7 Years in Pharma until I Escaped the 9 to 5 | I Help 249+ People Build Financial Freedom ($29.3M+) by Passively Investing in Multifamily Real Estate

Concerned with the sobering reality that you're not on track to provide for your family.

No one to turn to develop a strategy to help. I get it, and that's why I am here for you.

Everywhere you look, people appeared to have mastered their finances, and yet no one talks about money or helps. 

Being in this situation is confusing.

In 2015, I was confused.

I had an average income...

and a high expense lifestyle. 

I viewed it as normal.

I was not on track.

Why do I share this?

Because it's a honest, simple and powerful realization that most people don't reach.

This reality is true for a lot of us, irrespective of income.

I say this backed by anecdotal evidence.

Everyday I help people redefine their relationship with money. 

I've done it for 277+ people. 

Making them $14.9M+ since 2018.

Growing their net worth by $31.9M+.

And the average client has a similar story. 

Looking to make money, but doesn't know where to start.

And no time to figure it out.

And so, I help people build financial security.

Using the tips and tricks that I've done for myself. 

I help people that are: 

- Tired of paying too much in taxes
- Confused with how to manage their investments
- Unsure how to grow their business
- Flustered with the myriad of options   
- Overwhelmed with where to start

Nothing is more important to me than adding value to those around me. This is why I actively work to understand pain points and how to turn them into the foundation for people to scale. 

What I do isn't for everyone. If you think we might be a good fit, contact me:

📞 https://calendly.com/mustafal/15min

📧 ml@velocecapital.com

Disclaimer: Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results and investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. There are no guarantees in any investment. Content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Any forward-looking statements or forecasts are based on assumptions and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements.

Before investing, carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment product or strategy. Each investor's financial situation and investment objectives are unique, and the information contained herein may not be suitable for all investors. Prospective investors should consult with a financial or legal professional to determine the appropriateness of any investment in light of their individual circumstances.

Mustafa Ladha

Here’s the crazy thing about personal finance

Sometimes it’s illogical 

Here’s what I mean

I have a client that’s living rent-free.

And he wants to give it up.

He sold his home in New Jersey

Moved to Texas, 

And invested with me.

His investments make him ~$56,000/year.

Passively.

His rent is ~$48,000/year.

His portfolio covers his housing — and then some.

Now he wants to pull everything out and buy a house, all-cash.

Sounds illogical.

Or smart...

Depending on your perspective 

On paper, it's a downgrade.

He'd be trading an income-producing asset that pays him

For a non-income-producing asset that has taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

On the other hand 

He's swapping cash flow for certainty.

And I get both sides of the story

There's real peace in knowing nobody can raise your payment, 

Nobody can foreclose, 

And you don't owe anyone a dollar.

That peace is real.

But most people chase "debt-free" without pricing what it actually costs:

1. Less monthly flexibility.
2. Slower compound growth.
3. Fewer options if life changes.

The right question isn't "Should I buy a house cash?"

It's "What am I buying... and what am I giving up?"

Because if your investments already pay for your lifestyle, 

Selling them might feel safer 

While quietly trapping you.

Freedom isn't just owning something outright.

It's what that ownership empowers you to be able to do.

If you're thinking about using a big cash pile to buy a house outright, DM me "CASH."

I'll help you see what you're really trading.

From 9–5 to Financial Freedom | Helping 277+ People | Generated $14.9M+ in Passive Income & Increased Net Worth by $31.9M+ | Learn How You Can Too

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Here's what no one tells you about money

Chasing money keeps you broke.

In 2016, I got my first "real" job.

Prestigious company.

$42,000/year.

I was 22 and obsessed with one question:

How do I help people at scale?

Here's what didn't help

Comparing myself to people making more.

Because comparing doesn't give you a plan.

Doesn’t give you actionable steps. 

It just gives you anxiety.

So I took advice from someone 2–3 steps ahead of me:

"Optimize for growth, not salary."

Life changing advice.

It can seem simple 

But it changed everything.

I spent nights learning to underwrite real estate deals.

