Coffeez for Closers with Joe Shalaby

Episode: From Wholesaling to 7 Companies | How Justin Colby Built a Real Estate Empire

Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Joseph Shalaby
Guest: Justin Colby

Episode Overview

In this rich and candid conversation, Joseph Shalaby welcomes real estate investor and serial entrepreneur Justin Colby to "Coffeez for Closers." Together, they trace Justin’s rise from humble beginnings and hardship to owning multiple companies and impacting entrepreneurs across industries. They delve deeply into the role of purpose vs. passion, overcoming adversity, building legacy, and shifting one’s focus toward service and impact, all with an emphasis on authentic personal development. The episode balances practical real estate insights with profound life lessons on resilience, mentorship, family, and defining one’s true calling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Morning Routines and Setting the Tone for Success

• Justin’s Routine: Wakes up at 4:30am for essential “me time” before the demands of family and business (01:31).
  • Practices include silent reflection, journaling (“I believe...one of the best things I do all day long is sit with my coffee and think. No phone, no email, no nothing. Just me and my thoughts.” — Justin, 02:22), gratitude, manifestations, emails, gym, and family breakfast/school drop-off.
• Why It Matters: Filling his own cup before serving others is vital (“If your cup is never full, you can't give to others,” 03:47).
• Health as a Priority: Justin invests in regular health scans, takes fitness seriously to be present for family and business longevity (04:30–05:26).

2. Entrepreneurship: Alignment, Purpose, and Evolving Identity

• Company Scope: At peak, Justin owned seven companies — tech, real estate, education, and even part of a gold mine (06:19).
• Strategic Downsizing: In a shift toward alignment and purpose, he’s “taking chips off the table,” reducing to 2–3 companies amid a tech company acquisition (06:39).
  • “If it doesn't fall in line with my purpose, I don't need it…if I’m miserable for the next 10 years and that’s reflective on my wife and my children…it does no good to make that kind of money, I don’t care.” (07:13)
• Shifting Identity: No longer wants to be “just” a real estate guy; focus now on being a facilitator and value provider for entrepreneurs at large (08:05).
  • “My brand is real time changing because of what I’ve been able to create through this great platform…which is podcasting.” (08:29)
• Purpose vs Passion: Advocates for being purpose-driven, not just passion-driven—“Purpose over passion” is a recurring theme (07:38, 27:18).

3. Impact, Legacy, and Living in the Now

• Making an Impact: Both men agree the greatest satisfaction comes from service and making a real-time impact, rather than just chasing a legacy (09:12–11:27).
  • “For me, I’m at a weird moment…Yes, I’m interested in legacy. It is not my driving purpose...while I am here is more important than my legacy.” — Justin (09:47)
  • “If that impact is big, it will last forever. It will create a legacy in and of itself.” — Justin (11:27)

4. Entrepreneurial Beginnings: Hustle, Adversity and the 2008 Crash

• Early Days: Justin’s entrepreneurship started as a child, recycling for cash to buy and flip baseball cards (12:16–15:10), mowing lawns, washing cars—to support himself after a rough childhood.
• Parallel Journeys: Both hosts relate to a humble start and teaching entrepreneurism to their children via trading cards (15:16, 16:18).
• 2008 Crash:
  • Both lost homes/businesses, pivoted industries (realtor → investor for Justin), started over with no resources (“repo man took my car, and I ended up on a couch,” 17:24).
  • Advice for Others: "When you put a lion in a corner, the only option is to fight their way out...It’s never as bad in your head as it is in real life." (20:29–21:56)

5. Overcoming Hardship: Mindset, Mentorship, and the Long Game

• Mindset: Emphasizes resilience—seeing hardship as “a privilege to overcome” (23:37–24:39).
• Importance of Mentors: “That’s why you hire coaches…get a buddy to grab you around the neck and say, ‘dude, you got this.’” (20:29, 22:33)
• Stamina over Quick Results: “Make sure you are someone who has the stamina to stay in the game…my first deal took 9 months. But…as long as I didn’t quit, I was going to get it done.” (26:34–27:56)
• Technique and Mastery: Real growth demands continual refinement, not just intensity—likened to mastering heavy lifts in the gym and major league sports (28:14–29:33).

