Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Our guest today is our Instagram friend, Gem Montero, a real estate agent and investor.

In this episode, Gem shares the incredible true story of how he went from moving to America with just a suitcase to building a thriving real estate and tile business. Through hustle and heartbreak, he learned hard lessons in both life and investing. He shares how focusing on personal growth helped him find clarity and overcome major market downturns.

Tune in to hear more valuable life and business lessons from Gem!

Highlights:

00:00 Intro

01:48 Gem Montero’s journey

08:01 Getting into the real estate

11:11 Becoming an entrepreneur

15:40 The first house and learning through meet-ups

18:52 The challenges of the early days

21:08 Making real estate a full-time thing

26:25 How did Gem choose the fix & flip strategy

29:09 The biggest challenge to overcome

34:37 When is it too much?

38:48 Choosing your priorities

42:53 The biggest success or achievement

44:43 Finding a work-life balance

50:36 How does Gem find his deals?

54:40 Gem’s Bedrosian tile business

1:00:07 Permits in Hawaii and Arizona

1:06:50 What would Gem do differently?

1:09:56 Leaving impact on the audience

1:11:39 Practical tips for beginners

Guest Bio:

Gem Montero is a real estate agent and investor. He immigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. and started a successful fix & flip business. He has flipped 150 houses since 2020.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 kids.

Guest Links:

https://www.facebook.com/gem.montero/

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🚨 Check out our new website 🚨

www.dealsandaloha.org

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Have questions? Shoot us a DM on instagram or an email:

📱@kamohaiandtristyn | DM

📧 info@tkinvestmentproperties.com

🌐 www.dealsandaloha.org

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💥 Follow us on Social Media 💥

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🚨 BONUSES 🚨

- Transaction Coordinator: https://www.constantclose.com/DealsandAloha/

- REI Call Center (Cold-callers) $100 off: https://reicallcenter.com/ref/13/

- Our Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kamohaiandtristyn

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Welcome to another episode of Deals & Aloha! Our guest today is Ethan Kaleiopu from Ohana real estate team, an agent and an investor. He services all Hawaiian Islands and specializes in a variety of things most recently working with investors. We are so excited to have him on the show!

Ethan Calais faced immense challenges as a young real estate agent, from harsh criticism to surviving devastating wildfires that destroyed his home - but through resilience, clear communication with his family and team, and constantly setting bold new goals, he rebuilt stronger than ever and has since achieved real estate deals totaling millions, all while giving back to help others recover from disaster.

Tune in to hear more!

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction

02:10 How did Ethan get into real estate?

05:13 The first transaction as an agent

07:38 The importance of persistence and overcoming challenges

14:02 Working with investors and agents

19:14 Helping people create generational wealth

20:39 Selling land as a native Hawaiian and backlash

28:39 Know what you want

32:24 Ethan’s experience with Maui wildfires

45:47 Helping Maui to recover

53:28 Coming together as a community

55:37 Getting a license and finding a brokerage

1:01:20 Setting goals and shifting perspective on success

1:07:10 Current business strategies

1:10:12 Building your business with your family

Guest Bio:

Ethan Kaleiopu is a Real Estate Investor & Agent. He specializes in investment portfolio sales, private money lending, fix & flips, and real estate acquisitions.

Ethan is a full-time real estate agent with the Ohana Real Estate Team of Compass. He is also the owner of KCG Hawai'i, a local education and consulting company that assists those wanting to own a home by preparing them financially for homeownership and creating a long term road map to leverage real estate and build generational wealth.

Guest Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-kaleiopu-9b6288286/

https://ohanarealestatehawaii.com/ethan-kaleiopu

https://www.instagram.com/ethankaleiopu/reels/

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🚨 Check out our new website 🚨

www.dealsandaloha.org

-----------------

Have questions? Shoot us a DM on instagram or an email:

📱@kamohaiandtristyn | DM

📧 info@tkinvestmentproperties.com

🌐 www.dealsandaloha.org

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💥 Follow us on Social Media 💥

→ IG @kamohaiandtristyn | https://www.instagram.com/kamohaiandtristyn/

→ IG @dealsandaloha | https://www.instagram.com/dealsandaloha

→ Facebook: TK Property Solutions | https://www.facebook.com/kamohaiandtristyn

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🚨 BONUSES 🚨

- Transaction Coordinator: https://www.constantclose.com/DealsandAloha/

- REI Call Center (Cold-callers) $100 off: https://reicallcenter.com/ref/13/

- Our Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kamohaiandtristyn

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Our guest today is Mark McMahon from the McMahon Group and Home Brand Properties. Mark has an interesting and extensive background – as a contractor, a real estate agent, and an investor. Therefore, he has an excellent set of skills you won’t find in an average real estate agent. He and his wife Yuko are an amazing power couple that we immediately felt connected to.

