Beyond the Deal
Beyond the Deal is podcast hosted by Michael Wagman. He has created a life of freedom and travel using passive income generated through real estate investing and raising capital. In this podcast Michael interviews guests who have been successful in the world of real estate investing or alternative investments, and they go beyond the deal to discuss the stories and practices that ultimately laid the groundwork to success.
Beyond the Deal
How Lauren Brychell Raised $55M and Now Helps Others Master Capital Raising
In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with Lauren Brychell, a capital raising expert and founder of Equity Elevated, who has personally raised over $55 million in retail capital, primarily in the self-storage space.
Lauren shares how she went from being hired for marketing to leading investor relations at a major self-storage firm, and how that experience inspired her to launch a consulting company that now trains other operators and syndicators to raise capital effectively, build powerful tech stacks, and stand out in a crowded market.
She also dives into key lessons on investor communication, follow-up systems, and how to build trust with limited track record—especially for new capital raisers trying to break into the game.
Whether you're just starting out or want to refine your investor engagement strategy, this episode is packed with actionable capital raising tactics and mindset shifts to grow your investor base.
Key Takeaways:
✅ How Lauren raised $55M in capital with no finance background
✅ The biggest mistakes operators make with investor follow-up
✅ How to optimize your pitch deck, tech stack, and CRM
✅ What to do when you feel like you’re “chasing” investors
✅ How to grow a consulting firm that empowers other capital raisers
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Deal Podcast
00:01:58 Introduction to Capital Raising
00:03:42 Transition to Capital Raising: Overcoming Challenges and Learning the Ropes
00:05:21 Networking for Capital Raising
00:06:56 Overcoming Career Fears to Become a Capital Raising Consultant
00:08:34 Best Practices for Following Up with Leads
00:10:09 Effective Follow-Up Strategies in Networking and Marketing
00:11:46 Tips for Successful Capital Raising
00:13:27 Identifying Your Investor Avatar in a Changing Market
00:15:09 Building Investor Personas for Market Success
00:16:57 Strategies for Success in High Net Worth Industries
00:18:55 Strategies for Successful Investor Relations
00:20:25 Building Strong Investor Relationships through Personal Touchpoints
00:22:27 Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges: From Employee to Success
00:23:52 Entrepreneur Sleep Tips: Clearing Your Inbox for Better Rest
00:25:52 Scaling a One-Woman Business: Challenges and Goals
00:27:13 Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/
🔗 https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/
🔗 https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/
Follow the Guest – Lauren Brychell:
🔗 https://equity-elevated.com/
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-brychell-capital-raise-consulting/
Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom? Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship.
https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration
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