Save to Zero

Zach Richards, Mike Seidl
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Save to Zero is a podcast about earning more instead of just saving more. Hosted by Zach Richards and Mike Seidl, entrepreneurs and founders of REI Capital Guys, helping others achieve true passive income through private lending, you will learn how to invest in yourself, build real income streams, and stop wasting time chasing small savings. Hear from investors, entrepreneurs, and operators on how they created value, scaled their networks, and built real wealth.

  1. Building a Business by Trusting Your Gut with Dana Staszkiewicz Ep 14

    1D AGO

    Building a Business by Trusting Your Gut with Dana Staszkiewicz Ep 14

    Episode 14: Building a Business by Trusting Your Gut with Dana Staszkiewicz Jumping into a business you know nothing about, just trusting yourself to figure it out, sounds like a formidable risk. But that’s exactly what this episode’s guest, Dana Staszkiewicz, did when she joined her brother’s plumbing business. Co-hosts Zach and Mike sit down with Dana to chat about business growth, leadership, and what it really takes to scale without losing your values along the way. Dana shares how she joined her brother’s plumbing company right before the world changed in 2020, helped restructure the business during the pandemic, and played a major role in growing it from $12 million to $20 million in less than 36 months. It’s a great conversation about moving fast, learning on the fly, and building systems that actually support growth. We also dig into the people side of business. Dana talks openly about accountability, culture, leadership, and why so many businesses struggle to turn a profit, even when revenue looks strong. She also shares why she created the Audara Collective to support women business owners and why stepping away from the day-to-day is just as important as knowing when to push. You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Dana made the leap from advertising into a $12 million plumbing business with no trades background Why restructuring during uncertain times helped Dana’s company get tighter, stronger, and more prepared What can happen when you follow your intuition How Dana and her team grew Opus & Gold from $12 to $20 million in under 36 months The importance of maintaining company culture and family values when growing a company How accountability is one of the biggest missing pieces in so many growing businesses Why Dana started the Audara Collective to help women business owners become better leaders How mindset, physical health, and mental health help you become a stronger business owner Why taking time outside your business can help you think more clearly, lead better, and stay inspired Quotes “Sometimes you just have to make a leap.” “How do you get a little corporate but still be family owned and still have a beautiful culture. That was the balance.” “No one told me, either. Especially nowadays, there are so many avenues where you can find out information. I seek to learn. I’m a big podcast listener. And now with AI, we have so many answers at our fingertips. There’s really no excuse.” About Dana Staszkiewicz  Dana Staszkiewicz is the Co-Founder of The Opus & Golds Group, where she helps trades businesses reach their next level of success, whether that's preparing for sale, accelerating growth, or transitioning owners out of day-to-day operations. The group also partners with select companies through equity participation to ensure aligned long-term success.  As the former General Manager/COO of All Hours Plumbing, Heating, and Air, she drove the company's growth from $12M to $20M in under three years, leading to a successful sale in 2023. Her impact included leading the sale, overseeing a comprehensive rebranding, establishing leadership and management teams, and optimizing company processes.  With a diverse background spanning corporate retail management, product buying, and nearly a decade of leadership at advertising agencies, Dana brings unique expertise to the home service industry. As Director of Client Relations, she managed relationships with Fortune 50 companies before transitioning to her current roles.  While actively involved in the day-to-day operations of The Opus & Golds Group, Dana also owns and leads Audara Collective, a Fractional CEO company that mentors and empowers women to run their companies effectively.  She hosts The Trades Accelerator podcast, dedicated to helping people in trades grow and lead, whether they're already in charge or just getting started.  Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new places with her fiancé, cherishes time with her children and grandchildren, and remains dedicated to giving back to the community. Find Dana Staszkiewicz on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    45 min
  2. Scaling Fast and Fixing Mistakes with Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler Ep. 13

    MAY 12

    Scaling Fast and Fixing Mistakes with Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler Ep. 13

