Welcome Back. Great to have you here.
Why it matters:
Hopefully from my personal journey, and the real estate OG I feature in the newsletters, it’ll save you some headache and heartache, and most importantly….TIME!!!
Life lessons I learned the hard way
Caught up with a new friend at The Well for lunch recently and our conversation really got me thinking.
My friend asked….”do you ever relax?”
Many people who know me know think I’m “Type A” and a “go-getter” and an “overachiever” and and and…
These would absolutely not be the words you’d use on me if you met me a few years ago.
For the longest time, I had very low agency.
I let life happen to me, instead of me happening to life.
I didn’t even apply for universities after high school.
Although I wanted to apply to Emily Carr, one of the best art school in Canada, but I couldn’t even get my shit together, build a portfolio, and apply.
So I ended up in community college. Taking random courses.
….I could go on and on and on…if you want to read more about my personal journey, go here to read the full story.
And now…the main event…
THE REAL ESTATE GROWTH BLUEPRINT: Lucy Zhao
Evren Nardali, Lucy Zhao, Joe Fairless, Prolet and Tim Mai
We often talk about the "Texas Miracle," but Lucy Zhao is someone who actually crunched the numbers before making the move. A Senior Partner at Yes! Texas Investments, Lucy brings a sharp, analytical perspective from Montreal to the Austin development scene.
The Track Record: Strategic Compounding
The Quantitative Shift: Three years ago, Lucy moved from Montreal to Austin after a deep-dive analysis of the Texas GDP and population versus the entirety of Canada. Her conclusion? Texas is a premier landscape for those looking to build at scale.
The "Recycled Capital" Framework: Lucy focuses on the commercial lifecycle—moving from raw land acquisition to value-add retail centers.
Professional Focus: As a Senior Partner at Yes! Texas Investments, she concentrates on land development and commercial assets, applying a disciplined approach to capital preservation.
What was the moment you knew real estate was the path for you?
The turning point was moving to Austin. I realized Texas has nearly the same population as all of Canada, yet its GDP is significantly higher. This state is rich in land, energy, and entrepreneurial momentum. I knew I wanted to build here, and commercial real estate aligned perfectly with my analytical mindset and long-term vision.
What’s the one thing you’d tell your younger self starting out?
“Find a field you are genuinely passionate about first—then learn how to make money within it. Passion gives you staying power.” Lucy also emphasizes that networking and education are the two wings that allow you to fly. Don't try to reinvent the wheel; find mentors who have already walked the path to shorten your learning curve.
Is there anything you’d do differently if you were starting today?
I would shorten the time I spent working for others after graduation. Most importantly, I would start learning and investing in real estate much earlier. Time is the most powerful multiplier in this game.
Case Study: The Capital Lifecycle
“Commercial real estate is fundamentally a business. When structured correctly and paired with responsible leverage, it allows you to scale efficiently. In 2024, we acquired 30 acres of land. By 2025, we transitioned those proceeds into a property that we converted into a retail center. After stabilizing the asset and refinancing, we were able to recover the original capital while maintaining the rental income stream. That capital is now being deployed into the next phase: a larger development project this year. This is how capital, when managed intentionally, can be recycled and compounded.”
Lucy’s Philosophy
"Making money is not my only mission. My deeper goal is to help my children, my friends, and the investors in my network achieve long-term financial security.
That means helping people preserve capital, grow returns responsibly, and approach retirement without fear or financial stress. I genuinely believe that when people feel financially secure, they become happier, more tolerant, more respectful, and more responsible. And ultimately, that leads to a more peaceful world."
For those interested in Lucy’s approach to the Austin market, she can be reached at [email protected].
Note: The above is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any such offer can only be made through official offering documents to qualified individuals.
THE LIST (Aka. Upcoming Events)
RECA Happy Hour
Who: Real Estate Council of Austin, the city's leading advocate for the commercial real estate industry.
What: An evening of informal networking with developers, brokers, and local city officials.
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Star Bar - 600 W 6th Street, Austin 78701
Why: To connect with the decision-makers shaping Austin's skyline and gain a pulse on upcoming commercial projects across the city.
ACEA January Coffee Chat – North
Who: Austin Contractors & Engineers Association, representing the builders of Central Texas infrastructure.
What: A morning meetup for contractors, engineers, and suppliers to discuss local construction and development trends.
When: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Where: Survey Works, 1824 E Oltorf, St 100, Austin 78741
Why: Crucial for craftsmen and business owners looking to stay informed on the regulatory and logistical shifts in Central Texas infrastructure.
2026 Annual Housing Forecast
Who: Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin and the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
What: An essential briefing on residential construction data, regional market shifts, and economic analysis for the 2026 building season.
When: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Hyatt Regency Austin (208 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704)
Why: To get the data-backed roadmap for where residential development is heading in Central Texas, featuring insights from top economists and industry leaders.
Austin Investment Meetup
Who: Austin Investment Meetup (AIM), bringing together active investors, brokers, lenders, and deal makers who are actively doing business in Austin.
What: Austin’s first real estate investor networking event of 2026, hosted inside one of Austin’s most exclusive venues for real conversations and real opportunities.
