S4 Ep5: "Slingin' Sneakers" w/Stephan Olander of Sneaker City

S4 Ep8: "The Active Management Model" w/Andrew Robinson of Slingshot Real Estate

Is the traditional office space dead, or is it just waiting for a better model? In this episode of the Real Growth Podcast, host Justin sits down with Andrew Robinson, founder of Slingshot Real Estate. Andrew shares how he transitioned from managing $180M+ institutional assets at CBRE to building Rochester’s largest private office ecosystem from the ground up. Andrew unpacks his vision for "The Hub on Third" in downtown Rochester, explaining why younger professionals are trading open coworking desks for high-value, frictionless private offices. From leveraging AI to slash overhead costs to resolving stressful tenant crises with empathy, this conversation provides a raw look at what it actually takes to be a boots-on-the-ground property operator. Key takeaways from this episode: * The Turnkey Shift: Why the work-from-home era has run its course and how the hybrid model is driving the need for private, "white-glove" office space. * Active Management vs. Trend Chasing: How to uncover hidden value in distressed, negative-cash-flow assets by focusing purely on the end-user experience. * The Lean Startup Playbook: How Andrew built his business infrastructure and website using ChatGPT and Grok for a fraction of traditional agency costs. * Avoiding Analysis Paralysis: Andrew’s ultimate piece of advice for young entrepreneurs on stretching your time horizon and being "dumb enough to just jump in". Whether you are an aspiring investor, an entrepreneur looking for room to scale, or curious about the changing landscape of commercial real estate, this episode offers a practical blueprint for active business growth.

S4 Ep7: "Locally Trusted Restauranteur" w/Miguel Aguilera of Hidden Pines Bar & Grill

00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE] — Introduction to Miguel Aguilera and Hidden Pines    01:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=108s] — Crafting the Menu: The Story Behind the Famous Cucumber Sticks    03:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=215s] — Growing Up in the Business: From Men's Warehouse to Restaurant Management    06:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=368s] — The Lakeside Food Shack Experiment: Elbow-to-Elbow Entrepreneurship    09:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=545s] — Discovering the Space: The Mandeville Golf Course Opportunity    11:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=694s] — The Board Room: Navigating Multi-Person Commercial Leases    13:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=838s] — Off-Market Real Estate: Unlocking Vacant Spaces for Small Business    17:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1060s] — Viral Marketing: How TikTok and Facebook Reels Changed the Game    21:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1272s] — The Slow Hours: Pushing Through the Consistency Struggle    23:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1435s] — Do Igloos Melt? Funny Phone Calls and Creating Experiences    25:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1532s] — Expanding the Portfolio: Transitioning Into Real Estate    28:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1690s] — Teaching First-Time Buyers the Value of Equity    31:22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMWQwPWGJE&t=1882s] — Final Advice: Put Your Customers and Employees First Thank you for watching! Subscribe to our channel for lots of great commercial real estate and business content. ▼Follow Realty Growth▼ ►INSTAGRAM - @rgigroup ►FACEBOOK - @rgiroch ►TWITTER - @rgigroup ►LINKTREE - https://www.linktr.ee/rgigroup [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa21wQ3U2ZDBaQmMwMi0wQmV0QnhDQmZVdWpqQXxBQ3Jtc0trQzJ3YXZDNTExcDV5Nm9acUZic1JiMlNqNU1UaEEyUFNPQ3ZyQm5fUnBQRU1jekpyM2t6RXRnOGFoVUdkSDNSVXVtYVJqS0VIMHdBVVBBWTd4UGpKWjdYd21DVEJYSzNTM1N1d2JybnlCaG5PR25pVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linktr.ee%2Frgigroup&v=mYMWQwPWGJE] ►PODCAST - https://audioboom.com/channels/501585... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmdtbVpfR3FyU2Zna2ZwSjViMnZxSTl0MWo2UXxBQ3Jtc0trM0pMdHY4TElSYk9yNS11TG5rMFEyYTBGOGd4NnpwcUx2MVR3VFFsTU9vb3FzMkdFbzNNR1ROUWV4bTJvTWZ0YVlrSHd5d2dXQS1HeDlwdmIzNmFUeVh5SXpXZlQzSm9sX2szN3c4X1AtT3pwalRGMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Faudioboom.com%2Fchannels%2F5015851-real-growth-podcast&v=mYMWQwPWGJE] ►LISTINGS - http://www.rgi-group.com/properties [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFvOTVBOWVWb0JrU1RDQWF6U2tsbTJ3Y1ZVZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttWnNhVHczRGRRdHIyZ3NxallUOVNFTTdhNkFwbnZsZk1YbXZxQkxPSEgzbVdtcU4zYWlfQkpSem1DdXhNQmFHV1ZDa2lGXzdXdFl1UHhEbXR5R0dpMWJzTkJXYVZrQ3dZcGh6UTFnMjZvNUQwM1FCbw&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgi-group.com%2Fproperties&v=mYMWQwPWGJE] ►PHONE - 507-289-8000 #RealGrowthPod [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/realgrowthpod] #commercialrealestate [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/commercialrealestate] #podcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcast]

