In real estate investing, raising private money is often seen as a numbers game, but at its core, it’s really about relationships. This is precisely the message Jay Conner and his guest, Kevin Thompson, share in their enlightening conversation on the “Raising Private Money” podcast. Kevin, an entrepreneur with a proven track record of facilitating hundreds of strategic partnerships, brings knowledge about the true power of relationship capital.
The Power of Relationship Capital
Business success, especially in fields reliant on collaboration and investment, doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Kevin Thompson’s journey highlights how critical relationships are—not just transactional contacts, but meaningful, mutually beneficial connections. Over the years, Kevin has helped fellow entrepreneurs generate millions in revenue, not by relentless self-promotion, but through thoughtful introduction, collaboration, and service.
A central idea in Kevin’s approach is treating relationships with genuine care. Relationships aren’t merely a means to an end; they are the end in themselves. The entrepreneurs who grow their businesses consistently are those who invest time and authentic energy in nurturing their network. Whether it’s private lenders in real estate or partners in other industries, the principle remains the same: showing up with a servant’s heart creates a ripple effect that supports long-term growth.
Defining and Creating Strategic Partnerships
Many business owners misunderstand the essence of strategic partnerships. It’s not simply finding someone to promote your offerings for a cut of the revenue. Kevin emphasizes that a successful partnership is two people coming together to achieve more collectively than they ever could individually. The most fruitful collaborations begin not with, ‘What can you do for me?’ but with, ‘How can I help you serve your clients better?’
This shift in mindset is transformative. It allows both parties to explore their unique skills and resources and see how they can uplift each other. The real value isn’t just sales or dollars but the experience and trust that’s built along the way. Kevin’s network is a testament to this philosophy—he’s facilitated over 400 strategic partnerships by focusing not on what he can gain, but on how he can help others grow.
Being the Connector
Kevin has become known as “The Connector,” not simply for the sheer volume of relationships he’s built, but for the quality and impact of those connections. His approach is proactive and intentional. Rather than wait for opportunities to come to him, Kevin reaches out to those who inspire him, often from something as small as a thoughtful social media post. He compliments, appreciates, and asks probing questions—curious to learn what excites the other person and how he might contribute to their success.
Even when facilitating introductions between others, Kevin’s focus is on alignment of values, interests, and intention. True partnerships are only possible when there’s a natural fit, and Kevin’s intuition allows him to discern these opportunities effectively.
Leading with Service—The Secret to Reciprocity
One of the most powerful lessons from Kevin’s story is the approach of giving without expectation. Giving appreciation, attention, and help without any strings attached creates an environment where reciprocity happens naturally. Sometimes the benefits return directly from the person you help, other times from an unexpected source. This is the essence of the “law of reciprocity”—what goes around, comes around, often amplified.
Implementing Relationship-Building in Your Business
For those wanting to implement these principles, the process begins with genuine curiosity. Start new conversations by asking sincerely what the other person is passionate about or currently working on. Listen with intent, not with an agenda. Look for ways to help, whether by an introduction, sharing a resource, or brainstorming a solution. Not every conversation will result in a partnership, but each one strengthens your relational capital.
Real growth happens not from collecting contacts, but from nurturing connections. Being present, offering real value, and approaching every new relationship as an opportunity to serve will set you apart. Whether you’re a real estate investor or an entrepreneur in any field, million-dollar relationships are built one meaningful connection at a time.
10 Discussion Questions from this Episode:
- How does Kevin Thompson define a strategic partnership, and what are the key elements that make it successful?
- Kevin emphasizes the importance of leading with a servant’s heart in building relationships. How can entrepreneurs apply this philosophy in their daily business interactions?
- What role does genuine appreciation play in establishing and nurturing business relationships, according to Kevin Thompson?
- Discuss the potential pitfalls of entering a strategic partnership without alignment on interests and values based on Kevin’s experiences.
- Kevin mentions hosting virtual roundtables to facilitate meaningful connections. What benefits do such events offer to entrepreneurs seeking strategic partnerships?
- How does the concept of “relationship capital” tie into the broader theme of raising private money, as discussed by Jay Conner and Kevin Thompson?
- Kevin shares a successful example of a partnership that resulted in a significant increase in revenue. What elements contributed to that success, and how can other entrepreneurs replicate it?
- Why is it important to actively listen and be genuinely interested in others during networking and partnership discussions?
- Kevin talks about the power of social media in initiating conversations. What strategies does he suggest for leveraging social media to build relationships?
- Reflect on a time when you relied on your gut instinct or a trusted advisor’s advice when it came to establishing business relationships. How did that decision impact your outcomes?
Fun facts that were revealed in the episode:
- Kevin Thompson is not only an expert connector but also a family man—he’s the proud father of seven kids and grandfather to six grandchildren! Talk about someone who understands the importance of building strong relationships, both at home and in business.
- Kevin has facilitated over 400 strategic partnerships, but his biggest joy comes from the experience, not just the revenue. He believes that people talk more about the positive experience of working together than the actual dollars made.
- Connections open surprising doors—thanks to his podcast, Kevin found himself interviewing Jim Sonefeld, the drummer of Hootie & the Blowfish, after a simple introduction by a past guest. Sometimes, networking leads to some pretty rockin’ encounters!
Timestamps:
00:01 The Connector: Mastering Relationship Capital
04:50 Million Dollar Relationships Podcast
07:52 Golden Rule in Business Partnerships
11:54 Co-Creative Partnership Strategy
15:09 Trusting Instincts in Business Ventures
18:11 Networking with No Strings Attached
22:17 Engage Through Service-Oriented Conversations
25:54 Engage Through Genuine Listening
29:16 Connect with Kevin Thompson:
https://www.Facebook.com/KevinTheConnector
31:16 Entrepreneurial Networking Transformation
33:21 Nurturing Relationships for Big Impact
Private Money Academy Conference:
Free Report:
https://www.jayconner.com/MoneyReport
Join the Private Money Academy:
https://www.JayConner.com/trial/
Have you read Jay’s new book: Where to Get The Money Now?
It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at
https://www.JayConner.com/Book
What is Private Money? Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner
https://www.JayConner.com/MoneyPodcast
Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. He maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $67,000 per deal without using his money or credit.
What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference
YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/RealEstateInvestingWithJayConner
Apple Podcasts:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jay.conner.marketing
Listen to our Podcast:
Comments