From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller

In this inspiring episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller, Pat sits down with Mark Khuri, CEO and Co-Founder of SMK Capital Management, to uncover the remarkable journey from working in a corporate cubicle to building a $1.5 billion real estate investment portfolio.
Mark shares how a simple conversation with a coworker sparked his passion for real estate investing and led him to purchase his first property while still working a full-time corporate job. Through persistence, calculated risks, and years of learning, he transitioned from fixing up duplexes after work to leading a private equity firm with investments spanning more than 120 properties across 36 states.
The conversation dives deep into today's real estate market, recession-resistant investment strategies, mobile home park investing, passive income opportunities, and the importance of diversification when building long-term wealth. Mark also opens up about setbacks, including a devastating property fire, lessons learned from raising investment capital, and why character and relationships matter more than chasing quick profits.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or someone looking to build financial freedom through real estate, this episode delivers practical insights and timeless business wisdom.
What You'll Learn
How Mark turned a corporate finance job into a $1.5B real estate business

Why starting real estate investing while keeping your day job can reduce risk

The biggest lessons from building SMK Capital Management

Why mobile home parks remain one of the most resilient real estate investments

The truth about today's self-storage and multifamily markets

How successful investors evaluate risk before making a deal

Why diversification is essential for protecting wealth

The importance of surrounding yourself with trustworthy partners

Lessons from raising private investment capital

Why entrepreneurship is about freedom, relationships, and long-term thinking

About Mark Khuri
Mark Khuri is the CEO and Co-Founder of SMK Capital Management, a family-owned private equity real estate firm specializing in institutional-quality, recession-resistant investments. With more than two decades of experience, Mark has participated in over 120 real estate investments valued at more than $1.5 billion and has built more than 70 successful investment partnerships. His mission is helping investors create long-term wealth through carefully selected passive real estate opportunities while emphasizing education, integrity, and disciplined investing.
Connect with Mark Khuri
Website: https://www.smkcap.com
Learn more about SMK Capital Management and explore educational resources on passive real estate investing.
Connect with Pat Miller
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to From Underdog to Entrepreneur: Building Dreams with Pat Miller for inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles, built successful businesses, and continue helping others achieve their dreams.
New episodes released regularly.

What if the biggest opportunities are hiding where everyone else isn't looking?
In this episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur, Pat Miller sits down with John Petrocelli, founder and CEO of Bulldog DM, whose work has generated more than 1 billion audience engagements for brands including Apple, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Netflix, and YouTube.
John shares his journey from working in telecommunications and Hollywood mailrooms to helping pioneer the livestreaming industry. Along the way, he collaborated with Prince on one of the first direct-to-consumer music platforms, learned entrepreneurial lessons from Mark Cuban, and built a business by constantly anticipating where technology was heading next.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
• Why successful entrepreneurs focus on where the market is going, not where it is today
• How Prince helped shape the future of digital media and direct-to-consumer business
• Why live streaming, AI, and social commerce are creating massive opportunities right now
• The importance of listening to customers and solving real problems
• How embracing change can keep you ahead of the competition
John's story is a powerful reminder that innovation rewards those willing to adapt, experiment, and stay curious.
If you're building a business, reinventing your career, or searching for your next big opportunity, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and move faster.
 
✨ Connect with Host Pat Miller
Instagram   thepatmiller11
Website     patmiller.net
 
Connect with John: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli
https://bulldogdm.com

What if the biggest thing standing between you and success is the excuse you've been telling yourself?
In this candid conversation, Pat Miller sits down with entrepreneur, author, and security industry veteran Greg Wier to unpack the hard lessons behind building and selling multimillion-dollar companies. From becoming a young father with no money and a failed business to leading a national security empire, Greg shares the unfiltered stories that shaped his journey.
Along the way, he reveals why bad partnerships nearly destroyed him, how work ethic opened doors that education couldn't, and why resilience matters more than talent when building a business that lasts.
Key takeaways:
• Why excuses are often the biggest obstacle to success
• The costly lessons Greg learned from multiple business partners
• How focusing on revenue, relationships, and discipline creates long-term growth
Whether you're launching your first business or navigating the challenges of scaling one, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom from someone who has lived through the highs, lows, lawsuits, setbacks, and victories of entrepreneurship.
Success is rarely luck. It's built one decision, one lesson, and one hard-earned experience at a time. Tune in and discover what's possible when you refuse to quit.
 
✨ Connect with Host Pat Miller
Instagram   thepatmiller11
Website     patmiller.net
 
Connect with Greg:
https://www.gregwier.com
TikTok, YouTube
@morethanjustluck
Instagram
@morethanjustluckbook

What if every setback you've survived was actually preparing you for something bigger?
In this special six-month anniversary episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur, host Pat Miller steps behind the guest chair and into the spotlight to share the story she's never fully told before. Pat introduces her upcoming book, Underdog to Empire: Breaking Barriers and Building Businesses with Strength, Strategy, and a Sense of Humor, and reads powerful excerpts that reveal the grit, heartbreak, resilience, and determination behind her entrepreneurial journey.
From growing up overlooked and underestimated, to building a construction company with just $100, to rebuilding her life after the loss of her husband and business partner, Pat shares the lessons that shaped both her business and her life.
In this episode:
Why being underestimated can become your greatest advantage
How RPM Construction was built from a layoff check and a bold decision
The powerful "Filing Cabinet Method" for leading through grief and adversity
Why some of the people who hurt you may end up helping you most
This episode is a celebration of resilience, entrepreneurship, and the underdog spirit that refuses to quit. If you've ever wondered whether the hard road is worth it, this conversation is for you.
Your story isn't over. Your next chapter might be the one that changes everything.
 
✨ Connect with Host Pat Miller
Instagram   thepatmiller11
Website     patmiller.net

Success means nothing if you lose yourself chasing it.
In this powerful episode of From Underdog to Entrepreneur, host Pat Miller sits down with David to unpack the mindset shifts, daily rhythms, and painful life lessons that transformed him from a troubled teenager facing prison into a successful entrepreneur, coach, and mentor helping others unlock their purpose.
David shares the philosophy behind his "B7 Rhythm," a seven-day framework built around motivation, gratitude, forgiveness, intuition, humility, and personal growth. He also opens up about bankruptcy, addiction, family struggles, rebuilding after failure, and why true wealth is about impact, not possessions.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why "love you money" matters more than "FU money"
How forgiveness can unlock momentum and peace
The simple daily rhythm that reduces anxiety and creates clarity
This conversation is a reminder that your past does not define your future. One decision can change everything.
 
✨ Connect with Host Pat Miller
Instagram   thepatmiller11
Website     patmiller.net
 
Connect with David
https://www.becomingseven.com/
IG https://www.instagram.com/becomesevenofficial/ 
Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@becomingseven?_t=8qekWWvSYOZ&_r=1 
Fb : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568176791201 
YT : https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingSeven/videos