Took calls with investors and real estate professionals

Reviewed 100s of opportunities before finding the right one... before saying yes.

Built relationships with people who saw potential, not a resume.

Within 5 years, my income and trajectory looked completely different.

Here's what drives me:

The fulfillment of actually helping people where it matters most...

Building financial stability 

Helping people build wealth 

So they don't have to trade their time for money.

This passion led me to create passive real estate opportunities.

Help 277+ investors make over $14,900,000+ passively.

It also pushed me to teach personal finance in a simple, real-world way.

I'm not a financial advisor.

I'm not from a finance background.

I'm just someone who built it for himself — and now helps others do the same.

If you're early in your career and feel behind, here's the shift:

Stop asking "How do I earn more than them?"

Start asking "What skill would change everything for me in 12 months?"

Questions like this built my career.

It can build yours too.

If you want my simple framework for growing income + building wealth without making your life more stressful

Comment or DM "GROWTH"

Most people don't lose trust because they ‘mess up.’

They lose it because they show up with an agenda.

On my podcast, Joshua Wilson said something I’ll remember:

Love is spelled T-I-M-E.

Not gifts. Not words. Not ‘checking in’ when you want something.

Time.

And honestly.....this applies to business even more than people admit.

Because a lot of ‘relationship building’ is just a nicer outfit for the same thing:

Hunting

If your warmth disappears the moment they don't buy...
If your follow-ups only happen when your pipeline is dry…
If the ‘care’ is tied to a transaction…

That wasn't a relationship.

That was a strategy.

And people feel it.

Not because they're cynical.

Because humans are wired to notice when they're being used.

Time is the receipt.

It proves intent.

You can't fake it.
You can't shortcut it.
You can't ‘value add’ your way out of manipulation.

Real trust gets built in moments that don't benefit you immediately:

When you follow up and there's nothing to sell.
When you help without keeping score.
When you show up the same way whether they buy or not.

So I use one filter before I reach out to anyone:

Would I still show up if they never bought?

If the answer is no…

I either change my approach, or I stop calling it a relationship.

Trust builds slowly.

And then it compounds.

What's your tell when someone is building a real relationship vs chasing a sale?

Here’s what no one tells you about money 

The most expensive thing my work costed me wasn't money.

It was bedtime with my kids.

I was home.

But I wasn't there - mentally.

Laptop open. 

Slack pinging. 

Mind on scaling.

My daughter would say goodnight.

I'd mumble something back without properly looking up.

That's not presence. 

That's proximity.

Your kids won't remember every lesson you taught them.

They'll remember whether you were there.

Not every rule.

But how safe they felt around you.

Not every explanation.

But whether you were patient when they were struggling.

Presence builds a kind of security no textbook can replace.

After helping 277+ investors build passive income, I've noticed something:

The ones who stay committed aren't just chasing a number.

They're chasing a lifestyle.

One client used to miss bedtime three nights a week.

Now his passive income give him peace of mind.

He crushes it at work.

And has the security to be home by 6.

Same job. 

Same title. 

Different mindset.

That's what financial freedom actually buys.

Not stuff. 

Not status.

Time with the people who matter most.

If you're earning well but still missing moments that matter DM me "PRESENCE"

Let's build a financial structure that gives you back your time.

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Here’s what no one tells you about risk...

And how it made 180k evaporate 

Every decision carries risk 

And usually the only way to understand that is to experience it

Here’s what I mean 

Two weeks ago, 

I shared why relentless learning separates those that build wealth from everyone else.

This is what happens when you skip it.

There is a clear, consistent pattern:

Investments are calm. 

Returns are steady.

People stop paying attention.

Then something shifts.

A project underperforms. 

Rates change. 

Suddenly the investor is scrambling.

Googling terms they should've understood before they invested.

Asking questions they should've asked 18 months ago.

One investor I know fits this exactly.

Smart guy. 

High earner. 

Made his first few investments without much diligence.

Things went well. 

He got comfortable.

Then one investment went sideways.

