Building Impact by Catalyzing Growth and Jobs Through Investing | Kirk Botula
Release Date: 12/11/2024
S7E9 | Insights and Impact from Season 7 of Real Returns
Real Returns
In this final episode of the year, Andrew and Dan reflect on an impactful seventh season of Real Returns. Recorded on New Year’s Eve, the hosts look back at the shift in the podcast’s focus: moving beyond technical investment advice to share the deeply personal stories of world-class entrepreneurs and real estate leaders. Episode 1 w/Grant Cardone: A discussion on "going big," the democratization of real estate, and the future of Bitcoin-infused properties. Episode 2 w/Travis Chappell: Insights on the "bigger shovel" mentality—focusing on increasing income through skill-building and...
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S7 E8 - Sasha Bernier | Diversification & The Rise of Industrial Outdoor Storage
Real Returns
Is your investment strategy diversified enough to withstand the next market cycle? 🔄 In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Sasha Bernier, Managing Partner at Hestia Holdings and Partner at Cheltenham Enterprises. With a career spanning private equity, credit hedge funds, and law, Sasha shares his "tactical" approach to real estate and why he believes the most resilient returns are found in the niches most investors overlook. Sasha reveals the specific "home run" deal in Florida that moved from an 8% cap rate to a 5.75% cap rate simply by securing a credit...
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S7 E7 - Mike Morawski | Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing
Real Returns
S7 E7 - Creating Wealth & Impact Through Multifamily Investing Is your mindset holding you back from making your first (or next) big real estate deal? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran and author of the Amazon bestseller "Multifamily Investment Secrets," to explore his journey from general contractor to operating over 8,000 multifamily units using creative financing strategies that most investors think are impossible. Mike is also the founder of My Core Intentions, where he helps investors build...
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S7 E6 - Vishal Gupta | Why Every Hiring Mistake Made Me Better
Real Returns
What happens when a number-crunching engineer discovers his biggest mistakes all have one thing in common? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Vishal Gupta, tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Seclore, to explore his 25-year journey from IIT Bombay to building global cybersecurity companies serving clients like American Express, GM, and Aramco across 35 countries. Vishal reveals why angel investing became his most expensive hobby, the critical transition from engineering logic to leadership empathy, and how holding onto the wrong people too long...
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S7 E5 - Liran Gabbay | How AI Is Transforming Multifamily Asset Management
Real Returns
How does an AI expert from an intelligence background solve multifamily's data burnout problem? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Liran Gabbay, CEO and co-founder of Muvan AI, to explore how he's revolutionizing multifamily asset management through artificial intelligence. Liran reveals the Monday morning report that changed everything, why asset managers deserve better than buried Excel spreadsheets, and how his platform is giving finance professionals back the jobs they were actually meant to do. From an elite intelligence unit to building an...
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S7 E4 - Omar Khan | Dollar Cost Averaging with Multifamily Real Estate
Real Returns
How does a CFA from Canada build an $800 million multifamily empire in Texas? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Omar Khan, founder and managing partner of Boardwalk Wealth, to explore his fundamentals-first approach to multifamily investing. Omar reveals why he compares real estate acquisition strategy to dollar cost averaging in the stock market, his philosophy on bringing "a gun to a knife fight" through supply-starved market selection, and how his firm has taken over 1,800 distressed units in the last 16 months. From escaping Canada's high...
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S7 E3 - Dr. Michael Johnson | Intellectual Property as an Asset Class
Real Returns
How does a PhD student turn university research into a $20M exit? In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Dr. Michael Johnson, President of the New Jersey Innovation Institute and former biotech CEO, to explore intellectual property as an often-overlooked asset class. Michael reveals his journey from graduate student to successfully commercializing a Rutgers spin-out that worked with all top 20 pharma companies on critical drug discovery programs including COVID-19 and Zika virus treatments. Discover why universities have become America's primary source of...
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S7 E2 - Travis Chappell | The ROI of Investing in Yourself
Real Returns
How does someone with an unaccredited Bible degree generate six figures by age 23 and build a podcasting empire? In this episode of Real Returns, hosts Andrew Reichert and Dan Croce sit down with Travis Chappell, podcaster, entrepreneur, and investor, to explore his unconventional journey from door-to-door sales to podcast empire. Travis reveals why he believes Gen Z and millennials must "earn their way to retirement" rather than save their way there, his philosophy on creating value before asking for compensation, and how investing in yourself can deliver 10x returns compared to traditional...
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S7 E1 - Grant Cardone | Real Estate Strategy & Bitcoin
Real Returns
What does it take to disrupt a $4 trillion industry while building generational wealth? In this episode of Real Returns, host Andrew Reichert sits down with Grant Cardone, founder of Cardone Capital and New York Times bestselling author, to explore his journey from a $3,000 single-family home investment to managing $5 billion in assets. Grant shares his revolutionary approach to merging Bitcoin with institutional-quality real estate, his prediction that rents will double in 15 key markets over the next decade, and why he believes the REIT industry is ripe for disruption. From overcoming...
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Insights and Impact from Season 6 of Real Returns
Real Returns
What does it take to create a lasting impact in real estate while staying grounded through personal and professional challenges? In this special season finale of Real Returns, hosts Andrew and Daniel reflect on the highlights of Season 6 and share the most meaningful lessons from eight diverse guests. From affordable housing innovation and sustainability to land investing and financial education for kids, this episode explores the values behind real estate decisions—and the people who are pushing the industry forward. With transparency, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, Andrew and Daniel...
info_outlineWhat does it take to build businesses that last centuries and truly fuel human flourishing?
In this episode of the Real Returns Podcast, Andrewt and Dan welcome Kirk Botula, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at InnovationWorks. Kirk shares his journey through technology commercialization, his views on the role of business in human flourishing, and the critical interplay between economic impact and job creation. The conversation dives into how InnovationWorks fosters entrepreneurial success, the philosophy behind patient capital, and the societal value of businesses that persist over time. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a startup founder, or someone curious about long-term economic impact, this episode offers fresh perspectives and actionable insights.
[00:01 - 07:04] A Life in Tech Commercialization
- Kirk's early experiences and career milestones
- His formative encounter with Pittsburgh's economic challenges
- The shift from nonprofit fundraising to technology commercialization
[07:05 - 14:19] A Philosophy of Business
- The fundamental role of work in human flourishing
- Why businesses are essential for community well-being
- Critique of shareholder value maximization
[14:20 - 21:26] Building Sustainable Impact
- InnovationWorks’ strategy in investing and ecosystem building
- The balance of job creation and return on investment
- Stories of businesses with long-term visions and impact
[21:27 - 28:21] The Challenge of Creating Persistent Businesses
- Historical examples of enduring businesses, like Congo Gumi
- The role of social capital in economic development
- Balancing investor returns with business longevity
[28:22 - 34:37] Defining Success and Navigating Growth
- Encouraging founders to define personal and business success
- The importance of predicting cash flow and aligning with investors
- Strategies for failing fast and learning quickly
Connect with Kirk!
https://www.innovationworks.org/
Key Quotes:
"Work is how we grow, leverage our gifts, and benefit the community." - Kirk Botula
"Business is to our communities what the sun is to life on earth—it makes everything possible." - Kirk Botula
Visit our website https://www.birgo.com/to learn more about High-Quality Recession Resistant Assets for the Everyday Investor
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