Raise the Bar

MDM 07 | Million Dollar Monday with Gene Trowbridge

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with Gene Trowbridge, an experienced real estate syndicator, attorney, and investor, who shares how he built his wealth across different stages of his career. Gene Trowbridge explains that his first million came from syndicating real estate deals, raising capital for projects that enriched both investors and himself.
Seth Bradley and Gene Trowbridge discuss how, after leaving syndication, his later wealth was built through personal real estate investments he owned outright, alongside revenue from running his law firm. Now in a more mature phase of life, Gene Trowbridge focuses on wealth preservation rather than aggressive growth. He openly admits that his “next million” will likely come passively through life insurance rather than new ventures, reflecting his shift toward simplification and reduced management.
Key Highlight Points:• Raised capital from investors • Built wealth by making others rich alongside him. • Also supported by income from running his law firm after leaving syndication. • Expects next major wealth gain to come from life insurance • Prioritizes preservation over expansion.• Reducing management responsibilities • Content with current wealth and focused on stability.Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=enGene Trowbridge’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/gene_trowbridge_not_retired/ https://x.com/TrowbridgeGene https://www.facebook.com/trowbridgelawgroup/?utm_ https://www.linkedin.com/company/trowbridge-law-group-llp/?utm_ https://x.com/law_trowbridge

TME 22 | What the SEC Thinks About Your Capital Raising with Gene Trowbridge

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with Gene Trowbridge, who began his career in corporate tech after earning an Electrical Engineering degree and MBA, later transitioning into real estate and oil & gas investing. Today, Gene Trowbridge focuses on pre-drilled oil & gas wells that offer higher cash flow and strong tax advantages.
Seth Bradley and Gene Trowbridge discuss how his analytical background informs his approach to underwriting and due diligence, emphasizing operator performance, deal transparency, and long-term stability. In capital raising, Gene Trowbridge leads with honesty, investor education, and relationship-building, using LinkedIn and personal networks to expand his reach. He believes in pitching only deals he’d personally invest in, diversifying across asset classes, and addressing risks head-on. Grounded in core values of integrity, health, and balance, Gene Trowbridge continues to grow his ventures strategically while enjoying the personal freedom his investments provide.
Bullet Point Highlights:- Continuity First: Investors care most about what happens if something happens to you, have a plan for continuity before asking for money.- Database Building: Don’t rely on one investor; build relationships with many smaller ones to create a long-term investor base.- Masterminds & Mentors: Coaching and masterminds can accelerate success, but only if mentors actually made their money in what they teach.- Integration Rule Updates: 506(b) and 506(c) offerings can now be run simultaneously if you follow each rule properly; 30-day gap still avoids integration issues.- Finder Regulation Watch: SEC considering allowing “finders” to register and charge limited fees, broker-dealers are pushing back hard.- Accredited Investor Redefinition: Possible introduction of an investor “test”; retirement funds may be removed from net-worth calculations, cutting accredited households from 19% to ~12%.-Constant Learning: Even industry veterans like Gene are still “going back to school” to keep up with evolving laws.- Gene’s Parallel Universe: Never had a W-2 job, would still be coaching or mentoring clients, always teaching others to grow.- 401(k) Access: New proposals may open 401(k)s to alternative investments, huge for capital formation, but risky for administrators.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesqhttps://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Gene Trowbridge’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/gene_trowbridge_not_retired/https://x.com/TrowbridgeGenehttps://www.facebook.com/trowbridgelawgroup/?utm_https://www.linkedin.com/company/trowbridge-law-group-llp/?utm_https://x.com/law_trowbridge

MDM 06 | Million Dollar Monday with Michael Flight

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with Michael Flight, a seasoned real estate investor and developer, who shares how he made, lost, and plans to make his next million. Michael Flight explains that his story begins with a value-add shopping center project early in his career, a challenging deal with vacant anchor tenants and environmental issues. After several years of redevelopment and refinancing, the project paid off massively, marking Michael Flight’s first million-dollar milestone.
 
Key Highlight Points:- First Million: Earned from a value-add shopping center redevelopment that overcame major hurdles (vacancies, environmental problems) and paid out big after refinancing.- Early Lessons: Started with small multifamily properties, his first rent check in cash ($900) made a lasting impression about cash flow and ownership.- Longevity: Over 35 years in real estate, building wealth through steady, value-add projects.- Last Million: Currently tied up in private tokenized investments, waiting for retail liquidity events.- Next Million: Betting on the tokenization and data revolution, especially through companies like Proximal, which allows AI analytics on encrypted corporate data without exposing proprietary information.- Vision: Sees data as the new oil, believes tokenization and secure data analytics will define the next generation of billion-dollar companies.
 
