In this episode of Country Club Conversations, we’re joined by Krishna Kurnala, a remarkable entrepreneur. Founder of Stellar IT Group. Krishna's journey began in a small town in India, where he grew up in a lower middle-class family with limited resources. His ambition and resilience drove him to the U.S., where he faced numerous challenges, including navigating the complexities of immigration while pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams. Despite these hurdles, Krishna’s perseverance led him to establish a thriving business with a revenue of over $25 Million dollars that now employs over 200 people in the US alone, with multiple offices all around the world.

In our conversation, Krishna offers valuable business insights and strategies drawn from his experience. He discusses effective hiring practices, including the importance of hiring people who align with your company’s vision and values. He also touches on strategies for acquiring other companies to expand your business and the benefits of hiring talent from abroad to leverage diverse skills and perspectives. Krishna emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks and remaining adaptable, providing actionable advice that entrepreneurs can implement to drive their own success.

Connect With Our Host:

Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/ItsRajTut

⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/

⁠Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ItsRajTut⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtut

Connect with out Guest:

Krishna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnachaitanyakurnala/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Background of Krishna's Journey

03:45 - Early Challenges Faced Moving from India to the U.S.

08:33 - Founding and Growing a Business in the U.S.

14:21 - Key Insights and Philosophies on Entrepreneurship

19:12 - The Impact of American Ideals on Entrepreneurship and Immigration Issues

29:03 - Personal Experiences and Struggles with Visa and Immigration

38:50 - Practical Advice and Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

44:05 - Reflecting on the Concept of the American Dream

54:12 - Krishna’s Future Goals and Plans

59:43 - Views on What American Entrepreneurship Means to Krishna

01:03:37 - Navigating and Overcoming Immigration Hurdles

01:06:18 - Final Advice: The Importance of Big Dreams and Perseverance

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region, or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us at our Website: https://storyboardliving.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyboard-living/

Welcome to Country Club Conversations, where we delve into the world of real estate with industry leaders. In this episode, we're joined by Bob Walpert, founder and CEO of Walpert Properties and one of the most sought-after real estate minds in St. Louis. With over four decades of experience, Bob shares insights gained from his journey in real estate, from managing lower-grade properties to strategically upgrading to higher-quality assets. His expertise spans navigating financial crises, adapting to rising costs, and understanding the transformative impact of e-commerce on retail spaces.

Throughout the podcast, Bob discusses key themes such as the importance of real estate fundamentals, challenges in managing different property grades, and trends in retail rents. He explores how consumer behavior shifts towards e-commerce have reshaped commercial real estate landscapes, particularly in neighborhood strip centers. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on navigating real estate cycles, managing commercial properties, and planning for generational continuity in asset management. Whether you're new to real estate investment or a seasoned professional, this episode offers practical insights and strategic advice that are crucial in today's dynamic market.

Connect With Our Guest:

Walpert Properties Website: http://www.walpertproperties.com/

Connect With Our Host:

Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/ItsRajTut

⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/

⁠Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/ItsRajTut⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtut

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Background of Bob Walpert

01:41 - Importance of Real Estate Fundamentals

04:27 - Bob's Early Real Estate Journey

07:55 - Shifting Focus to Higher Quality Properties

10:25 - Challenges in Managing B and C Grade Properties

13:12 - Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis

15:31 - Retention and Credit Tenants

17:54 - Real Estate Market Changes and Interest Rates

20:17 - Rising Costs in Real Estate Operations

23:48 - E-commerce Impact on Retail

27:15 - Retail Rent Trends and Tenant Challenges

29:56 - Supply and Demand in Retail Construction

32:34 - Evolution of Shopping Malls

36:08 - Retail Sales Statistics and E-commerce

39:24 - Retail Rents and Lease Structures

41:56 - Commercial Real Estate Outlook

45:27 - Office Buildings and Post-COVID Landscape

48:11 - Future of Neighborhood Strip Centers

51:46 - Avoiding Another 2008 Financial Crisis

54:32 - Real Estate Cycles and Interest Rates

57:19 - Real Estate Portfolio Management

01:00:42 - Generational Planning for Real Estate Assets

01:03:33 - Simplifying Real Estate Management

01:06:01 - Comparison of Retail and Multifamily Real Estate

01:08:22 - Favorite Real Estate Deals and Success Stories

01:11:45 - Importance of Treating People Right

01:14:27 - Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region, or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us at our Website: https://storyboardliving.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyboard-living/

Welcome back to another episode of Country Club Conversations. Today, we have a very special episode as Raj Tut takes the interviewee spot, allowing us to take a deep dive into his story. As we already know, Raj is the Founder of Storyboard Living. His company has been featured six times in the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies and has won several other awards, including the St. Louis Business Journal's Fast 50.

