In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Damon Lines—longtime CG member and high-level CEO operator—for a conversation that blends grit, strategy, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial wisdom. Damon shares how he went from making six figures in college as a part-time mortgage guy to navigating a near-bankruptcy during the 2008 crash. He opens up about the hard choices he had to make and the key decisions that helped him scale a multimillion-dollar wholesaling business.

We cover Damon’s deep-rooted partnership with Doug Hopkins, what it really takes to build a lean and profitable real estate business, and how a leap into TV advertising—when everyone else said it was too risky—became a game-changer. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re at a crossroads in your real estate journey, this episode is full of insights that will challenge the way you think about growth, discipline, and focus.

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:00] - How Damon and Doug built their wholesaling business in Southern California and Phoenix

[4:00] - Why laser focus on wholesaling became their superpower

[7:00] - The strength of their partnership and what makes it last

[10:00] - Damon’s pivot from pursuing dentistry to making $150K in college

[15:00] - The mental toll of the 2008 crash and how Damon rebuilt from near-zero

[20:00] - How a systems-driven approach helped scale to 250 homes/month

[33:00] - The birth of Sellers Advantage and betting big on TV ads

[39:00] - Why TV advertising outperformed all other lead sources

[47:00] - Building a small but elite team—and why fewer, better people win

[54:00] - What changed after joining Collective Genius and how feedback improved their operation

[57:00] - The value of responding to leads fast—and how it transformed their conversion rates

[1:00:00] - Damon’s perspective on smart hiring, gut checks, and when to ignore the data

1. Focus Wins – Damon and Doug found long-term success by resisting distractions and staying committed to wholesaling—even when others pivoted.

2. TV Still Works – While most investors overlooked it, TV became their number one lead source and continues to drive results in highly competitive markets.

3. Lean and Profitable Beats Big and Average – With fewer than 25 employees across two markets, their team operates lean but earns more by hiring exceptional talent and paying them well.

4. Partnerships Matter – Damon and Doug’s complementary strengths and shared vision have helped them navigate challenges and stay aligned for nearly two decades.

5. Feedback is Fuel – Joining Collective Genius helped Damon see blind spots in his business—from response time to process improvements—and accelerated their growth.

• https://www.sellersadvantage.com/ – Damon and Doug’s California-based home buying company

• https://www.doughopkins.com/ – Their Arizona operation and brand

• https://go.thecollectivegenius.com/podcast/ – Learn more about the mastermind behind this podcast

If this episode hit home or gave you a new perspective, do me a favor—rate the show, follow us, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone else in the real estate game. We appreciate you listening and being a part of the Collective Genius community.

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with my good friend and longtime CG member, Glenn Schworm. Glenn’s journey from humble beginnings to leading two thriving businesses—one in real estate flipping and the other in education—is filled with hard lessons, major wins, and brutally honest setbacks.

We dive into what it really takes to scale a business, what happens when things go sideways, and why some of the most important growth happens in the toughest seasons. Glenn opens up about early bankruptcies, rebuilding after failure, and what finally helped him turn things around when scaling remotely nearly broke him. If you’re navigating challenges in your business right now—or thinking about taking the leap—this conversation is going to hit home.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[3:00] – The value of real community in Collective Genius and how it’s shaped Glenn’s journey

[5:14] – Glenn’s first dream: becoming a business owner as a teenager running wiring jobs

[13:11] – His first big win—a $7,000 deal—and the marketing disaster that followed

[14:45] – The reality of buying rental properties off late-night infomercials in the ’80s

[22:23] – How Glenn and Amber got started flipping homes together

[25:01] – Flipping a house in 30 days and making $36,000 during the 2008 crash

[28:00] – Why Glenn teaches that success comes through struggle and resilience

[34:46] – The real motivation behind his education company—and why he stuck with it

[36:34] – Moving to Florida and the operational chaos that came with running things remotely

[40:01] – Investing in the right people: how a team member refused to be let go—and saved the business

[45:08] – The financial holes in the business: bad hires, unchecked marketing spend, and accounting red flags

[47:14] – A turnaround story: how leadership, coaching, and commitment rebuilt profitability

5 Key Takeaways

1. Failure is not optional—it’s essential. Glenn emphasizes that real success comes through repeated failure and the willingness to get back up, again and again.

2. Leadership is about betting on people. His business turnaround hinged on empowering the right team member who believed in the vision even when things got rough.

3. Scaling remotely is hard—but possible. It took years of trial, error, and loss before his remote flipping business found its footing again.

4. Passion matters more than the paycheck. Glenn’s drive in the education space comes from a deep love of helping others—not just making money.

