There’s something powerful about watching someone you love quietly build something big. My younger brother that thinks he’s my older brother doesn’t ask for recognition, but today, I feel like giving it anyway. He’s the kind of person who works before sunrise, answers the call when his friends or family need him, and somehow still finds time to laugh at the dinner table. Watching him grow his business has been inspiring—but watching him stay grounded through it all has been even more meaningful.

We talk a lot about hustle culture these days—grind, growth, ambition—but we don’t always talk about the kind of grit that comes with consistency. My brother doesn’t chase success—he earns it, slowly and steadily. Every time he faces a challenge, he doesn’t complain—he adapts, learns, and shows up again the next day. Whether it’s dealing with a setback, pushing through exhaustion, or taking a risk that no one else saw coming, he does it with a quiet confidence that speaks louder than any social media post ever could.

That kind of persistence doesn’t always get headlines. But recently, it did. Fundamental Income—the company he helped build from the ground up—was acquired by Starwood Property Trust, one of the largest real estate finance firms in the country. The platform they created was rooted in acquiring long-term, income-generating net lease assets. It wasn’t built overnight, and it wasn’t built for short-term wins. It was built with vision, discipline, and staying power.

But what sets him apart isn’t just what he’s building—it’s what he never lets go of along the way. He still shows up for our family. He makes time for the people he loves, even when his plate is full. He listens. He checks in. He remembers birthdays. He makes it to Sunday dinners and late-night calls. He gives his all to his work, but he never gives us the leftovers. That’s not easy. That’s rare.

The truth is, most people will never see the full picture. They’ll see the business wins, the highlights, maybe even a milestone announcement. But they won’t see the long days, the personal sacrifices, the doubts that creep in when the world gets quiet. They won’t see the behind-the-scenes grind or the emotional bandwidth it takes to care about both your dreams and your people. I do. And I want him to know it matters.

So this is just a simple thank you. For working so hard. For loving so hard. For making space for both. You’re building something incredible, and you’re doing it the right way—with character, with heart, and with the kind of persistence that doesn’t need applause to keep going.

I’m proud of you—not just for what you’ve built, but for who you are while you build it.