Leadership
Meet Derek Blades
Derek Blades is a Wichita-based real estate investor and the founder of Blades Capital. Since 2018, Derek has completed more than 300 real estate transactions, managing over $15 million in assets and structuring 100+ seller-financed deals — without ever missing a single investor payment.
Passionate about helping renters become home owners, Derek personally inspects every property his company acquires. By focusing exclusively on the Wichita market, Blades Capital combines boots-on-the-ground experience with a proven seller-finance model that delivers 8% annualized returns to investors while revitalizing local neighborhoods.
Derek’s mission is to build a community of private investors who want steady passive income while making a real impact.
Our Team
operations
Xiochil Blades
Xiochil Blades plays a key role in the operations and investor relations at Blades Capital, ensuring that every project runs smoothly. With a strong background in commercial project management and extensive training in business she manages timelines as well as large teams to keep all aspects of the business in sync.
Her focus on relationships and reliability reflects the company’s core values: integrity, transparency, and impact. Together with Derek, she is committed to building a capital-raising platform that creates secure investor returns while transforming lives in Wichita, Kansas.
AQUISITION SPECIALIST
Owen Gaut
Owen Gaut specializes in property acquisitions and market analysis for Blades Capital, bringing a disciplined eye for value and a deep understanding of the Wichita housing market. His role focuses on identifying and negotiation the acquisitions of properties that fit Blades Capitals seller financing model, providing strong collateral for investors.
With years of experience managing large scale out bound marketing systems he knows how to control marketing costs and keep consistent deal flow.
Owen is committed to maintaining Blades Capital’s high standards for every transaction. By combining data-driven analysis with boots-on-the-ground insight, he helps ensure each investment is both profitable and purposeful.
Dedicated to the company’s mission, Owen works alongside Derek and Xiochil to create a system where investors enjoy consistent, secured returns while Wichita renters achieve the dream of homeownership.
portfolio manager
Laney Blades
Laney Blades oversees account servicing through her firm, Golden Lane Escrow, where she is known for precision, reliability, and clear borrower communication.
She created the innovative “Stay on Lane” five-step system, which combines proactive outreach and structured processes to keep borrowers consistently on track with their payments. To support this high standard, Laney even designed custom escrow software tailored to her exacting expectations for accuracy and transparency.
By maintaining strict timelines and detailed reporting, Laney ensures every Blades Capital transaction runs smoothly from start to finish. Her work not only safeguards investor capital but also provides borrowers with a seamless experience — reinforcing the company’s commitment to professionalism, integrity, and long-term success.
Aquistions Marketing manager
Kathleen Laguerta
Kathleen works side by side with Acquisitions Specialist Ownen Gaut. She Keeps the pipe line full of potential motivated sellers. This key part of our business allows us to have prime off market opportunities to deploy capital. Mrs. Laguerta is a master in tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ensuring our cost per deal stays constant and deal flow continues to stay strong.
Lead MARKETer
Felix Alegria
Felix Alegria provides executive support to Derek and ensures the smooth operation of Blades Capital’s backend systems. Managing multiple aspects the firm’s marketing and online presence including website design, digital marketing, and Customer Relationship Management database. Felix is dedicated to consistent growth and innovation, bringing new technology to the company always improving our operation.
JOIN US!
Ready to start building wealth through seller-financed real estate?
Blades Capital does not make investment recommendations, and no communication through this website or in any other medium should be construed as such. Investment opportunities posted on this website are "private placements" of securities that are not
publicly traded, are subject to holding period requirements, and are intended for investors who do not need a liquid investment. Private placement investments are NOT bank deposits (and thus NOT insured by the FDIC or by any other federal governmental
agency), are NOT guaranteed by Blades Capital} and may lose value. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority has recommended or approved any investment or the accuracy or
completeness of any of the information or materials provided by or through the website. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment. Any financial projections or returns shown on the website are estimated predictions of performance
only, are hypothetical, are not based on actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Estimated projections do not represent or guarantee the actual results of any transaction, and no representation is made that any transaction will, or is
likely to, achieve results or profits similar to those shown. Any investment information contained herein has been secured from sources that Blades Capital believes are reliable, but we make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of such
information and accept no liability therefor. Offers to sell, or the solicitations of offers to buy, any security can only be made through official offering documents that contain important information about risks, fees and expenses. Investors should conduct their
own due diligence, not rely on the financial assumptions or estimates displayed on this website, and are encouraged to consult with a financial advisor, attorney, accountant, and any other professional that can help you to understand and assess the risks
associated with any investment opportunity. Investments in private placements involve a high degree of risk and may result in a partial or total loss of your investment. Private placements are generally illiquid investments. Investors should consult with their
investment, legal, and tax advisors regarding any private placement investment.
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