He didn't understand the capital stack. 

Didn't know he could lose money.

Didn’t know that his investment wasn’t collateralized.

Lost $180K.

Now he studies everything. 

Obsessively.

This experience costed him $180K and 3 years of missed growth.

The strategic investors 

The ones who build wealth the fastest

They don't wait for pain to teach them

They learn from other people’s mistakes, saving time and money.

They find the right mentors, people with the experience to see around corners. 

They learn when things are good - because that's when you can think clearly.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this truth over and over...

Reactive learning is the most expensive kind.

You pay, in dollars and time.

Are you learning proactively - or waiting for a painful lesson?

DM me "PROACTIVE" if you want to talk about building a process to strategically grow

The beliefs I grew up with nearly broke me.

As a son of immigrants, I was molded to believe:

1. Hard work is the only path forward
2. Taking breaks is weakness
3. Whatever I do isn't good enough

These beliefs built my career.

They’ve helped me scale beyond what I thought was possible. 

But, they also created blind spots.

I reached a point where I'd come home exhausted

But I didn’t understand why

I wasn't doing physical labor.

I was just thinking all day.

Eventually I learnt what was going on...

I was experiencing decision fatigue.

Your brain actually gets tired from making too many choices.

I dismissed it at first. 

Sounded soft.

But the evidence was hard to ignore.

I was home with my kids but not actually present.

My body was there.

My mind was still solving problems.

I started watching people I respected - high performers who seemed to have more hours in the day than I did.

They weren't working harder.

They were protecting their thinking time.

In 2025, I made one change:

Time blocking, doing my most draining tasks first thing in the morning.

LinkedIn content creation? 
I hate it.

So I do it at 6am before my brain has a chance to resist.

Then I take a break to be present for my kids' morning routine.

This shift helped me serve an extra 42+ people last year.

It helped create over $3.7M in value for clients.

And I got to watch my kids eat breakfast without checking Slack.

Retraining your brain isn't fun.

Addressing blind spots feels uncomfortable.

But the compound effect is unreal.

Were you raised to believe rest is weakness?

I'd love to hear how that shaped you.

Comment below or DM me.

If it triggers you, it's probably the truth.

If two missed paychecks would break your life, you are not okay.

You are in danger.

I'm talking about you, reading this on your lunch break or in the car.

Check yourself:

Your salary lands......and within days it's gone to rent, fees, debt, stop orders

Your chest tightens when HR sends a 'quick calendar sync'

You tell yourself it's fine, I'll fix it later - and another year disappears

From the outside, everything looks polished.

But if your salary stopped for 60 days, what happens?

-Do you start swiping credit cards to survive?
-Do you call family to borrow just until things settle?
-Do you downgrade your kids' school, your plans, your life?

That's not bad luck.

That's a system built on one weak pillar.

And here's the brutal part:

You don't control that pillar.

One decision in a room you're not invited to.....and your stability is gone.

After helping 277+ people generate $14.9M+ in passive income,

I've seen this pattern too many times.

-The fix isn't another budgeting app.
-It isn't spending less this year.
-It isn't waiting for a bigger bonus.

The fix is building income that keeps coming when your salary doesn't.

One client came to me exactly like this - high earner, two weeks of runway.

18 months later: $6,200/month in passive income from real estate.

Same job. Same salary. Completely different foundation.

You don't need 20 doors.

You need enough passive income that:

-One HR email
-One health issue
-One we're going in a different direction

…doesn't flip your whole life upside down.

If this feels uncomfortably accurate, don't just scroll.

DM me ENOUGH.

I'll help you:
→ See exactly how exposed you are today
→ Work out how many calm months you truly have
→ Map one practical, hands-off real estate path to actual stability

Two paychecks shouldn't be the difference between your life and chaos.

Here’s the dangerous truth that most people don’t realize 

Most people don’t burn out because they’re working too hard.

They burn out because they’re watching everyone else.

Andrew Coleman shared something on my podcast that I keep replaying:

If you focus on your journey and helping others hit their goals...

