The Richer Geek: Recent Episodes
Mike Stohler
What if you could be doing something smarter with your money that creates income now?
If you’re an IT or other high-income professional who’s wanting to get ahead financially and enjoy greater freedom of choice…
If you want a comfortable retirement and you know you’ll have more choices if you can do more with your money now…
If you’ve wondered who else in Tech is creating ways to make their money work for them, and you want actionable ideas with honest pros and cons and NO fluff…
Welcome to the Richer Geek Podcast – where we’re helping IT professionals find creative ways to build wealth and financial freedom.
In this podcast, you’ll hear from others who are already doing these things… and learn how you can, too.
Today's episode is different.
This marks the final episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. After seven incredible years, Mike is signing off to focus fully on his growing business and new hotel investments in Spain.
Thank you for listening, supporting, and being part of the journey. Mike remains active on LinkedIn and looks forward to staying connected there.
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Happy New Year and welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Janna Scott, founder of DeFi Tax, to talk about one of the biggest risks crypto investors face today: inaccurate tax reporting.
Janna explains why most crypto tax software is unreliable, how IRS audits really work, and what happens when reported numbers don't match blockchain data. She shares how her research exposed major gaps in the system and why both individuals and businesses need audit-ready crypto records.
In this episode, we chat about…
- The Software Variance Problem: Janna tested 14 different crypto tax products and found that every single one gave a different outcome, with variances ranging from 30% to 120%.
- IRS Audit Pause: After meeting with Janna and reviewing her research, the IRS admitted their data collection methods were wrong and temporarily stopped crypto audits in 2023.
- The $146 Billion Tax Gap: The IRS has missed out on an estimated $146 billion in tax collection, leading to a new wave of audits with no statute of limitations if they consider the errors to be tax evasion.
- Risk of Data Manipulation: Many popular crypto products allow users to manually change transaction dates and fees, a feature that can immediately disqualify a report from being used in an official IRS audit.
- Exchange Terms of Service: One major exchange responded to Janna's findings by updating its terms of service to block class-action lawsuits and make users solely responsible for data errors.
Key Takeaways: 1. Most crypto tax software is not accurate or audit-safe 2. Blockchain data must be pulled directly to ensure correct reporting 3. The IRS can penalize taxpayers even if they tried to report correctly 4. Crypto audits can go back years with interest and penalties compounding 5. Audit defense matters just as much as tax calculation 6. CPAs and accountants often cannot defend crypto audits without proper tools 7. Preparing now can prevent massive financial damage later
Resources from Janna
LinkedIn | DeFi Tax
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. It's the last day of 2025, a perfect time to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what needs to change. Today, we're joined by Pete Neubig, CEO of VPM Solutions, to talk about building virtual teams that actually support growth. If you're planning to hire your first virtual team or scale smarter in 2026, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Pete's journey from a 20-year employee to building and selling a property management company
- How virtual team members evolved from simple task roles to leadership positions
- The real cost difference between US-based hires and global remote talent
- When entrepreneurs should stop doing everything themselves and start hiring
- How VPM Solutions helps business owners hire, train, and manage remote teams
- The difference between direct hire remote workers and agency-managed VAs
- Why structure, KPIs, and clear job roles matter more than location
Key Takeaways: 1. You don't need to be "ready" to hire, stress and overload are already signs 2. Remote team members can own full roles, not just small tasks 3. Clear job descriptions and KPIs reduce hiring mistakes 4. Virtual talent is often college-educated, bilingual, and career-focused 5. Hiring globally allows you to scale faster without killing your cash flow 6. Training and management are required even with great people 7. The right systems help founders work on the business, not just in it
Resources from Pete
LinkedIn | Email | vpmsolutions.com
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Happy Holidays and welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Rod Khleif, a multifamily real estate investor, best-selling author, and host of a top 1% business podcast with over 20 million downloads. Rod shares his journey from growing up with very little, to losing $50M during the 2008 crash, and rebuilding a stronger, purpose-driven real estate business. This episode focuses on mindset, taking action despite fear, and why real estate continues to create opportunity during uncertain markets. If you tend to overanalyze or feel stuck waiting for the "right time," this conversation is for you.
In this episode, we chat about…
- The real reason most first-time investors stay stuck in analysis paralysis
- Why mindset and psychology matter more than technical knowledge
- How fear, regret, and limiting beliefs stop people from taking action
- Why real estate is still full of opportunity during economic uncertainty
- The importance of partnerships between analytical and relationship-driven investors
- How gratitude and giving back became a core part of Rod's success
- Why surrounding yourself with the right peer group changes everything
Key Takeaways: 1. Fear regret more than failure. Most people don't fail because they tried—they fail because they never started. 2. Mindset drives results. Success is mostly psychological, not technical. 3. Play to your strengths. Partner, hire, or align for your weaknesses. 4. Real estate is a team sport. There are many roles beyond finding deals. 5. Economic shifts create opportunity. The best deals often appear when others hesitate. 6. Gratitude changes everything. It strengthens resilience and fuels long-term success.
Resources from Rod
LinkedIn | rodslinks.com | The Lifetime CashFlow Through Real Estate Investing Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Fuquan Bilal, a seasoned real estate entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building wealth through multifamily and luxury real estate investments. As the CEO and Founder of NNG Capital Fund, Fuquan shares how creative strategies, strong investor communication, and community impact drive long-term success. We talk about market cycles, investor trust, and what it really takes to raise capital the right way. This episode is packed with practical insights for investors and operators at every stage.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Fuquan's journey into real estate and revitalizing underserved communities
- Lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis and COVID market shifts
- Why mindset matters just as much as property renovations
- How to build trust with investors through consistent communication
- Understanding different investor goals: cash flow vs. long-term equity
- Scaling from early deals to raising over $50M in real estate capital
- Inside look at NNG Capital Fund's Opportunity and Mezz Funds
Key Takeaways: 1. Cash flow and proper leverage matter more than hype during market shifts 2. Community impact creates stronger, more sustainable real estate returns 3. Investor communication should be consistent, honest, and ongoing 4. Your network plays a major role in capital raising and deal growth 5. Different investors need different strategies, there's no one-size-fits-all 6. Long-term success comes from relationships, not transactions
Resources from Fuquan
LinkedIn | NNG Capital Fund | NNG Capital Fund Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Chris Hervochon, CPA, CVA, a numbers-driven advisor who helps growth-minded entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions. Chris shares how good accounting goes far beyond tax season, why advisory-based CPAs can save you tens of thousands, and the real difference between bookkeeping, controllers, and fractional CFOs. He also breaks down how to prepare your business for a future sale and the hidden risks most founders never check. If you're ready to run your business like the asset it should be, this episode will help you get there.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Chris shares how his career went from accounting to pro golf and eventually to running his own CPA firm.
- He explains why traditional CPAs focus on volume and often can't offer real advisory or proactive support.
- Breakdown of the differences between bookkeeping, controllers, and fractional CFOs.
- Discussion on how upcoming tax law changes may impact business owners in the next few months.
- Chris talks about what makes a business valuable and how owners can reduce risk to increase that value.
Key Takeaways: 1. A strategic CPA gives advice year-round, not just during tax season. 2. Growing businesses need consistent check-ins, quarterly at minimum, monthly if possible. 3. Your finance function should stay within 1–3% of your revenue to stay effective. 4. Entity structure and tax planning are major sources of missed savings for entrepreneurs. 5. Buyers pay for stable, low-risk cash flow, not a business that depends on the owner.
Resources from Chris
LinkedIn | Better Numbers
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, today we are joined by Christina Suter, a seasoned real estate investor, advisor, and educator. Christina shares her journey, starting with inheriting a paid-off house at 17, and explains why she views real estate as a vehicle for location, time, and choice freedom, not just money. Tune in as she discusses her shift from appreciation plays in California to high cash flow strategies like room shares , and how her "Live A Rich Life" coaching helps people find meaning and purpose beyond just achieving financial independence.
In this episode, we chat about…
- The "Why" for Investing: Christina's core motivation for investing is to be a mom, allowing her time freedom.
- Investing Start: She began investing at 17 when she inherited the family's paid-off $200,000 house in LA.
- Money vs. Purpose: Achieving financial freedom in her thirties left her unhappy; she realized money brings freedom, but a sense of purpose brings peace.
- Shift from California: Christina moved her focus out of high-appreciation California due to poor cash flow and difficult tenant's rights laws.
- High-Return Strategy: She shifted from Airbnb to room shares, a strategy that can generate over $5,000 a month, or double the income of a long-term rental, on a $300,000 investment.
Key Takeaways: 1. Money gives freedom, but mindset is what brings peace. 2. If you don't choose your direction, life chooses it for you. 3. Cash flow and appreciation serve different stages of your financial plan. 4. Room shares can outperform long-term and mid-term rentals in the right markets. 5. Your "why" must be deeper than money, the money comes from living your purpose.
Resources from Christina
LinkedIn | christinasuter.com | Email | Contact number: (310) 463-5942
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Daanish Azim, who built a $60K/month Airbnb business without owning a single property. He lost everything in 2022, took a chance on one rental unit, and turned it into a small empire. Now he teaches others how to do the same through Airbnb arbitrage.
In this episode, we chat about…
- What Airbnb arbitrage is and how it works
- Why getting property owners' permission matters
- How to check city rules and avoid issues with regulations
- Funding the business using 0% business credit cards
- What today's Airbnb market requires: staging, photos, pricing, and systems
- Why some people need coaching and others don't
Key Takeaways: 1. You don't need to own real estate to start an Airbnb business 2. Local rules matter, always check city regulations and HOAs 3. Most units need proper staging and pro-level photos to stand out 4. You can fund furniture using 0% business credit cards instead of cash 5. Owners want three things: rent on time, low stress, and legal use 6. Many beginners fail not from lack of information but lack of guidance 7. Focusing on one business for at least a year builds real results
Resources from Daanish
Instagram | BNB Cashflow
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Jon Ostenson, one of the top 1% Franchise Consultants in the U.S., respected author, investor, and leading voice in the world of non-food franchising.
Jon breaks down how everyday professionals, corporate leaders, and real estate investors can use franchising to build wealth, diversify income, and create long-term stability even without quitting their day job.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Jon's career path from corporate leadership to franchise president and top franchise consultant
- Why non-food franchising offers lower risk, better margins, and more stability than trendy food brands
- How Jon helps clients filter through 600+ franchise options to find the best fit for their market and goals
- The truth about "semi-passive" franchise ownership and what it actually requires
- Why real estate investors and professionals looking for diversification are a natural fit for franchising
Key Takeaways: 1. Avoid Chasing Trends: Focus on non-trendy, understandable, cash-flowing service-based businesses like insulation, dumpsters, senior care, or pet grooming , as people will continue to spend on these regardless of the economy. 2. Franchising is a "One-Stop Shop" Discovery Process: Working with a franchise broker like Jon is entirely free , and they help filter through the "noise" by identifying top opportunities based on the strength of the franchise leadership, financial models, and competitive advantages. 3. Protect Your Area: Franchise brands protect owners, either through a protected radius for customer-facing retail or a defined territory (e.g., 250,000 population) for service-based businesses. 4. Starting a Franchise vs. Buying an Existing One: It's generally easier to start a new franchise because the most successful existing units often sell internally to other franchisees , and buying an existing non-franchise business comes with the risk of key staff/customers leaving after the sale. 5. Be Clear on Your Role: Understand the commitment level required. While many non-food franchises allow for an executive/semi-absentee model , Jon advises that "passive" is a misnomer, and you must be prepared to lean in if the manager isn't great.
Resources from Jon
LinkedIn | FranBridge Consulting | Download your FREE book: 'Non-Food Franchising'
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Check out our latest project here: Barcelona Hotel Fund
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast!
This week, as we honor Veterans Day, today's guest brings both service and purpose to the mic. Joshua Brooks, founder of Exponential Advisors and an Army Reserve Chaplain, combines military discipline, faith, and forward-thinking tech to help families and organizations build real financial freedom.
Joshua shares how he's blending AI, blockchain, and Bitcoin into modern financial planning, why he believes everyone should take a second look at Bitcoin, and how faith and integrity shape his work. From overcoming PTSD to leading with purpose and even dropping a freestyle rap, this episode proves that money, meaning, and innovation can go hand in hand.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Joshua's journey from Army Infantry Soldier to Chaplain to Financial Advisor
- Exponential Advisors serves primarily Army veterans, busy parents, and Christian leaders, blending faith, values, and innovation
- The case for Bitcoin as a once-in-a-generation innovation
- How AI tools are transforming the way advisors and investors make decisions
- Joshua's Ayahuasca retreat in Peru and its impact on mental health and family life
- What discipline and integrity mean in business and money management
- An unexpected freestyle rap about tech, wealth, and freedom
Key Takeaways: 1. Bitcoin isn't hype, it's a historic innovation worth understanding. 2. AI can amplify human decision-making, not replace it. 3. Faith and finance can align to create deeper purpose and sustainability. 4. Healing leads to better leadership, mental clarity drives financial clarity. 5. Character and credibility are the real currency in business. 6. Veterans' discipline and resilience mirror the mindset needed to thrive in investing and entrepreneurship.
