Action Academy Podcast Summary

Episode: How a 28-Year-Old Went From 5 Rentals to 600 Storage Units and $8M AUM

Host: Brian Luebben
Guest: Hunter Frusha
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Brian Luebben welcomes guest Hunter Frusha, a 28-year-old investor who scaled from owning five single-family rentals to controlling over 600 self-storage units and $8 million in assets under management (AUM). The conversation centers on Hunter's rapid and intentional growth, the transformative power of community, leveraging relationships and masterminds, and tactical insights on commercial real estate, particularly self-storage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hunter’s Journey: From Single-Family Rentals to Storage Mogul

• Hunter began with five paid-off houses in Lake Charles, LA, cash flowing about $5,000 monthly. His initial goal was modest: 30 paid-off houses (one for each day of the month) ([04:51]).
• Exposure to bigger thinkers at Action Academy events shifted his ambitions from residential properties to commercial self-storage.
  • Quote: “I got exposed for the first time to cash out, refinance and leverage and other people's money and like really scaling and stuff like that. That excited me.” – Hunter ([03:50])
• Over a few years, he transitioned into scaling multi-family and self-storage; now with 40 doors in residential and about to close on a $1.6M storage facility, putting him over 600 storage units ([05:38]).

2. The Power of Community and Mastermind Groups

• Hunter credits much of his acceleration to the Action Academy mastermind.
  • Active participation, intentional networking, and a focus on building real connections at events were key.
  • “I have KPIs, literally now around how many new members I'm meeting per week in the group... I'm literally trying to touch everyone at this point because I've just benefited so much from it.” – Hunter ([02:24])
• Deep friendships formed—members now feel like family. Mastermind is more community than a course ([08:28]).
  • “This is a community. That's what I tell people... It's not a course. This is something that's going to change your life if you let it a thousand percent.” – Hunter ([08:29])

3. Intentional Networking & Utilizing a CRM for Relationships

• Hunter tracks all his social and business relationships in a CRM, similar to how most investors track deal flow ([09:55], [13:51]).
• Prepares for events by reviewing attendee bios, targeting specific people for meaningful time and conversation.
• Logs follow-ups with potential partners, capital sources, lenders, etc. Recently upgraded his master spreadsheet into Airtable with help from a group member skilled in AI/tech ([14:33]).
  • “Everything's intentional when we go on these events. Even when I sit and have coffee... every little thing's intentional and then at the same time just be personable and fun.” – Hunter ([09:55])

4. Getting Deals and Scaling Up

• First storage facility: 41 units, bought for $150k from Facebook Marketplace—proved the model with minimal risk ([26:29]).
• Sourced deals both directly and from inside Action Academy. Examples:
  • 168-unit facility from group member Brandon Hicks: purchased for $550k, remodeled, now appraised at $1.1M with $600k equity in one year ([29:05], [31:44]).
  • Recent acquisition: $1.6M storage facility, again directly sourced from relationships within the group ([31:53]).
• Utilizes creative finance, such as seller-financing and bartering services (consulting on development in exchange for deals) ([31:53]).

5. Why Focus on Self-Storage?

• Tired of maintenance headaches from single-family homes (“Who likes changing leaking toilets forever?”), wanted scalable, semi-passive income ([23:11]).
• Loves the operational leverage, tech, and automation now available in storage.
  • Example: Moving into smart locks, automations, and streamlined revenue management ([26:29]).

6. Capital Raising & Leveraging the Group

• Historically self-funded; first time raising capital was inside Action Academy, and it happened easily via strategic relationship building. Two calls → $600k in capital ([16:45]).
  • “I mentioned it naturally to like five people. And two were like, bro, I've been waiting on you to get a deal. I got you.” – Hunter ([16:45])

7. Mindset, Motivation & What’s Next

• Mindset shift came from exposure to higher-achieving environments.
  • “That trip was a lifestyle change to me... this is me now. Like, this is the new me. And he's unlocking—this group's already unlocked a different part of me.” – Hunter ([34:40])
• Goal: Grow AUM from $10 million to $100 million by age 30, continue automating and scaling storage facilities, and build a life that allows for true freedom and fun ([37:52]).
  • “For me, it's always shifting... but really long term I just really want to be able to do what I want to do, when I want to do it.” – Hunter ([36:24])

8. Work/Rest Balance & Sustainable Success

• Candid about burnout and the importance of balancing intense work sprints with time off (surf trips, travel, rest) ([38:29]).
  • “Everything's hard. All of it's hard... so I'm like, how can I bake the circumstances to have as much fun doing hard stuff as possible, so I could just do hard stuff more sustainably than anybody else.” – Brian ([40:09])
• Emphasizes the importance of loving the process, and taking pride in even “boring” things like updating personal financials ([41:26]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Belief and Confidence in Big Leaps:
  • “I've literally presented to the board of a bank at like 26 years old. I'm like, y'all give me a couple million bucks. They're like, why? I said, because I'm the horse you want to bet on.” – Hunter ([42:38])
• Community Above All:
  • “It's brothers and sisters here... It's getting deep on all aspects of life.” – Hunter ([19:27])
• Leveraging the Mastermind for Real Results:
  • “My pod saved me three cakes [thousand dollars]. That's why your memberships are worth it. Like, boom, 3K. 3K right there from the pod, dude.” – Hunter ([33:26])
• On Value of Doing Bigger Deals:
  • “The only reason I tell people to buy a bigger business... is because with that amount of money, you have so much more support, and the people that you're able to hire... is so much better.” – Brian ([44:36])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Hunter’s background, early bank loan stories | | 02:24 | How Action Academy community shaped Hunter’s trajectory | | 04:51 | Hunter’s original rental property goals | | 09:55 | Approach to intentional networking & pre-event research | | 13:51 | Using CRM to organize people and capital | | 16:45 | First time raising capital in AAC: Two calls → $600k | | 23:11 | Why self-storage over residential real estate | | 26:29 | First storage facility purchase & scaling up | | 29:05 | Transforming a 168-unit facility: $550k to $1.1M | | 31:53 | Recent acquisition ($1.6M) through group connections | | 34:40 | Power of mindset, key trip in Costa Rica | | 36:24 | Hunter’s next 3–10 year vision: $100M AUM | | 38:29 | On work-life balance: "Sprint and Rest" | | 40:09 | Sustainable success: making hard things fun | | 42:38 | Big confidence in bank presentations | | 44:36 | Why it pays to buy bigger with better team/systems | | 46:31 | How to connect with Hunter (phone number, Facebook) |

How Listeners Can Add Value / Connect

• Technical support: AI, automations, process optimization.
• Capital partners: Open to new deals and investor relationships.
• General networking: Hunter is keen to help others with mindset, business, or relationship advice.
• Contact:
  • Facebook: Hunter Frusha (H U N T E R F R U S H A)
  • Phone: 337-485-6250 ([46:31])

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a blueprint for rapid wealth building through intentional community, aggressive networking, and leveraging mastermind groups for deal flow, capital, and partnerships. Hunter’s story is a testament to the power of showing up, serving first, and doing bigger deals with the right team—demonstrating that building wealth and legacy can (and should) be fun, sustainable, and community-driven.