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. 6d ago

    Fast, Flexible, Fair: How Turnus is Redefining Real Estate Lending

    In episode 29 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Tim Herriage, founder of Ternus, as he shares how he leverages relationships, mentorship, and powerful goal-setting to empower others—helping everyday investors become millionaires.   Tune in for actionable strategies, motivating stories, and practical advice you can implement today!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Meet Tim Herriage: From the Marine Corps to Real Estate Titan [00:02:45] Lessons Learned: The First Deal and Mentorship's Power [00:09:46] Suffering, Setbacks & Surrender: Keys to Transformation [00:17:19] Rekindling Purpose and the Power of the Right Team [00:25:41] What Makes Turnus Different: Culture, Values, and Team Growth [00:33:15] Market Opportunities & Taking Strategic Action [00:37:08] Rapid-Fire: Habits, Books & Advice for Future Millionaires [00:39:05] The Importance of Respect and Partnership [00:40:08] Connect With Tim Herriage & Closing Inspiration  QUOTES "You always have problems—they just come with more zeros and more commas." – Tim Herriage"It's one thing to give knowledge; it's another thing to uphold your word." – Tim Herriage"Money obviously matters, but we believe purpose lasts." – Robert Howell SOCIAL MEDIA: Tim Herriage LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timherriage/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timherriage/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herriage/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/timherriage  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/  Ternus: http://ternus.com/team/tim-herriage/

    41 min
  2. Jun 22

    Cash Flow vs. Equity: The Smarter Real Estate Investment Strategy

    In episode 28 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Jamie Dietz, founder of Nextdoor Capital, as he shares his powerful transformation from house hacker in Los Angeles to building a thriving lending business and championing community-focused investing.  Tune in for proven frameworks to lead with vision, set meaningful goals, find the right mentors, and build a legacy rooted in skill over cash!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Introduction to the Purpose Driven Investor & Jamie Dietz’s background [00:01:09] A day in the life and new passions [00:02:54] Entry into real estate & early house hacking [00:03:48] Lessons from buy-and-hold strategies [00:06:06] Education through brokerage and hands-on learning [00:06:55] The 2008 crash: setbacks and transformation [00:09:22] Pivoting into cash flow-focused investing [00:11:51] Why keeping your W2 matters [00:14:38] Balancing full-time work with real estate growth [00:16:34] Building a private lending business [00:18:40] Common borrower mistakes and risk management [00:19:52] Purpose, mentorship, and building impact [00:21:52] Legacy: skills vs. cash [00:22:51] Why local market knowledge matters [00:25:40] Final words of wisdom for investors  QUOTES "You can get rich or wealthy buying five or six rental properties; you don’t have to have 100 units, which becomes a whole other set of problems." – Jamie Dietz"Your paycheck is your biggest asset. It makes banks trust you and gives you the backstop to grow your wealth." – Robert Howell"Figure out what you’re good at and focus on that. The rest you outsource and build a team—what it does is force you to buy better deals." – Jamie Dietz SOCIAL MEDIA: Jamie Dietz Email: directly@nextdoorcapitalmail.com Telephone Number: 412-337-0884 WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    27 min
  3. Jun 8

    Building Confidence in Real Estate Sales: Travis Goodwin’s Secrets to Negotiation Success

    In episode 26 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Travis Goodwin, founder of TG Home Buyers, as he brings to life the power of mentorship, local leverage, and the mission-driven focus required to turn every challenge into opportunity—whether you’re managing auctions, building teams, or simply showing up when you least feel like it.  Tune in for practical strategies, real numbers, and a fresh perspective on what it really takes to succeed in today’s business and real estate markets!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Introduction & guest background [00:02:03] Transformation from humble beginnings [00:05:05] Discovering real estate & the power of mentorship [00:09:07] Small market investing secrets [00:15:07] Sales, negotiation, and closing with confidence [00:17:00] Digging deep: Leadership through better conversations [00:20:43] Relationship-building and team growth [00:21:50] Small Market REI: Creating impact through community [00:26:19] Finding & maintaining purpose-driven momentum [00:31:24] Defining legacy and generational impact [00:33:31] Biggest wins, mindset, and future excitement [00:35:21] Connect & take action QUOTES "Confidence comes with repetition. It’s the awkward conversations every single day that build you up." – Travis Goodwin"We don’t chase deals, we choose them—figure out if this is the right fit for us." – Travis Goodwin"Let’s not be so desperate for a deal that we overpay. Choose your deals, don’t chase them." – Robert Howell SOCIAL MEDIA: Travis Goodwin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tgoodwinwv/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallmarketrei/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tgoodwinwv  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    36 min
  4. Jun 1

