From Teacher To Fund Manager
How do you go from teaching in a classroom to building a national real estate portfolio and launching a real estate investment trust?
Welcome back to Inspired To Invest. This week, Insiyah Panju is here for ep138.
Insiyah is a Canadian real estate investor and co-founder of Pragma Inc. and Expand Wealth Real Estate Trust, to unpack the journey of scaling a multifamily portfolio across Canada while creating opportunities for investors.
Insiyah’s story is a powerful reminder that wealth building isn’t reserved for financial insiders. After starting her career as an educator, she discovered the world of real estate investing and made the leap into entrepreneurship. Today, she focuses on acquiring and revitalizing multifamily housing while building investment vehicles that allow others to participate in real estate ownership.
Throughout this conversation, we explore:
• The mindset shift that took her from teacher to entrepreneur
• How the pandemic unexpectedly accelerated real estate opportunities
• Why multifamily properties can offer more predictable investment outcomes
• What investors should know before expanding into new markets like Alberta and New Brunswick
• The critical importance of property management and building the right team
• The realities of scaling a real estate portfolio and hiring the right professionals
• Lessons learned from difficult deals and legal battles in real estate
• Why due diligence is the most important skill for investors
• The power of time freedom and lifestyle flexibility through real estate
• How a life-changing health challenge reshaped her perspective on wealth and time
If you’re interested in Canadian real estate investing, multifamily acquisitions, real estate funds, passive investing, or building generational wealth, this episode offers both practical insights and a deeply human perspective on entrepreneurship.
Insiyah also shares advice for investors about avoiding the “shiny object syndrome,” staying focused on long-term strategy, and vetting partners carefully before investing in deals.
Whether you’re a new investor exploring your first property or an experienced entrepreneur looking to scale through partnerships or funds, this conversation highlights the realities of building wealth through real estate in Canada.
Thank you to TenantPay for bringing us this month’s episodes.
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About Inspired To Invest
Inspired To Invest is a podcast hosted by Serena Holmes featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders who are building wealth and creating impact through real estate and business.
Connect with Insiyah Panju
Follow Insiyah and learn more about her work with multifamily real estate and investment opportunities through Expand Wealth and Pragma Properties.
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