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
 
Michael Flight’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/mjflight1/?hl=en&utmhttps://www.facebook.com/michael.flight.9/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flight/?utm

T1C 06 | The 1% Closer with Jon Jasniak

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with John Jasniak, described as a top 1% performer in his field, who shares insights into what separates him from others in the real estate and land development industry. John Jasniak explains that his defining trait is an extreme attention to detail, which he believes is critical for success. Unlike many developers who delegate operations or technical details, John Jasniak stays hands-on in every part of the process, from drilling water wells to ensuring roads are built to spec.
Seth Bradley and John Jasniak discuss scaling without losing quality, with John Jasniak emphasizing the importance of hiring trusted, full-time, U.S.-based employees instead of relying on virtual assistants. John Jasniak believes proximity and accountability are essential for maintaining the same level of precision as a company grows.
Finally, Seth Bradley and John Jasniak explore the biggest risk of his career, taking on a $1.2 million seller-financed land deal when his company was worth only $2 to 3 million. The debt represented about half his net worth at the time, but John Jasniak went for it despite the fear. That bold move on a 465-acre West Texas subdivision became a pivotal growth moment for his business.
Key Highlight Points:- Attention to detail is everything: John’s success comes from being deeply involved in every operational aspect.- Hands-on leadership: He doesn’t delegate critical tasks too early or rely heavily on automation or VAs.- Scaling smartly: Growth doesn’t mean detachment, he trains and hires full-time, local employees who share his standard of excellence.- Calculated risk-taking: His biggest professional leap involved carrying $1.2M in seller-financed debt, about half his net worth, showing courage and conviction in his projects.- Mindset of excellence: John embodies the belief that mastery comes from ownership of details, disciplined scaling, and bold but thoughtful risk.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Jon Jasniak’s Links:https://jonjasniak.com/land?utm_https://www.facebook.com/subdivideking/?locale=vi_VN&utmhttps://x.com/jonjasniak?lang=en&utm_https://www.instagram.com/jonjasniak/?utm_

TME 21 | Bricks to Blockchain: The New Era of Tokenized Real Estate with Michael Flight

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with Michael Flight, who shares his personal and professional journey, touching on the pivotal moments that shaped his path. Michael Flight discusses how he originally wanted to become a Lutheran pastor but pivoted into business, using his “laziness” as a self-proclaimed superpower. Seth Bradley and Michael Flight reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of meeting people, and why Michael Flight never wants to retire because he loves what he does.
Michael Flight opens up about raising the bar in life through health and proactivity, making and losing millions through real estate and tokenized investments, and the power of experience, or “reps,” in mastering his craft. Seth Bradley and Michael Flight highlight that having children was the greatest risk he ever took, ultimately the most rewarding decision of his life, and encourage others to embrace meaningful risks for lasting fulfillment.
 
Links to watch and subscribe:
 
Highlight Points:- Parallel Universe Path: Almost became a Lutheran pastor but Greek and Hebrew studies convinced him otherwise.- Superpower: Calls “laziness” his superpower, helping him simplify and focus.- Limiting Belief: Struggled with imposter syndrome but overcame it by forcing himself into conversations and networking.- Never Retiring: Loves what he does, especially meeting fascinating people worldwide; finds retirement unnecessary.- Raising the Bar: Prioritizing health and proactivity, reducing procrastination, preparing for business obligations (like taxes).- First Million: Made through redeveloping a value-add shopping center.- Last Million: Through tokenized private investments (on paper, pending full realization).- Next Million: Likely from tokenized companies, including a promising advisory role with Proximal, a data security/AI company.- Top 1% Edge: Built from decades of “reps” in commercial real estate; can instantly assess deals and advise startups beyond real estate (marketing, insurance, legal, etc.).- Biggest Risk: Marriage and having children—initially intimidating but ultimately the most rewarding and joyful part of life.- Advice on Family: Encourages others to take the “risk” of children, noting that God provides and it enriches life.
 
