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If housing insecurity does not care how someone voted, why do our solutions still get trapped in red versus blue arguments?

John Laine is a longtime real estate operator and housing problem solver based in the Pacific Northwest who now leads the Starter Home Fund, a model built to expand affordable homeownership by partnering with mission driven nonprofits. John focuses on practical systems that turn existing underused housing stock into attainable starter homes for working families.

In this episode, John breaks down how the fund acquires older nonprofit owned properties with heavy deferred maintenance at deep discounts, renovates and converts them into condos, and sells to buyers around 80 percent area median income while coordinating tenant rehousing through nonprofit partners.

Subscribe to Skip the Lines and share this episode with one nonprofit leader and one real estate operator you trust!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and why West Coast investing gets misunderstood

02:29 Urban growth boundaries and why ADUs and condo conversions thrive

07:13 Johns path to Portland and decades of deal experience

17:02 The Starter Home Fund model explained condo conversions for 80 percent AMI buyers

31:00 Scaling to 10,000 homeowners through operator partnerships across cities

50:15 How to reach John how the fund raises and why mentorship matters

Quotes:

“I think that the housing affordability crisis is an American problem and not a red or blue state problem.” ~ John Laine

Mentorship is, that’s the fastest way I know to skip the line.” ~ John Laine

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📢 Connect with John Laine!

Website: https://starterhome.fund/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-condo-fund

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starterhomefund/

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What if the thing holding your career back… is your face?

Eric Gallager, audit partner at one of the nation’s top 20 CPA firms, Withum. Eric shares his unconventional journey from working in a car parts store to becoming a key figure in one of the fastest-growing accounting firms in the U.S. His story is one of grit, humility, and evolution—from choosing accounting over auto mechanics to navigating mergers, building culture, and embracing AI in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Gallager goes beyond balance sheets to discuss business philosophies, personal setbacks (including an unexpected confrontation about his “RBF”), and how human connection and humility remain central to success. If you’re an aspiring professional, entrepreneur, or anyone curious about scaling trust in the service economy, this is a must-listen.

If Eric’s story inspired you, share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that it's never too late to pivot. Follow the podcast, leave a review, and reach out to Eric Gallager or Withum for professional CPA services.

Chapters

00:00 Intro and Industry Scope
03:12 Eric’s Unlikely Career Path
07:21 Climbing the CPA Ladder
13:12 Mergers and AI Disruption
20:01 Lessons in Humility and Growth
35:01 Business Strategy and Life Advice

Quotes:

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~ Eric Gallager

“If you’re good at trading horses, you’ll probably be great at selling cars.” ~ Eric Gallager

Enjoyed the show?
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📢 Connect with Eric Gallager!

Website: https://www.withum.com/our-people/eric-gallagher/

📢 Connect with me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

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Business Inquiries: jonathan@adupals.com

#SkipTheLines #Entrepreneurship #CPA #AccountingLife #AuditPartner #AIinBusiness #LeadershipLessons #BusinessGrowth #CareerJourney #SkipTheLines #LifeMantras #FaithInBusiness #Withu

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Would you trade lives with your boss, and if not, why are you working to become them?

Mike Blair, a San Diego native, seasoned real estate broker, and leader at LPT Realty. Known for his sharp communication, deep industry insight, and commitment to team development, Mike also runs one of the largest real estate meetups in the city. He brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial experience, having launched businesses in branding and apparel before entering the real estate world.

Mike shares how he was recruited into real estate after years of managing teams and consulting on branding for celebrity and corporate clients. His leadership approach focuses on sharpening skillsets rather than spoon-feeding leads, setting a powerful standard in the real estate space.

Follow Mike Blair on Instagram, join the “Margaritas and Mingle” networking event on the last Thursday of each month at Hideaway in San Diego, and if you’re an agent looking to scale without being spoon-fed — this is your guy.

Chapters

00:00 From South Bay to Broker: Mike's Early Journey
06:46 Real Estate Foundations and Keller Williams Years
14:31 Volume, Value, and Building a Scalable Team
21:13 Mindset, Mentorship, and the Power of Masterminds
28:51 Market Talk, Investments, and Flip Fails
38:21 Networking, Meetups, and Skip the Line Hacks

Quotes:

“I don’t buy leads. I build entrepreneurs.” ~ Mike Blair

“Are you doing this to get closer to your goal — or just to have more stuff?” ~ Mike Blair

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📢 Connect with Mike Williams!

