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.

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