What if the next million-dollar business opportunity isn’t a flashy startup, a trending industry, or the latest technology—but a business most people overlook?

For Anthony Lawson, CEO of Global Investments Capital Group, building wealth has been about identifying opportunities, solving real problems, and understanding how to make businesses and real estate work together.

From serving eight years in the United States Army to building a portfolio of 23 licensed facilities spanning six states and 496 beds, Lawson’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but conventional.

On this episode of COSIGN Conversations, host Kurtis Graham sat down with Lawson to discuss commercial real estate, government contracts, healthcare facilities, business acquisitions, raising capital, and the lessons he’s learned scaling his operations.

His story offers an important reminder: You don’t always have to create the next big thing to build a successful business. Sometimes the opportunity is in improving something that already exists.

1. From Military Service to Entrepreneurship: Finding His Own Path

Before becoming a real estate investor and business owner, Lawson spent eight years serving in the U.S. Army as a cavalry scout.

Like many veterans transitioning into civilian life, he initially pursued career paths that seemed like natural extensions of his military experience.

He worked in law enforcement, including corrections and sheriff-related roles, but eventually realized those careers weren’t fulfilling his ambitions.

His introduction to real estate began in New Jersey, where he explored purchasing a single-family property as an investment.

But a conversation with another veteran helped shift his perspective.

Lawson began recognizing an opportunity to provide housing for veterans who needed stable living environments, including individuals facing mental health challenges and other circumstances requiring additional support.

What started as an interest in rental properties evolved into a business model combining real estate, housing services, and community impact.

He began building relationships with Veterans Affairs representatives, case managers, nonprofits, and other referral partners while learning how government contracting worked.

Over time, those relationships helped him expand into additional facilities and services.

2. Why Anthony Lawson Believes Business and Real Estate Should Work Together

Many entrepreneurs focus on growing their businesses first and investing in real estate later.

Lawson challenges that approach.

During the interview, he explained how entrepreneurs can potentially build wealth by owning both the operating business and the commercial property where it operates.

For example, instead of leasing a building for a franchise or service-based business, an entrepreneur might explore purchasing the property through an appropriate financing structure.

Lawson discussed the concept of an OpCo/PropCo structure, in which one company operates the business while another owns the real estate.

This can create two distinct assets: the business generating operating revenue and the property potentially building equity over time.

He also discussed how financing options, including certain SBA loan programs, may help qualifying business owners acquire owner-occupied commercial properties.

The conversation hit close to home for Graham, who reflected on leasing COSIGN Studios instead of initially exploring the purchase of a building.

The lesson wasn’t that every entrepreneur should purchase commercial property.

It was that understanding your financing options before making a major business decision can open doors you didn’t know existed.

3. Building a Healthcare Real Estate Portfolio Across Six States

One of the most compelling parts of Lawson’s story is the scale of his healthcare-related real estate operations.

During the interview, he reported operating or owning interests in:

• 23 licensed facilities

• 496 beds

• Facilities across six states

His portfolio has included housing and care-related facilities serving veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities, people with mental health needs, and individuals receiving substance use disorder services.

Lawson also discussed previous involvement in halfway houses and rehabilitation-related housing.

Unlike traditional rental real estate, many of these operations combine property management with regulated services, staffing, licensing, and relationships with referral organizations.

Lawson emphasized that he favors licensed facilities because they allow him to provide additional services, employ people within local communities, and build more substantial operating businesses.

He illustrated the potential economics of a licensed facility using a hypothetical 10-bed operation generating approximately $50,000 in monthly revenue.

However, actual results depend heavily on reimbursement arrangements, occupancy, staffing, licensing requirements, property costs, and operating expenses.

The larger takeaway is that real estate can be more than collecting rent. It can become the foundation for a specialized operating business.

4. Creative Financing: You Don’t Always Have to Buy Everything With Cash

Another major theme throughout the conversation was creative financing.

Lawson explained how he used different strategies during the early stages of his real estate career, including FHA financing, lease-option arrangements, and seller financing.

For one of his earlier properties, he described negotiating with an owner who had experienced ongoing problems with traditional tenants.

Instead of purchasing the property outright, Lawson structured an agreement that allowed him to operate the property while limiting his initial commitment.

He also discussed using different parts of the building to generate income, including room rentals and short-term accommodations.

Those early experiences helped him develop a deeper understanding of deal structures and how to negotiate opportunities based on what both parties needed.

For aspiring investors, his story highlights the importance of learning how financing, negotiations, and partnerships work before assuming that a large amount of cash is the only way to get started.

Of course, creative financing still requires careful due diligence, proper legal agreements, lender compliance, and an understanding of local property regulations.

5. Why He’s Investing in Businesses That Aren’t Considered Sexy

Healthcare real estate isn’t Lawson’s only area of interest.

During the conversation, he revealed that he had recently acquired a plumbing company and was evaluating other business acquisition opportunities.

His philosophy is straightforward: rather than chasing whatever industry is trending, he looks for businesses with understandable operations, established demand, and opportunities for growth.

Lawson also believes entrepreneurs should focus on industries where they already possess experience or expertise.

Having previously owned a construction company, he was familiar with aspects of the trades before acquiring the plumbing business.

