The ROI Masterclass

Liat Siegel

Welcome back to another episode of the ROI masterclass podcast, where we talk about building abundance and growing our businesses in real estate.

  1. APR 29

    How She Turned a Failing Country Club Into a Profitable Community

    How She Turned a Failing Country Club Into a Profitable Community Growth in hospitality doesn’t come from guessing, it comes from listening, testing, and executing with intention. In this episode of ROI Masterclass, Michele Malo breaks down how she transformed a struggling country club into a thriving, revenue-generating community hub, not through guesswork, but through strategy. Key takeaways: • Data must drive every decision, not personal preference • Renovations should follow demand, not assumptions • Community + experience = higher retention and referrals • Simplifying offers increases conversions • Phased rollouts create momentum and continuous engagement The results speak for themselves: → Event attendance up 30% → Membership sales hitting record highs → Increased upgrades and recurring revenue → Stronger community engagement and retention One of the most powerful insights: “Don’t throw money at what you like, invest in what your audience is asking for.” From pickleball and fitness concepts to reimagined event programming and strategic renovations, this is a masterclass in turning insight into ROI. Because in today’s market, standing still isn’t safe, it’s the fastest way to fall behind. 🎙️ Michele Malo shares how to turn your space into a high-performing asset. #HospitalityLeadership #CountryClubManagement #ROI #BusinessTransformation #RevenueGrowth #CustomerExperience #DataDrivenDecisions #BrandRevitalization #CommunityBuilding #MembershipGrowth #RecurringRevenue #ExperienceDesign #HospitalityIndustry #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurMindset #LeadershipMatters #InnovationInHospitality #EventStrategy #MarketingStrategy #CustomerJourney #ClubLife #PrivateClub #DesignForROI #BusinessGrowth #StrategicPlanning

    34 min
  2. APR 24

    The IRS Allows This… But Most Investors Don’t Use It

    The IRS Allows This… But Most Investors Don’t Use It Welcome back to another episode of the ROI Masterclass, where we break down the strategies driving real results in real estate. Today’s guest is Brenten Blakeman, a specialist at the intersection of finance, real estate, and tax strategy, helping investors unlock hidden value through smarter planning. Brenten began his career in gift and estate tax valuations, working closely with high-net-worth individuals and gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how wealth is structured, and preserved. That experience led him to a powerful realization: real estate isn’t just an asset class, it’s one of the most tax-advantaged wealth-building tools available. He later transitioned into commercial real estate, where he discovered his niche in cost segregation and advanced tax strategy, guiding investors on how to optimize returns, increase cash flow, and leverage the tax code to their advantage. Now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Brenten works with investors across the country, helping them uncover opportunities that are often overlooked—even by experienced professionals. Beyond his work in real estate, Brenten also co-runs a nonprofit foundation supporting ALS research and patient care, continuing the legacy of his mother—an inspiring trailblazer and one of the first female Senate pages—whose impact continues to shape his mission and drive. In this episode, we dive into: How cost segregation really works (and why it’s misunderstood) The power of front-loading depreciation Tax strategies investors are leaving money on the table with The importance of building a “real estate super team” And how to think about long-term ROI beyond just the deal Get ready for a deep dive into the financial side of real estate, and the hidden opportunities that can significantly change your returns. #RealEstateTips #CashFlow #PropertyInvestment #FinancialFreedom #TaxSavings #RealEstateEducation #InvestmentStrategy #MultifamilyInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #Depreciation #TimeValueOfMoney #BuildWealth #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateExperts #ROI

    35 min
  3. FEB 19

    Little Details Massive Profits. How Fine Dining Drives Guest Loyalty

    Jay Perry fell in love with hospitality at 15, even lying about his age to get into restaurants. After decades in fine dining, global culinary training, and executive chef roles, he walked away from traditional restaurants, not because he stopped loving food, but because he was burning out managing people. In this episode, Jay reveals why fine dining is losing its elegance, how trendy restaurants sacrifice brand loyalty for hype, and why true hospitality is like an orchestra. We dive into experiential design, restaurant profitability, kitchen ROI, luxury service standards, and his bold new concept: a mobile fine dining restaurant built for high-end private experiences. If you care about hospitality, design, branding, or building a profitable restaurant, this conversation will change how you think. ⏱️ 30-Minute Timeline 00:00 – Lying About His Age to Work at 15 Falling in love with hospitality 03:00 – Discovering Fine Dining in Los Angeles 06:00 – Studying Culinary in Italy & France 09:00 – Fine Dining as an “Orchestra” 12:00 – Failure at Tableside Service (Ego Check Moment) 15:00 – Why Trendy Restaurants Kill Loyalty 18:00 – The Lost Art of Elegance in Hospitality 21:00 – Burnout From Managing People 23:00 – Why He Left the Restaurant Industry 25:00 – The Mobile Fine Dining Concept 28:00 – Experiential Design = Restaurant ROI 30:00 – Final Advice: Create Belonging, Not Hype #FineDining,#RestaurantROI,#HospitalityLeadership,#CulinaryInnovation,#ExperientialDesign,#LuxuryDining,#RestaurantProfitability,#PrivateChefLife,#BrandLoyalty,#ChefEntrepreneur

    30 min
  4. FEB 17

    Faith, Systems & Zero Evictions: How Chilon Anderson Built a High-Integrity Property Management Company