Today, we discuss how Raj ended up in the US and how he went from a $13,000 mobile home investment to amassing over $100 million in real estate with his company, Storyboard Living. We delve into the mindset shifts, challenges, and multiple real estate deals Raj undertook to become one of the Midwest's most influential multifamily entrepreneurs.

It’s time to get to know our host. Tune in.

Connect With Our Guest:

Kyle’s LinkedIn

AHM Group LinkedIn

AHM Group Website

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Timestamps:

00:00

01:26 - Welcome to the Show, Raj!

04:00 - Raj’s Origin Story

09:31 - Raj’s Educational Backstory

12:40 - Why Raj Chose St. Louis

18:25 - Raj’s First Real Estate Investment: $13,000 Mobile Home

22:32 - First Couple of Deals Raj Did in His Career

30:50 - How Storyboard Living Came to Be

32:00 - Storyboard Living Scaling Up

41:15 - Storyboard Living 2024 Investment Strategy

43:50 - Untapped Investment Opportunities in St. Louis

46:30 - The Competitive Advantage That Has Brought Raj to Over $100,000,000 in Real Estate Owned

53:50 - Welcoming Investing Partners to Storyboard Living’s Deals

58:00 - A Typical Day in the Life of Raj

01:01:22 - Balancing Work-Life as a Busy Entrepreneur

01:07:55 - Top Priorities for Every Entrepreneur

01:10:30 - Wrapping Up

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.

#countryclubconversations #business #businessideas #motivation #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #rajtut #raj-tut #goals #businesspodcast #smallbusiness #realestate #realestateinvesting #realestateinvestor #realestatelife #businessowner #multifamily #apartments #apartmentinvesting #multifamilyinvesting #multifamilyrealestate

Welcome to another episode of Country Club Conversations. In this episode, we have the one and only Caiti Chaney, Founder of Jasper Paul PR & Marketing. Caiti has a rich background in Public Relations and the Hospitality industry. Considered one of the most influential businesswomen in St. Louis, she brings a wealth of knowledge on marketing and brand storytelling to the table.

In this episode, we discuss Jasper Paul PR’s beginnings, the essence of PR, and the importance of focusing your business on a single core element. We also explore work-life balance as a mom and entrepreneur, building great company culture, increasing community engagement in your business, leveraging social media, and much more!Tune in.

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Connect With Our Guest:

Caiti’s Linkedin

https://www.jasperpaulpr.com/

Timestamps:

00:50 - Welcome Caiti!

00:55 - Caiti’s background

02:45 - Jasper Paul PR’s beginnings

09:27 - What makes St. Louis business scene so special

12:00 - What is PR?

23:27 - Why Hyperfocusing your business is important

26:40 - How Jasper Paul survived COVID

35:55 - Building Company Culture

37:41 - Balancing being a Mom and an Entrepreneur

42:50 - How Jasper Paul brings Success to its clients

50:05 - Does everyone need PR?

53:00 - How increase community engagement

55:24 - Caiti’s advice for Business and PR success

57:25 - Wrapping Up

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.

On today’s episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with Verne Harnish, a name synonymous with entrepreneurial success and business growth. As founder and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company, and authoring bestsellers like "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" and "Scaling Up," Verne shares invaluable insights vital for any business leader today.

The discussion pivots into the universally applicable cornerstones of any successful business: people, strategy, execution, cash and market timing while also highlighting the critical role of compensation strategies in attracting and retaining top talent as indeed "one great employee replaces three good ones."

Also touching on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on businesses, Verne describes AI as a powerful tool for efficiency and innovation, providing examples of companies that have successfully integrated AI to enhance productivity and foster innovation. We finally delve into how to effectively navigate market trends and adapt to varying economic conditions.

