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Why I Left Hollywood for Real Estate with Michael Jacobs

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Manage episode 503725019 series 2848645
Content provided by Yonah Weiss. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Yonah Weiss or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

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What happens when a Hollywood producer trades movie sets for multifamily properties? Michael Jacobs, founder of Mar Vista Entertainment (sold to Fox Studios), shares his transition from 25 years in entertainment to building a vertically integrated real estate empire in Pittsburgh.

[00:01 - 08:05] From Hollywood Producer to Real Estate Investor

  • Built Mar Vista Entertainment from a 2003 business plan to Fox Studios acquisition
  • Specialized in $5M-and-under movie production for Netflix, Disney Channel, Lifetime
  • The decision to transition away from Hollywood's demanding travel schedule
  • Started with three duplexes to test the rental market in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill

[08:06 - 15:40] Building a Vertically Integrated Real Estate Business

  • How frustration with general contractors led to building an in-house construction team
  • The challenge of 100-year-old infrastructure: cast iron pipes, knob-and-tube wiring
  • Expanding from rental properties to becoming one of Pittsburgh's premier design-build firms
  • Why complete gut renovations became the standard approach for old housing stock

[15:41 - 22:10] The "Singles and Doubles" Business Philosophy

  • Why avoiding the pressure for home runs and grand slams builds sustainable businesses
  • The danger of social media hype and "get rich quick" mentalities
  • How to test, measure, and scale gradually while watching the numbers
  • Balancing tenant satisfaction with property upgrades to reduce turnover

[22:11 - 28:40] Final Four & Building for the Future

  • Worst job: Cleaning motel rooms for $6/hour time-and-a-half on Sundays
  • Paradigm-shifting book: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell
  • Skill to learn: Guitar (joining the ranks of aspiring musical entrepreneurs)
  • Success definition: Providing for family and keeping nine children and two grandchildren happy

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://marvistadb.com
LinkedIn:
Michael Jacobs

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"The numbers drive everything at the end of the day. " - Michael Jacobs

Support the show

  continue reading

451 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 503725019 series 2848645
Content provided by Yonah Weiss. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Yonah Weiss or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

What happens when a Hollywood producer trades movie sets for multifamily properties? Michael Jacobs, founder of Mar Vista Entertainment (sold to Fox Studios), shares his transition from 25 years in entertainment to building a vertically integrated real estate empire in Pittsburgh.

[00:01 - 08:05] From Hollywood Producer to Real Estate Investor

  • Built Mar Vista Entertainment from a 2003 business plan to Fox Studios acquisition
  • Specialized in $5M-and-under movie production for Netflix, Disney Channel, Lifetime
  • The decision to transition away from Hollywood's demanding travel schedule
  • Started with three duplexes to test the rental market in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill

[08:06 - 15:40] Building a Vertically Integrated Real Estate Business

  • How frustration with general contractors led to building an in-house construction team
  • The challenge of 100-year-old infrastructure: cast iron pipes, knob-and-tube wiring
  • Expanding from rental properties to becoming one of Pittsburgh's premier design-build firms
  • Why complete gut renovations became the standard approach for old housing stock

[15:41 - 22:10] The "Singles and Doubles" Business Philosophy

  • Why avoiding the pressure for home runs and grand slams builds sustainable businesses
  • The danger of social media hype and "get rich quick" mentalities
  • How to test, measure, and scale gradually while watching the numbers
  • Balancing tenant satisfaction with property upgrades to reduce turnover

[22:11 - 28:40] Final Four & Building for the Future

  • Worst job: Cleaning motel rooms for $6/hour time-and-a-half on Sundays
  • Paradigm-shifting book: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell
  • Skill to learn: Guitar (joining the ranks of aspiring musical entrepreneurs)
  • Success definition: Providing for family and keeping nine children and two grandchildren happy

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://marvistadb.com
LinkedIn:
Michael Jacobs

LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW by clicking this link.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

Be sure to follow me on the below platforms:

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.

LinkedIn

Youtube

Exclusive Facebook Group

www.yonahweiss.com

None of this could be possible without the awesome team at Buzzsprout. They make it easy to get your show listed on every major podcast platform.

Tweetable Quotes:

"The numbers drive everything at the end of the day. " - Michael Jacobs

Support the show

  continue reading

451 episodes

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