From Foundations to Fortune

Todd Jackson, JD/MBA, owner of PXS, is a tax and real estate attorney with more than 3 decades of experience. Todd is a well-known authority and frequent speaker on 1031 exchanges and other tax-deferral strategies. He educates and works closely with legal, tax, real estate, and financial professionals throughout the country on the effective use of 1031 exchanges. In addition to operating the PXS 1031 business, Todd is a commercial real estate agent, title insurance agent, and M&A advisor. This combination of diverse disciplines makes Todd a great resource for anyone seeking the optimal tax-deferral solutions for their transactions. Todd has handled tens of thousands of transactions involving every conceivable type of transaction.When Todd is not deferring capital gains taxes, one of his passions is planning golf trips for groups of friends to destinations in the US and the UK. Todd is a native of North Carolina and has called the Nashville, Tennessee area home for 27 years. He received his MBA and Law Degree from Wake Forest University in 1993.

Eddie Austin is a seasoned serial entrepreneur and a respected leader in the commercial real estate industry. With a portfolio of successful companies, Eddie is deeply passionate about helping others create indestructible wealth through education on leveraging real estate investments.Since starting in real estate in 2004, Eddie's journey has spanned single-family homes, large-scale developments, and managing real estate operations, construction, and fundraising. He has overseen more than $100 million in projects, including solar, industrial, and commercial ground-up developments, as well as value-add and redevelopment initiatives for apartment complexes in major U.S. markets.Eddie has grown multiple Midwest-based real estate and business development ventures into enterprises generating over $200 million in annual revenue. Since 2020, he has successfully managed 506(c) fund operations for a real estate portfolio exceeding $315 million. Through his work, Eddie's mission remains steadfast: to empower others to achieve financial freedom by leveraging real estate as a transformative tool for building lasting wealth.

Today on the podcast we have Justyn Melendez - a Nashville-based entrepreneur, financial strategist, and investor known for his work in financial education and wealth-building strategies. He is the founder of NextGen Legacy Group and Melendez Benefit Group, where he focuses on helping individuals and families achieve financial independence through innovative approaches to money management. Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories from Justyn’s journey.

Brandon Thornberry is the Founder and Chief Credit Officer of UrbanGate Capital, a Nashville-based private lending and acquisitions firm specializing in real estate investments across Tennessee. With over 15 years of experience, he has acquired and renovated numerous single-family, multifamily, industrial and retail properties in Middle Tennessee and North Georgia. In his role at UrbanGate Capital, Brandon oversees all lending approval decisions, leveraging his extensive background to identify emerging markets and invest strategically in areas poised for growth. He resides in Nashville with his wife, Katie, and their three children: Ava, Hank, and Margaret.

On this episode of the Foundation to Fortune podcast, we are joined by Trey Palmedo, Managing Director of NewPoint Real Estate Capital, who shares the struggles and hard times in his youth and teenage years. He covers the influential people in his life, steered him in the right direction, and helped him become the successful agency lender he is today.Connect with Trey:LinkedIn - Trey PalmedoInstagram - @treypalmedo

In this episode, I take you back to where it all started—my unexpected introduction to commercial real estate. Like many, I didn’t set out to specialize in multifamily investments, but through a mix of chance and luck, I found myself exposed to the industry. What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into a passion, leading me to focus exclusively on multifamily deals. I’ll share the pivotal moments that shaped my path, the lessons I learned early on, and why I believe this asset class offers some of the best opportunities in real estate. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned investor, tune in to hear how sometimes, the best opportunities come when you least expect them.