    Chilon Anderson didn’t build her property management company chasing scale, she built it to pay for her daughters’ college. Today, she manages 115 doors, serves 90+ owners, and has never evicted a tenant she placed. In this episode, Chilon breaks down servant leadership, high-touch investor service, tenant screening systems, and why humility beats titles every time. We talk property management ROI, luxury rental standards, zero-eviction screening processes, firing with integrity, and the three non-negotiables that protect culture. This is a masterclass in operational excellence, leadership mindset, and building a real estate business with values. If you manage rentals, invest in property, or lead a team, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership. ⏱️ 30-Minute Optimized Timeline 00:00 – Built to Pay for College Why she started the company 03:00 – Selling in 2008 & Starting Over 06:00 – Faith, Purpose & Business Alignment 09:00 – Serving 90+ Owners at a High Level 12:00 – “Prickly Tenants” & Emotional Control 15:00 – Pay Scale Is Irrelevant 18:00 – Humility as a Leadership Strategy 21:00 – Zero Evictions in 20 Years 24:00 – Nordstrom vs. JC Penney Experience 26:30 – Property Standards That Increase Rent 28:30 – The 3 Fireable Offenses 30:00 – Final Leadership Advice 🎙 @realtor919 shares her thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights. #PropertyManagement,#ServantLeadership,#RealEstateInvesting,#RentalProperty,#LeadershipMindset,#RealEstateROI,#LandlordTips,#BusinessWithIntegrity,#TeamLeadership,#EntrepreneurMindset

    41 min
  5. FEB 12

    Locked Out of Homeownership The Alternative Financing Model Changing the Game

    Homeownership feels impossible for an entire generation. In this episode, finance strategist Mitchell Fowler breaks down why traditional mortgages are failing entrepreneurs and Millennials — and what could replace them. From seller financing and preferred equity to the real risk behind 50-year mortgages, Mitchell explains how alternative structures may reshape real estate investing. We discuss: • Why W2 income dominates underwriting • How to structure deals without relying on banks • The trillion-dollar housing bottleneck • Scaling real estate funds the smart way • Where real opportunity exists in today’s market If you’re buying, investing, or building in real estate, this conversation will change how you think about capital, risk, and ownership. ⏱️ Episode Timeline 00:00 – Intro Finance strategist building a new path to homeownership 01:30 – Why Traditional Mortgages Are Failing Buyers W2 bias, self-employed struggle, and affordability pressure 04:00 – The Real Housing Problem Why Millennials & Gen Z feel locked out 06:30 – Seller Financing Explained Simply How preferred equity replaces the bank 10:00 – How the Fund Makes Money Returns, structure, and risk protection 13:30 – Downside Protection Strategy How underwriting protects investor capital 17:00 – Impact + ROI Why this model blends profit with purpose 20:00 – Corporate Buyers vs Everyday Buyers Are institutions reshaping the market? 23:00 – Scaling the Model Nationwide Pilot states and growth roadmap 26:00 – 50-Year Mortgages: Smart Move or Trap? Lower payments, higher lifetime cost 28:30 – Final Advice for Buyers & Investors Long-term thinking wins 30:00 – Closing & Where to Connect #RealEstate #HousingMarket #Homeownership #RealEstateInvesting #MortgageCrisis #MillennialMoney #EntrepreneurFinance #SellerFinancing #AlternativeInvesting #WealthBuilding #ROIMasterclass #PrivateEquity

    29 min
  6. FEB 10

    Why Smart Investors Obsess Over Risk Before Returns

    Why Smart Investors Obsess Over Risk Before Returns Angelo Vitale left Wall Street, rating agencies, and institutional finance to build a real estate investment platform focused on asymmetric returns and capital protection. With experience underwriting billions in transactions, Angelo shares how institutional investors really evaluate risk, why most deals fail before closing, and how today’s capital markets are creating rare opportunities in housing and storage. We dive into due diligence mistakes, market red flags, design ROI, and why protecting downside risk matters more than chasing returns. This episode is a masterclass on real estate investing, mindset, and long-term value creation in uncertain markets. ⏱️ Episode Timeline 00:00 – Intro From Wall Street to real estate private equity: Angelo Vitale’s background 01:20 – Landing in Texas Why he’s on-site evaluating a new self-storage deal 03:00 – Early Career Path Cold-calling into CBRE and breaking into institutional real estate 06:00 – Inside Wall Street & CMBS Underwriting billions in transactions at investment banks and rating agencies 09:30 – The Entrepreneurial Pull Why Angelo left institutional security to build his own platform 12:00 – Two Investment Verticals Explained Personal housing investments vs. Vital Capital’s GP partnerships 15:00 – Scaling Operators to the Next Level Turning 4,000-unit portfolios into institutional-grade assets 18:00 – Due Diligence That Actually Matters Why “kicking the tires” still beats spreadsheets 22:00 – Asymmetric Returns Explained How Angelo protects downside while targeting high ROI 26:30 – Red Flags That Kill Deals Macro risks, operator risk, and market-level warning signs 31:00 – Market Distress & Opportunity The trillion-dollar debt wall and what it means for investors 36:00 – Lessons from 2008 Why asset value matters more than financial engineering 40:00 – Design vs ROI When spending more actually increases profitability 44:00 – Growing Up on Job Sites How construction shaped Angelo’s investor mindset 48:00 – What Sets Him Apart Seeing value others miss through multi-angle underwriting 52:00 – Final Advice for Investors Protect capital first, returns come second 55:00 – Where to Find Angelo Vital Capital Management + LinkedIn #realestateinvesting #commercialrealestate #AsymmetricReturns #privateequity #capitalmarkets #investormindset #realestateroi #wealthcreation #Multifamily #SelfStorageInvesting

    21 min

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Welcome back to another episode of the ROI masterclass podcast, where we talk about building abundance and growing our businesses in real estate.