Advertise on podcast: In The Lab with Ruben Kanya

Experiment Nation — in the lab. 🧪 You don't have a goal problem. You have a leverage problem. In this solo episode, Ruben comes out of the cave with the reframe that shaped his entire year: stop trying to figure out the HOW — fix the WHAT, then ask one question: "Where is my leverage?" Most people pick a goal, can't see the path, and shrink the dream until it's "realistic." The leveraged do the opposite — because a lever means you don't need 10x the effort to get 10x the result. Nobody saves $300K in cash to buy a $300K house… they put $30K down and leverage the bank. So why does the leverage stop at the mortgage? Ruben walks you through the full Leverage Audit — the same framework he shared at the School of Hard Knocks meetup in San Diego: ▸ The Internal Audit — the superpower exercise: ask the 3 people closest to you, "Be blunt — where do I have a unique advantage?" Your 9-to-5 has been paying you to sharpen levers for years (project management, spreadsheets, managing people, problem solving). That's inventory, not scratch. ▸ The External Audit — who, not how. The furniture, the dynamic pricing tools, the cleaners, Thumbtack, TurnoverBnB, the neighbor's property, the bank — the levers already sitting in your ecosystem that you walk past every day. ▸ Stacking — how one clean becomes a cleaning company, one furnished unit becomes a co-hosting business, and one skill set becomes an exit (like engineer Tony Whatley's "side hustle millionaire" story). ▸ Which game are you ACTUALLY playing? — asset class or business. The asset stores wealth. The business is the throttle. ▸ The biggest players prove it — Facebook, Uber, Airbnb, Turo, ALE Solutions: they own nothing and control everything. So why aren't you running the same play at your scale? Because those who don't see leverage only see obstacles. And a mind that is expanded by a new framework can never go back to its old dimensions. YOUR ASSIGNMENT 📋 Run the audit: internal, then external, then measure it against your desired outcome. Then email me the receipts — [email protected] with the subject line LEVERAGE. Tell me what your audit uncovered, ask me how to run one, or tell me why you'd thrive at a company built on unlimited leverage (our temporary housing agents live this model every day). I read every email. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 — Welcome back to the lab: a much-needed reframe 01:18 — Going to the source: what "leverage" actually means (physics → life) 02:45 — Divorce the how, determine the what (the lesson of the year) 04:16 — The levers hiding in plain sight 05:40 — The Internal Audit: the superpower exercise 07:46 — Your 9-to-5 is a leverage vault 08:45 — Stacking levers: furniture, pricing tools, cleaners, Thumbtack 09:56 — The $300K mistake: you already leverage the bank 11:00 — AI: the biggest lever of the decade (and what I built on hiatus) 12:33 — Which game are you ACTUALLY playing? Asset class vs. business 17:25 — Proof of concept → business: co-hosting & the cleaning-company stack 19:20 — Money is measurable: the Uber driver who builds a driving agency 21:10 — Building the bridge: the project manager blueprint + Tony Whatley 23:35 — They own nothing, control everything: FB, Uber, Airbnb, Turo, ALE 25:13 — Your assignment: run the Leverage Audit 26:00 — Unlimited leverage: inside our temporary housing agent model 27:57 — You're just one experiment away. Let's build. 🎧 All episodes: https://experimentrealestate.com/podcast 📄 Grab the free 2-page Leverage Audit worksheet (with the AI prompt that turns it into your 90-day game plan): [LINK] 📩 [email protected] · subject: LEVERAGE

