First Responder Financial Freedom

First Responder Financial Freedom
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We talk to first responders all over the nation who are investing and working on businesses outside of their first responder jobs. Our Goal is to motivate and educate each other and help provide a better financial understanding for a better future.

  1. 08/27/2025

    Shoot The Breeze : Mike and Tyler Discuss Self Storage and Private Money

    Ever wondered how commercial real estate investors can transform underperforming assets into cash-flowing machines? This candid conversation reveals the exact blueprint that took a modest storage facility from generating $3,800 monthly to over $13,000 - more than tripling its revenue while doubling its appraised value. The journey begins with finding the opportunity through simple networking - just mentioning the desire for storage facilities at a meetup led to discovering this diamond in the rough. The facility had all the classic signs of an underperforming mom-and-pop operation: handwritten rent rolls, an answering machine for communication, and in-person paperwork requirements.  We break down the systematic approach to transformation, starting with cosmetic improvements like LED lighting and professional signage, then implementing modern operational systems. The strategic rental rate increases and addition of tenant protection plans immediately boosted income, but the game-changer came through property expansion. By utilizing portable storage units that qualified as equipment rather than permanent structures, capacity expanded from 9,000 to 15,000 square feet without traditional construction headaches. These units even qualified for Section 179 tax advantages - a savvy move that maximized both space utilization and tax benefits. The financial results speak volumes: purchased for $550,000, with approximately $200,000 in improvements, the facility recently appraised at $1.27 million during refinancing. The new loan terms not only reduced monthly payments but accelerated equity growth through faster principal reduction. This episode also explores the differences between DSCR loans and hard money lending, the challenges of the lending business, and how savvy investors leverage credit card points to fund luxury travel. Whether you're looking to diversify into commercial real estate or improve your existing investments, these actionable insights demonstrate how operational improvements can dramatically increase property values through income-based appreciation.

    45 min

  2. 08/12/2025

    Zack Walters Side Hustle As a Handyman

    What happens when a firefighter's drive to serve meets entrepreneurial ambition? In this captivating conversation with Zack Walter, we discover how skills from the firehouse perfectly translate to business success. Zack takes us through his fascinating journey – from playing water polo as a kid to his 19-year firefighting career with Long Beach Fire Department. But what makes his story truly remarkable is his unconventional lifestyle: living in Utah while commuting by plane to California for his firefighting shifts. This geographical separation wasn't just about changing scenery; it represented Zack's deeper desire to create an identity beyond his uniform. The heart of our discussion explores Zack's recent venture into entrepreneurship with Red Line Handyman. Just weeks into his business, Zack shares ingenious marketing strategies like distributing plastic firefighter helmets to children and creating refrigerator magnets with emergency numbers alongside his contact information. These creative approaches leverage his firefighter background while building something distinctly his own. We dive deep into how mastermind groups and mentorship accelerated Zack's business journey, providing him with proven strategies that would have taken years to discover independently. He emphasizes how the accountability, reliability, and service mindset instilled through his firefighting career give him a natural advantage in the handyman business. Beyond business tactics, Zack opens up about his cancer battle, mental health challenges common among first responders, and how these experiences shaped his entrepreneurial path. His story serves as powerful inspiration for anyone looking to build something meaningful alongside their career. Whether you're a first responder considering a side business or an entrepreneur seeking fresh perspective, this conversation offers valuable insights on blending service with entrepreneurship. Connect with us to share your own story of building something beyond the uniform!

    45 min

  3. 06/23/2025

    From Army to Innovation: Inventing a Topical Delivery System

    First Responder Financial Freedom

    49 min

  4. 06/16/2025

    Will Pritchett Building Wealth with Rentals: One Firefighter's Journey to 40 Doors