Resources from Joshua
LinkedIn | Exponential Advisors | Exponential Purpose Newsletter
Books mentioned: Human Compatible by Stuart Russell | In Our Own Image by George Zarkadakis
Resources from Mike and Nichole
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Barcelona Hotel Fund | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Richard Wilson, CEO of Family Office Club, the largest investor community for ultra-wealthy families with over 7,500+ members and 16+ in-person events every year. Richard has spent 18 years studying how the richest entrepreneurs protect and grow wealth, building a global social network of 17M+ followers and interviewing billionaires to decode what truly moves the needle.
In this episode, we chat about…
- What the ultra-wealthy are actually investing in right now
- Why investors are moving away from "spray and pray" diversification
- The rise of Bitcoin and collateral-backed deals
- Avoiding crowded, boring, and mediocre capital raises
- How mindset shifts as you level up net worth
- Why investors want to know you personally, not as a number
- The power of proximity and joining the right rooms
- Family Office myths vs. reality (fewer Rolex flexes than you think)
- Simple tools that make raising capital faster and more credible
Key Takeaways: 1. Trust beats hype. Today's capital wants security, clarity, and in-person relationships. 2. Don't diversify blindly. Smart wealth plays offense where they know the game well. 3. Alignment matters. Investors gravitate to founders with shared industry expertise. 4. Materials make you investable. One-liner. One-pager. One-minute pitch video. 5. Environment is everything. The right room can accelerate opportunity overnight. 6. Be uniquely valuable. Say what no one else can say, that's how deals get attention.
Resources from Richard
LinkedIn | Family Office Club | Billionaires.com (interviews & billionaire book lists)
Centimillionaire Strategies YouTube channel
Resources from Mike and Nichole
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Barcelona Hotel Fund | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, Mike and Nichole break down how U.S. investors can tap into Spain's booming tourism market, including opportunities to buy historic boutique hotels and castles at surprisingly accessible prices.
If you've ever dreamed of owning a cash-flowing property you can also vacation in… this one's for you.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Why Spain beats the U.S. in current hotel economics
- The hidden world of affordable castles and estates
- The challenges of buying overseas (and how to solve them)
- How the fund model protects investors
- Turning investments into bucket-list experiences
Key Takeaways: 1. International hotels can outperform U.S. assets in today's high-rate market 2. Spain's boutique hotel space is undervalued and gaining major tourism traction 3. Local experts are crucial for navigating regulations & renovations 4. A fund approach gives flexibility when competition scoops up deals 5. Lifestyle investments create stronger community and long-term retention 6. Refinancing later unlocks investor capital while keeping the property 7. Yes…you can vacation at the castle you invested in (CPA-approved trip)
Resources from Mike and Nichole
LinkedIn | Gateway Private Equity Group | Barcelona Hotel Fund | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we are joined by Brad Johnson, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Vintage Capital. Brad shares how mobile home park investing is quietly outperforming traditional real estate. He breaks down why this niche is attracting serious investors, the powerful tax advantages that come with it, and how it helps solve America's growing affordable housing problem all while delivering steady, long-term returns.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Brad's journey from small rental properties to managing $3B+ in real estate deals
- Why mobile home parks deliver high yield and low default rates
- The five classes of mobile home parks and where the best opportunities are
- How bonus depreciation and cost segregation boost investor returns
- Smart due diligence tips when buying mobile home parks
- Why Brad shifted from operator to allocator and what that means for investors
- How investing in affordable housing creates both profit and purpose
Key Takeaways: 1. Mobile home parks are an underrated, recession-resistant real estate play. 2. The stigma keeps competition low and returns strong. 3. Tax incentives can offset a major portion of taxable income. 4. Long-term ownership builds wealth faster than quick flips. 5. Reliable local partners make or break success in this space. 6. You can invest in affordable housing and still achieve strong financial growth.
Resources from Brad
LinkedIn | Email | Vintage Capital
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Can trees really grow your wealth? In this episode, Mike talks with John Brenard, Founder and Managing Director of Southview Timberland Investments, about how timberland and farmland offer strong returns, steady cash flow, and natural inflation protection. John explains why this overlooked asset class is gaining traction with investors who want something real, stable, and sustainable.
In this episode, we chat about…
- From Wealth Management to Timberland: How John turned a family land purchase into a thriving investment strategy.
- Why Timberland Works: A proven inflation hedge that's uncorrelated to the stock market.
- The Power of the Southeast: Why this region now leads global timber production.
- More Than Just Trees: Multiple income streams from harvesting, farmland leasing, and recreational use.
- Sustainable by Nature: How responsible forestry adds both environmental and financial value.
- Investor Access: How Southview's five-year fund makes timberland investing accessible through Schwab.
- Tariffs and Opportunity: How U.S. trade policies are fueling domestic timber growth.
Key Takeaways: 1. Timberland is a true alternative asset, it's uncorrelated to traditional markets and historically stable. 2. The Southeast U.S. is now the global timber powerhouse, offering strong mill infrastructure and high demand. 3. Investors can access institutional-quality deals through Southview without the massive minimums of traditional TIMOs. 4. Timberland offers multiple income channels, from harvest revenue to farmland and recreational leases. 5. Sustainability drives returns, good forestry practices directly increase land value and resale potential. 6. Southview's fund model is transparent and investor-friendly, offering regular reporting, on-site visits, and digital onboarding. 7. New trade and tariff policies are strengthening American timber markets, creating additional upside for domestic investors.
Resources from John
LinkedIn | Southview Timberland Investments | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
In this week’s episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, Mike and Nichole sit down for a quick but insightful chat about their first hotel investment, a deal they almost passed on. They share how a mismanaged Arizona property turned into a 3X return and what it taught them about timing, partnerships, and spotting value where others don’t look.
In this episode, we chat about…
- How Mike transitioned from multifamily to hotels
- Meeting Vic and forming a strong investment partnership
- Finding opportunity in a mismanaged Arizona hotel
- Why location and local “drivers” matter more than luxury
- The strategy behind selling at the right time
Key Takeaways: 1. Don’t ignore unglamorous deals, they often perform best 2. Location + economic drivers = hotel success 3. The right partner can make or break your investment 4. Manage smart, not flashy, focus on fundamentals 5. Timing your exit can multiply your returns 6. Learn through partnerships before going solo
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
What if your family’s greatest stories could live on like a Netflix documentary? In this episode of The Richer Geek, today we are joined by filmmaker and storyteller Chance McClain, founder of Heritage Films. With over 800 documentaries produced, Chance has made it his mission to capture family histories, founders’ journeys, and life legacies in cinematic style. From Army veteran to Broadway musicals to award-nominated filmmaking, Chance shares how storytelling preserves values across generations and why every story, big or small, matters.
In this episode, we chat about…
- How Chance transitioned from Army service and radio to founding Heritage Films.
- The story behind the very first Heritage Film and how it sparked a movement in legacy storytelling.
- Why businesses and family farms are “characters” in founder films.
- Surprising, real-life stories captured on film from WWII heroes to architects with secret pasts.
- The evolution of filmmaking technology, from VHS tapes to drones and iPhones.
- The emotional impact of preserving legacies and how families actually use and rewatch these films.
- Why talking to older generations unlocks wisdom, humor, and life lessons we often overlook.
Key Takeaways: 1. Everyone has a story worth telling: whether you’re a founder, veteran, or grandparent, your life holds lessons for future generations. 2. Technology makes legacy preservation possible: from high-end Sony cameras to simple iPhones, storytelling tools are more accessible than ever. 3. Hard work, grit, and values outlast success stories: the true legacy isn’t just the narrative, it’s the wisdom passed down. 4. Stories change how we see people we thought we knew: a “regular” grandparent may have lived an extraordinary life. 5. Businesses and land carry their own legacies: a company or farm often becomes a living character in family films. 6. Connection matters more than production: while high-quality films are stunning, the heart lies in authentic conversations and memories preserved.
Resources from Chance
LinkedIn | Heritage Films | farmandranchfilms.com
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today our guest is David Flores Wilson, founder of Sincerus Advisory and named an Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor. He helps entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and business owners maximize wealth, optimize equity compensation, and exit businesses the smart way. In this episode, David breaks down tax-saving strategies, the power of donor-advised funds, how to use real estate for wealth building, and why exit planning should start on day one, not the day you’re ready to sell. If you want to keep more of what you earn and create a lasting financial plan, this conversation is a must-listen.
In this episode, we chat about…
- How David’s early experiences with family businesses shaped his career in financial planning.
- Why entrepreneurs need a different approach to financial planning than traditional employees.
- Strategies for deferring taxes and leveraging state residency for long-term savings.
- Understanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and how it can save millions in taxes.
- The role of charitable giving strategies (like DAFs and charitable buyouts) in wealth preservation.
- Why exit planning should start when you form your business, not when you’re ready to sell.
- How to balance wealth-building in real estate vs. stocks based on personal skills and opportunities.
- The emotional and identity shifts entrepreneurs face when selling a business.
Key Takeaways: 1. Entrepreneurs often need customized financial planning because most of their wealth is tied to their business. 2. Tax deferral strategies can provide huge advantages, especially when combined with residency planning. 3. QSBS can exempt up to $10 million in capital gains if structured correctly, an often-overlooked opportunity. 4. Charitable giving can be structured to maximize both impact and tax benefits (e.g., bunching, DAFs, charitable redemptions). 5. Real estate offers unique tax advantages but requires clear strategy and sometimes specialized partners. 6. Exit planning isn’t just about money, it’s about legacy, lifestyle, and identity after the sale.
Resources from David
LinkedIn | Sincerus Advisory | Blog: Planning to Wealth
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Patrick Grimes, CEO of Passive Investing Mastery and internationally bestselling author, shares how accredited investors can diversify like the ultra-wealthy. In this episode, Patrick explains why litigation funding, rare earth metals, and other alternative investments can protect your wealth, create passive income, and thrive during any economic cycle.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Patrick’s shift from robotics engineering to building wealth through real estate and alternative assets
- Why litigation finance is a powerful, non-correlated investment strategy
- How accredited investors can access opportunities usually reserved for hedge funds and institutions
- The role of AI and automation in scaling real estate and investment operations
- Lessons from losing everything in 2009 and why proper diversification matters more than chasing returns
- The future of alternative investing: rare earth metals, strategic commodities, and commercial acquisitions
Key Takeaways: * Don’t wait for a downturn, true security comes from diversified, recession-resilient assets. * Non-correlated investments (like litigation finance or healthcare-related industries) provide stability beyond real estate and stocks. * Tax efficiency is important, but it shouldn’t drive your entire portfolio strategy. * AI is transforming operations in property management and deal sourcing, freeing time for higher-value decisions. * Scaling requires partnering and outsourcing, trying to do it all yourself limits growth. * The wealthy build portfolios with balanced allocations, not by betting everything on one asset class.
Resources from Patrick
LinkedIn | Website | Get Patrick’s bestselling book (free copy for listeners)
The Alternative Investment Almanac by Denis Shapiro | The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Curiosity can change the way we lead, work, and grow. In this episode of The Richer Geek, operations professional and entrepreneur Jon Bassford shares how curiosity shaped his career and why it’s the key to building stronger teams, smarter businesses, and better results.
In this episode, we chat about…
- How Jon went from law school to operations leadership.
- What it means to be a curious leader.
- The three shifts leaders need: mindset, operations, and culture.
- Google’s study on psychological safety and why it matters.
- Stories from Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos that show the impact of curiosity.
- Why founders should hire outside their strengths instead of trying to do it all.
- How curiosity shows up in both business and co-parenting.
Key Takeaways: * Curiosity helps leaders move past habits and try new approaches. * A culture of curiosity starts with making people feel safe to speak up. * Leaders need to ask questions and not settle for “this is how it’s done.” * Founders often waste time by hiring in their strengths instead of their gaps. * Delegating low-value tasks saves energy for the work that matters most. * Curiosity is not just for business, it can also improve family and personal life.
Resources from Jon
LinkedIn | jonbassford.com | Lateral Solutions
Grab your free chapter of The Curious Leader by texting “chapter” to 33777
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
What does it take to retire at 44 without winning the lottery or inheriting wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Tony Lopes, CEO of Dirty Boots Capital, real estate professional, best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Tony shares how his immigrant roots, engineering background, and calculated risks in real estate allowed him to achieve financial independence and how you can apply the same principles to your own journey.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Tony’s journey from mechanical engineer to full-time investor and entrepreneur
- The wake-up call that shifted his mindset after being laid off at 28
- Why keeping a W-2 job at first can be a powerful tool for real estate investors
- How to leverage 401(k) funds wisely to build your investment portfolio
- The psychological barriers (fear, resistance, conditioning) that hold people back from starting
- Tony’s “swim lane” in multifamily real estate and why he focuses there
- The role of networking and coaching in finding opportunities and accelerating growth
- Building not just wealth, but a legacy for future generations
Key Takeaways: * Financial independence starts with understanding your expenses and creating enough cash flow to cover them. * A W-2 paycheck can be an advantage, banks value stability when you’re just starting out. * Don’t reinvent the wheel, model the success of others who’ve done what you want to do. * The biggest hurdle is often mindset, not money, overcoming fear and resistance is critical. * Networking opens unexpected doors; opportunities often come from simply sharing your goals. * Legacy matters: investing in real estate can provide stability and opportunity for future generations. * Retiring early isn’t about quitting life, it’s about having freedom to live on your terms.
