MB472: How Two Newbies Closed a $4.6M Deal with No Experience – With Ryan Kindred and Russ Cannon
In this episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with two of our Deal Maker Mentoring students — Ryan Kindred and Russell Cannon — who broke free from the grind and did something most people only talk about: they bought a 240-unit self-storage facility and raised $1.9 million to do it.
Ryan and Russ didn’t grow up in real estate. They weren’t born entrepreneurs. But they took action, surrounded themselves with the right people, and now they’re building a portfolio that’s changing their lives forever.
Whether you're a high-income earner ready to pivot, or a burned-out investor trying to scale, this episode is packed with real talk, tactical steps, and one heck of a comeback story.
Key Takeaways
From the Corporate Grind to Full-Time Investors
- Ryan was managing $200M in power systems. Russ ran $100M+ construction projects. Both felt stuck.
- They knew their time wasn’t really theirs, and they were done trading hours for dollars.
- This is how they made the leap — while still working full-time — and never looked back.
Crushing Limiting Beliefs That Keep Most People on the Sidelines
- “I don’t have the money.” “I’ve never done this before.” “Who’s gonna invest with me?” Sound familiar?
- Ryan & Russ had every reason to stay in their comfort zone — but they didn’t.
- You’ll hear exactly what shifted their mindset and how you can do the same.
Behind the Scenes of Their $1.9M Raise on a 240-Unit Deal
- How they found this off-market self-storage opportunity
- Step-by-step of how they raised $1.9M in equity — without a big investor list
- The six-figure acquisition fee they earned and how they set themselves up for long-term cash flow
Why Mentorship and Community Made All the Difference
- The moment they realized they couldn’t do it alone
- How they leveraged our team, the community, and deal support to get across the finish line
- What actually moves the needle when you’re doing your first commercial deal
What’s Next: Scaling Up & Building a Real Estate Business
- Ryan and Russ aren’t stopping at one deal — they’re already teeing up the next
- Their 3-5 year vision: more deals, more cash flow, and total lifestyle freedom
- How they’re using this deal as a launchpad to financial freedom
Connect with Ryan and Russell
Connect with Michael
Resources
Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101)
Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors
Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program
Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club
Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank
For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session472/