Nouveau Riche Blog

Chris Albin

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:01:01 -0700

Chris Albin brings a wealth of instructional and analytical real estate investing skills to the NR Community. He has taught more than 50 3-day trainings focused primarily on probate real estate investing strategies and instructed advanced training classes focused on rehabbing and commercial real estate investing, as well as Web-based classes on commercial real estate investing. He is the Owner/Broker of the Danville, IL area’s only Flat-Fee Exclusive Buyer’s Brokerage, where he’s worked with area investors analyzing and purchasing real estate investments and area buyers in purchasing a home (usually first-time home buyers). With an established real estate portfolio of his own, Chris is the Owner/Manager of over 200 investment properties, mostly single-family rental homes, and the employer of 10 full-time management and maintenance staff.

Chris’ background as a high school English teacher and coach, and as an Officer and Representative of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, has given him a strong foundation in education. He holds a BA with Teacher Certification from Eastern IL University, a GRI Certification from Graduate Realtor Institute, and is a Certified IL Assessing Officer with the IL Department of Revenue. He states, “My two passions outside my church and family are teaching and real estate investing. I have purchased over 200 properties on a teacher’s salary, and I have used multiple strategies in doing so.” Mr. Albin looks forward to teaching the NR Community his strategies for success.

Jim Allfrey

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:02:02 -0700

Jim Allfrey began his adult life from humble beginnings, having completed his last two years of high school in Rupert, Idaho, as a resident of the Idaho Youth Ranch. He attended Idaho State University and married his wife, Sherrie, in September 1974. They have four children and now reside in Riverton, Utah.

Jim began his business career in the retail supermarket industry, quickly advancing and serving in a number of key management positions, including Retail Management and Supervision, Human Resources, Accounting and Operations. After serving as Human Resource Manager and Controller with a privately-owned, independent supermarket chain with operations in three Western states, Jim ultimately became Partner and Chief Operating Officer for five years. Jim sold his interest in the supermarket business and became a full-time real estate investor in 2004.

Jim’s real estate experience includes commercial, “sandwich-type” leases; contract negotiations; development and construction of new buildings, as well as the purchase and sale of a number of individual homes, due to promotions and transfers. He currently owns investment real estate in several states and focuses on residential properties. He sees the opportunity that real estate investment provides as the best entrepreneurial activity available in America, as well as the fastest method for increasing long-term wealth.

Jeff Armstrong

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:03:03 -0700

An entrepreneur, author and speaker, Jeff Armstrong brings over 17 years of real estate experience to Nouveau Riche’s esteemed group of Instructors. He is currently the President and Owner of Armstrong Capital, a unique niche business in the real estate industry, specializing in the marketing, negotiating, processing, brokering, and purchasing of existing first position, seller-financed real estate secured notes on the secondary market.

Jeff has written and published six industry-related books, including “Personal Cash Flow Prosperity” which highlights the details of how he successfully runs his one-man business. He is also the editor of Noteworthy Newsletter, a monthly publication for experienced buyers and brokers of notes, mortgages and other cash flows on the secondary market, as well as a contributing columnist for the Growing Wealth magazine, among other various publications.

A member of the American Cash Flow Association, National Mortgage Investors Association and Apartment Owner’s Association, Jeff enjoys spreading his wealth of knowledge and experience to others who are interested in becoming successful real estate investors. With his passion for teaching, Jeff has become a highly recognized speaker and instructor on a wide range of cash flow industry topics, including in-depth content with a focus on the real estate note niche. Speaking at over 135 engagements to date, including 1 to 3 day workshops, Jeff states “I want to teach people about what I do and how I do it and make sure they understand it before I am finished.” He adds “I love to teach…I love to see former students a year later who come back to thank me for changing their lives for the better.”

An avid note and real estate investor, with a wide-spread portfolio, Jeff currently resides in Westlake Village, California, with his lovely wife and two wonderful daughters.

Melissa Bloxham

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:04:04 -0700

Many of you may know Melissa Bloxham from NR’s Coaching Program. As the Head Coach and a true student-advocate with a heart of gold, Melissa has helped numerous Students grasp critical real estate investing concepts through the Coaching Program. She is excited to join NR Students in the classroom as a part of our elite group of Instructors. Melissa states, “My passion is to teach my Students how to take action to become successful real estate investors.”