Resources from Tony
LinkedIn | Dirty Boots Capital | www.thriftbooks.com
Books recommended: The ONE Thing | The War Of Art
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
What if your wealth could be preserved for generations, without family conflict, excessive taxes, or probate headaches? In this episode of The Richer Geek, we’re joined by Antony Joffe, Chairman of Sterling Trustees, to break down the world of trusts. From South Dakota’s unique laws to protecting your family legacy, Antony shares insights every entrepreneur, professional, and future planner should know.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Antony’s career journey from CPA and investment banker to building Sterling Trustees with his father.
- Why family trustees often create conflict (and legal risk) and how corporate trustees solve that problem.
- How South Dakota became the trust capital of America and what makes its laws stand out.
- Real-world protections trusts can offer against creditors, lawsuits, divorce, and even poor financial decisions.
- The role of technology and the future of trusts, from AI-drafted documents to blockchain accounting.
- Why entrepreneurs, especially in high-tax states like California, should consider trusts early in wealth planning.
Key Takeaways: * Trusts aren’t just for billionaires. Even middle-class families can use them to preserve wealth and reduce probate costs. * South Dakota leads the nation in progressive trust laws, offering tax advantages, asset protection, and strong privacy features. * Corporate trustees provide expertise and neutrality, preventing family disputes and ensuring compliance with fiduciary duties. * Trusts can be customized for flexibility, from staggered payouts to charitable giving, while safeguarding against divorces or creditors. * Tech is reshaping trust management, with AI simplifying documents and blockchain promising long-term transparency. * Start planning earlier than you think. Even in your 30s or 40s, a trust can protect future business exits, stock options, or inherited assets.
Resources from Antony
LinkedIn | sterlingtrustees.com | Tax Savings Calculator | Contact Antony: 610-314-8590
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek. Today, Courtney Baker, CMO of Knownwell and host of AI Knowhow, talks about how AI is shaping business strategy and the future of work. From scaling client relationships to protecting creativity in an AI-driven world, Courtney shares how leaders can adopt AI in a way that elevates people, not replaces them.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Courtney’s career path from nonprofits to marketing leadership and AI innovation.
- Why AI in business strategy should focus on elevating humanity instead of replacing jobs.
- How Knownwell uses AI for professional services to scale client relationship insights.
- The shift from AI execution tools to AI as a strategic decision-making partner.
- Why human creativity in business and marketing still outperforms AI-generated content.
- The risks of over-reliance on AI in relationships and society.
- What leaders need to know about AI adoption, data security, and global regulations.
Key Takeaways: * AI helps businesses scale client relationships by turning subjective data into objective insights. * Professional service firms can use AI to improve client health tracking and decision-making. * Leaders who engage with AI tools now will be better prepared for future strategy-level applications. * Human creativity and problem-solving remain essential, even as AI handles repetitive work. * The future of AI in business will move beyond task automation toward strategic guidance. * Companies and society must set boundaries to ensure AI adoption supports people rather than replacing human connection.
Resources from Courtney
LinkedIn | knownwell.com | AI Knowhow Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek. Today’s guest is Mohamed “Mo” Ahmed, a serial entrepreneur, product visionary, and author of Inside-Out Entrepreneurship. Mo has built and sold multiple companies in AI and cloud computing and now helps founders strengthen the mindset needed to survive and thrive. He shares hard-earned lessons from costly mistakes, near-failures, and unexpected wins, and why your mindset is your most valuable business asset.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Mo’s shift from working at Microsoft and AWS to becoming an entrepreneur
- Why most founders underestimate the mindset shift needed when leaving corporate life
- The difference between mental robustness and mental resilience
- Real stories of setbacks like a surprise $65,000 AWS bill and how mindset shaped the outcome
- How separating your personal identity from your business identity helps you recover from failure
- The role of daily discipline and having a “default calendar” to stay focused
- Why financial conditioning matters before starting a company
- How to turn setbacks into opportunities, sometimes even better ones than you planned
Key Takeaways: 1. Your business will only grow as much as your mindset grows. 2. Mental robustness means withstanding pressure without breaking; resilience means bouncing back when you bend. 3. Separate your identity from your company, you’re more than your business. 4. Discipline and structure keep you moving when motivation fades. 5. Prepare financially before launching a business to reduce stress during hard times. 6. Setbacks can be turned into better deals or opportunities if you respond quickly and with the right perspective.
Resources from Mo
LinkedIn | boundlessfounder.co | The Inside-Out Entrepreneur
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
In this episode of The Richer Geek, we welcome back Bronson Hill, founder of Bronson Equity, who has now raised over $50 million for real estate investments and is a general partner in deals worth over $150 million.
Bronson shares how he left a high-paying career in medical device sales to gain more control over his time through real estate investing. We talk about passive income, how investment strategies are shifting with the economy, and what true freedom really means beyond just money.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Real Estate and Economic Shifts: Bronson discusses how rising debt costs and inflation are impacting real estate cash flow, despite strong housing demand and slower rent growth.
- Diversifying Beyond Real Estate: His company now invests in private businesses, oil and gas, and real estate debt funds to improve cash flow and tax benefits.
- Passive Investing Explained: Passive investing isn’t hands-off—it requires upfront due diligence on teams and deals. It's ideal for professionals with more capital than time.
- Buying High-Cash-Flow Businesses: Bronson looks for scalable businesses with $1M–$4M in annual cash flow, often overlooked by larger firms. He shares an example of a nearly acquired e-commerce company with $5M in yearly profit.
- Own Everything, Operate Nothing: Bronson focuses on owning equity while partnering with operators, allowing him to step away from day-to-day management and focus on investor relations.
Key Takeaways: * Time Freedom Over Financial Freedom: For Bronson, true freedom is about having control over your time, not just being financially well-off. * Networking and Education are Crucial: Bronson highlights the quote, "You'll be the same person five years from now except for the books you read and the people that you meet". He believes that education and networking are the "rocket fuel" for both passive and active investors. * The "Cigar Butt" vs. "Wonderful Business" Approach: Initially, Bronson studied Warren Buffett's "cigar butt" strategy of buying struggling businesses with one puff left. However, he now prefers Buffett's later approach of buying "a great business at a fair price". * Bigger Can Be Better: Bronson explains that larger deals, whether in real estate or business, can offer advantages like better teams, superior loan terms (such as nonrecourse debt), and a more attractive exit for private equity buyers. * Self-Made Millionaires are the Norm: A Fidelity Investments study shows that 86% of millionaires are self-made, demonstrating that wealth-building skills are learnable and not solely dependent on being born into money. * The Importance of a Strong Network: Jim Rohn's quote, "You're the average of the five people that you spend the most time with," underscores the need to intentionally seek out rooms and masterminds where you can surround yourself with people who are ahead of you and provide new insights.
Resources from Bronson
LinkedIn | Bronson Equity
Get a free copy of Bronson’s eBook “How To Use Inflation To Your Advantage” by texting the word “Inflation” to 33777
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
What if you didn’t have to sell your business to step away from it? In this episode, Mike talks with The Real Jason Duncan, founder of The Exiter Club, about building companies that run without their owners. They dive into what it really takes to scale, create systems, and gain back time, without burning out.
In this episode, we chat about…
- From Ministry to Millions: Jason Duncan shares how losing his teaching job led to building a multimillion-dollar business and a new definition of success.
- The Cost of Having No Exit Strategy: Most entrepreneurs unknowingly build businesses that can’t run without them. Jason explains how this oversight almost cost him everything.
- Exit Without Selling: Learn what it means to step back from your business while keeping ownership, profit, and control thanks to his "Exit Without Exiting" approach.
- The Exiter Operating System (XOS™Method): A breakdown of the proprietary system Jason uses to help business owners transition from operator to investor and increase company value by 30%.
- Too Many Businesses, Too Fast: After exiting operations, Jason launched five new ventures in one year, a decision that nearly burned him out. Here’s what he learned about timing and focus.
- The Power of Masterminds and Community: Real stories from The Exiter Club show how group strategy and peer insight helped members scale, hire smarter, and buy back their time.
Key Takeaways: 1. Your Business Shouldn’t Be a Prison If you build a business without an exit plan, you might trap yourself in a job you own. Freedom requires intentional systems and structures. 2. Exit ≠ Sell An “exit” doesn’t always mean selling. Jason’s “Exit Without Exiting” method shows how to stay an owner while freeing your time. 3. Most Entrepreneurs Never Reach Tier 3 The vast majority stay in the Owner-Operator or Owner-Manager stage. To truly scale and step back, you must aim for the Owner-Investor role. 4. Focus First, Diversify Later Don’t chase multiple streams of income too early. Nail one, automate it, and then scale into others. 5. Time is the Ultimate Currency Money is renewable, time isn’t. Don’t be afraid to invest money to buy back your time. 6. Coaching and Masterminds Fast-Track Growth Jason's clients have seen massive growth, smarter hiring, and higher company valuations just by applying proven systems and surrounding themselves with the right people.
Resources from Jason
LinkedIn | Website | Get Your FREE Copy of Exit Without Exiting
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Dr. Amir Baluch, wealth strategist, private fund manager, and international best-selling author of Make It, Keep It. Dr. Baluch has helped professionals build lasting wealth through strategic passive investments, overseeing over $700M+ in projects through Baluch Capital.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Dr. Amir Baluch's journey from aspiring doctor to semi-retired anesthesiologist and full-time wealth strategist, including early failures and lessons learned from losing his life savings in an electronic payments business and his father's bankruptcy.
- Why alternative investments are essential for real diversification and risk reduction
- The difference between real estate, private equity, and private credit and where they fit in your portfolio
- What it means to be a Limited Partner (LP) and why it’s ideal for busy professionals
- Real-life tax advantages: depreciation, capital gains exemptions, opportunity zones, and more
Key Takeaways: * Diversification is Key: Don't put all your money into one asset class like the S&P Index, diversify across multiple uncorrelated asset classes to significantly reduce risk. * Beyond Stocks: Explore alternative investments like real estate, private equity, and private credit for potentially higher returns, cash flow, and tax advantages not typically found in public markets. * Understand Risk, Return, and Liquidity: Every investment has these three profiles, and while return and liquidity are easy to grasp, understanding and underwriting risk is crucial. * Tax Efficiency Matters: Strategic investing can offer substantial tax benefits through depreciation, capital gains exclusions (like IRC 1202 for private equity), and other incentives. * Investing is a Team Sport: Don't try to go it alone. Partner with experienced mentors and consider starting as a Limited Partner (LP) to learn the ropes and leverage expertise. * Continuous Learning: Always be on the lookout for new asset classes and knowledge, never assume you know everything.
Resources from Amir
LinkedIn | Baluch Capital | Get Your FREE Book Here
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Are you looking to seize control of your retirement funds and explore alternative investment avenues beyond traditional stocks? In this episode, Adam Bergman, a nine-time author, former tax and ERISA attorney, and founder of IRA Financial, shares how self-directed IRAs can empower you to invest in assets like real estate, crypto, gold, private businesses, and more. Learn the essential tax rules and strategies to cultivate your retirement growth.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Introduction to Self-Directed IRAs: Explained what a self-directed IRA is and how it differs from traditional IRAs managed by custodians like Fidelity or Vanguard.
- Three Things You Can’t Do with an IRA: Clear breakdown of IRS restrictions: no life insurance, no collectibles, and no self-dealing (IRC Section 4975(c)).
- What Triggers UBIT (Unrelated Business Income Tax): Covered the three scenarios that may trigger UBIT and outlined strategies to avoid or minimize it.
- Solo 401(k) vs. Self-Directed IRA: Compared the advantages of solo 401(k)s for the self-employed, including UBIT exemptions and higher contribution limits.
- Using an IRA LLC or "Checkbook IRA": Describe the structure, benefits of control, limited liability, and privacy offered by IRA LLCs.
- Real Estate and Crypto with a Self-Directed IRA: Detailed how self-directed IRAs can be used for real estate and crypto investments, including the role of non-recourse loans.
Key Takeaways: * Self-directed IRAs allow you to invest in a wide range of alternative assets, with only a few IRS restrictions. * A qualified custodian is required to handle IRA funds and facilitate compliant investments. * UBIT may apply to leveraged real estate or active business investments, but it can often be reduced or avoided with the right strategy. * IRA LLCs with checkbook control offer more flexibility, privacy, and direct access to manage investments. * Solo 401(k)s are ideal for self-employed individuals, offering higher contribution limits and exemptions from UBIT on leveraged real estate. * Learning from credible sources and consulting professionals is essential to avoid costly mistakes in self-directed retirement planning
Resources from Adam
LinkedIn | IRA Financial
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Our guest today is Spencer Howard, credit card royalty program and travel rewards expert and founder of Straight To The Points. Spencer shares his expertise on maximizing credit card points to unlock luxury travel experiences, from choosing the right cards to building a sustainable points strategy that won't damage your credit score.
