Episode 41

Creating Time Freedom with Charlie Hardage

Amy welcomes Charlie Hardage to today’s Performance Mindset podcast. Charlie grew up with a middle-class mindset, and after years of playing the long, slow game, he discovered real estate as a way to reach financial and time freedom. Today, Charlie invests full-time in apartments and provides opportunities for others looking to grow their wealth and achieve their goals. Charlie and his team look for underperforming apartment complexes and then use an intricate strategy for each property, working to mitigate risk through due diligence and experience to provide excellent returns for investors. He believes there is a better way to retire, and he and his team are on a mission to help others.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  1. Charlie Hardage’s childhood in a middle-class family, his first exposure to entrepreneurial ventures, and how he discovered real estate in college.
  2. His strategy for investing in real estate, particularly apartment complexes, and how he identifies good opportunities.
  3. Where he focuses his investing ventures and how Charlie evaluates who he brings on to his team.
  4. Why communication and trust are cornerstone components of his team.
  5. Charlie’s due diligence process as he considers a deal and the reason it leads to saying “no” more often than “yes.”
  6. Some examples of how his investors’ lives have been impacted and contributed to their long-term goals.
  7. The opportunities Charlie has taken advantage of as an entrepreneur and the benefits of “time freedom.”
  8. His advice for people who are considering real estate investing and want to get started.
  9. Why mindset matters when it comes to real estate investing.


Connect with Amy Calandrino here:

Beyond Commercial

CREi Summit


Connect with Charlie Hardage:

LinkedIn

H&K Investment Group

Facebook

Instagram

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About the Podcast

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The Performance Mindset Show
Insights for high performers in business, leadership, and real estate.

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About your host

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Amy Calandrino

Amy Calandrino, SIOR, CCIM, is a Director at Cushman & Wakefield with deep experience representing small and mid-sized businesses, family enterprises, and private investors throughout Central Florida and beyond. She is known for being a thoughtful listener, a creative problem-solver, and a strategic advisor who helps clients make informed decisions that support both their business goals and long-term wealth creation.

With a career rooted in guiding entrepreneurs and families through pivotal real estate moments, Amy brings clarity, structure, and actionable strategy to every assignment. She has completed hundreds of transactions across office, flex, and retail properties, and clients rely on her strong command of market trends, valuations, and space needs particularly within Winter Park and Greater Orlando. Her experience is backed by the SIOR and CCIM designations, reflecting her commitment to expertise and excellence in the industry.

In addition to her advisory work, Amy is the author of From Perfect to Real: Ditch Perfection, Shift Your Mindset, and Thrive on Your Terms, where she shares her SPORT Success System® for high performance. She is also the host of The Performance Mindset Show, a podcast featuring candid conversations with leaders in business, real estate, and entrepreneurship.

Committed to strengthening her community, Amy co-founded the Calandrino Foundation with her husband, Phil, to equip youth with the skills and mindset needed for entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. She also serves on the Park Avenue District Board in Winter Park.

Amy lives in Central Florida with her family. Outside of work, she enjoys golf, running, and staying active with her two children. Her faith, family, and dedication to helping others grow continue to guide her both personally and professionally.