The Purpose-Driven Investor

Robert Howell

The Purpose-Driven Investor is the podcast where profit meets purpose in real estate. Hosted by Robert Howell, South Carolina–based real estate investor and founder of De-fine Real Estate, each episode explores how to build wealth through affordable housing, land-home packages, and impact-driven investing that helps families find stable homes. You’ll discover how to create sustainable returns through partnerships, private lending, and joint-venture opportunities that make a lasting difference. Whether you’re a lender, land seller, or investor seeking purpose-aligned deals—or you’re ready to learn the education and systems behind purpose-driven real estate—this show is your blueprint. Robert shares transparent insights, inspiring stories, and practical strategies for investing in housing projects that matter. Learn how to connect your capital with causes that build community, create legacy wealth, and deliver both impact and income.

  1. 11 MAY

    Consistency and Capital: Kelly Garrett on Success in Real Estate Investing

    In episode 23 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Kelli Garrett, the CEO and founding partner of PickFund and RehabWallet, as she shares her insights on building a purpose-driven company, the significance of relationships in business, and the value of consistency in achieving success. Tune in to discover how Kelly's mission-driven approach is making an impact in the world of real estate and affordable housing. TIMESTAMPS [00:02:39] Sports and business parallels. [00:04:58] Sports and entrepreneurship connection. [00:09:40] Female empowerment in male-dominated fields. [00:13:39] First real estate deal story. [00:18:37] Money and empowerment for women. [00:20:22] Private lending and partnerships. [00:25:21] Startup challenges in entrepreneurship. [00:30:51] Accredited investor requirements. [00:34:06] Personal motivations and purpose. [00:37:34] Life's purpose and journey. [00:42:36] The best deal ever done. [00:47:25] Belief in something bigger. [00:49:11] Consistency in real estate success. QUOTES "I don't think anybody has the best plan of action. You're just kind of living life and figuring things out as we go." -Kelly Garrett"This life that we're in is just a journey, and why hurry it? For what? I mean, the finish line, there is no finish line." -Kelly Garrett"Show up every day, and you'll be successful." -Robert Howell SOCIAL MEDIA Kelly Garrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-garrett/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelli.garrett2/  WEBSITE Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/  Rehab Wallet: https://www.rehabwallet.com/who-we-are/

    52 min
  2. 4 MAY

    Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Chris Arnold's Path to Purpose-Driven Real Estate Investing

    In episode 22 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Chris Arnold, the founder of Cornerstone Upstate, as he discusses the challenges he faced, including the sudden loss of his wife and how it shaped his purpose-driven approach to business and life. Tune in for insights on building businesses, scaling real estate, and leveraging technology in today's dynamic market. TIMESTAMPS [00:01:47] Entrepreneurial journey beginnings. [00:06:06] Life changes and unexpected challenges. [00:10:16] Real estate investment journey. [00:12:23] Real estate as a legacy. [00:16:43] Creating great experiences for renters. [00:20:23] Teaching legacy through landscaping. [00:25:37] Off-market real estate deals. [00:30:00] AI's impact on real estate. [00:34:29] Legacy beyond monetary success. [00:37:07] Faith-driven business practices. [00:39:56] Abundance mindset in business. [00:44:21] Abundance in business relationships. [00:48:40] Building community through investment. QUOTES "My faith guides every decision that we make as a company." -Chris Arnold"If your purpose ends with, how much money can I make? How many doors? If your purpose is a number, you're never going to reach it." -Chris Arnold"If you want to create a great experience for your tenants or your buyers, then you need to be hands-on." -Chris Arnold SOCIAL MEDIA Chris Arnold Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_fedro/  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    50 min
  3. 6 APR