Ryan Bloxham

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:05:05 -0700

Ryan Bloxham has been investing in real estate for nearly nine years. Born and raised in Southern Idaho, he’s always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and recognizes the extreme importance of education. After attending Brigham Young University, he worked in several different areas before discovering his passion in real estate investing. Ryan had the good fortune of working with amazing mentors who taught him the ins and outs of both real estate investing and business. As Ryan says "I have had the pleasure of being mentored by some of the greatest minds in the various areas of real estate that I currently work in. If I can help others achieve their goals by acting as a mentor to them, I know of no greater accomplishment than helping others find success."

Ryan and his wife began working as a team consulting for real estate investors. He now specializes in foreclosure auctions, fix and flips, and wholesaling. His expansive portfolio contains properties in Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Texas, and Arizona, and plans to branch out to the East Coast in the very near future.

Utilizing his years of investing experience, Ryan brings to his new role both a real-world view on real estate investing and much excitement about sharing his knowledge with the Nouveau Riche Community. He says, “Coming from the ‘school of hard knocks,’ I bring my ‘learning experiences’ to the table, sharing first-hand knowledge to help students potentially avoid the same mistakes I have made…The opportunity my wife and I have had to change our lives and the lives of our children through real estate investing, and now having the ability to share that opportunity with others, is very fulfilling to us.”

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, Nouveau Riche’s own "Head Coach Melissa", and their four boys. He also loves to travel, camp, and fly-fish.

Lanee Briggs

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:06:06 -0700

A former dental hygienist and clinical instructor, Laneè Briggs’ interest in real estate was sparked by watching her parents supplement a “teacher’s salary” with real estate investing. After joining Nouveau Riche three years ago and spending the past four years opening, operating and growing a thriving real estate business, she boasts of her balanced life as a mom “playing real-life Monopoly.” She genuinely loves what she does and the people she works with, and enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping others get excited about a new future.

Gary Cannon

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:08:08 -0700

Gary Cannon “always admired Nouveau Riche from afar.” He holds an enormous amount of respect for companies that provide true value for their product and views Nouveau Riche as a ‘first-class operation’ that does just that—provides others with true value.

Driven by great purpose, Gary begins each day by reading positive, motivational and uplifting works that create momentum and energy for his entire day. His positive spirit enables him to encourage others to learn and grow. Through Nouveau Riche, he looks forward to the chance to further give back to others, and continue on his path of personal growth.

At the ripe age of 20, Gary resolved to become a real estate investor. Recognizing the sparse residential subdivisions in his area, in 1991 Gary and a friend teamed up for their first residential subdivision development. “We created only 16 lots, but it was a start!” Now, 23 years after his start in this profession and achieving much success, Gary lends his expertise to others. He says, “My greatest accomplishment and pride comes from watching others succeed at becoming all that they want to be in life.”

Gary is currently a Continuing Education instructor for the state of Utah where he teaches a pre-licensing course for Real Estate Brokers and Agents on how to manage their real estate business, how to prospect for new clients, and how to manage and service clients after the sale. He also actively invests in real estate. In his spare moments, he enjoys boating and hunting and spending quality time with his family.

Craig Cottrell

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:09:09 -0700

Craig Cottrell is President of The Real Market Experts Franchise, Inc.®, a company dedicated to providing full-service real estate investment solutions. As President, Craig oversees the marketing, management, and investing endeavors of this company, which identifies, assesses, acquires, renovates if necessary, and sells market-ready residential properties to qualified investors.

Prior to his position as President of RME, Craig served as President of Five Star Capital Markets, LLC, a firm focused on providing financial solutions for select individuals and institutional investors, primarily through the Capital Markets. He was also the driving force who created the curriculum for the first college-credited course on financial literacy in the country; he personally trained all of the instructors who are teaching the class throughout the Phoenix area; and, he taught the course at a Phoenix-area community college.

Craig was motivated to create “It’s All About the Money” when he saw that, regardless of experience level, real estate investors could benefit from the tools and synergies that Nouveau Riche was offering. He understood that, despite income level and assets, many investors have very limited financial knowledge. His passion is to help others achieve their financial goals by teaching the principles, processes, and tools that focus on raising private capital for real estate. As such, Craig lends his expertise and love for real estate as an instructor of several Nouveau Riche courses.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Purchasing from the University of San Diego. He received his MBA with a major in Financial Management from Santa Clara University. Craig received numerous academic and athletic honors, including Dean’s List, Scholar Athlete of the Year, Men’s Basketball Team Captain and West Coast Conference Record-Holder. Additionally, he has served as Chairman of the Arizona-Africa Commission, he can read and speak the French language, and he has achieved Series 7, 66, Securities and Insurance licenses.