In this episode, we chat about…
- Spencer's Journey from Politics to Points Expert - How working at the US Travel Association sparked his obsession with travel rewards and led to building a full-time business around credit card points strategy
- The Two-Sided Business Model - Spencer explains his newsletter service for finding business and first-class award space plus his travel advisor services for luxury ground experiences
- Transferable Points Strategy - Why starting with flexible points currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Miles beats airline-specific cards for most travelers
- The Three Approaches to Credit Cards - Breaking down the "Keep It Simple" (1-3 cards), "Hub and Supplement" (4-6 cards), and "Maximalist" (continuous new cards) strategies
- Credit Score Myths Debunked - How responsible points enthusiasts maintain 750+ credit scores while regularly opening new cards through strategic management
Key Takeaways: * Start with transferable points programs rather than airline or hotel-specific cards to maximize flexibility and redemption options across 15+ different airlines * Focus on bonus categories that align with your spending - Cards like Amex Gold (4x groceries) and Citi Premier (3x travel/gas/groceries) can accelerate point earning * Maintain excellent credit hygiene - Keep oldest cards open, pay balances in full every month, and don't attempt this strategy unless you have a 700+ credit score * Signup bonuses are the fastest way to earn points - New card bonuses typically offer more points than you can earn through regular spending over months * Choose your involvement level - Whether you prefer a simple 1-3 card setup or become a maximalist earning machine, there's a points strategy that fits your lifestyle and effort level
Resources from Spencer
LinkedIn | Instagram | Straight To The Points
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're exploring a revolutionary banking strategy that's completely changing how Americans save, invest, and conquer debt. Forget everything you thought you knew about traditional banking – it's time for a major financial upgrade.
Our guest, Bill Westrom, co-founder and CEO of TruthInEquity.com, brings 30 years of invaluable banking and lending experience to the table. He's here to expose how the traditional financial system often fails families and, more importantly, how to fix it. Bill will explain his innovative "credit line banking" approach, a powerful method that has helped families pay off debt up to four times faster, transforming financial stress into clarity and control.
In this episode, we chat about…
- America's Debt Reality Check: We'll challenge the common perception of $18 trillion in consumer debt and explore how modern living expenses have fundamentally shifted, making traditional financial advice less effective.
- The Truth About Credit Card Payments: Uncover the hidden mechanics behind how credit card companies calculate minimum payments and why strictly adhering to their terms can keep you trapped in a cycle of never-ending debt.
- Credit Line Banking Fundamentals: Get a clear explanation of this game-changing strategy: banking directly out of a credit line instead of a traditional checking account to leverage your income just like the big banks do.
- The Money Flow System: A step-by-step breakdown of how to strategically move your income into credit lines to suppress balances and dramatically slash interest costs.
- Bill Payday Strategy: Learn why consolidating all your bill payments to a single day each month can unleash the maximum debt-crushing power of your income.
- The Payoff Formula: Discover a simple, powerful calculation that allows you to predict exactly how fast you can pay off any debt: Balance ÷ Surplus = Payoff Timeline.
Key Takeaways
- The Problem with Banks: Your money helps banks make money, while you pay high interest on your debts.
- The Credit Line Answer: Using a credit line lets you use your own money to lower debt faster and pay less interest.
- You're in Control: This method puts you in charge of your debt payoff, not the bank.
Resources from Bill
LinkedIn | TruthInEquity.com
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Stephen Petasky, CEO and Founder of The Luxus Group. For the past 17 years, Steve and his team have helped deliver over 20,000 luxury vacations across North and Central America, the Caribbean, and Tuscany.
Steve shares how The Luxus Group creates a high-end, consistent travel experience and works with global luxury brands to deliver real value.Whether you're a real estate investor, a vacation rental owner, or just love traveling in style, this episode gives you real insights into the future of luxury travel and hospitality.
In this episode, we chat about…
- How It Started: The personal story that led to building a luxury vacation rental business, before Airbnb.
- Solving Inconsistency: How The Luxus Group delivers hotel-level standards in vacation homes.
- Syndication Strategy: Using early investments to buy high-end properties and offer better experiences.
- Luxury Tiers Explained: What “accessible luxury” vs. “ultra-luxury” means in today’s rental market.
- Regulations Impact: How short-term rental laws in places like Las Vegas and Maui affect property owners.
- Professional Management Wins: Why expert property management leads to higher income and fewer headaches.
Key Takeaways
- Demand for Certainty: There's a strong need for consistent, hotel-like experiences in vacation rentals. Luxus Group tackles the inconsistency found in major platforms by enforcing strict brand standards, from linens to kitchen amenities, boosting customer loyalty and repeat bookings.
- Professional Management Benefits: Self-managing rentals can lead to pitfalls in a changing market. In contrast, expert property management by Luxus Group uses revenue optimization strategies and thorough property care to protect assets and can generate 10-40% or even up to 50-60% higher revenue.
- Regulations Create Opportunity: Increasing short-term rental rules in places like Las Vegas and Maui reduce overall supply. For legally compliant properties, this shift can drive higher revenues and property values, emphasizing the importance of adhering to local regulations.
Resources from Stephen
LinkedIn | The Luxus Group
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Looking to turn your career experience into real estate success? In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, Casey Gregersen shares how he went from working in the oil fields to building wealth through real estate. How did Casey make the leap from a corporate job to owning fitness studios and launching Bighorn Capital Fund? You’ll learn why he chose Wyoming as his market, how his engineering background gives him an edge, and how passive investing can help you reach financial freedom. Curious how you can get started too? Tune in and find out!
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- From Petroleum Engineer to Real Estate Mogul: Casey recounts his fascinating career shift from working on oil rigs for Shell Oil Company to building a thriving real estate investment business.
- The "Why" Behind the Move: Discover the pivotal moment that inspired Casey to prioritize family and pursue financial freedom through real estate, even while maintaining a successful career in oil and gas.
- An Engineer's Edge in Real Estate: Learn how Casey's background in engineering, with its emphasis on mathematics, underwriting, and process-oriented thinking (SOPs), has been a significant asset in his real estate ventures.
- Why Wyoming? Casey reveals the strategic advantages of investing in the Wyoming real estate market, including lower competition and a unique market dynamic that offers consistent stability and cash flow.
- Untapped Potential in the Cowboy State: Explore the specific types of real estate opportunities Casey is pursuing in Wyoming, from single-family homes to value-add multifamily properties, and how he leverages local insights with modern investment strategies.
- Bighorn Capital Fund: Get an inside look at Casey's Bighorn Capital Fund, designed for accredited investors seeking passive income and wealth building through strategic real estate investments, offering both debt and equity opportunities.
- Helping Others Achieve Financial Freedom: Casey shares his passion for empowering other professionals, particularly those in demanding W-2 jobs, to achieve their passive income goals by partnering with his fund.
Resources from Casey
LinkedIn | Website | Big Horn Capital Fund
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! It's June already, can you believe we're almost halfway through the year? If you're feeling that mid-year slump, perhaps even dreaming of building a life you don't need a vacation from, then get ready to be inspired and gain ideas from this conversation. We're joined by Jeremy Beland, a real estate investor and co-founder of REI Freedom. At 40, Jeremy boldly sold his townhouse, downsized, and used the equity to begin his wholesaling journey, ultimately achieving 450+ off-market acquisitions and $10 million in gross profits.
Now, managing multi-million dollar businesses (NH Home Buyers, Coastal Florida Home Buyers) and running the REI Freedom Coaching Program, Jeremy is passionately dedicated to helping others achieve financial freedom. Tune in to learn how Jeremy built multi-million dollar businesses and helps others escape the W-2 grind.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- From Rock Bottom to Riches: Hear Jeremy's raw and inspiring story of rebuilding from financial ruin after the 2009-2010 recession, driven by an intense motivation to escape poverty forever.
- The Audacious Start: Learn exactly how Jeremy leveraged just $17,000 in home equity at age 40 to kickstart his real estate journey, quickly turning it into significant profits and building foundational success.
- Action Over Perfection: Understand why taking massive and imperfect action is the fastest path to achieving your real estate goals, even when you don't have all the answers.
- Mentorship is Your Midas Touch: Discover why Jeremy, despite his immense success, continually invests hundreds of thousands of dollars in expert coaches and mentors. This insight is key to his 450+ off-market transactions and $10 million in gross profits.
- Designing a Life of Freedom: Explore the core philosophy behind building a real estate business that grants you time freedom and the ability to work from anywhere in the world, breaking free from the traditional W-2 handcuffs.
- REI Freedom: Your Coaching for Lifestyle Investing: Get an inside look at Jeremy's specialized coaching program, designed to teach you sales acquisition strategies and convert leads into profitable deals, all while focusing on a balanced, free lifestyle.
- Navigating the Nuances of Off-Market Deals: Gain practical insights into the complexities of working with distressed sellers and properties, emphasizing problem-solving and providing true value beyond just the transaction.
- Leveraging Private Lending for Accelerated Growth: Learn how high-net-worth individuals can partner with experienced real estate investors like Jeremy for strong, consistent returns on their capital, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional investments.
Resources from Jeremy
LinkedIn | REI Freedom
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re switching things up with a powerful conversation on redefining wealth and lifestyle. Our guest is Bri Conn, Chief Experience Officer at Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping childfree and permanently childless people design a life they love. Bri shares her journey into this unique space, the principles behind their approach, and how the FILE (Financial Independence, Live Early) philosophy encourages living fully, now, not just in retirement. It’s time to rethink what financial freedom really means.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Why Child-Free Financial Planning Is Different: Traditional money strategies often don’t reflect the goals of those without children, like the desire for experiences over inheritance.
- Start With Life, Then Build the Finances Around It: Discover how leading with your ideal lifestyle can shape a more purpose-driven financial plan.
- Understanding the FILE Philosophy: Financial Independence, Live Early promotes reducing work-related stress now to make room for joy and freedom long before retirement age.
- You May Need Less Than You Think: Learn why many child-free individuals overestimate retirement needs based on outdated assumptions.
- Early Planning = More Freedom: The earlier you start, the sooner you can travel, give, create, or pursue passion projects without financial stress.
- Spending & Giving With Intention: Bri offers a practical strategy, matching your fun spending with charitable giving to overcome guilt and create impact.
- Being a Supportive Ally: Understand how to support child-free individuals without making assumptions about their lives or finances.
- Tools & Resources for Child-Free Living: From financial checkups to lifestyle design coaching, explore what’s available to help you build a life you love.
Resources from Bri
LinkedIn | Childfree Wealth® | The Childfree Guide to Life and Money by Dr. Jay Zigmont
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Want to learn how to make big money in real estate? Join us as Christian Osgood shares his simple steps to buying over 300 rental properties in just three years. Find out how he retired his wife and built his dream home. Get easy tips on seller financing, fixing tough properties, and what mistakes to avoid. Tune in for clear, actionable advice on growing your own real estate business!
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Fast Growth: Christian quickly moved from small duplexes to bigger multifamily deals, realizing this was essential to reach financial freedom quickly after a personal event.
- Turning Bad Deals Good: He bought a very troubled 38-unit property with many problems, but transformed it, turning a negative cash flow into a high-value asset and becoming a "paper millionaire."
- Strong Resolve: He showed incredible commitment, even considering living on-site, to fix his challenging property, showing how important belief and dedication are.
- Smart Seller Financing: Christian found that getting seller financing is easier when you have trust and good relationships within the real estate world, not just by asking for deals.
- Networking Power: He emphasized how important it is to meet and learn from experienced investors, which helps find good deals and gain valuable knowledge.
- Learning from Errors: He openly shared a big mistake of getting into hospitality (a resort) too soon, highlighting how different it is from multifamily and the importance of checking all costs, especially payroll.
- Stay Focused: A key lesson was that losing focus and jumping into new business types, even with creative financing, can severely hurt your cash flow and growth.
Resources from Christian
LinkedIn | Multifamily Strategy
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Ever wondered how a Super Bowl champion pivots from the gridiron to the world of finance and venture capital? Join us as we dive deep with former New Orleans Saints superstar Marques Colston, co-founder of Champion Venture Capital. Discover the secrets behind his unlikely transition, the mistakes athletes and everyday individuals make in wealth management, and his how-to guide for building a lasting legacy. Marques shares his unique perspective on identifying game-changing opportunities in sports tech, real estate, and beyond, and reveals how CVP is democratizing access to this traditionally exclusive asset class for everyone. Don't miss this inspiring episode packed with insights on strategic diversification and the future of fan engagement—you can't afford to stay on the sidelines!
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Early Financial Literacy is Crucial: Even during a successful athletic career, planning for the future and seeking sound financial advice is paramount for a smooth transition.
- Transferable Skills Drive New Ventures: The discipline, work ethic, and ability to connect with people honed in professional sports can be powerful assets in the business world.
- Strategic Investing Bridges Passions and Profits: Aligning investment strategies with personal interests, like sports, can create a deeper understanding and connection to opportunities.
- Democratizing Access to Exclusive Markets: Champion Venture Capital aims to break down barriers, allowing both accredited and non-accredited investors to participate in the lucrative sports investment ecosystem.
