EP66 From Pella Windows to Real Estate Wins: Adam Romano’s Journey
Release Date: 02/26/2025
EP90 From 73 Units to 3,000: Karie Kading Ramsey on Growth, Grit, and Getting It Done in Iowa"
The Investing in Iowa Show
What if your biggest impact came from the job you never planned to take? Karie Kading Ramsey didn’t set out to lead her family’s housing business, but once she did, she transformed it. This episode dives into how she’s redefining affordable housing in Iowa, balancing rapid growth with deep community partnerships, and leading with heart in an industry shaped by dollars and decisions. In this episode, we sit down with Karie Kading Ramsey, CEO of Kading Properties, to talk about her unexpected entry into the family business and her mission to provide workforce housing that truly...
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EP89 Todd Mendenhall: From $10K and a Mop Bucket to a 90-Country Perspective on Business
The Investing in Iowa Show
What does it take to turn a college side hustle into a portfolio of multi-million dollar businesses? For Todd Mendenhall, it started with a mop and a mindset. In this episode, Todd shares how grit, focus, and knowing your lane helped him build, scale, and sell companies—while staying grounded in values that outlast any market cycle. In this candid conversation, entrepreneur Todd Mendenhall opens up about the journey from founding a janitorial business during college to launching and exiting multiple companies across industries like recycling, logistics, and real estate. He shares...
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EP88 The Silo Solution: Turning Concrete into Community (and Cocktails) with Scott Turczynski
The Investing in Iowa Show
What if the symbol of Iowa’s past—an old grain silo—could become the future of community, commerce, and inclusivity? Scott Turczynski isn’t just building structures—he’s building meaning. From navigating a life-changing injury to leading one of the Midwest’s boldest redevelopment projects, Scott’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and creative transformation. In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Scott Turczynski, COO of Heartland Finishes and co-founder of HRTLND Companies. Scott shares his journey from small-town Iowa to the helm of ambitious commercial...
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EP87 Bill Kimberley on 47 Years of Building, Betting on Ankeny, and Surviving Every Market Cycle
The Investing in Iowa Show
What do you get when you mix a farm kid’s work ethic with an entrepreneur’s vision? A construction empire built from grit, faith, and fearlessness. In this episode, Bill Kimberley shares the ups, downs, and lessons of starting a business at 21 and growing it into one of Iowa’s most respected development firms. Whether you’re a builder, dreamer, or leader, his story will leave you inspired to take bold steps—no matter the market. This week, we sit down with Bill Kimberley, founder of Kimberley Development Corporation, whose four-decade career in construction and real estate is rooted...
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EP86 Brett Olsen on Building Iowa’s Only Real Estate Degree (and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever)
The Investing in Iowa Show
What happens when an engineer walks into the world of finance and real estate? Brett Olsen didn’t just pivot—he transformed a university program, helped launch countless careers, and built a bridge between theory and real-world success. If you’re curious about how practical education is shaping the next wave of real estate leaders, this episode is for you. In this episode, we sit down with Brett Olsen, Head of the Finance and Real Estate Department at the University of Northern Iowa. Brett opens up about his surprising journey from mechanical engineering to academia, and how that shift...
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EP85 Build, Lease, Repeat: Inside 10 Million SF with R&R Realty with Adam Kaduce & Nathan Rupprecht
The Investing in Iowa Show
In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Rupprecht and Adam Kaduce of R&R Realty Group to explore how Iowa roots, legal know-how, and relationship-first strategies are driving commercial real estate innovation in Des Moines. From office evolution to industrial stabilization, Nathan and Adam unpack how R&R is staying ahead of the curve in a shifting market—and why Des Moines may just be the perfect storm for sustainable development and smart investing. 🔑 Top 5 Takeaways: • Adam’s legal background gives him a sharp edge in deal structuring and negotiations, helping clients...
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EP84 From Flips to Fortunes: How Market Cycles Taught Me What to Hold
The Investing in Iowa Show
What happens when an 18-year-old residential real estate investor evolves into a data-driven commercial real estate leader with $100M+ in sales? In this episode, Jared Husmann shares the hard-earned lessons, mindset shifts, and frameworks that helped him transition from residential headaches to commercial clarity. From leveraging Dan Sullivan’s Strategic Coach program to implementing RUBS, Jared breaks down what today’s investors need to survive—and thrive—in a rapidly changing market. If you’re serious about long-term strategy, this is a must-listen. 5 Takeaways That Will...