Craig’s passion is to teach others how they, too, can achieve their financial goals through real estate investing. Craig is an active real estate investor with unique insights into real estate, particularly in the Phoenix market, and lives with his wife, Andrea, and their two children, Davis and Madeline.

Kyle Cross

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:10:10 -0700

Kyle Cross grew up in Indiana, where he attended Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in 2000. He fell into the trap of “…go to school; get good grades, and get a good job….” It did not take him long to figure out that this was not the way to make a life for his family. After graduating from Purdue, Kyle was hired by a major hotel corporation that moved him to Phoenix, AZ, where he was laid off in just four, short months! Kyle soon realized that it may have been the best thing that ever happened to him. Shortly thereafter, Kyle took a job with a property management company and worked there for the next three years, before being introduced to Nouveau Riche.

Kyle’s background does not merely come from his experiences with managing property for Homeowners Associations. During college, he actually worked for his father, who is a real estate appraiser. Working alongside his father, he gained valuable information about how to analyze residential real estate, as well as gaining a good grasp of real estate terminology and the appraisal business.

Today, Kyle has a knack for finding and analyzing great real estate deals and being able to handle many different types of transactions. He is constantly working on improving his mindset as an investor and entrepreneur, as well as inspiring others to get started on investing in real estate. Kyle is a full-time real estate investor and currently holds rental properties but mainly works within a partnership, wholesaling properties and doing “Fix ‘n Flips.” His main goal is not only to be successful himself, but to help others succeed as well. As he says, “You must give first in order to receive; and the true mark of an educator is in making sure that your students learn practical information that can be applied to the real world to make them successful.”

Nancy Dana

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:11:11 -0700

Nancy Dana grew up in the home of a real estate investor… she just didn’t know it, at the time! Her father, the consummate entrepreneur, always owned businesses and was a serial rehabber. The family of six would move into a rundown house and then, spend the next several years with Dad plumbing, wiring and moving walls, and Mom hanging wallpaper and reupholstering furniture! Once everyone was totally in love with the house, they would all pack up and move to the next one. They didn’t call it rehabbing then; It was just what you did to make a little extra money. Nancy grew up knowing quarter-round from crown molding, a crescent wrench from vice grips, and thought that every little girl knew the same!

Nancy started following her father’s footsteps and became a business owner. She founded her first business at age twelve and lost her life savings! Twenty years later, she founded what became the premier conference-management firm in Denver, followed by a training company with Fortune 500 companies as clients. But in 2002, she realized that her businesses were not building the long-term wealth that she wanted. She decided to do whatever it took to build some wealth, even if it meant doing work that she didn’t like. Having read the popular books, Rich Dad, Poor Dad and The One Minute Millionaire, she took a weekend training to learn to start investing in real estate.

She describes her start: “Although I didn’t know anything yet about how to make money in real estate, at least I was not afraid to take action, even if I didn't know what to do. And I was clueless! But take action, I did. After 20 'almost deals,' and six months of feeling like one of those toys that bump up against the wall, back up and turn, then keep on moving, I finally hit pay dirt! I bought my first property with no money down, and the owner carried the note. It worked!”

Dana went on to purchase a duplex and received cash back at closing. She proceeded to partner in acquiring $2-million in property in the next six months, with none of her own money or credit – evidence that with enough action, you will eventually produce results. Those first deals included small, multi-units; long-term rentals; lease options; and rehabs. In that process, Nancy discovered how much she loves being a real estate investor. She loves the problem-solving aspect of it, seeing beat-up houses become beautiful homes again, working her own schedule, and helping others get started in investing. She has become her father’s daughter; only now, it has a name – "real estate investor."

Dana lives in Atlanta, Georgia and invests all around the country. In her free time, she walks in Piedmont Park, practices a little bit of yoga, and sails in the Bahamas. She has two grown sons; an avid fisherman in Denver, Colorado and a world-class bicyclist in Portland, Oregon.

Lance Dehning

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:12:12 -0700

Lance bought his first investment property at age 22. That was 15 years ago; and at that time, he never imagined he would one day be a professional real estate investor and educator. As a full-time real estate investor and owner of The Real Market Experts® of Colorado Franchise, Lance primarily focuses on rehabbing and is also involved in a variety of other real estate investing methods. His philosophy carefully follows the Hungarian proverb that advises to, “bargain like a gypsy, but pay like a gentleman.”