- Value-Driven Partnerships are Key to Success: Beyond capital, a strong team with operational expertise and genuine engagement with portfolio companies drives significant growth.
- The Future of Fan Engagement is Immersive: Expect groundbreaking technologies like VR/AR and enhanced data analytics to revolutionize how fans experience sports.
Resources from Marques Colston
LinkedIn | Instagram | Champion Venture Capital
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group |Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Feeling stuck, burned out, or like you’ve hit a ceiling in your career or business? You’re not alone, and more importantly, you don’t have to stay there.
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Ryan Crittenden, Ph.D., of XL Coaching to explore the importance of coaching for both entrepreneurs and professionals. With a Ph.D. and years of experience in strengths-based leadership coaching, Ryan explains why going it alone can lead to stagnation, and how expert guidance can help you move forward with clarity and purpose.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Coaching, whether for individuals or teams, offers significant benefits for personal and professional growth.
- Understanding your strengths (and weaknesses) is crucial for effective leadership and building well-rounded teams. Tools like the CliftonStrengths assessment and the Six Types of Working Genius can aid in this process.
- Entrepreneurs often struggle with the mindset of doing everything themselves, but recognizing and delegating tasks based on strengths leads to greater efficiency and passion.
- Burnout can stem from various factors, including company culture. Prioritizing well-being, engaging strengths at work, and maintaining healthy relationships are essential. Sometimes, a change in environment might be necessary.
- Team workshops, when intentionally designed to build a common language around strengths and foster interaction, can be powerful tools for team cohesion and understanding individual contributions.
- Investing in coaching is not an expense but an investment in oneself and the growth of a business or career.
Resources from Ryan
LinkedIn | XL Coaching | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Think pre-IPO investments are just for billionaires? Think again.
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Mike Ivancie, CMO at UpMarket, an alternative investment platform that’s opening the door for accredited investors to access private market opportunities once reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
Since 2019, UpMarket has helped individuals invest over $150 million into assets like pre-IPO shares in SpaceX, Neuralink, Stripe, and OpenAI, as well as hedge funds, private equity, and real estate. Mike’s mission is to break down barriers and grow the platform to over $1 billion in transactions. Before joining UpMarket, he led growth at CNote, an impact investment platform, where he helped raise over $100 million for underserved communities
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Democratizing Alternative Investments: Upmarket provides accredited investors access to private market opportunities, including pre-IPO companies, private equity, and private debt.
- Accessing Pre-IPO Giants: Learn how you can potentially invest in high-growth companies like OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anthropic before they go public.
- Understanding the Investment Process: Mike explains the mechanics of investing through UpMarket, from minimum investment amounts to the process of potential liquidity events like IPOs.
- Weighing the Pros and Cons: Gain insights into the potential benefits (high growth potential) and risks (illiquidity, higher fees) associated with pre-IPO and alternative investments.
- The AI Investment Landscape: Explore the current skepticism and future potential of AI investments, including the significant energy demands and potential industry shifts.
- Impact Investing Explained: Understand the definition and real-world utility of impact investing, considering the trade-offs between financial returns and social good.
- The Intertwined Future of AI and Energy: Discover the staggering projected energy consumption of AI data centers and the potential role of nuclear energy in meeting these demands.
- Getting Started with UpMarket: Learn how to explore investment opportunities and educational resources on the UpMarket website (upmarket.co) and connect with Mike Ivancie directly.
Resources from Mike Ivancie
LinkedIn | UpMarket | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Are year-end tax bills catching you off guard? In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, Anne Gannon, founder of The Largo Group, shares how a weekly accounting system can help you ditch tax season stress and make smarter financial decisions year-round.
Anne reveals why traditional accounting often fails small businesses, and how shifting to real-time insights empowers you to take control of your cash flow, break-even points, and tax strategy. You’ll also discover how real estate fits into long-term wealth planning and why proactive communication with your CPA is key.
Whether you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or small business owner, this episode offers actionable advice to help you plan ahead, reduce surprises, and build financial clarity.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Traditional accounting is backward-looking and reactive, leaving business owners blindsided.
- Weekly accounting offers real-time visibility into financial metrics for better, faster decisions.
- Don’t rely solely on your accountant: know your numbers and ask the right questions.
- A quarterly tax strategy helps you make timely adjustments and avoid last-minute panic.
- Real estate can be a powerful tool for building long-term wealth, equity, and passive income
Resources from Anne
LinkedIn |The Largo Group | Real Estate Accelerator
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we talked with Mike and Bo, who figured out how to build a real estate business worth over $150 million in less than 10 years. They'll share the important steps, useful tips, and the right way of thinking to make it big in real estate. You'll learn how to find good real estate deals, understand the market, and avoid mistakes. This episode is your guide to changing your money future through smart real estate investing and building wealth.
In this exciting episode, you'll hear from Mike and Bo, friends who've become successful real estate investors. They'll tell us their "secret recipe" for fast growth in real estate. From their special way of finding deals (looking at distressed, divorce, and estate sales) to using money wisely to grow their investments, they explain how working together made their money success even bigger. Forget about slow, normal ways to get rich in real estate – learn how to quickly build a large real estate collection and become financially free!
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Work Together to Grow Faster: Mike and Bo show how their friendship and different skills helped them achieve much more in real estate than they could have alone.
- Focus on Money Now and Good Deals: Their main plan is to buy properties that make money right away and find assets that are priced low (often by looking at distressed, divorce, or estate sales) to get the best returns.
- Use Other People's Money Wisely: They learned how to use loans early on and built trust with lenders, which allowed them to get more money to grow their business quickly.
- Take Action, Don't Just Think: Mike and Bo stress that it's important to start doing things and learn as you go, instead of just studying and being afraid to make a move.
- Put Business Money Back In: They used the profits from their other businesses to buy more real estate, which helped their wealth grow faster and faster.
- Help Others Succeed in Real Estate: Mike and Bo now offer advice and even partnerships because they want to help other people become financially free through real estate.
Resources from Mike & Bo
Text or Call Mike and Bo at (928) 605-4335 | Instagram | Mike & Bo, LLC
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Are you tired of overpaying taxes and feeling like your wealth is constantly slipping away? In this eye-opening episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we dive into the tax secrets used by the ultra-wealthy with Mark Miller, President of Hilton Tax & Wealth Advisors. For over 30 years, Mark has helped business owners, physicians, and high-net-worth clients save tens of millions in taxes while increasing their wealth by over $200 million. As a best-selling author of The Tax-Free Business Owner, he reveals how business owners can zero out their taxes just like Fortune 500 companies. Featured in top publications like The New York Times and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Mark’s insights will empower you to reduce your tax burden and accelerate your path to financial freedom.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Beyond Basic Compliance: Don't mistake standard CPA services for proactive, advanced tax planning that can significantly reduce your tax burden.
- Family Office Strategies for Main Street: Learn how strategies historically used by the ultra-wealthy, like the Hilton family, are now accessible to a wider range of investors.
- The Power of a Formalized Tax Plan: Just like a business plan, a strategic tax plan is crucial for minimizing your biggest lifetime expense: taxes.
- Debunking Tax Myths: Understand that aggressive, legal tax planning doesn't necessarily increase audit risk and that IRS audits are often less intrusive than perceived.
- Safety First Investing: Discover the investment philosophy of the wealthy, prioritizing safety and security as the foundation for consistent, long-term returns.
- Actionable Strategies Exist: Explore advanced tax mitigation techniques beyond standard deductions and retirement contributions, potentially leading to a significantly lower or even zero tax bracket.
Resources from Mark
LinkedIn | Hilton Tax & Wealth Advisors | The Tax-Free Business Owner | Hilton Wealth: How to Invest Like An American Dynasty
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Discover the hidden potential of mobile home parks and parking lots: two often-overlooked but highly profitable real estate assets. In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, seasoned Florida investor Kevin Bupp, host of Real Estate Investing for Cash Flow Podcast and bestselling author, pulls back the curtain on a powerful alternative to traditional real estate investment strategies.
With over $300 million in real estate transactions and decades of experience, Kevin shares why he pivoted beyond single-family and multifamily properties. He breaks down the unique advantages of mobile home parks and parking facilities, including their stickier tenant base, lower maintenance demands, and resilience in shifting economic climates, making them a compelling option for consistent cash flow and long-term wealth.
In this episode, we're discussing…
- Untapped Potential: Mobile home parks and parking lots offer lucrative, often overlooked real estate opportunities beyond traditional multifamily and fix-and-flip.
- Stable, Long-Term Holds: These asset classes are ideal for wealth preservation and consistent "mailbox money" with a long-term (10+ year) investment horizon.
- "Sticky" Tenants & Reduced Maintenance: Mobile home parks have lower turnover due to resident homeownership, and residents handle their own home maintenance.
- Operational Efficiencies: Fragmented "mom and pop" mobile home parks present opportunities for professional management to boost efficiency and revenue.
- Recession-Resistant Housing: Mobile home parks provide crucial affordable housing, making them more resilient during economic downturns.
- Straightforward Parking Investments: Parking lots and garages offer a simpler investment model with potentially lower maintenance needs.
- Passive Income Opportunities: Funds focused on these alternative assets provide passive income for investors seeking less hands-on management.
Resources from Kevin
LinkedIn | Sunrise Capital Investors | Real Estate Investing for Cash Flow Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Tired of the corporate rat race? Welcome to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Cliff Nonnenmacher, a former Wall Street banker turned franchise expert. Cliff shares how he built a multi-brand franchise empire and why franchising is the ultimate shortcut to wealth. Learn how to ditch the traditional 9-to-5, leverage proven business models, and invest in recession-proof, AI-proof, and Amazon-proof industries like skilled trades, pet services, and biohacking. Discover the critical mistakes to avoid, the value of a franchise consultant, and the trending sectors that are booming.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- From Wall Street to Franchising: Cliff's entrepreneurial leap from Wall Street investment banking to master franchising was fueled by a desire for autonomy and the discovery of franchising's scalable potential, highlighted by his "bad boss" moment and understanding the multi-tiered franchise model.
- Why Franchising Wins: Proven models, brand power, and higher EBITDA multiples.
- Trending & Recession-Proof Franchises: Investing in recession and AI-proof sectors like biohacking/wellness, skilled trades, pet services, and senior care, capitalizing on current trends and demographic shifts, is crucial for long-term franchise success.
- Avoiding Pitfalls: Rigorous due diligence, strategic franchise consultant guidance, and avoidance of emotionally driven decisions, particularly in volatile markets like food, are essential to mitigate risks and protect wealth.
- The Food Industry Trap: Why rising costs make food franchises risky in today’s market.
- Time and Mindset: A disciplined, risk-aware mindset, understanding franchise timelines, and managing personal guarantees are critical for navigating the evolving business landscape, including the impact of AI.
- The value of Franocity: Franocity provides invaluable educational resources and personalized guidance, empowering individuals to make informed franchise investment decisions.
Resources from Cliff Nonnenmacher
LinkedIn | Franocity | Pursuit Of Profit Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Struggling to fund your real estate deals because banks keep saying no? In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, learn how to raise unlimited private money without ever asking. Say goodbye to traditional loans and slow approvals, and discover how to secure funding on your terms. Our guest, Jay Conner, has been a real estate investor since 2003, rehabbing over 450 homes and averaging more than $71,000 in profit per deal. With over $52 million in completed real estate transactions and experience mentoring more than 2,000 investors, Jay is a leading expert in private lending. He shares his proven system for attracting private lenders, building long-term funding relationships, and automating a seven-figure real estate business. Stop leaving money on the table and discover the strategies top investors use to scale their portfolios, secure private capital, and achieve financial freedom.
In this episode, we’re discussing:
- The Power of Private Money: Jay discovered private money after banks stopped lending to him, transforming his real estate business.
- Raising Millions Without Asking for Money: He developed a system to attract private lenders by educating them on safe and secure high-return opportunities.
- The Impact of Losing a Line of Credit : A sudden loss of bank funding in 2009 forced Jay to find alternative financing, which led to his breakthrough.
- Leveraging Self-Directed IRAs: Many private lenders use self-directed IRAs to fund deals tax-free or tax-deferred, a strategy unknown to most investors.
- Teaching, Not Selling: Instead of asking for money, Jay educates potential lenders on how they can benefit from private lending.
- Hosting Private Lender Luncheons: He raised nearly $1M in a single luncheon by providing value and explaining the opportunity.
- The “Good News” Call Strategy: Once a lender is educated, Jay calls with a deal, assuming they’re ready to fund, removing any sense of desperation.
- Business Growth During a Financial Crisis: While others struggled in 2009, Jay’s access to private money allowed him to triple his business.
- Learn the private money process: Jay offers a 7-day "Private Money Challenge" at privatemoneychallenge.com, for step-by-step training.
Resources from Jay Conner
LinkedIn | JayConner.com
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! This week, we explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and uncover the secrets to building high-converting websites that drive real results.
Our guest, Peter Guirguis, founder of SwiftPress Support, shares hard-earned lessons from business failures and reveals the key elements of high-converting landing pages, the evolution of SEO in the AI era, and the future of strategic web hosting. Plus, we discuss how video content and AI trends like AI agents are reshaping digital marketing.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Entrepreneurial Resilience: Peter's journey highlights the importance of perseverance, learning from failures, and the value of supportive relationships. His story emphasizes that success often comes after multiple setbacks.
