Flex Forward

Nick Lee, founder of Iceberg Cabinets, joins Nic Espanet on this episode of the Flex Forward Podcast to share the story behind his unique role as a cabinet and shelter specialist in the telecom world. From the roadside cabinets that power our internet connections to the massive nationwide push for rural broadband, Nick gives an eye-opening look into a side of tech infrastructure most of us never think about.
He talks about designing smarter cabinets that field techs actually want to use, how resilience and adaptability helped grow his company, and his creative take on passive income (spoiler: it involves a Suburban and Uber). Nick also opens up about hard-earned business lessons and how setbacks often paved the way for his company’s biggest wins—including a game-changing deal that’s set to take Iceberg Cabinets to the next level.
 
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In this episode, host Nic Espanet chats with Duke Vashisht—an aerospace expert, strategic advisor, and global connector. Duke brings a fascinating blend of experience across continents, having worked in aerospace, nuclear, and now space investment. He discusses how growing up in Haryana, India, shaped his engineering curiosity, which led to a career that has spanned Europe, Asia, and now the U.S.
Duke shares insights into aerospace innovation, the evolving space ecosystem in Texas, and why Houston is ripe for real estate and tech crossover. He dives into the importance of intentional living, the power of silence, and how self-awareness has shaped his approach to business and life.
Listeners will get a firsthand look at the unique opportunities in space investment, the growing entrepreneurial network in Texas, and how Duke navigates change with wisdom and openness.
 
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In this inspiring episode, Gabriel Griess joins Nic Espanet to share his powerful story of transformation—from a Nebraska farm boy with dreams of flying, to an Air Force veteran, to co-founder of Excel Medical Staffing. Gabriel opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the influence of military values in business, and a deeply personal story of faith and family resilience as his daughter battled life-threatening health challenges.
Gabriel also shares insights into creating multiple income streams, what sets his veteran-owned staffing company apart, and the heart behind his upcoming book, The Results Tree. It's a conversation full of wisdom, perspective, and encouragement for anyone looking to grow professionally and personally.
 
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On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet chats with Carson Jones, a commercial real estate broker who has shifted from multifamily investments to oil and gas—and is now eyeing opportunities to re-enter the real estate market.
Carson brings sharp economic insights to the table, unpacking complex market shifts and explaining how global factors like job cuts, tariffs, and deportation trends impact housing demand and cap rates. From data center development in Tennessee to industrial investments in North Texas, Carson shares where he sees the most promising opportunities right now.
Nic and Carson also dive into the importance of investor education, Carson’s writing ventures—including his books The Red Flag Playbook and one on buying businesses—and his views on the future of real estate investing.
 
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Nicholas Miller joins Nic Espanet to share his unique path from growing up on a ranch to becoming a specialized attorney for land and mineral owners in Texas. As a partner at Graves Dougherty, Nicholas brings years of experience and a personal passion to helping legacy landowners make smart decisions about their property—from oil and gas to solar and wind.
In this episode, Nicholas opens up about the deep roots of his ranching family, the shift into renewable energy deals, and how mentorship and flexibility have shaped his successful legal career. He also shares important insights on how mineral rights can impact property ownership, and why having the right legal guidance is critical—especially for investors.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Charles Gills, Executive Director at Platt Richmond, to explore his inspiring journey through the legal industry. Charles began his career with just $100 in his pocket and a job delivering documents to courthouses. Today, he leads operations at a fast-growing law firm.
Charles shares how saying “yes” to every opportunity, recognizing mentorship moments, and thinking creatively helped him grow in his career. He also talks about streamlining operations to save firms tens of thousands of dollars, writing for legal trade publications, and how he broke into billion-dollar law firms despite industry gatekeeping. His path reveals the importance of resilience, professional curiosity, and strategic positioning.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Jonathan Nichols, co-founder of Apogee Capital, to explore his inspiring journey from engineering to real estate. Jonathan reveals how a shared interest in finding a "paying hobby" with his wife Paula led to building a multifamily real estate investment company.
He dives into how their careful approach to financing—favoring fixed-rate debt—set them apart early on, and how staying active in today’s market gives them a competitive edge. Jonathan also opens up about the challenges of transitioning from engineering to business, the real weight of managing investor money, and why the idea of “passive income” as a GP is often misunderstood.
Listeners will appreciate Jonathan’s three-tiered learning strategy for anyone looking to get started in investing or any new venture: learn on your own, learn from others, and then take action. He closes by sharing what’s next for Apogee Capital—and life as a new dad to baby Chloe.
 
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From the snowy slopes to scaling multifamily portfolios, Dan Brisse’s journey is one of relentless determination and reinvention. In this episode, Dan sits down with Nic Espanet to share how his dreams of becoming a professional snowboarder evolved into a career as a successful multifamily real estate investor and co-founder of Granite Towers Equity Group.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Zachary Montgomery—an attorney, CPA, fraud examiner, adjunct professor, and founder of Montgomery Legal. Zachary shares how he’s combined his legal and financial backgrounds to serve clients in a more holistic, one-stop-shop manner for tax, estate planning, and business-related legal issues.
He opens up about his unique career path, the challenges of not fitting into traditional law firm molds, and how his background has become his biggest asset. From discussions on the importance of financial literacy for all professions to how faith guides his decisions as a husband, father, and entrepreneur, Zachary brings a thoughtful and authentic voice to this conversation.
Nic and Zachary also dive into passive income strategies, real estate, and the idea of starting a podcast that integrates faith, family, and entrepreneurship.
 
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In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with October Ambrose, Vice President of People Partnerships and Engagement at Central Health in Texas. October shares her inspiring journey through healthcare leadership, from direct patient care to leading HR and operations across the organization. She opens up about her non-traditional career path, her dedication to mentorship, and how authenticity, curiosity, and flexibility have shaped her success.
October also discusses how taking career risks, embracing vulnerability, and prioritizing culture within teams are key to thriving in leadership. Her insights into professional growth, community impact, and leading through change are valuable for anyone aspiring to make a difference in their career and in the lives of others.
 
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