The Value Builder Podcast

Inside the Surge: Shea Lewis on Scaling, Leasing, and Institutional Momentum in Small Bay CRE

This episode, Saul sits down with Shea Lewis of Z Equity Group for a deep dive into why small bay industrial might be the most overlooked asset class in commercial real estate—and how the right mix of velocity, zoning constraints, and tenant diversity make it primed for long-term value. Shea shares his personal journey from data centers to self-storage to small bay, breaking down the real math behind lease-up, demand, and why big capital is circling.
You’ll hear:
Why small bay lease-ups move faster—and how to fill space in 30 days, not 12 months
How Industrial IQ is building a nationwide small bay database with AI
What zoning, inflation, and tenant mix have to do with long-term resilience
Why institutional buyers are just waking up to this CRE niche
The key shift that made Shea move from LP to operator—and never look back
If you’re watching macro trends and want to invest where demand meets inefficiency, this one lays out the playbook—with insight from two operators in the thick of it.Connect with Shea Byers and Industrial IQ🔗 industrialiq.ai📧 shea@zequitygroup.com

Buying Ugly Boxes and Beating the Odds: Slava Menn on Real-World CRE

This episode, Saul sits down with Slava Menn of Good Harbor CRE for a behind-the-scenes look at transitioning from residential to commercial real estate—and what it really takes to scale with clarity, grit, and relationships. Slava shares war stories from Boston permitting battles to copper theft in Houston, revealing the mindset shifts that helped him go from co-living to $60M in assets under management.
You’ll hear:
Why politics—not risk—is what pushed Slava out of residential
How a single auction deal became a real-world case study in grit and adaptation
What happens when you buy sight unseen—and lose power by Monday
How leasing and asset management change once you cross 100K SF
The 3 books Slava wants every partner and COO candidate to read
If you're thinking bigger but hitting walls—or looking to build a team with values that match your vision—this one brings sharp perspective, immigrant hustle, and real-deal wisdom from the trenches.Connect with Slava Menn and Good Harbor CRE🔗 goodharborcre.com

Principled Playbook: Grant Reaves on Going from Broker to Builder

This episode, Saul sits down with Grant Reaves, co-founder of Stoic Equity Partners, to explore the strategies behind scaling a $100M+ small bay industrial portfolio across the Southeast. From buying below replacement cost to navigating adaptive reuse and market overbuild cycles, Grant shares how stoic philosophy shapes both his investment decisions and leadership style.
You’ll hear:
Why small bay industrial remains underbuilt—and what that means for investors
How Stoic Equity Partners sources deals using custom-built market maps
The economics of buying vs. building in today’s pricing environment
What makes adaptive reuse work—and when it doesn’t
How stoicism helps entrepreneurs stay grounded in volatile markets
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting in commercial real estate, this episode is packed with real-world tactics and perspective from a disciplined operator focused on the long game.
Connect with Grant Reaves and Stoic Equity Partners🔗 stoicep.com🗂 Raising capital for SEP Industrial Holdings II – targeting value-add small bay industrial across the Southeast.

From Wall Street to Main Street: Alina Trigub on Building Passive Wealth Through Real Estate

This episode, Saul sits down with Alina Trigub to explore how busy professionals can harness real estate investing to reduce taxes, build passive income, and create generational wealth. Alina shares her journey from Big Four accounting and IT leadership into full-time commercial real estate—and breaks down the mindset shifts that helped her make the leap with confidence.
You’ll hear:
Why W-2 earners are missing out on major tax advantages
How passive syndications actually work—and what to watch for
What 100% bonus depreciation means (and why it matters in 2025)
How to legally offset high income through cost segregation
The case for financial literacy—and how parents can teach it at home
Whether you're eyeing your first syndication or looking for smarter ways to grow wealth outside of Wall Street, this episode offers clear, actionable insight from someone who's been on both sides of the journey.

From Agent to Owner: Jaime Contreras on Flipping the Script in Real Estate

This episode, Saul sits down with Jaime Contreras to unpack what it really takes to build trust, negotiate win-win deals, and play the long game in commercial real estate. Jaime shares how the pandemic forced a pivot from hospitality to retail and industrial investing—and how his background in service shaped a relationship-first approach that sets him apart in the world of seller-financed deals.
You’ll hear:
Why seller financing is about alignment, not just numbers
How Jaime structures meetings to foster trust and transparency
The importance of staying in touch post-close—and why it matters
How to spot red flags and green lights in potential partners
Why reputation is everything in a “small” CRE world
Whether you’re new to deal-making or looking to deepen your approach, this episode offers grounded wisdom from a real operator who treats sellers like long-term partners—not transactions.