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
 
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
 
Michael Flight’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/mjflight1/?hl=en&utmhttps://www.facebook.com/michael.flight.9/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flight/?ut
 

T1C 05 | The 1% Closer with Michael Flight

In this episode, Seth Bradley and Michael Flight discuss how his success in commercial real estate stems from decades of consistent “reps,” experience gained through countless deals, leases, and relationships since 1986. Michael Flight explains that this repetition allows him to instantly evaluate properties and markets with precision. His diverse background across nonprofits, advisory boards, and marketing gives him a broad business perspective, while his long-term relationships with national tenants help him quickly optimize deals.
Seth Bradley and Michael Flight emphasize that true mastery comes from experience and pattern recognition, not shortcuts. Discussing risk, Michael Flight shares both bold moves and periods of over-caution, ultimately stating that his biggest and best “risk” was getting married and having kids. Michael Flight highlights that faith, family, and legacy drive his outlook, believing that population growth, family stability, and trust in God are essential for both personal fulfillment and a healthy economy.
Bullet key highlight:
 - Success comes from decades of reps and consistency, not shortcuts. - Experience allows him to instantly analyze any commercial property based on surroundings. - Strong tenant relationships give him leverage to raise income and cut expenses quickly. - His work on nonprofit boards and advisory roles expanded his knowledge of marketing, insurance, and compliance. - Both he and Seth agree that pattern recognition from experience separates top performers from the rest. - Retail real estate demands understanding each tenant’s business model, unlike other asset classes. - Michael views risk-taking as essential to reaching the top 1%, even when others see it as reckless. - He admits that at times he’s been too cautious, sitting out while markets kept climbing. - His greatest and most rewarding risk was starting a family — marriage and children. - He believes faith, family, and population growth are vital for personal joy and a thriving economy.
 
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
 
Michael Flight’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/mjflight1/?hl=en&utmhttps://www.facebook.com/michael.flight.9/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flight/?utm

TME 20 | Private Markets, Public Access: The Platform That’s Changing Everything with Travis Smith

In this episode, Seth Bradley interviews Travis Smith, CEO of Tribevest, on the pivot to a compliance-first, turnkey infrastructure for capital aggregation in private deals. Seth Bradley and Travis Smith discuss how their partnership formed after a BVI event, why Tribevest allows independent capital aggregators to scale without building a back office, and what is actually working in today’s tougher capital-raising climate.
Travis Smith shares lessons from leaving corporate life for startups, the mindset required to found and scale a business, and why relationships and trust remain the ultimate leverage in private markets. Seth Bradley and Travis Smith provide actionable insights for investors and fund managers looking to navigate modern capital raising successfully.
 
Links to watch and subscribe:
 
Bullet Point Highlights:
- Tribevest positions as compliance-first private deal infrastructure, enabling institutional-grade capital aggregation.- The Seth–Travis origin story began at a BVI event, quick action led to architecting the fund-to-fund infrastructure.- Vision remains mainstreaming private investing, the pivot focused on repeatable product-market fit, acquisition, distribution.- Ideal users include former operators, experienced LPs, and professionals with networks, all leveraging Tribevest to scale.- Tribevest removes the non-sexy hurdles, entities, docs, banking, cap tables, distributions, taxes, admin.- Platform analogy, like Uber and Airbnb abstracted the back office, Tribevest lets one person run 20 to 40 SPVs at scale.- Capital raising is harder across VC and real estate, diversification of channels and strategic partners is essential.- Independent capital aggregators add a scalable trust channel, sponsors get one large LP check while accessing retail.- Relationships drive every raise, trust compounds via connectors, consistency in outreach beats noisy online tactics.- Travis left a lucrative corporate track for founder life, belief plus humility plus surrounding himself with A-players raises the bar.
 
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
 
Seth Bradley’s Links:
https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Travis Smith’s Links:
https://www.instagram.com/tribevesttrav/?hl=en&utmhttps://x.com/tribetrav?utm_https://www.linkedin.com/in/travissmithmovethechannel/?utm

