Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: ⁠https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes Giang Nguyen, founder of One River Capital, a former scientist turned real estate investor and syndicator. Yan shares her remarkable journey from working in gene therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to achieving financial freedom through multifamily real estate. Her story unfolds with precision and strategy—from buying her first $30,000 foreclosure property in cash to scaling into duplexes, five-units, and eventually syndications.

Yan breaks down the financial and emotional blueprint behind leaving a W2 job the right way—by doing the math, living below her means, and mastering capital allocation. She reveals how she bought, renovated, and refinanced early properties, often paying in cash before leveraging them to scale. As a mortgage broker and syndicator, Yan dives deep into the mindset and numbers that drive wealth building—covering how to calculate key performance indicators (KPIs), why cash flow matters more than NOI, and how investors can prepare to transition from single-family homes to multifamily investments.

This episode is a playbook for anyone looking to build wealth strategically, without hype—only math, milestones, and mastery. Tune in now to learn how Yan’s methodical approach can help you engineer your exit from a W2 and design a business that funds your freedom.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

07:35 Giang talks about the push that made her need to grow in multifamily

22:21 Giang talks about how syndication performance is measured.

KEEPING IT REAL:

00:05 – Offense vs. defense

01:09 – Scientist to investor

06:23 – Choosing freedom over medicine

08:58 – First $30K property

10:35 – Learning by doing

14:04 – Living below one’s means

15:57 – Employer match strategy

17:00 – No car philosophy

18:35 – Comfort in numbers

21:01 – Financial blind spots

23:33 – Tracking key KPIs

25:01 – Distribution vs. NOI

30:55 – Cash flow clarity

33:37 – Proof of concept

35:04 – Multifamily cash flow

36:09 – Zoning strategy explained

37:26 – Buying “by right”

38:05 – Highest and best use

40:06 – Transition to 5+ units

42:00 – Immigrant lending limits

43:40 – Lender risk factors

1:41:13 – Power of community

Episode Hashtags: #RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #Syndication #Multifamily #W2ToWealth #CashFlow #ImmigrantEntrepreneur #WomenInRealEstate #MortgageBroker #OneRiverCapital #InvestSmart #BuildWealth#CapitalRaising #FinancialStrategy

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://onerivercapital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatsalsainvestor/

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with August Biniaz, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at CPI Capital, to unpack how he went from building homes in Canada to managing large-scale U.S. multifamily funds. August shares his journey from being a general contractor and developer to launching CPI Capital, a cross-border real estate private equity firm that bridges Canadian capital with U.S. opportunities.

He breaks down the real roadmap for scaling in real estate—starting from joint ventures, to syndications, closed-end and open-ended funds with the road to ultimately launching a REIT. August also highlights why CPI shifted focus to U.S. markets like Tampa Bay and San Antonio, where rent control, entitlement speed, and yields outperform Canadian markets.

Listeners will gain deep insights into capital raising, fund structuring, investor relations, and how credibility and reputation equity become key leverage points when scaling to institutional investors. Tune in now to learn how August’s strategic evolution from builder to fund manager can help you structure smarter, scale faster, and raise with confidence.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

16:12 August talks about syndication

21:48 August talks about progression from joint ventures to syndications

KEEPING IT REAL:

09:01 – Private equity structure explained

17:12 – Syndications vs. funds overview

20:45 – Managing investor expectations

28:08 – The pivotal land assembly deal

31:04 – Structuring partnerships and equity

35:01 – Why U.S. over Canada

45:01 – Launching CPI Capital

51:03 – Navigating cross-border challenges

55:21 – Entitlement timelines and delays

59:09 – Partnering with experienced operators

1:01:02 – Market focus: Tampa and San Antonio

1:02:09 – Build-to-rent explained

1:05:17 – Duplex strategy and investor returns

1:07:01 – Raising from retail to institutions

1:08:01 – The 30,000-door vision

1:13:18 – From syndication to REITs

1:16:02 – Final thoughts

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website: https://cpicapital.ca/