His approach reflects a broader shift in entrepreneurial thinking: a profitable, well-operated business doesn’t need to be glamorous to be valuable.

6. Raising Capital: Know Your Numbers and Build the Right Relationships

As his portfolio expanded, Lawson began exploring new ways to finance acquisitions and growth.

Today, he describes himself as a fund manager and spends much of his time focused on two priorities: finding deals and raising capital.

During the interview, he discussed his debt fund model, in which eligible investors provide capital under specified investment terms rather than receiving direct ownership in the underlying businesses.

He also introduced his book, Raising Capital Made Easier, which draws on his experiences financing business growth.

When asked what entrepreneurs should focus on before approaching potential investors, Lawson emphasized two things:

Build your team. Surround yourself with professionals who understand capital raising, deal structures, financial projections, and investor relationships.

Know your numbers. Understand your business performance, financing needs, growth strategy, and how an investment could create value.

He also encouraged entrepreneurs to understand what prospective investors actually need rather than immediately launching into a pitch.

His perspective is that successful capital raising begins with relationships, preparation, and identifying mutually beneficial opportunities.

Investment terms and returns discussed in the interview represent Lawson’s descriptions of his own fund, not guaranteed results or a recommendation to invest. Private investments involve risk and may be subject to eligibility requirements and securities regulations.

7. The Secret to Scaling: Stop Trying to Control Everything

With operations spread across multiple states, Lawson understands that scaling requires more than acquiring additional properties.

It requires people, systems, and leadership.

He explained how his military experience influenced the way he structures his organization, allowing team members and managers to make decisions within their responsibilities.

Rather than having every operational issue escalate directly to him, Lawson believes strong leaders should empower their teams to solve problems.

He also discussed using technology to organize facility documentation and improve internal processes.

For business owners who struggle with delegation, his advice is especially relevant.

If every decision still requires your approval, you haven’t truly built a scalable operation.

Lawson also emphasized accountability, recognizing employees’ strengths, and creating a workplace where team members feel valued.

8. Why Sales and Follow-Up Still Matter

Despite the size of his operations, Lawson continues to place significant importance on consistent outreach.

He shared that his acquisition department includes 14 cold callers who contact potential business sellers and facility owners.

But he also made it clear that not every opportunity turns into a transaction immediately.

Some business owners may take years before they’re ready to sell.

That’s why he believes entrepreneurs need systems for tracking prospects, maintaining relationships, and following up consistently.

The lesson applies far beyond real estate.

Whether you’re selling advertising, professional services, products, or acquiring companies, building a pipeline requires patience and measurable activity.

9. Taking Business Global: Three Lessons for International Entrepreneurs

Toward the end of the conversation, Graham discussed COSIGN’s vision of expanding internationally and highlighting entrepreneurs around the world.

He asked Lawson what entrepreneurs should consider before investing or operating in another country.

Lawson emphasized three priorities.

Understand the local laws. Research the country’s legal and regulatory environment instead of assuming business operates the same way it does in the United States.

Build a reliable local team. Having qualified legal counsel and trusted people on the ground can help entrepreneurs navigate unfamiliar markets.

Focus on a specific opportunity. Rather than trying to enter multiple countries or industries simultaneously, identify a market, understand its dynamics, and develop a clear strategy.

His message reinforces the importance of combining ambition with preparation when pursuing international opportunities.

10. Entrepreneurship Requires Patience—and the Freedom to Keep Going

For Lawson, the ultimate reward of entrepreneurship isn’t simply owning more facilities or completing bigger acquisitions.

It’s having the freedom to enjoy life, travel with his wife, explore new places, and continue doing work he genuinely enjoys.

He also acknowledged that entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty, setbacks, and periods when progress feels slow.

His closing advice was to give yourself time to grow.

Many people are willing to spend decades advancing through a traditional career, yet become discouraged when their businesses don’t reach their goals within a year or two.

Lawson believes entrepreneurs must extend themselves that same patience.

Sometimes, the opportunity you’ve been working toward is closer than you realize.

Why We COSIGN Anthony Lawson

At COSIGN, we celebrate entrepreneurs who see opportunities where others see obstacles.

Anthony Lawson’s journey from military service to commercial real estate, healthcare operations, and investment management represents the kind of entrepreneurial thinking we believe deserves greater visibility.

His approach combines business ownership, strategic acquisitions, financial education, and community-focused services.

But perhaps the most important lesson from his journey is that success doesn’t have to follow a conventional path.

You can build wealth through businesses that aren’t trendy. You can grow by acquiring rather than starting from scratch. And you can create greater freedom by building systems and empowering the right people.

Because entrepreneurship isn’t just about how much money you make. It’s about what you build, what you own, and the freedom it creates.

Watch Anthony Lawson’s full interview on COSIGN Conversations, available on the COSIGN Network YouTube channel.

Follow Anthony on Instagram at @anthony_theinvestor and learn more about his book, Raising Capital Made Easier, through his official channels.

Editorial disclaimer: Financial figures, facility counts, and business performance examples are based on statements made by Anthony Lawson during the interview and have not been independently audited or verified by COSIGN. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.