Pickup The Phone

Josue Llanas
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Whatever you have going on in your life. Whether its business, relationships, career, etc. Any solution can be solved by picking up the phone. In this podcast we focus on people's journey into entrepreneurship, their struggles and the breakthrough to success. Looking to scale your business with done for you marketing? Click here ---> https://vancom.io/calendar-page

  1. Aug 12

    Why a $900M Hard-Money Lender Refused to Grow Too Fast | David Williams

    What does it take to build a business that lasts through multiple real estate cycles? In this episode of Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Josue Llanas sits down with David Williams, Founder of Red Door Funding, to discuss the journey from electrician to building one of Houston's most respected hard money lending companies. With nearly 20 years in business, almost 5,000 loans funded, and over $900 million in loan volume, David shares the principles that helped him build a resilient company while many others struggled through changing markets. David explains why Red Door Funding intentionally stayed lean, how the company navigated the dramatic market changes beginning in 2022, why liquidity matters more than rapid growth, and what today's real estate investors should be thinking about as interest rates and market conditions continue to evolve. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, lender, or business owner, this conversation offers practical lessons on sustainable growth, risk management, and long-term success. What You'll LearnHow David Williams transitioned from electrician to hard money lenderThe story behind building Red Door FundingWhy "one brick at a time" became the company's growth philosophyThe importance of maintaining liquidity in any businessLessons from funding nearly 5,000 real estate dealsHow to recognize market shifts before they become major problemsThe impact of rising interest rates on investors and lendersWhy conservative decision-making often wins over aggressive scalingThe value of building a lean, efficient businessDavid's outlook on the future of real estate investing and AI in business About David WilliamsDavid Williams is the Founder of Red Door Funding, a Houston-based hard money lending company serving real estate investors throughout Texas. Since launching the company in 2007, David has funded nearly 5,000 loans totaling more than $900 million in loan volume. His experience spans multiple real estate cycles, making him one of the most respected voices in private lending and investor financing.

  2. Aug 5

    From 1,000 Real Estate Deals to Oil Fields | Alex Ottewell

    Alex Ottewell built a real estate business that completed more than 1,000 transactions and made him a millionaire by the age of 24. Most entrepreneurs would have stayed the course—but Alex chose a different path. In this episode of the Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Alex shares why he walked away from a thriving real estate career to build an oil & gas investment company from the ground up. He breaks down the lessons he learned from thousands of deals, the mistakes that shaped his journey, and how he immersed himself in an entirely new industry by hiring a reservoir engineer to teach him everything from scratch. The conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship. Alex explains how professional investors evaluate producing oil wells, why cash-flowing assets outperform speculation, the role of PDP (Proved Developed Producing) assets, commodity price risk, hedging strategies, tax advantages, and the mindset required to build long-term wealth across multiple industries. Whether you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how sophisticated investors think, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience. In This EpisodeAlex's journey from England to becoming a millionaire through real estateBuilding a business with more than 1,000 real estate transactionsWhy he chose to leave real estate and start over in oil & gasHow he learned an entirely new industry in just a few monthsThe importance of understanding business fundamentals over specific industriesHow professional oil & gas investors evaluate opportunitiesWhat PDP (Proved Developed Producing) assets actually areWhy producing assets can generate predictable monthly cash flowHedging strategies and managing commodity price riskInfill drilling and reducing operational riskTax advantages available in oil & gas investingLessons on humility, execution, and long-term wealth creation

  3. Jul 29

    Real Estate Agents Are Ignoring 80% of Their Income | Ben Deal

    What if the biggest opportunity in real estate isn't finding more leads—but building better relationships? In this episode of the Pick Up The Phone Podcast, host Josue Llanas sits down with Ben Deal to discuss why so many real estate agents overlook one of the most profitable segments of the industry. Ben shares how working with real estate investors can create a predictable stream of repeat business, why most agents are focused on the wrong opportunities, and how a small network of strong investor relationships can outperform hundreds of one-time transactions. Whether you're a new agent, an experienced Realtor®, an investor, or an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, mindset shifts, and actionable advice that you can apply immediately. In This EpisodeWhy most real estate agents are ignoring a significant source of incomeThe difference between working with homeowners and investor clientsHow investor relationships create repeat businessWhy consistency beats chasing one-off dealsThe mindset required to build a sustainable real estate businessNetworking strategies that actually generate long-term opportunitiesCommon mistakes agents make when trying to grow their businessWhy you don't need hundreds of clients to build a successful career Key TakeawaysRepeat clients are often more valuable than constantly acquiring new ones.Building relationships with investors creates consistent opportunities.Long-term business growth comes from systems, consistency, and trust.A small number of strong relationships can outperform a large network of casual contacts.Success in real estate is built through discipline, persistence, and providing value over time.

