Lifetime at Work: Finding the Meaning in Our Careers
Your career is more than just a job—it’s a chance to create an impact and find personal fulfillment. This podcast explores the journeys of business leaders, uncovering how work shapes our lives, the world, and what makes a career truly meaningful.
Hosted by Greg Martin, a Toronto-based investment banker and M&A advisor, the show dives into the deeper questions behind our careers—why we work, what drives success, and how our professional lives shape the world around us. In an era of AI, career freedom, and globalization, the meaning of work is evolving, leaving many to question its true purpose.
Through conversations with founders, business leaders, and investors across private equity, public markets, and venture capital, the podcast uncovers insights from those who have built, grown, and influenced some of North America's most successful companies. It also features advisors, consultants, and investment bankers who help shape the future of business, sharing lessons from their wins, losses, and defining career moments.
Lifetime at Work: Finding the Meaning in Our Careers
Where to Start in Building a Billion Dollar Real Estate Portfolio with Ivan Barratt
Episode 74. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Ivan Barratt, founder and CEO of BAM Companies, which has acquired approximately $1.3 billion in real estate transactions.
Ivan shares his journey from property management to owning large multi-residential apartments, offering advice on making money in real estate, discussing his biggest investment successes and challenges, and emphasizing the importance of building a strong company culture.
They also explore the pros and cons of being a hands-on real estate investor versus investing through professionals, highlighting important lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
- 00:56 Ivan Barrett's Business Overview
- 02:13 Journey into Real Estate
- 04:48 Early Challenges and Learning Experiences
- 09:32 Raising Capital and Scaling Up
- 18:16 Personal Insights and Company Vision
- 19:35 Childhood and Entrepreneurial Roots
- 21:12 Family Business Background
- 21:27 Real Estate Investment Strategies
- 22:11 Owner Operator vs. Passive Investor
- 24:00 Challenges of Real Estate Management
- 26:47 Vacation Properties and Market Risks
- 28:44 Private Equity and Apartment Investments
- 30:53 Navigating Market Volatility
- 35:51 Career Advice for Aspiring Investors
- 39:58 Final Thoughts and Contact Information