Website: https://mikeblairrealty.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeblairealty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeblairrealty/

📢 Connect with me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

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ADU PALS: https://adupals.com

Business Inquiries: jonathan@adupals.com

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What if your greatest edge in real estate isn’t how well you can sell, but how well you understand debt?

Mike Williams is a top producing real estate agent with Keller Williams, a former mortgage lender, and a lifelong San Diegan with decades of experience across lending, real estate, and even the golf industry. In this episode of the Lines Podcast, Mike opens up about his journey from growing up in a Marine family and living in Rome to breaking into lending and eventually becoming a full-time real estate agent.

He explains why understanding financing is essential for every agent, how to adapt to changing markets, and how trust and consistency drive referrals and long-term success.

Are you a real estate professional looking to level up your game?

Chapters

00:00 Mike Williams Early Life and Military Upbringing
04:45 Getting Into Lending and Learning the Mortgage Industry
11:59 Golf, Sales, and Startup Experience
20:47 Transition Into Real Estate and Building a Career
32:50 Navigating Market Shifts and Working with Clients
47:00 San Diego Forecast, Referrals, and Long-Term Strategy

Quotes:

“If you can’t understand the debt side, you’re missing half the picture.” ~ Mike Williams

“Sales is just solving problems, if you do it right, people come back.” ~ Mike Williams

“Top of mind means being in their lives, even when they’re not buying or selling.” ~ Mike Williams

“You’ll run out of money before you run out of time, be ready for the pain.” ~ Mike Williams

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📢 Connect with Mike Williams!

Website: https://mikewilliamsre.com

LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/mikewilliamsre

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/MikeWilliamsFamily/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

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Business Inquiries: jonathan@adupals.com

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What would you do if your business started in debt, but you saw a $4 million swing in just 12 months?

Andrew Robles is the founder of Foundation Builders Corporation and a rising force in the construction world. In this episode, host Jonathan Mitchell dives into Andrew’s journey from a negative $16,000 tax return to generating $3.9 million in revenue in his first year of business. Andrew shares how growing up in the industry through his father and cutting his teeth in real estate sales gave him the skills to build a successful contracting company.

He breaks down how he leverages social media, pricing integrity, and relationship-building to scale across Los Angeles and Florida.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Skip the Lines and leave a review if you’re serious about leveling up your business game!

Chapters

00:00 Starting a Construction Business During the Pandemic

10:58 Sales, Marketing, and the Power of Social Media

21:36 Breaking into the Florida Market

30:45 Pricing, Integrity, and Scaling the Right Way

42:18 Future of Construction, Tech, and Building Culture

54:03 Partnerships, Laws, Networking and Market Forecasts

Quotes:

“I operate from abundance, I know when we finish one project, there’s five more right behind it.” ~ Andrew Robles

“Your competition is not your enemy. Learn from them. Follow them. Compete with them.” ~ Andrew Robles

“Construction is not a spreadsheet game. It’s boots-on-the-ground. You need real people.” ~ Andrew Robles

Enjoyed the show?
Click here to SUBSCRIBE to the “Skip The Lines Podcast”

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📢 Connect with Andrew Robles!

LinkedIn Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundational-builders-corporation/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewrobles/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

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Business Inquiries: jonathan@adupals.com

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What if the biggest breakthrough for your business or mindset was hidden in an episode you missed?

Rob Brown is a San Diego-based real estate powerhouse — broker, investor, developer, and founder of Fantastik Realty. With deep roots in the industry and a reputation for dominating coastal markets like Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, Rob has built a multi-million dollar portfolio by combining sharp market knowledge with strategic investment. He earned his finance degree from USC and a master's in real estate from USD, and he’s been making big waves in both residential and commercial real estate since buying his first property at 19.

Rob breaks down how agents can level up from just collecting commissions to becoming long-term investors, the advantages of rep tax status, navigating ADU laws in San Diego.

If you're a real estate agent still playing small, it’s time to level up.