  4. Jul 22

    From Surviving 2008 to Building a Real Estate Ecosystem | Rob Wiseman

    ob Wiseman joins Josue Llanas on the Pick Up The Phone Podcast to share how surviving the 2008 housing crash transformed the way he approached real estate and business. What began as a career in home building evolved into a vertically integrated operation that includes lending and title services, allowing him to create more value from every transaction. In this conversation, Rob discusses identifying opportunities during market downturns, the importance of adapting to changing conditions, building businesses that support long-term growth, and why successful operators think beyond the next deal. Whether you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, agent, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights on scaling a business and building lasting success. In This EpisodeHow Rob survived and adapted after the 2008 housing crashWhy becoming a short sale expert changed his careerThe benefits of building a vertically integrated real estate businessWhy he started his own lending and title companiesThe operator mindset versus simply buying more propertiesHow education and relationships create long-term business opportunitiesLessons on resilience, leadership, and sustainable growth

  5. Jul 8

    Inside the AI Real Estate Brokerage of the Future | Alan Hernandez

    Can artificial intelligence actually replace your front desk, run your legal compliance, and fuel your real estate agents for less than the cost of a cup of coffee? ☕🤖 In this episode of the Pick Up the Phone Podcast, host Josue Llanas sits down with vertical entrepreneur and broker Alan Hernandez of White Picket Realty. Alan pulls back the curtain on how he is pioneering a fully AI-operated real estate brokerage in Houston, Texas—drastically cutting operational overhead and scaling human potential through smart tech. Whether you are a real estate agent trying to unlock true scale or an entrepreneur looking to implement LLMs into your business infrastructure, this episode is packed with hard-hitting insider strategies you can't afford to miss! 🧠 Key Takeaways From This Episode:The $50 Front Desk: How White Picket Realty completely replaced traditional front desk operations using AI automation.Slashed Compliance Costs: Moving legal file reviews from $70 per file to under $5 using custom AI workflows.The AI Tech Race: A deep dive into token costs, Anthropic vs. OpenAI, and utilizing powerful Chinese LLMs like Kimi and Qwen.Failing Forward: Alan shares his raw origin story—from a high school burger shop to managing 86 agents with zero systems, and how hitting that bottleneck forced him to innovate. ⏱️ Key Timestamps:00:09 - Welcome to the Pick Up the Phone Podcast00:16 - Introducing Alan Hernandez: Broker, Vertical Entrepreneur, & Creator of a Full AI Brokerage04:26 - How White Picket Realty replaced front desk operations with AI for $50/month05:54 - Cutting legal compliance costs from $70 per file to less than $5 using AI10:14 - Power-packing real estate agents with custom AI CRM systems14:40 - The AI race: Navigating token costs, Anthropic vs. OpenAI, and Chinese LLMs (Kimi & Qwen)19:15 - The untapped market: Why older demographics are being left behind by AI resources22:55 - Alan's origin story: From Guadalajara to Florida State University24:58 - The high school burger shop lesson that birthed Alan's entrepreneurial drive28:30 - The birth of White Picket Realty and hitting a massive learning curve33:41 - Facing failure: Being the bottleneck with 86 agents and zero systems41:54 - Building consistency: How White Picket structures training & 10x leadership46:41 - "I charge accordingly" – Why cutting rates never brings the best results47:55 - White Picket's aggressive growth strategy: How they guarantee agent success or money back

  6. Jul 1

    He Bought a Middle School and Turned It Into Multifamily | Dan Axelrod

    Join Josue Llanas on the Pick Up The Phone Podcast as he sits down with Dan Axelrod, an economist turned real estate developer, to discuss his unique strategy for building wealth: increasing property density. In this episode, you'll discover: Dan's Journey: From studying economics in Vegas to building single and multi-family units in Houston. The Economist's Edge: Why looking at real estate through the lens of human decision-making gives you a distinct advantage. The Math of Density: The exact blueprint for boosting property value simply by adding rooms and units. The Corporate Leap: Insider tips on transitioning out of corporate finance to become an independent developer. Market Predictions: Bold insights on upcoming trends and what to look for when forming real estate partnerships. Whether you're a seasoned investor looking for an analytical perspective or a beginner looking to understand true property valuation, Dan's numbers-driven approach will change how you look at real estate. 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Welcome 01:14 - Dan Axelrod's Background & Journey to Vegas 03:41 - How Studying Economics Shapes Real Estate Decisions 05:31 - Transitioning from Corporate Analyst to Entrepreneur 07:42 - Moving to Houston & Building Partnerships 12:15 - The Strategy of Increasing Property Density 18:30 - Navigating the Current Real Estate Market 25:45 - Bold Predictions for Future Developments 32:10 - Insider Tips for New Real Estate Investors 45:20 - Closing Thoughts & How to Connect Dan Axelrod, real estate density, real estate investing, Houston real estate, multifamily investing, single family homes, property development, real estate strategy, wealth building, real estate tips, investment properties, real estate market, real estate education, entrepreneurship, business podcast, real estate podcast, Josue Llanas, Pick Up The Phone podcast, real estate expert, property investment, real estate financing, development strategy, market analysis, real estate trends, passive income.

