What began on June 9th, 2016, as a personal accountability journal for my goal of achieving financial independence by 30 has since evolved into much more. Initially, this was meant to document my journey of frugal living, strategic investing, and personal growth. However, as I hit my initial goal, the blog transformed into a platform for sharing actionable strategies and insights with others pursuing similar goals.

Over the years, this blog has grown into a blend of candid reflections on over a decade of investment experience—especially in real estate—and explorations of new curiosities. It’s a space where I share not only the financial aspects of my journey but also the personal growth, education, and life lessons that have come along the way.

Whether you’re here for the investment strategies, personal development insights, or simply to be inspired by the pursuit of financial freedom, I aim to provide valuable, educational, and entertaining content. Additionally, this blog serves to enhance my credibility across the industries I’m passionate about while continuing to offer meaningful, long-form content for readers like you.

Thanks for joining me on this journey—I’m excited to share, grow, and learn together!

About me

Pursuing health, wealth, happiness, and entrepreneurship through the lens of an contrarian opportunist.

I am an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the investment and construction industries, specializing in real estate investment and redevelopment. My focus is on acquiring and revitalizing underperforming grocery-anchored retail centers and office buildings in secondary and tertiary markets across North America, creating value and driving long-term growth.

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My Professional Journey

I began my career in the trades, working as a pipe-fitter for a fire suppression company and later advanced into the oil and gas industry. This hands-on experience taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of striving for financial independence. Through a commitment to frugal living and strategic investing, I transitioned from my trade work to purchasing, renovating, and managing duplexes and small multi-family properties in Winnipeg.

Over time, these early investments, coupled with disciplined savings, allowed me to leave the trades permanently and focus on real estate full-time. I steadily expanded my portfolio, acquiring diversified real estate assets and honing my skills in property management and value creation.

As my track record grew, I began partnering with investors to take on larger and more complex projects, leveraging my experience to scale operations. Today, as the co-founder of R2 Capital Partners, I lead operations across a portfolio of shopping centres, office buildings, multifamily apartments, and other assets, spanning 13 cities in Canada and the United States.

Expanding Horizons

Beyond real estate, I co-founded Sure Home Stays, an international hospitality brand that integrates technology to optimize vacation rental performance. Operating across 14+ markets in Canada and the U.S., Sure Home Stays has welcomed 10,000+ guests, providing luxurious stays while helping property owners maximize returns.

Passion and Vision

I’m a lifelong learner with a passion for leveraging technology and machine learning to create innovative solutions that drive real-world impact. I believe in fostering meaningful relationships, prioritizing physical and mental well-being, and pursuing a purpose-driven life.

Life Beyond Work

Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and our two dogs. I value mindfulness and continuous self-improvement, striving to build a balanced, fulfilling personal and professional life.

Professional Experience

Co-founder & Managing Partner | R2 Capital Partners

January 2019 - Present | Redondo Beach, California, USA

R2 Capital Partners Inc. is a privately held real estate investment firm offering diversified exposure to residential and commercial real estate. The company capitalizes on emerging secondary and tertiary markets across North America through a vast network of partnerships and industry-leading technology.

Role & Skills:

  • Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute long-term strategies targeting secondary and tertiary markets, aligning corporate objectives with market trends and investor priorities.
  • Operational Management: Oversee day-to-day operations, including property management, financing, asset repositioning, and deal structuring, while implementing scalable processes and leveraging technology for efficiency.
  • Investor Relations & Capital Raising: Build strong investor relationships, lead capital-raising initiatives, and ensure alignment with investor goals through transparent communication and performance metrics.
  • Portfolio Oversight: Manage a $65M portfolio across 13 cities, driving asset performance through proactive management and value-add strategies to maximize NOI and appreciation.
  • Innovation & Technology: Integrate technology and data analytics to streamline underwriting, asset management, and investor reporting, ensuring informed decision-making and operational transparency.

Noteworthy Projects:

  • Company Growth
    Grew the portfolio to over $70M in assets.
    • 168-176 Rothesay Ave, NB (Retail Power Center):
      155,000 sqft. Acquired for $12.5M; achieved forced appreciation of $7.1M. Sale lease-back from Loblaws.
    • 75 Prince William St, NB (Office Building):
      35,000 sqft. Purchased for $1.68M; increased value by 150% within a year and achieved 100% occupancy.
    • 300 Mystery Lake Rd, MB (Retail Enclosed Mall):
      200,000 sqft. Acquired for $11.8M; achieved forced appreciation of $6M. Walmart and Safeway anchored.
    • 400 Main St, NB (Office Building):
      160,000 sqft. Acquired for $2.8M; repositioning to reach a $14.9M value at 75% occupancy.
    • 822 Main St N, SK (Multi-Family):
      Repositioned a 24-unit building acquired for $1.05M, achieved forced appreciation of $497k.

