In The Lab with Ruben Kanya

Ruben Kanya
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In The Lab with Ruben Kanya compiles over $2 Billion worth of successful real estate experiments for new investors looking to get started in real estate. With real estate being a broad umbrella, in the lab we introduce you to a variety of real estate models (experiments) that real practitioners have implemented while sharing their wins, losses and lessons in the lab so that you can pick the experiments that suit your lifestyle the most and double down. In the lab we focus on repeatable processes, systems and ingredients so that you can implement your own experiments and build.

  1. Creative Financing: Acquiring Cash Flowing Real Estate Opportunities without Banks with Zeona McIntyre - Episode #357

    3D AGO

    Creative Financing: Acquiring Cash Flowing Real Estate Opportunities without Banks with Zeona McIntyre - Episode #357

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: ⁠https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes back returning guest Zeona McIntyre for a conversation on how real estate investors can evolve with the market while staying grounded in what really matters. Zeona first joined the show in Episode 215, “Normalizing the 30-Day Stay in Your Short-Term Rental Business.” Since that conversation, both the market and Zeona’s investing approach have continued to evolve, making this return to the lab a timely update on where opportunities exist today. Zeona shares how her journey has progressed from short-term rental arbitrage to property ownership, mid-term rentals, and now creative financing strategies designed to help investors operate in a higher-interest-rate environment. She breaks down the concept of subject-to financing in simple terms, explains how creative deal structures can solve real problems for buyers and sellers, and highlights how investors can position themselves to acquire properties without relying solely on traditional lending. Throughout the discussion, Ruben and Zeona explore the importance of experimentation in entrepreneurship, emphasizing how investors must continually adapt their strategies as markets shift. Zeona also shares real examples of creative deals, including situations where distressed sellers were able to exit challenging financial positions while investors stepped in with new visions for the property. These stories highlight how creative financing can create multiple wins across a single transaction. The conversation expands beyond deal structures into the broader mindset required to thrive as an entrepreneur. Ruben and Zeona discuss collaboration, relationship-driven deal flow, and the shift from trying to do everything alone to building networks where multiple people benefit from a single opportunity. They also explore the growing influence of AI and why building strong cash-flowing assets may become even more important as technology reshapes industries. Toward the end of the episode, Zeona shares insights from her upcoming book, The Creative Closer, which outlines several creative financing strategies and the negotiation frameworks investors can use to structure deals in unconventional ways. She closes with a reminder that while entrepreneurs often focus on the next milestone, it’s just as important to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and find small pockets of joy in everyday life. Tune in now to hear how Zeona McIntyre continues to experiment, adapt, and help investors think differently about creative financing, collaboration, and the future of real estate. KEEPING IT REAL 03:20 – Investor evolution 04:36 – Experimentation mindset 06:38 – Sub-to deal story 07:43 – Creative financing shift 08:15 – STR tax strategy 10:41 – Subject-to explained 12:20 – Writing new book 15:00 – Creative deal case 21:27 – Creative deal tools 24:14 – AI and real estate 25:01 – Cash flow strategy 31:26 – Collaboration mindset 45:15 – Enjoy the moment CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://www.zeonamcintyre.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeona-mcintyre/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeonamcintyre #CreativeFinancing #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #SubjectTo #Wholesaling #InvestorMindset #Entrepreneurship #MidTermRentals #InTheLab

    50 min
  2. Time Is a Tool: The Mental Shift That Collapses 10-Year Goals Into 3 with Ruben Kanya - Episode #356

    FEB 9

    Time Is a Tool: The Mental Shift That Collapses 10-Year Goals Into 3 with Ruben Kanya - Episode #356

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this solo episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down a powerful mindset shift that quietly determines how long it takes you to win: the timeline you give yourself. Drawing from recent paradigm shifts, personal reflection, and lessons from Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s recent publication of the Science of Scaling and Time is a Tool, he challenges the assumption that big goals naturally require long time horizons. The episode explores why most entrepreneurs dramatically underestimate what they can accomplish when stakes are raised and timelines are compressed. Using real-life examples—from school deadlines to business growth—Ruben explains how Parkinson’s Law shows up in careers, investing, and entrepreneurship, and why time itself is often the constraint we unknowingly create. Ruben also walks through a practical reframing exercise: instead of asking “how” something will take ten years, ask what would need to be true if you had to do it in three. By removing pressure and shifting perspective, new pathways emerge, better decisions surface, and execution accelerates. This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t speed up by working harder—it speeds up by changing the questions you ask, the standards you set, and the timelines you accept. Tune in now to learn how to use time as a tool, collapse long-term goals into shorter horizons, and design experiments that force clarity, focus, and faster results. #EntrepreneurMindset #TimeIsATool #ParkinsonsLaw #BusinessGrowth #HighPerformance #ExperimentNation #RealEstateEntrepreneur #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #EliteOperators