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

#RealEstateInvesting #Syndication #REIT #PrivateEquity #Multifamily #BuildToRent #CommercialRealEstate #InstitutionalCapital #FundManagement #WealthBuilding #CrossBorderInvesting #CapitalRaising #FinancialStrategy

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprintIn this reflective episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks the concept of “relationship equity”—the unseen deposits we make when we give value first without expectation in return—and how this principle has created full-circle moments in his real estate and entrepreneurial journey. Drawing from his own experiences and those of past podcast guests, Ruben highlights how relationships built on giving often return dividends in the form of opportunities, mentorship, and growth.

He recalls pivotal lessons from Michael Elefante (Episode 161), whose transparency and content-driven brand inspired collaboration and mutual support, and Michael Shogren (Episode 91), whose Airbnb strategy shifted Ruben’s path entirely. Ruben also shares how contributions to Dr. Rachel Gainsbourg (Episode 263) and Will Dodtson ( Episode 265) later came full circle into opportunities that opened new doors.

This reflective conversation breaks down why “relationship equity” matters more than transactions, how small acts of service compound over time, and why long-term giving creates reputational capital that no market crash or downturn can erase.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn networking into true opportunity, this episode will shift your perspective. Tune in now to learn how to build a relationship equity bank that compounds into partnerships, contracts, and doors you never knew existed.

#EntrepreneurMindset #RelationshipEquity #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #Networking #ExperimentNation

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with George Otel, a finance expert, entrepreneur, and investor who has carved a unique path from trucking fleets to becoming “the finance guy” for business and real estate deals. George immigrated to the U.S. in 2011, built a trucking fleet, then pivoted into real estate, business loans, and funding strategies after realizing the leverage and creativity that come from finance. Today, he’s the go-to resource for SBA loans, equipment financing, commercial real estate, private lending, and complex deal structuring.

George reveals how he helps entrepreneurs and investors unlock capital, stack funding sources, and position themselves for growth—whether it’s acquiring businesses, scaling commercial assets, or tapping into the $10 trillion wave of baby boomer business exits. With a deep belief in buying back your time and focusing on one core skill, George shares how discipline, mentorship, and deal structuring literacy shaped his journey.

If you’re looking for a roadmap to financing smarter, leveraging hidden equity, and positioning yourself for the coming wealth transfer, this episode is packed with practical strategies and actionable insights. Tune in now to learn how George’s “finance-first” approach can change how you play the game.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:

21:38 George talks about creative financing.

43:45 George talks about the $10 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer.

KEEPING IT REAL:

09:10 – Redefining financing

12:40 – Structuring deals with multiple funding stages

17:18 – Equity in equipment as collateral

19:13 – Commercial brokers vs. finance brokers

22:28 – Seller financing and tax advantages in acquisitions

26:05 – Bridge loans, DSCR loans, and refinancing strategies

31:12 – From trucking fleets to real estate and finance

37:45 – Adding value when networking with mentors

44:00 – The $10 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer opportunity

51:50 – The sweet spot for acquisitions

55:30 – Buying back your time and building teams using Dan Martell’s frameworks

1:02:25 – Business owners should own their buildings

1:09:00 – Where capital is flowing next

1:27:04 – How to connect with George

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Website:https://www.usbizfunding.net/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeotel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgeotel/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/george_otel

#BusinessFunding #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #WealthTransfer #PrivateLending #CommercialRealEstate #BusinessAcquisition #FinancialLiteracy #IndustrialRealEstate #DealStructuring

Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connectGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this episode, Ruben shares a simple but powerful framework from his mentor, Myron Golden —the three C’s of fulfillment—and shows how it applies to business, real estate, and life. If something feels “off,” it’s usually because one (or more) buckets is empty: Create (projects, content, opportunities), Connect (community, proximity, masterminds), and Contribute (impact beyond self). When all three are present, work becomes meaningful and momentum compounds.

