It’s calling. Will you answer?
Escape the Hustle Trap, Reclaim Your Purpose & Join the One Room Where Clarity and Real Momentum Begin
Dealmaker Catalyst Conference
March 24-26th, 2026 Richmond, VA
(Honoring Leon Johnson — the heart behind this year’s theme)
VIEW SCHEDULE
It’s calling. Will you answer?
Escape the Hustle Trap, Reclaim Your Purpose & Join the One Room Where Clarity and Real Momentum Begin
Dealmaker Catalyst Conference
March 24-26th, 2026 | Richmond, VA
(Honoring Leon Johnson — the heart behind this year’s theme)
It’s Time to Start Leveraging
People Over Property
Because That’s What Community-Powered Wealth Looks Like
The last cycle taught us something ugly:
Too many investors were chasing doors, units, and deals at any cost.
They hustled, they borrowed, they stacked leverage on leverage—
And when the market shifted, that “success” turned into sleepless nights.
That’s the overleveraged hustle game.
And it’s killing peace, killing freedom, and killing dreams.
“With deflation in rent and the inflation of expenses, housing providers are being hit with a double whammy.”
– Jeff Watson, Attorney, Mentor & Deal Maker
If you’ve felt that squeeze, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to play that game anymore. There’s a whole room of people waiting to work with you to affect change-in your life and in real estate investing as a whole.
At Deal Maker, we believe in a different playbook:
Quality over quantity.
Connection over isolation.
Building wealth without sacrificing your sanity.
“To be around the right people to help you through, is really almost everything.”
– Dr. David Phelps, Economist, Mentor & Dealmaker
2026 is about radical intention. It’s about designing a business that serves your life, not the other way around.
“How you do real estate matters.”
– Leon Johnson, Mentor & Dealmaker
As one of our most trusted voices, Leon inspired this year’s theme and his message gets you to ask yourself:
“Why own 100 doors if the right handful of properties can give me security, cash flow, and the life I actually want?”
This is your moment to get out of the hustle trap, get clear on your “why,” and join a community that won’t let you burn out or go broke.
A Message From Your Host
— Jim Ingersoll
The last few years were wild.
The market was so hot it bailed out bad deals and sloppy debt.
Those days are gone.
Now, the cracks are showing—and many investors are facing the hard truth that comes when the tide goes out.
But for those who pay attention, this isn’t a time to panic. It’s a time to pivot.
That’s why this year, I wanted to ground Deal Maker in the wisdom of one of our community’s most trusted mentors, Leon Johnson.
Leon built his entire business around a simple but powerful filter:
“Will this bring me more freedom and peace—or disrupt it?”
That one question changes everything.
It forces us to slow down. To lead with integrity in every deal—with sellers, lenders, and borrowers alike.
It also reminds us that no number of doors or dollars is worth the cost of missing moments with your family.
That’s why the Dealmaker Catalyst Conference 2026 is focused on intentional investing—the kind that builds both wealth and a life worth living.
Our keynote speaker, Eddie Wilson, embodies this perfectly. He owns thousands of doors and over 35 companies, yet the real story isn’t what he’s built—it’s how he built it.
Eddie’s entire philosophy centers on time as our most precious commodity. He’ll show you how to build a business that serves your life—not the other way around.
When we invest with purpose, freedom and peace we all win.
Why Dealmaker Catalyst Hits Different
Dealmaker isn’t just a conference. It’s a community. It’s a movement built by people who love to see others win.
When the market tightens and the noise gets loud, this is where clarity happens—because here, we do real estate differently.
For many, Dealmaker was the missing link—the spark that turned ambition into results. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to grow, or ready to scale, this is where it happens.
All you have to do is show up and be curious. Ask questions. Be real. Take action. When you do, your next breakthrough is inevitable.
If you’re stuck, someone here has the answer—and more importantly, the willingness to help.
At Dealmaker, walls come down.
Information hoarding doesn’t exist.
And collaboration replaces competition.
As one of our own, Nicole Romano, puts it:
“Dealmaker holds a rare breed of real estate investors. It’s a room full of stewards with vision, talent, and generosity. The energy—and the tangible results—it creates are nothing short of magical.”
Real Stories. Real Results.
