In this episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon welcomes real estate entrepreneur Ernest Smith for an insightful dive into the realities of building success through grit, relentless learning, and integrity. Ernest Smith shares how he began house hacking at just 22, funded by his parents, and mastered the fundamentals of real estate by moving 12 times in six years. He reflects on leaving the traditional nine-to-five to pursue his passion for property investment and entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, Ernest Smith emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience, strong relationships, and doing things the right way—even when no one is watching. The episode is peppered with stories about learning from every opportunity, prioritizing fairness, and building a reputation for accountability. Ernest Smith's mantra "Amaze Yourself" encourages listeners to challenge themselves every week and keep pushing boundaries in business and life. The show closes with a reminder that continuous growth and honest hustle are key to lasting success. Get To Know Ernest Smith Ernest Smith is a real estate entrepreneur, licensed General Contractor, and investor who built his career the hard way—through action, discipline, and relentless learning. With a background in Drafting and Design Engineering, Ernest combines technical skill with real-world execution to create value in every deal he touches. After walking away from the traditional 9–5, he purchased his first property at 22 and began house hacking long before it was mainstream, moving 12 times in six years while mastering the fundamentals of real estate from the inside out. Today, Ernest actively acquires buy-and-hold rentals and completes high-margin flips in strategic markets, guided by data, integrity, and long-term vision. He believes success is built through relationships, accountability, and doing things the right way—especially when no one is watching. As the host of the Ernest Goes To Network Podcast, he connects with elite entrepreneurs and industry leaders to share real stories, real lessons, and real strategies—proving that your network truly is your net worth. Ernest Smith Official LinkedIn Youtube Instagram   3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Master by Doing: Ernest Smith illustrates that true expertise comes from hands-on experience, not just book knowledge. By moving 12 times in 6 years and diving into every aspect of real estate "from the inside out," he highlights how real-world execution and relentless curiosity build both technical skill and confidence, ultimately leading to long-term mastery.
 2. Build Relationships with Integrity: Both Aaron Gordon and Ernest Smith stress that success in business, and life, comes from cultivating genuine relationships and always operating with ethics, especially when no one is watching. Treating people fairly, being accountable, and upholding your word protect your reputation and open doors for future opportunities.
 3. Amaze Yourself by Taking Action: The recurring "A.Y.! - Amaze Yourself" philosophy is about stretching your limits every week, whether in personal growth, business, or life experiences. Ernest Smith encourages listeners to take bold steps outside their comfort zones, reinforcing that steady progress and facing fears, rather than procrastination, are the keys to continuous learning and accomplishment.   Show Overview 00:00  Mastering Real Estate Through Moves  04:41  Daniel Sung's Inspiring Journey  09:31  Real-World Insights on Housing  10:16  Budgeting and Negotiation for Renovations 14:47  Value Relationships Over Short-Term Gains  18:50  Continuous Learning Is Essential  22:31  Skydiving Choices and Control  24:13  Driven and Inspired by A.Y.!  

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