6. Podcasting & The Next Chapter: The Entrepreneur DNA

• True Alignment: Justin finds his greatest flow and “energetic alignment” in podcasting, both hosting and guesting (30:13–31:44).
  • “When I’m podcasting…There could be fires going on all around this room right now, I wouldn’t even notice it because I’m just so dialed in.” (30:44)
• Building a Community: Goal to reach 100,000 members in his entrepreneur DNA community on the School platform, providing affordable access to real expert mentorship ($25/month) (33:41–34:28).
  • “The same Justin Colby sleeping on a couch could have found $25/month to pay for that.” (34:38)
  • Format: Not just interviews—real teaching sessions plus Q&A with industry giants (35:07–36:06).

7. Family, Parenting, and Core Values

• Family Priority: Life goal is to spend maximum time with his kids, teach them lasting values, gratitude, grit, and to be a supportive husband (36:18–37:19).
  • “My wife…she’s the real hero in the family…she’s the glue, she’s the rock.” (36:58)
• Parenting Grit: Teaching resilience through small lessons—like not giving up on learning roller skates, and daily affirmations with his daughter (“Make it a great day—because I can choose to make it a great day,” 37:35–39:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Journaling and Reflection:
  “[I] sit with my coffee and think. No phone, no email...Just me and my thoughts.” – Justin Colby (02:22)
• On Alignment and Shedding Companies:
  “I’m releasing some of the stuff that sounds cool, does cool things, but I’m not in alignment with anymore...If I’m miserable for the next 10 years...it does no good to make that kind of money. I don't care.” (06:49–07:13)
• On Mindset During Hardship:
  “It’s never as bad in your head as it is in real life...If you play the whole game, you’ll look back and say, it wasn’t that bad.” (21:56)
• On Privilege in Struggle:
  “It's a privilege that we have to go through our problems, Joe…Because what that will do for you is it'll prove to you what you can do.” (23:37–24:39)
• On Commitment and Mastery:
  “Once you get to the really heavy weights, your technique is everything...People have to understand...when you get to the big leagues, your technique has to get even better.” – Joseph (28:14–29:33)
• On Flow and Podcasting:
  “When I'm podcasting...I am in true alignment...I'm just so dialed in.” – Justin (30:44)
• On Affordable Mentorship:
  “I'm not going that route. I want to lead with value first.” (34:38)
• On Parenting:
  “My biggest goal is to make sure they’re well taught, well mannered, understand good and what is right and what is wrong...my wife...she’s the real hero in the family.” (36:22–36:58)
• On Personal Legacy:
  “When you’re in front of the pearly gates, what do you think God’s going to tell you?”
  “Well done. Well done. You left it all on the field. You did what I asked. You led with your heart. Well done.” (39:11–39:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Morning Routine & Self-Care: 01:10–05:26
• Company Portfolio & Aligning with Purpose: 06:00–08:58
• Legacy vs. Impact: 09:47–11:27
• Entrepreneurial Childhood & Early Hustle: 12:16–15:10
• Surviving and Pivoting Through 2008 Crash: 17:24–20:01
• Advice for Those Facing Hardship: 20:29–24:39
• Long Game, Grit, and Mastery: 25:50–29:33
• Podcasting as Purpose: 30:13–32:28
• Building the Entrepreneur DNA Community: 33:41–36:06
• Family Values & Parenting: 36:18–39:00
• Faith and Final Words: 39:09–39:27

Final Reflection

This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial mindset, resilience, authenticity, and redefining success. Justin’s journey is both inspiring and practical, offering listeners wisdom on everything from surviving industry collapse to raising strong children and building a legacy grounded in presence and impact—not just financial returns. The synergy between host and guest makes for a genuine, insightful, and uplifting conversation benefitting anyone seeking to thrive as an entrepreneur while remaining present to what truly matters.

Connect with Justin Colby:

• Instagram: @thejustincolby (39:31)
• Community: “The Entrepreneur DNA” on School (33:41)

Recommended for: Real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone committed to personal growth and purpose-driven living.