Advertise on podcast: Raising A Billion Dollars with Ellis Hammond

I'm thrilled to announce we've surpassed $300 million in retail capital! In this episode, I dive into our fundraising progress this year, break down the numbers, and discuss our Q3 marketing strategies. I'll share what's working and what's not, including our success with newsletter sponsorships and the emergence of ChatGPT as a new source of leads. Plus, I'll talk about the importance of third-party validation in today's AI-driven world. 

I'm excited to introduce a new format designed to resonate with capital raisers and fund managers alike. In this week's update as of August 15th, 2025, I share our fundraising progress—currently at $73.3 million for the year, with a goal to exceed $100 million by year’s end. I'll also provide insights into the challenges and successes we've experienced with our multifamily deals, along with strategies for leveraging Facebook advertising and investor happy hours to boost engagement. Tune in for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what's driving success (and what needs improvement) in capital raising today!

In this episode, I’m breaking down what you really need to know before making your next hire. After building and scaling teams across sales, marketing, and investor relations in a capital-raising business, I’ve learned that success with hiring comes down to clarity, structure, and focus. I’ll share the exact framework I use to identify when you’re ready to hire, how to create clear KPIs, and why specialists always outperform generalists. Whether you’re hiring your first VA or your next sales pro, this episode will help you hire smarter—and with confidence.

In this episode, I’m sharing a private session I led for a mastermind of top fund managers from around the country—recorded live in Austin. Over the past several years, I’ve built and scaled multiple investment platforms, and in this talk, I break down the exact framework I use to grow and scale the acquisition of new investors. This isn’t about vague marketing advice—it’s a clear, actionable system for building real momentum in your capital-raising efforts. I walk through how to identify what’s actually working in your business, how to measure the right metrics, and how to double down on the activities that move the needle. If you’re serious about building a durable, scalable investor base, this episode will give you the roadmap. Here’s what I cover: My step-by-step framework for consistent investor growthWhat most fund managers get wrong about measuring successThe levers that have created the biggest breakthroughs in our own raise strategiesHow to align your efforts with your long-term vision—and stop spinning your wheels Whether you're just getting started or managing a growing fund, this session is packed with hard-earned lessons and next steps you can apply immediately. 🎧 Let’s dive in.

In this episode, I dive into one of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a capital raiser: prioritizing cash flow early on is critical to building a sustainable business. Early in my career, I focused too much on long-term equity upside—and nearly paid the price when the market turned. I share how that experience shaped my approach and why strong, consistent cash flow is the backbone that allows your business to survive—and even grow—when others are contracting. If you're in the game of raising capital or operating investment funds, this episode is a must-listen for understanding how to structure your deals and strategy for durability, not just potential. Learn how to weather economic headwinds, maintain operational flexibility, and position your business for long-term success.

Raising capital online isn't about flashy tricks—it's about understanding what actually moves the needle. In this episode, I unpack exactly what I learned after spending $136,000 on Facebook ads to grow our investor base.You'll discover: The key marketing metrics every capital raiser should be trackingHow to adapt these paid ad strategies even if you're not running Facebook adsWhy "he who spends the most to acquire investors—profitably—wins"How to scale your online efforts without burning cashWhether you're raising $1M or $100M, the principles I share here will help you build a sustainable and scalable marketing engine to attract qualified investors online.

In this episode, I walk through the exact strategy we're using at Aspen Funds to grow from $250 million to $1 billion in capital raised—including the key hires we’re making, how we’re scaling our marketing efforts, and what’s changing in our approach as we hit new growth breakpoints. The truth is, the levers that work at $50M are different from those at $250M—and I’m sharing how we’re adapting at each stage so you can apply the same principles to scale your own capital-raising efforts.

If you’re trying to raise your first million dollars, I want to simplify the process for you. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three levers that actually matter—your investor list, one-on-one calls, and time watched. I’ve learned the hard way that most things don’t move the needle. So let’s cut through the noise and focus on what really drives results. This is the playbook I wish I had when I started.

Welcome to Raising a Billion Dollars—a capital raising podcast built for real businesses and serious operators. Formerly known as the Kingdom REI Podcast, we’ve evolved. This show is no longer just about real estate or faith-driven entrepreneurship—though those roots still matter. We’re stepping into the next phase: helping entrepreneurs, fund managers, and business leaders master the art of raising significant capital to build lasting companies. In this short trailer episode, we share why we made the shift, what you can expect moving forward, and how Raising a Billion Dollars will serve as your go-to resource for navigating investor conversations, fund structures, private equity partnerships, and scalable capital strategies. If you're tired of hype, gimmicks, and surface-level advice—and you’re building something real—this show is for you. Subscribe now and join us as we explore what it really takes to raise and deploy capital at scale.

In this episode, I’m sharing a part of my journey most people don’t expect—how college ministry became the foundation for everything I know about raising capital. Before I ever built a business or raised a dollar, I was learning how to get attention, lead movements, and think outside the box. I’ll take you behind the scenes with some wild stories, real lessons, and how all of it translates into raising millions today. If you're a capital raiser, fund manager, or entrepreneur looking to grow—this one's for you.

