From W-2 to Wealth: Josh Smith on Creative Lending, Self-Directed IRAs & Property Management

What if you could leave your W-2, run a property management company, and build wealth through creative lending and self-directed IRAs? That’s exactly what Josh Smith has done.In this episode of Dream Start Own, host Edgar “The Connector” Salgado unpacks Josh’s journey: from working corporate at Toyota, to discovering FIRE, to leaving his job and scaling into property management and escrow-backed lending for creative deals.What you’ll learn:How Josh started in property management & scaled to 20+ doorsEscrow-backed lending, EMD loans & funding Morby/stack method dealsUsing a self-directed IRA LLC to buy properties & lend creativelyHow Dan Martell’s Buy Back Your Time helped him hire smart & free timeWhy lifestyle creep keeps W-2 workers broke—and how to escape itThe long-term wealth power of Roth IRAs, retirement accounts & kids’ investing⏱ Chapters00:00 - Preview01:15 - Josh’s start in property management & creative lending06:30 - Learning lending through Subto community & Ryan Shrope10:10 - The Owners Club & Dan Martell’s Buy Back Your Time15:00 - Escrow-backed loans, Morby Method & double closes18:30 - Self-directed IRAs, LLCs & how Josh invests retirement funds24:00 - Teaching kids financial literacy & Roth IRA hacks31:30 - Leaving W-2 & pursuing property management full-time42:00 - Building wealth in Nashville with short-term rentals47:02 - Where To Find Me01:18:10 - Advice01:21:41 - Work With Me📲 Connect with Josh Smith:🌐 www.dealswithjosh.com📘 Facebook: facebook.com/josh.smith.91085📸 Instagram: @joshsmithrei► YouTube: @joshsmithreiProducts mentioned – Affiliate link:Eight Sleep – https://refer.eight.sl/edgardsalgado2👉 Don’t forget to 👍 like, 💬 comment, 🔔 subscribe, share and hit the notification bell if Josh's story inspired you!🔌 PLUG IN & SUBSCRIBE 🔌Instagram: / @edgartheconnectorTikTok: / @edgarsrei► Join The Subto Community for Life & Learn Creative Finance from  @PaceMorby  ✌🏼https://join.nre.ai/mQ9T9vZ► Learn How to Make Money on Other People's Deals with the Gator Methodhttps://join.nre.ai/mQBDJK5► Get the tools I use for productivityhttps://linktr.ee/EdgartheConnector🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these videos shall not be construed as tax, legal, insurance, construction, engineering, health & safety, electrical, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a YouTube video for entertainment purposes ONLY.