In this episode of the Profit First for Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with Leon Barnes—real estate investor, coach, and long-time leader at Collective Genius. Leon shares his journey from sports journalism and corporate sales into building a 65+ door portfolio in Kansas—all while working full-time and growing alongside a strong investing community.

We talk about what it really takes to build wealth slowly and intentionally, the difference between chasing “door goals” and actual profit, and how Leon leaned into community and personal development as much as business strategy. This episode is a reminder that real estate isn’t a race—it’s a tool to build the life you want.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Leon’s journey from sports broadcasting to corporate sales to real estate investing

[3:50] – Building his first few rentals while still working full-time

[6:03] – How being bankable gave him a financial runway most new investors don’t have

[8:44] – Why he grew to 75 doors—and intentionally scaled back to 65

[10:12] – The birth of Collective Genius and how it grew into a values-driven community

[13:00] – The problem with chasing someone else’s goals

[15:22] – Short-term goals as a long-term strategy: why they matter

[18:09] – The connection between personal development and business growth

[20:41] – The importance of being intentional with your time, money, and community

[24:26] – Leon’s final thoughts on playing the long game in both business and life

5 Key Takeaways

1. Real estate doesn’t have to be rushed. Leon built his portfolio slowly while working full-time, proving that patience pays.
2. Being bankable opens doors. Keeping your W-2 income for a while can give you more financing options early on.
3. More doors ≠ more freedom. Scaling down can sometimes increase profitability, focus, and peace.
4. Community matters. The right peer group will challenge you, keep you grounded, and help you grow.
5. Define success on your terms. Whether it’s 10 doors or 100, know what you’re building and why.

Links & Resources

• The Collective Genius: https://explorecg.com
• Listen to the CG Podcast: https://thecgpodcast.com
• Learn more about Profit First for REI: https://www.simplecfo.com

If this episode helped you reframe your real estate goals or inspired a new path forward, please rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone who needs a reminder that slow and steady still wins.