Is Your Ego Making You Poor? Nick Maggiulli Reveals the Wealth Ladder Roadmap | Jake & Gino Poadcast

In this episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, we sit down with Nick Maggiulli — creator of Dollars and Data and bestselling author of Just Keep Buying and Just Keep Mining. Nick breaks down his new book and signature "Wealth Ladder" framework — a six-level approach to building wealth based on net worth and financial behaviors. We discuss how your income, mindset, and investment strategy must evolve as you move up the ladder. Whether you’re just starting out with less than $10K or strategizing how to break into the $10M+ wealth bracket, this conversation will help you identify where you are, what’s holding you back, and what to do next.You’ll also hear about:The dangers of ego-driven spending (looking at you, $800 car payments) Why most people get stuck at levels 1 and 2 Why increasing income is more powerful than cutting spending Why saving, investing, and possibly starting a business are keys to long-term wealth Grab Nick’s new book Just Keep Mining and visit: https://ofdollarsanddata.comConnect with Nick:Twitter: @dollarsanddataWebsite: https://ofdollarsanddata.comSUBSCRIBE for more investing, business, and financial mindset episodes every week.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction  00:03:02 - What is the Wealth Ladder? The 6 Levels Explained  00:10:47 - What Assets Dominate Each Level of Wealth?  00:14:04 - Wealth Disparities & Home Ownership Data  00:14:55 - The Matsushita Story: Wealth Evolution Through Strategy Shifts  00:16:54 - Why Most People Never Reach Level 5 or 6  00:19:39 - How Income and Mindset Shape Your Net Worth  00:23:56 - Wealth as a Scorecard & Source of Purpose  00:29:31 - Key Behaviors and Strategies for Leveling Up  00:32:50 - When to Start a Business or Stay in Your Lane  00:34:45 - Best Investing Advice: Just Keep Buying  00:36:42 - Book Recommendations  00:37:32 - Gino Wraps it Up   We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this how-to video, Gino Barbaro—co-founder of Jake & Gino and Barbaro360—dives deep into how to perform a rental comp analysis in multifamily real estate. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, understanding how to comp rents properly is crucial for accurate underwriting, valuation, and deal evaluation.Learn what metrics matter most when running rent comps, how to leverage AI tools for efficiency, and how to avoid rookie mistakes that can cost you money. From vintage and unit size to location and median income—this guide breaks down everything you need to know to confidently analyze rental income potential in any market.Subscribe for more weekly real estate education videos!Visit: https://jakeandgino.comBook a Call: https://jakeandgino.com/apply/ We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake & Gino podcast, we welcome Brent Bowers, Army veteran turned land-flipping expert and founder of The Land Sharks. Brent shares how he escaped the rat race, built passive income through vacant land investing, and found lifestyle freedom without traditional rentals.We dive deep into:His transition from military service to real estate success The hamster wheel of wholesaling and how land helped him break free Scalable strategies to flip, finance, and profit from land deals How he built a business that fuels his family’s lifestyle—on his own terms Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand into land or passive income, Brent’s story offers real, actionable insights you won’t want to miss.Connect with Brent: https://www.thelandsharks.comChapters:00:00:00 - Introduction  00:03:01 - Brent’s Money Bio & Entrepreneurial Roots  00:05:51 - Military Mindset Shift & Humbling Beginnings  00:09:27 - The Deal Junkie Mentality & Breaking Free  00:16:27 - Why People Sell Land for Pennies  00:18:36 - Entitlements, Site Work, and Scaling  00:23:35 - Built-to-Rent, Mobile Homes, and Market Strategy  00:29:15 - Market Cycles, Mistakes, and Lessons Learned  00:38:01 - Coaching the Next Generation of Land Investors  00:41:11 - Books That Changed Brent’s Life  00:45:50 - Gino Wraps it Up  We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

Managing rentals isn't glamorous—but it's where the profits are made. In this How-To episode, Gino Barbaro, co-founder of Jake & Gino, breaks down the 4 P’s of managing your rentals: People, Price, Promotion, and Product. If you’re struggling to fill units, you’re likely violating one of these essential principles.Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, mastering these four levers will help you increase cash flow, reduce downtime, and grow a scalable multifamily business. Want to go deeper? Visit https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com to schedule a call and get a free copy of our Wheelbarrow Profits book. We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Green, founder of Alchemy of Money, to unpack a journey filled with transformation, entrepreneurial grit, and real estate mastery.From cold-calling in IT sales to flipping foreclosures with FHA loans, Brandon shares how early failures and IRS audits paved the way to building scalable, investor-focused financial services. We dive into his identity journey, leadership evolution, and the surprising truth about achieving financial freedom.Key Discussion Topics:The difference between short-term vs. long-term sales Building wealth without a degree Scaling a business the hard way (through fire!) Life after selling a brokerage Why real financial freedom is eliminating the word “should” from your calendar How Alchemy of Money helps real estate entrepreneurs sleep better at night Learn how to make your money work for you — and why your business’s financial backend could be holding you back. Visit: https://alchemyofmoney.co   Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction  00:02:29 - Buying His First Property with an FHA Loan  00:04:39 - Identifying as a Billionaire & Learning to Scale  00:08:15 - Why Setting the Right Goals Matters  00:16:59 - “Wandering in the Desert” Post-Exit  00:20:37 - Why Freedom = Eliminating “Should”  00:23:57 - Learning to Lead: The Assistant Who Quit  00:31:11 - Sales: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Relationships  00:36:42 - What is Alchemy of Money?  00:45:38 - The Name Behind “Alchemy”  00:46:43 - Gino Wraps it Up We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