S4 Ep6: "Rearranging Plans For Pilates" w/ Avery Ternberg of Revive Pilates Co.

At just 26 years old, Avery Ternberg is turning her lifelong passion for Pilates into a reality with the opening of Revive Pilates Co. In this episode, Avery joins Justin to discuss her journey from recovering after high school sports injuries to launching a boutique fitness studio in Northwest Rochester. 00:00 — Introduction to Avery Ternberg and Revive Pilates Co    01:38 — Smashing the Stigma: Why Pilates is for Every Body    01:51 — The History of Pilates: From WWI Rehabilitation to Today    03:52 — Avery’s Personal Story: Overcoming Injuries and Finding Pilates   06:50 — The Mind-Body Connection and Mental Health Benefits    08:50 — The Leap into Entrepreneurship: Overcoming the Fear of Starting    10:14 — Navigating Business Planning and Imposter Syndrome    15:58 — Building a Community: Marketing and Revive’s Signature App    18:50 — Real Estate & Location: Why Sarah Place in Rochester was the Perfect Fit    21:58 — Interior Design: Creating a Warm, Natural Light-Filled Studio    24:32 — The Construction Process: Working with Contractors and Local Partners    28:10 — The Importance of Asking Questions as a New Business Owner    31:54 — Final Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs ▼Follow Realty Growth▼ ►INSTAGRAM - @rgigroup ►FACEBOOK - @rgiroch ►TWITTER - @rgigroup ►LINKTREE - https://www.linktr.ee/rgigroup [https://www.linktr.ee/rgigroup] ►PODCAST - https://audioboom.com/channels/5015851-real-growth-podcast [https://audioboom.com/channels/5015851-real-growth-podcast] ►LISTINGS - http://www.rgi-group.com/properties [http://www.rgi-group.com/properties] ►PHONE - 507-289-8000 #podcast  #smallbusiness  #pilates  #CommercialRealEstate #rochestermn