Thank you once again for tuning into a treasure trove of insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders and, Welcome to the Show!

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Connect With Our Guest:

Verne Harnish’s LinkedIn

Relevant Assets for this Episode:

ScalingUp.com

Timestamps

01:12 - Welcome To The Show, Verne.

02:21 - Keeping A Strong Team Intact For Successful Ventures And Scaling Up

06:03 - Verne Discusses The Principles Of People, Strategy, Execution, Cash And Market Timing

09:30 - “The Two Main Uses Of A Are As A Tool For Driving Efficiency And Innovation”

11:59 - The Transformative Nature Of AI And Its Impact On Productivity.

18:05 - Other Trends On The Horizon

21:20 - Developing Effective Employee Compensation Strategies

25:56 - Verne Explains The Rationale Behind The 2x Compensation Strategy

28:38 - Attracting And Retaining High-Quality Employees

32:11 - “Have You Named Your Business Strategy For 2024?”

35:50 - The Hole-In-One: The Power Of Daily Priorities, Focus And Clarity

39:47 - Wrapping Up!

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.

On this episode of Country Club Conversations, Raj sits down with Michael Heath, President of Pool King Enterprises, Florida Pool and Spa and State Line Products of Missouri to discuss his journey to successful entrepreneurship from a background in accounting, insurance and sales.

Michael spares no detail in recounting his evolution and growth from a blue-collar family to teaching English in Colombia and eventually working in insurance and mortgages. The conversation gets more intriguing as we delve into his transition into the garage door industry with State Line Products and the subsequent acquisition of swimming pool companies.

He discusses the operational challenges and growth strategies that led to significant revenue increases for his company while honing in on the importance of vendor relationships, learning from mistakes, and the potential for business diversification. We conclude by gaining valuable insights into Michael’s leadership philosophy and advice for aspiring business acquirers, emphasizing networking, education, and seizing opportunities presented by retiring baby boomers.

Once again, welcome back to what promises to be an insightful conversation, and thank you for tuning in.

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Connect With Our Guest:

Michael Heath’s LinkedIn

Timestamps:

01:35 - Welcome To The Show, Michael

03:03 - The Journey From The Blue Collar Town To Accounting

08:10 - Michael’s Experience Living In Colombia: Teaching English And Selling Colombian Emeralds

15:07 - Michael’s Transition To Sales And Entrepreneurship In The United States

21:50 - Girt And Perseverance: Acquiring State Line

27:30 - Michael Narrates The Growth Of His Company And Team Building,

33:33 - The Challenges Of Managing Multiple Crews And Logistics

37:06 - Renegotiating And Getting Better Payment Terms

39:00 - The Importance Of Keeping The Sellers On Board

45:53 - How Michael Got Into The Swimming Pool Business

50:57 - Expanding To New Business Opportunities

56:46 - The Hole-In-One: “Take The First Step”

01:02:27 - Wrapping Up!

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.

On this episode of Country Club Conversations, we journey with Adam Orf, the president and owner of Didion Orf Recycling, as he details his ascent from a hardworking youth in his family's foundry to the trailblazing leader of a flourishing recycling business.

Adam's insights offer a window into the complexities of steering a family-operated company through the unpredictable currents of industry markets. The conversation peels back the layers of Didion Orf's core operations, from the meticulous sorting and processing of metals to the ethically grounded and environmentally conscious practices in electronics recycling.

Adam's chronicle serves as both an instruction manual and a source of inspiration for anyone looking to cultivate a robust business without losing sight of traditional values, such as establishing the crucial balance between strategic delegation and maintaining a hands-on approach or the importance of a cohesive, empowered team. Closing out, we examine Adam's strategic vision that has propelled Didion Orf into a future ripe with possibilities while still firmly rooted in its storied past.

Once again, welcome back to the show, and thank you for tuning in.

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Connect With Our Guest:

Adam’s LinkedIn

Didion Orf Website

Timestamps

01:35 - Meet Adam Orf

07:16 - The Journey To Family Business Success

10:30 - “Find Something That You Are Interested In”

12:09 - Navigating Business In Your Late Teens And Early Twenties

13:03 - The Early Days Of Didion Orf

17:40 - “How Does One Actually Run A Company?”