In this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben introduces one of the simplest yet most powerful visuals explaining the current AI revolution: the "Red Dot." Inspired by an insight from entrepreneur and author MJ DeMarco, he challenges listeners to stop asking whether they're too late to AI and instead ask a better question: "Am I becoming a power user?" Using a fascinating breakdown of AI adoption across the world's population, Ruben explains just how early we still are. While headlines make it seem like everyone has mastered artificial intelligence, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of people have never used it, and only a microscopic fraction are leveraging it at an advanced level. The biggest opportunity isn't creating the next AI company—it's becoming the person who uses AI better than everyone else in your industry. Ruben also shares practical advice for becoming an AI power user by integrating it into everyday work instead of treating it like another productivity hack. From emails and spreadsheets to business operations and fulfillment, he explains why consistent daily use changes the way you think, helps you recognize new opportunities, and positions you ahead of the coming wave of adoption. Tune in now to discover what the Red Dot represents, why this AI window is still wide open, and how becoming a power user today could become one of the highest-leverage decisions you make for your business over the next decade. #ArtificialIntelligence #AIForBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #Productivity #Automation #SmallBusiness #Innovation #Leadership #InTheLab

In this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben challenges one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence: that it's already too late to capitalize on it. Instead, he explains we're still in the earliest innings—and the biggest opportunity isn't building the next AI company. It's becoming the business owner who leverages AI better than everyone else in your respective industry. Throughout the episode, Ruben breaks down the shift from using AI as a simple chatbot to building agentic workflows that actually perform work inside your business. He explains why the future belongs to founders who eliminate repetitive tasks, redesign operations around AI agents, and elevate their teams into higher-value roles instead of simply replacing them. Ruben also shares practical frameworks for evaluating your business infrastructure, choosing AI-ready software, documenting workflows, and avoiding the bottlenecks that slow growing companies down. He explains why smaller businesses have a massive advantage over large corporations in this transition—and why speed and adaptability may become your biggest competitive edge over the next several years. Tune in now to learn where the real AI opportunity exists, how to prepare your business for an agentic future, and why the entrepreneurs who implement first—not necessarily the ones who know the most—will create the biggest advantage over the next 2-3 years. #ArtificialIntelligence #AIForBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #AgenticAI #Automation #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Innovation #InTheLab

In this episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with investor-focused lender Ben Stef to unpack the lending side of real estate that most investors rarely take advantage of. From growing up working construction jobs to building a business helping investors access capital, Ben shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and sales skills that shaped his journey into the world of real estate finance. The conversation dives deep into one of the biggest opportunities entrepreneurs and investors can make to tap into the hidden equity in their rentals as hidden leverage regardless of the economy, interest rates, or market conditions. Ben breaks down why successful operators thrive in every market cycle and how focusing on marketing, relationships, and consistent action often matters far more than external conditions. Ruben and Ben also pull back the curtain on how lending actually works behind the scenes. From underwriting, servicing, and investor financing to creative lending solutions, they discuss the realities most borrowers never see. Ben shares one of his favorite products for investors sitting on significant equity but lacking access to traditional financing, along with the mindset required to use leverage responsibly. Tune in now to learn how lenders evaluate risk, why ownership beats excuses, how to think about return on equity, and the strategies experienced investors use to unlock capital and continue scaling their real estate portfolios. Keeping it Real: 04:35 – Sales skills learned through telemarketing 08:20 – Get close to people already doing what you want to do 09:26 – Why business forces personal growth 10:50 – The power of extreme ownership 13:33 – Are interest rates actually high? 15:23 – The real reason business feels slow 20:00 – How underwriting really works behind the scenes 22:31 – What happens when borrowers miss payments 25:31 – What loan servicing actually means 29:20 – Building customer loyalty through relationships 31:58 – The immigrant hospitality advantage in business 36:08 – Why Ben tells some clients NOT to take loans 37:45 – Products vs people: what really differentiates you 41:14 – The investor HELOC most owners don't know exists 45:23 – Return on Equity vs Return on Investment 50:59 – Why lenders are willing to take second position 55:57 – Play defense before you play offense 58:22 – Asset class vs business owner mindset 01:00:28 – Why old real estate advice no longer applies 01:01:18 – The three people every entrepreneur needs around them  #RealEstateInvesting #InvestorFinancing #HELOC #DSCRLoans #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #RealEstateBusiness #BusinessGrowth #InTheLab  CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.fundingfreedom.net/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-stef-b0b741275/

