Growth in business often brings unforeseen challenges that require new strategies. For Brennen Degner, growth happened quickly as he adapted from his role as an intern to an asset manager overnight.

Brennen grew up with his family working in the construction and financial industries, but his passion for real estate began when he was a junior in college when he read the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad.”  

After college, he landed an internship at a multifamily firm in Los Angeles. Within the first three months of his internship, he walked into the office one morning and nearly all the staff had left, giving Brennen the opportunity to become an asset manager and gain years of industry knowledge and insight.  

In 2015, he set out on his first entrepreneurial venture. He purchased a nine-unit apartment complex and began to build his business, all while maintaining his job at the firm and attending night classes at USC to earn his master’s in real estate.  

When he decided to leave the firm, Brennen embraced a period of uncertainty by acting decisively and seizing opportunities.  

"In the beginning, raising outside capital is definitely the hardest part," said Brennen. "You need to show investors how your previous investments have made you an integral part of the puzzle, while also crafting a pitch that demonstrates how you can leverage that experience to create future investment opportunities."

By taking risks and staying persistent, Brennen was able to build up his company, DB Capital Management. As he transitioned to larger projects, he faced new challenges, particularly in property management. Brennen needed a well-structured back office to manage growth and maintain credibility in the eyes of investors, so he turned to Ascent.

"It’s tough to consistently deliver institutional-quality financial statements, especially when you're just starting out. Ascent was the solution that allowed us to present ourselves with a level of financial sophistication that we couldn't achieve otherwise,” he said.  

Ascent played a crucial role in giving Brennen the time to market the firm and navigate the complexities that come with expansion. By providing formal financial reporting, Ascent allowed DB Capital to focus on scaling operations without sacrificing the integrity of its financials. This partnership has not only enhanced DB Capital’s internal processes but also improved its ability to present itself credibly to investors, fostering trust and enabling future growth.

"As you move up to working with larger investors, it's no longer just about real estate—they expect more. They want to be sure you're not the last one to deliver their financial package each month, and when you do, their back-office teams are usually scrutinizing your numbers and uploading them into their internal systems,” said Brennen.

Ascent is dedicated to helping businesses like DB Capital achieve high levels of professionalism by taking the stress of accounting and back-office operations off their plate, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growing their business. With years of expertise, Ascent ensures that clients can confidently present themselves to investors while streamlining internal processes for long-term success.  

Through embracing risks and understanding where to seek financial and back-office management, Brennen has led DB Capital Management into a successful and growing force in the real estate industry, delivering strong results.

For more details on outsourcing back-office functions and scaling operations with Ascent's assistance, contact Mike at 702-467-0789 or mike@ascentmfa.com.

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