How One Investor Scaled to $30M Without Raising a Dollar of Outside Capital ft. Chad Young

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Chad Young, the founder of Savvy Homes, to unpack how he built a $30 million business without raising outside money. Chad shares how he went from being a solo operator doing a handful of deals to leading a vertically integrated company with flipping, rentals, and a thriving brokerage—all while staying profitable and principle-driven.

 

We dive deep into the strategic moves, mindset shifts, and operational pivots that helped Chad scale sustainably. He opens up about his hiring philosophy, how he empowers leaders inside his org, and the systems that keep everything aligned as the company grows. This conversation is packed with tangible advice for anyone looking to scale big while staying true to their values.

 

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Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:30] - Chad’s journey from a few deals a year to building Savvy Homes

[6:20] - Why he chose not to raise outside capital—and what it forced him to master

[9:40] - How he diversified into flipping, rentals, and brokerage while staying focused

[13:00] - The inflection point that took him from operator to leader

[17:10] - His hiring strategy and how he builds leaders, not just employees

[20:45] - How to scale operations without losing profitability

[24:30] - The systems and rhythms that keep his teams aligned

[28:00] - Why culture is the real moat in today’s real estate market

[32:10] - Advice for investors who want to scale without chasing shiny objects

[35:50] - What’s next for Chad and the long-term vision for Savvy Homes

 

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5 Key Takeaways

 

1. You Don’t Need Outside Money to Scale Big – Discipline and cash flow can fuel massive growth.
2. Diversification Works—If It’s Aligned – Every vertical in Chad’s business feeds the others strategically.
3. Leaders Build Leaders – Empowering others creates compounding impact inside your company.
4. Systems Beat Hustle – Consistent execution comes from aligned teams and clear processes.
5. Stay Rooted in Vision – Chad’s growth hasn’t come at the expense of his principles—and that’s the secret.

 

 

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Links & Resources

 

• ExploreCG.com – Learn more about the Collective Genius community

• Recommended framework: EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)

 

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If Chad’s story challenged the way you think about growth or inspired you to build more intentionally, follow, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And share it with someone who’s ready to scale with clarity, not just speed.