- Landing Page Essentials: The hero section is crucial for capturing attention and speaking to the prospect's problems. Effective landing pages guide users seamlessly to the next step, maximizing conversions.
- SEO & AI Evolution: While Google remains dominant, AI is transforming search behavior. Building authority through quality content and obtaining backlinks is vital for improving DR ratings. AI content should be used as a template, not a replacement for original, human-created content.
- Video Content Strategy: YouTube is a powerful platform for building brand authority and warming up potential clients. Video content fosters deeper connections than written articles.
- Strategic Web Hosting: Investing in reputable web hosting is essential for website security and performance. Cheap hosting can expose your site to vulnerabilities and negatively impact your online presence.
- AI Agents & Future Trends: AI agents will automate multi-step tasks, transforming workflows. Adapting to AI trends and acquiring new skills is crucial for staying relevant in the evolving digital landscape.
- SwiftPress Support: Focuses on building sales-driven websites and providing advertising services. They help small businesses and entrepreneurs create effective online presences.
- Conversion Optimization: Understanding and implementing strategies to improve website conversions is essential for business growth.
- Domain Authority: Domain age and backlink quality are important for establishing authority in Google's search rankings.
Resources from Peter
LinkedIn |SwiftPress Support
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, and today we are joined by business strategist and 7-figure entrepreneur mentor Kareen Walsh! Kareen shares how she transitioned from self-employed consultant to scaling a thriving business that runs on just 10% of her time—while generating massive ROI. She reveals the keys to shifting from a "busyness" trap to true business ownership, leveraging your zone of genius, and implementing smart delegation strategies.
Discover Kareen’s EVOLVE methodology for sustainable growth, the power of automation and AI in scaling, and her groundbreaking Hey Kareen® AI App, designed to provide on-demand coaching. Learn how to identify your role as a CEO—whether you’re a Creator, Entrepreneur, or Operator—and build a business that aligns with your vision while setting yourself up for long-term success.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Busy-ness vs. Business: Many entrepreneurs are trapped in "busy-ness" rather than actually running a business. The key is shifting from doing everything yourself to strategically leading and scaling.
- The Power of Delegation: If a task isn’t worth your time financially or energetically, delegate it. Entrepreneurs often resist letting go, but leadership means oversight, not micromanagement.
- Scaling with Strategy: Kareen challenged herself to reach seven figures using only 10% of her time. The shift? Thinking like a business owner rather than a service provider.
- The Fulfillment Factor Exercise: List and rank tasks by how much they fulfill you (1-10). Keep tasks above an 8, delegate anything below a 7, and eliminate tasks under a 5.
- Leveraging AI & Automation: Entrepreneurs don’t have to do everything manually. Automation, AI, and virtual assistants can free up time to focus on high-impact work.
- Coaching & Mentorship is Essential: Even successful business leaders continue learning and hiring mentors to gain perspective and grow.
- Scaling Impact with Innovation: Kareen created Hey Kareen® AI App to serve more people without stretching herself too thin, showing that growth comes from innovation, not just hard work.
Resources from Kareen Walsh
LinkedIn | Instagram | Hey Kareen®
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob
In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we are joined by Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane, an innovative e-commerce profitability system. Adam shares his journey from medical devices to creating the wildly successful BottleKeeper and how those experiences led to the development of Pentane. Discover how Pentane transforms raw e-commerce data into actionable insights, helping businesses of all sizes, especially early-stage consumer brands, achieve sustainable profitability. Learn how to move beyond guesswork and emotion and embrace a data-driven approach to your e-commerce strategy. Adam dives into the critical mistakes many businesses make, including arbitrary ad budgets and the hidden impact of fixed expenses, and how Pentane provides the tools to make informed decisions.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- E-commerce Success Formula – Adam Callinan, founder of Pentane, shares how understanding financial and customer acquisition metrics helped scale BottleKeeper into an eight-figure business with just four employees.
- The Power of Real-Time Data – Pentane provides a live dashboard integrating expenses, revenue, and ad spend to help e-commerce businesses make data-driven decisions instead of guessing.
- Optimizing Profitability – Businesses can set financial goals (e.g., a 10% net margin) and use Pentane’s system to backtrack the exact ad spend and revenue targets needed to achieve them.
- Beyond Trial & Error – Many e-commerce brands operate blindly, throwing money at ads without knowing their impact. Pentane replaces uncertainty with precise, actionable insights.
- Who It’s For – Ideal for early-stage consumer brands (
Tired of the same old real estate investing strategies? It’s time to think outside the box! In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we are joined by Andy Kiel to explore powerful strategies like lease options, subject-to-deals, and tax-friendly investment structures.
Andy shares how he transitioned from the frustrations of traditional landlording to mastering innovative investment tactics that generate cash flow, reduce risk, and help buyers who don’t qualify for conventional loans. He breaks down how he finds and structures deals, partners with investors, and leverages tax benefits like Section 179 depreciation to maximize returns.
With rising interest rates and a shifting market, creative financing is more important than ever. Whether you're an experienced investor or just getting started, this episode will give you insider knowledge to unlock hidden real estate opportunities and scale your portfolio—without relying on traditional bank loans.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Lease Options: Unlock the power of lease options to attract renters who aspire to be homeowners—perfect for self-employed individuals or those with credit challenges. Andy explains why this hybrid approach offers flexibility and profitability.
- Subject-To Transactions: Learn how to acquire properties by taking over existing mortgage payments—legally and ethically. Andy outlines how to avoid due-on-sale clause issues and structure deals the right way.
- Joint Venture Partnerships: Discover how strategic real estate partnerships can help you scale faster, whether you’re targeting immediate cash flow, long-term appreciation, or tax benefits.
- Tax Benefits & Section 179 Depreciation: Find out how savvy investors use Section 179 depreciation to maximize deductions on HVAC systems, roofs, and even mature landscaping—legally reducing their taxable income.
- Navigating the Market: Interest rates are rising, but opportunities still exist. Learn how to negotiate, structure deals, and create cash flow in today’s challenging real estate landscape.
- Finding Deals & Creative Financing: Andy reveals where he sources off-market deals—from wholesalers to realtors—and how he secures properties using seller financing, subject-to strategies, and joint ventures.
- Compounding Wealth: Understand the power of reinvesting cash flow to grow your portfolio steadily and build long-term financial freedom.
- Second-Chance Homeownership: Real estate investing isn’t just about profits—it’s also about helping families achieve homeownership when traditional lenders say no.
Resources from Andy
LinkedIn | The Win3 Team | (520) 539-9591
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
The AI revolution is here, and it's a gold rush. But are you protecting your valuable AI innovations? This week on The Richer Geek Podcast, we talk with Robert Plotkin, a leading AI patent attorney with over 25 years of experience. Robert helps cutting-edge AI companies worldwide secure patents that not only protect their intellectual property but also drive profit.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Patents are more than just legal weapons; they are valuable business assets that can be licensed, sold, and used to attract investment.
- Patents provide a crucial deterrent against competitors, even if you never intend to initiate a lawsuit. They also significantly increase your company's valuation for potential acquisition.
- AI-assisted creations, including prompts and inventions developed using AI, can be patentable, but the specifics are crucial.
- Strategic IP is paramount for AI company success, impacting fundraising, profitability, talent acquisition, and exit strategies.
- While copyright and trade secrets offer some protection, patents provide unique and powerful safeguards for AI innovations.
- Patent litigation, though often expensive, is increasingly accessible to startups through innovative financing options.
- Early consultation with a patent attorney is vital to avoid inadvertently forfeiting patent rights through premature public disclosures.
Resources from Robert
LinkedIn | Blueshift IP | The Genie in the Machine | AI Armor
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Water is becoming one of the most valuable resources of our time, yet the industry remains outdated, centralized, and struggling to meet growing global demands. In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we are joined by Riggs Eckelberry, a nationally-renowned entrepreneur and the founding CEO of OriginClear, who is on a mission to transform the water industry through decentralized solutions and innovative investment opportunities.
With a background spanning technology, nonprofit leadership, and oceangoing navigation, Riggs brings a unique perspective to fixing a broken system. He’s pioneering modular, plug-and-play water treatment systems, creating new ways for businesses and investors to participate in this essential market.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- The water industry is facing a crisis: Aging infrastructure and increasing demand are creating a significant funding gap, leading to more frequent water main breaks and other problems.
- Decentralized water solutions are key: Treating water at the source (industrial, agricultural) relieves pressure on municipal systems and allows for greater water recycling.
- OriginClear's modular systems offer a solution: Their plug-and-play water treatment pods simplify the process for businesses and reduce upfront costs.
- Water-as-a-service is a game-changer: This model eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive equipment, making water treatment more accessible and affordable. It also creates a recurring revenue stream for investors.
- Investing in water is a smart move: The water industry is ripe for disruption, offering a unique investment opportunity with potential for high returns and positive environmental impact.
- Multiple investment options exist: OriginClear offers both crowdfunding (Reg A+) and accredited investor opportunities, making it accessible to a wide range of investors.
- Water stablecoins are on the horizon: This innovative financial instrument could further revolutionize the water industry by creating a more stable and transparent market.
- OriginClear is leading the charge: They are not only developing technology but also creating financial models and partnerships to drive widespread adoption of decentralized water solutions.
Resources from Riggs
LinkedIn | OriginClear
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Moshe Popack, a visionary third-generation entrepreneur and the owner and president of YMP Real Estate Management LLC. With a diverse real estate portfolio spanning six states, Moshe is passionate about community well-being, long-term wealth creation, and fostering connections.
Beyond business, he shares his remarkable journey as a father of 11, offering insights into how he navigates entrepreneurship while maintaining a strong family foundation. We also explore his contrarian investment strategies, his take on today’s real estate market, and the mindset shifts that have fueled his success.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- The power of mindset and personal growth in achieving success
- Balancing business, family (with 11 kids!), and personal fulfillment
- Contrarian real estate investment strategies and market insights
- The role of philanthropy in creating lasting impact
- Tips for building a strong financial and family legacy
Resources from Moshe
LinkedIn | YMP Real Estate Management LLC | Common Denominator Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Chase Insogna, founder of Insogna CPA, a highly successful CPA and investment advisory firm based in Austin, Texas. Chase specializes in helping business owners not only manage their finances but also strategically grow their wealth while building their businesses.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Why finding a CPA who doubles as a business advisor can transform your financial strategy
- The importance of proactive communication and collaboration with your CPA
- What to expect during the client onboarding process with a CPA
- Proven strategies to minimize taxes and save money as a business owner
- Smart investment approaches to build long-term wealth while running a business
Resources from Chase
LinkedIn | Insogna CPA
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, Mike is joined by Paul Deloughery, a seasoned attorney with 25 years of experience in probate and trust law. Paul is the author of Lasting Wealth: A Revolutionary Method of Family Wealth Transfer and Probate Made Simple.
Paul’s journey into the realm of probate law is deeply personal. After facing the challenges of managing an unexpected inheritance without proper guidance, he recognized the profound need for expert legal support during critical times. This experience inspired him to create Probate Made Simple and shaped his philosophy of offering compassionate, clear, and personalized legal assistance.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Lessons from Losing Millions: Paul’s journey from inheriting $28M to losing much of it, and the valuable insights he gained along the way.
- The Realities of Probate Litigation: Why even well-drafted trusts and wills can lead to family disputes and court battles.
- Family Wealth Transfer Myths: Understanding the "shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves" phenomenon and why most financial windfalls don’t last.
-
Essential Probate Planning Tips:
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The importance of clear communication with beneficiaries.
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How to build trust and prevent disputes before they arise.
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Why documentation is necessary but not sufficient for a smooth wealth transfer.
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Breaking Generational Wealth Cycles: Steps families can take to ensure long-term financial stability and harmony.
Resources from Paul
LinkedIn | Sudden Wealth Protection Law | Lasting Wealth: A Revolutionary Method of Family Wealth Transfer | Probate Made Simple
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Join us for another exciting episode of The Richer Geek Podcast as we dive into the transformative world of data and technology with Collin Graves, CEO of North Labs, a leading fractional cloud data analytics firm that has helped over 1,000 organizations unlock their potential through data-driven strategies.
If you're curious about leveraging cloud strategies, unlocking AI's potential, or optimizing your data for success, this conversation is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss!
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Collin Graves’ inspiring journey from the Air Force to founding North Labs.
- The role of cloud data analytics in driving transformative business success.
- Insights on AI adoption: the opportunities, pitfalls, and the strategic approach organizations need.
- How North Labs helps businesses unlock the power of data for operational efficiency and predictive insights.
- The future of AI and its potential impact on industries.
Resources from Collin
LinkedIn | North Labs | Special Audience Giveaway: Build My Data Blueprint
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Happy New Year, and welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! In this episode, Daniel Barnard, host of CapitalFit and experienced investor, shares tips on raising capital, building networks, and growing your business. With 27 years in the industry, Daniel offers practical advice for entrepreneurs on securing funding and attracting the right partners. Join us as we dive into Daniel’s expertise, his work with startups like MedWatch, and his passion for creating impactful ventures.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- The Role of a Connector: Learn how Daniel bridges the gap between founders and investors to fuel business growth.