 In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, Gino Barbaro dives deep into the current multifamily housing landscape and dissects whether the apartment oversupply crisis is reaching its end. Gino walks you through how the market cycle has evolved since the 2008 recession and explains why some cities like Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix are facing increased vacancy and downward rental pressure—while others like New York remain tight.If you're an investor, developer, or market watcher, this is your how-to guide on surviving (and thriving) in today’s multifamily environment.Want a FREE copy of "Wheelbarrow Profits" or “Happy Money, Happy Family, Happy Legacy”?Email Gino at: [email protected] more about the Wheelbarrow Profits Community:https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we dive deep into the world of retail real estate with Andy Weiner, Founder and President of Rockstep Capital. Andy shares how he transitioned from running a family clothing empire to revitalizing struggling malls in secondary and tertiary markets. Discover how his “Rock Steps” culture drives high performance, why retail isn’t dead, and how positive leverage and local community partnerships are the secret to sustainable success. You’ll learn:- Why the future of malls lies in mixed-use redevelopment- How Andy secures non-recourse community bank loans- The benefits of buying at a 15-cap and de-malling to an 8-cap- The biggest mistakes new retail investors make- The unique power of local investors and positive leverage Whether you're a seasoned multifamily investor or curious about diversifying into retail, this is a masterclass in spotting hidden value in overlooked markets. Learn more: https://rockstep.comVisit Rockstep’s Learning Center: https://rockstep.com/learning-center/Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction  00:04:08 - Family Business Struggles and Strategic Lesson  00:06:00 - Leadership at 32: Earning Respect and Setting Vision  00:07:53 - First Real Estate Deal: Assembling Land for Lowe’s  00:09:40 - Identifying Opportunity in Retail Real Estate  00:15:24 - The Vicksburg Model and Rockstep’s Track Record  00:23:51 - Top Investor Mistakes in Shopping Centers  00:25:20 - Has E-Commerce Killed Retail?  00:29:22 - “Rock Steps” Culture and Company-Wide Accountability  00:34:12 - Brick-and-Mortar + App + Distribution: The Retail Trifecta  00:46:28 - Tractor Supply Love & Market Size Criteria  00:48:04 - Gino Wraps it Up We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

Welcome back to another powerful “How-To” lesson with Gino Barbaro, co-founder of Jake & Gino. This week, Gino continues his deep dive into the top mistakes multifamily investors make — and how you can avoid them.In Part 2, Gino breaks down five more critical pitfalls, drawn from two decades of personal investing experience and coaching thousands of students. From building the right team to understanding debt structure, this episode gives you the tools to succeed — and the wisdom to sidestep disaster.Whether you're an LP, GP, or just getting started in real estate, this episode is a masterclass in what NOT to do in multifamily investing.Want personalized help on your multifamily journey?Visit https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com and schedule a call with our team.Subscribe for more multifamily investing insights each week.Comment below: What mistake have you made or avoided? We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this powerhouse episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we're joined by Mike Paton, professional EOS implementer and author of Process, to break down the real systems that help entrepreneurs grow businesses without losing their minds—or their margins.From the early struggles of Jake and Gino’s real estate journey to implementing EOS and watching their business thrive, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for business owners stuck at a growth ceiling. Mike shares how to avoid burnout, implement core processes effectively, and build companies that are healthy from the inside out.Whether you're a solo operator managing 50 units or a syndicator eyeing a 9-figure portfolio, this episode will help you align your business DNA with the structure and vision needed to grow smarter—not just bigger.In this episode, you’ll learn:What EOS really is—and why it’s not just for broken businesses How the book Process was born from entrepreneurial pain Why “vision shared by all” beats “buy-in” every time The 20/80 rule for creating business systems that scale Why chasing revenue without structure leads to burnout How process brings freedom and enables true leadership Connect with Mike Paton:Learn more: https://www.eosworldwide.com  Chapters:00:00 - Introduction  00:02:14 - Childhood Magic, Fire Juggling & Unemployability  00:06:00 - Mentorship and Learning to Juggle Fire  00:10:23 - From Magic to Mind Reading to Business Consulting  00:16:36 - Turning a Crowd into Qualified Leads  00:18:43 - Applied Psychology, Trust, and Audience Manipulation  00:28:02 - Tactical Tips for Everyday Negotiation  00:32:48 - Enterprise Sales and Anticipating Veto Players  00:43:16 - Why Surprise Kills Deals (Unless You’re on Stage)  00:59:19 - Marketing Tip: Repel the Wrong Customers  01:00:57 - Gino Wraps it Up  We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/

In this powerful how-to episode, Gino Barbaro—co-founder of Jake & Gino and experienced real estate investor—shares five of the most common mistakes that cause multifamily investors to fail. Drawing from personal setbacks and coaching hundreds of students, Gino unpacks key pitfalls including poor deal analysis, misjudged renovation costs, emotional decision-making, and more.This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering the Top 10 Multifamily Mistakes—so be sure to subscribe and catch next week’s follow-up.Resources mentioned:https://www.wheelbarrowprofits.com https://www.barbaro360.com We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors) 👉https://jakeandgino.com/apply About Jake & Gino Jake & Gino are multifamily investors, operators, and mentors who have created a vertically integrated real estate company. They control over $250M in assets under management. They have created the Jake & Gino Premier Multifamily Community to teach others a simple three-step framework for investing in multifamily real estate. Connect with Jake & Gino on the social media platform you are most active on: https://jakeandgino.com/link-tree/