Lance has a diverse background in education and has traveled to over 50 countries and five continents. He graduated cum laude from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, with a double major in Economics and Asian Studies. During his final year at St. Olaf, he spent time in Central and South America, researching his senior economic thesis. He then fell back into real estate investing for a year before going to Japan for three years to work for the Japanese Government as a teacher in the public schools.

After receiving his Master's degree in Education from Willamette University in Oregon, where he graduated magna cum laude, Lance resumed teaching – this time, high school in the U.S. – and continued investing in real estate. He taught Geography, Economics and International Issues, and coached tennis. In his last three years of coaching, Lance achieved status as “League Coach of the Year” two times and had a 29-1 regular-season record.

Lance’s background in teaching and coaching has contributed to his propensity and gift for teaching others his “rehabbing” strategies. Lance believes that “…real estate investing can deeply alter the lives of people, neighborhoods, and even communities. The investor pulling the trigger must work for the person, first; and the money will follow…”

Now, Lance is a full-time real estate investor and owner of The Real Market Experts® of the CO franchise. He currently stays very busy with his investing and with his wife, Kristeen; his two daughters, Shay (9) and Savana (6); and his son, Oakley (4).

John Dessauer

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:13:13 -0700

John is a self-made millionaire, dedicated to helping others achieve financial independence so they, too, can achieve their dreams.

After a highly successful sales career in the environmental industry, John quit his corporate sales position in 2000 to establish his own national environmental company, ICON Development. Capitalizing on his experience and knowledge in the industry, John grew this company to exceed $5-million in gross revenues in the first 14 months!

At the same time, John became inspired to create passive income and achieve complete, financial freedom and thus, founded Cribs, LLC, a real estate investing and property-management corporation. Through innovative and creative investing techniques that he developed, John turned this company into a million-dollar business in just over a year. His specialty and expertise includes investing and profiting in multi-family housing units. John also pursues the single-family housing market, as well as flipping homes. “Investing is all about strategy and designing the appropriate strategy to meet your dreams.”

After developing two multi-million-dollar companies, John embarked on his third successful company, The Dessauer Group – teaching real estate investing as your gateway to life freedoms. Through The Dessauer Group, John has expanded his business to include delivering educational, inspirational, and motivational products and presentations on investing and developing your freedoms. He has presented throughout North America and has shared the stage with such notables as John Childers, world renowned speaker, trainer and author; Robert Allen, author of Multiple Streams of Income and Nothing Down and co-author of the One Minute Millionaire; Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the One Minute Millionaire and Chicken Soup for the Soul; and Jack Miller, real estate investor/mogul.

John’s goal is to help people invest in real estate with an outcome that positively changes their lives and brings about their life dreams. “I’m doing this because it’s more than just money. The big payoff for me is time; I can leverage my time a lot more with our real estate company and be able to teach other people to do what I did – to develop both their passive and monthly residual incomes. Once they have this financial freedom, all they will have to decide is what to do with all the time they will have and whether it’s to spend it with a loved one, to develop a new business, to help people who are less fortunate, to travel, etc. The fun comes in when they’re making these decisions.”

John has a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University, in Davenport, Iowa.

Curtis DeYoung

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:14:14 -0700

Curtis L. DeYoung is Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of American Pension Services, a company organized in 1982 for the purpose of allowing the more aggressive investors to direct, individually, their retirement funds as broadly as the law allows.

DeYoung realized early in his career that true self-directed retirement plans were rare and virtually unavailable to the average, individual investor. The industry was dominated by brokerage firms, insurance companies, and banks that sponsored limited investment options for retirement plans. Still today, most IRA sponsors allow only the investments that benefit them the most, rather than the unlimited investment options allowed by law. Everyone in the financial world knows that you don’t take investment advice from a person who receives a commission. DeYoung recognized that an objective, third-party administrator who wasn’t offering a financial product for sale could help customers capitalize on the unlimited growth potential and power in self-directed retirement plans.

Unable to find a company that allowed him to invest as he desired, DeYoung founded American Pension Services (APS). APS is a genuine, self-directed, retirement plan administration company that provides the vehicle for true self-direction, without the conflict of interest of financial products to sell -- a unique and rare combination in the financial world. American Pension Services currently administers over $100-million in self-directed retirement plans, and combined with their FDIC-insured custodian, First Utah Bank, can offer investors maximum flexibility, security, and freedom to invest as aggressively as the law allows.

