From Solopreneur to $10 Billion: Mark Gleiberman on Focus, Family, & Resilient Growth

What does it take to scale a business from a single 38-unit apartment acquisition to a 33,000-unit, $10B empire? In this eye-opening episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Mark Gleiberman, Founder & CEO of MG Properties, who walks us through three decades of disciplined growth. Together, they break down the power of saying "no" to distractions, weathering economic storms, and building a culture where people thrive for decades.

Mark Gleiberman explains why MG Properties has stuck with one niche—existing multifamily apartments—and how that single-minded focus fueled their resilience through multiple market cycles. You’ll hear the inside story of scaling a team, navigating family dynamics in leadership, and why great organizations are built on values as much as they are on strategy. It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship, disciplined growth, and the art of building businesses that last.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why staying laser-focused on one niche can be your ultimate strategic advantage
2. Mark Gleiberman shares how MG Properties consistently avoided the “shiny object” trap, resisting pressure to branch into other asset classes and staying disciplined—even as the company exploded in size.
3. The hidden upside of tough markets (and how “safe” doesn’t mean slow)
4. Gain insight into how Mark weathered the S&L crisis, the Great Financial Crisis, and major interest rate hikes—spotlighting the long-term investor mindset and tactical approaches that kept MG thriving.
5. How to scale company culture (and keep talent for decades)
6. Learn how MG Properties cultivates DRIVE—Dedication, Respect, Integrity, Value, Empathy—and why leadership starts with a walk in your employees' shoes.
7. Secrets to effective succession planning and thriving family business dynamics
8. Get actionable advice on bringing the next generation into leadership, building credibility, and ensuring smooth collaboration—at work and at the dinner table.
9. How philanthropy strengthens teams and community impact
10. Discover how MG Properties weaves giving back into their day-to-day, from CASA advocacy to supporting the homeless—and why it fuels retention and company pride.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why disciplined focus beats chasing the next big thing

02:32 – From 38 units to $10B: MG Properties’ founding story

05:05 – Learning every side of the business—by doing it all firsthand

07:04 – Empathy in leadership: lessons from property management

08:12 – Long-term investing and “the best way to get rich slow”

10:03 – The 1031 Exchange: building generational wealth (tax efficiently)

12:00 – What truly differentiates MG Properties

15:50 – Surviving downturns: 2008 and the recent rate hikes

18:47 – Bringing in institutional capital & the evolution of partnerships

21:08 – The power (and tests) of sticking to your strategy

22:36 – When (and how) to say no to new markets—or new asset classes

24:03 – MG’s strategy