In this episode, Mark shares hard-won lessons on finding efficient business strategies, overcoming struggles, prioritizing happiness, and leveraging relationships to build a successful real estate business. Tune in now!

Highlights:

00:00 Intro

02:36 How did Mark get into real estate?

07:35 Hitting the rock bottom and coming back

10:33 Real estate is not for everyone

13:26 Real estate benefits and challenges

18:33 Real estate investing and tax strategies

20:22 Door count and debt ratio

26:14 Burnout and prioritizing happiness

30:35 Pushing the goalposts and different business roles

36:19 How does Mark run his business?

44:30 Concentrate on one thing and perfect it

48:43 Balancing life and business

50:35 The importance of good relationships with agents

55:58 Campfire real estate and celebrating wins

1:03:43 The impact Mark wants to leave on the audience

1:06:22 Where to find Mark McMahon

Guest Bio:

Mark spent over 25 years as a contractor, and the last 12 years as a realtor, flipper, and landlord in Southern California. His extensive knowledge of all things construction, contracts, negotiation and investing gives him a unique set of skills you won’t find in your average real estate agent. This allows him to analyze, market and effectively sell fixer-upper properties better than anyone else on the planet, including your neighborhood agent. Mark and his wife Yuko have flipped over 400 homes and own over 40 units of their own.

Mark takes a more top-down approach to real estate and concentrates on the outcome at all times. If you want the best, look no further; Mark McMahon can get the deal done.

Mark has spent his entire life in Southern California and enjoys camping, fishing, traveling, and investing.

Guest Links:

https://www.markmcmahonrealestate.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_YmPyY_ynI2ykyC0zJxAw

https://www.instagram.com/markmcmahonrealestate/

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🚨 Check out our new website 🚨

www.dealsandaloha.org

-----------------

Have questions? Shoot us a DM on instagram or an email:

📱@kamohaiandtristyn | DM

📧 info@tkinvestmentproperties.com

🌐 www.dealsandaloha.org

-----------------

💥 Follow us on Social Media 💥

→ IG @kamohaiandtristyn | https://www.instagram.com/kamohaiandtristyn/

→ IG @dealsandaloha | https://www.instagram.com/dealsandaloha

→ Facebook: TK Property Solutions | https://www.facebook.com/kamohaiandtristyn

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🚨 BONUSES 🚨

- Transaction Coordinator: https://www.constantclose.com/DealsandAloha/

- REI Call Center (Cold-callers) $100 off: https://reicallcenter.com/ref/13/

- Our Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kamohaiandtristyn

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Today, we are so excited to have David Austin from David Austin Law, our personal attorney, on the show. David helps families build, grow, and protect their real estate legacies. He uses trust legal entities like LLCs, and traditional estate planning techniques, which leverage his experience as an attorney. And he's also a real estate investor.

This episode covers the essentials of setting up proper legal structures and agreements for real estate investing. David shares best practices for LLCs, trusts, contracts, and more. He explains how to stay compliant with new laws while avoiding unnecessary complexity. Most importantly, David stresses the responsibility that comes with managing other people's money through private lending. This no-nonsense discussion is a must-watch for new investors protecting their assets and their clients!

Highlights:

00:00 Intro

03:05 How did David become a lawyer

05:24 Real estate and law practice in Hawaii

08:14 The benefits and challenges of commercial real estate

14:34 Starting with LLC creation and trust creation

20:21 When is the right time to get an attorney involved?

24:26 Asset protection and anonymity for businesses

30:33 What is LLC interest and how does it become security

35:40 The difference between accredited and sophisticated

38:07 Private money loans vs. short-term assets

47:48 Legal contracts and their importance in real estate deals

55:16 What is nested LLC?

59:54 How to find a good lawyer?

1:02:38 Legal advice and organization for a successful outcome

1:11:17 The scope of work and avoiding unpleasant situations

1:15:45 David’s current projects and services

1:19:55 Weird stories from a long attorney career

1:23:52 Emotional income as a lawyer

1:26:06 Tips form a legal perspective

Guest Bio:

David Austin is an attorney and real estate investor. He has a background in real estate law, management, brokerage, development, and title and escrow. His practice integrates traditional legal services, real estate advisory and consulting.

David graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a concentration in Chinese language. He attended law school at the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief, University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class, and also received an M.S. in Real Estate Development from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

Prior to opening his private law practice, David Austin Law, in 2015, David worked for several major Honolulu law firms as a real estate litigator, in real estate development and finance, and for a national title and escrow company. He is licensed to practice in Hawai‘i, Texas, the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Guest Links:

https://www.davidaustinlaw.com/

https://www.instagram.com/davidaustinlaw/

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🚨 Check out our new website 🚨

www.dealsandaloha.org

-----------------

Have questions? Shoot us a DM on instagram or an email:

📱@kamohaiandtristyn | DM

📧 info@tkinvestmentproperties.com

🌐 www.dealsandaloha.org

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💥 Follow us on Social Media 💥

→ IG @kamohaiandtristyn | https://www.instagram.com/kamohaiandtristyn/

→ IG @dealsandaloha | https://www.instagram.com/dealsandaloha

→ Facebook: TK Property Solutions | https://www.facebook.com/kamohaiandtristyn

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🚨 BONUSES 🚨

- Transaction Coordinator: https://www.constantclose.com/DealsandAloha/

- REI Call Center (Cold-callers) $100 off: https://reicallcenter.com/ref/13/

- Our Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/kamohaiandtristyn

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Our guest today is Alan Akina, Founding 101 Financial!

He shares his experience growing up in poverty and his passion for helping others understand personal finance. He details starting 101 Financial in 2002 and its growth over 20+ years. The conversation explores topics like negative self-talk in Hawaiian culture, the importance of representation, debt management strategies, and real estate for building wealth. Alan also discusses a new venture providing banking services for college athletes. Throughout, he emphasizes mindset, consistency in achieving goals, and the power of reframing obstacles. The hosts and Alan discuss mentorship and opportunities to further financial literacy in their local community.

0:00 Intro

1:06 Financial education and literacy with a Hawaiian entrepreneur.

6:22 Overcoming negative self-talk and limiting beliefs in Hawaiian culture.

11:17 The power of words and mindset in shaping reality.

13:52 Personal growth, mentorship, and financial success in Hawaii.

17:35 Mentorship and relationships in real estate investing.

22:56 Financial planning and personal growth.

27:04 Taboo topic of money and its importance in personal finance.

30:24 Overcoming financial struggles and scaling a financial education company.

34:41 Debt management and financial success strategies.

38:58 The power of real estate for generational wealth.

43:53 Overcoming obstacles to financial success.

48:42 Mindset, success, and entrepreneurship in Hawaii.

52:32 Financial education and credit cards for college athletes.

58:21 Mentorship and community impact.

Links:

https://101financial.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alan_akina/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanakina

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! Our guest today is Ben Fieman, Founding Real Estate Agent at Compass Hawaii! Want to learn the secrets to becoming one of Hawaii's top real estate agents? Tune in as we chat with Ben!

He talks about his journey from working in his family's boutique business to becoming one of Hawaii's top agents. He shares his unique morning routine, hustle mindset, and how he went from selling $7M his first year to over $40M. Ben also dives into his other ventures like investing in a hot new bar.

Get motivated and gain insights on building a successful career from this energetic entrepreneur who's living his dreams. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!

00:00 Intro

01:06 Ben Fieman’s entrepreneurial background

03:38 How did Ben get into the real estate business?

06:46 Getting into the right brokerage

09:58 How and why was Ben’s first year so successful?

14:43 Entrepreneurial spirit and having initiative

18:14 The confidence of making the first deal

21:56 The Locations and Compass experience

25:43 The advice for new agents

28:18 Last year’s results and a shift in today’s market

32:24 Ben’s biggest challenge in his agent career

33:46 Hiring people and delegating

36:03 Ben’s daily routine

39:45 The importance of sleep

43:00 The importance of focus

45:24 The biggest success in Ben’s career

48:40 The family company on beachwear

49:48 What’s next for Ben?

54:57 Ben’s hilarious experience as a realtor

58:07 What would Ben do differently?

1:00:05 What impact does Ben want to leave?

Ben Fieman was born and raised in Diamond Head (Honolulu, Hawaii). He double majored in Liberal Arts and Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of San Diego in California and then went on to get a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Los Angeles.

He returned home to work in his family business called Loco Boutique and also created his own line of swimwear called Kaimana Beachwear.

He got interested in real estate and started diligently learning about it. Since then he has been selling real estate full-time and won many awards such as the Client Service Award, Aloha Aina Award, and the Top 1% of Oahu Agents in sales. He has performed over 250 transactions and sold over $200M in real estate, and more importantly, consistently receives 5-star testimonials. Currently, he is a Founding Real Estate Agent at Compass Hawaii.

Links:

https://linktr.ee/fieman

https://www.compass.com/agents/ben-fieman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfieman/

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! We have two very special guests today – John Speed, the owner and president of Kilauea Pest Control, and Taylor Bramwell, their director of marketing.

Kilauea Pest Control is one of the most successful local businesses here in Hawaii. Over the past 20+ years, Kilauea Pest Control has grown into a company with over 100 employees serving customers across multiple islands.