Sign Up For Relay through My Referral Link: ⁠https://join.relayfi.com/partner/?referralcode=temporaryhousingmeetup&utm_source=events&utm_medium=… ⁠In this eye-opening episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in entrepreneurship and real estate investing: confusing an asset class vs. building an actual business. Too many people say they want to “quit their W2 through real estate,” but never stop to ask the deeper question… are they trying to become an investor or build a business machine that produces cash flow at scale? Throughout the episode, Ruben unpacks the difference between long-term investing, operating a real estate business, and using business income to fund wealth-building assets. He explains why most successful entrepreneurs didn’t get wealthy from the asset class itself first, but from the business engine behind it. From wholesalers and flippers to coaches, syndicators, and short-term rental operators, Ruben challenges listeners to study how people actually made their money instead of blindly copying the final product. He also dives deep into the importance of context when making business decisions. Instead of asking generic questions like “What’s the best strategy?” Ruben explains why better outcomes come from reverse engineering your goals based on your skills, location, liquidity, lifestyle, time availability, and long-term vision. The episode also explores why B2B businesses create leverage faster than B2C models, and why AI may be the greatest business opportunity window modern entrepreneurs have ever seen. Tune in now to learn why “the math has to math,” how to stop chasing misleading business models, and why understanding the difference between owning assets and operating a business could completely change your financial future. #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #WealthBuilding #AssetVsBusiness #QuitYourW2 #B2BStrategy #AIForEntrepreneurs #FinancialFreedom #InTheLab

Sign Up For Relay through My Referral Link: ⁠https://join.relayfi.com/partner/?referralcode=temporaryhousingmeetup&utm_source=events&utm_medium=…In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Wendy Wei from Relay (a digital banking and money management platform) to unpack one of the most overlooked skills in entrepreneurship and real estate investing: understanding your cash flow. What starts as a conversation around money management quickly turns into a deeper discussion on psychology, conditioning, identity, habits, and the systems that shape how entrepreneurs operate their businesses and lives. Wendy shares her journey from growing up in a traditional immigrant household to building a career across psychology, marketing, SaaS, storytelling, and fintech. With a background in psychology from Harvard University and experience spanning photography, creator partnerships, and performance marketing, Wendy explains how curiosity, experimentation, and human behavior became the foundation for the work she does today helping business owners better understand and organize their finances. The episode dives deep into the Profit First framework and how entrepreneurs can stop operating with one giant “bucket” of money and instead build systems that create visibility, automation, accountability, and profitability. Ruben also breaks down exactly how Invested Escapes uses Relay internally across multiple properties, vendors, virtual cards, owner payouts, and operational systems to move faster and stay organized while scaling nationwide. Relay is a digital banking and money management platform that helps real estate investors get clear visibility into what they’re earning, spending and saving—so they can better understand the cash flow in their business. Throughout the conversation, Wendy also shares powerful insights around neuroplasticity, conditioning, growth mindset, rewiring limiting beliefs, and how small consistent habits can completely change the trajectory of your life and business over time. This episode blends entrepreneurship, psychology, systems, and financial organization into one conversation designed to help operators think differently about both money and growth. Tune in now to learn how to stop leaking money, organize your business like a true operator, and build systems that help you pay yourself first while scaling with clarity. HIGHLIGHTS: 42:21 - Wendy talks about rewiring your brain through growth mindset.  55:50 - Wendy talks about automating cash flow for entrepreneurs.  Keeping it Real: 01:00 – Building micro communities 03:20 – Understanding cash flow 06:10 – Graduation season pressure 11:30 – Travel shapes perspective 15:20 – Psychology meets marketing 16:30 – Curiosity drives growth 20:10 – Small actions compound 31:00 – Understanding conditioning 34:30 – Coaching changed everything 36:00 – Rewiring self-talk 42:20 – Neuroplasticity explained 46:10 – Identity shapes habits 51:20 – Profit First explained 54:40 – Automating cash flow 58:20 – Relay inside operations 1:03:00 – Virtual card controls 1:07:00 – Banking misconceptions 1:10:00 – Most-used Relay features 1:15:00 – Building real community 1:17:00 – People over logos  CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bankwithrelay/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyhwei/#RealEstateInvesting #ProfitFirst #CashFlowManagement #EntrepreneurMindset #RelayFinancial #BusinessSystems #FinancialFreedom #MoneyManagement #RealEstateBusiness #Entrepreneurship