Fix the Mindset, Fix the Deal: Brad Chandler on Building Value from the Inside Out

This episode, Saul sits down with Brad Chandler—real estate investor, entrepreneur, and transformation coach—to talk about the real source of growth, both in business and in life. Brad shares the story of his personal awakening, how it reshaped his health, wealth, and relationships, and why your biggest breakthroughs have nothing to do with spreadsheets or hustle.
You’ll hear:
Why childhood beliefs still run the show—and how to rewrite them
The neuroscience behind memory reconsolidation and lasting change
How self-sabotage sneaks into business success (and how to stop it)
Why high performers often feel stuck despite external wins
What self-love actually looks like—and how to measure it
If you’re building a business and hitting invisible ceilings—or wondering why success doesn’t feel the way it should—this conversation cuts straight to the root cause. Brad’s insights aren’t fluffy theory—they’re lived, tested, and ready for anyone ready to break out of their old story.Connect with Brad on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbradchandler/ and take the LimitlessYou 3-minute self-love quiz at https://unlocklimitlessyou.com/self-love-quiz/.

Making Every Parcel Count: Urban Investing with Purpose at CityPlat

This episode, Saul sits down with Nikita Zhitov to explore what it really means to be a real estate developer in today’s market. Nikita challenges the myth of passive income, sharing why development is a full-contact sport that requires time, risk, and hands-on vision. From creative deal structures to mindset shifts, he walks through the beliefs and behaviors that separate operators from speculators.
You’ll hear:
Why true development is never passive—and why that’s a good thing
How to underwrite with humility and protect downside risk
Why operating partners matter more than spreadsheets
The power of asymmetric risk and what it takes to play the long game
How Nikita defines freedom, purpose, and being “in the game” for real
If you’re drawn to real estate but tired of surface-level advice, this conversation cuts through the noise with grounded truth and hard-won perspective.

From Distressed to Dynamic: Rafik Moore on Transforming Commercial Real Estate

This episode Saul sits down with Rafik Moore, CEO of BRAIT Capital and the visionary behind the Value-Add Network, to explore how he transforms forgotten properties into high-yielding assets. Rafik breaks down his “rough-diamond” philosophy—buying well-located buildings the market has written off, then unlocking hidden value through adaptive reuse, aggressive leasing, and disciplined budgeting. From converting vacant big-box stores into fully leased small-bay industrial hubs to re-imagining single-story office parks as co-working and flex space, Rafik shows why the Midwest’s overlooked real estate is his favorite hunting ground.
You’ll hear:
The three ingredients of a true “deal”—replacement-cost discounts, functional obsolescence you can fix, and compelling exit cap-rate spreads.
Why “cash-flow first” beats market speculation, and how soaring construction costs have reshaped his underwriting.
Lessons from a $4.5 M Ohio mall that’s on its way to a $30 M valuation—and the discipline it took to weather years of zero distributions.
The power of community: how Rafik’s Value-Add Network is grooming 100 investors to build $100 M portfolios by sharing capital, confidence, and contacts.
Rafik also opens up about the biggest risk that paid off (both in business and life), the importance of mentors, and the mindset shift that turns property problems into generational wealth. If you’re itching to scale from flips to eight-figure commercial deals—or just need a shot of CRE inspiration—this episode is pure fuel.

From LP to Operator: How Shoaib Kabani Scaled Fast in Small Bay Industrial

This episode Saul welcomes Shoaib “Sho” Kabani—ex-management consultant, e-commerce entrepreneur, and now full-time small-bay operator—to unpack how he vaulted from passive LP checks to hands-on industrial deals in record time. Sho walks through closing three self-storage facilities while expecting his first child, converting a handshake-lease warehouse in Florida into a seven-figure performer, and breaking ground on a 35 KSF flex development outside Houston. 
You’ll hear:
The “LP tour” that paid off —how dabbling in hotels, multifamily, and storage gave Sho the confidence to syndicate his own deals.
Seller-finance mastery —structuring a note when 80-year-old owners have no leases, no books, and only handshake agreements.
From $11 gross to $13 NNN —raising rents, adding cams, and doubling value in a once-ignored Port Charlotte flex park.
Why small-bay beats self-storage —sticky trade tenants, zero TI requests, and operations that free you to chase the next deal.
Ground-up economics 101 —land at <$6 SF, all-in at ~$130 SF, targeting 15–16 NNN, and an 11-cap cost basis.
Biggest lessons learned —move fast, delegate sooner, and pay up for an A-team architect/GC to dodge municipal landmines.
Sho also shares the mindset shift that let him balance newborn life with aggressive deal-making—and the legacy he hopes to hand his daughter one warehouse at a time. If you’re eyeing the under-built small-bay niche or just want a blueprint for turning rough assets into cash-flow machines, this episode is pure fuel. Press play and level up your industrial game!

Welcome to Value Builder: Why This Podcast Exists

In this launch episode, host Saul Zenkevicius shares the origin story of the Value Builder Podcast—from scribbled newsletter notes to a growing movement. Hear why he's bringing the mic to the world of value-add real estate, business, and beyond—and what you can expect from future episodes. If you're obsessed with taking things from underperforming to unforgettable, this podcast's for you.
No fluff. Just real strategies, conversations with operators at the top of their game, and a behind-the-scenes look at what separates those who build lasting value from those who just talk about it.
Subscribe, share, and join the movement at joinvaluebuilder.com.