...you stop caring about unhealthy competition.

And you start building something real.

Your uniqueness is your strength.

This is the piece we skip.

We think the ‘edge’ is a smarter strategy.

But the real edge 

The one nobody can copy is

Your lived experience.

A mix of:

-what you’ve been through
-what you’ve learned the hard way
-who you’ve helped

The standards you refuse to drop

Comparisons make you feel behind.

But behind who?

-Someone with different goals.
-Different responsibilities.
-A totally different starting line.

I see this constantly in investing.

People compare returns.

They change their strategy too early.

They chase noise.

They reset the clock.

And they call it ‘being proactive.’

The people who build real wealth do something boring:

They choose a plan that fits their life.

They execute consistently.

They ignore the scoreboard.

They let compounding do the heavy lifting. 

That’s how 82+ clients made 29.74%+ over 2 years

Andrew Coleman - appreciate the timely reminder. 

It’s simple. 

And it’s real.

If you’ve ever caught yourself comparing…..

What helped you get back to focusing on yourself

Focusing on how you help people

Comment below or DM

Here’s the simple reality most people ignore...

2025 was the year you learnt

2026 is the year you take action.

Most people don't lack information.

They lack implementation.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this too many times:

Another year passes.

More articles. 

More "I should really do something about this."

Same position in December as January.

Not because you're lazy.

Because planning feels like progress.

Spreadsheets built, but never used to make a decision.

Notes on opportunities, but no actual capital deployed.

Real progress is usually 20% planning, 80% action.

One client spent all of 2024 researching.

Zero investments.

In January 2025, she made one decision.

Asked the right questions.

Took a modest first step.

3 hours of planning. Then she took action.

By December 2025, she was generating $4,100/month in passive income.

Same person.

Same knowledge.

Different year.

Because she finally took action.

You don't need the perfect strategy to start.

You need a step that's proportionate to where you are right now.

Here's the math that should bother you:

Every month you wait is $400-$800 in passive income you'll never get back.

Not "might miss."

Will never get back.

12 months of "I'll start next quarter" = $4,800-$9,600 gone.

Not lost to a bad investment.

Lost to no investment.

That's the cost of waiting.

And it compounds — against you.

So here's my ask:

Stop researching. 

Start a conversation.

DM me "Action" and I'll send you the exact 3 questions I ask every new investor.

Takes 3-10 minutes to answer.

But it'll show you whether you're actually ready — or just comfortable planning.

December 2026 is coming either way.

The only question: Will you be in the same spot?

Here’s how I made investors ~15.73% last here
 
This is something I don’t talk about
 
And there are a few reasons why
 
1. I don’t want you to assume you’ll make money
2. I don’t want you to assume making money is easy
3. I don’t want you to walk into things without understanding the risk
 
A few years back I launched a fund
 
A fund is basically when people pool their money to invest into something together
 
Think of a partnership
 
Everyone wants to invest in real estate
 
Some people don’t know how
 
So, they partner with someone that can do it for them (me)
 
The fund was a 506(b)
 
For most people this legal designation is useless
 
The reason why I mention it is that it’s open to accredited investors
 
And 35 non-accredited investors
 
The people that invested in this fund are everyday people:
 
1. They’ve never invested in real estate before
 
2. They probably don’t know what the word ‘accredited’ means
 
3. They’re looking to invest on an all cash basis
 
The 3rd point is unique
 
There are certain people that want to make money without leverage
 
This fund is actually built for those people
 
The fund has made 14%+ each year for ~3+ years
 
Imagine investing $100,000 in 2022
 
And it growing to $148,154.40 by the end of 2025
 
48% growth in 3 years
 
Awesome, but honestly
 
Here’s the legal disclaimer
 
This is just an illustration
 
If you want to see actual performance reach out and I’ll send you the information
 
The point here isn’t how people are making a lot of money passively
 
The point is actually what I mentioned last week
 
Wealthy people are disciplined
 
Making 14%+ feels amazing
 
But if you’re doing it year after year it can get monotonous
 
Discipline isn't flashy. 
 