Four Lives Changed by Dealmaker
The $5,000 Millionaire
At 69, Chuck took his last $5,000 and turned it into a life of financial and time freedom. Today, he’s traveling the world, inspiring others, and teaching the power of wrap lending.
The Ground-Up Builders
With zero development experience, this brother-sister duo built a 22‑unit mobile home park from scratch—powered by the support and guidance of the Deal Maker community. Today, with Phase 1 nearly complete, they’ve already launched new projects and keep proving what’s possible when you’re “in the room.”
From Newbie to Business Owner
Dee had never touched real estate before attending Dealmaker in 2022. Today, she’s built a thriving rental portfolio and recently launched her own commercial lending company.
These are just a few of the lives changed through Dealmaker.
Because when you walk into this room, you don’t just get information—you get ignited. You get guidance, momentum, and a network that won’t let you fall behind.
Once someone attends a Dealmaker, they rarely miss another one.
SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker:
Eddie Wilson
CEO of Collective Influence | Founder of Empire Operating System
Eddie Wilson doesn’t just build companies—he builds legacies. With ownership in over 125 businesses and a portfolio that includes real estate, media, and finance, Eddie is known as The King of Exits for good reason. But behind the numbers is a mission-driven leader who values freedom over flash, and impact over ego.
At Dealmaker, Eddie will reveal how to design your business around the life you want—without sacrificing integrity, peace, or purpose. His operating system has helped thousands of entrepreneurs step out of hustle mode and scale with clarity. Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling fast, Eddie’s message will meet you where you are—and move you forward.
Why He Matters:
Eddie has built and exited multiple 8- and 9-figure companies—and still makes time for his wife, four kids, and mission-driven work. This isn’t theory. It’s the wisdom from someone who’s walked it.
Leon Johnson:
The Man Behind This Year’s Theme
Real Estate Investor | Quiet Millionaire | Family Man
Leon Johnson doesn’t chase headlines—but ask anyone in the Dealmaker Catalyst community, and they’ll tell you: his wisdom has changed lives. Quiet, intentional, and rooted in values, Leon has built a life that prioritizes family, faith, and financial freedom—without the burnout, ego, or chaos.
His signature framework is deceptively simple:
“Will this bring me more peace and freedom—or disrupt it?”
That one question transformed his business and every deal he touches. In this rare appearance, Leon will break down how he uses this ethos to structure deals, choose partners, protect his time, and stay grounded in a fast-moving market.
Why He Matters:
In a world full of noise, Leon is a signal. He’s the guy who stays off the radar—but whose phone never stops ringing. His wisdom is the heartbeat of this year’s Dealmaker event.
Not-To-Miss Sessions
Leon Johnson
Peace & Freedom Dealcraft: Seller Financing That Serves People (and Profits)
How to structure win-win owner-finance deals—from kitchen table to closing—without joining the over-leveraged hustle game.
When markets stop bailing out sloppy debt, only structure, integrity, and relationships remain. Leon shows how to replace “more doors at any cost” with better terms, safer deals, and lasting peace of mind—for you and your sellers.
What you’ll learn:
Mindset over mechanics: Shift from borrower (beggar) to buyer (problem-solver) so sellers want to finance you.
Where the deals hide: Spot imperfect-market tells (tired landlords, out-of-state owners, tax-delinquent, long-vacant, free-and-clear).
Kitchen-table questions that unlock “yes”: What to ask (and never say) to earn trust and design terms sellers love.
Structure that cash-flows: 30–40 year amortization, low fixed rates, no balloons (“balloons are for clowns”), substitution of collateral, ROFR on the note, non-recourse, no due-on-sale.
Tax-smart framing sellers understand: Plain-English use of Installment Sales (IRS Pub 537) and §121 to beat “take all-cash now.”
Second bites of the apple: How to turn one deal into multiple wins (advance-payment discounts, note tweaks, land/mobile home trades).
Perfect for:
Newer investors who want safe entry points, seasoned investors tired of lender hoops, and anyone ready to trade hustle for peace & freedom.
Wendy Coles
Hope & Resilience: Turning Storms into Strength (and Deals)
From teen mom and jail at 18 to buy-and-hold investor, lender, and global wheelchair mission volunteer (Chair the Love), Wendy’s story is a masterclass in grit. She’ll share how getting uncomfortable, finding community, and serving first became her unfair advantage—in real estate and life.
