Flex Forward

Nic and Ruben go deep on what really sets a contractor apart: proactive communication, transparency, and doing exactly what you said you’d do. Ruben opens up about his path—from working with his dad in construction to launching his own firm in 2014—plus the detours, doubts, and breakthroughs along the way. They cover networking that turns into real partnerships, habits for self-improvement, and why he continues to invest in multifamily for the long game. These notes prioritize clear takeaways and searchable keywords to help new listeners find this episode.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Cody Payne, Senior VP at Colliers, to talk about his journey in commercial real estate and his expertise in the growing small bay industrial sector. With over 18 years in the business, Cody shares what sets his team apart, the challenges he’s faced, and why persistence is key in a fully commissioned sales career.
Cody also opens up about managing anxiety, the importance of health and routine, and how books like The 10X Rule have shaped his approach to sales. The conversation dives into the benefits of passive investing in real estate, Cody’s upcoming projects and conferences, and how his team continues to educate and lead the way in small bay industrial investment across the U.S.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Marc Nathan, Senior Director of Market Development at Michael Best. Known as a “market connector,” Marc shares how building authentic relationships has shaped his career in tech, startups, and consumer packaged goods.
Marc reveals his simple but powerful “okay power” for networking, why remembering names is the ultimate superpower, and how trust is the foundation of business development. He also opens up about his career pivot from tech to consumer goods and explains why building a personal brand is about connection—not just your job title.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What’s this episode about?On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Todd Dexheimer of Endurus Capital. Todd shares his journey from flipping houses to managing a multifamily portfolio worth over half a billion dollars. You'll hear why he believes in long-term value, how he chooses deals, and what he's doing to bring property management in-house.
Why should you listen?If you're looking to grow in the multifamily space, create passive income, or just learn from someone who's done the work—this episode is packed with practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and real-world strategy. From the power of clear communication with investors to why failure is a part of success, Todd brings candid advice for both beginners and seasoned operators.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this conversation, Suresh walks through his journey from growing up in a Miami repair station to launching Jets MRO in Dallas. He explains the niche they serve—scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for Learjets, Citations, and Challenger jets—and a component-repair business in South Florida.The heart of the episode is culture: Suresh set out to beat industry-wide mechanic turnover by putting technicians first with free family benefits, no forced overtime, 7-day operations, and a habit of listening and improving. He’s aiming for ≤10% voluntary turnover so customers see the same trusted techs, job after job.We also talk real numbers. After a tough quarter (~50% on-time), Jets MRO hit 100% on-time performance the next quarter on big projects and is openly sharing scorecards and even pay scales. Suresh credits structure from EOS/Traction, plus a steady diet of sports stories and GaryVee for keeping his resilience high. He’s candid about long aviation sales cycles, learning patience, and what’s ahead as the team grows inside a 40,000 sq ft Dallas facility.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to succeed in corporate healthcare, give back through nonprofit work, and keep pushing forward when life gets tough? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Dr. Christine Grogan, healthcare executive and founder of Brave Coalition, a nonprofit focused on educating women about their breast health rights and expanding access to breast reconstruction — especially for women of color and those facing healthcare disparities.
Christine shares her inspiring journey from aspiring physician to medical sales leader, nonprofit founder, and mentor to young professionals. She opens up about the challenges of corporate America, the importance of integrity in healthcare, and the lessons she’s learned from setbacks and resilience.
 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

On this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, we're joined by Paul Montelongo—serial entrepreneur, investor, and lifelong learner. Paul takes us through his journey from flipping his first property at 19 to managing a diversified real estate portfolio that now includes data centers and student housing.
He shares key strategies behind his success in multifamily and commercial real estate, talks about converting underutilized office spaces into high-demand data centers, and discusses the importance of staying focused, resilient, and laser-sharp in execution.
Paul also dives into his passion project with his wife: the High Velocity Couples Podcast and retreats that help couples build both a legacy and a stronger relationship. His wisdom around building teams, staying adaptable, and immersing oneself into their craft is insightful for both budding and seasoned entrepreneurs.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.
 
 

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, Nic Espanet sits down with Deon Hill, founder of Uninstone Investments, to explore his journey from a cleaning business to building a growing real estate operation. Based in Georgia, Deon shares how he began wholesaling in 2017 and is now expanding into the multifamily commercial space.
Deon breaks down the strategies that set him apart in a competitive industry—particularly his focus on finding off-market deals organically through “driving for dollars” and tools like Zillow and PropWire. He also opens up about bouncing back after setbacks, the power of consistent follow-up, and the long game of persistence in entrepreneurship.
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, Deon’s insights on resilience, growth, and creating passive income are a must-hear.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to transition from flipping homes to building a multifamily real estate portfolio? In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast with Nic Espanet, Jimmy Edwards, partner at High Five Multifamily, shares his journey from finance and single-family investing into the world of multifamily real estate.
Jimmy opens up about lessons learned through trial and error, the importance of people over spreadsheets, and why communication remains one of the most valuable skills in business. He and Nic discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, the pursuit of financial freedom, and how reading just 10 pages a day has reshaped Jimmy’s perspective.
Listeners will also hear Jimmy’s thoughts on:
Why experience and human connection matter more than data alone
Building passive income and the freedom it brings
The impact of influential books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Who Not How
How High Five Multifamily is approaching growth and scaling in today’s market
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Flex Forward Podcast, host Nic Espanet sits down with Brayden Hudson, co-founder and CFO of Trellis Energy Partners, to talk about building a lean, relationship-driven business in the oil and gas industry.
Brayden shares how Trellis Energy Partners is opening doors for individual investors to access non-operated oil and gas opportunities across the U.S.—a traditionally difficult-to-reach market. He explains how their model helps manage risk, leverages strong industry relationships, and creates meaningful opportunities for retail investors seeking growth and tax-advantaged investments.
The conversation also dives into leadership lessons, including the importance of empowering people, building meaningful relationships, and staying proactive to avoid costly delays. Brayden also gives insight into future plans for Trellis, including new funds, using AI to streamline operations, and continued growth in the investment platform.
 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://flexforwardpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.