In this episode, we break down how Mike Zlotnik, known as “Big Mike,” went from a corporate career and chess strategy mindset to becoming a full-time real estate investor, lender, and fund manager. Mike shares how thinking like a chess player helped him navigate risk, structure deals creatively, and build wealth through multiple real estate cycles.

If you’re enjoying conversations like this, join the Launch REI Newsletter for insights from top real estate investors:
https://newsletter.launchrei.co/

This Show Sponsored By
Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.
Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down

• How Mike transitioned from corporate life into real estate investing
• Why thinking like a chess player gives investors a massive edge
• The difference between being a lender vs being an owner
• How to evaluate risk in uncertain market cycles
• Lessons from investing through multiple market downturns
• Why capital preservation is just as important as returns
• How private lending funds actually work behind the scenes
• What passive investors misunderstand about real estate funds
• The importance of strategy over speed in investing
• How to “play the long game” in real estate wealth building

Time stamps

00:00 Mike’s background and corporate career
04:20 Why chess strategy applies to real estate investing
09:35 Transition into private lending and fund management
15:10 Understanding market cycles and risk management
22:40 Difference between lenders and operators
29:15 Lessons from past downturns and investor mistakes
36:50 How passive investors should evaluate opportunities
44:30 Capital preservation vs chasing high returns
51:10 Playing the long-term game in real estate
57:40 Final advice for strategic investors

Guest Bio
Mike Zlotnik, also known as “Big Mike,” is a real estate investor, lender, and fund manager with decades of experience navigating multiple market cycles. He specializes in private lending and structured real estate investments, helping investors grow wealth while prioritizing risk management and capital preservation.

Connect with Mike Zlotnik
Website: https://tempofunding.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popular/mike-zlotnik/

Connect with LAUNCH REI
Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince
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#realestateinvesting
#passiveinvesting
#privatelending
#realestatefunds
#cashflow
#wealthbuilding
#riskmanagement
#marketcycles
#realestatestrategy
#investormindset
#capitalpreservation
#financialfreedom
#launchrei
#vince
#mikezlotnik

In this episode, we break down how one investor walked away from Yiwei’s corporate job and built a thriving short-term and mid-term rental portfolio in Cincinnati that now generates over $10,000 per month.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

She shares how she started with zero experience, made every mistake possible on her first Airbnb, and eventually grew to owning 10 properties while managing 20 more for other investors.

You’ll learn why most people fail with Airbnb, what actually makes a property outperform the market, and how she’s consistently finding deals that cashflow thousands per month, even in today’s market.

This Show Sponsored By

Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.

Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down

• Why long-term rentals didn’t make sense to her in the beginning
• The accidental Airbnb experiment that changed everything
• How the Airbnb market shifted from 2019 → 2026
• Why luxury and larger homes are outperforming smaller units
• The exact bedroom/bathroom “sweet spot” for profitability
• The mistake 90% of Airbnb hosts make when outsourcing
• The first 3 hires you should make (and the one you should NEVER outsource)
• How to evaluate short-term rental numbers for ROI and cashflow
• A creative financing deal that required only $20,000 down on a $675,000 home
• Why buying in Class A neighborhoods matters more than getting a “deal”
If you’re thinking about short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, or replacing your income with Airbnb, this episode is a blueprint.

Time stamps

00:00 Thumbnail questions and intro
03:15 From California to Cincinnati for a corporate job
05:00 Discovering Airbnb by accident
07:30 Leaving corporate to go all-in on short-term rentals
10:00 How the Airbnb market changed after COVID
13:00 Why average Airbnbs are struggling today
18:30 What numbers she looks for before buying a property
22:00 Real cashflow numbers from recent properties
24:00 How many properties you need to replace your income
26:00 The 3 biggest mistakes she made early on
28:00 The correct order to outsource your Airbnb business
30:00 How to outperform the market by 30%
33:00 The ideal property size, layout, and location
35:00 Her best creative financing deal ever
37:00 Renting to professional athletes for mid-term stays

Guest Bio

Yiwei Cheng is a short-term and mid-term rental investor based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After moving for her dream corporate job, she realized traditional rentals wouldn’t create the income she wanted. She pivoted into Airbnb, built a portfolio of 10 owned properties, manages 20 more for investors, and specializes in helping others purchase and launch profitable short-term rentals in the right neighborhoods with the right design, layout, and systems.

Connect with Yiwei Cheng

Website: https://www.pinkcashcow.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/yiweicheng1

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Unlock the strategies behind earning $30,000/month in passive income through vacant land investing with special guest Russ Morgan! In this episode, we break down how Russ builds predictable income, what systems he uses, and how you can start applying these tactics today.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

This Show Sponsored By

Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.

Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down
• How Russ gets started in vacant land investing
• The process he uses to find high-ROI deals
• Strategies for creating ongoing passive income
• What tools and platforms he uses to grow his portfolio
• Mistakes to avoid when investing in land
• How to scale from one property to consistent income
• Tips for new investors entering the market
• Real life examples of his deals and returns
• The importance of systems for long-term success
• Russ’s mindset hacks for staying consistent

Time stamps

00:00 — Intro & Background
02:15 — How Russ Got Started
08:40 — Finding High-Value Vacant Land Deals
15:22 — Passive Income Systems
22:10 — How to Price & Sell Vacant Land
29:55 — Marketing That Works
35:40 — Mistakes Most Investors Make
41:20 — Q&A + Quick Tips
47:10 — Final Thoughts & Advice

Guest Bio

Russ Morgan is a seasoned real estate investor focused on vacant land. With years of experience and proven systems, Russ has built a predictable passive income stream that generates over $30k per month. His unique strategies and creative deal structures have helped him scale quickly and mentor other investors to success.

Connect with Russ Morgan

Website: http://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russ.morgan.311/

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane

#launchrei
#RussMorgan
#VacantLandInvesting
#PassiveIncome
#RealEstateInvesting
#LandDeals
#REI
#FinancialFreedom