Dream Start Own Podcast - The Path to Own Your Time

Discover how Michelle and Vin built a purpose-driven real estate lending empire while helping families, veterans, and foster youth find housing through creative finance. In this inspiring episode of Dream Start Own, host Edgar the Connector dives deep into how this San Antonio power couple scaled their business, mastered capital raising, and created impact-driven co-living communities — all withou...

What does it mean to serve twice — first in the U.S. Air Force, and then by helping veterans find homes? In this inspiring episode of Dream Start Own, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with Julie Kolat — veteran, real-estate investor, and founder of Vets For Us, a nonprofit devoted to affordable housing and preserving the memories of those who served. Julie opens up about her journey of...

How do you go from saving lives in the OR to building a 7-property real estate portfolio? 💥In this Dream Start Own episode, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with Matei Chelbegean, a nurse anesthesiologist turned real estate investor, who’s mastered the balance between a full-time medical career and building long-term wealth through Subto creative finance, mid-term rentals, and co-livi...

From making churros and selling cars to running a 10-year e-commerce and marketing agency , Will Castillo has built multiple businesses by mastering systems, automation, and clarity. In this episode of Dream Start Own , host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado dives into Will’s journey—from fraternity life and early marketing to building funnels , leading AI automation projects , and helping entrepreneu...

What happens when the fix-and-flip market slows down — but your cash flow skyrockets instead? In this episode of Dream Start Own, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with Johnny Gaona, a Houston-based investor who turned tough lessons from 2024’s brutal flip market into massive returns through co-living and PadSplit strategies. Johnny shares how he pivoted from short-term flips to long-te...

🎙️ From College Dropout to 300 Units: Austin Whitehead’s Real Estate Scaling BlueprintIn this insightful episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Austin Whitehead, aa remarkable real estate entrepreneur who went from being a college dropout to owning and managing nearly 300 rental units. Austin shares his journey of building a thriving property management bus...

🎙️ From Homeless to Housing Hero: Tracy Koa’s Journey to Building Wealth & Impact Through Co-LivingIn this deeply inspiring episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Tracy Koa, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey from homelessness to real estate powerhouse exemplifies the power of resilience, strategic team building, and purpose-driven investing. Tracy’s m...

🎙️Learn how to get 100% funding for fix & flips, rentals, and new construction with creative lending strategies from hard & private money lender Edgar Vargas. In this episode, you’ll discover the key differences between hard money and private money, how to qualify, and insider tips to secure the best terms. Whether you’re a new investor or looking to scale your portfolio, this is your roadmap to f...

🎙️ Solving Housing & Loneliness with Co-Living: David Ross’ High-Impact Real Estate ModelIn this impactful episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews David Ross, a visionary real estate investor who has transformed 15 homes into thriving co-living communities — achieving a 97% occupancy rate and 26-month average tenant stays. David’s co-living approach is about...

In this value-packed episode of the Dream Start Own Podcast, host Edgar the Connector interviews Tigger Huchel, a capital raising powerhouse who went from real estate beginner to closing multi-million dollar deals—including a $50 million hotel conversion.💥 Once struggling through bankruptcy and foreclosure during a divorce…💼 Now helping others fund deals and build wealth through creative real es...

What if you could leave your W-2, run a property management company, and build wealth through creative lending and self-directed IRAs? That’s exactly what Josh Smith has done. In this episode of Dream Start Own, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado unpacks Josh’s journey: from working corporate at Toyota, to discovering FIRE, to leaving his job and scaling into property management and escrow-backed...

🎙️ Creative Finance Powerhouse: Carlos Torres Garzon on Subto, Wraps & Raising $750KCreative finance, subject-to, and wrap mortgages—all in one powerhouse episode. Carlos Torres Garzon shares how he rebuilt after losing it all in 2008, rallied a $750K raise in days, and now helps Latino homestead buyers become homeowners without banks through wraps/mirror wraps and smart servicing. We cover partne...

Veteran flipper Allen Foster shares how a terrifying “Haunted Flip” (yes, heavy boots on the stairs 👀) led to a smarter, hands-off system for profitable house flipping. We cover underwriting, DSCR loans, hiring GCs, working with wholesalers/agents, RV parks as affordable housing, and navigating today’s shifting market—all with real numbers and battle-tested rules you can use on your next deal. If...