    15 min
  3. Former Nurse Scales Care, Cash Flow & Legacy through a Dozen Assisted Living Facilities with Serg Lupescu - Episode #355

    FEB 3

    Former Nurse Scales Care, Cash Flow & Legacy through a Dozen Assisted Living Facilities with Serg Lupescu - Episode #355

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: ⁠https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this eye-opening episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Serg Lupescu as he shares how he scaled from starting a single residential assisted living home at 22 years old to building an 8-figure portfolio of care facilities. After beginning his career path in nursing, Serg recognized early that traditional career paths capped both income and freedom, which pushed him toward entrepreneurship and building businesses around real estate-backed healthcare services. Serg breaks down how residential assisted living actually works from a business perspective — including licensing, staffing models, revenue per bed, and why facilities under 10 beds often struggle financially. He explains how today’s biggest opportunities exist in acquiring distressed but licensed facilities, increasing capacity, improving operations, and repositioning properties to meet modern care expectations. The conversation also dives into mindset, adversity, and leadership. Serg shares lessons from surviving childhood leukemia, navigating partnership betrayal that resulted in a $300K loss, and redefining his relationship with money, faith, and identity. He explains why true wealth is time freedom, presence with family, and building businesses that create real-world impact for families and communities. Tune in now to learn how assisted living creates powerful cash flow, why demand is accelerating due to the aging population, and how service-driven real estate can become a long-term wealth and legacy strategy. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE: 16:36 Serg talks about redefining true wealth as time freedom, presence with family, and living life on your own terms. 59:16 Serg talks about the growing assisted living shortage driven by the aging population.  KEEPING IT REAL: 03:45 – CNA to Operator 06:30 — Entrepreneur Seasons Shift 10:15 — Hustle Culture Myth 15:45 — True Wealth Defined 20:45 — Career Path Decision 24:50 — CEO Mindset Formation 32:30 — MTR Bootcamp Ad 34:45 — Assisted Living Explained 44:30 — Licensing Setup Timeline 49:45 — Build vs Acquire 52:50 — Per Bed Economics 56:30 — Resident Stay Metrics 58:45 — Silver Tsunami Demand 1:02:15 — Capacity Value Add 1:04:30 — Facility Financing Structures 1:06:50 — Rate Optimization Lever 1:09:10 — Family Buying Drivers 1:12:15 — Low Industry Standards 1:17:30 — Partnership Loss Lesson 1:20:45 — Faith Money Identity 1:28:30 — Five Year Vision 1:35:45 — Emotional ROI Impact 1:42:30 — Community Platform Vision CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serg-lupescu-60a62465/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serg.lupescu/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@serg_lupescu #AssistedLivingInvesting #ResidentialAssistedLiving #HealthcareRealEstate #SilverTsunami #CashFlowRealEstate #LegacyWealth #ServiceBasedBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateScaling #ExperimentNation

    1h 45m
  4. The Infinite Banking Playbook 2.0: How Brent Kesler Uses 30 Policies to Build Wealth, Control Cash Flow & Create Legacy - Episode #354

    JAN 27

    The Infinite Banking Playbook 2.0: How Brent Kesler Uses 30 Policies to Build Wealth, Control Cash Flow & Create Legacy - Episode #354

