When I first started in real estate back in 2009, I had no roadmap, no investors backing me, and no idea how far this journey would go. What I did have was a work ethic that came from growing up in the Midwest, where you learn early that nothing gets handed to you. I have always believed that hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. Looking back, those blue-collar roots shaped every part of who I am as a business owner, real estate investor, and soon-to-be fund manager at Titan Atlas Capital.
Success in real estate is not about shortcuts or luck. It is about showing up every day, solving problems, and keeping your word. Those lessons might sound simple, but they have been the foundation for everything I have built.
Starting Small and Staying Hungry
Like most people in this business, I started small. I bought one rental property, fixed it up, and figured out how to manage it myself. From there, I added another, and then another, until I found myself managing more than 100 rentals and completing dozens of flips. There was nothing glamorous about it. I was the guy fixing toilets, mowing lawns, and painting walls late at night.
Those early years taught me more about real estate than any book ever could. I learned how to negotiate deals, handle tenants, and manage cash flow the hard way. Every mistake cost money, but every mistake also came with a lesson. What kept me going was simple: the drive to build something that would last.
In those moments when things got tough, I reminded myself that growth never happens in your comfort zone. The long nights, the setbacks, and the uncertainty all build character. You learn to appreciate progress, even if it comes slowly.
Grit Beats Glamour
A lot of people see real estate as a path to quick wealth, but the truth is that it is a grind. The most successful investors I know did not get there overnight. They worked for years to build strong systems, trusted teams, and good reputations.
Grit is what separates the dreamers from the doers. There were times when deals fell apart, tenants skipped rent, or contractors did not show up. It would have been easy to get discouraged. But when you grow up in a place where people take pride in hard work, quitting is not an option. You show up, you adjust, and you move forward.
That same mindset has guided me as I prepare to launch Titan Atlas Capital, a real estate investment fund focused on private student housing throughout the Midwest. It is a big step, but it is built on the same principles that got me here: persistence, honesty, and action.
Lessons from the Field
After managing more than 100 rentals, I have learned a few key lessons that I wish I had known when I started. First, treat your properties like a business, not a hobby. Every dollar matters, every decision matters, and organization is everything.
Second, never underestimate the power of relationships. Whether it is with tenants, contractors, or investors, relationships drive this business. People want to work with someone they trust. If you treat people fairly and keep your word, you will build a reputation that money cannot buy.
Finally, stay humble. Real estate has its highs and lows. Some months everything goes your way, and other times it feels like everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Staying humble through both is key. The goal is not to be perfect but to be consistent.
Building Titan Atlas Capital
Titan Atlas Capital is the next chapter in my journey. After years of working hands-on with rentals and flips, I wanted to take what I learned and scale it. The fund will focus on private student housing throughout the Midwest, a market with steady demand and real opportunity.
College towns are full of potential. Students need safe, reliable housing, and investors are looking for consistent returns. Titan Atlas Capital bridges that gap by creating value for both sides. By improving properties and managing them with care, we can build something sustainable that benefits students, communities, and investors alike.
Launching this fund is not just about growth. It is about doing things the right way. The same work ethic that helped me paint walls and replace water heaters is the same one that will guide every investment decision. No shortcuts, no gimmicks, just solid fundamentals and follow-through.
The Power of Staying True to Your Roots
No matter how big your business gets, never forget where you came from. Those early lessons—the long hours, the tough breaks, and the small wins—are what give you the perspective to lead with integrity.
My blue-collar background taught me that reputation is worth more than money. A deal might make you profit today, but your word is what keeps opportunities coming tomorrow. In real estate, just like in life, doing right by people pays off in ways that compound over time.
Building a real estate business from the ground up has been one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done. There were no guarantees, just determination and a belief that hard work eventually pays off. And it has.
If there is one thing I would tell anyone starting out, it is this: embrace the grind. Learn from every mistake, stay consistent, and never lose sight of your values. Real success is not about getting lucky or moving fast. It is about putting in the work every single day and letting the results speak for themselves.
From painting rental units to launching a real estate investment fund, the lesson has always been the same. Work hard, stay humble, and get it done.