  7. Jun 24

    The AI Gap Is About to Change Real Estate Forever | Chris Bounds

    How do you scale a real estate investing business from a few inconsistent flips to a highly predictable, multi-deal monthly operation? In this episode of the Pick Up The Phone Podcast, host Josue Llanas sits down with real estate entrepreneur, founder, and innovator Chris Bounds. Together, they break down the exact operational frameworks, marketing channels, and capital-raising structures required to build a resilient, modern real estate business. Chris shares his journey from hands-on door knocking to mastering high-intent direct mail, managing the operational bottlenecks of scaling a volume-driven portfolio, and navigating the future of tech in the industry. Whether you are an active investor looking to fix leaks in your lead pipeline, a founder building a personal content engine, or an entrepreneur preparing to raise capital, this conversation offers a complete masterclass in modern business architecture. 📌 Episode Key TakeawaysThe Inbound Marketing Engine: Why high-intent channels like direct mail changed everything for Chris, and how to structure your team to handle sudden influxes of volume.Plugging Lead Pipeline Leaks: A deep dive into the three operational bottlenecks that sabotage most traditional real estate operations: missed live calls, delayed responses, and broken long-term follow-up.The Authority Engine Framework: How to build a highly efficient personal content framework that establishes market authority and drives organic deal flow without consuming your entire week.Macro Tech Trends in Real Estate: Predictions on where real estate CRM structures, communication layers, and fully autonomous transaction models are heading over the next few years.The Mechanics of Capital & Exit Math: Tactical financial advice for scaling founders, including navigating SAFE rounds, convertible notes, and leveraging massive founder tax advantages. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Josue Llanas & Chris Bounds01:02 – Chris’s Origin Story: From Corporate Sales to Real Estate02:54 – Navigating the Early Days: First Flips & Door Knocking Strategies09:09 – Marketing That Scales: Direct Mail Systems & Managing Inbound Intent16:28 – The Modern Real Estate Tech Problem: Solving the Fragmented "Franken-Stack"22:32 – The Core Operational Flaws Sabotaging Your Lead Conversion Rates25:32 – Next-Gen Operations: Streamlining Systems for a 3x ROI31:11 – Software Architecture Trade-offs: Efficiency, Custom Code, and Systems Building37:26 – The Authority Engine: Creating Personal Content and Branding at Scale49:18 – Overcoming Communication Barriers: Handling Multilingual Lead Flow Natively51:03 – Lessons from the Trenches: The Airbnb Legal Battle & Exit Math Realities59:31 – Industry Predictions: The Future of Real Estate CRMs & Autonomous Wholesaling Transactions01:17:41 – Raising Capital Effectively: Navigating SAFE Rounds, Convertible Notes, and Founder Tax Breaks01:24:31 – Wrap Up & Where to Connect with Chris

  8. Jun 17

    What It Takes to Join the Top 6% in Commercial Real Estate - CCIM | Charles Patawaran

    In this episode of Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Josue Llanas sits down with Charles Patawaran, entrepreneur, commercial real estate operator, developer, and CCIM designee. Charles shares his journey from building businesses in the healthcare industry to becoming a respected figure in commercial real estate. The conversation dives into business acquisitions, EBITDA valuations, SBA financing, capital raising, commercial development, and what it takes to operate at a high level in a competitive industry. Charles also explains the importance of creating value, developing expertise, and thinking beyond traditional brokerage by focusing on development, strategic partnerships, and long-term wealth creation. If you're an entrepreneur, investor, broker, developer, or business owner looking to scale your thinking and understand how high-level operators approach business and real estate, this episode is packed with valuable insights. In this episode, you'll learn: • What it takes to earn the CCIM designation and why it matters • How businesses are valued using EBITDA multiples • SBA financing strategies for acquisitions • The transition from healthcare entrepreneurship to commercial real estate • The mindset behind building long-term enterprise value • Commercial development opportunities and deal structure • Capital raising and investor relationships • Why top operators focus on solving problems and creating value Follow Pick Up The Phone Podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders building extraordinary businesses.

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About

Whatever you have going on in your life. Whether its business, relationships, career, etc. Any solution can be solved by picking up the phone. In this podcast we focus on people's journey into entrepreneurship, their struggles and the breakthrough to success. Looking to scale your business with done for you marketing? Click here ---> https://vancom.io/calendar-page

Information

  • Creator
    Josue Llanas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Josue Llanas
  • Show Website
    Pickup The Phone