Curtis is dedicated to teaching others the value of self-directed retirement plans. He has shared his knowledge with audiences throughout Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, and looks forward to reaching many others through, “Put the Gold in Those Golden Years - Simple & Safe Wealth Maximizing Strategies to Enhance Your Retirement™”.

Curtis and his wife Michelle are parents of four daughters, all varsity cheerleaders, until number four, Hailee, broke with the DeYoung family tradition to become a soccer, basketball, and track star! The family resides in Draper, Utah.

Greg Hansen

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:15:15 -0700

Possessing a BA in History and a JD, Greg Hansen worked in his father’s law firm, but soon realized he wanted more. After searching and falling back into a small law firm, two clients invited him to start a real-estate investment company. In 2007, Greg left lawyering for a career he now loves, joining fellow Nouveau Riche Instructor Laneè Briggs in Vision Properties, LLC. He primarily enjoys focusing on short sales, subject-to purchases, and rental property acquisition and holding.

Del Hargis

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:16:16 -0700

As the Client Development Director for American Pension Services, Del Hargis is committed to assisting people in discovering the many financial benefits of self-directing their retirement plans. Del shares this message with investors across the country: “retirement plans are not about the future, they are about right now!”

Del is a nationally requested inspirational speaker who encourages people to “never judge what you can accomplish today based on what you did not accomplish yesterday!”

Nick Holevas

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:17:17 -0700

Nick Holevas’ passion towards real estate began at the young age of seven. Watching his father, he learned early on that real estate could sometimes be risky but overall very rewarding.

Possessing a diverse background, from hospitality management to limousine driver, Nick proves once, again, that Nouveau Riche CREATES real estate investors. Within just three years of becoming a student of Nouveau Riche, Nick founded a successful property management company and grew his personal real estate holdings from three to over 130 single-family and multi-family units in various states.

Nick says the Nouveau Riche education has been instrumental in providing the information he needed to make decisions along the way. He recognizes that “the instructors all walk their talk.” He boasts that he gained confidence and discovered just how deep the “pay it forward” philosophy – from founders to instructors to community members - runs in this organization.

Today, as an Instructor, Nick is honored to share his knowledge with others. He hopes to instill confidence in Nouveau Riche Students to help them build their long-term wealth through real estate investing, just as he was taught to do by the Instructors.

A “health food” enthusiast, Nick also enjoys keeping an active lifestyle running, spinning, and practicing yoga and TaeKwonDo. His other passions include acting, writing, and traveling.

Dustyn Johnson

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:18:18 -0700

A dedicated and experienced licensed CPA, Dustyn Johnson is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Nouveau Riche’s Benefit Company, Number Won Accountants™. Dustyn possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Accountancy, and a strong desire to help others determine a plan to reach their financial goals. He spent the last nearly four years specializing in pass-through taxation for real estate and construction entities, and presently oversees the completion of tax returns for S corporations, partnerships and individuals. Dustyn looks forward to sharing his extensive knowledge of tax laws and strategies, to help many Nouveau Riche students better manage their finances.

Terry Kass

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:19:19 -0700

Terry Kass is a professional broker with 16 years experience in commercial real estate. He has purchased, managed, and sold commercial real estate in the Phoenix market since 1993.

Terry has been involved in all aspects of commercial real estate including owning, sales, renovating, maintenance, development, etc. He is an Associate Broker with Re/Max Commercial Investment and a partner in T&M Management, which does fee management for a diverse group of individuals from around the country who have investments in commercial real estate in the Phoenix market.

Terry is a licensed broker holding the prestigious designations of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and CPM (Certified Property Manager). He has been a top performer in sales winning numerous awards since joining Re/Max Commercial Investment. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and is completing his Doctoral program with an emphasis on Real Estate at Southeastern Nova/Century Universities.

Terry is married with two children and one grandson. He enjoys hiking, scuba diving, yoga, and tennis.

Mark Kohler

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:20:20 -0700

Mark is an Attorney, Certified Public Accountant, active Real Estate Investor, Author and Entrepreneur. He has owned numerous businesses since high school, through college, and even as a professional. Currently, Mark’s principal career is as partner in the law firm Kyler, Kohler & Ostermiller, LLP, and the accounting and tax-planning firm Kohler & Eyre, CPAs, LLP. Mark specializes in the areas of business, estate, and tax-planning as it applies to real estate asset-protection. He personally owns several commercial real estate projects and loves the people, transactions, and everything to do with real estate.