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this deep-dive episode of In The Lab, Ruben welcomes back Brent Kesler — creator of The Money Multiplier Method and returning guest from Episode 138 (2021). Four years later, Brent returns with even more clarity, more proof, and more real-world examples of how infinite banking can transform the way entrepreneurs, investors, and families build wealth. Now holding over 30 policies personally, Brent breaks down exactly how he uses IBC to fund real estate, pay off debt, move money through private lending, and build generational wealth inside properly structured trusts. Brent not only does this himself but he’s empowered thousands of entrepreneurs to use this vehicle including yours truly — Ruben Kanya. Brent explains why most people misunderstand whole life insurance, how wealthy families have used these strategies for over 200 years, and why “becoming your own banker” gives you control banks never will. He also unpacks the mechanics behind policy design, how to access capital tax-free, why death benefit matters less than cash value, and how to integrate IBC with real estate, business operations, and multi-policy ecosystems. Throughout the conversation, Ruben and Brent explore advanced strategies — from infinite wealth loops to family banking structures, premium flow sequencing, private lending arbitrage, and legacy planning. Brent also shares what’s changed since 2021, why more sophisticated investors are now using IBC, and how anyone can start regardless of income level. Tune in now to learn how to take control of your capital, build a long-term wealth engine, and design a financial system that compounds for generations. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE: 19:08 Brent talks about how entrepreneurs stay broke by bleeding interest instead of building systems. 53:03 Brent talk about using policy loans instead of withdrawing KEEPING IT REAL: 06:44 – Infinite Banking 101 10:58 – How wealthy families use IBC 15:36 – Brent’s $984K debt payoff journey 19:22 – Cash value explained clearly 23:41 – Why whole life (not term or IUL) 28:55 – Understanding policy design & funding 34:47 – Borrowing against your policy 40:12 – Real estate examples using IBC 45:58 – Arbitrage, spreads & recycling dollars 51:33 – How entrepreneurs misuse debt 56:09 – Avoiding policy design mistakes 1:02:44 – Using IBC inside partnerships 1:08:15 – Trusts, legacy planning & structure 1:14:50 – When not to use IBC 1:20:18 – Brent’s 2026 wealth playbook 1:28:07 – Final advice for long-term thinkers CONNECT WITH THE GUEST Website: https://themoneymultiplier.com/brent-kesler Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrentkesler/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.money.multiplier/ #InfiniteBanking #IBCStrategy #WealthBuilding #CashFlowBanking #RealEstateInvesting #EntrepreneurMindset #FinancialFreedom #MoneyMastery #WealthCreation #ExperimentNation

    1h 32m
  5. The Assisted Living Blueprint: How Boris & Amanda Built a Cash-Flowing, Impact-Driven Housing Business - Episode #353

    JAN 21

    The Assisted Living Blueprint: How Boris & Amanda Built a Cash-Flowing, Impact-Driven Housing Business - Episode #353

    In this insightful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with Boris and Amanda Palomino — the powerhouse couple behind a rapidly growing assisted living operation. What started as a personal passion for meaningful work grew into a scalable business model with real estate, licensing, care teams, and systems all working together. Boris and Amanda break down what assisted living really is, who it serves, and why the demand curve over the next decade makes this one of the most compelling niches in housing and small business ownership.They walk through the true economics behind assisted living — from resident fees to operating margins — and the difference between running a home, owning the real estate, and building a company that can eventually scale across multiple locations. The Palominos also take us inside their story: burnout, breakthroughs, division of roles, supportive mentors, and how they merged purpose with profitability.This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about assisted living as an investment vehicle, a recession-resistant business model, or a mission-driven path into entrepreneurship. Tune in now to learn how Boris and Amanda built a business rooted in care, cash flow, and long-term impact.HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:34:30 Amanda talks about a social model of care46:10 Boris talks about the ideal property KEEPING IT REAL:09:40 – The business model explained12:55 – Licensing and compliance basics15:22 – Real estate vs. operating company19:44 – Resident care & staffing challenges24:01 – Revenue, fees & margins28:33 – Demand drivers & demographic trends32:58 – Scaling from one home to many37:45 – Purpose, burnout & balance42:19 – Systems, roles & EOS structure46:58 – Advice for new operators50:44 – Long-term vision & impactCONNECT WITH THE GUESTSBoris PalominoWebsite: https://www.palominoseniorliving.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-palomino/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/borisvpalomino/Amanda PalominoWebsite: https://www.palominoseniorliving.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-palomino-617a112a/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandapalomino/#AssistedLiving #SeniorHousing #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlowBusiness #HealthcareEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #ImpactDriven #AlternativeInvesting #HousingSolutions #ExperimentNation

    1h 12m
  6. Are You Being a Professional? The Hidden Difference Between Average and Elite Operators with Ruben Kanya - Episode #352

    JAN 13

    Are You Being a Professional? The Hidden Difference Between Average and Elite Operators with Ruben Kanya - Episode #352