🎙️ From Broke Immigrant to Lease Option Expert: The Inspiring Story of Conrado MendezIn this inspiring episode, meet Conrado Mendez, an Argentinian immigrant who arrived in the United States with no money, no English, his wife, and their two children. Against all odds, Conrado built a thriving real estate business using lease options, earning him the nickname "The Lease Option Guy."Conrado's story...

🎙️ From DJ to Deal Maker: Voight Thornton’s Journey to Full-Time Real Estate Entrepreneur In this inspiring episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast , host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Voight Thornton — a former DJ, filmmaker, and W2 employee who successfully transitioned into a full-time real estate entrepreneur . Voight shares his remarkable journey from the entertainment industry...

🎙️ From Prison to Purpose — How This Marine Is Ending Veteran Homelessness Through Real Estate 🔥 🏠 Learn how Brian Madsen turned his life around, built 100+ homes, and is transforming veteran housing with container home innovation. 🎧 Don’t miss this powerful episode of the Dream Start Own Podcast. • How a prison conversation launched a real estate empire • Building permanent housing for veteran...

🎙️ Building Wealth & Impact: How Luz Ramirez Secured $50M+ in Grants While Growing a Real Estate EmpireDiscover how Luz Ramirez transformed her passion for helping others into a thriving real estate empire, while securing over $50 million in grants for underserved communities. In this inspiring episode of the Dream Start Own Podcast, Luz shares her remarkable journey from education and nonprofit w...

🎙️ From Wholesaling to AI: Heather Grizzard on Automating the Future of BusinessIn this transformative episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Heather Grizzard, a visionary entrepreneur who evolved from real estate wholesaling into a business automation and AI integration specialist. Heather's journey is a compelling narrative of strategic pivots and bold in...

🎙️ From Panama to Purpose-Driven Real Estate: Jesus Chang Torres on Foreclosure Prevention & Ethical InvestingIn this inspiring episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Jesus Chang Torres, a Miami-based entrepreneur whose journey from Panama to real estate success exemplifies the power of persistence, learning from setbacks, and building meaningful relationsh...

In this impactful episode of the Dream Start Own Podcast, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado speaks with Celeste Samonte — a real estate investor, mother of four, and visionary entrepreneur building wealth while serving underserved communities through transitional housing and residential assisted living (RAL) in Massachusetts. From managing her first Airbnb to creating her own property management...

In this heartfelt episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar the Connector interviews Mando Hernandez, who shares his remarkable journey from the medical field to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Behind every great success is a powerful influence—and for Mando, that person was his late mother, the woman who shaped his fearless spirit and entrepreneurial drive.💡 In this episode, Mando...

🎙️ From Candy to Cash Flow: Tracy Gunn’s Journey of Progress Over PerfectionIn this inspiring episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar the Connector interviews Tracy Gunn, an Owners Club member who shares her remarkable journey from running a candy business to building successful cash flow through real estate investing. Tracy reveals how embracing a "progress over perfection" mindset t...

In this powerful episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar the Connector sits down with Matt Star (Matthew Starobykhovskiy), whose remarkable journey will leave you speechless and inspired.🚗 From living in a car with his brother after losing everything…🏘️ To rebuilding a thriving real estate business from scratch…💪 And transforming his body and mindset through unshakable faith…Matt op...

🎙️ Veteran to Real Estate Leader: Paul Rodriguez on Capital Raising, Imperfect Action & Helping Fellow VetsIn this inspiring episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Paul Rodriguez, a veteran turned real estate entrepreneur who has transformed his life through strategic investing and capital raising. Paul's journey is a powerful testament to the importance of...

🎙️ From Healthcare to High-Yield Investing: Brenda Villafranco’s Path to Real Estate SuccessIn this insightful episode of the Dream, Start, Own Podcast, host Edgar "The Connector" interviews Brenda Villafranco, a full-time hospital administrator who has successfully transitioned into a thriving real estate investor and private money lender.🏥📈 Brenda’s story is a powerful example of how busy prof...