We’re not investing in real estate to be flashy
 
We’re investing in real estate to build financial freedom
 
If you want to join the 277+ people scaling
 
Comment or DM

You don't need another strategy, you need clarity...

Here’s what I mean

On Friday I asked a simple question

A question I’ve asked over 277 people

How do you make investment decisions

I recently asked a 21 year old making 250,000+ a year

His brutally honest response was that he follows his gut

This 21 year old makes more than everyone in his family

High income.
Smart.
Serious about building wealth.

And completely honest about the chaos behind his choices.

The Friday poll had 4 options:

- Research deeply and decide
- Follow a trusted mentor/advisor
- Copy friends/colleagues
- Gut feel / FOMO

In real life

Most portfolios are a blend of all four.

A little research.
A little "my friend made money in this."
A little "my advisor said it's good."
A little "I don't want to miss out."

That's how people end up with:

A crypto position they don’t understand.

An angel investment because their friends said it was the next best thing.

A "passive" property that became a second job.

Different assets.

Same root problem: no clarity.

Here are the 3 questions you need to ask 

Before any new investment

𝟭. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 building 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺?
Not "does it sound exciting?"
Does it actually support the life I'm building?

𝟮. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁?
If you can't explain the model simply, you're borrowing conviction.

𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗺 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 — 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆?
Many "great returns" stop being great once you price in stress and hours.

Same person.
Same income.
Completely different decision process.

If your portfolio looks more like "friend / mentor / FOMO" than you'd like to admit...

You don't need more noise.

You need a filter you can trust.

Want help pressure-testing your next investment decision?

DM me "INVEST"

We'll walk through it together.

Here’s what you don't realize

FOMO kills more portfolios than bad markets.

The people who quietly build wealth don't have a secret strategy.

They have habits most people skip.

After making 277+ people $14,900,000+, here are the three behaviors that repeatedly show up:

𝟭) 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
They do the boring things

Reviewing their numbers monthly.
Honoring commitments even when it's inconvenient.
Sticking to a plan when it's no longer exciting.

Discipline isn't flashy.

But it’s at the heart of how people aggressively scale.

𝟮) 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲
They time block

Create space to think without noise.

Good decisions rarely happen when you’re stuck in the beautiful chaos of life

Family, back-to-back meetings and late-night commitments.

A few protected hours a week changes the quality of choices over years.

𝟯) 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
They keep learning even when things are working.

Not from panic.

From respect for how quickly the world can change.

The best investors I know read more when they're winning, not less.

You don't build these skills in a weekend.

You build them one decision at a time.

Which one do you need to work on most?

Drop it below — sometimes naming it is the first step.

If you want help building these habits into your investing approach,

DM me "HABITS"

Here’s what most people don’t realize

You're probably wasting time learning about investing 

Here's what to do instead.

Not more threads.
Not more podcasts.
Not more "passive income" ideas.

You don't need more information.

You need to take action.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this pattern hundreds of times:

Smart professionals who've consumed everything.

But still haven’t invested.

Or they’re stuck at one investment.

The issue isn't discipline or laziness.

It's that they lack conviction

They’ve never felt certainty.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 investment 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 scary.

Your brain screams:

What if I lose everything? 

What if I'm missing something?

What if I need to "research a bit more"?

You reread everything.

You draft questions, delete them, then ask anyway.

You almost pull out twice.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 investment 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿.

You know the process.

You know what it feels like to invest and wait for your investment to make you money.

Fear is still there.

But it's no longer the driving force.

𝗕𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀.

You stop asking: "Is investing safe?"

You start asking: "Does this investment fit my plan, my risk profile, and help me build freedom?"

One client — high earner, had two weeks of savings— made his first investment in 2022.

Took him three weeks to pull the trigger.

By his third investment, he was in within 48 hours.

3 years later: $5,100/month in passive income.

Same person. Completely different operating system.

You're no longer consuming information about investing.

You're operating like an investor.

That shift isn't bravery.

It's momentum.

