In this episode of The Bulldogs Podcast, host James Danley sits down with entrepreneur Sargam Patel — the founder behind Agent18, one of the earliest and most successful mobile accessory companies in the Apple ecosystem.

From a chance elevator ride with Steve Jobs to securing a game-changing PO from Apple, Sargam's journey is packed with hustle, guts, and game-time decisions. He opens up about immigrant grit, his biggest wins, and how he overcame a crushing public failure — and now, how he’s building AI solutions for the next wave of business innovation.

This is a must-listen for builders, creators, and future-focused entrepreneurs.

In this episode, I sit down with Northern Michigan's real estate phenom, Austen Lobenherz — a top-producing luxury agent, developer, and adventurer who’s helped shape one of the fastest-growing luxury markets in the country. We talk about how he turned summer Zillow leads into $10M lakefront listings, his journey through COVID and stem cell recovery, and what it means to design a life around freedom. We also dig into market trends, development ethics, and his global travels from Aspen to Japan.

Matt Adler is one of the top-performing mortgage loan officers in the nation — with over $2 billion in closed loans. But his path wasn't a straight line. In this episode, Matt opens up about the defining moments that shaped his career — from childhood adversity to building a thriving practice by serving first-time homebuyers, even through the 2008 financial collapse. We also explore how music, mentorship, and mindset played a pivotal role in his journey — and what young professionals can take away from his story.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with top performers across real estate, lending, and entrepreneurship. ⏱️

Timecodes

00:00 – Why Matt is excited about the mortgage industry today

01:00 – Introduction: Matt Adler’s career highlights and passions

03:30 – How Matt balances high performance with a full life

05:00 – Matt’s early life and the traumatic event that changed everything

08:30 – Growing up in a family business — lessons from his father

10:40 – The influence of early exposure to entrepreneurship

13:00 – How a music degree shaped his work ethic and discipline

15:30 – The decision to pivot into the mortgage world

18:20 – Surviving and thriving through the 2008 crash

20:10 – Why first-time homebuyers became Matt’s focus

23:15 – Transitioning from broker to bank: what changed

25:30 – Construction lending and developing new niches

27:45 – The power of mentorship and ongoing collaboration

29:30 – Advice for young loan officers entering the field

31:00 – Why annual reviews are a must after closing

33:00 – Building long-term relationships, not just closing loans ---

🎧 Available on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere you get your podcasts. 📲 Connect with Matt Adler: 🎙️ Hosted by James Danley | The Bulldogs Podcast #MortgageAdvice #MattAdler #BulldogsPodcast #RealEstate #LendingTips #MortgageBroker #CareerGrowth

If you’re building, buying, or scaling a small business, this episode is a must-watch. In this conversation, I sit down with Andrew Simon—one of the most respected SBA lenders in the game. Andrew breaks down how SBA loans really work, the strategies smart entrepreneurs use to leverage funding, and how he evaluates businesses beyond just the numbers. We also dive into Andrew’s wild journey from selling garbage trucks and Michelin tires to owning businesses and becoming a national leader in small business lending. 🔔 Subscribe for more real business conversations: [Your Channel Link] 🎧 Full podcast on Spotify & Apple: [Podcast Link]

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro: Meet Andrew Simon

01:30 - Why most entrepreneurs fear debt

03:48 - What SBA loans are really for

06:10 - Types of businesses Andrew funds

08:22 - Case study: The countertop fabricator

12:40 - What makes a good loan candidate?

15:01 - How Andrew evaluates risk creatively

18:55 - Andrew’s backstory: Selling garbage trucks

22:40 - Lessons from early sales roles

26:00 - How he got into SBA lending

30:10 - FedEx contractors & SBA funding

34:28 - Understanding projections vs history

38:10 - Andrew’s advice for first-time borrowers

41:22 - Common mistakes small businesses make

44:05 - The power of knowing your metrics 47:00 - Final thoughts & where to reach Andrew

In this episode of The Bulldogs Podcast, host James Danley sits down with Brandon Rubenstein, a loan expert who has closed over $1 billion in deals. Brandon shares his non-traditional path to success, the secrets to building a high-net-worth client base, and why personal relationships still matter in today’s digital world.

🔹 How did Brandon scale to 400+ transactions a year**?

🔹 What’s the biggest mistake killing your business success?

🔹 Why are families struggling to afford homes today?

🔹 The #1 strategy to stand out in the lending industry.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, real estate pro, or looking to grow your career, this episode is packed with game-changing insights you won’t want to miss!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Why families can’t afford homes anymore

08:45 – The key to building a high-net-worth client base

14:30 – 400 transactions a year?! How it’s done

22:10 – The biggest mistake professionals make today

30:45 – The secret to scaling in real estate & lending

40:20 – Final advice for entrepreneurs

Like & Subscribe for more expert interviews! 📩 Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #LoanExpert #TheBulldogsPodcast #SuccessTips

Dylan Tent | Sotheby's Realty

M: +1 248.990.0356

O: +1 248.644.7000

dylan.tent@sothebysrealty.com

IG | @helirealtor

YT | @heli_realtor ​

Join us for an insightful interview with Evan Lyons, Senior Director at Encore Real Estate Investment Services and a leading expert in commercial real estate investment strategy. With over $200 million in commercial real estate transactions closed and a proven track record of achieving 94% of list prices, Evan shares his expertise on transforming real estate portfolios into dynamic investment vehicles. In this conversation, we delve into his journey from top producer to Director of Operations for a 3.4M sq.-ft. portfolio and back to brokerage, his approach to maximizing long-term value for clients, and his strategies for navigating complex real estate decisions. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, Evan’s wealth of experience and actionable advice are not to be missed. FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INQUIRIES EVAN LYONS O: (248) 702-0298 C: (248) 535-0354 ( elyons@encorereis.com ----- FOR BIRMINGHAM REAL ESTATE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL JAMES DANLEY https://www.liveworksell.com (248) 671-3092

Armando Giuseppe is a Michigan home builder commanding a $40,000,000 volume track record in the Metro Detroit area. He grew up around the trades and has garnered a prestigious reputation for his bold designs and hands on approach.

Armando Giuseppe

IG | @Armandogiuseppeinc

armandogiuseppe.com

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FOR BIRMINGHAM REAL ESTATE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

JAMES DANLEY

https://www.liveworksell.com

(248) 671-3092