In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Weimer, a real estate investor who’s breaking all the conventional rules. Ryan runs a high-volume investing business in Boise, Idaho—without ever having lived there. Now operating from London, he’s built a team and system that allows him to lead virtually, while scaling with precision and purpose. We dive deep into his origin story, including how a career in mechanical engineering, corporate layoffs, and a desire for autonomy all led him to real estate.

Ryan shares the powerful mindset shifts that helped him transition from a stable W-2 job to full-time investor, the challenges of operating seven time zones away, and the painful but pivotal lessons learned during a $1.2 million loss. This conversation is a masterclass on grit, leadership, and designing a business that supports your life—not the other way around.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:27] - Ryan breaks down his Idaho-based business and the impressive volume of deals his team handles each year.

[7:18] - The surprising leap from engineering to entrepreneurship—and how pain sparked the journey.

[13:09] - Lessons from corporate project management that translated perfectly to real estate operations.

[20:27] - Why Ryan chose Boise over San Diego and how relationships shaped his market entry.

[22:55] - The early mistake of focusing on rentals before building the business foundation.

[31:17] - Living in London while running a stateside company—and how it really works.

[36:23] - The gut-punch of 2022’s market shift and the hard-earned lessons that followed.

[44:23] - Turning a massive development loss into a creative financing strategy that now generates millions.

[47:14] - How the Collective Genius community helped Ryan navigate tough times and scale with confidence.

[53:07] - Ryan’s bold 5-year vision to grow to $10M in revenue—and the leadership strategy to back it up.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Virtual Doesn’t Mean Ineffective – With the right team and systems, Ryan proves you can scale a high-performing real estate business without ever setting foot in your primary market.

2. Grit is the Real Superpower – Ryan attributes his long-term success to resilience and the willingness to persevere through the darkest moments.

3. Use Your W-2 to Your Advantage – Before leaving his corporate job, Ryan leveraged his lendability to acquire multiple properties with conventional financing.

4. Community is Crucial – The Collective Genius network was instrumental in helping Ryan bounce back from failure and continue evolving.

5. Cash Flow Isn’t King—Liquidity Is – One of Ryan’s biggest lessons: Having cash on hand often matters more than squeezing out every penny from a deal.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Collective Genius: https://thecollectivegenius.com/

• Connect with Ryan: https://weimerinvestments.com/

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