In this perspective-shifting episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down one of the hardest lessons entrepreneurs and investors eventually face: sometimes the thing holding you back isn’t what’s failing, it’s what’s still working. From business ventures to habits, routines, and even ways of thinking, growth often requires subtraction before addition can happen. Throughout the episode, Ruben unpacks the idea of “making room” for bigger opportunities by intentionally removing what no longer aligns with where you’re trying to go. He shares personal examples of shutting down profitable businesses, evolving into new seasons, and why some of the biggest breakthroughs in life come after difficult decisions that initially make no logical sense from the outside. He also dives into how entrepreneurs can use AI, mentors, and reverse engineering to make smarter decisions with less emotional bias. Instead of asking which tactic or business model is best, Ruben explains why the better question is: “What outcome am I trying to achieve?” From there, the vehicle becomes clearer. The episode reframes how to think about opportunity cost, blind spots, and the hidden weight of trying to carry too many things at once. Tune in now to learn how to trim the fat, stop overloading your plate, and create space for the version of your life and business that actually aligns with where you’re trying to go. #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #WealthBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #ScaleSmart #AIForBusiness #MindsetShift #ExperimentNation

In this episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Anja Schaer, broker, investor, and author of The Hybrid Rental Strategy, to break down how she went from a government job in Germany to building, scaling, and selling multiple businesses in the U.S.—all while creating a real estate portfolio designed for both cash flow and long-term exit. Anja dives into the real reason more investors are shifting away from short-term rentals and into midterm strategies. It’s not just about higher nightly rates—it’s about stability. Instead of chasing unpredictable bookings, she explains how locking in 3–6 month contracts creates consistent income, reduces workload, and removes the stress of staring at an empty calendar. This episode also goes beyond tactics and into mindset. From the “immigrant advantage” to breaking social norms and embracing discomfort, Anja shares how stepping outside the expected path creates exponential opportunities. The conversation ties it all together with a bigger play—building systems, leveraging AI, and creating a business that isn’t just profitable, but actually sellable. Tune in now to learn how to shift from chasing bookings to building predictable income and a real estate business designed for long-term freedom. HIGHLIGHTS: 36:10 - Anja talks about why Why midterm rentals are exploding 41:36 - Anja talks about the hybrid model Keeping it Real: 06:00 – The immigrant advantage explained 10:30 – Breaking social norms & taking risks 18:30 – From e-commerce to real estate pivot 24:30 – Finding real estate through Facebook 30:00 – Evolution: flips → wholesale → rentals 36:10 – 41:20 – How the hybrid model actually works 46:30 – Calendar strategy to unlock MTR deals 50:30 – Building a sellable property business 54:00 – AI, systems, and future-proofing 1:06:00 – What buyers will value in your business 1:16:00 – Community, collaboration, and growth 1:21:00 – From communism to entrepreneurship CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.peachhausfurnishedrentals.com/contact Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjaschaer/ #RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #PassiveIncome #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialFreedom #RentalStrategy #WealthBuilding #AirbnbBusiness #PropertyManagement #RealEstateScaling