MDM 05 | Million Dollar Monday with Reed Goossens

In this episode, Seth Bradley sits down with Reed Goossens, who shares how he earned his first and most recent million, from humble beginnings to strategic diversification. Reed Goossens explains that his first million came through hard work in multifamily syndication and private equity, while his latest focus is building long-term value through a new CPA roll-up business.
Seth Bradley and Reed Goossens discuss adapting to changing market conditions, lessons learned from real estate, and how creating multiple cash-flowing verticals can sustain growth even when traditional deal flow slows.
Bullet Point Highlights:* Made first million through multifamily real estate syndications and private equity deals.* Came from humble beginnings and built wealth through hard work and capital raising.* Views business like planting oak trees — long-term investments that yield future rewards.* Earned equity stakes in multiple businesses, creating wealth “on paper.”* Launching a CPA roll-up business to acquire and merge accounting firms.* Pivoted from multifamily when deal flow slowed in 2023–2025 to diversify income streams.* Focused on creating recurring, cash-flowing income for the GP side.* Plans to cross-sell CPA firm clients into real estate investments.* Sees synergy between tax strategy and real estate investing opportunities.* Believes diversification and long-term thinking are key to sustainable wealth.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Reed Goossens’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/reedgoossens/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/reed-goossens/https://www.facebook.com/reedgoossenspage/https://www.youtube.com/@ReedGoossensREIhttps://reedgoossens.com/

T1C 05 | The 1% Closer with Reed Goossens

In this episode, Seth Bradley and Reed Goossens discuss how grit, consistency, and continuous learning are the keys to long-term success. Reed Goossens attributes his achievements to showing up daily, evolving constantly, and embracing discomfort. He shares that the biggest risk he ever took was moving to the United States with no set plan, a move that completely changed his life and career trajectory.
Seth Bradley and Reed Goossens explore the concept of “falling forward,” taking action before having everything figured out, and allowing growth to happen through persistence and adaptability.
Bullet Points Highlight:* Grit and determination drive long-term success.* Consistency and daily discipline create compounding results.* Continuous learning and evolution are essential for growth.* Confidence matters more than being the smartest in the room.* Resilience during tough times separates top performers.* Taking calculated risks opens life-changing opportunities.* Growth happens outside your comfort zone.* Start before you’re ready—action leads to progress.* Accountability and mindset fuel entrepreneurship.* Embrace a “fall forward” mentality—learn and keep moving.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesq   / @sethbradleyesq  www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq  / sethbradleyesq    / sethbradleyesq  https://passiveincomeattorney.com/set...https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/s...  / sethbradleyesq  https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyes...
Reed Goossens’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/reedgoossen...  / reed-goossens    / reedgoossenspage     / @reedgoossensrei  https://reedgoossens.com/

TME 19 | The Interest Rate Shock & What It Really Means for Your Deal with Reed Goossens

In this episode of Raise the Bar, Seth Bradley sits down with Australian real estate entrepreneur and syndicator Reed Goossens for a deep dive into the current state of multifamily real estate, capital raising challenges, and lessons learned from recent market cycles. Seth Bradley and Reed Goossens discuss why Reed Goossens believes now is still a great time to buy despite economic uncertainty, citing historic absorption rates, long-term demand drivers, and significant pricing resets since the 2022 market peak.
Reed Goossens explains how operators must get creative with deal structures, partner with institutional capital, and stay relentlessly consistent in raising money. Seth Bradley and Reed Goossens also cover Reed Goossens’ journey from civil engineer to real estate investor, the importance of betting on yourself, and how grit and perseverance separate those who thrive in tough markets.
 
Links to watch and subscribe:
 
Bullet Point Highlights:
- Multifamily pricing is 20–40% below 2022 peaks, making it a prime time to buy.
- Demand remains strong with historic absorption in key Sunbelt markets, even with new supply.
- Class C vintage assets are distressed, creating opportunities for deep value acquisitions.
- Rate hikes crushed values, but early rate cuts and stabilization are setting up recovery.
- Stimulus roll-off and inflation drove delinquencies, exposing weak rent assumptions.
- Capital raises have shrunk dramatically, forcing operators to get creative with structures.
- Relationships and consistent investor outreach are outperforming online marketing efforts.
- Experienced operators who can actually close deals hold a major advantage right now.
- Reed’s focus is on grit, consistency, humility, and staying grounded while growing.
- His next big move is a CPA firm roll-up, creating cash flow and cross-sell opportunities.
 
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:
https://x.com/sethbradleyesq
https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq
www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq
https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq
https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/
https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/
https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq
https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq
https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Reed Goossens’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/reedgoossens/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reed-goossens/
https://www.facebook.com/reedgoossenspage/
https://www.youtube.com/@ReedGoossensREI
https://reedgoossens.com/