August Biniaz: Leaving a Profitable Business to Build a Real Estate Empire

💡What does it really take to walk away from a successful career… and start over in pursuit of something bigger?

🤝In this episode, we sit down with August Biniaz, founder of CPI Capital, to unpack his transition from building custom homes in Vancouver to raising capital for large-scale U.S. multifamily and development projects. He shares the internal battle behind leaving a profitable business, the resistance from family, and the burning desire to build something with no ceiling.

🏗️ We cover:
• The realities of raising capital in Canada (and why compliance matters more than most realize)
• Building a firm alongside his wife and the hard truths of mixing marriage with business
• The difference between value-add multifamily (15–20% target annualized) and development deals (25–30% target annualized — with higher risk)
• Why Sunbelt states like Texas and Florida continue attracting migration and capital
• What it actually takes to nurture investor relationships long-term

📈 August also breaks down the infrastructure behind capital raising, why it’s a machine that can’t be turned on only when you need money, and how systems, thought leadership, and compliance create longevity in private equity.

💬 Beyond returns, we discuss legacy, building communities, creating jobs, and designing a company you’re proud of 20 years from now.

If you’re interested in real estate private equity, capital raising, multifamily investing, or building a business with your partner, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level success stories.