    Connect with me at https://experimentrealestate.com/connect Get the FREE Mid-Term Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this sharp and self-reflective episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down one of the most uncomfortable — yet transformative — questions every entrepreneur must confront: Are you operating like a professional, or like an amateur hoping for professional results? Coming off an accountability call and stepping into a new year, Ruben unpacks why “professionalism” isn’t about perfection — it’s about preparation, detail, repetition, mastery, and the invisible work nobody sees. He compares the gap between good and great athletes, operators, and creators, showing how the slight edge comes from habits, systems, and a level of intentionality that compounds over time. Ruben highlights the common traps entrepreneurs fall into: copying highlights instead of understanding the process, wanting the championship without training like a champion, or expecting mastery without the thousands of unseen reps. From content creation to deal analysis, from running a business to building a brand, he walks through the mindset shifts required to raise your standards, commit to your craft, and step fully into professional territory. This episode is a wake-up call — a gut check that challenges you to examine the quality of your inputs, the rigor of your process, and the integrity of your ambition. Tune in now to learn how to adopt the mindset of a professional, build mastery through repetition, and elevate your standards so your results finally match your goals. #EntrepreneurMindset #Professionalism #HighStandards #BusinessGrowth #Mastery #ExperimentNation #RealEstateEntrepreneur #MindsetMatters #SuccessHabits #PersonalDevelopment

    17 min
  7. The 5 Pillars of Success in 2026 with Ruben Kanya - Episode #351

    JAN 6

    The 5 Pillars of Success in 2026 with Ruben Kanya - Episode #351

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this strategic episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down the five core pillars he’s taking into 2026: relationships, resources, resilience, speed, and standards. After closing out 2025 with major wins and powerful lessons, he shares how each pillar showed up in the real world—from securing financing after four banks said no, to creating rooms and communities that unlocked new opportunities, to using AI as a force multiplier for execution. Ruben explains why every major milestone in his life has come from a relationship, how resourcefulness replaces excuses, and why resilience is the non-negotiable trait behind every breakthrough. He also unpacks the power of speed, the mindset shift behind moving without all the answers, and why your standards quietly dictate your destiny long before your habits do. This episode gives you a clear framework you can apply immediately: build deeper relationships, leverage the right resources, stay resilient through the inevitable challenges, move quickly with conviction, and raise the standards that shape your environment and outcomes. Tune in now to learn how to apply all five pillars, accelerate your growth, and build a 2026 filled with momentum, clarity, and results. #EntrepreneurMindset #SuccessFramework #AIForBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ExperimentNation #MindsetMatters #GoalSetting2026 #RealEstateEntrepreneur #HighStandards #PersonalDevelopment

    27 min
  8. How to Build a Breakthrough Year: Using AI & The 1-5-10 Method with Ruben Kanya - Episode #350

    12/16/2025

    How to Build a Breakthrough Year: Using AI & The 1-5-10 Method with Ruben Kanya - Episode #350

    Get the Midterm Rental Insurance Blueprint: https://experimentrealestate.com/#blueprint In this forward-focused episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down the three pillars he’s using to engineer a powerful and intentional 2026: a clear definite aim, an AI-powered execution toolbox, and the 1-5-10 framework for turning vision into action. After reflecting on Q4, two AI workshops, and the patterns he’s seen among operators and entrepreneurs, Ruben explains why most people fail at goal setting — and how a simple shift in mindset and structure changes everything. He walks through why experimentation is the only path to discovering your purpose, how to filter every opportunity through a 10-year trajectory, and why alignment becomes your internal GPS. From there, Ruben shows how AI removes the two biggest excuses holding people back — lack of information and lack of time — and how to use AI as a personal board of directors to eliminate blind spots and accelerate execution. Finally, Ruben breaks down the 1-5-10 framework, including how to define your 10-year dream life, reverse-engineer your five-year milestones, convert that into one-year focus, and translate everything into monthly and weekly sprints that actually stick. This episode is a practical blueprint for anyone who wants to avoid another “New Year sprint–February fizzle” cycle and instead build a system that compounds for years. Tune in now to learn how to set a clear aim, harness AI, and build a weekly structure that finally closes the gap between who you are and who you’re becoming. #EntrepreneurMindset #GoalSetting #AIForBusiness #ProductivitySystems #ExperimentNation #BusinessGrowth #VisionPlanning #RealEstateEntrepreneur #MindsetMatters #2026Planning

    32 min
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5
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About

In The Lab with Ruben Kanya compiles over $2 Billion worth of successful real estate experiments for new investors looking to get started in real estate. With real estate being a broad umbrella, in the lab we introduce you to a variety of real estate models (experiments) that real practitioners have implemented while sharing their wins, losses and lessons in the lab so that you can pick the experiments that suit your lifestyle the most and double down. In the lab we focus on repeatable processes, systems and ingredients so that you can implement your own experiments and build.

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