The American Dream, at its inception, offered unique opportunities for everyone, regardless of their origin. But that dream often feels out of reach for those who can’t find a place in the system or community.
Real estate investing has been a go-to investment strategy for decades. However, finding a niche is the best way to outbeat competitors in an oversaturated market. For Andrea Lancioni, chief investing officer, and Mario Lancioni, CEO of Lancioni Capital, that niche has been in educating the Spanish-speaking community interested in the industry.
“We didn’t plan to build a movement,” Andrea says. “But there was such a gap in access. I realized that if I could do this [build a better life for myself and daughter] with no English or money, so could others.”
The percentage of Hispanic homeowners in the United States reached 49.5% in 2023, representing a substantial rise from the 2013 ownership rate of 45%. The Hispanic population demonstrates growing involvement in real estate through investment properties since 9.5% of Spanish-speaking households owned such properties in 2022.
From Struggle To Strategy
Andrea escaped a collapsing healthcare system in Venezuela with her daughter after facing an unstable home environment while becoming a general surgeon at age twenty-two. In the U.S., she juggled multiple jobs. She babysat, delivered pizzas and worked as a medical assistant.
She met Mario while she established herself in a new country.
During his seven years at WB Mason as a sales executive, Mario pursued full-time employment while simultaneously investing in real estate. The company kept him employed, but his lawyer told him to plan his exit, or they would plan one for him if he didn’t take control. “That was the push I needed,” he stated.
The first real estate purchase he made turned out to be a disaster but taught him all the mistakes he should avoid. “I took imperfect action,” he says. “Every dollar went into real estate, and I was living broke.”
Andrea joined Mario during his portfolio expansion when he needed assistance with daily property management, including contractor communications, cleaning tasks and tenant supervision. She immediately joined without possessing any prior experience. Quickly, she began understanding operational procedures while asking questions and sharing her ideas.
Launch Of Lancioni Capital
A small partnership developed into a formal business organization shortly after launching. They acquired multiple properties before developing a complete vertical system to handle project management, leasing, contractor supervision and deal evaluation.
The market lacked direct real estate guidance for Spanish-speaking people, which Andrea identified as a major opportunity. The solution wasn’t just education; it was connection. She started sharing her experiences and real estate expertise through social media platforms while speaking Spanish to her audience in 2022. Her message resonated immediately. She relates with her community because she combined open transparency with practical experience, which few people in the sales industry could match.
Their first bilingual webinar resulted in the launch of Inver-Talks. It attracted more than 1,000 participants. This year’s upcoming Orlando event will welcome more than 3,000 participants.
“That’s when we realized this was more than a business; it was a movement,” she explains.
Their Spanish-speaking online community now includes over 400 active members engaged in real estate, with 150 already making investments. Their real estate transaction closings reached over $15 million within six months.
They have expanded their investment holdings to include rentals, single-family homes, wholesale deals and upcoming commercial properties through their joint efforts. The market niche they have discovered enables them to lead Spanish-speaking investors toward investment success.
Why It Works
The Lancioni’s network provides its community members with direct access to vetted contractors and real estate agents. The investors gain confidence through hands-on exposure to deals, reducing risks. “We don’t just teach theory,” he explains. “We give people the tools. We want them to win alongside us.”
Their difficult experiences have led to their practical method of operation. Mario faced near bankruptcy after starting a construction business without creating appropriate business systems. “I hired 15 contractors and tried to do it all myself. I didn’t know how to lead, delegate or manage. It nearly broke me.”
The company’s revival became possible with Andrea’s involvement. Her initial role in cleaning the flip houses while working across all business aspects has given her the knowledge to identify successful approaches and areas for improvement. She’s an effective mentor because she actually went through the experiences she teaches others.
Leadership Lessons
Mario played basketball under NCAA Division III all-time winning coach Gerry Matthews during college. “There’s no better way to prepare for life than being a student-athlete,” Mario shares. “You’re learning how to navigate pressure, time and expectations.”
For Mario, the structure and discipline of sports translated directly into business. The long practices and high-stakes games taught him resilience, which he leans on daily as an entrepreneur. “I had an old-school coach who believed in tough love,” he recalls. “It taught me how to handle hard conversations and lead with accountability.”
Early on, Mario recognized he led by doing. However, over time, he realized effective leadership also meant communicating clearly and building systems others could follow.
Andrea expressed that she had to learn to let go of control, describing herself as a self-proclaimed control freak. As they scaled the company, she realized the importance of expanding her team. That came with a shift in mindset. Her focus turned to building an organizational culture where staff feel like family. The couple conducts “Level 10” weekly meetings to establish work priorities for their workforce.
Advice For Aspiring Real Estate Investors
The couple regularly mentors aspiring investors. Their advice:
- Find a mentor you relate to. Don’t just pay anyone. Watch their videos. Study how they operate, making sure they’re the real deal.
- Educate yourself before investing. Read books. Go deep on YouTube. Get familiar with the landscape before you spend anything.
- Attend local real estate meetups. Ask questions. The real estate community is more generous than you think.
- Don’t let analysis paralysis stop you from taking the risk.
- If you’ve left your country to start over, don’t lose that fire inside you; use it to build something great.
“I’m not trying to sell a dream,” Andrea concludes. “I tell people what actually works and what doesn’t because I’ve been the one cleaning the toilets and managing tenants. That authenticity matters.”