And momentum compounds faster than money.

So here's the hard question:

If someone looked at your last 12 months, would they see a person thinking about l investing — or a person who became an investor?

There’s a subtle but powerful difference.

If you're earning but still on the sidelines, DM me "MOMENTUM"

I'll help you define a realistic first position.

The best time to start was yesterday. 

The second best time is today.

Speak soon

The best salespeople talk less than you think.


Silence isn’t awkward. 

It’s empowering. 

It gives you the information you need to help.

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀 dropped this on the podcast 

And it's a powerful insight that will help you scale

Last year someone came to me ready to invest.

Had the capital. Had the stability. Said all the right things.

But something felt off.

So instead of selling or pitching, I asked questions.

Turns out he was about to go through a divorce. 

Didn't actually have the access to money he thought he had. 

He was looking for a distraction, not an investment.

I told him no.

Not "not right now." Just no.

He was confused. Maybe frustrated.

But setting up an investment opportunity for him would've been the equivalent of financial and personal malpractice.

It would have been wrong.

Most business owners are taught:

Get into as many inboxes as possible.

Push the offer.

Handle objections.

Close.

That's a transactional approach to life, it’s transactional selling.

It might make money in the short term. It rarely builds trust in the long term.

Consultative selling sounds different:

"What's the real problem you're trying to solve?"

"What have you already tried?"

"Is this actually the right move for you right now?"

Sometimes the honest answer is:

"No, I'm not the right person to help you."

The fastest way to lose trust is to push a solution to a problem someone doesn't have.

Or worse — to a problem they're trying to escape from.

You don't need more aggressive conversations.

You need cleaner intentions and better questions.

And if you want an honest conversation about whether passive real estate is even right for you, DM me "FREEDOM."

If I can help, I'll show you how.

If I can't, I'll tell you that too.

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

Here’s something crazy you can implement in 2026.

You can acquire customers for $0.

Not a hack.

A strategy.

Become a micro-influencer before you launch the thing you want to sell.

I was talking about this recently with Domingo Valadez and it clicked.

AI already made building products easier than ever.

So the moat isn’t the product anymore.

It’s distribution.

And distribution comes two ways:

1. Pay for it (ads, partnerships, sponsorships)

2. Build it organically (free)

Most people default to option 1.

They launch first.

Then scramble for attention.

The smarter play?

Start posting now.

Share what you’re learning.

Document your thinking.

Help real people solve real problems.

Every post is a free lottery ticket.

Every follower is a potential customer.

Every piece of content compounds.

The founders who win won’t just outbuild the competition.

They’ll out-distribute them.

Start today. It costs nothing.

I started in 2024 on LinkedIn.

I focused on financial literacy.

Since then, I’ve watched people completely redefine their relationship with money.

Along the way, I’ve helped people invest passively in real estate.

I’ve helped people make money in their sleep.

That started with simple posts.

When will you start?

How will you help people?

Comment below or DM me if you want to:

1. Get clarity on your money
2. Explore how passive real estate can fit into your plan
3. Or just share where you’re at right now.

Co-Founder & CEO @ Homebase | Helping real estate sponsors close deals faster

One investor made 15.47% last year.

Another lost $280K.

The difference wasn't intelligence.

It was which levers they pulled.

Mentorship. 

Skills. 

Opportunities. 

Consistency.

Four different words. 

One common thread:

Money rarely grows just from working harder.

It grows when you pull the right levers, strategically.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, here's what I've seen:

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
Helps you avoid mistakes you don't even see.

One client skipped a "great" deal after a 15-minute call with me. 

That deal went sideways 8 months later. Saved him $75K.

The most expensive lessons are the ones you could've skipped with the right guidance.

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
Make you more valuable in whatever environment you're in.

Not just technical skills 

Knowing how to evaluate deals, read operators, and ask the right questions.

One client had zero investing background. 

She learned these skills. 

Last year she made 15.47% annualized. 

Passively.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
Position yourself to see opportunities others never get access to.

The person who lost $280K had access to capital. 

