Two Months, One Newsletter, Zero Regrets: The Investor Journey
- Michele Correa
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
What We’ve Been Up To
Two months in one newsletter — I know, I know! February and March just got away from me in the best possible way. Between the projects, the learning, a trip to Disneyworld, a pasta night I am still thinking about, and a surgery thrown in at the end for good measure, there was a lot happening. I figured I would just catch you up on all of it at once rather than leave anything out.
So grab a coffee and let’s go.
Let’s dive in.
Business Updates
New Corporation
We officially opened a new corporation to hold some of our upcoming infill projects. It is a behind-the-scenes move that most people will never think about, but proper structure matters enormously as our portfolio grows. Getting the foundations right protects our investors and our partners, and it sets us up well for what is coming.
Construction season has not slowed down for us.
Family Trust
We have also started the process of setting up a family trust. This is something I have been thinking about for a while and it feels good to have it underway. If you have ever considered whether a family trust might make sense for your own situation, it is worth having a conversation with your accountant or financial planner. It is one of those things that feels complicated from the outside but makes a lot of sense once you understand how it works.
US Market Expansion — Learning the Landscape
I have been doing a lot of learning this season. I attended industry updates on both the Edmonton and US markets, and I have since enrolled in a US Fundraising course to make sure we fully understand the differences between Canadian and American securities laws before we take any steps across the border.
That said, we have made the decision to temporarily put the US expansion on hold. With everything we have going on in Canada right now — six infill projects, the Dollhouse, a new corporation, a family trust, and all the work happening behind the scenes — I wanted to make sure we were not stretched too thin. Doing things well matters more to me than doing things fast, and the last thing I want is to be pulled in too many directions at once. The foundation we are building in Canada right now is strong, and I want to honour that. The US is not going anywhere, and we will be ready to move forward there very soon.
AI and Vibe Coding
For those of you who have been following along, you know I love learning about technology and how it can make our business run better. I recently took a vibe coding course as part of my ongoing exploration of AI tools. I have also made the switch from ChatGPT to Claude as my main AI assistant. I find it writes more naturally and with more depth, which matters when you care about communication the way I do. I am also building a digital brain — essentially an organized repository of information about me and my business — so that if another AI tool comes along that is useful, I have everything ready to load into it right away rather than starting from scratch. It’s been a really interesting journey and I am always happy to share what I am learning if you are curious.
Infill Project Updates
Six projects. All moving. Here is where things stand:
Infill 1: Drywall stage. This is always one of my favourite milestones because the rooms start taking shape and you can actually feel what the finished space will be like. It’s coming together beautifully.
Infill 2: The second floor exterior framing is complete. Seeing the structure rise in the neighbourhood is such a satisfying thing.
Infills 3 & 4: Doors and windows are in, the roof is on, and framing and mechanical work inside has started. These two are locked up and moving along well.
Infills 5 & 6: All permits are in except for one. We expect to begin demolition in April. It is exciting to be this close to breaking ground on the final two.
All six projects remain on track to complete over the next year, spaced intentionally so we are not stacking financing and lease-up all at the same time. Thoughtful planning makes a real difference.
Dollhouse Update
If you have been following the Dollhouse story, you know this property has never been short on surprises. This round, the boiler in unit 4 gave out on us just as we were in the middle of repairing the carriage house. As always, you manage what comes up.
Given that the boiler was old and had reached the end of its life, we made the decision to convert the unit to electric heat rather than replacing like for like. The conversion is done, the unit is re-tenanted, and the tenants will benefit from lower heating bills going forward. It’s not the path we planned, but sometimes the unplanned decision turns out to be the better one.
Family & Life
Disney Princess Half Marathon
In March, Doug and two of our youngest daughters ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Disneyworld. I was there cheering them on the whole way, and then we spent time in the parks together as a family. Watching them cross that finish line was one of those moments that just fills your heart. We laughed a lot, walked way too many steps, and made memories I will keep forever. There is something about Disney that brings out the joy in everyone, no matter your age.
Pastapalooza
In February, Doug and I hosted what I can only describe as one of the most delicious evenings we have had in a long time. We invited some of our investor friends over and learned how to make fresh pasta from scratch — and it just so happened that two of our investors are chefs. Let’s just say we were in very good hands. The pasta was incredible, the laughter was loud, and the evening reminded me of something I believe deeply: the best partnerships are the ones where business and friendship are woven together. This is the kind of investor community I love being part of building.
Achilles Surgery
And yes — I will mention it because it is a real part of life right now — I had achilles surgery last week. As some of you know, I am already somewhat “bionic” from a previous injury, so apparently I am just adding to the collection. I am resting, recovering, and trusting the process. The projects are still moving, the team is still running things well, and I will be back to full speed before you know it. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with kind words. It means more than you know.
A Useful Resource
This month I want to share BoldSign, a free document signing tool that has genuinely made my life easier. What I love about it is that you can easily set the signing order, and once it is set, BoldSign automatically sends the document to each person in the correct sequence. No chasing, no confusion about who signs first. It just works. If you are dealing with agreements, leases, or any kind of document that requires signatures from multiple parties, this is worth trying.
Visit BoldSign: boldsign.com
Listen: This One is for the Women (and the Men Who Love Them)
Instead of a book recommendation this month, I want to share a podcast episode on women’s hormone health. This is a topic I care deeply about and have spoken about before, and I will keep talking about it because so many women are still navigating these changes without enough information or support.
Perimenopause and menopause are still not talked about enough. Women spend a third to half of their lives in this stage, and yet so little research has been done and so many doctors are underprepared to help. The hormonal changes that happen affect sleep, energy, mood, brain function, joint health, and so much more. So many women chalk it all up to “just getting older” and push through, not realizing there are options and answers available to them.
This podcast is a wonderful resource, and I think every woman should listen to it. And if you are a man reading this, I encourage you to listen too — not just to pass it along to the women in your life, but because understanding what she is going through will help you show up for her in ways that really matter. It is one of the most useful things you can do.
Listen here: Women’s Hormone Health Podcast
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If You’re Curious
There are a few ways to work with us right now.
You can partner with us on our infill development projects. You can act as the bank through private lending secured by real estate. Or you can simply start a conversation about how your capital could be working harder without requiring more of your time.
If you are sitting on capital and wondering how to deploy it responsibly, let’s talk. If you want to understand our process better, I am always open. Our goal has always been to build solid housing, strong partnerships, and long-term wealth with integrity.
Reach out to me directly at michele@correaequitypartners.com or simply reply to this email.
Let's Stay Connected
What are you working on right now? What are your goals for the rest of the year? I would love to hear — just hit reply and tell me what you are building, learning, or celebrating.
Here’s to building wealth with integrity and creating the freedom to live life on your terms.
Invest with Purpose. Build Wealth. Create the Freedom to Live Life on Your Terms.
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