In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Santini Lanicioni—a Hall of Fame college basketball player turned top-tier real estate investor. Santini shares how the values he learned on the court—discipline, competitiveness, and focus—translated into building one of the most dominant investing operations in Southern New Jersey. His journey from humble beginnings to orchestrating 400–500 deals annually is both inspiring and instructive.

We dive deep into Santini’s transition from athletics to sales, and eventually to real estate entrepreneurship. He unpacks the pivotal role of staying hyper-local in his market, the lessons learned through COVID-era adjustments, and how surrounding himself with the right team and community elevated his business. Whether you’re scaling up or just starting out, this episode offers a roadmap for turning adversity into opportunity and passion into profit.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:13] - Meet Santini Lanicioni: athlete, investor, and local market specialist

[4:16] - Scaling from 160 rentals to 500 annual deals through hyper-focus

[7:06] - “Take what the defense gives you”: sports mindset in business

[12:01] - Overcoming a tough childhood and discovering basketball as a lifeline

[18:13] - The power of extracurricular activities for youth development

[22:07] - From disliking school to graduating with pride

[24:35] - Sales career lessons that laid the foundation for entrepreneurship

[29:01] - Falling in love with real estate through rental properties

[33:04] - COVID challenges: stuck capital, halted refis, and a major pivot

[39:01] - Building a sales team, bringing in an operator, and scaling smart

[42:15] - How joining CG changed the game for Santini’s business

[44:01] - What didn’t work: PPC and CRM pitfalls

[45:33] - The importance of staying active and focused in your business

[49:19] - Building a brand and a presence to recruit high-level talent

[52:31] - Why social media and networking are key to hiring success

[54:43] - The power of community, team culture, and leading by example

5 Key Takeaways

1. Hyper-Local Wins: Santini’s success came from narrowing his focus to just a few counties in Southern New Jersey—proving you can scale big by going deep, not wide.

2. Athlete Mindset Translates: Traits like resilience, discipline, and competitiveness developed through sports are directly transferable to entrepreneurship.

3. Sales is a Superpower: Mastering sales was the gateway that gave Santini the confidence and financial base to leap into real estate.

4. Right People, Right Seats: Hiring a strong operator and giving up control over what didn’t energize him allowed Santini to scale efficiently.

5. Don’t Chase, Focus: Whether it’s avoiding shiny objects in masterminds or resisting nationwide marketing, focus remains Santini’s greatest asset.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about Collective Genius: www.thecggpodcast.com

• Connect with Santini Lanicioni on social media

Closing Remarks

Thanks for tuning in! If this episode brought you value, please follow, rate, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. Don’t forget to share it with another investor who could use some real talk and real strategy!

In this episode of the Collective Genius LIVE podcast, I sit down with Ian Ross from Vivid Selling (formerly known as Objection Proof Sales), a dynamic sales trainer deeply rooted in the real estate investing space. Live from our CG Select & Elevate event in Sarasota, Ian brings the energy and wisdom, diving into the nuances of sales psychology, effective lead management, and the transformative power of trust in persuasion.

We cover everything from the top hiring mistake most investors make when bringing on a lead manager to Ian’s compelling concept of “persuasion without charisma.” If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to scale your sales team or get past the same objections over and over, this conversation is your playbook. Plus, Ian shares vulnerable and inspiring reflections on personal growth and the importance of community among high-achieving entrepreneurs.

3 Key Takeaways

• Sales resistance isn’t always about you – Understand the difference between credibility resistance and internal fear to better guide your prospects toward action.

• Lead managers aren’t junior sales reps – Hiring with clarity on role fit is crucial; treat lead managers as their own distinct position rather than a stepping stone to acquisitions.

• Celebrate the process, not just the wins – Sustained performance and growth come from focusing on daily actions, not just outcomes.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:37] - Ian introduces his background in sales training and partnership with Steve Trang

[2:46] - Overview of Ian’s sales training work with real estate investors in the Collective Genius community

[4:43] - The #1 mistake people make when hiring a lead manager

[7:07] - Breakdown of Ian’s new talk: “Persuasion Without Charisma”

[8:07] - The two types of resistance in sales: credibility vs. internal fear

[10:22] - Ian’s powerful technique for helping prospects overcome their own objections

[13:04] - The difference between trust and likability in sales

[16:22] - Coaching salespeople to celebrate process over outcomes

[19:14] - Ian shares a deeply personal takeaway on community and connection from the event

Links & Resources

• Follow Ian Ross on Instagram: @vividselling

• Learn more about the Collective Genius community: www.thecollectivegenius.com

• Listen to more episodes: www.thecgpodcast.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, and share the podcast. We’d also love to hear your thoughts in a review—your feedback means the world and helps us keep delivering the content you love.

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my good friend Corey Reyment from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Corey isn't just a successful real estate investor; he's a true entrepreneur with a compelling journey of grit, growth, and grit. From cold-calling the Packers' head strength coach to accidentally stumbling into the world of real estate after realizing his original career path wasn't the right fit, Corey shares how he and his wife built a thriving business that balances both active income and long-term wealth through rental properties.

We talk about the real, unglamorous side of transitioning from a 9-to-5 to full-time real estate investing, including early missteps, $5K wholesale wins that felt like a million bucks, and painting shutters in Wisconsin winters. Corey's story is filled with laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of wisdom for any entrepreneur wondering when to leap. Tune in to learn how his Maverick personality and strong sales background helped catapult his business and life forward.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] - Introduction
[2:22] - Corey shares his background, starting with kinesiology and strength coaching aspirations.
[6:18] - Realization that the career path wasn't the right fit and pivoting to sales.
[14:11] - Early entrepreneurial ventures in fitness training and network marketing.
[22:09] - The Rich Dad, Poor Dad spark that led to real estate investing.
[26:16] - The thrill and chaos of their first deals—wholesaling, BRRRR strategy, and rent-to-own.
[30:30] - Corey explains when he knew it was time to go full-time into real estate.
[35:46] - A $5K wholesale deal becomes the confidence booster that changes everything.
[37:11] - Lessons from flipping houses and managing winter renovations in Wisconsin.
[40:30] - Building momentum through networking and mentorship.
[41:10] - How joining mastermind groups like CG propelled their growth.
[43:00] - Reflections on the power of community and continual learning.
[45:05] - The mindset shift from scarcity to abundance and giving back to the next generation of investors.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your First Career Doesn’t Define You: Corey’s transition from kinesiology to real estate shows that your degree doesn’t limit your destiny.

2. Sales Experience is a Superpower: Years in sales provided Corey with the communication skills crucial for real estate investing success.

3. Start Small, Think Big: That initial $5K wholesale deal was a turning point—proving that consistent small wins build momentum.

4. Mentorship Accelerates Growth: Having the right mentors and joining communities like CG can fast-track your business to new levels.

5. Give More Than You Take: Corey embodies the go-giver mindset, emphasizing community, contribution, and continual self-improvement.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about the Collective Genius: thecgpodcast.com

• Book Mentioned: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Closing Remarks:

If Corey’s journey inspired you even half as much as it inspired me, make sure to hit that follow button, share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur, and leave us a review. Your support means the world and helps us bring more amazing stories like Corey’s to light. Thanks for tuning in!