5. You don’t have to be a great operator to succeed—but you do need one. Knowing his own weaknesses helped Glenn find and invest in someone who could run the day-to-day better than he could.

Links & Resources

• The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber

• Collective Genius Mastermind

• Learn more about Glenn and Amber’s flipping and education business: glennandamber.com

If this episode resonated with you, take a second to rate, follow, review, and share the podcast. These stories are here to help you grow, and your support helps us reach more investors ready to scale with intention.

In this episode, we sit down with my longtime friend and CG member, Jimmy Vreeland—a guy who’s gone from military grit to entrepreneurial gold. We talk about everything from his time at West Point and deployments overseas, to how a book recommended by his mom ignited a passion for real estate while he was in uniform.

Jimmy shares how he built a multi-market real estate business with multiple verticals, including wholesaling, property management, and education, and the mistakes and wake-up calls he faced along the way. If you’re still working a W-2 job, have a small portfolio, or even running a full-time investment company, this conversation has something for you. We talk real about building wealth, making the leap, growing through masterminds, and building a business that actually supports the life you want.

Episode Highlights & Timeline:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:45] - Jimmy’s business model and how his real estate empire is structured

[4:09] - Early dreams, West Point, and a pivotal decision just before 9/11

[6:52] - The moment his dad dropped the truth about his football dreams

[12:29] - How Rich Dad Poor Dad (and Oprah!) started Jimmy’s real estate journey

[14:55] - Sending money home from deployment to start buying rentals

[16:28] - Transitioning from Army to medical sales during the 2008 crash

[19:22] - What Stryker taught him about sales and mental toughness

[23:04] - The “newborn baby moment” that led to quitting his job

[27:01] - Why “balance” doesn’t exist—and why Jimmy lives on the edge instead

[30:36] - Building culture through the “5 F’s” framework in his business

[34:00] - The evolution of purpose, faith, and business leadership

[45:11] - Discovering mastermind communities and stumbling into CG

[49:04] - The CG wake-up call: 120 rentals, no systems, no real business

[54:03] - The myth of passive income and what really creates financial freedom

[56:30] - The danger of leaving your W-2 too soon

[1:04:44] - How Jimmy implements fast—and why it’s been his secret weapon

[1:08:10] - Being the hero in your family’s story

5 Key Takeaways:

1. You don’t need to leave your W-2 to start investing – Jimmy built his first 6 rentals while still deployed overseas and working full time.

2. Passive income is earned through active effort – His 120 rental properties looked great on paper, but they were mismanaged and not profitable until he built real operational systems.

3. Sales experience is a foundational skill – Jimmy’s medical sales career taught him how to get in front of tough clients, ask better questions, and close deals—skills he still uses today.

4. The right community accelerates growth – Joining Collective Genius exposed blind spots, gave him real feedback, and helped him go from operator to owner.

5. Purpose beats profit – Eventually, Jimmy realized that chasing meaning and becoming a hero in his family’s eyes was more motivating than chasing cash flow alone.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Jimmy: https://vreeland-capital.com/
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: https://a.co/d/3cwQRXy
• The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly: https://a.co/d/ey8WmBH
• Learn more about Collective Genius: https://thecollectivegenius.com/

If this episode gave you something to think about, helped you reflect on your journey, or lit a fire under you—leave a review, follow the show, and share it with a friend who’s on the edge of their next breakthrough. This is how we grow together.

In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I’m joined by a longtime friend and powerhouse real estate entrepreneur, Sam Primm. From humble beginnings in St. Louis with zero intentions of becoming an entrepreneur, Sam shares how a copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad lit a fire that led him to build a $50 million rental portfolio, create a national coaching brand, and become one of the most authentic voices in real estate education on social media.

We dive into everything from partnerships and buyouts to building a business with your best friend, growing a social media following of over 3 million, and creating a multi-pronged business model that drives real impact. This is an honest, transparent conversation filled with practical advice, hard lessons, and big wins. Whether you’re new to real estate or scaling to eight figures, Sam’s journey is a blueprint for long-term success without sacrificing your values.

