Jon Weiskopf is the Founder and CEO of Blue Eyed Capital, a purpose-driven investment firm focused on helping people of color invest in high-performing real estate that delivers both financial returns and meaningful impact. After a successful engineering career that included designing Apple’s flagship retail stores around the world, Jon left corporate life to pursue a more meaningful mission—one grounded in sustainability, social responsibility, and leaving a better world for his children. His impact-focused approach to multifamily investing prioritizes operational efficiency, environmental upgrades, and tenant well-being as pathways to long-term success.
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Key Takeaways
- Real estate impact investing is not charity—it’s smart, sustainable business
- Operational efficiency matters more than rent growth for long-term value
- Utility cost trends are critical indicators of property performance risk
- Personal alignment with your investing mission prevents burnout and increases longevity
- Finding properties close to home can reduce risk and improve responsiveness
- Capital access and relationship-building are essential for resilience in tough markets
Topics
From Apple to Apartment Investing
- Jon’s career began in engineering, including 10 years leading Apple’s retail development globally
- A burnout and desire to spend more time with family pushed him to rethink his priorities
- After attending a real estate event, he realized his background in construction and systems was an untapped advantage
Finding Purpose in Real Estate
- Named after his wife and children, Blue Eyed Capital was born from a desire to create legacy and impact
- Jon’s “why” includes modeling values for his kids and using his skills to improve the world
- Leaving Apple and taking a three-month leave of absence gave him clarity and relief from corporate stress
Why Impact Investing Is Smart Business
- Jon focuses on improving underperforming Class C properties with outdated systems
- Instead of relying on rent increases, he drives returns through sustainability upgrades and energy efficiency
- Better-performing systems (HVAC, lighting, etc.) lead to tenant stability, lower expenses, and long-term ROI
What Most Investors Get Wrong
- Many operators don’t understand the compounding effects of rising utility costs
- Passing on utility bills to tenants only works until affordability breaks down
- Energy-efficient upgrades generate increasing savings year over year—unlike cosmetic renovations
Choosing the Right Properties
- Looks for good bones: buildings that are structurally sound but need systems updates
- Willing to walk away from deals if fundamentals (e.g., plumbing) don’t check out
- Proximity to home has become increasingly important for asset management responsiveness
Capital Raising and Private Lending
- Jon warns new operators not to underestimate the difficulty of raising capital
- Missed investor commitments and slow funding timelines require backup plans
- He’s built a parallel business in private lending to create consistent cash flow between deals
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Round of Insights
Failure that set Jon up for success: A high-stakes Apple project in San Francisco failed publicly at launch—but it taught Jon the value of resilience, preparation, and systems under pressure.
Digital or mobile resource: FRED – the Federal Reserve’s data portal. Jon uses it to track trends like auto loan defaults and consumer credit that signal housing demand and risk.
Book recommendation: It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad.
Daily habit: Wakes up at 3:30 a.m. every day to work out—starting with physical discipline to focus and own his day.
#1 insight for investing in impact properties: Purpose matters. If your plan is aligned with serving a community’s needs—not just maximizing rent—you’ll build a more stable, lasting business.
Next Steps
- Follow Jon on LinkedIn
- Check out Blue Eyed Capital’s website.
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