Mr. Kohler has also been speaking for a number of organizations, authoring articles, appearing as a guest on radio shows, and is currently a best-selling author. His most prestigious designation is that of being an Instructor of Nouveau Riche™ and serving as the President of Nouveau Riche's Community Benefit Companies Number Won Accountants™ and Inc. It, Inc.™. Additionally, Mr. Kohler speaks regularly as a Continuing Education Speaker for the Utah Division of Real Estate, is a regular contributor to the Utah Realtor© Magazine, and is an adjunct professor at Southern Utah University. Many who attend his seminars are surprised to see how exciting, interesting and even fun a discussion regarding tax and legal planning can be! Mark has the ability to distill complex, legal and tax strategies into common, layperson terms, adding interesting stories and anecdotes.

Mark was born in Oregon and raised in Washington State. He has worked in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Portland, Oregon, in various accounting firms, including KPMG Peat Marwick and served as a law clerk in the Oregon State Tax Court.

He obtained an undergraduate degree in accounting and then, a Masters in accounting (tax emphasis) from the University of Utah. He then graduated from Willamette College of Law, located in Salem, Oregon, in 2000.

Mark and his wife reside in Southern California and finds balance in his life by having a strong commitment to family, church, and the community. Before pursuing his college career, Mark served a 2-year mission in New York, New York, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mark is an Eagle Scout and is currently serving as a Scout Master. He is also President of the non-profit organization, The Happy Factory, which delivers hundreds of thousands of toys all over the world. Most recently, the organization he serves sent ten-thousand toys to the children of the tsunami-ravaged areas of Southeast Asia.

Phil Lechter

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:21:21 -0700

An accomplished business owner, real estate investor, and educator, Phil is currently a co-founder of a mortgage company. He states, “I would say that my story is a case of learning from making mistakes and then not making the same mistakes twice.” In addition to his mortgage company, over the last seven years Phil has grown his investment portfolio to include 11 residential rental units and a retail business, using strategies from rehab and cash flow, to new build buy and hold, to personal rehabbing and self-management, to cash flow and hold for one year, to a residential land development deal. Through his many real estate and business ventures, he’s refined his strategies for success and acquired a high-level of effective team building and management skills.

In the fall of 2000, Phil joined the Rich Dad Company as an “apprentice” to Sharon Lechter (his mother). Over the next six years as Chief Communications Officer, he focused on rapid acceleration of strategic partnerships and the start-up of a global franchise division within the organization, as well as PR, direct marketing, customer acquisition and retention, messaging, branding, and Rich Dad’s coaching and seminar divisions. Phillip further developed his leadership skills by training coaches, seminar leaders, clubs, and individuals how to teach the Rich Dad principles and how to play the CASHFLOW® game.

Prior to this, from 1997 to 2000, Phil worked various sales, management and marketing positions, including managing a janitorial service and working for E & J Gallo Wine. In addition, he worked for an equipment lease finance company where he further expanded his sales abilities by soliciting financing over the phone and was later responsible for building and training a sales team that tripled the company’s revenues.

Phil graduated from Arizona State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Today, Phil resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Angela and their two boys, Kristian and Dylan. As a championed leader, Phil looks forward to sharing his vast expertise in business and real estate to help Nouveau Riche students learn from his “mistakes” and utilize winning strategies to create their own success.

Jim Park

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:22:22 -0700

Currently a partner and practicing attorney in the law firm of Fette Helquist & Park, LLC in St. George, Utah. Jim Park specializes in taxation, estate planning, wealth preservation, real estate, asset protection, and business planning. As the owner of several small businesses, he possesses an immense pool of business knowledge and regularly engages in real estate transactions.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jim received his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Utah. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville as well as his Master of Laws degree in taxation from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Before returning to school to earn his law degrees, Jim spent six years in the financial and credit service divisions of Morgan-Stanley Dean-Witter. While there, Jim gained valuable experience as a training consultant, unit manager, and audit manager. Jim’s variety of experience doesn’t stop there. His small business ownership background includes a collection agency, a light manufacturing company, a distributorship for aerospace metals, and commercial and residential real estate.

