The Power of Mentorship and the Pivot to Real Estate

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Benson Onyegbula, a first-generation Nigerian-American who shares his transition from finance into real estate and the lessons he's learned along the way. We begin by exploring how Benson's early curiosity and drive landed him mentorships with top executives at Trion Solutions while still a junior at Oakland University. That curiosity paid off when a financial advisor offered him a job post-graduation, sparking his initial passion for the financial world.

Benson describes how he dove into finance, earning multiple licenses and working with Ameriprise, where he advised small and mid-sized companies on retirement planning and tax-efficient strategies. His work not only provided insight into the financial structures of companies but also highlighted how many successful clients held significant real estate assets. That realization pushed him to start investing in real estate himself.

He first dipped his toes into single-family properties but quickly saw the long-term value of multifamily investments, thanks to the guidance of his mentor, Brittany. Her example—transforming a boutique motel on Mackinac Island into a million-dollar asset via Airbnb—illustrated the power of leveraging net operating income to build wealth. So Benson began expanding his knowledge base through platforms like the BiggerPockets podcast and STR Wealth, all while continuing to be a networking machine.

We talk about the importance of mentorship, and Benson shares how a chance meeting at an open house led to his current mentor. Their first conversation around rental arbitrage—a strategy where you lease properties for the purpose of short-term rentals—set the tone for a lasting business relationship. He credits this mentorship, along with a trusted network of subject matter experts including mortgage brokers, CPAs, and title companies, for giving him a strong foundation in his new career.

Now licensed with Hub Real Estate Solutions in Plymouth, Benson has officially transitioned to full-time real estate consulting. He emphasizes how his financial background helps him offer a holistic perspective to clients, especially in retirement planning involving real estate. Outside of work, Benson enjoys being in nature, particularly in places like Cranbrook Gardens and downtown Royal Oak, and he’s a fan of real estate TV shows—even if they take some creative liberties.

Throughout the episode, we highlight the importance of mentorship, initiative, and strategic investment planning—reminding listeners that curiosity and courage can open the door to life-changing opportunities.

More:

BiggerPockets: https://www.biggerpockets.com

STR Wealth Conference: https://www.strwealthconference.com

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/