In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Dr. Noah St. John, a neuro-performance architect who has helped clients generate billions in revenue, to unpack the real reason so many entrepreneurs stay stuck despite having the right strategies, tools, and knowledge. Dr. Noah breaks down the concept of the “invisible brake”—the hidden force that silently limits your income, growth, and results. While most entrepreneurs focus heavily on the outer game like marketing, sales, and systems, this conversation reveals why that’s only half the equation. The real bottleneck lies in what happens after you set a goal—when doubt, limiting beliefs, and what he calls “head trash” begin to take over. Through real examples, including scaling a company from $4M to $20M in under 18 months, Dr. Noah explains how mastering your inner game is what unlocks exponential growth. He dives into why copying successful people doesn’t work, how unconscious beliefs shape your outcomes, and why most people are unknowingly operating with one foot on the brake. This episode also explores the idea of “permission to succeed,” the difference between conscious and unconscious competence, and how high performers think, decide, and act differently. From breaking through income ceilings to gaining clarity on what you actually want, this conversation gives you the missing piece most people never address. Tune in now to learn how to identify your invisible brake, eliminate the beliefs holding you back, and finally align your inner and outer game to unlock the results you’ve been chasing. HIGHLIGHTS: 09:22 - Noah talks about why results matter more than personal success 17:53 - Noah talks about outer and inner game. Keeping it Real: 05:06 - Why most entrepreneurs fail despite good intentions 07:43 - The truth about “fake gurus” and social media 09:21 - Why results matter more than personal success 12:10 - Why proximity alone doesn’t create results 13:19 - Architect analogy: why watching isn’t enough 15:27 - $4M plateau to $20M breakthrough story 17:47 - Outer game vs inner game explained 20:13 - How beliefs control every area of your life 22:24 - Why “The Secret” missed the real work 25:28 - Gary Vee and unconscious competence 27:51 - The concept of “permission to succeed” 31:17 - The framework behind the invisible brake 32:17 - Why most people sabotage their own goals 33:11 - Driving with one foot on the brake analogy 35:03 - Neuroplasticity and rewiring your beliefs 36:19 - From poverty mindset to building wealth 40:33 - Decision vs doubt: what actually drives action 42:05 - Pain vs pleasure as motivators 46:04 - Technology’s impact on your inner game 47:19 - Identifying your invisible brake 50:42 - Power habits of successful people 51:08 - Why clarity beats “wanting more money” 52:34 - The myth about personality and success 54:01 - Building a clear vision that actually works 55:27 - How to identify your “head trash” 56:30 - Turning limiting beliefs into opportunity 57:03 - Where to connect with Dr. Noah  CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: ⁠https://noahstjohn.com/⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahstjohn/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/noahstjohn/⁠ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drnoahstjohn #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #WealthBuilding #PersonalDevelopment #HighPerformance #MindsetShift #FinancialFreedom #SuccessHabits #ScaleYourBusiness

In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Joe Downs, CEO of Belrose Group, to break down how real wealth is built through iteration, problem-solving, and identifying opportunities most people overlook. This conversation goes beyond surface-level strategies and dives into the mindset required to build across multiple industries and market cycles. Joe shares his journey from early failures—including losing $100,000 in a restaurant—to raising nearly $100 million in real estate and building a mortgage resolution company that purchased over 20,000 distressed loans. His story highlights a key truth: success doesn’t come from getting it right the first time, but from learning, adapting, and continuing to move forward through every setback. The episode also explores one of the biggest opportunities ahead—acquiring cash-flowing, mom-and-pop businesses. With millions of owners aging out, Joe explains how inefficiencies in operations, pricing, and systems create massive upside for those willing to step in, optimize, and scale. From distressed debt to self-storage, the same principles apply across industries. Tune in now to learn how to identify hidden opportunities, leverage acquisitions instead of starting from scratch, and build long-term wealth by thinking differently, acting faster, and eliminating excuses in today’s market. HIGHLIGHTS: 12:12 - Joe talks about the “mind your kitchen lesson” 35:25 - Joe discovers self storage Keeping it Real: 04:30 – Growth through acquisitions 10:15 – Leaving finance after 9/11 12:24 – Mind your kitchen lesson 15:23 – Raising millions before crash 16:50 – Discovering distressed debt 20:33 – Mortgage resolution explained simply 23:01 – Loan modification strategy 26:23 – Becoming the bank model 27:30 – Regulation forces reinvention 31:24 – Starting hard money lending 35:25 – Discovering self-storage opportunity 36:56 – Mom-and-pop inefficiency insight 41:25 – SBA financing unlock explained 43:11 – Why opportunity still exists 45:21 – Using AI for learning 49:00 – AI improves communication skills 51:31 – Seller financing deal strategies 53:39 – Future storage vertical opportunities 58:13 – Biggest demand opportunities ahead 1:00:23 – No excuses mindset 1:02:31 – Where to connect CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://belrosegrp.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-downs-7990851/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephmdowns/ #RealEstateInvesting #BusinessAcquisitions #EntrepreneurMindset #WealthBuilding #CashFlowStrategies #SelfStorageInvesting #FinancialFreedom #PassiveIncome #InvestingStrategies #BuildInPublic

