Podcasts Guests Not Always Who They Claim To Be?

[Derek DeVerna]

I have been an avid fan/listener of the BP podcast ever since I decided to jump into real estate directly out of college nearly five years ago. I look forward to podcast releases on Thursdays and have listened to most episodes multiple times. For this reason, I was extremely excited to take a job opportunity presented to me by Sharad Mehta, guest on the Bigger Pockets Podcast Episode #155. I had listened to this episode before and it sounded like he had an awesome business that any real estate investor could learn lessons from.  

I excitingly accepted this job opportunity in late 2018 and relocated to Northwest Indiana from Cincinnati, Ohio on January 1st, 2019. It is important to note that this was an all commission opportunity and I did not know a single person, much less the market in NW Indiana. 

I quickly noticed that the opportunity that I was presented during my job interview was not consistent with what the actual work entailed. Nonetheless, my prior wholesaling experience allowed me to land a $36,000 profit deal for the company within my first month of employment. The commission associated with this deal took Sharad Mehta three full weeks to pay out after the property closed. This was obviously unacceptable, as I had relocated my entire life and was hustling every day to find deals for this company. 

Despite this major read flag, I pushed on and was able to aid the company in acquiring a few more investment deals. Eventually I felt as though my time was better serviced working on my own business and decided to part ways with the company. This was a mutual decision made between Sharad and myself in the beginning of March 2019. We agreed that it was fair for me to be paid on any property that I helped the firm acquire when they resold the asset. This was also the commission opportunity from the start - Paid X% profit once any property I acquired was sold.

To this day, the only full commission that I have received was from the first wholesale deal. This is despite an agreement and multiple attempted calls, voicemails, texts, and emails. I also learned that Sharad's right hand women, whom was the most crucial person in his business (Sharad does not live in NW Indiana) left around the same time that I did and for very similar reasons. 

This entire experience has left me wondering how many other people were taken advantage of by Sharad Mehta throughout his entire story, as presented on the BP Podcast. I was once inspired by his incredible/underdog story. Now I am disgusted in knowing that there were many good folks ripped off in its formation. 

[Brian Garrett]

Sorry to hear but remember podcasts are essentially just a marketing tool for the guests.

Some guests provide real value and content but many are just looking to promote themselves and their business.

[Sharad M.]

@Derek DeVerna it was very convenient that you left out several details in your story.

1) You were let go for major incompetence. It was NOT a mutual decision so please don't say that to make yourself feel better. 

2) I appreciate that you had decided to make a move but we paid for your training to John Martinez training ($2,500) plus your travel and hotel ($1,000)

3) While you initially moved to NW Indiana, you stayed rent free in one of our rental properties until you get settled in.

4) You were given tons of leads to work on but you had come from a business model where you were wholesaling properties directly from MLS and we had made it VERY CLEAR during the interview that we purchase properties from motivated sellers and NOT from MLS.

5) Due to your incompetence, you actually set us back several months in lost deals, time and money that we invested in your opportunity.

"I quickly noticed that the opportunity that I was presented during my job interview was not consistent with what the actual work entailed"

Yes, it was a different opportunity where we expected you to work and convert leads from motivated sellers and not sit around and submit MLS offers like you had been.

I have done business with several people from BiggerPockets but you have your side of the story and I wish you best wishes in your future success.

[Brad B.]

The original post is pretty unfair. Even if there was some disagreements, there’s no reason it has to become public.

I've always had a great experience as a client of @Sharad M. over the years. He's helped me with rehabs, managing rentals, sending direct mail, learning the NWI market, and just being a great friend and businessman. I have only good things to say about him and I know many others who would say the same.

[Sharad M.]

@Brad B. Thank you!! Working with you has been really our pleasure. 

@Derek DeVerna is just venting his frustrations which is fine. We really provided him a great opportunity and put him in a really good place to succeed but his expectations were different.

[Derek DeVerna]

@Sharad M. I have no interest in using this forum to vent my frustrations. I simply wish to make the Bigger Pockets Community aware of my experience. Hopefully after reading this post someone will avoid making the same mistake that I did. 

@Brad B. Lets presume that all of Sharad's points (1-5) in his above post are true. I would dispute this, but lets presume he is telling the truth nonetheless. Please notice that he does not dispute owing me commissions earned on acquiring deals that his company profited on. I would not choose to do business with someone who treats his or her employees/contractors this way. 

[Adrien C.]

@Justin Smits