EP.22 // Acquiring $345,000,000 AUM and Giving Half of the Profits Away w/ Whitney Sewell
On today’s show we have the Founder of Lifebridge Capital and the host of the Real Estate Syndication Show. Meet Real Estate Investor and Podcasting Legend Whitney Sewell.
On today’s episode we have real estate investor and podcasting legend Whitney Sewell, the Founder of Lifebridge Capital and the host of the Real Estate Syndication Show. Boasting an AUM of over $345,000,000 and over 1,300 episodes of his podcast, Whitney has a wealth of experience and knowledge that he shares with us on the show. Whitney talks about his journey into real estate investing, how his podcast became a vehicle to building his business, and his extraordinary pledge of giving and the foundation to which he gives.
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Key Points from This Episode:
David heard about Whitney first on the Bigger Pockets podcast and immediately became a huge fan of his story and his work. He’s very honored to have Whitney on the show!
Whitney started the Military in March of 2001, going to Iraq just before the events of September 11th. Whitney learned his never give up mentality from the military, since in that context there really is no giving up!
Whitney immediately joined the police after returning home. Whitney really loved being a policeman and first responder. He soon after got married and realized the role wasn’t what was best for his lifestyle and his marriage; he thought at the very least he had to supplement his income!
After reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Whitney decided that if 90% of millionaires were getting their wealth through Real Estate, he must at least get started! Whitney broke even on his first deal, two triplexes, while working as a Federal Agent during the day and training horses at night.
Whitney and his wife realized Real Estate had to become their first priority: they sold the triplexes, sold the horse training business, and went all in
Whitney started his daily podcast, traveled to every podcast, networking constantly, and was even further convinced at the power and reach of real estate investments. Whitney has built 300 million in assets under management since and over 1,400 podcast episodes
Whitney talks about the importance of getting a mentor and how big a role his mentor played in his success. His mentor showed him the success of a daily podcast.
Whitney and his wife learned that there are 150,000,000 orphans in the world. After hearing this all they could think about is adopting a child: it seemed like the most ethical thing to do! They immediately started the process of adopting three children. It can cost up to $60,000 to adopt a child; there are families who would love to take these children home but can’t afford it.
Whitney commits half of his commercial income toward the Omna Foundation in order to help families get placed with children.
Whitney started giving early in his career; he says that if you aren’t giving now you aren’t going to give later in life. The more he gives the more God blesses him and his business. Finding a cause you believe in, that’s bigger than then, will change the way you think about money. Even investors want something bigger than just building wealth.
Whitney attributes all of his success to God, and secondarily his team. His daily podcast exploded his networking; he was meeting 12+ investors a week! Many of these connections were more than happy to give advice later on.
Whitney’s biggest current concern is government overreach; the way your state acted during the pandemic is an indicator of what could happen in the future. Interest rates in the current market certainly impact business and what can be purchased.
Due to interest rates, Whitney has slowed purchasing in the current interest environment. He looks for long term fixed rate debt and finds properties that are cash flowing on day one. Whitney looks to have adequate reserves; for him, that means 6 to 9 months of operating expenses in the bank.
Whitney’s team consists of a full time Asset Manager along with his partner. Whitney is starting his own management company; all of his projects will be managed in house by the end of the year. While money isn’t necessarily made, it provides complete control, insight, and flexibility.
Whitney read The Miracle Morning and this made him question why he wasted so much crucial time. Consistent actions are how wealth and a strong business are built, and every person Whitney has interviewed mostly has this. Alarm goes off at 5:00am, he drinks bulletproof coffee, spends time with his wife preparing for the week, he prays and reads his bible, he’ll read an entrepreneurial book, and exercise.
As his team grows he’s finding more free time, so he’s spending this time reading and trying to cherish this time as a father. Nowadays he’ll take an hour in the early morning teaching his son how to ride a horse.
Relevant Links from Today’s Episode:
ABOUT WHITNEY SEWELL
Founder of Life Bridge Capital LLC, Whitney began his real estate investing career in 2009. Whitney’s passion is working with investors, helping them secure financial security via the exceptional opportunities that multifamily syndication offers. Whitney hosts The Real Estate Syndication Show, a daily podcast where he has now interviewed over 1200 experts providing cutting-edge tools and strategies of the syndication business.
Whitney and his wife Chelsea are on a mission to help other families through the process of adoption. They have personally endured the financial burdens that the process puts on families and have committed 50% of their profits to this goal, through The Life Bridge Foundation. Whitney and Chelsea have three children by adoption.
