The Private Money Authority: Jay Conner’s Branding, Funnel, and Mastermind Approach

If you ever wondered how top coaches created programs that stood the test of time, you didn’t have to look further than Jay Conner. In a conversation with Megan Huber, Jay peeled back the curtain on his 14-year journey as a real estate investing coach. What emerged was a masterclass not just in raising private money, but in building a business designed for legacy.

From Real Estate Investor to Private Money Authority
Jay’s entrepreneurial story began long before he became a coach. After decades working in real estate—condominiums, shopping centers, and primarily single-family homes—Jay and his wife, Carol Joy, hit a major bump in 2009. Their local bank shut down his line of credit overnight. “I knew I had to find a better and quicker way and a more reliable way to fund my deals,” Jay recalled. That’s when he discovered private money lending—a concept he had never heard of until fate (or, as Jay used to say, “God’s way of staying anonymous”) intervened. Within 90 days, he raised a couple of million dollars from private individuals.

It became the perfect storm: the 2009 real estate crash offered up foreclosures to anyone who could pay cash. With his private lenders, Jay’s business tripled. But something else happened—he discovered a passion for teaching and empowering others, not just chasing deals.

Building a Coaching Business That Lasted
When Jay admitted, “If I could choose just one thing…without being a member that’s actively involved in a mastermind group of fellow-minded people, I just couldn’t imagine being in this business on an island by myself,” it offered deep insight into his approach. Community and learning had driven him forward.

His coaching business launched in 2011 after a phone call to his mentor, Ron Legrand. Jay had been successful but bored; Ron advised him to teach what he was best at—raising private money. That simple advice became Jay’s focus. Over time, he became known as “The Private Money Guy.” His entire go-to-market strategy, as Megan emphasized, was built around a single message: helping investors raise and leverage private money, no matter their level of experience.

Why Focus Was the Key to Branding—and Trust

Jay’s longevity came down to unwavering focus. “You couldn’t be everything to everybody,” he said. His marketing, courses, podcast, and seminars—they all carried the same banner. The “Private Money Success System” became his flagship program, and his podcast was literally called Raising Private Money. That consistency built trust and recognition over time.

Masterminds: External Inspiration, Internal Motivation

When it came to staying inspired, Jay credited his involvement in masterminds—communities of like-minded entrepreneurs and coaches—as the single biggest reason for his success and longevity. “The relationships…your destiny and future were predicated on the books you read and the people you met,” he often said.

Timestamps:
00:01 Entrepreneurship, Coaching, and Real Estate
04:54 Real Estate Crisis & Funding Shift
10:17 Private Money Course Creation Journey
13:42 Course Creation Experience Reflected
14:34 “Course Creation Advice”
17:36 Focus on One Clear Specialty
22:15 Authentic Niche Marketing Approach
24:41 Consistency Builds Trust Over Time
28:58 Private Money Challenge Funnel
32:41 Private Money Academy Membership Offer
34:43 Course Funnel and Pricing Strategy
39:27 Event Registrations from Free Guide
41:02 Nurturing Leads for Membership Growth
44:19 Mastermind Connections Shape Destiny
47:47 Book Offer with Exclusive Bonuses

Private Money Academy Conference:
https://www.JaysLiveEvent.com

Jay Conner’s Money Guide:
https://www.jayconner.com/MoneyReport

Free Trial! Join the Private Money Academy:
https://www.jayconner.com/four-week-free-trial-v2-0/

Have you read Jay’s new book: Where to Get The Money Now?
It is available FREE (all you pay is the shipping and handling) at
https://www.JayConner.com/Book

What is Private Money? Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner:
https://www.JayConner.com/MoneyPodcast

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. Without using his own money or credit, Jay maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $67,000 per deal.

What is Real Estate Investing? Live Private Money Academy Conference:
https://youtu.be/QyeBbDOF4wo