Episode Timeline Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction

[3:09] - Sam’s first CG meeting and feeling “out of his league”

[5:01] - Childhood goals: not business, but being a great dad

[6:48] - A life-changing read of Rich Dad Poor Dad sparks a new path

[9:19] - Meeting Brian Schroeder at a local meetup and the start of a successful partnership

[12:01] - The flip business buyout and how the transition happened smoothly

[13:40] - Why Sam and Lucas’s partnership works: mutual trust, clear roles, and no ego

[15:48] - Dividing responsibilities: running separate companies while owning 50/50

[20:09] - The secret to a successful business exit? Sell to your own team

[24:24] - Starting out on YouTube and pivoting into social media education

[25:40] - How Sam built a national coaching brand without running ads

[27:39] - Why organic growth and team structure were key to balancing two businesses

[30:17] - The power of building a strong team foundation and culture

[36:06] - The toughest year in the flipping business and what it taught Sam and Lucas

[39:14] - Social media backlash: navigating hate, trolls, and even death wishes

[42:27] - Sam’s proudest achievement: a $50M rental portfolio built with none of his own money

[45:03] - Lessons from jumping into multifamily and what he’d do differently

[50:26] - What CG has meant to Sam, Lucas, and the growth of their entire organization

[53:16] - How early social media encouragement within CG helped Sam stay the course

[54:54] - Sam’s unique superpower and how he blends competition with abundance

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Partnerships work when roles are clear and egos are checked – Sam and Lucas have been friends since middle school, but their success comes from dividing responsibilities, trusting each other, and keeping the bigger picture in mind.

2. Success in education starts with authenticity – Sam didn’t build his coaching brand with flashy cars or rented jets. He showed up as himself, consistently, and delivered real value.

3. Your team is your foundation – Having the right people in the right seats enabled Sam to step into the visionary role and scale multiple companies simultaneously.

4. Social media can build or break you – Sam shares the good, bad, and ugly of going viral. His thick skin and commitment to helping others have kept him focused.

5. The best buyer for your business might already be on your team – Instead of selling to outsiders, Sam and Lucas bought out their mentor Brian in a way that kept the business strong and the relationships intact.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about The Collective Genius: thecollectivegenius.com

• Connect with Sam Primm on Instagram and TikTok: @SamFasterFreedom

• Explore Sam’s coaching programs: www.FasterFreedom.com

If you enjoyed this episode, take a second to rate and review the show. Follow us for more conversations with real estate leaders who are building businesses, changing lives, and making an impact.

In this episode of The Collective Genius Podcast, we sit down with my good friend and standout leader, Eric Brewer. Eric’s path into real estate is anything but typical. From humble beginnings in Gettysburg to a career in the military, to selling luxury cars, and finally scaling a high-volume real estate investment business—his journey is packed with powerful, hard-earned lessons.

We dive deep into the life experiences that shaped his identity and leadership style. Eric opens up about the turning points in his life—from desperately wanting to be accepted as a kid, to discovering sales as a way to connect with people, to becoming a visionary leader who now builds other leaders. You’ll hear how he scaled his business in a relatively small market using creativity, consistency, and a deep commitment to personal growth. And how joining a mastermind like Collective Genius completely changed the game for him.

Episode Highlights Timeline

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:05] - Eric lays out his market footprint and deal volume across PA, Baltimore, and NJ

[4:00] - How flipping cars led directly to flipping houses

[7:18] - Why being liked shaped his early ambitions—and what that means today

[9:02] - Moving seven times as a kid and the impact on his ability to build relationships

[13:03] - Observing how sales changed his family’s financial future

[22:16] - The turning point: walking off a job site and enlisting in the military

[30:25] - The moment a double-breasted suit and picking up trash landed him a career

[34:00] - The value of the “little things” in career growth

[40:00] - Quitting the car industry to protect his future and family

[44:14] - Finding Collective Genius and transforming his business model

[47:00] - Learning to wholesale, scale marketing, and systematize his operations

[50:47] - Insights from keynote speakers that shifted how he leads his company

[54:08] - Moving from being a business owner to a leader of leaders

[56:30] - Hiring a coach who became his COO and changed his entire approach to business

[1:01:00] - Why building leadership is the long game that never ends

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your childhood experiences shape your superpowers – Eric’s frequent moves and need for connection as a kid helped him develop elite-level people skills and emotional intelligence that serve him in sales and leadership.

2. The smallest actions can open the biggest doors – Picking up trash at a dealership unexpectedly launched Eric’s career and showed how attention to detail can set you apart.

3. Sales isn’t about manipulation—it’s about connection and belief – Eric learned that great salespeople truly believe in what they’re offering, and that authenticity creates trust.

4. Joining the right community accelerates your growth – The knowledge, connections, and ideas from Collective Genius helped Eric scale into new verticals, including novations and turnkey properties.

