The Value Builder Podcast

Retire Early. Lend Smarter. Live With Purpose. The Christopher Borden Playbook

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Christopher Borden—CEO and co-founder of Rice Capital—shares his journey from C-suite retail executive in Hawaii to building a diversified real estate lending and investing platform. After retiring early, Chris turned his focus to capital preservation, risk-mitigated returns, and giving back—redefining what success looks like after corporate life.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How Chris transitioned from corporate retail to commercial real estate
The advantages of private debt funds vs. equity investments
Why first-position notes offer strong downside protection
How Rice Capital structures short-term residential development loans
The role of technology and process in running a private lending operation
How philanthropy in Africa became part of the mission
Whether you're considering the leap from career to capital allocator—or want to learn how fund operators think about risk and impact—this episode offers a grounded, strategic perspective.
Connect with Chris:LinkedIn | www.ricecapitalpartners.com
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.
 
Chapters
00:00 From Corporate Success to Real Estate Freedom
02:57 Navigating the Real Estate Landscape
05:57 Understanding Debt and Risk in Investments
08:30 The Importance of Diversification
11:20 Leveraging Capital and Investor Relations
21:06 Understanding the Utah Market and Lending Strategies
23:34 The Benefits of Debt Investing
25:38 Navigating Relationships in Real Estate
28:03 The Dichotomy of Debt vs. Equity
30:39 Customizable Investment Funds
33:32 Philanthropy and Economic Development in Africa

Matthew Drane on Breaking the CRE Gatekeepers and Building Brokerage Careers That Last

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Matthew Drane—founder of Revolt CRE and a veteran sales leader who has worked at multiple national brokerage firms—pulls back the curtain on how commercial real estate really works. With over $500M personally transacted and billions more through teams he’s trained, Matthew shares why the traditional brokerage model is broken—and what comes next for brokers and principals alike.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How to break into CRE without an Ivy League degree or elite connections
Why most brokers burn out—and how to build a business that compounds
Why the best operators are training acquisition teams just like brokerages
A tactical breakdown of direct-to-seller prospecting (for both brokers and buyers)
What it takes to turn cold calls into closings (and juniors into earners)
The “two-pillar” brokerage model combining brokerage and in-house buying power
Whether you're a broker looking to grow beyond split checks, or an operator ready to bring acquisitions in-house, this is a rare, real-world blueprint for long-game success.
Connect with Matthew:Email: mdrane@revoltcre.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdrane/Revolt CRE: https://revoltcre.com/ ***Download the CRE Glossary of Terms***
Subscribe to the Revolt CRE YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@RevoltCRE
Verti Commercial Real Estate: https://verticre.com/
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

Institutional Moves and Real Returns: Kevin Bupp on Fund Strategy, Diversification, and Enjoying the Ride

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Kevin Bupp—founder and CEO of Sunrise Capital Investors—shares the long-game mindset behind mobile home park and build-to-rent investing. With decades of experience and multiple funds under management, Kevin emphasizes diversification, investor alignment, and finding joy in the journey.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why pro formas always lie—and how to underwrite with humility
How to track institutional capital flows (and what they reveal early)
The value of geographic and asset diversification across a fund
A healthy reminder: success isn’t just about grinding harder
How top operators think about investor communication and market cycles
Whether you’re running your first fund or chasing your tenth, this conversation highlights both strategic and personal disciplines that build lasting wealth.
Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn | Sunrise Capital Investors | Real Estate Investing For Cash Flow Podcast
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

Broker, CCIM, Veteran: Will Curtis on Service-Driven CRE and Market Discipline

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Will Curtis—a United States Army veteran, CCIM designee, and Principal Broker with Crossed Sabers Commercial Real Estate—shares how his background in service and discipline shapes his approach to commercial real estate. Based in San Antonio, Will focuses on office and industrial assets while mentoring the next generation of brokers.
🎯 You’ll learn:
What CCIM training actually adds in day-to-day dealmaking
How Will guides clients through tough office cycles with clarity
Veteran takeaways on structure, accountability, and relationship-building
Common mistakes new brokers make—and how to avoid them
Why mentorship and reputation still matter in CRE
If you’re navigating CRE transitions, advising clients through uncertainty, or simply want to hear a grounded take from a service-minded operator—this episode brings tactical and personal insight.
Connect with Will: LinkedIn | Crossed Sabers Commercial Real Estate
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

Unlocking Alternative Wealth: Fred Hubler on DSTs, 1031s, and Investing Like the Ultra-Rich

