In this series called Member Showcase, we post interviews with participants of The Oracles. This interview is with Robert Martinez, founder and CEO of Rockstar Capital, an actual property funding firm in Houston, Texas. It changed into condensed by using The Oracles.
Who are you?
Robert Martinez: I am an investor in multi-family actual estate and the founder and CEO of Rockstar Capital. We have $285 million in belongings below control and $ seventy-one million in investor capital — and we’re nonetheless developing. At first, real estate was a way to generate passive earnings when I worked in oil and gas income. Eventually, I grew to become right into a full-time profession that I love. We own extra than 3,200 gadgets today, and I’m documenting my adventure of obtaining 10,000 gadgets on YouTube and different social media channels.
What are you extra skilled at than the general public in the world?
Robert Martinez: I’m skilled at group constructing and have an exquisite deal of empathy. You meet many people in existence who are talented, and they may win within a short period. But folks who win in the end are those with coronary heart, empathy for those around them, and a sturdy paintings ethic. Most importantly, they make those around them higher and lift them so that they may be a hit too.
I trust the ones traits beat talent any day of the week. I ensure my crew embodies that in the entirety they do. What excites you the maximum about your commercial enterprise right now? Robert Martinez: The unknown. We are beginning to locate momentum, and the possibilities are unreal. The goals we are putting now felt so far away at one factor, but I accept as true with we can acquire the impossible. There’s a long way to head, however chasing those goals and exploring the possibilities excites me.
What’s your favorite quote?
Robert Martinez: “If you don’t like your scenario, do something positive about it and pick happiness.” I am in control of my state of affairs and my choices. If something sudden happens that I’m not prepared for, I can pick out how I react and make the first-class of that situation. Much of our lifestyles are primarily based on our reactions to our situations. I choose to lead with optimism and positivity constantly. Life’s too short for negativity.
What was your largest, most painful failure?
Robert Martinez: When I entered the Class A multifamily real property marketplace, I purchased small assets with fifty-one devices instead of going all-in on a property with 100 to three hundred gadgets. I quickly discovered that size subjects in real estate. With the handiest 51 gadgets, I had limited condominium earnings, so that I couldn’t afford the satisfactory skills or a ton of advertising and marketing. My competition had two hundred to 500 devices at an equal time, with extra earnings at their disposal. We were vying for the same renter, in particular when there have been fewer inside the marketplace.
It also became hard to promote the belongings later because investors already knew the lesson I had discovered the robust manner. We tailored and made the quality of the state of affairs. I discovered that it’s essential to have a facet over your competitors. (For us, that’s popularity control and social media.) When the economy collapses, you want on the way to navigate the stormy waters. We survived the 2008 financial crisis and Hurricane Harvey, and I understand we can strengthen through greater tough times and pop out strong.
How do you outline first-rate management?
Robert Martinez: Great leaders consider that even though they have got an essential role to play, they may no longer be better than absolutely everyone else. They apprehend the duties that include leading a crew. Great leaders also lead by instance and talk about their requirements. You must have a robust paintings ethic and paintings at least as hard as your crew. I individually don’t expect them to work as difficult as I do. However, my team is privy to their benchmarks.
