If you’ve ever taken a leap into real estate or business ownership, you know two things for sure:
- Nobody really hands you the perfect playbook.
- There’s a lot of noise out there telling you how to build your empire—some of it good, some… less good.
When I first got into real estate investing and business ownership, I knew I needed to level up faster than the Minnesota temps drop in November. What made the biggest difference? Tuning into the right voices.
In today’s post, I’m sharing the channels that shaped my journey (and my balance sheet)—and a few lessons you can steal for yourself.
1. The Koerner Office: Keeping It Real in Commercial Real Estate
When you’re running two hotels, an Airbnb portfolio, and dipping your toes into a fast-food startup, you don’t have time for theory—you need the straight goods. That’s why I latched onto The Koerner Office early on.
This channel dishes up no-nonsense insights about commercial real estate investing, managing risk, and scaling sustainably—without making it sound like you need an MBA first.
I still remember applying one of their simple tips about property valuation to a hotel purchase deal in Duluth. Spoiler alert: it saved me from overpaying by six figures.
✅ Takeaway: Follow people who have done exactly what you want to do—not just talked about it.
(Learn more at The Koerner Office)
2. Rich Summers Report: Making Big Moves Feel Possible
Let’s be honest—sometimes you need someone to light a fire under you.
Enter the Rich Summers Report. Rich doesn’t just talk about deals—he breaks down what went wrong, what went right, and how he thinks about momentum in investing.
When I was stuck overthinking whether to expand into Texas (true story), hearing Rich talk about “analysis paralysis” being the biggest thief of wealth pushed me to act. I bought my second hotel. Was it scary? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. (Although I may have eaten my weight in tacos from the stress.)
✅ Takeaway: You don’t have to feel ready—you have to be willing to move smartly.
(Catch Rich at Rich Summers Report)
3. Money Tree Investing Podcast: Smart Growth for the Long Haul
Growth is sexy, but sustainability? That’s the real flex.
Money Tree Investing is all about how to build wealth without gambling it away on shiny trends. They dig into asset allocation, market cycles, and ways to actually keep what you earn.
When I started my fast-food concept, I pulled lessons from an episode on diversification. That advice helped me structure ownership so my restaurant experiment didn’t risk my entire real estate portfolio. (Salsa is high risk, people.)
✅ Takeaway: Protect your downside so you can stay in the game long enough to win.
(Find them at Money Tree Investing)
4. Weiss Advice & Bill Faith: Mastering Mindset and Systems
Two names that kept popping up when I needed to fine-tune my mindset and operations:
- Weiss Advice
- Bill Faith
Weiss Advice is fantastic for real estate investors wanting to build passive income while staying sane.
Meanwhile, Bill Faith dives deep into systems—like how to scale STR (short-term rental) businesses—which was a game changer when I revamped my property management model.
Together, they taught me that growing businesses and investments isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things consistently.
✅ Takeaway: Mindset and systems aren’t bonus points—they’re the foundation.
(Check out Weiss Advice and Bill Faith’s resources)
Why It Matters: Who You Listen to Shapes Who You Become
Whether you’re managing a duplex in St. Paul, plotting your first business venture, or dreaming of a portfolio of boutique hotels, the voices you surround yourself with matter.
They can save you years of mistakes—or speed you past roadblocks you didn’t even know were coming.
Learning from the right channels helped me build real assets, real businesses, and real community connections in Minnesota and beyond.
And hey, if I can do it while also learning how NOT to blow up my kitchen opening a fast-food brand…you’ve got this.
Want to hear more about how investors and business owners grow, stumble, and succeed? Tune in to Brennan Buzz! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to stay inspired and connected.
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