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EP83 Think Bigger: Rick Tollakson’s 40-Year Blueprint for Building Hubbell
The Investing in Iowa Show
What does it take to transform a local real estate company into a regional powerhouse and shape the future of an entire city? In this conversation, Rick Tollakson, CEO of Hubbell Realty Company, shares his incredible journey from construction engineering to leading one of Iowa’s largest and most innovative real estate firms. With insights on leadership, economic resilience, and community building, Rick offers a masterclass on thinking bigger and creating lasting impact in both business and life. 5 Fresh Takeaways: • Why expanding into multifamily housing, senior living, land...
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EP82 Knocking Doors, Closing Deals: The Hustle of Phil Giudici
The Investing in Iowa Show
In this episode, we sit down with Philip Giudici, a Des Moines native who took the road less traveled—from knocking doors in Arizona to flipping distressed homes back in Iowa. Philip opens up about the hard-earned lessons from his early sales grind, why adaptability is every investor’s secret weapon, and how reading people is just as important as reading the market. If you’re looking to sharpen your sales edge, spot hidden real estate opportunities, or just hear how persistence pays off, this one’s for you. 🔑 Top 5 Takeaways: How door-to-door sales taught him resilience and...
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EP81 One House a Year: Derek Vander Veen's Slow-and-Steady Rental Game
The Investing in Iowa Show
What happens when small-town work ethic meets big-city finance? In this insightful episode, Neil Timmins chats with Derek Vander Veen—a commercial finance professional by day and a passionate real estate investor by night. From milking cows on an Iowa dairy farm to structuring deals and scaling a rental portfolio, Derek shares how curiosity, discipline, and long-term strategy helped him turn a side hustle into a serious investment journey. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to scale smart, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom. 5 Fresh Takeaways: • Derek’s...
info_outlineEver wondered what it takes to transition from a steady 9-to-5 to full-time real estate investing?
Adam Romano made that leap after sharpening his sales skills at Pella Windows and Doors in Clive. Since then, he’s rolled up his sleeves and gained hands-on experience in nearly every corner of residential real estate.
In this episode, Adam dives into the value of mentorship, the importance of learning by doing, and how to stay agile in today’s fast-moving market. Packed with practical advice and real-life stories, Adam shares his experiences with creative financing, ‘subject-to’ deals, and growing his business in new markets across the country. Tune in for valuable insights that could inspire your own real estate journey!
Key Takeaways
• How a key mentorship helped Adam fast-track his way to success & avoid expensive errors
• Why reading real estate investing books can only get you so far
• Learning to navigate contractors & building business partnerships that last
• What it took to scale his business and flip properties in other states
• How Adam plans to grow his business for the future while mitigating risk
Adam's Real Estate Journey
My real estate journey began in 2016 while I was working at Pella Windows and Doors. After reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki", I became fascinated with real estate and was determined to build a career in the industry.
By 2017, while still working full-time as a sales representative at Pella Windows and Doors in Clive, I began taking action. In 2019, after a pivotal conversation with my now-wife. I decided to fully commit to real estate. With her encouragement, I resigned from my job and officially launched my full-time real estate business in February 2020.
My introduction to real estate mentorship came through Mark Lane, a connection that shaped my career significantly. Mark remains both a mentor and a friend, playing a vital role in my success today.
Our first deal was a purchase from a local wholesaler, Jamie King. The property was in extreme distress—meth contamination, three failing foundation walls, a steep 15% grade driveway, and a tiny 692 sq. ft. footprint with no garage. To save costs and complete the project, I quite literally slept at the house while working on the renovations.
Fast forward to today, and we have completed dozens of deals across multiple real estate strategies, including wholesaling, flipping, owner financing, and rental investments. For several years, our primary focus was flipping homes, leveraging deep construction knowledge to maximize value. We even briefly ventured into high-end kitchen and basement remodeling as general contractors.
In June 2023, we shifted our focus to expand beyond Iowa. Currently, we market in 63 locations across 13 states, primarily in the Southeast and Midwest, acquiring 2–3 deals per month. Our strategy has evolved from heavy construction and fix-and-flips to wholetailing and owner financing, allowing us to scale efficiently while maintaining profitability.
Contact Info:
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-romano-a6a1a893/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/adam.romano.33