The person who made 15.47% had access to the right deal flow. 

Capital that isn’t invested strategically won’t grow and create financial freedom.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
Stops all of that growth from evaporating when life gets hard and uncomfortable.

One investor I work with has made 12 investments over 4 years. 

No home runs. 

Just steady 14-21% returns, compounding quietly every year.

One good decision doesn't build wealth. 

A hundred boring ones do.

Most people don't fail because they lack potential.

They get stuck trying to do everything alone, without structure, in too many directions.

The ones who build wealth?

They stack the right levers and stay patient.

Which lever do you need to focus on most right now?

Drop it below or DM

Growth starts when you know where you stand

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Most high performers don’t realize what they’re trading until something breaks.

Curious what it is for you right now

Right now, which do you feel you’re sacrificing more?

We will double your Airbnb income in 90 days or we will work for free until we do

www.StayLevelUp.com

Short term rental property management with an income guarantee 

www.StayAdelante.com 
(see how we took this home, renovated in 49 days and tripled the income)

As the Founder of DLRJ Holdings and LevelUp Stays, I am proud to lead a company that is driven by data to provide exceptional short-term rental experiences. Our commitment to excellence in management helps other Airbnb owners double their income by focusing on two areas: Customer experience and Revenue management. 

Here are some of my past accomplishments:

→ Key role in the Sunpro acquisition by ADT Security for $825 million
→ 11 years of sales and management experience with a strong focus on sales leadership since 2014
→ Personally sold over $5 million in solar over the past three years and oversaw a team of 10 territory sales managers and 120 sales representatives in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois for ADT Solar.
→ Generated revenues of $200+ million/year in the solar sales region consisting of 100 sales representatives in six states. 
→ Achieved the distinction of being the #1 branch manager at Enterprise Holdings in San Antonio, TX.

These experiences have taught me valuable lessons in leadership, management, and sales that have helped me build and grow DLRJ Holdings into the thriving business it is today. At DLRJ Holdings, we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled service, comfort, and convenience to all of our guests, and we aim to exceed their expectations with every stay. 

Our passion for focusing on guest experience, innovation, and collaboration continues to elevate the short-term rental industry, and we strive to be the go-to destination for those seeking a truly exceptional experience.

If you have an opportunity, or feel you can leverage my assets in your organization, feel free to contact him directly at:

Email: derek@dlrjholdings.com
Phone: 361-205-7359

Derek R. Gisriel

Skipping this leaves money on the table. 
​
Now we stack the profit drivers. Amenities that increase ADR and RevPAR without bloating cleaning time.
​
Hot tubs are the single biggest revenue lift we see. Strong photos alone drive massive conversion.
​
In leisure markets, you’re looking at roughly a 38% RevPAR lift and about a 4% occupancy bump. 
​
It’s a weekend demand magnet and a romance anchor. Few upgrades move numbers this cleanly.
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Top rated property management in Florida and Texas. We help Airbnb owners double their income in 90 days or we will work for free until we do

