The Do More Podcast

If you've been scratching your head wondering why so many commercial real estate deals are falling apart, you're not alone! Today, we're diving into the top reasons behind this unsettling trend, with a special focus on self-storage and multifamily properties. It turns out that investing is often a bit of a gamble—speculation is part of the game, and sometimes even the best underwriting can't predi...

Does unit count really matter in the world of real estate? Spoiler alert: yes—but maybe not for the reasons you think. In today’s episode, I’m diving into why unit count shouldn’t be just a bragging point or an ego boost, but rather a crucial metric for scaling your business effectively. We’ve all seen people flaunting their million-dollar portfolios, but let’s be honest—numbers alone don’t tell t...

Today, we’re diving into the often-overlooked but crucial topic of focus in our lives and businesses. It’s easy to think that being busy equals being productive, but let me tell you—many people are just spinning their wheels! We’ll unpack the recent drama in the real estate world involving a well-known investor who reportedly lost a staggering $15 million on a deal, and how a lack of focus—particu...

Rob Dubroc is our guest today, and he's here to share his journey from aerospace to self-storage—and trust me, it's a wild ride! After a series of unexpected career twists, Rob found himself in the self-storage industry, and boy, does he have some insights to share about scaling a business in this niche. We'll dive into the nitty-gritty of how he went from flipping houses to managing a portfolio o...

Youth sports have taken a wild turn, and I’m here to spill the tea! Today, I’m diving into how the landscape of kids’ sports has shifted from equal playing time to a cutthroat level of competition that even third graders are feeling. I’m sharing my own experiences as a dad navigating this new world with my young athletes—my son, who’s knee-deep in soccer and basketball, and my daughter, who’s flip...

Buying based on cap rate? That’s a no-go, folks! In today’s chat, we’re diving into why you should steer clear of cap rates when considering your next commercial property purchase. First off, let’s break it down: a cap rate is essentially the return you’d expect on an all-cash investment. But let’s be real—most of us aren’t shelling out cash for these properties like we’re at a garage sale. I’ll s...

When did it become cool not to work? That’s the burning question we’re tackling today, and trust me, it’s a juicy one. We’ve all seen those folks flaunting their four-hour workweeks and endless vacations, but what about the hard workers who are grinding away? It seems like the pandemic turned the working world upside down, and now some people are celebrating a carefree lifestyle instead of pouring...

Understanding the intricacies of real estate investing is crucial, especially in today’s fluctuating market. One of the main points I want to share today is the importance of a solid capital stack and how it can make or break your deals. Many investors stumble by overlooking the stability of their financing, often getting caught up in short-term debt that can lead to serious financial strain down...

Tyler Harper joins us to share his journey into the self-storage industry, which has seen remarkable growth under his leadership. Since starting in 2022, Tyler and his team have acquired 26 storage facilities, with a rapid pace of purchasing that has them aiming for one deal a week. He discusses how they transitioned from traditional financing methods, like SBA loans, to more streamlined cash purc...

We’re diving into our recent experience at the Storage Rebellion Spring Event, where I had the privilege of leading the Insiders group. The main takeaway from our discussion is just how impactful these gatherings can be for building genuine relationships and learning from each other. This event was particularly special for me, as I transitioned from being a guest to taking a leadership role, which...

We’re diving into the journey of entrepreneurship, focusing on the two major transitions that every entrepreneur faces: leaving the nine-to-five grind and evolving into a true business owner. Many people manage to break free from traditional employment, but a significant number never reach that next level of growth and freedom. I’ve been there, and I share my own experiences about the hurdles of t...

Buying 18 self-storage facilities comes with its fair share of lessons, and today I’m diving into the top nine mistakes I made along the way. These aren’t just trivial slip-ups; they’re real learning points that have shaped my approach to investing in this space. From skipping crucial physical inspections to not vetting my team adequately, each error taught me something important about the busines...

