advice, Robert spent seven years uncovering how the financial industry really works—and how everyday investors often get the short end of the deal. Born in a small village in Slovenia, he went on to become a successful entrepreneur and speaker, known for turning complex investing topics into simple, practical strategies. Today, Robert teaches investors how to protect their money, cut unnecessary fees, and build long-term wealth on their own terms. He’s been featured on CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Newsmax TV, and more, and has shared the stage with names like Robert Kiyosaki, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Jack Canfield.


Connect with Robert:
Website: https://robertrolih.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-rolih-685a6893/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/robert.rolih/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/robertrolih/
X: https://twitter.com/RobertRolih
YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/RobertRolih

Grab a copy: https://milliondollardecisionbook.com/

Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:44) Robert’s story: from losing money to gaining everything back and more
(5:44) The real cost of 1% fees
(10:24) Why short-term trading rarely works
(19:05) The power of keeping your portfolio simple
(25:31) How to invest more safely (and why that wins long term)
(31:20) What a “1-hour-a-year” investing strategy looks like
(38:15) Robert’s advice to his younger self
(39:30) Where to find Robert
(40:11) Outro

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Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita

Send a text

What if everything you’ve been told about retirement is wrong? In this episode, Steven sits down with Chris Miles, also known as the “anti-financial advisor,” as he shares how most traditional financial advice keeps people stuck, even those doing all the “right” things. He opens up about watching his own dad follow the system only to retire on a tight budget, and why he walked away from his job as a financial advisor to build real, passive income instead. Chris breaks down how you can stop chasing net worth and start building income that gives you freedom now, not 30 years from now. If you’re tired of waiting to retire, this one’s for you.

Chris Miles is the founder of Money Ripples, an organization focused on helping entrepreneurs and professionals achieve financial freedom through cash flow strategies, alternative investments like real estate, and ditching traditional, slow financial planning for immediate "work optional" lifestyles. Known as the "Anti-Financial Advisor," he teaches how to build passive income, use life insurance strategically, and create a financial "ripple effect" for current income, not just future retirement. He hosts the popular Money Ripples Podcast, sharing insights from his journey from being deeply in debt to achieving financial independence multiple times.

Connect with Chris:
Website: https://moneyripples.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneyripples
X: https://twitter.com/Moneyripples
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@moneyrippleswithchrismiles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscmiles/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscmiles/

Grab a copy: https://tinyurl.com/5n7r7r79


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(3:25) Who is Chris Miles, and why did he leave traditional finance
(4:03) The moment with his dad that changed everything
(5:56) The real reason most financial advisors aren't free
(10:45) What fiduciaries can and can’t do for you
(17:31) Why 401(k)s and “saving more” isn’t enough
(25:25) Why net worth doesn't equal freedom
(30:30) Chris’s 3-part strategy: Get Lean, Get Liquid, Get Out
(37:06) Smart ways to invest outside the stock market
(43:31) Infinite banking explained in simple terms
(51:30) Where to find Chris and grab the Work Optional Blueprint
(52:11) Outro

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Share this with your tech friends who you think will benefit from this podcast. Please also rate and subscribe so this podcast can reach more audiences.

For more resources and guides, check these out:

• Investor 101 https://www.aritacapital.com/investor-101-resource/#
• Due Diligence Resource https://www.aritacapital.com/dd-checklist-resource/

If you want to learn more, reach out at:

Email: steven@aritacapital.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aritasteven/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.real.arita