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Fred Hubler—founder and CEO of Creative Capital Wealth Management Group—unpacks how the ultra-wealthy actually build and protect wealth. With clients ranging from entrepreneurs to NFL players, Fred specializes in alternative investments that go far beyond the traditional stock-and-bond playbook.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why accreditation opens a “second menu” of investments most never see
How Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) create passive, tax-deferred real estate opportunities
The difference between being “smart” and simply being “lucky” in investing
Why the stock market is shallow compared to institutional strategies
Practical frameworks for operators considering alternatives to 1031 exchanges
If you’ve wondered how millionaires and billionaires allocate capital—or how you can access structures normally reserved for institutions—this conversation offers rare, clear insight.
Connect with Fred: LinkedIn | Forbes Contributor Articles | Creative Capital Wealth Management Group
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

Marathon Mindset to Retail Wins: Heather Ewing on Restaurant CRE

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Heather Ewing, CCIM—founder and CEO of Abstract Commercial Real Estate in Madison, WI—breaks down how marathon training maps to retail brokerage discipline. Heather specializes in restaurant and retail deals, from regional operators to national brands, and explains what actually drives successful openings in smaller markets.
🎯 You’ll hear:
Why restaurant deals are complex—and how pros keep them on track
Tenant vetting that goes beyond the pro forma (credit, cash, behavior)
TI mechanics that work: escrow, lien waivers, abated rent, turnover conditions
Broker vs. landlord roles when capital budgets are heavy
Madison’s growth story—and why timing beats rate-chasing
Connect with Heather:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermewingTriple-Net Leasing Masterclass: abstractcommercialrealestate.com/masterclass
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

Jonathan Hayek’s Playbook: Single-Tenant Industrial, Long-Term Wins

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Jonathan Hayek shares how eight years in special education set the foundation for disciplined, long-term success in commercial real estate. Now a managing partner at Endurance Properties, Jonathan focuses on single-tenant, triple-net industrial—and hosts The Source of Commercial Real Estate podcast.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How a W-2 can bankroll your first CRE moves—without false urgency
Why single-tenant industrial stays “sticky” and Amazon-proof
Practical value-add: lease extensions, below-market rents, better tenants
Local bank lending: finding appetite, terms, and repeat partners
A simple rule: underwrite as if you’ll own it 10 years
If you’re weighing stability vs. value-add—or moving from residential to industrial—this conversation delivers clear, operator-level guidance.
Connect with Jonathan: LinkedIn | The Source of CRE Podcast
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

From Hockey to $200M in CRE: Zane Schartz on Discipline and Purpose

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul Zenkevicius sits down with Zane Schartz, former professional hockey player and founder of Freedom CRE, which manages over $200M in assets with more than 400 investors. Zane shares how the discipline of sports translated directly into commercial real estate success—and why faith and purpose drive his business model today.
You’ll hear:
How competitive discipline transfers from athletics to business
Why net lease investments with major tenants create stability
How Freedom CRE structures funds for consistency and diversification
Strategies for lease renewals and maintaining tenant relationships
The role of faith and mission in building long-term vision
Whether you’re an operator seeking stability or an investor evaluating risk-return balance, this conversation offers practical perspective from the field.
Connect with Zane Schartz🔗 FreedomCRE.net🌐 LinkedIn

From W2 to 100+ Units: How John Casmon Built a $145M Portfolio by Leveraging His Past

From corporate boardrooms to multifamily boardwalks, John Casmon made the leap from marketing powerhouses like GM and Nike to building a $145M real estate portfolio. In this episode, he shares how transferable skills—when paired with clarity, consistency, and confidence—can drive massive value.
You’ll hear:
Why real estate isn’t passive until you treat it like a business
How John scaled from duplexes to 100+ unit deals
The moment corporate “security” lost its luster
A powerful framework: the 6 C’s of capital raising
Why freedom is really about flexibility—and how to build it
How to find your lane and stop being the handyman
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling into larger assets, this episode gives you the clarity to play to your strengths—and grow with purpose.
Connect with John Casmon🎧 Listen to Multifamily Insights wherever you get your podcasts📘 Download his free guide: casmoncapital.com/7questions🌐 Learn more at casmoncapital.com

Don’t Underwrite the Luck: Dan Breslin on Branding, Big Deals, and Aligned Partnerships

This episode, Saul sits down with Daniel Breslin, founder of Diamond Equity Investments and host of the REI Diamonds Show, to unpack how he went from addiction and rock bottom to building a $57M+ direct-to-seller powerhouse across multiple markets. Dan shares how faith, marketing discipline, and long-term thinking helped him scale a high-volume operation—without chasing every shiny object.
You’ll hear:
Why Dan reinvested 70%+ of profits back into branding instead of measuring KPIs
How his business model blends singles, home runs, and a 10-year lead nurture cycle
What aligned partnerships actually look like—and why some succeed without operating agreements
Why trusting God and reading the Bible in 2011 was the true foundation of his business
How thinking in deal size—not lead volume—changed everything
If you’ve ever struggled with over-optimizing or under-committing in business or life, Dan’s story is a masterclass in alignment, clarity, and grit.
Connect with Daniel Breslin🔗 REIDiamonds.com📧 dan@reidiamonds.com