    Episode 13: Scaling Fast and Fixing Mistakes with Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler What happens when you go all-in on real estate… learn some hard lessons… and build a second business along the way? Let’s find out in this episode, where hosts Mike Seidl and Zach Richards chat with young entrepreneurs Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler, who scaled from zero to around seventy properties in just a few years. They also launched a lumber business on the side. Dwayne and TJ share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the real-world moments that forced them to level up fast. From house fires to insurance claims to tightening up their buying strategy, this conversation is about learning by doing, even if that’s sometimes the hard way. We also get into how they structure their businesses, why masterminds have been a game-changer, and how they’re now thinking bigger with development projects and multiple business locations.  You’ll Learn in This Episode: The biggest things a real estate investor needs to be aware of before it's too late How Dwayne and Tristan scaled to ~70 properties in just a few years What happens when a flip goes wrong, and how to recover from it How to structure roles across admin, maintenance, and operations as you grow Why buying “everything” early on helped them learn what not to do How they’re transitioning from single-family deals into larger development projects The story behind their lumber business How to scale a second business without creating chaos The benefits of being in multiple mastermind groups How to approach expanding into multiple locations the smart way Quotes “We bought everything that came across the table… and that taught us what we don’t like.” “Most people pay for insurance and never think about it until something happens.” “We marked the lumber up 100% and were still cheaper than the big stores. That’s how I knew there was real money there.” About Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler Dwayne Zimmerman and Tristan (TJ) Weiler are entrepreneurs. They started in the construction industry as W2 earners. At ages 19 and 18, they bought their first house to flip. By age 23, they have amassed 70-plus houses and own a 2-million-dollar-a-year lumber business. Find Tristan (TJ) Weiler on Facebook Find Dwayne Zimmerman on Facebook Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    44 min
  3. The Truth About Rentals, Real Estate, and Freedom with Alex Pardo Ep 12

    MAY 5

    The Truth About Rentals, Real Estate, and Freedom with Alex Pardo Ep 12

    Episode 12: The Truth About Rentals, Real Estate, and Freedom with Alex Pardo What happens when you realize the life you're building is not the life you actually want? That’s exactly the realization our guest, Alex Pardo, had when working his corporate job at General Electric. In this episode, he shares with Mike Seidl and Zach Richards how this pivotal moment pushed him to rethink everything and led him into real estate, entrepreneurship, and eventually self-storage. Alex opens up about the early moment that changed his path, why fulfillment matters more than a good salary, and what made him decide he couldn’t spend his life doing work that didn’t fit who he was. He also shares how travel, books, and a bold decision helped set everything in motion. Our conversation then digs into the real estate side of things. Alex talks honestly about why rental properties are not the passive income many people think they are, what investors need to understand about return on equity, and why relationship capital can be even more valuable than money itself.  Alex also explains how mentors, masterminds, and the right people in your corner can speed up your growth in a big way. This episode is a great listen for anyone who feels stuck in work that no longer fits, anyone building in real estate, or anyone who wants a better way to think about growth. Alex brings a lot of honesty to this one, and he gives a clear reminder that the right relationships can change anything. You’ll Learn in This Episode: The pivotal moment that made Alex change career paths Why doing work that fulfills you matters more than a paycheck alone Why rental property and property management are not as passive as people make them sound How to think about return on equity and why it matters for long-term investors What role a mentor can play when learning a new asset class The role of an equity partner  Why relationship capital is often the most valuable capital you can build What makes masterminds so powerful Quotes “When you don’t know what you want, ask yourself what you don’t want.” “Don’t throw away your life doing something that doesn’t fulfill you and that doesn’t tap into your God-given gifts and talents and your potential.” “Masterminds extend beyond business. You can find a mastermind for any area of your life that you want to grow in.” About Alex Pardo Alex Pardo is a self-storage owner, investor, and coach who helps real estate investors and W-2 professionals buy their first cash-flowing self-storage facility, often within 6 to 12 months, without needing prior experience or their own capital.  Before becoming an entrepreneur, Alex was selected for General Electric’s prestigious Financial Management Program. Shortly after, he packed a backpack and spent 3½ months traveling across Europe, visiting 23 countries and 51 cities, an early signal that freedom, not comfort, would shape his life.  Alex entered real estate in 2005, building a highly successful single-family wholesaling and flipping business in Miami. Over the next 15+ years, he closed more than 750 transactions and founded multiple high-level mastermind communities for entrepreneurs seeking better businesses and better lives.  In 2020, despite running a profitable operation, Alex made the difficult decision to walk away from houses and transition into self-storage, without prior storage experience and without using his own money. He navigated the financial, operational, and identity challenges of that shift and went on to own multiple facilities across Florida and Mississippi, totaling over 100,000 net rentable square feet.  Today, he continues to own and operate self-storage while actively structuring creative, relationship-driven deals.  Alex is the founder of Storage Wins, a coaching community and education platform designed to simplify self-storage investing and help everyday people move from confusion to confident action. His approach emphasizes clarity, relationships, creative deal structures, and what he calls relationship capital, the backbone of every deal he’s done. He is also the host of the Storage Wins Podcast (formerly The Flip Empire Show), with over 760 episodes, where he shares real conversations, real lessons, and real stories from investors who are building freedom without trading their lives for it.  Most importantly, Alex is a man of faith, a devoted husband to his wife Natalie, and a proud father to his two daughters, Arianna and Alessia. Family, faith, and alignment come first, and everything he builds flows from that foundation. Through his businesses, coaching, and content, Alex’s mission is simple: help others achieve real freedom, financially, relationally, and personally, while living fully with the people who matter most. Find Storage Wins Online Find Storage Wins on YouTube ㅣ Apple Podcasts ㅣ Spotify Find Alex Pardo on Instagram ㅣFacebook Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    46 min
  4. The Tax Playbook for Real Estate Investors with Larry Pendleton Ep 11