- Capital Raising Insights: Explore strategies for raising capital, from crowdfunding to angel investing, and what it takes to succeed.
- Reinvention Through Passion: Discover how Daniel pivoted from a 25-year career in finance to building impactful ventures in MedTech and beyond.
- The Power of Intentional Networking: Hear how focus, prayer, and alignment help attract the right opportunities and people at the right time.
Resources from Daniel
LinkedIn | CapitalFit | CapitalFit Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Merry Christmas and welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Joseph LoPresti, a seasoned founder of Arlington Wealth Management with over 39 years of experience in the financial services industry. Joseph is passionate about helping business owners achieve financial security and prosperity. In this episode, Joseph shares his insights on the unique challenges business owners face when it comes to financial planning. He discusses the importance of having a personal CFO, creating a proactive planning team, and leveraging virtual family offices for expert advice. Joseph also talks about his co-authored book, "Exit by Design," which provides a roadmap for business owners to design their ideal exit strategy.
In this episode, we’re discussing:
- The Importance of a Personal CFO: Business owners need a dedicated financial strategist to coordinate their personal and business finances, identify overlooked opportunities, and guide them towards their financial goals.
- Proactive Exit Planning: Don't wait until the last minute to plan your business exit. Develop a comprehensive exit strategy early on, considering your personal goals, desired lifestyle, and potential transition options.
- Leveraging a Virtual Family Office: Gain access to a team of specialized advisors, including tax experts, wealth managers, and legal professionals, without the high cost of a traditional family office.
- Achieving Financial Freedom: Define your "freedom point" – the point at which you have accumulated enough wealth to live your ideal life without financial constraints.
Resources from Joseph
LinkedIn | Arlington Wealth Management | "Exit by Design”
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we have a very exciting guest, Kevin Davis. Kevin's journey began as a recording artist signed with Warner Brothers Records, but his passion for finance led him to Wall Street, where he gained experience as a stockbroker. Seeing a need for accessible investment education, he created Investment Dojo, a gamified stock simulator app that helps people of all ages build confidence in investing. In this episode, Kevin shares his inspiring story, discusses the importance of understanding your investments, and explains how Investment Dojo is empowering families to learn about the stock market together.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Challenging Start: Kevin was kicked out of his house at 17, living place-to-place while juggling part-time work at UPS and college.
- Wall Street Entry: Inspired by the movie Trading Places, Kevin began his Wall Street career at Stratton Oakmont after a serendipitous conversation with a neighbor.
- Research Skills: Kevin mastered stock research by focusing on free cash flow and business models—skills that became the cornerstone of his success.
- Founding Investment Dojo: During his retirement, Kevin recognized the lack of accessible financial education. He founded Investment Dojo to teach others how to research and build wealth.
- Education-First Approach: Kevin emphasizes teaching people how to analyze stocks and make informed decisions rather than relying on stock picks.
Resources from Kevin
LinkedIn | Investment Dojo | Who's Your Daddy by Kevin Davis
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're joined by Greg Mohr, author of "Real Freedom: Why Franchises Are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used for Building Wealth." Greg dives deep into the world of franchising, exploring its different forms, investment levels, and how it can be a path to financial freedom.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Diverse Franchise Models: Franchising is not confined to traditional brick-and-mortar brands like McDonald’s or Taco Bell. It spans essential services (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, senior care), boutique fitness centers, and innovative e-commerce or cloud-based franchises.
- Investment Ranges and Risks: Initial investments vary significantly. Brick-and-mortar franchises often require $250K+ with higher overhead, whereas service-based or home-run models may start around $150K. Each option presents unique risks and rewards.
- Tailored Involvement: Franchising offers flexibility for different involvement levels. Semi-absentee owners typically spend 10–15 hours per week managing finances and overseeing teams. However, thoroughly vetting managers and franchise systems is critical.
- Post-COVID Shifts: Investors are increasingly drawn to essential services like home maintenance or tutoring, which remain in demand during economic shifts, rather than high-overhead, location-dependent franchises.
- Due Diligence and Strategy: Passion alone doesn’t guarantee success. Prospective franchisees should analyze financial projections (pro forma), assess market potential, and consult existing franchisees about profitability and risks. Collaborating with a franchise consultant, like Greg, can align business goals with the right opportunities.
Resources from Greg
LinkedIn | Franchise Maven | Real Freedom: Why Franchises Are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used For Building Wealth
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week filled with gratitude, good food, and great company. As we dive into December, we're bringing you an exciting discussion about the power of gold in today’s economy.
Today, we’re joined by Dean Heskin, President and CEO of Swiss America Trading Corporation, to explore why gold remains a top safe haven investment. With nearly three decades of expertise, Dean shares his insights on why gold is expected to experience significant gains in the coming years, despite financial instability.
Be sure to check out FAQs About Gold Investing for everything you need to know about making smart decisions in this gold rush.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Soaring National Debt: The U.S. national debt continues to climb, with daily interest payments reaching a staggering $3 billion.
- Gold's Bullish Outlook: Economic uncertainty and rising debt are driving predictions of significant growth for gold in the coming years.
- BRICS Challenge to the Dollar: The BRICS alliance, with its new gold-backed currency, is poised to disrupt the global financial landscape.
- Safeguarding Wealth: As inflation and debt concerns persist, gold is emerging as a popular safe-haven investment for individuals and institutions alike.
- Timing Your Gold Investment: Learn why experts believe now is an opportune moment to consider adding gold to your investment portfolio.
Resources from Dean
LinkedIn | FAQs about gold investing
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re diving deep into the transformative world of co-living with Grant Shipman, a leading authority in this booming real estate niche. As the founder of Livingsmith, Grant has achieved an extraordinary 97% lifetime occupancy rate and an average tenant stay of 25.2 months. He shares how a chance discovery and lessons from intentional living communities catapulted him from delivering pizzas to achieving financial freedom in just 15 months.
Discover what co-living truly means, why it’s not just "renting by the room," and how this model combines the best of single-family and multifamily investments. Plus, learn the essentials for creating healthy, thriving shared spaces and how you can turn your properties into cash flow powerhouses.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- The Basics of Co-living: Understanding the concept and its advantages over traditional rentals.
- Building a Thriving Co-living Community: Tips for fostering positive relationships among residents.
- Maximizing Your Investment: Strategies for selecting the right properties and optimizing rental income.
- Navigating Legal and Regulatory Hurdles: Staying compliant with local laws and regulations.
- Leveraging Technology: Tools and platforms that streamline co-living operations.
Resources from Grant
LinkedIn | The Livingsmith Podcast | LivingsmithPro.com | Co-Living 5 Day Challenge
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
On today’s episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we have the extraordinary David Drebin, a multidisciplinary artist working in various art forms, producing limited edition works including Photographs, Lightboxes, Neon Light Installations, Diamond Dust works and more.
David shares his unique approach to empowering individuals to uncover their hidden potential. From his early days as a photographer to his current mission of inspiring others, he offers valuable insights into creativity, self-discovery, and the transformative power of human connection.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- The Power of Self-Understanding: David emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself as a foundation for understanding others.
- The Creative Process: He discusses the importance of fear and discomfort in the creative process, and how to embrace them to produce groundbreaking work.
- Unleashing Your Superpower: Learn how David helps people identify their unique talents and passions through insightful conversations and intuitive understanding.
- The Impact of Human Connection: Discover the transformative power of genuine human connection and how it can inspire and empower individuals.
- From Park to Broadway: The vision for a global, interactive platform to inspire and uplift.
Resources from David
Instagram | Website
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we talked to Kevin White, co-founder of Exbo Group, a firm specializing in finance operations, strategy support, and M&A diligence for growth-stage companies. Kevin shares valuable insights on fundraising strategies, financial operations, and M&A diligence.
In this episode, we’re discussing...
- The Changing VC Landscape: Learn how the VC landscape has shifted post-pandemic, with a focus on profitability and cash efficiency.
- The Role of the Modern CFO: Discover the essential qualities of a modern CFO and how Exbo Group helps companies build strong financial teams.
- Fundraising Strategies: Gain practical tips on crafting compelling pitch decks and navigating the fundraising process in a challenging market.
- The Importance of Financial Discipline: Understand the critical role of financial discipline in securing investments and achieving long-term success.
- The Power of M&A: Explore the strategic advantages of mergers and acquisitions and how to execute them successfully.
- The Future of Venture Capital: Gain insights into emerging trends and opportunities in the VC industry.
Resources from Kevin
LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Jonathan Blau, founder and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a Long Island-based, fee-only registered investment advisory firm. Jonathan shares his expertise on behavioral finance and the techniques he uses to help clients make rational, well-informed financial decisions—even under stressful market conditions.
Jonathan breaks down the psychology behind wealth management, explaining why many investors struggle with emotional decisions and how he guides his clients to avoid common pitfalls. He shares powerful insights on the difference between currency and money, a fundamental concept that can reshape how you view wealth and investment.
Whether you're just starting your wealth journey or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can help you navigate financial decisions with confidence.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- The distinction between "currency" and "money" and why it matters for financial planning.
- Emotional Investing is Harmful: Emotional responses to market fluctuations can lead to poor decision-making and significant financial losses.
- Focus on Long-Term Goals: Prioritize long-term financial goals over short-term market noise.
- Diversification is Key: A diversified portfolio can help mitigate risk and improve overall returns.
- Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a financial advisor to develop a personalized financial plan.
- Educate Yourself: Continuously learn about personal finance and investing to make informed decisions.
Resources from Jonathan
LinkedIn | Fusion Family Wealth
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Will Basta, an entrepreneur and co-founder of ACV Partners. He shares his background, insights into building e-commerce brands, and the secrets behind sustainable investment models. Discover how ACV Partners supports clients in creating profitable, multi-channel e-commerce businesses and the cutting-edge strategies that make them successful in today’s competitive digital marketplace.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Is E-commerce really the new real estate? We'll explore the potential for building a passive income stream through online businesses.
- The Genesis of ACV Partners: Spotting the need for reliable infrastructure in e-commerce investments, Will and his co-founder launched ACV Partners to offer hands-off, sustainable investment opportunities for clients.Platforms and The The power of social commerce: Learn how leveraging influencers and micro-influencers can skyrocket your sales.
- Building a brand for an exit strategy: We'll discuss how to create a valuable E-commerce business that you can eventually sell.
- From office worker to digital nomad: Will shares his insights on achieving location independence through E-commerce.
Even if you already have a small E-commerce shop, this episode is for you! We'll discuss how ACV Partners can help you take your existing business to the next level.
Resources from Will
LinkedIn | ACV Partners | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! In today's episode, we are joined by Eric Fiegoli, co-founder of Exbo Group. Since 2017, Exbo has supported over 50 growth-stage companies across industries like software, education, and healthcare. Eric shares his journey from being a senior product manager at Amazon to helping startups scale by offering financial, operational, and strategic expertise. Tune in to learn when to hire a CFO, the benefits of fractional CFOs, and how Exbo guides startups through fundraising and financial planning.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Eric’s career shift from Amazon to co-founding Exbo Group
- Financial Planning for Growth: Understand the importance of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for startups at various stages.
- The Role of a Fractional CFO: Learn how a fractional CFO can provide valuable expertise and support to growing businesses.
- Balancing Growth and Profitability: Discover key metrics to track and strategies to optimize for sustainable growth and profitability.
- Navigating the Current Economic Landscape: Get insights into the current state of the VC market and potential trends for 2025.
- Building a Strong Financial Foundation: Understand the importance of financial operations and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Resources from Eric
LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nicholas Spezio, M&A advisor at Exbo Group, to explore the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for FinTech businesses. Whether you're a founder considering selling your startup or curious about the current M&A landscape, this episode is full of valuable insights you won’t want to miss.
Why You Should Listen:
- Are you wondering if now is the right time to sell your FinTech startup?
- Confused about how the current M&A environment is affecting valuations?
- Worried about navigating the complexities of financial due diligence?
In this episode, we also discuss:
- Uncertainty is Always Present: Learn how to adapt and embrace flexible deal structures to mitigate risks in M&A.
- Tax and Legal Support is Crucial: Navigate complex tax liabilities and negotiate favorable terms with expert guidance.
- Quality of Revenue Matters: Prioritize recurring revenue streams to achieve higher valuations in the sale of your business.
- Manage Seller Expectations: Understand current market realities and consider earnouts to maximize future growth potential.
- Financial Due Diligence Uncovers Risks: Identify potential tax exposures and negotiate settlements before closing the deal.
- Fractional CFOs for Founders: Offload accounting tasks and gain valuable financial insights by utilizing a fractional CFO.
- Right Buyer, Right Time: Focus on strategic alignment with buyers to ensure a smooth and successful exit.