Today, we're diving deep into the world of data analytics with Andrew Schaffen and his team from Argo Analytics. They specialize in automating data processes for medium- to large-sized businesses, helping them streamline their operations and make sense of their data. We discuss their journey, the challenges businesses face with data management, and how they’re addressing these pain points through...

Michael's journey into real estate has been quite the ride, and in this episode, he shares how he transitioned from a stable corporate job at a blue-chip company to finding success in the self-storage industry. He opens up about his early days, including the ups and downs of investing in real estate through the housing crisis, which ultimately shaped his path. After taking a break from real estate...

Jon dives into one of the biggest threats facing self-storage operations today: market oversupply. He shares a recent conversation with another self-storage operator about a new facility being built nearby—an example of a growing trend where developments are popping up in already saturated areas. Jon explains how some new operators enter the market with low rates and minimal services, creating pre...

Tyler Osborne joins Jon to dive into the intricate world of wealth structuring and capital gains strategies. His mission centers on helping entrepreneurs, families, and professional athletes understand the importance of building a lasting legacy, and he brings more than 15 years of experience to the table. Tyler shares his own journey, which took him from a challenging upbringing in San Jose, Cali...

Efrain Fernandez from Storage Defender joins Jon to dive into the innovative world of smart storage solutions. At the heart of their conversation is how Storage Defender is transforming traditional self-storage units into smart units that enhance both security and the tenant experience. Efrain explains how their system allows tenants to receive real-time alerts whenever motion is detected inside t...

AI is making waves in our everyday lives, and today Jon dives into how it’s impacting the self-storage industry and the job market as a whole. While he doesn’t claim to be an AI expert, he’s been hearing plenty of discussion about its potential to disrupt jobs — and understandably, that can feel overwhelming. In this conversation, Jon explores what these changes could mean for various professions,...

Stop being cheap. That’s the main point Jon is diving into today, and it’s something he learned the hard way in his real estate journey. He kicks things off by sharing his early days with single-family rentals, when he thought doing everything himself would save money. But as he quickly found out, that mindset can actually cost you more in the long run. So many entrepreneurs get stuck pinching pen...

Today, Jon dives into a conversation with Mark Young from Zona Health, where Mark shares insights that deeply resonate with entrepreneurs and business owners. Mark emphasizes the unique mindset of entrepreneurs, describing them as “absolute nut jobs” for the sometimes illogical paths they choose on their journeys. Jon and Mark explore the challenges and triumphs that come with operating in the wil...

Today, Jon is diving into the top three things that helped him scale to 18 self-storage facilities. This isn’t about bragging—it’s about sharing insights that would have been incredibly valuable to him a few years ago when he was just getting started. First, building a strong foundation in real estate was critical. Jon spent years educating himself and gaining hands-on experience before making his...

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for measuring success in self-storage—and really, any business. In this episode, Jon dives into why KPIs matter more than ever. Self-storage is no longer just a hobby; it’s a serious business that requires attention to detail and accountability. Jon breaks down how he approaches KPIs by focusing on the big picture, like money collected and cash flow,...

Rod Khleif joins Jon for an engaging conversation on the power of mindset in achieving success and overcoming adversity. He shares his compelling journey from growing up in a Dutch immigrant family struggling to make ends meet to becoming a multifamily real estate mogul, once owning a portfolio of over 2,000 properties. Rod emphasizes that an astonishing 80–90% of success comes from mindset and ps...

Christine Valdez joins Jon to share her extensive experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and real estate investing. With over 30 years as a regional sales director, Christine has built a diverse portfolio that includes single-family homes in California and Texas, along with multifamily investments and digital marketing ventures. We dive deep into the challenges and strategies of navigating...

Jon dives into six significant changes in the self-storage industry that have emerged since 2021. One of the main points he emphasizes is how the landscape for buying storage facilities has become increasingly challenging; deals that once promised to double in value within a year are now harder to find. He discusses the shift from a focus on rapid value increases to a more cash-flow-oriented appro...