21:42 - Didion Orf 101

30:42 - How The Didion Orf Team Runs The Business

33:46 - Electronics Recycling And Operational Structure

36:49 - Maintaining Safe And Environmentally Conscious Recycling

38:04 - Adam Details How His Team Effectively Recycles For Large Corporations

***41:18 - How Entrepreneurs Can Create The Structure For Success Within A Company

45:53 - Navigating Growth And Challenges In Industry

47:18 - The Concept Of 10x Vs 2x

49:09 - Delegating Equates To Growth

50:52 - Adam Expands On How To Monitor Progress And Safety Effectively

52:41 - Adam Delves Into The Challenges Faced Running A Recycling Company

58:17- “Have A System In Place While Staying Humble And Focused”

59:33 - Wrapping Up!

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.

In this episode, Melissa Helton, President and General Manager of FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing, sits down with our host, Raj Tut, to share her extensive experience in the gaming and betting industry. With a successful career spanning nearly 25 years, the once-former accountant with adept knowledge in strategic planning in the gaming industry discusses the challenges of expanding the Fairmount racetrack to include a Sportsbook and future casino, emphasizing the importance of customer service and team culture.

Melissa also talks about engaging younger audiences in horse racing, the intricacies of the casino approval process, and operational strategies for game selection. Additionally, she highlights her hands-on approach to leadership, the significance of personal touches in team management, and her commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture.

Ms. Helton reminds us about the importance of mentors, of which she owes her success, and she undoubtedly leaves us with the resonating hole-in-one of: “If you stop and listen to everyone, you’ll learn more than you see.”

Thank you once again for tuning into the show.

Connect With Our Host:

Raj’s Youtube

Raj’s X / Twitter

Raj’s LinkedIn

Raj’s Instagram

Raj’s Tiktok

Connect With Our Guest:

Melissa’s LinkedIn

Relevant Assets for this episode:

Fairmount Park’s Website

Timestamps:

01:36 - Welcome To The Show, Melissa Helton

03:18 - Melissa Details Her Expansive 25-Year Career Growth

06:16 - Transitioning To St. Louis And The Fairmount Racetrack

06:58 - Melissa Discusses The Expansion Of The Fairmount Racetrack

08:32 - Melissa Explains The Operations Of The Sportsbook And The World Of In-Person Betting

10:14 - The Processes Involved In Obtaining Licenses For Casino And Sportsbook Operations

12:26 - Melissa Talks About The Recent Upgrades Made To The Racetrack

14:01 - The Behind-The-Scenes Operations Of Running A Casino And A Racetrack

15:15 - Building Company Culture By Emphasizing Trust And Relationships

16:16 - The Open-Door Policy And The Importance Of Engaging With Team Members

17:30 - The Horse Whisperer: Passion And Hands-On Involvement

18:45 - Taking Over Fanduel: Challenges And Opportunities

20:06 - Optimizing Resources, Managing Expenses, And Maintaining Guest Experience.

22:30 - How Melissa’s Team Effectively Attracts Clientele

23:24 - Melissa’s Leadership And Management Style

24:26 - Using Key Performance Indicators To Measure Success

28:07 - The Role Of Employees In Promoting A Fun And Engaging Experience For Customers

29:33 - How To Build An Effective Customer Service Culture

33:45 - Betting 101

34:55 - Let's Get To The Races!

38:10 - Managing Specific Regulations And Reporting Requirements

39:33 - The Process Of Getting Approvals And Starting Construction For A New Casino.

45:20 - Melissa Discusses Fraud Prevention, Surveillance, And Banning Individuals From The Casino.

47:02 - Melissa Deets On The Biggest Jackpot And Exciting Moments In Her Industry

49:30 - Strategies For Improving The Culture And Communication

50:38 - Employing the Personal Touch For Employee Longevity

54:07 - Hiring For Culture Fit

58:30 - “If You Stop And Listen To Everyone, You’ll Learn More Than You See.”

59:45 - Wrapping Up!

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

If you're looking to sell us a 40+ unit multifamily property in the St. Louis region or another part of MO/IL, please email deals@storyboardliving.com

Connect with us on our ⁠Website⁠ or ⁠LinkedIn profile⁠.