📝 Episode Summary In this episode, Rodric sits down with Fuquan Bilal — real estate developer, fund manager, and self-described “superhero” to his kids — to talk about identity, resilience, and building wealth with intention. Fuquan has been in real estate since 1999, has survived multiple market cycles (including the ’08 crash), and now runs a fund focused on luxury spec homes in New Jersey and impact multifamily housing in the Southeast. But the most powerful part of his story isn’t just about deals… it’s about who he became when everything fell apart. He shares what it felt like to lay on his back after the crash, staring at the ceiling fan, wondering “What am I gonna do next?” — and how detaching his identity from “real estate guy” and doing the inner work (meditation, yoga, reading, mindset) became the foundation of his comeback and long-term success. They dive into micro vs macro market focus, how to think about luxury spec risk, why self-work must come before business growth, and how the ultra-wealthy actually structure their portfolios (hint: it’s not 100% mutual funds). If you’ve ever tied your worth to your business, been punched in the face by a market cycle, or are curious about blending impact and profit in real estate, this episode is going to hit home. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn •Why your business is not your identity Fuquan’s journey from “real estate is who I am” to separating self-worth from what he does — and how that shift changed everything. •What the 2008 crash taught him (the hard way) Laying on his back, staring at the ceiling fan, wondering what’s next — and what it really took to get back up. •The inner work behind outer success How meditation, yoga, reading, and mindset work became essential tools in rebuilding both his life and his portfolio. •Why he moved from affordable housing to luxury spec homes The transition from lower-income, bread-and-butter housing to high-end, process-driven luxury builds – and why those margin and demand profiles made sense post-COVID. •How he thinks about risk in the current market Why Fuquan focuses on the micro/local market instead of macro fear, paying attention to absorption rate, school systems, and buyer profiles (doctors, lawyers, high earners). •Fund structure & impact investing How his fund blends two verticals: •Luxury spec homes in New Jersey •Multifamily impact projects in Alabama & Georgia for low-income seniors, battered women, and children Plus his BHAG of providing housing for 5,000+ residents. •How the ultra-wealthy actually invest Insights from Target 21 and why truly wealthy portfolios are heavily weighted in alternative investments, not just traditional stocks. •Blended portfolios & alternative investing mindset Why many investors stay stuck in traditional models, and how Fuquan talks to people transitioning from mutual funds to alternatives. •Teachers, mentors, and the power of books The role of masterminds, pods, and classic mindset authors like Napoleon Hill, Brian Tracy, and Maxwell Maltz (Psycho-Cybernetics) in shaping Fuquan’s worldview. ⏱️ Suggested Timestamps [00:00] “Real estate became my identity” – and why that was dangerous Fuquan shares how tying his self-worth to his role as a real estate investor created pain when the market crashed. [00:40] Welcome to Million Dollar Flip Flops Rodric sets the stage for a conversation about markets, mindset, and real wealth. [01:00] Who is Fuquan Bilal? Superhero to his kids, real estate developer since 1999, and fund manager for luxury spec homes & multifamily. [01:40]...