    Have you ever wondered how some firefighters manage to retire early while others work overtime until their last day? In this eye-opening episode, we're joined by Will Pritchett, a battalion chief who retired from the San Antonio Fire Department at just 43 years old after building a portfolio of 40 rental properties. Will shares his 14-year journey from converting his bachelor pad into his first rental to creating a real estate empire that provided the financial freedom to leave the fire service on his own terms. What makes Will's story particularly valuable is how he systematically redirected overtime pay into real estate investments, creating a snowball effect that accelerated his path to financial independence. The conversation dives deep into practical strategies that any first responder can implement, from using private lending at favorable rates to evaluating rental properties in today's challenging market. Will explains his evolution from focusing purely on cash flow to understanding the wealth-building power of equity, and how he's adapted his investment approach during periods of high interest rates. Perhaps most valuable is Will's candid discussion about overcoming the naysayers in the firehouse who warned against real estate investing. As he puts it, "It's always a bad time to buy real estate, but buy it anyway." This perspective reflects the reality that waiting for perfect market conditions means missing opportunities that compound over time. Whether you're a firefighter just starting your career or approaching retirement, this conversation offers actionable insights on breaking the overtime dependency cycle and building wealth through real estate. Ready to transform your financial future while still serving your community? This episode is your roadmap. Links to books discussed in the episode Debt Millionaire  https://a.co/d/bSZTvpm

    1h 5m

  5. 06/09/2025

    Seth Teagle : Build To Rent, Urban Infill, and More

    Seth Teagle joins First Responder Financial Freedom to share his remarkable journey from firefighter paramedic to successful real estate entrepreneur. After 22 years in the fire service and multiple career-ending back injuries, Seth transformed his side hustle into a thriving business that now manages 2,000 units across multiple states. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Seth unpacks his innovative approach to Build-To-Rent (BTR) developments. Unlike traditional apartment investing, this strategy involves constructing single-family homes, duplexes, and small multi-unit buildings specifically designed to be held as rentals, with the ultimate goal of selling entire neighborhoods to institutional investors. Seth explains why these large equity groups are aggressively seeking this product type and how his team has positioned themselves to capitalize on this growing market trend. What truly sets Seth's strategy apart is his use of modular construction - a method far removed from what many imagine when they hear the term. Seth dispels common misconceptions, detailing how today's factory-built homes rival or exceed the quality of traditional construction while cutting build times in half. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the practical advantages this approach offers in addressing labor shortages, weather delays, and quality control challenges that plague conventional building methods. The episode also delivers a masterclass in real estate financing mindset. Seth shares how paying 16% interest on his first apartment deal - a rate that initially seemed terrifying - ultimately led to a $1.2 million refinance that changed his life trajectory. His philosophy of focusing on the deal's fundamentals rather than fixating on interest rates provides a powerful framework for evaluating opportunities in any market condition. Ready to expand your real estate investing horizons beyond traditional approaches? This conversation will challenge your assumptions about construction methods, financing strategies, and what's possible for first responders looking to build wealth through innovative real estate approaches.

    57 min

  6. 06/02/2025

    Building Wealth on a First Responder's Schedule: Mike Lowerey's Journey

    Ever wondered how firefighters can build wealth despite their demanding schedules? Mike Lowerey, a heavy equipment operator for Milwaukee Fire Department, reveals exactly how he acquired six rental properties in just six months while working one of the busiest trucks in the city. Mike's journey began with an eighth-grade teacher who sparked his interest in finance and compound interest, leading to a finance degree before joining Milwaukee Fire in 2010. After seven years on the job, Mike leveraged his intimate knowledge of Milwaukee neighborhoods to identify promising investment opportunities in 2017 – just before the market took off and attracted outside investors. The conversation delves into the practical mechanics of property acquisition and management that rarely get discussed in typical real estate content. Mike shares a remarkable early deal: a single-family home purchased for just $35,000 that rented for $900 monthly after minimal renovations. He explains how he used seller financing to acquire a duplex with $10,000 down that later sold for $165,000 – pocketing over $70,000 in profit. What makes this episode particularly valuable for first responders is Mike's candid discussion of property management systems and tenant screening processes. He emphasizes treating real estate as a business rather than a hobby, establishing clear boundaries with tenants, and developing systematic approaches to maintenance issues. His advice on using separate phone lines for tenants and setting business hours provides practical solutions for managing properties while working 24-hour shifts. Mike also addresses the challenges of real estate partnerships, explaining why he ultimately sold most of his portfolio during COVID despite strong appreciation. The conversation concludes with his current focus on vacation rentals in Northern Wisconsin and advice for first responders looking to get started in real estate. Whether you're a first responder curious about real estate or an existing investor looking to refine your systems, this conversation provides honest, practical guidance from someone who's successfully balanced public service with wealth-building through careful property investment. Ready to take the first step in your own real estate journey? This episode gives you the roadmap to get started.