Jim Park’s vast legal expertise combined with his array of financial and credit services and business ownership experience makes him an asset to the Nouveau Riche Community. He looks forward to teaching Community Members in-depth and comprehensible tax strategies, from the rules and laws underlying the different 1031 exchanges to advanced techniques for appreciated real estate disposition and beyond.

Mike Phillips

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:23:23 -0700

Renowned as a trusted and experienced “financial solutions master”, Mike Phillips’ experience in residential and commercial lending spans over 17 years. Currently the President of The Mortgage Store™ - USA, Mike spearheads the nationwide efforts to offer solutions for both the borrower and the mortgage professional. He takes tremendous pride in providing superior mortgage services and products for Nouveau Riche Community Members as well as individual homeowners.

Mike started in loan-origination in 1990 with North American Mortgage Company. Within three years, he was promoted to branch manager of the Tucson, Arizona location and soon moved on to becoming the sub-prime manager of the much larger Phoenix, Arizona branch. In 1999, Mike accepted a partnership with Lifestyle Lending Group as a District Manager, where he and his team originated and funded over $20 million monthly in real estate loans – earning them the honor of #1 district in the first 30 days of operation!

Throughout his career, Mike’s down-to-earth style, ambitious nature and focus on serving others has enabled him to assist countless individuals in reaching their goals. As an instructor, he looks forward to educating the students of Nouveau Riche on the importance of understanding mortgage solutions for the novice to seasoned real estate investor, and helping many others achieve their dreams.

Rick Rickert

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:24:24 -0700

Currently an Instructor for NR’s Real Estate Investment College, Mr. Rickert offers NR Students his profound expertise, stemming from his extensive background and skills acquired from over 10 years in business and in real estate investing.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Mr. Rickert maintained an executive position with a large international computer distributor in Tempe, Arizona, for 10 years. Utilizing this experience, he left to pursue his dreams of entrepreneurship and create Investment Properties of Arizona, which began as a small fix and flip foreclosure company. Over the next 4 years, Mr. Rickert was an active, hands-on player at live auctions, purchasing more than 200 properties through Investment Properties of Arizona. During this time, he also actively invested personally in the areas of fix and flip and wholesale properties. Since 2004, Rick Rickert has focused on all aspects of foreclosures. He currently consults with companies on foreclosure techniques, including the Alliant Group, LLC.

As a member of the esteemed team of NR Instructors, Mr. Rickert is eager to assist NR Students in the pursuit of their own passions and help them indulge in their own desires of entrepreneurship and real estate investing.

Matt Sorensen

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:25:25 -0700

As a partner and practicing attorney in the law firm of Kyler, Kohler & Ostermiller, LLP, Mat Sorensen currently concentrates on business, tax and real estate. His diverse legal background ranges from a former in-house attorney and law clerk handling business, tax and regulatory matters for large corporations, to a former Assistant Attorney General in the Utah Attorney General's Office, where he prosecuted felony criminal cases, including felony tax fraud.

Mat received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Utah, where he was awarded the E. Rich Brewer Scholarship and graduated Phi Kappa Phi. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and was awarded a University Scholarship at entrance.

Mat Sorensen takes great pride in providing high quality services and lending his culled knowledge to assist Nouveau Riche Community Members. He divulges legal concepts, procedures and structures to help real estate investors legally protect their assets and conduct their investment transactions.

Brian Sump

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:26:26 -0700

After 16 years as a diesel mechanic and only six months into his real estate investing career with Nouveau Riche, Brian Sump told his employer “it’s costing me too much money to keep working for you!”

Chris Wilson

Nouveau Riche — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:27:27 -0700

Chris is first and foremost a real estate investor, who truly enjoys the challenges and benefits of real estate investing. His early investing career was cut short by youthful interests; and he has worked as a cowboy, soldier, handyman, engineer, teacher, and salesman.

After getting married, he decided to pursue a career in telecommunications and complete a formal education, ultimately receiving his MBA. He has held high-level jobs in Marketing, Sales and Research & Development. Although Chris was highly successful, many months of assisting in “re-engineering” a large, telecommunications company propelled Chris to reinvigorate his real estate investing and make it more than a hobby.

With the help and support of his wife, Chris started three businesses in real estate investing, sales and property management. In less than a year, Chris was able to replace their income and left his full-time job for full-time investing. He has never looked back!

Chris credits his real estate success to two primary elements: always striving for a win/win in all deals and his active imagination. These concepts as well as his innate desire to educate, have led Chris to share his knowledge with others.

Chris is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Arizona, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.