    APR 28

    The Tax Playbook for Real Estate Investors with Larry Pendleton Ep 11

    Episode 11: The Tax Playbook for Real Estate Investors with Larry Pendleton Taxes are one of the biggest levers in real estate, but also one of the most misunderstood. That’s why Save to Zero hosts Zach Richards and Mike Seidl sit down with CPA and real estate investor Larry Pendleton to learn how smart investors actually think about taxes, cash flow, and long-term wealth. Larry brings a rare mix to the table. He’s not only advising investors… he is one, which means everything he shares comes from real-world experience.  We dig into how Larry stays on top of constant changes in tax law, why masterminds and networking play a bigger role than most people realize, and how “real-world reconnaissance” helps him focus on what actually matters to clients. You’ll also hear a simple breakdown of depreciation and cost segregation (including Larry’s famous Big Mac analogy), and a clear explanation of what investors can and can’t do when it comes to using losses to offset income. On the investing side, we explore note investing, why Larry shifted focus in that direction, and the realities of managing properties versus just owning the paper. Towards the end of our conversation, we chatted about how to create more homeowners, what realistic expectations look like, and where opportunities still exist for long-term investors. You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why staying educated in real estate and tax strategy is non-negotiable How masterminds and networking events directly shape better decisions What “real-world reconnaissance” means The difference between owning property and owning the mortgage Why note investing can simplify your portfolio How difficult it is to find an outside loan servicer A simple way to understand depreciation using the Big Mac analogy What cost segregation is and how it accelerates tax savings The role of Form 8582 in tracking passive losses When real estate losses can offset your income What qualifies someone as an accredited investor When it makes sense to hire a fractional CFO  How investors can help create more accessible homeownership Quotes “For non-real estate income, you can’t just use real estate losses to offset it unless you meet very specific criteria. Your tax situation matters more than your investment.” “For a real estate investor, the second most important form on your tax return is Form 8582, because that’s what tracks your passive losses year after year.” “More millionaires have been made in real estate, but not all of them actually have cash flow. A lot of that wealth is tied up in equity.” “If trying to be the financial expert in your business is getting in the way of you growing your business… It’s time to bring in help.” About Larry Pendleton Larry Pendleton’s mission is to help people build cash flow and save on taxes. He is a CPA and tax strategist with over two decades of experience, specializing in tax strategies for investors.  Larry’s company, PC Financial Services, has helped thousands of investors across the US with tax planning, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes. In addition to tax consulting, PC Financial Services adds value through cost segregation studies, fractional CFO services, accredited investor validation, and tax preparation.  For over a decade, Larry has also been a real estate investor and active participant in various ventures across the US, including mortgage notes, multi- and single-family rentals, syndications, corporate housing, short-term rentals, new development, and flips.  Along with his current portfolio of notes, PC Financial Services educates investors on how to be the bank and invest as private lenders to build passive income secured by real estate. Larry serves on various nonprofit Boards that promote youth development and financial literacy. He also serves on the Planning Commission for the city of Norfolk, VA.  Finally, Larry is the best-selling author of The Leader's Playbook, is married to his wife, Whitney, and is the proud father of 2 sons, Larry III and Wesley. Find The Investor's CPS Online Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    45 min
  5. Real Estate, Property Management, and AI with Matt Hitchcock Ep. 10

