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What happens when a Hollywood producer trades movie sets for multifamily properties? Michael Jacobs, founder of Mar Vista Entertainment (sold to Fox Studios), shares his transition from 25 years in entertainment to building a vertically integrated real estate empire in Pittsburgh.

[00:01 - 08:05] From Hollywood Producer to Real Estate Investor

• Built Mar Vista Entertainment from a 2003 business plan to Fox Studios acquisition
• Specialized in $5M-and-under movie production for Netflix, Disney Channel, Lifetime
• The decision to transition away from Hollywood's demanding travel schedule
• Started with three duplexes to test the rental market in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill

[08:06 - 15:40] Building a Vertically Integrated Real Estate Business

• How frustration with general contractors led to building an in-house construction team
• The challenge of 100-year-old infrastructure: cast iron pipes, knob-and-tube wiring
• Expanding from rental properties to becoming one of Pittsburgh's premier design-build firms
• Why complete gut renovations became the standard approach for old housing stock

[15:41 - 22:10] The "Singles and Doubles" Business Philosophy

• Why avoiding the pressure for home runs and grand slams builds sustainable businesses
• The danger of social media hype and "get rich quick" mentalities
• How to test, measure, and scale gradually while watching the numbers
• Balancing tenant satisfaction with property upgrades to reduce turnover

[22:11 - 28:40] Final Four & Building for the Future

• Worst job: Cleaning motel rooms for $6/hour time-and-a-half on Sundays
• Paradigm-shifting book: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell
• Skill to learn: Guitar (joining the ranks of aspiring musical entrepreneurs)
• Success definition: Providing for family and keeping nine children and two grandchildren happy

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://marvistadb.com
LinkedIn: Michael Jacobs

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Tweetable Quotes:

"The numbers drive everything at the end of the day. " - Michael Jacobs

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What does it take to gain the trust of investors and build a business that thrives in such a relationship-driven industry?

In this episode of Weiss Advice, Yonah speaks with Julia Anderson, founder of Capital Catalyst and fractional CMO, who shares her journey from managing restaurants to becoming a marketing leader in real estate syndication. Julia explains how her early hands-on business experience prepared her to help capital raisers build credibility, manage marketing systems, and create authentic connections with investors. She also discusses the pitfalls she sees when working with new clients, the importance of CRM systems, and why personal branding often outweighs company branding when raising capital.

[00:01 - 07:30] From Restaurants to Real EstateKey Takeaways:

• How Julia transitioned from restaurant operations to real estate marketing.
• Why her early leadership roles shaped her confidence and skillset.
• The importance of seeing opportunity in unexpected industries.

[07:31 - 14:00] Thrown Into the World of Multifamily

• What Julia learned at her first Best Ever Conference.
• How she began to understand multifamily syndication from the ground up.
• The significance of asking questions and staying curious in new industries.

[14:01 - 21:30] Marketing Pitfalls and CRM Challenges

• Why CRMs often fail without proper customization.
• How messaging clarity impacts investor trust and action.
• The need to tailor marketing systems to both the business and its audience.

[21:31 - 28:30] The Power of Personal Branding

• Why investors follow people, not just brands.
• How authenticity and storytelling build trust.
• What the significance of consistency is in social media and content creation.

[28:31 - 34:47] Always Be Raising: Building Long-Term Systems

• Why raising capital isn’t an overnight process.
• How the right systems create sustainable investor relationships.
• The importance of preparation before a deal is on the table.

Connect with Julia:

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

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the platforms below:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

“People follow a person. They don't follow a brand… So they need to know who you are as a person.” - Julia Anderson

“The systems and the processes you build in a solid marketing foundation are what keep you from ever needing to scramble to raise c

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What does it take to go from cash-advancing a credit card to building a vertically integrated, multi-state real estate empire? In this episode, Chris Hanson, the CEO and Founder of Hanson Capital Group, opens up about his real estate journey—from stumbling into trustee sales during the Great Recession to becoming a powerhouse in industrial real estate. He unpacks the lessons learned from losing deals, shutting down businesses, and redefining success beyond financial gains. He also reveals why small bay industrial is his top pick for 2025 and how he structures deals with a long-term vision and value creation in mind.

[00:01 - 07:00] A Credit Card and a Craigslist Hustle

• Why starting small can lead to scalable success.
• The importance of offering value in a crowded market
• How service-based business models can sustain early investing mistakes.

[07:20 - 14:24] When Apartments Clicked

• The significance of income-producing assets versus speculative flips.
• What can be learned from buying below market in a recession.
• The importance of persistence through uncertainty and fear.

[14:25 - 21:41] Discovering Industrial: The Quiet Goldmine

• How triple net leases create stable, low-maintenance income streams.
• Why a 7-cap with a 4% cost of debt made more sense than chasing overheated multifamily deals.
• The need to adapt strategy based on macroeconomic shifts, not legacy bias.

[21:42 - 28:19] Small Bay, Big Opportunity

• Why small bay industrial properties are in short supply and high demand.
• The significance of assembling smaller assets into institutional-grade portfolios.
• How last-mile logistics and population growth fuel tenant demand.

[28:20 - 37:49] Negotiating with Purpose & Redefining Success

• How Chris applies high-level negotiation strategies to real estate deals.
• The importance of shifting from player to coach in leadership.
• Why success is now defined by impact, not income.

Connect with Chris:

Website: https://x.com/HansonCapital

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.san12

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

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the platforms below:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"Success comes from... the ability to help others improve their situation." - Chris Hanson

"If somebody else just lost $600K, I could lose the $70K... I hope I can figure this out." - Chris Hanson

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