Podcast Summary: "Stop Thinking Small: The Real Way to Build Wealth with Multifamily Syndications"

The Science of Flipping – Justin Colby with Adam Williams | January 7, 2026

Overview

This episode features host Justin Colby and his longtime friend and business partner, Adam Williams—an experienced real estate investor who scaled from single-family flips to leading multifamily syndications. The conversation explores why shifting from single-family to apartments is a game-changer, the reality behind building wealth through multifamily syndications, and how mindset, clarity, and adaptability are critical for long-term success. Adam also demystifies the syndication process, addresses common misconceptions, and shares actionable advice for anyone looking to step up in real estate investing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Single-Family to Multifamily: Adam’s Journey

• Early Exposure & Reluctance

  • Adam’s father owned a few dilapidated rentals; childhood experience was negative—handling cockroach-infested units and late-night rent collections turned him off real estate. (01:58–02:55)

• Lightbulb Moment

  • An encounter at a wealthy 18-year-old's party revealed real real estate wealth is possible.
    • “I pulled up to this house, and it was the biggest house I'd ever seen... I'm instantly like, what do you do and how can I get involved?" – Adam (03:34)

• Fast Start in Single-Family

  • Adam dove in, flipping 252 single-family homes in under three years, but realized scale and true business operations required something more. (04:05–04:24)

• Why Apartments?

  • Multifamily operates as a scalable business; value is based on net cash flow, not emotion.
  • “I quickly found that instead of flipping one house at a time... we could go flip 200 at a time.” – Adam (04:36)
  • Through partnerships and syndication, Adam’s reach expanded to 11,000 apartment doors.

2. The Reality of the Entrepreneurial Journey

• Nonlinear Path to Success

  • "That journey is not a straight line…2004 to 2025, it's not a straight line to 11,000 doors." – Justin (05:48)

• The 'Muddy Middle' of Entrepreneurship

  • Adam describes his painting "Abundance": success is about pushing through the darkest, toughest part, where most quit, to reach clarity and ease.
    • “This is where dreams go to die... but if you can get to where that little line is... it just gets so much easier on the other side.” – Adam (06:45)

• Purpose, Clarity & Evolving Motivation

  • Motivation matures: from cash and material goals in youth, to deeper purpose in their 30s and beyond.
  • Daily gratitude and goal review are key:
    • “I just thank for the opportunity and here's what I'm going after. Even when I got kicked in the nuts yesterday, because I still get kicked in the nuts.” – Adam (10:22)

• Memorable Moment:

  • Quoting Alex Hormozi:
    • "Being an entrepreneur is like getting punched in the face every single day for two years straight just to get a glimmer of hope and get kicked in the nuts the next day." (10:42)

3. The Power of Iteration and Taking Action

• Business & Personal Growth Requires Iteration

  • Both highlight that even iconic entrepreneurs radically evolve—example: Grant Cardone, from car sales trainer to real estate mogul. (12:25–12:38)

• Don’t Wait for Perfection: Action > Planning

  • "People want to perfect…Meanwhile, you have a guy that literally comes in, says, I'm going to go invest in apartment buildings…Might do it a little bit wrong to start, but just went and did." – Justin (15:57)

• Paralysis Analysis Warning

  • “People will sit there and run this idea…a million times and never do it. What does that do for you? …If you just think about shit, you ain't getting shit.” – Adam (16:59)

4. How Multifamily Syndications Build Wealth

• What Is a Syndication?

  • "We all pool our money together to buy a larger asset together…That all goes into one entity…" – Adam (27:18–28:22)

• Benefits Over Single-Family Investing:

  • No need to personally qualify for huge loans or deal with tenants.
  • Diversification: losing a few tenants in a 200+ unit building has little impact.
  • Passive income, tax advantages, and equity ownership without the day-to-day headaches.

• Explaining the Numbers:

  • Adam details typical structure:
    • "Our average hold time right now is 17.7 months. We get in...do the business plan, we get out." (23:43)
    • Provides example of buying, renovating, and selling at massive gains.