S4 Ep5: "Slingin' Sneakers" w/Stephan Olander of Sneaker City

In this episode of the Real Growth Podcast, Gunnar Grimsrud got to sit down with friend and client, Stephan Olander, owner of Sneaker City. Stephan shares his experience navigating the high-demand world of sneaker resale and the discipline required to maintain a physical retail presence in a digital-heavy industry. In this episode, we discuss: Retail Resilience: The reality of staying in business when many others have left the industry. The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Why real-world experience and networking often outweigh traditional paths. Building a Brand: How focus and consistency allow a small business to thrive in a niche market. At Realty Growth, we are passionate about the success of small businesses. Stephan’s story provides valuable insight for any entrepreneur looking to turn a passion into a sustainable company. #sneakerhead [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sneakerhead] #RealGrowthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/realgrowthpodcast] #Entrepreneurship [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneurship] #SneakerCity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sneakercity] #RochesterMN [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rochestermn] #Mankato [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mankato] Thank you for watching! Subscribe to our channel for lots of great commercial real estate and business content. ▼Follow Realty Growth▼ ►INSTAGRAM - @rgigroup ►FACEBOOK - @rgiroch ►TWITTER - @rgigroup ►LINKTREE - https://www.linktr.ee/rgigroup [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDBQbFk4b0xYbnNUV0lxQkY3MjY1LXpCQVJ3Z3xBQ3Jtc0trY1c2cXVwMzQ0VHdIOW16bFM4VjhkQmVQYlhFa09zQktkN2tiUFNsNEt3c2QxWTZkejZkRm52bkNpYUI2NlNQTXRoREZ6dE9pbW5JY1ctaGstRF85Nklsa2VpWW1FZHNhRHhueDhxVlMyUlZuQTJTMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linktr.ee%2Frgigroup&v=NduVJS86Jvc] ►PODCAST - https://audioboom.com/channels/501585... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXY4SXBKU0xUVUw4VzZlZG9hMm90RVRpNndZUXxBQ3Jtc0tsZUV0Ynp0NGFFajU5MjJmOHRVT3BRWFQxTlNoSFJPR2Utek1VNkFYOGphOU5DaHJKN1A1ZDZ4TjVfSkEwekxFbFVET3RXUnpMZDBrTkpPNUJzZEphUGhsNTIwM1o4emZSMFJPdmpZVWhzR2JpSlA1bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Faudioboom.com%2Fchannels%2F5015851-real-growth-podcast&v=NduVJS86Jvc] ►LISTINGS - http://www.rgi-group.com/properties [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkE4STRmYi1objBrSUIzZVhmY3VvcnlWcWZiQXxBQ3Jtc0tta1hTTkVaLXNqTFdEYkFxWEV6Y3V5dzhQaS1Bc24zWnhvUXphc3RxZ3NHa21KSmFocVFnYWZUWmhYVUdYZU1GUWI1aXg5ek1xMUFITjI1WlZkZUNHeXBNZW5pUFNZc180OE16azd6c0c0RWtUN0pSYw&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgi-group.com%2Fproperties&v=NduVJS86Jvc] ►PHONE - 507-289-8000 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc] – Intro  00:52 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=52s] – Introducing Stephan Olander: Background and Rochester Roots 01:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=100s] – The Scheels Years: Identifying the Gap in the Sneaker Market 02:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=143s] – Trading Up: From Facebook Marketplace to Launching a Business 03:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=206s] – The Rise of Sneaker City: From Underground to the Apache Mall 05:54 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=354s] – Facing the Big Boxes: The Real Story of Leaving the Mall 07:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=451s] – Expansion and Growing Pains: Moving to Mankato and New Locations 09:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=573s] – Shifting the Business Model: Closing Physical Stores for Cost Efficiency 11:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=672s] – Defining Freedom: Prioritizing Family, Faith, and Time 14:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=852s] – A Husband and Wife Duo: Entering the Real Estate Market 17:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1054s] – Wealth and Work-Life Balance: Business on Your Own Terms 20:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1255s] – Looking Ahead: Bringing Sneaker Culture Back to Rochester in 2026 22:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1329s] – Sneaker Showcase: The Stories Behind the Travis Scotts and Trophy Rooms 23:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1381s] – State of the Market: Surviving the Post-COVID Resale Slump 23:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1439s] – Adapting to Live Streaming: Coin Flips and Whatnot Auctions 26:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1584s] – The Investment Game: Is Holding Sneakers Still Profitable? 29:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=1773s] – Got Soul: Traveling to Major Events and Meeting Celebrities 33:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=2035s] – The Ethics of Clothing: Why Sneaker City Left the Apparel Space 37:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NduVJS86Jvc&t=2271s] – Final Take: Why Real-World Experience Outpaces a College Degree

S4 Ep4: "Trust the Growth Process" w/Eric Funk of Thrivent Financial

In this episode of the Real Growth Podcast, host Nick chats with Eric Funk of Emerald Financial Group (Thrivent) to discuss the growth through his 24-year career in financial services. Eric shares his journey from starting out in the industry to now breaking ground on a brand-new commercial headquarters in NW Rochester, MN, offering a blueprint for building a high-impact team and a legacy-driven business. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to scale or a professional interested in community-focused leadership, this episode offers practical insights on growing a business that prioritizes its clients and its culture.