Investing with Intention: How We’re Growing Smarter This Fall, The Investor Journey
- Michele Correa
- Oct 8
- 6 min read
What We’ve Been Up To
This season, we’re sharing how thoughtful growth and smarter systems help us stay true to our purpose.
The Dollhouse
The foundation is in and framing has begun. We redesigned one unit from a two bedroom into a three bedroom now that the garage is gone, which gives families more room to live and grow. We’ve also had ongoing complaints from a neighbour who has threatened to sue and loves to watch the progress from his roof. The City has inspected, confirmed we are fully to code with the proper permits, and advised there is no basis to his claims. These are the moments that remind me why patience, integrity and a strong power team matter. We keep building the right way, for the right reasons.
Edmonton Project Highlights
Infill #1
Framing is underway. This is the stage where a vision becomes something you can walk through and I look forward to seeing this in person in a few weeks.
Infill #2
Building permit is in. Gas and utilities disconnects are scheduled. Our goal is to get in the ground before winter.
Each is in a different stage of approvals. We are lining up timelines so they can move quickly once they are approved. Watch for more details soon.
Phoenix Short-Term Rentals
Mid September, my daughter Makenzie and I did a Phoenix mentorship trip with Gustavo from Trust Your Talent, who has good experience with short term rentals. I am a firm believer in education and mentorship. I am willing to pay for speed, connections, and learning from others who have done what I want to do. I also invested in a U.S. luxury STR program to accelerate learning and connections. The plan is to have a luxury STR live in the next six to nine months.
The trip was a mix of property tours (ones that were suitable to be turned into a Short Term Rental and also Luxury ones that were complete and operating as a Short Term Rentals), meetings and calls with property managers, lenders, insurance brokers, lawyers and more. We also spent time talking about best practices, operations, running numbers and more. It was a very fruitful trip, and I am super excited about what we are going to do in Arizona
Elevate Southwest Florida (SFW)
I have partnered up with an amazing group of people bringing an 8 to 10 acre Sports Wellness and Entertainment concept to life focused on community, wellness, sports, food and events. Think pickleball, volleyball, yoga, live music, food hall with local chefs, a dog park + beer garden, a kids center, and even a Lazy River all in one place.
It is inspiring to be part of something that brings people together who are excited and passionate about what we are creating and also have the business mindset to set this up in a way that we can bring this to other locations also. More to come as the project advances out of the conceptual and underwriting stages.
Team & Systems
If you have been here a while, you know I love the book Buy Back Your Time and I keep implementing the core concept of hiring to buy back your time. My social media intern from the spring semester is finished and I have started working with another intern for the fall. She is thoughtful and research-driven and we have recorded some videos and decided on some post ideas. I am also taking a course on creating Standard Operating Procedures and Systems which is important as our team grows. There are so many AI tools now that can help with the creation and running systems. I feel like I am in the Wild Wild West sometimes as new ones are released every day. I'd love to hear if you have a favourite one that you use in your business. As I figure out which ones are helpful for me, I will share it here.
I have hired a part-time house manager for cooking, meal prep, groceries, cleaning, laundry and errands. I can tell she is a good listener as on her second day, I told her about the The Buy Back Your Time book and how his house manager puts her arm in the door mid afternoon with a smoothie to make sure he eats. I said I am the same way and often forget to eat. That afternoon, this glorious smoothie appeared in my office doorway :). I can already tell that this hire will definitely help with my time.
Time is our most precious asset, and these changes let me focus on investors, deals and leadership and still have time for my health and family and friends.
Community Question – I’d love your opinion
I would love your take on personal versus business social pages. This is something I struggle with and go back and forth on how to proceed, One view says you are your brand and people want to know you. Another view says investors want to see a legitimate company presence and look for business pages. My personal pages are private and business pages public. Have you made your personal pages public or do you keep that private and have business pages that are public?
Reply and let me know what works for you and why you chose that way.
✦ Quote to Live By ✦
With all the new projects on the go, one of my favourite quotes plays in my head often.
What I am Reading
A timeless blend of money wisdom and life lessons told through stories. It is a reminder that prosperity is grown through daily habits and purpose, not shortcuts.
Top takeaways:
1. Wealth follows discipline and service.
2. Compounding is quiet at first and powerful later.
3. Purpose gives endurance when progress feels slow.
4. Guard your time and attention like capital.
5. Learn from mentors and prune what no longer serves.
Useful Resources
How to Build Your Own Custom GPT Assistant
What is a Custom GPT?
A Custom GPT is a personalized version of ChatGPT that you design for your own use or to share with others. Think of it like having your own virtual assistant that is tailored to your tone, style, business, or workflows. It will save time, keep your brand voice consistent and help personalize your workflow.
You can give it:
• Instructions about how to behave (tone, expertise, personality).
• Knowledge it should reference (like business info, FAQs, policies).
• Tools to connect with (like Google Drive, email, or other integrations).
So instead of starting from scratch each time, you have a ready-to-go assistant trained to think, write, and respond the way you want.
You may already know how to do this, however, I am sharing for those like me that kept hearing about custom GPT’s and had no idea how to create one. Turns out it is very simple.
How Do You Create One?
The process is surprisingly simple—no coding required. If I can do it, so can you.
Go to ChatGPT App or Website
On the left-hand panel, click “Explore GPTs” or “Create a GPT.” (this may also be at the top)
Walk Through the Builder
OpenAI gives you a step-by-step wizard where you:
o Describe what your GPT is for.
o Set its tone (professional, warm, concise, etc.).
o Upload extra information or links (like your company info or FAQs).
o Add special instructions (e.g., “Always format newsletters with headings”
Test and Refine
Try it out, see how it responds, and tweak the settings until it feels just right.
Optional – Share It
You can keep it private, share with your team, or even publish it publicly in the GPT Store if you want others to use it.
I’d love to hear what you have created a GPT for in your business (or life).
Family & Life
Doug and I spent a week in Hawaii where I played my first ever game of golf. I am embracing learning new things and playing again. Golf is challenging and fun and I love that we get to do this together. Doug is way better than me as he has been golfing for years, however he is also so patient and happy that I have taken up the game. If you have any tips, send them to me!
We spent a weekend in the Okanagan celebrating the wedding of a long time family friend. The weather was beautiful and it was so nice catching up with the whole family.
We also celebrated my 40th high school reunion (I know you are probably thinking “Did she graduate when she was 2?”, yes, you are correct ;) It was special to reconnect with friends, hear everyone’s stories, and remember how far we have all come.
Quick Tip -
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Have a tip, app, or tool you love? Send it my way—I might feature it in a future issue!
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Let's Stay Connected
What is one thing you are working on in October? I’d love to hear—just hit reply.
If investing in purposeful real estate, luxury short term rentals, or infill development is on your mind and you want to partner alongside us and learn as you participate, or if you want to be hands off and still invest, reach out to us at michele@correaequitypartners.com.
We can discuss your goals and see if we are a fit to work together and invest with purpose.
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