Aug. 5, 2025

The Beginner's Guide To Building Wealth In Hospitality | Jonathan Mueller E43

The Beginner's Guide To Building Wealth In Hospitality | Jonathan Mueller E43

Think you need a perfect plan to start investing in hospitality? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Mueller, an everyday investor who went from zero experience and a failed multifamily deal to buying a $250K roadside motel and building a growing hospitality portfolio. He didn’t have a background in hotels, didn’t have much of a strategy, and still made it work through pure action, problem-solving, and a willingness to pivot. You’ll learn: Why taking action beats waiting f...

Think you need a perfect plan to start investing in hospitality? Think again.

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Mueller, an everyday investor who went from zero experience and a failed multifamily deal to buying a $250K roadside motel and building a growing hospitality portfolio. He didn’t have a background in hotels, didn’t have much of a strategy, and still made it work through pure action, problem-solving, and a willingness to pivot.

You’ll learn:

  • Why taking action beats waiting for the “perfect” plan
  • How Jonathan raised $300K in 72 hours to close his RV park deal
  • The pros and cons of buying motels vs RV parks as a beginner
  • What to look for in seller financing and SBA loan terms
  • Why chasing “shiny objects” can actually help you find your path

Whether you’re just getting started or stuck overthinking your first deal, this episode shows how to take imperfect action and learn as you go.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Jonathan:

Jonathan Mueller is a real estate investor and hospitality entrepreneur transforming neglected motels and campgrounds into vibrant community destinations. Alongside his family, he owns and operates two renovated motels and a 70-acre RV park, Camp Forest Haven, blending hands-on renovation with a guest-first approach. His journey from spotting opportunities on a casual drive to scaling multiple hospitality assets offers actionable lessons in sweat equity, creative repositioning, and building community-focused spaces that truly stand out.

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: https://campforesthaven.com/

Instagram: @mister_mox  and @camp.forest.haven

Connect with Mike and Nate:

Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com