5. Visionary leadership means building leaders, not just doing deals – Eric’s business exploded when he invested in high-level talent, got out of the way, and focused on culture and clarity.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about The Collective Genius: thecollectivegenius.com

• Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold: https://a.co/d/5fPCD0O

If this episode inspired you, it would mean the world if you’d rate, follow, and review the podcast. And if you know someone who needs to hear Eric’s story—send it their way. Let’s keep building this community of real estate leaders together.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Collective Genius Podcast! I’m your host, Leon G. Barnes, and today, we’re kicking things off with none other than Steve Trang—a powerhouse in sales training, real estate investing, and entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever struggled with scaling your business, staying focused, or understanding the importance of coaching, this is the episode for you.

Steve shares his journey from electrical engineering to becoming a real estate agent, wholesaler, brokerage owner, sales trainer, and podcast host. We dive deep into the lessons he’s learned along the way—how shiny object syndrome nearly derailed his success, why coaching was a game-changer, and the tough decisions he had to make when the real estate market shifted. Plus, he reveals the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to scale. If you’re looking for actionable insights and inspiration to level up your real estate game, you won’t want to miss this.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:00] – How a flip-flop-wearing agent changed Steve’s career trajectory

[4:07] – The impact of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and why Steve left engineering

[7:16] – Transitioning from a W-2 job to full-time real estate

[9:55] – Making the leap without a backup plan—was it worth it?

[12:30] – Building a real estate team and the painful lessons learned

[14:46] – Struggles with being a real estate agent and why Steve pivoted

[18:05] – Hiring a coach and how it transformed his business

[22:00] – The moment Steve realized he needed to shift from retail to investing

[26:20] – The market crash of 2022 and its impact on his business

[29:45] – How distractions and shiny object syndrome nearly derailed his success

[35:10] – The importance of focusing on predictable, repeatable revenue

[38:50] – Why entrepreneurs often struggle with staying in their lane

[41:20] – The rise of Real Estate Disruptors and how the podcast changed everything

[44:50] – Sales training and how it became Steve’s passion

[49:30] – The best advice Steve received from the Collective Genius community

[51:45] – Extreme ownership and how it shifted Steve’s leadership approach

Five Key Takeaways:

1. Focus is essential for long-term success. Many real estate investors try to do too much at once. Steve learned that the most successful entrepreneurs are those who master one thing before expanding into others.

2. Coaching accelerates growth. Steve initially resisted hiring a coach, but when he finally did, it transformed his business. The right mentorship can compress years of trial and error into months.

3. The market will shift—be prepared. When the real estate market changed in 2022, Steve held onto too many expenses for too long. His biggest lesson was learning to pivot and adjust quickly.

4. Know yourself and build a business that fits your strengths. Steve realized he wasn’t built for retail real estate because he hated constant follow-ups. Understanding his personality helped him move into roles better suited for him.

5. Sales skills are the foundation of success. Whether you’re wholesaling, flipping, or raising capital, mastering sales is one of the highest-impact skills an investor can develop.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Steve Trang: https://www.stevetrang.com/

• Check out the Disruptors Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/realestatedisruptors

• Learn more about Collective Genius: https://thecollectivegenius.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Your support helps us bring more high-level insights from industry leaders like Steve. See you next time.

I’m beyond excited to officially welcome you to the Collective Genius Podcast—the go-to space for full-time real estate investors who are serious about scaling. If you’re tuning in, you’re likely on a mission to take your business to the next level, and you’re in the right place. Whether you’ve been in the game for two years or twenty, this podcast was built with you in mind.

In this intro episode, I lay out the vision for what’s ahead. Each week, I’ll be sitting down with some of the top-performing investors in the industry—many of whom are part of our 500+ strong Collective Genius community. These are the innovators, deal-makers, and builders doing everything from wholesaling and fix-and-flips to new construction, self-storage, and beyond. We’ll be diving into the journeys behind the numbers—sharing the wins, lessons, and mindset shifts that drive massive growth.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - A warm welcome to the Collective Genius Podcast

[0:59] - Who this podcast is for: full-time investors ready to grow

[1:28] - What is Collective Genius? Meet the top-tier community

[1:54] - Introducing the format: weekly “Conversations with a Genius”

[2:53] - Why these stories matter: real journeys, real value

[3:19] - Breaking down the levels of CG membership

[4:19] - What you can expect to gain from each episode

[4:48] - The culture of giving that fuels the CG community

[5:17] - How to apply and join Collective Genius

[5:36] - Final thoughts and a call to subscribe, rate, and share

Links & Resources

• Learn more or apply to join the community: TheCollectiveGenius.com

Thanks for Tuning In!

If you’re ready to grow, scale, and be inspired by high-level conversations with the best in real estate investing, you’re in for an incredible ride. Don’t forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed the show. I can’t wait to bring you a new conversation with a genius every single week. See you soon!