    APR 21

    Real Estate, Property Management, and AI with Matt Hitchcock Ep. 10

    Episode 10: Real Estate, Property Management, and AI with Matt Hitchcock Building a real estate business that can scale is about way more than just owning one. That’s the meat of the conversation Save to Zero hosts Zach and Mike have with Matt Hitchcock of Common Wealth Collective. From house hacking and multifamily investing to in-house property management, systems, and AI, Matt shares how his team built a company that now manages around 1,000 rental units and roughly $150 million in assets. Matt walks through the lessons he learned early, why he and his partners chose to manage properties in-house, and how technology helped them stay lean, efficient, and competitive. He also shares how COVID-19 pushed them further into keyless entry, contactless showings, and AI tools that now support leasing, maintenance, renewals, and rent collection. If you’re interested in learning practical insight into real estate investing, property management, building systems, and using AI to grow without getting buried in the day-to-day, this episode is for you. You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Matt’s early experience in car rentals helped prepare him for real estate and property management Why he started with house hacking instead of jumping straight into large investments Why in-house property management was the right fit for Matt’s business How systems and technology helped his team scale When it makes more sense to use in-house maintenance support or outside contractors How COVID-19 changed the way Matt’s company handled showings and leasings What EliseAI can do for leasing, maintenance requests, renewals, and delinquencies How Matt thinks about day-to-day operations as the business grows Why Airbnb and hospitality are becoming a bigger part of the company’s growth plan Quotes “We found that when we started getting into it, we were like, well, why do we play so small?” “Leaning into technology from the start was really the biggest way that we wanted to be in-house self-managing.” “There’s got to be a better way.” About Matt Hitchcock Prior to co-founding Commonwealth Collective, LLC, Matthew was a successful independent real estate investor, having purchased and managed properties in the Massachusetts Merrimack Valley, an area and market he knows well.  Matthew deftly applies his professional skills in marketing and management, honed through years of sales and recruitment experience, to creatively market the company’s properties, secure and manage renters, and strengthen the company’s ever-growing social media presence. Find Common Wealth Collective Online Email Matt Hitchcock at mhitchcock@cc-rei.com Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    50 min
  6. From Cleaning Company to Real Estate Deals with Steve Niemaszyk Ep. 9

    APR 21

    From Cleaning Company to Real Estate Deals with Steve Niemaszyk Ep. 9

    Episode 9: From Cleaning Company to Real Estate Deals with Steve Niemaszyk What do you do when you lose your job and decide that you never want to work for someone else ever again? Do what Steve did. In this episode of Save to Zero, hosts Zach and Mike sit down with Steve Niemaszyk to talk about how he built a cleaning business out of necessity, then used that foundation to move into real estate investing. Steve shares what it really looked like in the early days with long hours, cutting back at home, reinvesting every dollar, and figuring things out as he went. He talks openly about what it took to rebuild his income after losing his W-2 job, to create systems, to hire the right people, and to grow a business that could eventually run without him in the middle of everything. You’ll also learn how Steve made the jump into real estate, why being in the right rooms matters, and how his mindset around money changed over time. He also shares why he’s teaching his kids to understand cash flow early, build confidence around money, and surround themselves with people who are already doing what they want to do. You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Steve chose the cleaning industry after being laid off from his finance job How long it took Steve to meet his previous W-2 income What it really took to build systems and SOPs for a growing corporate cleaning company How he structured sales bonuses to reward both performance and client retention What happened after he shifted from business owner to real estate investor How he balances two businesses without being buried in the day-to-day Why teaching young people about spending and saving early can change their future What being in the right rooms can do for your confidence, mindset, and results Quotes “When you own all of your decisions, it’s all on you.” “Once you have a grasp on how much you’re spending and how much you’re bringing in, if you can get that down at 18/19 years old, think of how easy the rest of your life is going to be.” “Literally, the sky is the limit. Whatever you want out of life, if you surround yourself with people who are doing those exact things, you will become one of those people.” About Steve Niemaszyk Steve Niemaszy is an entrepreneur and real estate investor who built a successful corporate cleaning business after being laid off from his financial career during the 2008 financial crisis. Through years of long hours, persistence, and building strong systems, he grew the company into a thriving operation that even expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Steve balances running his cleaning business with investing in real estate, creating multiple streams of income, and a lifestyle focused on financial freedom. Call Steve Niemaszyk on 603-505-1487 Find Steve Niemaszyk on Instagram Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    55 min
  7. Real Estate Growth, Mindset, and the Right Team with Bob Murray Ep. 8

