The Big Break Show

Most people think running an Airbnb is passive. You list it, go to the beach, and the money shows up. Anyone who actually does it knows the real job is the coordination. The messages that never stop, the maintenance that has to get scheduled, the vendor who has to be found and called, and the ten different tools that somehow have to talk to each other. In this episode Rafa sits down with Jan Sahag...

Blake Anthony Carter is back on The Big Break Show for round two, and this one is a full playbook. He breaks down why he sold his co-living business to go all-in on short-term rentals, how he scaled his management company to around 90 quality units, and the exact systems that let it run without him. If you want to co-host, manage, or buy STRs, this is the episode to take notes on. We get into the...

Trevor B West is a multifamily real estate investor, faith-based entrepreneur, and one of the most in-demand event emcees in the real estate mastermind world. Before real estate, he spent his career as an Air Force special-forces intelligence analyst, building target packages alongside teams like SEAL Team Six and Delta Force. A snapped leg on a rugby field and twenty thousand dollars in debt forc...

Donato Callahan is a real estate investor, software founder, and capital strategist who acquired nearly 600 units in commercial real estate before the age of 27. He graduated high school valedictorian and was recruited out of Boise State by the Department of Defense as a geospatial analyst, then walked away from a secure intelligence career to go all in on real estate. He house hacked his way in,...

Danny Mabley is a content strategist and creator coach with over 450,000 combined followers across platforms. He started in content over a decade ago, and when his daughter was born, pivoted to consulting. His first major client was in the short-term rental and real estate investing space, which led to a coaching and strategy practice that now works with investors, coaches, and business owners. He...

If your short-term rental revenue still lives and dies on Airbnb, this episode is the clearest roadmap to changing that. Rafa Loza sits down with Mark Simpson — founder of Boostly, creator of a WordPress direct booking framework that converts at 5x the industry average, and the force behind Boostly Connect — to break down exactly how STR hosts are using AI and PMS integration to build their own ma...

Giving you all a end of year Short Term Rental market update. Also, big news. I'm taking the podcast solo!

In this episode, we sit down with Gil, the founder and CEO of CraftedStays, as he shares his inspiring journey from a tech career to the short-term rental industry. Gil talks about his transition from a secure W2 job to building a thriving hospitality business with properties in The Great Smoky Mountains and Branson. He dives into the importance of diversifying beyond Airbnb, the creation of his d...

Josh Dixon shares his journey from growing up in a construction family to becoming a successful real estate investor. He discusses the importance of setting goals, balancing family life with business, and the value of mastermind groups in maintaining focus. Josh emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships with subcontractors and the role of administration in scaling his constructi...

Whit McCarthy, one of the co-founders of The Helm, joins us on the show to chat about the world of real estate lending. We dive into topics like hard money lending, business purpose lending, and the key differences between conventional and investor loans. He breaks down how loans get originated, funded, and sold to institutional buyers, while emphasizing how crucial local expertise is in lending....

In this episode, we talk about our journey from non-investors to buying businesses, and how finding the right mentors and communities made all the difference. We dive into the challenges of online courses and influencers, break down the importance of understanding business metrics, and share what we look for when evaluating potential acquisitions. We also touch on the power of networking, how ad b...

In this episode, Hayden Albert shares his journey from the Navy to diving into real estate and entrepreneurship. He talks about starting a window company, navigating partnerships, and finding success in a unique niche of real estate. He talks about his current focus on a new niche in real estate that offers market share and profitability without the need for a large operation. The conversation foc...

In this episode of The Big Break Show, we dive into a recent quadruplex deal we checked out in Topsail Beach, North Carolina. We talk about what we learned through the process and how teaching and learning go hand-in-hand in real estate. We break down everything from the renovation standards and underwriting to how we analyzed the market. We also chat about what was driving the seller and how impo...

Dan Rivers and Mike Savage discuss their backgrounds in real estate and their journey to becoming successful investors. They share their experiences in property management, short-term rentals, and the challenges they faced along the way. They also highlight the importance of mindset and the power of networking and building relationships in the industry. The conversation emphasizes the creative way...

In this episode of the Big Break Show, we would answer some of your questions and share our real estate experiences, focusing on the ins and outs of raising capital through debt and equity. We talk about tips on structuring deals and highlight the importance of knowing your audience and building strong partnerships. We also discuss different investment strategies, preferred returns, and why clear...

In this episode, Kelli Garrett dives into how sports have shaped their business mindset and skills. Kelli shares insights on teamwork, quick decision-making, and learning from setbacks. They discuss the value of masterminds and surrounding yourself with supportive peers, as well as the mindset shift needed for scaling a business.    Kelli also highlights the importance of determination, discipline...

Joe Prillaman shares his journey from selling industrial equipment to building a portfolio of 32 short-term rental properties. He emphasizes the importance of being in the right room with the right people and joining mastermind groups like GoBundance. Joe discusses the challenges he faced in the early stages, including working full-time jobs and renovating properties at night. He highlights the be...

Tyson Cobb is a retired orthopedic surgeon turned successful real estate investor. With a diverse background that includes professional rodeo experience before entering medical school, Tyson has trained at the Mayo Clinic and practiced for over two decades. Currently focused on real estate syndications and various asset classes, he brings a unique perspective to the investment world. In this lates...

Cassie Tollens is the Operations Master of multiple hotels in Carolina Beach. She oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of the establishments. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hospitality, Cassie is dedicated to providing exceptional guest experiences and maintaining high standards in the hospitality industry.     In this latest episode, Cassie discusses t...

Juan Huizar is the president of SAGE Real Estate, a boutique multifamily commercial company situated in Long Beach, California. With a CCIM certification, Juan stands out as an expert in the real estate industry, providing invaluable insights and knowledge to his clients and followers. His dedication to educating others on building wealth through real estate investment is evident in his popular Yo...

Tim Vitale is a commercial real estate investor and owner of multiple apartment complexes in the affordable housing space. With over 1,600 units across several states, Tim specializes in buying commercial apartment complexes in the LITECH and Section 8 sectors. He has a background in finance and accounting and made the transition to real estate after realizing the limitations of his W-2 job. Tim i...

Erica James is a two-time national CrossFit champion, real estate agent, and entrepreneur based in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the owner of the fitness studio, The Booty Shop, and is passionate about empowering women through fitness and community-building.   In this episode, Erica shares her journey from being a cheerleader in college to finding her passion in fitness and entrepreneurship....

Dan Tollens started his career in fix and flipping houses before transitioning into the hotel business. He currently owns and operates multiple boutique hotels in North Carolina, with a focus on providing unique and memorable experiences for guests.     In this episode, Dan shares their process of hotel acquisitions and the ins and outs of running a successful boutique hotel business. He shares hi...

Welcome to season 2 of The Big Break Show! We have some exciting news for this new season. Unfortunately, Jesse Vasquez will no longer be part of the show, but we introduce a new co-host and discuss some upcoming fire plans for the future of this podcast. As always, we will continue to provide valuable insights into investment strategies, lifestyle, mindset, and more. So the new co-host will be Da...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Krueger. He is a full-time real estate investor based in Des Moines, Iowa. He started his real estate journey with a low income and has since built a substantial portfolio of properties. Matt and his wife have been able to achieve financial freedom through creative financing strategies and by house-hacking multiple properties. Matt shares his journey from bei...