00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Jean's Boat Accident 09:00 - KlinkLoans Fund 17:00 - Vetting Process and Red Flags 22:00 - Investing in KlinkLoans  26:00 - Conclusion Make sure to follow Jean via his website at https://klinkloans.com/ Are you ready to break into commercial real estate investing? Are you looking for a christian community of peers and mentors to help you move quickly while avoiding expensive mistakes? If so, apply to be part of the Kingdom REI Mastermind!  Click here to learn more.  Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰 Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds ➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanager Our firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing. Every month we go live to share what's working for us to help you raise more money and connect with other cool people doing the same.

0:00 - Introduction 03:00  - The Importance of Time with Family 10:00 - The Three Principles of Board Meetings 18:00 - Q&A with Jim Shields 28:00 - Conclusion Make sure to grab Jim's best-selling book, "The Family Board Meeting" and to visit his website at 18 Summers.com Are you ready to break into commercial real estate investing? Are you looking for a christian community of peers and mentors to help you move quickly while avoiding expensive mistakes? If so, apply to be part of the Kingdom REI Mastermind!  Click here to learn more.  Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰 Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds ➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanager Our firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing. Every month we go live to share what's working for us to help you raise more money and connect with other cool people doing the same.

00:00 - Creating Financial Freedom: An Interview with Justin Donaldson 04:56 - Living a Life of Freedom: Becoming a Lifestyle Investor  10:06 - Investing in Mobile Home Parks: A Journey from Midwest to Freedom  14:32 - The Secret to Working Smarter Not Harder: A Guide from Someone Who Found the Way Out  19:35 - Finding Success in Real Estate Investing: Finding Deals and Due Diligence Strategies  24:32 - Prioritizing Passive Income Generating Strategies  29:23 - Steps to Scaling Your Business with Justin Wiggins    Visit Justin's website at Lifestyle Investor Don't forget to listen to Justin's podcast. Are you ready to break into commercial real estate investing? Are you looking for a christian community of peers and mentors to help you move quickly while avoiding expensive mistakes? If so, apply to be part of the Kingdom REI Mastermind!  Click here to learn more.  Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰 Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds ➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanager Our firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing. Every month we go live to share what's working for us to help you raise more money and connect with other cool people doing the same.

00:00 - The Benefits of Investing with Brandon Poulin and a Prayer for Blessing  04:25 - Brandon's Journey to Becoming a Professional Investor 09:27 - Hedging Risk in Your Business: Scraping, Allocating, and Growing Investible Cash 14:38 - Measuring Investment Returns: Cashflow vs. IRR  19:38 - Analyzing Return on Investment for Real Estate and Other Investments 24:40 - A Billionaire's Asset Allocation and Investing in Alternatives  29:44 - The Key to Investing: A Long-Term Strategy  34:30 - The Key to Building Wealth: Staying in the Long Game of Investing  39:04 - Good Endorsement: Brandon Turner Shares His Experiences in Growing a 7 Figure Business and His Thoughts On Generosity 43:52 - Be a Part of the Journey: Keep Finding Great Guests & Investing With Us    Follow Brandon via The Enterprise CEO Don't forget to listen to Brandon's Podcast,  Big Business Mistakes Are you ready to break into commercial real estate investing? Are you looking for a christian community of peers and mentors to help you move quickly while avoiding expensive mistakes? If so, apply to be part of the Kingdom REI Mastermind!  Click here to learn more.  Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰 Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds ➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanager Our firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing. Every month we go live to share what's working for us to help you raise more money and connect with other cool people doing the same.

Kerry worked in the IT industry for over 24 years before retiringto join Bonnie full time in their multifamily business. His primary focus is acquisitions & dispositions.  Bonnie, on the other hand, worked in the financial investment industry for 30+ years with Merrill Lynch in Private Wealth Management. They began investing in multifamily in 2014, shortly after, Bonnie resigned from Corporate America to focus full time on acquiring, revitalizing and elevating multifamily communities. 00:00  - Overcoming Fear and Taking Action in Real Estate Investing  04:53 - Taking Control of the Future: My Journey in Real Estate Investing  09:24 - A Wake-Up Call for Trusting Corporate America  13:35 - Improving Communities and Connecting Families: Overcoming Fear Through Action  17:47 - A Praying Moment that Holds a Big Leap of Faith for Listeners  22:28  - The Benefits of Being an Educated Multi-Family Real Estate Investor  27:05 - Balancing Action and Clarity in Real Estate Investing  31:28 - Serving Our Communities and Pockets: Lessons Learned From Real Estate Collaboration  35:55 - Overcoming Adversity in Multifamily Real Estate: An Interview with Bonnie and Carrie of Staples Multifamily  40:31 - Connect With Us on Our Latest Episode!    Learn more about the KREI Mastermind event in San Diego, CA Are you ready to break into commercial real estate investing? Are you looking for a christian community of peers and mentors to help you move quickly while avoiding expensive mistakes? If so, apply to be part of the Kingdom REI Mastermind!  Click here to learn more.  Start Earning as a Fund Manager with Aspen Funds 💰 Are you a real estate fund manager, capital raiser, or sponsor who has raised more than one million dollars of other people's money and looking to diversify your offerings? If so, apply to become a capital raising partner with Aspen Funds ➡ APPLY HERE: https://aspenfunds.us/fundmanager Our firm, Aspen Funds, has raised more than $250 million of capital and growing. Every month we go live to share what's working for us to help you raise more money and connect with other cool people doing the same.