#298: From Tobacco Fields to Real Estate Deals with Gabriella (Gaby) Riffle-Gonzalez, USNA ‘17

Service Academy Business Mastermind

Are you a real estate investor in need of financing for your next investment property? If so, the Academy Fund has you covered! Whether you need short term financing for “fix-and-flip” projects, land development, or new construction or you need long term financing for single family or multi family rentals, we are your reliable financial partner. Our mission is to bridge the gaps often left by conventional banking institutions, making sure your real estate dreams become reality.

And for accredited investors looking to earn purpose driven passive income while supporting military veteran real estate investors, the Academy Fund is the perfect opportunity. Our short term loans are powered by capital from investors like you, who receive monthly distributions.

To learn more, visit AcademyFund.com.

Are you ready to connect, grow, and have some serious fun? Reserve your spot now for our upcoming event at The Tampa Club in Tampa, Florida, on January 28th. Space is limited to just 30 participants, so act fast to secure your place.

Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with camaraderie, inspiration, and personal growth alongside like-minded individuals who share your values and ambitions.

To learn more and reserve your spot, visit 10xvets.com/events.

_______

Gabriella (Gaby) Riffle-Gonzalez is the Founder and CEO of Antipolíticas Cigars, a premium cigar company that draws on her Cuban heritage and four generations of family expertise in the tobacco industry. Inspired by her family's resilience after leaving Cuba, she's reinventing the traditional cigar experience with a modern, celebratory focus. Gaby is currently working on expanding the Antipolíticas brand with a line of alcoholic beverages. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Gaby is a Real Estate Consultant with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services as she’s pursuing a master's degree in commercial real estate at Georgetown with plans to get her MBA at UNC Chapel Hill.

For a 10% discount at Antipolíticas Cigars, enter code: SABM10.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Gaby transformed her Cuban family's tobacco heritage into Antipolíticas Cigars, a modern brand that celebrates nonconformity, success, avoiding political talk, and having a good time
• The story behind her uncle's preservation of their family's Cuban tobacco legacy by bringing seeds and expertise from Cuba to Nicaragua
• Her strategic approach to building a lifestyle brand, including partnerships with professional athletes and plans for future product lines
• How she balances multiple ventures, including real estate sales in three states, commercial investments, and pursuing dual masters degrees
• The transition from guaranteed military purpose to entrepreneurship, and her advice about trying multiple ventures to find your true passion
• Her commitment to investing 50% of Antipolíticas' proceeds into women's professional sports, inspired by her own journey as a former basketball player
• Her involvement with Unrivaled Basketball, a new women's professional league launching in January 2024 with TNT media rights
• The importance of having a supportive spouse and making strategic lifestyle choices to fund entrepreneurial dreams
• Her vision for the future: creating celebratory moments and advancing equity in women's athletics
• How she's learning to balance multiple pursuits and prioritize time management while building a lifestyle company with a strong brand

Connect with Gaby

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Contact Links
• Antipoliticas

Special thanks to Gaby Riffle-Gonzalez for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01