In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with Lisa Ferris — investor, private money expert, Deal Maker Central Texas leader, and author of How to Find and Fund Any Real Estate Deal Without Cash or Credit. Lisa’s story is one of the most relatable we’ve had on the show.

She was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. No Wall Street background. No big pile of capital. No “perfect” timing. Just a mindset shift, a willingness to ask, and the courage to figure it out in real time. What started with one uncomfortable offer on a house she didn’t want to list turned into a full-blown investing business built entirely on private money — without using her own cash or credit.

We talk about imposter syndrome, asking for money without feeling like you’re begging, why good deals always find funding, and how introverts can still win big in networking rooms. Lisa opens up about writing her first book, stepping into leadership with Deal Maker, and why she’ll never retire — because she genuinely loves the game.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have the money,” or “I’m not that person,” this episode will challenge that narrative.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 “I’ll never retire — this is just a passion.”

01:12 Introducing Lisa Ferris and Deal Maker Central Texas

02:13 JJ’s Joke of the Week

03:12 From stay-at-home mom to licensed Realtor

03:37 The first deal: making an offer with no money

04:14 Asking the seller to take payments — and wholesaling the deal

04:36 McDonald’s meeting that launched her private money journey

05:23 Writing her book: How to Find and Fund Any Real Estate Deal Without Cash or Credit

06:33 “I don’t want to be 70 years old opening doors.”

07:43 Ready, fire, aim — learning on the fly

09:20 Why good deals always get funded

10:12 When lenders say no, it might not be a deal

11:28 Understanding you’re offering opportunity — not begging for money

13:39 Thinking outside the box as her superpower

14:22 “Everything is figureoutable.”

15:10 Shifting from introvert wallflower to intentional networker

17:52 Writing the book despite being a “starter, not a finisher”

21:24 Overcoming imposter syndrome

22:58 “Just ask. The worst they can say is no.”

24:32 Showing up on social media despite fear and insecurity

31:37 Being visible creates opportunity

35:39 Loving the journey more than the destination

37:33 Why integrity drew her to Deal Maker

41:19 Struggling to balance work and life in a retirement community

43:40 Core principles from her book

44:00 Relationship-based investing

44:30 You are offering an opportunity, not asking for a favor

46:55 Presenting professional reports to lenders (Rehab Valuator)

48:08 Find a mentor and split your first deal

52:07 Introvert strategy: identify three people to meet at every event

55:26 Pull new attendees into conversations to break their comfort zone

Quotables

“What’s the worst that can happen? They say no.”

“If it’s a good deal, the funding is the easy part.”

“You’re not begging for money. You’re offering an opportunity.”

“Everything is figureoutable.”

“I’ve always been scared to ask — I just do it anyway.”

“The rooms you put yourself in matter.”

Links

Lisa Ferris – Instagram

@lisajferrisinvests

Deal Maker Central Texas

(Find on Facebook)

608B Capital

https://608bcapital.com