Koloa Wolfgramm: He Bought Hotels When Everyone Was Scared | DSH #1732

Most people missed the biggest real estate opportunity of the decade. In this episode, Koloa Wolfgramm breaks down how he went from humble immigrant beginnings to building a hospitality portfolio approaching $1B in assets — by buying hotels when everyone else was terrified. From growing up in a 1,300-square-foot house with five siblings, to becoming the first Pacific Islander to graduate from Yale Law School, to raising over $100M in equity without Wall Street connections, this conversation is a masterclass in conviction, capital strategy, and long-term thinking. We talk about: • Why COVID was the best hotel buying window in history • How hotels were hit 3× worse than the GFC • Raising capital without billionaires or institutions • Targeting investors who already understand the industry • Buying $100M+ in hotels in one year • Scaling from $0 to $500M in acquisitions • Why Ivy League success often creates impostor syndrome • Family, marriage at 20, and building with responsibility • Why networking matters more than grades • The real risks that destroy real estate deals This isn’t hype. It’s how serious money is actually built. Chapters 00:00 Why Humble Beginnings Create Real Ambition 00:51 Growing Up in Hotels as an Immigrant Kid 01:46 COVID Was the Best Time to Buy Hotels 02:35 Why Hotels Were Hit Worse Than the GFC 03:46 The Biggest Mistake in Raising Capital 04:32 Targeting Investors Who Already Get Hotels 05:40 Raising $100M Without Wall Street 06:26 Scaling From $100M to $500M in Acquisitions 07:56 Marriage, Kids & Building Young 10:38 Why Ivy League Isn’t About Grades 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Apply to be on the podcast: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application 📩 Business inquiries / sponsors: sean@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST: Koloa Wolfgramm - https://www.instagram.com/koloawolfgramm/ 💼 SPONSORS QUINCE: https://quince.com/dsh 🥗 Fuel your health with Viome: https://buy.viome.com/SEAN Use code “Sean” at checkout for a discount! 🎧 LISTEN ON 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Sean Kelly Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate. The content shared is for entertainment and informational purposes only — it should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program. 🔥 Stay tuned for more episodes featuring top creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world! 🔑 Keywords kaloa wolfgram interview, hotel real estate investing, covid real estate opportunity, hospitality investment strategy, raising capital without wall street, real estate private equity, billion dollar real estate portfolio, hotel acquisitions podcast, ivy league myth business, immigrant entrepreneur story, hospitality industry investing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.