We are excited to dive into John and Taylor's journey and pick their brains about all the lessons they've learned along the way. You’ll hear how they went from their humble beginnings to executing acquisitions and developing a strong company culture. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on taking pest control in Hawaii to the next level.

00:00 Intro

01:56 How did John and Taylor meet?

03:42 How did they start working together?

05:29 A transition to marketing

10:26 How does a pest control business work?

13:56 The humble beginnings

16:35 Growing a company and managing employees

23:49 Delegation and spreading responsibility

29:49 The Influence of Grant Cardone

35:31 Where did the name come from?

37:30 Getting into business acquisition

41:55 Marketing strategies

43:32 The unique features of the Hawaiian market

48:04 The secret of Kilauea Pest Control’s success

52:51 The biggest triumph or success

57:40 What would they do differently?

1:03:11 The impact they want to leave

1:03:44 The most common pest in Hawaii

John Speed is the President of Kilauea Pest Control. He is a licensed pest control operator with over 20 years of experience in the pest control industry. His primary goal is to maintain the highest level of customer service and a safe and meaningful work environment for his employees.

Taylor Bramwell is the Marketing Director at Kilauea Pest Control and a close friend of John’s. They built the company together from a small pest control team to a successful 100-employee company.

Guest Links:

https://kilaueapest.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kilauea-pest-control/about/

https://www.facebook.com/kilaueapest/

https://www.instagram.com/kilaueapestcontrol/

https://www.youtube.com/user/kilaueapest

https://www.tiktok.com/@kilaueapestcontrol?_t=8WeFwH0y4bb&_r=1

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! In this episode, you’ll hear the inspiring story of Dylan Nonaka, a local Hawaii boy who built the #1 real estate team in the state.

Dylan Nonaka is a Team Leader and Broker in Charge at eXp Realty. His Team Hawaii did 520 transactions for a whopping $197 million in volume in 2022!

We are talking about Dylan's journey into the real estate world and the strategies that led him to success. Learn how he went from creating a small and efficient family team to building an extremely successful team of 115 agents across Hawaii.

Tune in to hear more!

Highlights:

[00:00] Intro

[01:44] How did Dylan get into real estate?

[05:17] Dylan’s military career

[10:45] Empowering local people

[14:19] The passion in business

[16:56] Building a family team

[19:29] Moving to eXp Realty and thriving

[23:21] Collaborative culture and expanding the business

[27:45] Attracting the right people and delegating jobs

[30:21] It takes money to make money

[33:33] Having an impact on other people’s lives

[38:43] Plans for the next 5 years

[40:41] Having the right perspective

[44:30] The importance of delayed gratification

[46:35] The biggest challenge in his career

[49:59] The biggest success in his career

[53:24] One thing he would do differently

[55:56] The impact he hopes to leave on the audience

Aloha from Tristyn and Kamohai! In this episode, you’ll hear the inspiring story of Dylan Nonaka, a local Hawaii boy who built the #1 real estate team in the state.

Dylan Nonaka is a Team Leader and Broker in Charge at eXp Realty. His Team Hawaii did 520 transactions for a whopping $197 million in volume in 2022!

We are talking about Dylan's journey into the real estate world and the strategies that led him to success. Learn how he went from creating a small and efficient family team to building an extremely successful team of 115 agents across Hawaii.

Tune in to hear more!

Highlights:

[00:00] Intro

[01:44] How did Dylan get into real estate?

[05:17] Dylan’s military career

[10:45] Empowering local people

[14:19] The passion in business

[16:56] Building a family team

[19:29] Moving to eXp Realty and thriving

[23:21] Collaborative culture and expanding the business

[27:45] Attracting the right people and delegating jobs

[30:21] It takes money to make money

[33:33] Having an impact on other people’s lives

[38:43] Plans for the next 5 years

[40:41] Having the right perspective

[44:30] The importance of delayed gratification

[46:35] The biggest challenge in his career

[49:59] The biggest success in his career

[53:24] One thing he would do differently

[55:56] The impact he hopes to leave on the audience

Guest Bio:

Dylan is a local boy, born and raised on his family's Coffee farm in South Kona and graduated from Konawaena High School in 1999. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was part of the first American forces to cross the Kuwait/Iraq border and enter Baghdad later in the campaign.

Dylan returned to the Big Island to attend UH Hilo and graduated with honors in 2007, double

majoring in Political Science and Economics. While attending college, his mother, who has been in the real estate business for 20 years encouraged him to get his Hawaii Real Estate License. After graduating from UH Hilo, Dylan served in appointed positions in both the State and County

Government, working directly for the Governor and as Chief of Staff at the Honolulu City Council.

Guest Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-nonaka/

https://www.theagency808.com/agents/87939/Dylan+Nonaka

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNtK6ItXmpLIPB7FWUSsyyw

https://www.facebook.com/people/Dylan-Nonaka