• Tax & Passive Income Advantages

  • Real estate provides:
    • Monthly distributions
    • Big paydays on exit
    • Write-offs
    • “Bankability” (ability to leverage properties for more opportunities)

5. Mindset: Stop Thinking Small—Anyone Can Participate

• Common Myths Debunked

  • “People think they don’t deserve or can’t get into a big space like this.” – Justin (31:58)
  • Adam compares real-world single-family struggles (high down payment, minimal cash flow, credit risk) with ease and scale of apartments.
    • “With a single family…you’re not even breaking even... With an apartment building, I don’t put my credit on the line, I don’t even know if 5 tenants move out...I get a financial report and a wire ach for my cash flow.” – Adam (33:54)

• The Three Cs of Success (18:42)

  • Memorable framework Justin shares:
    1. Choice: Decide what you want
    2. Chance: Give yourself a chance
    3. Change: Make the change

6. Practical Advice for Prospective Investors

• Vet the Operator

  • "You got to meet with them. You got to understand who they are, what their track record is…" – Justin (31:53)
  • Adam’s company (Ellevest) has never lost investor capital or missed a debt payment—track record matters.

• This Is Not Get-Rich-Quick

  • “This is not a get-rich-quick scheme…It will take 15, 20, 25, 30 years of time and compounding to do that heavy lifting.” – Adam (35:43)

• Take Action & Get Educated

  • Reach out, ask questions, don’t be paralyzed by not knowing:
    • “A confused mind can’t make a decision... But what's even worse is someone who just doesn't know anything. And won't give themselves a chance.” – Justin (35:17)
  • Adam and Justin encourage listeners to DM or book a call—education is free and foundational.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I quickly found that instead of flipping one house at a time…we could go flip 200 at a time." – Adam (04:36)
• “This is where dreams go to die…you get punched in the face over and over…if you can punch through that, it just gets easier…” – Adam (06:45)
• "Being an entrepreneur is like getting punched in the face every single day for two years straight…then kicked in the nuts the next day." – Adam, quoting Alex Hormozi (10:42)
• “If you just think about shit, you ain't getting shit.” – Adam (16:59)
• “We all pool our money together to buy a larger asset together… you can say, ‘I own a piece of that 600-unit building.’” – Adam (27:18–28:22)
• “With a single family…you’re not even breaking even... With an apartment building, I don’t put my credit on the line… I get a financial report and a wire ach for my cash flow.” – Adam (33:54)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Start of Interview – 00:54
• Adam’s Real Estate Background – 01:58–04:24
• Why Multifamily > Single Family – 04:36–05:48
• Entrepreneurial Struggles, Mindset & Clarity – 06:35–10:31
• The Evolution of Business & Personal Purpose – 11:01–15:57
• Paralysis Analysis vs. Taking Action – 15:57–17:22
• Syndication Explained, Wealth-Building – 21:05–23:43, 27:18–28:22
• Who Should Invest in Syndications – 22:44–24:50
• Comparison: Single Family vs. Multifamily – 32:30–34:43
• Why This Is Long-Term Wealth, Not a Quick Fix – 35:43–36:42
• Final Advice: Take Action, Don’t Think Small – 35:17–38:03

Conclusion

This episode is both a masterclass and a motivational push. Adam Williams and Justin Colby strip away the confusion around multifamily syndications, encouraging aspiring investors to move beyond “thinking small.” The core message: True wealth in real estate comes from scaling, adapting, and acting with intention over decades—not from quick, risky wins. If you want your money to work as hard as you do—and you’re ready to stop being your own bottleneck—reach out to trusted operators, learn how syndication works, and start participating in actionable wealth-building today.

Connect with Adam Williams:

• Instagram: @AWinvests
• Company: Ellevest Capital
• Book a call for education and investment opportunities

Not sure where to begin? DM Adam or Justin for a no-pressure conversation.

“You have to make a choice to give yourself a chance to make change.” – Justin (19:19)