In this sharp and perspective-shifting episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a realization that most entrepreneurs miss: you don’t need to build everything to win—you just need to understand where you fit in the ecosystem. Early in the episode, he references Episode 351: “The Five Pillars of Success in 2026,” where he introduced the framework of relationships, resourcefulness, resilience, speed, and standards—principles he continues to double down on as he navigates higher-level rooms and bigger opportunities. Fresh off a major industry conference, he pulls back the curtain on how trillion-dollar insurance systems actually operate, revealing the layered structure between carriers, third-party administrators, adjusters, and housing providers. Instead of trying to control every piece, the biggest players focus on one thing and outsource the rest—and that’s where the real opportunities live. Ruben shares how this applies directly to real estate investors and operators, especially those transitioning from short-term rentals into mid-term insurance housing. From understanding who the real decision-makers are, to identifying where value is created (and paid for), this episode reframes how to think about scale, leverage, and positioning. He also dives into the importance of standards, knowing what your time is worth, and why trying to do everything yourself is one of the fastest ways to stay stuck. The operators who win are the ones who stay in their lane, build relationships in the right rooms, and plug into systems that are already moving at scale. Tune in now to learn how to stop overcomplicating your growth, find your position in the ecosystem, and start playing a bigger game. #PlayYourRole #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateInvesting #MidTermRentals #InsuranceHousing #WealthStrategy #ScaleSmart #BusinessGrowth #Leverage #HighPerformance

In this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a counterintuitive principle that most entrepreneurs avoid: cutting things that are actually working. As Q1 comes to a close, he challenges the common habit of stacking new goals on top of old ones without removing anything, and explains why this approach silently kills growth. Using examples from Tesla’s strategic decisions and his own experience stepping away from profitable consulting work, Ruben introduces the concept of “trimming the good fat.” He explains that real leverage doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from removing distractions, even the ones generating income, to make room for higher ROI opportunities. The episode also dives into how AI and mentorship should be used together, not separately. Ruben emphasizes that the advantage today is no longer access to information—it’s clarity of direction. Those who win are the ones who can define what they want, ask better questions, and use the right tools to reverse engineer the path forward. This conversation reframes productivity, decision-making, and growth through a simple but difficult lens: less, but better. It’s a reminder that success isn’t about adding more—it’s about having the discipline to remove what no longer aligns with where you’re going. Tune in now to learn how to trim the good fat, compress your timeline, and focus only on what actually moves the needle. #TrimTheFat #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateEntrepreneur #Leverage #DecisionMaking #HighPerformance #AIForBusiness #WealthBuilding #ScaleSmart

In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a simple but overlooked truth that separates those who grow from those who stay stuck: the quality of the questions they ask. Drawing from a real conversation inside a barbershop, Ruben unpacks how proximity to the right people means nothing if you don’t know how to extract the real lessons. The episode explores why most people misinterpret advice, hearing surface-level feedback like “be more consistent” without understanding the deeper principle behind it. Through layered questioning, Ruben reveals the real takeaway: consistency isn’t just about discipline—it’s about increasing your chances of capturing opportunities that compound over time, like walk-in clients that turn into long-term relationships. Ruben also connects this lesson to entrepreneurship, real estate, and skill-building, emphasizing that success comes from borrowing the belief systems, thinking patterns, and behaviors of those already operating at a higher level. He highlights how AI has eliminated the excuse of not knowing “how,” shifting the real advantage to those who can define what they want and ask better questions to get there. This conversation is a reminder that information is everywhere, but transformation only happens when you learn how to think, question, and execute differently. The gap isn’t access—it’s awareness. Tune in now to learn how to ask better questions, leverage proximity the right way, and build the consistency that creates long-term results. #EntrepreneurMindset #AskBetterQuestions #ConsistencyWins #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateEntrepreneur #HighPerformance #ExperimentNation #MindsetShift #ProximityMatters #SuccessPrinciples

