Chris Geddes joins the Mountain Mule Podcast to share how he walked away from a traditional career path and built a portfolio of businesses using creative thinking, real estate, and calculated risk.

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From Burnout to Building Something New

Chris followed the path most people are taught, college, a strong career, and a role at companies like Google. But by early 2023, something felt off.

Instead of continuing down that path, he stepped away and started exploring entrepreneurship. What began as curiosity quickly turned into action, leading him into real estate and eventually multiple businesses across the country.

He describes what he does today simply:

“An entrepreneur scaling boring businesses.”

Creative Real Estate, There’s Another Way

One of the biggest shifts in Chris’s journey came from discovering creative finance.

Instead of relying on traditional bank loans, he started structuring deals directly with sellers, opening up opportunities that most people don’t even realize exist.

That includes:

• Seller financing
• Taking over existing mortgages
• Lease-to-own structures

His first deal came after dozens of rejections and nearly three months of persistence. That deal, a rental in Billings, was structured at 3% interest with minimal cash down, something that wouldn’t have been possible through a bank.

The key insight:

There isn’t just one way to buy real estate.

Solving Problems, Not Just Buying Properties

What makes these deals work isn’t just creativity, it’s understanding people.

Chris emphasizes that every successful deal comes down to solving a specific problem for the seller.

In one case, he structured payments to match exactly what a seller needed each month to cover their RV lifestyle.

That mindset shift is everything:

• Not “How do I buy this property?”
• But “What does this person actually need?”

The Power of Doing, Not Just Learning

Chris is honest about how hard the early days were.

Cold calls, rejection, and uncertainty were part of the process. But he committed to a simple rule:

Give it 90 days of real effort.

That meant:

• Taking action daily
• Making calls
• Learning through experience, not just content

His first deal came on day 84.

That lesson carries into everything he does now, information is everywhere, but execution is what separates people.

Scaling Beyond Real Estate

After building momentum in real estate, Chris expanded into other businesses, including:

• A car wash in Arizona
• A commercial flooring company in San Francisco

The flooring business, in particular, highlights his strategy.

It was a long-standing, traditional business with no modern systems. By introducing:

• Digital marketing
• Updated systems
• Operational structure

He quickly unlocked new growth opportunities.

It’s a simple idea:
Find solid businesses, then improve them.

Montana Roots, Broader Perspective

Chris grew up in Bozeman and has watched the town evolve over the years.

After spending time in cities like Boston and San Francisco, he returned with a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for Montana.

His takeaway is grounded:

Change is inevitable, but opportunity comes with it.

What This Conversation Really Shows

This episode isn’t just about real estate or business strategies.

It’s about thinking differently.

Chris’s story is a reminder that:

• You don’t have to follow the default path
• You can create your own opportunities
• And most importantly, you have to take action

Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation. Whether you’re planning a wedding, event, airport transfer, or a night out in Bozeman, Mountain Mule is here to get you there. Learn more at:
https://mountain-mule.com

Find Chris @ https://www.pinetopalmhomes.com/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christopher_geddes/