When: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (CST)
Where: Speakeasy - 412 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
Why: Learn from experienced industry professionals and gain insights and strategies for 2026 investing.
Link: Register Here
Creative Nation Tour – Austin
Who: Creative Nation Tour, a national real estate education tour led by active investors and operators focused on creative deal structuring.
What: A live, multi-speaker real estate investing event covering creative finance, deal structuring, and relationship-driven investing, as part of a four-city Texas tour.
When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 4:00 PM
Where: Sunfield Station – 2610 Main St #100, Buda, TX 78610
Why: Ideal for investors and dealmakers looking to sharpen creative financing strategies and plug into a national real estate community.
Event Link: Get tickets via Creative Nation Tour | Paid event
Tour note (not a separate listing): Houston Jan 22 • San Antonio Jan 23 • Austin Jan 24 • Dallas Jan 25
Mortgage Loan Officer AI Think Tank
Who: Gene Griffin, mortgage industry leader and founder of Massif Mortgage Co.
What: A hands-on masterclass for lenders and real estate pros to integrate AI into their business workflow.
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Priority Settlement Group (6801 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg 2, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731)
Why: To move beyond basic tools and build specialized systems that scale loan processing and client management for 2026.
Event Link: RSVP on Eventbrite
ULI (Urban Land Institute) NEXT: Tour of St. Austin School/Union on San Antonio St, Austin
Who: ULI NEXT Austin, focusing on mid-career professionals in the "built environment."
What: An exclusive site tour of a complex mixed-use redevelopment project involving both educational facilities and high-rise residential.
When: Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: St. Austin School (2011 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78705)
Why: To see the inner workings of a live project, from complex zoning hurdles to construction logistics in a dense urban environment.
Link: Get your tickets here
New Year, New Home! Buyer’s Seminar
Who: Presented by Keller Williams and Edge Home Finance.
What: A comprehensive workshop covering budgeting, mortgages, and Austin market strategies for aspiring owners.
When: Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: The Roku Building (9606 N Mopac Expy, Suite 900, Austin, TX 78759)
Why: Designed to bridge the gap for first-time buyers who need plainspoken guidance on financing in the current high-interest market.
Event Link: RSVP
The Dealmakers Happy Hour
Who: Backflip & Inspectify. Backflip is a fintech platform for fix-and-flippers, and Inspectify is a leader in modern property inspections and data.
What: A "high-signal" happy hour for people who are actively moving dirt, closing contracts, and funding deals.
When: Thursday, Jan 29th, 6:30PM – 9:00PM
Why: To find your next project partner or lender in a room specifically curated for active dealmakers.
First-Time Homebuyer Seminar
Who: Elite Residential Group at Keller Williams Southwest.
What: An educational seminar breaking down the roadmap to homeownership and available financial incentives.
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Keller Williams Southwest (1801 S MoPac Expy, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78746)
Why: A deep dive into localized financing options and preparing a personal action plan for navigating the Austin residential market.
Event Link: RSVP on Eventbrite
East Cesar Chavez Alleyway Activation Project
Who: Darn Good Places, a community-led placemaking organization focused on revitalizing underutilized urban spaces in Austin.
What: A community brainstorming and engagement session focused on reimagining an East Austin alleyway through cleanup efforts, landscaping and planting, lighting improvements, and public art installations.
When: Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Something Cool Studios – 1717 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Why: An opportunity for residents, creatives, and local stakeholders to shape how a neglected piece of the built environment can become safer, more functional, and more vibrant for the neighborhood.
Event Link: RSVP on LinkedIn
Real Estate Networking with Cryo & Danger Coffee
Who: Dr Natalie Ledbetter and Dr Billy Ledbetter and high-performance real estate professionals.
What: A unique morning networking event combining "biohacking" (cryotherapy) with real estate market discussions.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Where: Upgrade Labs (115 Sandra Muraida Way, Austin, TX 78703)
Why: A refreshing, unconventional networking opportunity for developers and investors who prioritize peak performance and high-level connections.
2026 Austin Industrial Summit
Who: Bisnow, a leading commercial real estate media and events company.
What: A commercial real estate summit exploring capital markets, site selection, leasing strategies, and tenant trends shaping Central Texas industrial development.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Renaissance Austin Hotel (9721 Arboretum Boulevard, Austin, TX 78759)
Why: To connect with developers, investors, and brokers driving industrial growth across Austin's key corridors.
Link: Get your tickets here
2026 ELEVATE Multifamily Installation
Who: Austin Apartment Association, the hub for multifamily owners, developers, and property managers.
What: A premier evening event celebrating multifamily leadership and providing high-level networking for the rental housing sector.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: The W Hotel Austin (200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701)
Why: Essential for property managers and multifamily developers to network with the industry's top decision-makers.
Link: Get your tickets at AAA
THE COLLABORATION CORNER
We are building the Prop Lab Media community to be a bridge between the trades and the buyers, as well as helping trade business owners on the latest tech trends.
Looking for: if there is something specific the community can help you with, reply back.
Offering: if there is anything you can help the community with, let me know as well.
Features: Simply reply to this email if you want to get featured! Alice (me) will personally interview you and find out more about your story.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
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