In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes back returning guest Zeona McIntyre for a conversation on how real estate investors can evolve with the market while staying grounded in what really matters. Zeona first joined the show in Episode 215, “Normalizing the 30-Day Stay in Your Short-Term Rental Business.” Since that conversation, both the market and Zeona’s investing approach have continued to evolve, making this return to the lab a timely update on where opportunities exist today. Zeona shares how her journey has progressed from short-term rental arbitrage to property ownership, mid-term rentals, and now creative financing strategies designed to help investors operate in a higher-interest-rate environment. She breaks down the concept of subject-to financing in simple terms, explains how creative deal structures can solve real problems for buyers and sellers, and highlights how investors can position themselves to acquire properties without relying solely on traditional lending. Throughout the discussion, Ruben and Zeona explore the importance of experimentation in entrepreneurship, emphasizing how investors must continually adapt their strategies as markets shift. Zeona also shares real examples of creative deals, including situations where distressed sellers were able to exit challenging financial positions while investors stepped in with new visions for the property. These stories highlight how creative financing can create multiple wins across a single transaction. The conversation expands beyond deal structures into the broader mindset required to thrive as an entrepreneur. Ruben and Zeona discuss collaboration, relationship-driven deal flow, and the shift from trying to do everything alone to building networks where multiple people benefit from a single opportunity. They also explore the growing influence of AI and why building strong cash-flowing assets may become even more important as technology reshapes industries. Toward the end of the episode, Zeona shares insights from her upcoming book, The Creative Closer, which outlines several creative financing strategies and the negotiation frameworks investors can use to structure deals in unconventional ways. She closes with a reminder that while entrepreneurs often focus on the next milestone, it’s just as important to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find small pockets of joy in everyday life. Tune in now to hear how Zeona McIntyre continues to experiment, adapt, and help investors think differently about creative financing, collaboration, and the future of real estate. KEEPING IT REAL 03:20 – Investor evolution 04:36 – Experimentation mindset 06:38 – Sub-to deal story 07:43 – Creative financing shift 08:15 – STR tax strategy 10:41 – Subject-to explained 12:20 – Writing new book 15:00 – Creative deal case 21:27 – Creative deal tools 24:14 – AI and real estate 25:01 – Cash flow strategy 31:26 – Collaboration mindset 45:15 – Enjoy the moment CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.zeonamcintyre.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeona-mcintyre/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeonamcintyre #CreativeFinancing #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #SubjectTo #Wholesaling #InvestorMindset #Entrepreneurship #MidTermRentals #InTheLab

In this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a powerful mindset shift that quietly determines how long it takes you to win: the timeline you give yourself. Drawing from recent paradigm shifts, personal reflection, and lessons from Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s recent publication of the Science of Scaling and Time is a Tool, he challenges the assumption that big goals naturally require long time horizons. The episode explores why most entrepreneurs dramatically underestimate what they can accomplish when stakes are raised and timelines are compressed. Using real-life examples—from school deadlines to business growth—Ruben explains how Parkinson’s Law shows up in careers, investing, and entrepreneurship, and why time itself is often the constraint we unknowingly create. Ruben also walks through a practical reframing exercise: instead of asking “how” something will take ten years, ask what would need to be true if you had to do it in three. By removing pressure and shifting perspective, new pathways emerge, better decisions surface, and execution accelerates. This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t speed up by working harder—it speeds up by changing the questions you ask, the standards you set, and the timelines you accept. Tune in now to learn how to use time as a tool, collapse long-term goals into shorter horizons, and design experiments that force clarity, focus, and faster results. #EntrepreneurMindset #TimeIsATool #ParkinsonsLaw #BusinessGrowth #HighPerformance #ExperimentNation #RealEstateEntrepreneur #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #EliteOperators