    The Importance of Clean Financials for Real Estate and Service Businesses

    In episode 25 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Benjamin Chisholm, founder of Beacon Accounting Solutions, as he explains how a legacy of leadership and mentorship in his entrepreneurial family paved the way for bold goal-setting, team building, and fast-paced implementation—resulting in a business that more than doubled within its first year, adding both talent and clients at an inspiring rate.  Tune in for a masterclass on leadership, vision, and real action—and walk away with tools to accelerate your journey toward lasting business and personal fulfillment!  TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Introducing the purpose-driven investor and today’s guest, Ben [00:01:48] Ben's entrepreneurial family roots and the leap into accounting [00:09:59] Launching Beacon Accounting Solutions—focusing on real estate and service businesses [00:15:05] Common business owner mistakes and the importance of clean financials [00:19:10] Ben's real estate investing journey and success numbers [00:24:05] Financial habits that drive long-term business growth [00:27:09] The cost of disorganization and unnecessary business stress [00:30:26] Defining purpose, impact, and legacy [00:34:58] Rapid-fire lessons on advice, entrepreneurship, and daily habits [00:36:43] How to connect with Ben and Beacon Accounting Solutions  QUOTES "The business owners who realize early on what to outsource and focus on what they do best always grow faster." – Benjamin Chisholm"Sometimes the numbers tell the story—if you’re not tracking it, you can’t make strategic decisions or scale." – Benjamin Chisholm"I love my clients. It’s a cool feeling to help someone solve a business problem and then see them make more money—and the impact that has on their family." – Benjamin Chisholm SOCIAL MEDIA: Benjamin Chisholm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-chisholm-cpa-4508aa160/  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/  Beacon Accountings: https://beaconaccountings.com/about/

    38 min
  5. May 25

    Partnering with Builders & Investors: Appliance Solutions for Real Estate Success

    In episode 24 of The Purpose-Driven Investor, Robert Howell interviews Chad Stanfield from Jeff Lynch Appliances, shares his powerful journey from the depths of addiction, jail, and prison to becoming one of the top salespeople at his company, a dedicated husband, and a mentor for others on the path to redemption.  Tune in for actionable insights on team growth, maximizing client value, and how to lead a life of meaning and influence, both in business and beyond.   TIMESTAMPS [00:00:03] Introduction: Meet Chad – From Addiction to Redemption [00:02:43] Overcoming Trauma: The Hunting Accident That Changed Everything [00:07:09] The Spiral into Addiction: Pills, Fentanyl, and Heroin [00:09:49] Prison, Faith, and Rebuilding: Discovering Purpose in Recovery [00:13:09] Miracle Hill: The Power of Accountability and Mentorship [00:17:11] Career Growth: From Warehouse to Top Sales at Jeff Lynch [00:23:38] Working with Builders & Investors: Delivering Measurable Value [00:26:53] Redefining Success: Joy, Purpose, and True Leadership [00:34:34] Advice for Those Struggling: The Power of Surrender and Community  QUOTES "The biggest thing would be surrender—surrender to Jesus. Talk about it with someone you look up to. The biggest thing is genuinely surrender and repent." – Chad Stanfield"A man needs to hear another man tell him that he’s proud of him." – Chad Stanfield"Success is not based on anything that I can obtain or that I can get. Success is based on joy. And I genuinely believe that comes from the Lord and you can't get it from anywhere else." – Chad Stanfield SOCIAL MEDIA: Chad Stanfield LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-stanfield-a01a34235/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadstanfield90/  WEBSITE: Howell and Sons: https://howellandsons.com/

    37 min
  6. May 11

    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
  7. May 4

    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
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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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