The Grit to Growth Podcast

From selling candy bars as a kid to reshaping multifamily real estate development, Dusten Hendrickson’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but typical. In this episode, Dusten joins Levi Te Slaa to share how his passion for design and efficiency evolved into Mailbox Money—a fast-growing real estate development company focused on intentional, impactful living spaces across the Midwest.
Dusten dives deep into how he scaled from roofing to real estate, why he pivoted away from picky homeowners to focus on tenants, and how he's leveraging thoughtful design to build efficient, high-demand rental properties. He also breaks down the syndication model, how to vet a development sponsor, and why the future of investing may lie in ground-up builds over value-add plays.
If you're a passive investor looking to understand why design matters, or you're just fascinated by the behind-the-scenes of real estate development, this episode is packed with practical insights and candid moments.
 
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On this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi sits down with Erik Dwyer, a Minneapolis-based audio engineer and real estate investor. Erik shares his unique path from working audio gigs at sporting events and corporate shows to building a real estate portfolio one condo at a time.
Learn how a desire to save on rent while attending audio engineering school led Erik to buy his first condo—and how that sparked a long-term passion for real estate. Erik gets real about why he’s moved on from condos, what he loves about midterm rentals, and how partnering with others is key to scaling and maintaining balance in life.
Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor or just love stories of unconventional paths to success, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical advice.
In this episode, Erik and Levi discuss:
How Erik blended freelance audio work with real estate investing
The pros and cons of investing in condos
Why midterm rentals might be the sweet spot
The value of partnerships in scaling real estate
Balancing work, side hustles, and family life
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.
 

In this episode, Andy Holst dives into the evolution of House of Brands—from its humble beginnings as Embroidery and Screen Works to becoming a premium provider of branded merchandise across the U.S. and Canada. Andy shares his insights on strategic rebranding, building meaningful client relationships, and scaling operations through world-class service and customization.
He discusses how understanding client needs before they’re even voiced has been a key differentiator, along with the role of employee culture and internal investment in long-term success. Andy also opens up about passive income strategies, particularly real estate syndications, and shares advice for those looking to grow not just a business, but a life aligned with personal and professional values.
Key Takeaways:
How a thoughtful rebrand positioned House of Brands for national success
What it takes to build a "white glove" service business in a crowded market
Why consistent branding across franchises and offices is essential
The power of win-win relationships in business and life
Insights on passive income and real estate investing for entrepreneurs
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Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://grittogrowthpodcast.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

The Grit to Growth Podcast is for South Dakota’s hardworking business owners and professionals who believe in rolling up their sleeves and getting the job done. This show dives into the real stories of local entrepreneurs—especially in blue-collar and construction industries—who turned grit, determination, and sweat equity into success.