EP69 From Car Sales to Real Estate Success: Tony Romeo and Matt Young’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Release Date: 03/19/2025
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_outlineHow do two former car salesmen build a $6M real estate portfolio? In this episode, Matt Young and Tony Romeo share the story behind their transition from car sales to real estate success. They dive into their strategies for Airbnb properties, wholesaling, and creative financing, revealing how they capitalized on opportunities and built systems to scale their business.
Matt and Tony aren’t afraid to tackle sticky legal challenges when buying investment properties, and this niche gives them a strategic edge. Tune in to hear how they made the leap into real estate, why repeatable systems are key to scaling, and the power of a strong strategic partnership.
Key Takeaways:
• Why creative problem solving provides clients with what they need while getting more deals done
• Why trust and complementary skills are necessary for a successful partnership
• The power of repeatable systems & processes for business growth
• How Airbnb, wholesaling, and more fit into their real estate portfolio
• Why Matt & Tony believe in the power of OPM and OPK
About Matt Young & Tony Romeo
From lifelong friends to top-performing salesmen in the car industry, we’ve evolved into some of the most active investors in the DSM market. With a $6M+ portfolio, we’ve built a thriving Airbnb management and cleaning business while consistently closing 6–14 off-market deals per month.
Recently, we launched our own real estate team to expand our reach. Known in the DSM market as the go-to experts for creative solutions, we specialize in subject-to deals and contract sales. Beyond business, we’re both family men—Tony with three kids and Matt with two—driven by a shared passion for growth and innovation.
GreenMT was founded by Des Moines natives Matt Young and Tony Romeo, driven by a deep passion for their city and community. Committed to providing innovative real estate solutions, GreenMT specializes in offering multiple options for homeowners looking to sell, even in challenging situations. Their mission is to simplify the process of buying and selling homes, ensuring it is quick, easy, and stress-free, as Tony puts it. With a strong belief in keeping Iowa homes within Iowa investors, Matt and Tony are dedicated to supporting local homeowners and fostering growth in their community.
Matt Young, a South Side Des Moines native, brings a local advantage to the real estate business. Now residing in Urbandale with his wife and two children, Matt's deep roots in the area inform his approach to real estate, helping him connect with clients and meet their needs.
Tony Romeo, also from Des Moines' South Side, remains dedicated to his local community. With his wife, two toddlers, and a busy schedule managing his businesses, Tony's energetic and approachable personality helps create lasting relationships with clients and makes everyone he meets feel like family. Together, Matt and Tony’s passion for their hometown and commitment to making the real estate process seamless distinguishes GreenMT in the industry.
Contact Info:
https://desmoineshomebuyers.net