Want to know what amenities earn best?
​
Most hosts guess when it comes to amenities and waste cash. That approach gets punished this 2026.
​
The smart move is installing what guests actually search for and pay premiums for. Not trends. 
​
This is based on consolidated research, booking behavior, and outcomes across our 70+ homes. 
​
You don’t just get more bookings when amenities align with guest demand, you get better ones at higher rates. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Different guests book for different reasons. 
​
Here’s the simple market fit matrix:
​
Families want pools, full kitchens, parking, washers and dryers, blackout curtains, and safety. They stay longer and cook more.
​
Couples want hot tubs, fire pits, robes, soft lighting, and privacy.
​
Remote workers need fast Wi-Fi, a real workspace, quiet HVAC, and serious coffee. 
​
Add long-stay discounts and they’ll fill midweeks and shoulder seasons.
​
Design for your guest. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Occupancy doesn’t tell the full story. 
​
You need to place yourself on the revenue curve first. Most people miss this before they launch their listing. 
​
Start with your market’s average daily rate and expected occupancy. That gives you RevPAR, revenue per available night.
​
For example: $180 ADR at 50% occupancy equals $90 RevPAR. Multiply that by 365 and you’re at roughly $32,850 gross potential before fees and taxes. RevPAR is king.
​
Know your RevPAR before you list. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Wi-Fi isn’t your most important amenity. 
​
Guests rank comfort above even Wi-Fi. Why? Because climate control affects how they feel every hour of the stay across every season.
​
Reliable coverage is what matters. List HVAC or heat accurately and specify which rooms are included.
​
Use a smart thermostat that’s simple, or explain it clearly in your guidebook. 
​
Schedule seasonal maintenance so nothing fails mid-stay. 
​
Protect comfort first if you care about reviews. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Profit starts with protection, not upgrades. 
​
Before stacking profit drivers, you need baseline essentials. These protect reviews and keep occupancy high.
​
High-speed Wi-Fi is non-negotiable. Guests expect it the same way they expect running water.
​
It’s especially critical for work-from-home travelers, extended stays, and midweek bookings. 
​
Miss this, and no amount of fancy decor saves the review. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Does your direct site feel harder to book? 
​
The thing most hosts miss is pricing parity. If your Airbnb price is cheaper than your direct site, guests will feel punished booking direct.
​
Parity builds trust. Then you win conversions with small, high-value perks that don’t crush margins.
​
Think late checkout, early check-in when available, or a simple welcome snack.
​
You can even layer in logic-based incentives like seven nights direct for 15% off. Same price. Better experience. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Why does pricing feel harder in some months? 
​
One of the biggest pricing mistakes is using the same revenue goal year-round. 
​
In peak season, you want higher ADRs and minimal discounting. In shoulder season, flexible pricing with strong weekend spreads.
​
And for the off-season? 
​
✅Lower base rates.
✅Shorter minimum stays.
✅Less friction.
✅More upsells. 
​
Different seasons demand different targets. When your pricing matches demand cycles, revenue stabilizes instead of swinging wildly. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Passive hosting wont turn into passive income. 
​
How much can a first-year Airbnb really make? And why do some win while others stall?
​
If your manager is running a “sit-it-and-forget-it” plan, you’re bleeding revenue. 
​
This breakdown uses fresh 2025 market context, real cost ranges, and proven ramp-up tactics.
​
Strong launches don’t rely on luck. They rely on intentional pricing, smart upgrades, and active revenue management from day one. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Five-star reviews start in the bedroom.
​
Sleep quality is your biggest review lever. Guests forgive small misses when they sleep well but not when they don't. ​ 
​
What matters most?
​
✅A premium mattress.
✅Blackout curtains.
✅Both firm and soft pillow options.
​
In noisy areas, a white noise machine can be the difference between four stars and five. 
​
Flashy upgrades don’t save bad sleep.
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Is it actually too late to start? 
​
Is 2026 still a good time to start an Airbnb? Yes, if you stop relying on hype.
​
If you’re stuck with a manager and underperforming, you’re leaving money on the table. 
​
That’s why we built a beginner-friendly, numbers-first system you can actually run yourself.
​
We’re Superhosts, Premier partners, and operators who scaled from 1 to 70+ properties in three years. 
​
No course. No pitch. Just systems. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

Miss this 4-week boost and you fall behind. 
​
New listings get a visibility boost for about four weeks if your pricing is correct. Done right, your first booking should land within 24–48 hours.
​
Reviews are the currency that locks in rank and conversion, but guests have 14 days to leave them. 
​
If you let your calendar spread out, hitting 10–15 reviews can take months.
​
That’s why we compress the timeline. Faster bookings. Faster reviews. Faster ranking. 
​
💬 LevelUp Stays helps hosts scale smarter with systems built for 5-star success. 
​
#LevelUpStays #TexasAirbnb #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #TravelTexas

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The Battle

Mustafa Ladha

Derek R. Gisriel

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The Battle

Mustafa Ladha

Derek R. Gisriel

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Mustafa Ladha's LinkedIn Performance

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