What you’ll learn:
A practical “Storm Protocol”: the 5 habits Wendy uses to stay calm, decisive, and cash-flow focused when life (or the market) hits hard.
How service and community (showing up, asking better questions, giving first) compound into real deal flow.
Mindset reframes for overleveraged times: move from panic to plan, from isolation to “in the room.”
Simple, repeatable actions to rebuild momentum in 30 days.
Peace & Freedom aren’t just outcomes—they’re skills. In a noisy market, resilience is the edge that safeguards your portfolio, your reputation, and your sanity.
“You don’t look like your goals—you look like your habits.” — Wendy Coles
Dr. Anthony Duncan
A.I. Agents & What’s Next: Emerging Trends Every Investor Should Know
From sourcing to underwriting to follow-up, A.I. “agents” are quietly reshaping how deals get done. Dr. Anthony Duncan will show you what’s working right now—and how to use these tools to scale your business without drowning in busywork.
What you’ll learn:
How to deploy A.I. agents for sourcing, comping, and follow-up
Automate underwriting tasks with smart guardrails in place
Real-world agent use cases: maintenance, rent rolls, and more
Spot hype vs. ROI: focus on what actually moves the needle
“If it’s not saving time or improving NOI, it’s not the A.I. you need.”.
—Dr. Anthony Duncan
Michael Robertson
Dirt Simple, Data Smart: Flipping Land Anywhere, Anytime
No repairs. No contractors. No drama. Michael Robertson shows how to use data—not demo crews—to flip land remotely and build serious momentum. If you’re burned out on rehabs, this is your off-ramp.
What you’ll learn:
How to find undervalued land across the U.S.
Assess lot value without ever leaving your house
Close fast with no permits or renovations
Common land-flipping traps that kill profits
Mindset over mechanics: Shift from borrower (beggar) to buyer (problem-solver) so sellers want to finance you.
Land is quiet, overlooked—and wide open. Michael’s strategy makes it simple, scalable, and surprisingly profitable.
250+ land deals later, he’s still skipping the hammers
Major Hillard
The Hidden Goldmine: Mobile Home Parks & the Future of Affordable Housing
Mobile home parks are resilient, high cash-flow, and deeply needed—but only when run right. Major Hillard, a vertically integrated operator with a portfolio across the Southeast, shares the blueprint.
What you’ll learn:
How to spot mobile home parks with massive upside
What makes MHPs so recession-resistant
Creative financing and value-add strategies
The power of owning the entire stack: management, sales, lending
Cash flow meets community impact. Major’s method unlocks both—and proves affordable housing is still a wealth builder.
From his first park in 2013 to $9M exits, he’s done it all.
Bonuses That Expand Your Vision (and Your Toolkit)
Every Dealmaker comes with surprises—and this year, we’re going beyond swag. We’re giving you real tools that you can start using right away to gain clarity, raise capital, and build smarter deals.
The Private Capital Playbook
Get a crystal-clear understanding of how to work with private lenders the right way. This 40-page guide walks you through the core principles, documents, and conversations that help build trust-based capital relationships. If you’ve ever wanted to stop relying on hard money and start raising funds like the pros, this is the foundation you need.
How to Quadruple Your Money with Real Estate Notes
This power-packed guide flips the script on traditional investing by showing how non-performing notes, seller finance strategies, and wrap lending can deliver consistent returns. Whether you’re new to notes or looking to expand your toolkit, this guide will help you turn paper into profit—without owning a single toilet.
The AI Lending Studio
What people are saying
Testimonials
Book Your Room & Stay Close to the Action
We’ve secured a special room block at Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump. Room blocks often go fast—reserve early to ensure you’re right where the networking magic happens.
Join Us in Richmond
This is where peace meets purpose.
And where real estate investors rediscover why they started in the first place.
The DealMaker Catalyst Conference 2026 isn’t just another conference—it’s a reset. It’s your chance to slow down, breathe, and build wealth in a way that feels aligned with your values, your goals, and your life.
Here, you’ll find people who believe success isn’t about how much you own, but how freely you live. People who will challenge your thinking, share openly, and remind you that real estate is a team sport.
So come.
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Trade the hustle for harmony.
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Trade isolation for insight.
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Trade burnout for breakthrough
Be in the room where peace and freedom meet opportunity.
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