Meet Ian Jimeno | Podcast Host and Real Estate Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ian Jimeno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ian, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My wife and I were born and raised in San Diego, California. We’ve had mutual friends and family members grow up and start their own businesses, all with their own personal struggles along the way. One of them, Diego Rojano, founder of Lucha Libre, had major success and opened more than 3 storefronts in various places all over San Diego. Another friend, Rodney Marquez, started a YouTube channel educating the masses on fishing, from lures to rods to locations to find legal halibut and lobster.

While watching my friends and family continue growing their businesses, everyone hit a major roadblock, an unprecedented roadblock that blindsided the nation and slowed down commerce: COVID-19.

That’s when I thought, I should start a podcast and spotlight all the small businesses operated by selfless and passionate individuals. I’ll create a platform that sheds a more “human” light behind each business, and have the audience realize that when you purchase a product or a service from these individuals, you’re helping pay for their mortgage, their groceries, and their daughter’s daycare.

I’ll call it the “Big Locals Podcast”.

While simmering on the idea, my wife and I made the decision to move to Denver. My brother and my parents moved over there within the past 5 years, and we wanted to start seeing the world in a new lens. This move lit a fire in me. My motivation to learn about the small businesses (and even larger businesses) of Denver increased since I thought, “I don’t even know anyone here”.

That’s when Big Locals Podcast started. I wanted to serve the community, to be at a place of humility, and to delve deep into the inner workings of markets, events, concerts, and beer gardens. I just released my 25th episode, and I couldn’t be happier hearing the stories of struggle, passion, and giving.

While hearing these wonderful stories, I decided to start my own business. I quit my W2 job and decided to go head first into real estate and become a real estate agent. I wanted to help first time home buyers and sellers find their first property and guide them towards a legacy of wealth building and financial security. 25% of Americans have no money in their emergency fund, and I want to help the Denver community learn about financial literacy and live the life they want to live.

At this point and time, I am making connections within the Arapahoe Community College District in starting a Financial Literacy class. If one person benefits dearly with the information and education regarding financial literacy, it will all be worth it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Podcasts are such a cool medium to consume. Within moments, you have someone’s warm voice plugged straight into your ears. The amazing part is you can hear the failures and accomplishments of billionaires, musicians, artists, scientists, and historians all in one space.

However, I was disappointed that I couldn’t find a podcast that focused on the local communities, specifically Denver. As a new-comer to the Denver space, how can I ease into the culture? Where can I grab an awesome bite to eat? Who has some great hot chicken sandwiches within 20 minutes of my home? With the holidays coming up, where can I get some handmade crafts to send to my friends and family?

You get those questions answered when you listen to Big Locals Podcast. I’ve interviewed personal chefs, hot sauce creators, career coaches, bakers, interior designers, media printers, and so many others. When you hear the struggles and accomplishments of each guest, you are more inclined to be a part of their journey. Humans love a good underdog story, and I’m here to deliver.

My transition to the real estate space is also one I want to incorporate as well. The real estate industry is a fascinating one, and I want to clear any lingering fog to those not familiar with the space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I wish I had this information when I first got here! I would’ve loved to hear where the locals go to eat, drink, and be merry.

In my limited time here in this wonderful city, I have found several spots that tickled my fancy. TRVE Brewing is a big one, finally a brewery that plays most choice music in addition to the excellent beer. Other honorable breweries include Cerebral, Odell, Comrade, Hogshead, Station 26, Spice Trade Brewing, and New Terrain in Golden.

Food-wise, I HIGHLY recommend checking out the chefs, bakers, and creators that I have met and interviewed. Check out the farmers markets and shop local, especially if you find one in the winter. Check out Misoheat chili paste, KREAM Kimchi, Goody GetRights Bakery, Sfoglina pasta, Moon Raccoon Baking Company, Chimichurri Bros (now This S**t Rules), The Boozy Botanist, Loverboy Fine Chocolate, Oso Rojo hot sauce, The Kids Table vegan mac and cheese, Sheba Roastery for coffee beans, and Rebel Bread. Most recently, my wife and I had incredible thai food at Daughter Thai Kitchen. Exquisite.

Get out there and do a 14’er! Such an exhilarating experience; tough, but totally worth it. I’ve done Quandry Peak, and plan on doing another when the weather gets more tolerable. Honestly, I would go to dog parks just to chill with the doggies. It’s my happy place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Kat, has been my backbone and supporter through all my transitions in life. I couldn’t have done even half of my accomplishments if it wasn’t for her.

YouTube for teaching me how to set up a podcast, how to make it sound like I know what I’m doing, and inspiring me by showing how many other people are more skilled than me.

HUGE shoutout to everyone who has been a guest of the Big Locals Podcast. Thanks for taking a chance on me and telling your story behind a hot mic. I’m eternally grateful and humbled by your drive and selflessness to the Denver community.

Shoutout to the platform Bigger Pockets, headquartered here in Denver, for providing a basis of real estate knowledge and expertise. If you ever have questions about the world of real estate, from investing to management, go to biggerpockets.com.

Lastly, but not leastly, huge shoutout to my truck that hasn’t asked for anything more than oil changes and tire replacements in my 8 years of ownership. Without you, Ranger, I would be stagnant in one place, almost literally.

Website: https://biglocalspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Instagram: @ian.realestateagent @biglocalspodcast

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iancjimeno/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IanJimeno

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkuP-zK4xY-wPzXg9Qelbtw

Other: Have questions regarding real estate? Want to nominate a business to be a guest on the Podcast? Contact me at: ian@thefiteam.com biglocalspodcast@gmail.com If I get to 1,000 followers on TikTok, my friend owes me $500. Help me get rich! @ian.realestateagent.

Image Credits
@Ryandotcom