Chapters

00:00 From Vegas Roots to San Diego Real Estate

06:46 Turning Commission into Capital: The Investor Mindset

13:06 Mastering the San Diego Market

19:46 Working with High-Net-Worth Clients

27:03 The Truth About ADUs and Development in California

34:31 Real Estate, Rapid Fire, and Rob’s Final Advice

Quotes:

"If you're not living below your means and investing the difference, you're not building wealth." – Rob Brown

"The wealthiest people in the world want rep status—real estate agents already have it." – Rob Brown

Enjoyed the show?
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📢 Connect with Rob Brown!

Website: http://www.fantastikrealty.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbrownrealestate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobBrownVegas/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbrownvegas/

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Business Inquiries:

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What if the biggest breakthrough for your business or mindset was hidden in an episode you missed?

As we kick off a brand new season of Skip the Lines Podcast, host Jonathan Mitchell takes us on a high-energy, insight-packed journey through 2025’s most impactful moments. This episode is a curated highlight reel—part reflection, part celebration—featuring unforgettable quotes, bold insights, and transformative strategies from the brilliant minds who joined the show last year.

From real estate rebels flipping the ownership model, to creators scaling businesses with radical transparency, to startup founders navigating chaos with calm—this recap is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and taking the shortcut to success. Whether you’re new to the pod or a loyal listener, this is the perfect launchpad into an even bigger year ahead.

New episodes drop every week—don’t miss out! Subscribe, leave a review, and share this recap with someone ready to level up in 2026.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and the biggest lessons from 2025
03:58 Real estate strategies and investing insights
11:37 Building a personal brand and content that connects
18:42 Startup grit team building and growth moments
25:59 Mindset habits health and performance tips
34:48 Audience favorites guest highlights and what’s coming in 2026

Quotes:

“Rent where you want to live, own where the numbers make sense.”

“Be curious. That’s the most underrated advantage in business and life.”

“Success is boring consistency done over time.”

“Don’t build for everyone, build for someone specific, and build well.”

Enjoyed the show?
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Business Inquiries: jonathan@adupals.com

#SkipTheLines #2025Recap #PodcastHighlights #RealEstateTips #FounderLife #CreatorEconomy #StartupAdvice #MindsetMatters #YearInReview #GameChangers #LevelUp2026 #JonathanMitchell #PodcastGems #MicDropMoments #BigIdeas #LifeDesign #VisualLearning #I

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What if giving your services away for free was the smartest business decision you could ever make?

Vince DiNatale is a San Diego entrepreneur, agency owner, and marketing strategist behind Solid State Marketing and Inner Circle Nightlife. He started his career working overnight shifts at a casino and now leads campaigns for iconic brands like Randy’s Donuts and Oceans 11 Casino. Vince built his agency from the ground up by offering free value, mastering hospitality marketing, and never burning bridges.

He’s known for throwing high-impact nightlife events, scaling restaurant launches through word-of-mouth and influencer collaborations, and staying ahead of trends with tools like ChatGPT and Sora. When he’s not at the office or on-site at client events, you’ll find Vince networking, asking smart questions, building community, and helping brands go viral with smart, bold content.

Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review and share it with someone looking to break into marketing or build their brand. Don’t forget to follow Solid State Marketing and Inner Circle Nightlife on Instagram to see Vince’s work in real-time.

Chapters

00:00 From Counting Chips to Creative Campaigns
05:46 Landing Randy’s Donuts and Building Credibility
13:17 In-House Marketing vs Hiring an Agency
20:08 Scaling with AI, Content Strategy and Social Media
29:12 Hospitality Wins, Losses and Opening Night Tactics
39:34 Influence, Team Culture and Marketing in 2025

Quotes:

“You have no value in the beginning. Show the value, then you can start charging.” – Vince DiNatale

“I’ve spent $0 on marketing my agency, word of mouth has built everything.” – Vince DiNatale

“If you're not in hospitality already, please, for your sake and mine, don’t get in.” – Vince DiNatale

“Influence creates money, unless you're not smart about it.” – Vince DiNatale

Enjoyed the show?
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📢 Connect with Vince DiNatale!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincedinatale/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincedinatale/

📢 Connect with me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmitchellre/

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