    Why Mobile Homes Became a Purpose-Driven Investing Strategy

    In episode 21 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Joh Fedro, founder of Mobile Home Investing, as he shares how a restless search for more led him from dead-end jobs and a first glimpse at real estate investing into mobile homes. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how, from dead-end jobs to mobile home cash flow, mobile homes became a purpose-driven investing strategy.  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:09] Robert Howell introduces purpose-driven investing. [00:03:17] Finding real estate through a borrowed book. [00:04:24] First mobile home deal in a park. [00:05:23] So nervous, he threw up roadside. [00:06:31] Mobile homes as a cash flow game. [00:07:28] Real estate clubs hand over leads. [00:09:03] Looking for the right seller. [00:10:30] Asking directly opens new opportunities. [00:12:19] How the business model makes money. [00:17:57] Going away from mobiles led to losses. [00:21:26] Buying undervalued homes from hardship. [00:29:40] Teaching through YouTube and partnership. QUOTES "That first huge paycheck was a feeling like, I did this. I created something from nothing, and I actually helped people." -John Fedro"If I died, I feel like I would be in heaven. I feel like I've really been able to help a lot of people." -John Fedro SOCIAL MEDIA: John  Fedro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRZElVN1-Mj3HQdqBzYrTQ   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_fedro/  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/  Mobile Home Investing: https://mobilehomeinvesting.net/about-john-fedro/

    36 min
  4. 30 MAR

    Building a Scalable Business Model in Manufactured Housing

    In episode 20 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews North Carolina’s rising star in land home deals, Sean Ade, as he shares his remarkable journey from a flooded duplex nightmare to leading a booming operation dedicated to bringing affordable housing to those who need it most.  Tune in and get inspired to lead, implement, and take action toward your real estate and business goals! TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Intro & the Purpose-Driven Investor Vision [00:01:06] Sean Ade’s Real Estate Origin Story [00:06:01] Why Mobile Homes: Mentorship & Market Opportunity [00:09:44] Team Structure & Leveraging Partnerships [00:13:53] Deal Timelines, Process, and Profit Breakdown [00:14:27] Scaling Up: Year-Over-Year Growth [00:15:00] Common Pitfalls & Financing Hurdles [00:17:20] Purpose, Mindset, and Making an Impact [00:19:15] Overcoming Obstacles & Staying Motivated [00:21:15] Best Advice, Biggest Mistakes, and Game Changers [00:23:24] How to Connect with Sean QUOTES "It was very easy just to decide, maybe real estate's not for me... but it worked out really well in the back end." – Sean Ade"Let's just do as many as we can until the systems start to break. Let's figure out where our issues are." – Sean Ade"I like partnering with others... I do all the backend stuff, and let my GCs kind of run the projects for me." – Sean Ade SOCIAL MEDIA Sean Ade LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanade/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanade/  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    25 min
  5. 23 MAR

    From Paper Routes to Property Deals: Brian's Journey in Real Estate

    In episode 19 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Brian Ostrowiak, the founder of Bird Dog Group, who shares valuable insights on building and leading a successful real estate team, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven investing and its impact on communities. Tune in to discover insights on team leadership and the impact of community-driven investing. TIMESTAMPS [00:02:03] Origin story of a real estate investor. [00:05:32] Young people and real estate. [00:07:19] Accessible wealth in real estate. [00:12:33] Bird Dog Group meaning. [00:15:10] Real estate as a wealth vehicle. [00:20:35] Team growth and quality control. [00:22:22] Leadership and team dynamics. [00:25:33] Work-life balance and efficiency. [00:30:25] Redefining success beyond real estate. [00:34:18] Importance of consistency in content. [00:37:07] Agent-investor relationship dynamics. [00:42:31] Purpose-driven investing in real estate. [00:44:09] Consistency in real estate success. [00:47:22] Purpose-driven investing for families. QUOTES "To us, to the rest of the team and me, real estate's not just a place you live. It's this vehicle for wealth and success and opportunity." -Brian Ostrowiak"My purpose is to get up every day and preach that and help." -Brian Ostrowiak"Don't deny the truth that's in front of you. Solve the problems that are in front of you." -Brian Ostrowiak SOCIAL MEDIA: Brian Ostrowiak TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birddoggroup  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birddoggroup/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085624401064  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    48 min

About

The Purpose-Driven Investor is the podcast where profit meets purpose in real estate. Hosted by Robert Howell, South Carolina–based real estate investor and founder of De-fine Real Estate, each episode explores how to build wealth through affordable housing, land-home packages, and impact-driven investing that helps families find stable homes. You’ll discover how to create sustainable returns through partnerships, private lending, and joint-venture opportunities that make a lasting difference. Whether you’re a lender, land seller, or investor seeking purpose-aligned deals—or you’re ready to learn the education and systems behind purpose-driven real estate—this show is your blueprint. Robert shares transparent insights, inspiring stories, and practical strategies for investing in housing projects that matter. Learn how to connect your capital with causes that build community, create legacy wealth, and deliver both impact and income.

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