    APR 21

    Real Estate Growth, Mindset, and the Right Team with Bob Murray Ep. 8

    Episode 8: Real Estate Growth, Mindset, and the Right Team with Bob Murray Most people spend their lives saving money, but the real opportunity comes when you learn how to make money work for you. Real estate investor Bob Murary joins Save to Zero hosts Mike and Zach to talk about building a growing property portfolio, creating systems that scale, and learning how to think bigger. Bob shares how he went from helping grow someone else’s business to building something for himself through real estate. He talks about buying his first properties, growing to more than 140 doors, and making the shift from real estate investor to building an in-house property management business. This episode is also about mindset. Bob opens up about being raised to save rather than invest, and how that way of thinking held him back at first. He shares the moment things started to change, why masterminds helped him grow faster, and how his wife's support has made a huge difference as he builds for the future. You’ll Learn in This Episode: What Bob learned from helping another company before building his own Why moving from real estate to property management changed the game How systems, SOPs, and the right team can help a business grow faster What levers Bob believes he needs to pull to hit bigger goals How masterminds can help you think bigger and move faster Where capital can come from when you want to grow your portfolio What financial freedom means to Bob, beyond just making more money Why chasing deals can become addictive if you’re not careful How Bob’s mindset shifted from extreme saver to investor Why the right spouse or partner can be one of your biggest advantages Quotes “Masterminds have taken me to a different level of thinking, a different level of what my capabilities are. I’m all for masterminds. I think they’re a huge thing.” “You’re always going to be chasing money if that’s your one goal.” “Don’t take advice from people who aren’t where you want to be.” About Bob Murray Bob Murray is a partner and founding member of KB4 Property Group LLC, a real estate investment firm based in New Hampshire.  With a strong passion for personal finance and wealth creation, Bob is dedicated to establishing a solid foundation in the real estate sector. Drawing from his extensive experience in sales management, leadership, and business operations, Bob has successfully elevated a company's value from $6 million to $75 million. Motivated by his entrepreneurial spirit, Bob decided to venture into the multifamily space, betting on his own skills and expertise.  Bob's fascination with real estate began in 2014 when he rented his first family home. Since then, he has been captivated by the endless possibilities and has fully immersed himself in the world of real estate investment. With a clear vision for the future, Bob sets ambitious goals to continuously expand his portfolio, aiming to increase the number of units tenfold each year. Find Bob Murray and KB4 Property Group on Instagrambob@kb4propertygroup.com Text Bob at 603-818-1793 Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    46 min
  8. There is No Perfect Time to Start a Business with Junior Anziani Ep. 7

    APR 21

    There is No Perfect Time to Start a Business with Junior Anziani Ep. 7

    Episode 7: There is No Perfect Time to Start a Business with Junior Anziani What if the thing holding you back in business is waiting for the “right time,” when there never really is a right time? Save to Zero hosts Mike and Zach sit down with Junior Anziani to talk about building a business, taking risks, and learning as you go. Junior shares how he went from working in corporate IT to building his own business serving small and medium-sized companies. He talks honestly about not having a perfect plan, about starting on nights and Fridays while working his W-2 job, and about why purpose matters more than comfort. They also get into what happens after you make the leap. Junior opens up about hiring, bad hires, building systems, working with his wife, and why growing a business means growing beyond yourself.  This is a great episode for you if you’re looking to create more freedom and purpose and get a clearer view of what business ownership really looks like. You’ll Learn in This Episode: What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect time to start Why purpose can matter more than a paycheck How Junior built his business while working a full-time job What small business owners really need from a trusted service provider Why clarity in your offer matters so much when you grow When to hire, and what can go wrong if you hire too fast What it looks like to work with your spouse and still protect family life Why the right books, mentors, and masterminds can change your path How your circle changes when you start thinking bigger The biggest mindset shift between being a business owner and being an employee What financial freedom means when you’re building for your family’s future Quotes “What I realized was that if you keep waiting for a number or you keep waiting for that perfect scenario… There is no perfect scenario.” “You find out quickly you can’t be everywhere at once. If you want to grow, you have to grow outside of yourself. You can’t be the center of everything.” “When you’re starting a business, you can’t think you’re going to just start a business, work less, and sit at home doing nothing. You’re actually going to work a lot more.” About Junior Anziani Junior Anziani is a seasoned technology professional with extensive experience in IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Over the years, he has honed his expertise in managing complex projects, optimizing systems for efficiency, and leading cross-functional teams.  Junior is known for his ability to innovate and implement solutions that drive business growth. He has a strong background in working with cutting-edge technologies and is committed to staying ahead of industry trends. As a CEO, he is passionate about fostering innovation, empowering his team, and ensuring the company continues to lead and innovate within the industry. Find Junior on LinkedIn Find Anziani Technology Services OnlineFind Anziani Technology Services on Instagram    Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment

    45 min
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About

Save to Zero is a podcast about earning more instead of just saving more. Hosted by Zach Richards and Mike Seidl, entrepreneurs and founders of REI Capital Guys, helping others achieve true passive income through private lending, you will learn how to invest in yourself, build real income streams, and stop wasting time chasing small savings. Hear from investors, entrepreneurs, and operators on how they created value, scaled their networks, and built real wealth.

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  • Creator
    Zach Richards, Mike Seidl
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 REI Capital Guys. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Save to Zero