Ruben maps the 3 C’s onto the temporary housing / mid-term rental niche: creating listings and deal flow, curating rooms and meetups that foster connection, and building brands and businesses that contribute to something bigger. You’ll hear practical ways to fill each bucket—hosting or co-hosting meetups, joining rooms outside your niche to expand surface area for luck, creating content because “if they don’t know you, they can’t flow you,” and designing purpose-driven business systems that reward contribution across your team and partners.

If you’ve ever grown your numbers but still felt underwhelmed, this episode is a reset: fill the three buckets and fulfillment will follow.

Tune in now to learn how to use the Create–Connect–Contribute framework to realign your business, energize your week, and build a portfolio (and life) that actually feels good to run.

#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateStrategy #MidtermRentals #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #ExperimentNation

Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect

Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this solo briefing, Ruben breaks down Airbnb’s move to a single host-only fee (15.5%) for listings managed through property management software (PMS)—what’s changing, when it hits, and what it means for operators. He clarifies the Aug 25 & Oct 27, 2025 timelines and why this shift underscores a hard truth: Airbnb optimizes for guests first, not hosts.

Ruben shares the immediate, practical fix: adjust PMS channel markups (not your global pricing tool) so Airbnb prices reflect the new fee without mispricing you across other OTAs. Then he zooms out to strategy—leverage Airbnb’s traffic, but don’t depend on it. Diversify across VRBO/Expedia/Furnished Finder/Zillow, build direct-booking pathways through brand presence in-stay, and set business guardrails (no auto IB if it breaks your ops).

You’ll also hear how to turn Airbnb visibility into long-term relationships, protect margins with smarter pricing ops, and operate like a true B2B temp-housing brand. This isn’t “Airbnb or nothing”—it’s Airbnb and a resilient distribution stack.

Tune in now to learn exactly how to update your pricing, protect profits, and future-proof your portfolio while still riding Airbnb’s massive demand engine.

Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

#ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #PMS #MidTermRentals #HospitalityOps #RevenueManagement #OTAstrategy #ExperimentNation

In this focused solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben unpacks the lessons he learned from attending a three-day Nike tennis training camp and how they directly apply to business, real estate, and personal growth. He reflects on the four key pillars that make intensive training so powerful—proximity, reps, correction, and longevity—and why missing just one of these can make the entire experience meaningless.Drawing from his own journey as an athlete, coach, and entrepreneur, Ruben explains how the right environment accelerates progress, why repetition creates mastery, and how a single correction from a mentor can completely shift your trajectory. Most importantly, he emphasizes the compound effect: real transformation doesn’t come from a one-time intensive but from consistent application over time.If you’ve ever been inspired by a boot camp, conference, or training program but struggled to sustain the momentum afterward, this episode will show you how to turn short bursts of intensity into long-term growth. Tune in now to learn how to leverage intensive training for lasting success in your business, health, and personal experiments.

Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connectGet the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #RealEstateStrategy #MindsetShift #CompoundEffect #ExperimentNation

Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect

Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint

In this reflective solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben shares the lessons he gained from running his first 10K race and how they directly apply to entrepreneurship, real estate, and life. From training with mentors to pushing through discomfort and finding the right environment, Ruben unpacks why success is less about talent and more about discipline, persistence, and proximity to the right people.

Using powerful analogies from sports and business, he explains how identifying your targets, surrounding yourself with the right environment, and pacing yourself against stronger peers can accelerate growth. Ruben also dives into the importance of environment over automation in today’s AI-driven age—and why genuine relationships remain irreplaceable.

If you’re re-evaluating your goals mid-year or searching for the right push to keep going, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and realign with the fundamentals that never change: preparation, mentorship, consistency, and celebrating each milestone along the way.

#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #MentorshipMatters #Resilience #RealEstateStrategy #Leadership #MindsetShift #ExperimentNation