Co-founder & Director | Sure Home Stays

May 2019 - Present | North America

Sure Home Stays is a tech-enabled international hospitality brand and property management company embracing the sharing economy. The company hosts thousands of travelers in luxurious, fully furnished accommodations.

Role & Skills:

  • Manage software development, marketing strategies, international sales, and business operations.
  • Oversee legal compliance, cross-border transactions, venture capital initiatives, and customer relationship management.
  • Leverage skills in international business strategy, team leadership, and hospitality operations.

Key Milestones:

  • Grew annual revenue from $0 to $3.7M USD within two years.
  • Expanded operations to 14 markets across North America.

Pipe-Fitter/Supervisor | SA Energy Group

November 2017 - October 2018 | Manitoba, Canada

SA Energy Group is a partnership between Robert B. Somerville Co. Ltd. and Aecon Utilities, specializing in large diameter pipeline construction.

Role & Skills:

  • Managed teams to ensure high-quality execution of pipeline construction projects.
  • Contributed to planning and coordination, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
  • Developed expertise in project management, construction safety, and team leadership.

Key Contributions:

  • Worked on the Line 3 Replacement project, part of a $4.3B pipeline initiative.
  • Played a key role in completing over 1,000 km of pipeline construction.

Sprinkler Fitter/Pipe-Fitter | Vipond Inc.

2013 - 2017 | Winnipeg, Canada Area

Vipond specializes in fire protection and security solutions, offering services like fire detection, suppression, and sprinkler system installation.

Role & Skills:

  • Installed and maintained fire sprinkler systems across various industries.
  • Gained expertise in construction safety and fire protection engineering.
  • Developed skills in cross-functional team leadership and pre-construction planning.

Notable Projects:

  • The Glass House: Contributed to fire protection for a $130M sky loft development.
  • RBC Convention Centre Expansion: Worked on fire safety for a $180M venue enhancement.
  • Bipole III Expansion: Played a role in fire protection for this $4.9B infrastructure project.

Defensive End, CFL Prospect | Winnipeg Blue Bombers

2013 - 2015 | Winnipeg, Canada Area

Participated in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ rookie camp as a multi-award-winning defensive end.

Role & Skills:

  • Developed exceptional skills in team building, leadership, personal development, and competitive discipline.
  • Focused on fitness training, strength conditioning, and sports nutrition to enhance athletic performance.
  • Developed skills in team building, leadership, and personal development.
  • Focused on fitness training, strength & conditioning, and sports nutrition.

Achievements:

  • 2x CJFL Defensive Lineman of the Year
  • 2x CJFL All-Star
  • Invited twice to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ rookie camp at the age of 21. Film

“Pursuing health, wealth, happiness, and entrepreneurship through the lens of an contrarian opportunist. Explore strategies for growth and impact.”

This phrase outlines my mindset and approach to personal and professional development. Here’s how I break it down:

1. Pursuing health, wealth, happiness, and entrepreneurship

These represent four pillars of a fulfilling life:

  • Health: Physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Prioritizing fitness, nutrition, and longevity.
  • Wealth: Financial stability, growth, and freedom. Building assets that generate income and enable independence.
  • Happiness: Emotional satisfaction, purpose, and relationships that bring joy and meaning.
  • Entrepreneurship: Creating value through innovation, solving problems, and seizing opportunities.

2. Through the lens of a contrarian opportunist

A contrarian is someone who challenges the status quo, often going against conventional wisdom. They look for opportunities where others see risk or dismissal.

An opportunist identifies and capitalizes on favorable circumstances, turning challenges into advantages.

Together, a contrarian opportunist actively seeks undervalued opportunities or unorthodox approaches to achieve success in these four pillars.

3. Explore strategies for growth and impact

  • Growth: Personal, financial, or entrepreneurial development. Learning new skills, adapting to change, and constantly evolving to become better in all aspects of life.
  • Impact: Leaving a meaningful legacy, contributing positively to society, and influencing others through actions and innovations.

What it means in practice

  • Health: Experiment with biohacking or alternative health strategies that are not yet mainstream.
  • Wealth: Invest in overlooked markets or assets others avoid, such as niche industries or secondary/tertiary real estate markets.
  • Happiness: Build a lifestyle focused on intrinsic goals rather than materialistic or societal expectations.
  • Entrepreneurship: Start ventures in areas dismissed by others, such as underdog technologies, underserved markets, or disruptive business models.

Core Idea

This approach encourages questioning traditional norms, identifying hidden opportunities, and leveraging unorthodox strategies to achieve comprehensive personal and professional success. It’s about not following the herd and instead creating a unique path toward growth and impact.

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