    1h 2m

  7. 05/26/2025

    How a Low-Effort Flip Netted $62K in Just 48 Days

    The path to financial freedom for first responders doesn't always require working extra shifts or sacrificing family time. Sometimes, it's about recognizing opportunities that others miss and taking calculated risks that yield outsized returns. In this eye-opening conversation, Mike reveals how he transformed a dated but functional house into a profitable investment without going "HGTV style" on renovations. Walking us through his recent wholetail flip that netted $62,000 in just 48 days with only about 10 hours of his personal time invested, Mike demonstrates the power of strategic real estate investing for busy first responders. Unlike traditional house flipping that requires extensive renovations, Mike focused on targeted improvements that would appeal to first-time homebuyers: replacing carpet in key areas, touching up paint, improving curb appeal with landscaping, and ensuring all systems functioned properly. The biggest expense was replacing a failing septic system, which he identified early and negotiated into the purchase price. What makes this case study particularly valuable is Mike's transparent breakdown of the numbers and decision-making process. From the initial purchase at $168,000 to the final sale at $310,000, he shares exactly how much was spent, where the money went, and why certain renovation decisions were made. He also discusses potential pitfalls to watch for, including the unexpected complications that can arise with properties that have solar panel leases. Perhaps most importantly, Mike emphasizes the value of building strong relationships in real estate. By treating the referring agent generously and focusing on long-term connections rather than maximizing profit on a single deal, he ensures a steady stream of off-market opportunities that don't require active marketing or lead generation. Ready to discover how you can leverage your limited free time as a first responder to build wealth through strategic real estate investments? Listen now and learn how to identify, fund, and execute profitable deals that can dramatically accelerate your path to financial independence.

    37 min

  8. 05/20/2025

    Sunglasses Built for Heroes: How Mike Ettenberg Left the Fire Service to Serve First Responders

    Mike Ettenberg never intended to choose between his two passions. Growing up in California, he found himself equally drawn to the thrill of entrepreneurship and the heroism of firefighting. Like many of us who've felt that pull in different directions, Mike initially thought he had to pick one path.  What emerged instead was Frontline Optics – a sunglasses company born from the frustration of repeatedly destroying $200 Oakleys in the back of fire engines. With remarkable candor, Mike shares how he launched his business with just $5,000 from forced overtime shifts while still working full-time as a firefighter. That initial investment covered 300 pairs of sunglasses, a basic website, trademark filing, and minimal marketing – a humble beginning for what would become a thriving business. The real breakthrough came unexpectedly. After months of amateur marketing efforts, Mike created a video showing sunglasses falling in slow motion with fire equipment in the background. That single ad transformed his business from $30K to $170K in annual revenue. "I became a student of advertising at that point," Mike explains, highlighting how success often comes from identifying exactly what resonates with your specific audience. What makes Frontline Optics unique isn't just their focus on durability for first responders – it's their commitment to values that mirror the brotherhood and sisterhood of emergency services. Their "no questions asked" replacement policy acknowledges the reality of gear destruction on the job. Their team structure provides customer service even during night shifts. And their charitable giving supports organizations like First Responders Children's Foundation. For those dreaming of starting something, Mike's advice cuts through the noise: "If you go to bed at night thinking about doing something, and when you're running on a treadmill aimlessly you're thinking about doing something, and you're surfing podcasts and you're thinking about doing something – it means that it's in you. So just go do it."  Ready to support a first responder-owned business or find sunglasses that can actually survive your shift? Follow @frontlineoptics on Instagram or visit frontline-optics.com to see their full line of durable, ANSI-rated eyewear designed specifically for the demands of emergency services.

    55 min
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About

We talk to first responders all over the nation who are investing and working on businesses outside of their first responder jobs. Our Goal is to motivate and educate each other and help provide a better financial understanding for a better future.

Information

  • Creator
    First Responder Financial Freedom
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 First Responder Financial Freedom
  • Show Website
    First Responder Financial Freedom