It was 9 p.m. on a Friday night. I had just gotten the third phone call from my very pregnant wife. Her voice was soft, a little tired, but full of love:

“Babe, when are you coming home? It’s late—and I’m really looking forward to some us time.”

Now, any sane man might’ve sprinted to the car, tires screeching out of the driveway, knowing full well that “us time” was about to go extinct once the baby arrived. But my response? Just seven words that would go on to shift everything in my life and career:

“I have to get this done, babe.”

So what was so important that I couldn’t be with my wife?

Let me paint the picture.

The Dirty Truth About DIY Landlording

I was elbow-deep in human waste—literally. I was unclogging the main sewage line in my very first rental property. The previous owner had neglected some minor maintenance issues (read: years of buildup), and now I was paying the price.

Dry-heaving and gagging, I was pretending it was just really bad chocolate pudding.

And just to be clear—this property wasn’t even occupied. No tenant waiting for a flush. Just me, alone, covered in crap, telling myself this had to be done now.

Screaming at the ceiling, I asked, “Is this what they mean by passive income?”

Everyone tells you how real estate investing leads to consistent returns and long-term wealth. But in that moment, with the stench of someone else’s bad decisions in my nostrils, I had serious doubts.

A Whisper That Changed Everything

And then, in the middle of my meltdown, a whisper cut through the chaos:

“You need to choose your priorities… and stop doing this alone.”

Now, I hadn’t exactly been gracious in my prayers. I had dropped every foul word in the book. But somehow, despite the verbal abuse I was hurling toward heaven, that quiet message got through.

And I listened.

I left the mess, jumped in my car, and drove home. Did we have “us time”? Nope. Nothing kills the vibe like Eau de Sewage. But I was present. I showed up. And that mattered more than anything.

That night, I made two major decisions:

  1. My family would be my first priority.
  2. I’d never go it alone again.

The Lone Wolf Mentality Will Kill Your Growth

Up until then, I had tried to do everything myself—acquisitions, rehab, property management. I was a control freak. And it was backfiring big time.

But the universe (and that sewage line) had other plans.

Shortly after, I reconnected with a childhood friend—someone with a few rentals already under his belt and the exact opposite personality as mine. He was optimistic, collaborative, and didn’t mind sharing control. Together, we ran a test project: our first flip in late 2014.

If we made money and didn’t kill each other during the rehab, we’d formalize the partnership.

Spoiler alert: we made money—and formed one of the best business relationships of our lives.

Partnership: The Ultimate Real Estate Hack

Since 2015, we’ve flipped over 60 properties and grown our residential rental portfolio to around 100 units, amassed over 400k SF of Office Space and own 50 Keys in hospitality, . More importantly, we’ve built a sustainable real estate investing business—one that doesn’t depend on one person burning out over every task.

That night in the sewage taught me more than any course or seminar ever could.

Final Takeaway: Real Estate is a Team Sport

Here’s my advice to every new (and stubborn) investor:

  • Remember why you started. Whether it’s financial freedom, time with family, or creating generational wealth—keep your “why” close.
  • Stop trying to do it all alone. Real estate isn’t won by lone wolves. It’s ruled by smart teams, strong partnerships, and shared goals.

If you want long-term success in real estate investing, property management, or house flipping, forget the lone survivor story. Choose your priorities. Find your people. And maybe—just maybe—keep a plumber on speed dial.