Resources from Nicolas
LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we dive into the world of salon suite franchises with beauty industry expert Karen Kaminski, founder of Allure Salon Suite Consulting. Karen shares her unique journey from starting in the beauty business to launching and scaling private salon suite facilities across the USA. Whether you're an investor or a beauty professional, Karen offers insights on how the salon suite model provides a profitable, semi-absentee income opportunity. Listen in as she discusses key business strategies, site selection tips, and the booming demand for salon suites in the post-pandemic era.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Recession-proof industry: Beauty services are essential and always in demand.
- Salon suite franchises offer a semi-absentee business model with high-profit potential.
- Karen Kaminski emphasizes the importance of selecting the right location and understanding local regulations for salon suite setups.
- Investors from various industries (not just beauty) are finding success in this business model.
- Salon suites cater to independent beauty professionals, helping them grow their businesses in a more flexible and profitable environment.
- Karen shares her method of reducing upfront investment costs by negotiating tenant improvement (TI) money with landlords.
Resources from Karen
LinkedIn | Allure Salon Suite Consulting | Karen's Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
We welcome back Jacob Vanderslice, Principal of VanWest Partners, a Denver-based real estate firm managing over $195 million in assets. Jacob discusses the challenges of today’s real estate market, from rising interest rates to shifting investor sentiment. He shares strategies for managing risk, the effects of market fluctuations on self-storage investments, and how VanWest uses conservative underwriting to stay resilient. Tune in for his insights on the state of real estate, the bid-ask spread, and the importance of conservative leverage in today's economy.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Challenges in the Market: Jacob discusses the difficulties faced in capital raising due to rising interest rates and how they’ve impacted real estate transactions.
- Risk Mitigation: VanWest Partners takes a conservative approach to underwriting, ensuring their models account for possible market fluctuations.
- Investor Sentiment: The episode covers the shift in investor behavior, with many opting for safer investments like treasury bonds over riskier real estate projects.
- Bid-Ask Spread: Jacob highlights the gap between buyer and seller expectations, particularly in self-storage and other asset classes, as interest rates affect asset valuations.
- Self-Directed IRAs: Learn how investors can use self-directed IRAs to invest in private real estate vehicles and the tax implications of using retirement accounts versus cash.
Resources from Jacob
LinkedIn | VanWest Partners | Jacob's Email
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we have Ben Fraser, CIO of Aspen Funds, discussing their unique approach to investing. Aspen Funds focuses on "Macro-Driven Alternative Investments," leveraging macro trends to identify opportunities across various asset classes.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Aspen Funds leverages macro trends: They analyze the big picture to identify long-term tailwinds and invest in asset classes positioned to benefit.
- Investment diversification: They invest in a variety of asset classes including real estate debt, private credit, industrial development, and oil & gas.
- Oil & Gas as an Opportunity: While the current administration prioritizes renewable energy, Ben Fraser argues that limited supply and increasing demand will drive oil prices higher in the coming years.
- Impact of Inflation & Interest Rates: Ben discusses the potential for higher interest rates for longer and the implications for commercial real estate.
- Investing During Uncertain Times: While the market may be volatile, downturns can present opportunities for investors with a long-term perspective.
Resources from Ben
LinkedIn | Aspen Funds | Invest Like A Billionaire Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Do you feel like your money narrative is holding you back? In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, Amy Cook, financial advisor and founder at Maven Lane Financial Group, shares insights on how your money narrative can impact your financial decisions. She discusses how to build lasting legacies through effective financial planning strategies, overcome your money narrative, find the right financial advisor, and start planning for your future. You'll also learn tips for talking to aging parents about their finances and how to create a plan for your children's education. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your finances, this episode is packed with valuable information.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Financial planning is a process, not a one-time event.
- Your money narrative can shape your financial decisions.
- It's important to find a financial advisor you trust and feel comfortable with.
- When talking to aging parents about their finances, start by offering to meet with their advisor.
- Consider creating a master binder with important financial documents and information.
- There are different levels of financial planning available, depending on your needs.
- Starting early with college planning can help offset the costs.
- Financial success is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get discouraged if you don't make progress overnight.
Resources from Amy
LinkedIn | Maven Lane Financial Group | Money Narrative
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! In today's episode, Andy Lee, the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Parallaxes Capital, joins us to discuss his journey into capital investment and the founding of Parallaxes Capital, the only asset manager dedicated solely to Tax Receivable Agreements (TRAs). They explore the emerging world of TRAs, a unique asset class gaining popularity in major IPOs like GoDaddy and Shake Shack. Andy explains what TRAs are, how they function, and why they're becoming an essential tool for companies going public. He also addresses some common misconceptions about TRAs and shares how Parallaxes Capital is educating and providing liquidity to TRA holders.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Introduction to TRAs: Learn about Tax Receivable Agreements, a growing asset class used by companies during IPOs to create long-term cash flows similar to royalties.
- History and Evolution: Andy explains how TRAs evolved, comparing them to other asset classes like mineral and air rights, highlighting their hidden value.
- Opportunities and Criticisms: Discover the benefits TRAs provide to founders and shareholders, along with some common criticisms, such as the perception that they mainly benefit company insiders.
- Parallaxes Capital’s Role: Understand how Parallaxes Capital supports TRA holders by providing liquidity and educating them on the value of their assets.
- Investment Insights: Insight into how TRAs create uncorrelated returns, making them an attractive option for investors seeking diversification beyond traditional assets.
Resources from Andy
LinkedIn | Parallaxes Capital
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide
We hope you’ve enjoyed the long weekend! Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we’re diving into the world of distressed notes with Chris Seveney, CEO and co-founder of 7e Investments. Discover how to generate passive income and potentially help homeowners facing difficulties by investing in distressed mortgages. Learn about the benefits of this alternative real estate strategy and how to get started with a minimum investment of $5,000.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Chris Seveney’s Background: From civil engineering to real estate and finally into note investing, Chris’s path was driven by a desire to create a different kind of impact in real estate.
- Alternative to Traditional Real Estate Investing: Invest in mortgage notes (debt) instead of physical properties to avoid property management headaches.
- Helping Borrowers & Earning Passive Income: Focus on "fixing & flipping notes" by working with borrowers facing hardship to keep them in their homes while generating cash flow.
- Focus on Middle-Income Properties: Target geographically diverse middle-income properties for a balance of risk and reward.
- Regulation A+ Fund: Invest in a Regulation A+ fund with a minimum investment of $5,000 for access to this niche investment strategy and potential for monthly distributions of 8-11%.
Resources from Chris
LinkedIn | Email | 7e Investments
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Chasing knowledge, not money, is the guiding principle discussed in this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Joining us today is Darin Davis, co-founder of Club Capital, to discuss the critical role of preferred equity in today's real estate market. With over 20 years of experience, Darin shares his journey from traditional employment to becoming a successful real estate investor. Tune in to learn how Darin utilizes preferred equity to support developers and secure safe, profitable investments, ensuring sustainable growth even during volatile market conditions
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Mindset Shift: Darin Davis emphasizes the importance of shifting from a paycheck mentality to focusing on financial independence and asset control.
- The Power of Mentorship: Davis shares how invaluable mentorship and learning opportunities are, sometimes more valuable than immediate financial gains.
- Raising Capital: Learn about the pivotal role of raising capital in real estate and how leveraging others' money can accelerate your success.
- Navigating Market Shifts: Insight into how to adapt and thrive through major market changes, particularly in the real estate sector.
- Strategic Partnerships: Davis highlights the importance of choosing the right development partners and staying focused on your market.
- Preferred Equity Investments: Explore how preferred equity can provide investors with safer, cash-flowing, short-term opportunities in volatile markets.
Resources from Darin
LinkedIn | Club Capital
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Are you frustrated with traditional IRAs and 401(k)s limiting your investment options? Do you wish you could use your retirement savings to invest in real estate, gold, or even Bitcoin? If so, this episode is for you!
Today on The Richer Geek Podcast, we sit down with Parker Pursell, President and CEO of eQRP, to explore his journey from a family-owned fertilizer business to leading a financial company that empowers investors to take control of their retirement funds. Learn how Parker transitioned from agriculture to finance and discover the innovative ways eQRP helps investors unlock the potential of their retirement savings.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
Self-Directed 401(k) vs. IRA: Learn why a self-directed 401(k) is often more advantageous than an IRA, particularly in debt-leveraged investments, where it can save you significant tax liabilities.
Alternative Investments: Understand how eQRP empowers investors to diversify their retirement portfolios with alternative assets like real estate, gold, and Bitcoin, without the limitations of traditional financial systems.
Financial Freedom through eQRP: Explore how eQRP is revolutionizing financial freedom by providing investors with the tools, education, and control needed to maximize their retirement savings.
Parker's Personal Journey: Get inspired by Parker Pursell's unconventional path from a family-owned fertilizer business to becoming a financial industry leader, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and value-driven leadership.
Actionable Tips: Gain insights into strategic moves that could potentially save you hundreds of thousands in taxes by transitioning your IRA into a self-directed 401(k) with eQRP.
Resources from Parker
LinkedIn | eQRP | Turnkey Retirement
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Dave Wolcott, founder of Pantheon Investments, returns to share insights on new investment opportunities, including private credit. Learn about alternative investments, tax optimization, and real estate strategies to grow your wealth. Don't miss this episode for expert advice and actionable strategies to achieve your financial goals.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Portfolio Allocation is Key: Focus on a few key sectors and diversify within those sectors to reduce risk.
- Alternative Investment Strategies: Explore alternative asset classes like private credit, which offer high growth, are non-correlated to the stock market, and provide steady cash flow.
- Uncertainty Creates Opportunity: Don't be afraid of market uncertainty. Look for ways to use uncertainty to your advantage and create certainty in your financial future.
- Building Your Wealth Pyramid: Consider using Infinite Banking and whole life cash value policies as the foundation of your wealth pyramid. These strategies are non-correlated to the market, offer multiple benefits, and provide stability.
- Define Your Certainty Needs: Identify what financial certainty means to you (e.g., emergency fund, passive income) and develop strategies to achieve it.
Resources from Dave
LinkedIn | Pantheon Investments | The Holistic Wealth Strategy
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're switching things up a bit. While we usually focus on investments, this time we're diving into finance. Our guest is Emmanuel Daniel, an author, entrepreneur, and corporate strategist. As a global thought leader on the future of finance and its impact on business and society, Emmanuel is a member of the Forbes Business Council and was listed as a top 10 global influencer in the "FinTech Power50" in both 2021 and 2022. He is also the founder of the research publication and consulting house, TAB Global.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Transformation of Banking: The digitization of banking has drastically changed the industry, making transactions faster and more efficient.
- Future of Finance: As industries become more digitized, the nature of assets and investments will continue to evolve, impacting how people view and manage wealth.
- Global Economic Dynamics: The intertwined economic relationship between the US and China showcases the complexity of global trade and the significant impact of geopolitical decisions.
- US Economic Strengths: The US excels in information handling and liquidity in capital markets, setting it apart from other economies.
- Socialism vs. Capitalism: The US has largely rejected the socialist model, focusing on market-driven solutions, whereas other countries like Sweden and Norway provide examples of successful socialist policies.
- Local Community Influence: In the US, the role of local communities is crucial in creating social safety nets, reflecting the nation's diverse approach to balancing market forces and social needs.
Resources from Emmanuel
LinkedIn | Emmanuel Daniel's website | The Great Transition
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're joined by Whitney Elkins-Hutten, a real estate expert dedicated to helping busy professionals build wealth. Whitney's journey started in 2002 and has since grown into a career filled with impressive achievements. She is the Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com, Founder of AshWealth.com, and author of "Money for Tomorrow: How to Build and Protect Generational Wealth." Whitney is also a partner in over $800MM in real estate, including 6500+ residential units, 15 car washes, and 2200+ self-storage units across 11 states.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- From Humble Beginnings to Real Estate Mogul: Whitney's journey from accidental landlord to a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio.
- Multifamily Market Outlook: While multifamily remains a strong asset class, careful market selection is crucial due to current economic challenges.
- Express Car Washes: A Shiny New Investment: The express car wash industry offers promising investment opportunities with its membership-based model.
- Passive Investing Made Accessible: PassiveInvesting.com provides a platform for investors to access real estate opportunities.
- Financial Foundation First: Whitney emphasizes the importance of building a strong financial foundation before investing.
- Knowledge is Power: Understanding investment principles is key to making informed decisions, according to Whitney.
Resources from Whitney
LinkedIn | PassiveInvesting.com | AshWealth.com
Money for Tomorrow: How to Build and Protect Generational Wealth
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're chatting with Shane Mishler, COO of SD Tech, reveals how outsourcing IT quadrupled his revenue in just 5 years. Learn how to supercharge your business, boost efficiency, and unlock massive growth. Plus, get insider tips on building a thriving tech business, delivering top-notch customer service, and expanding your MSP reach.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
Outsourcing IT Can Quadruple Revenue: Shane Mishler, COO of SD Tech, shares his experience of how outsourcing their IT team led to a 4x increase in revenue within 5 years.
Focus on Customer Service: Customer service is a core value at SD Tech. They believe in building strong relationships with their clients and prioritize addressing their emotional needs alongside technical problems.
Managed Service Provider (MSP): SD Tech is an MSP that offers IT support to small and medium-sized businesses. They handle everything from network management to cloud migration and troubleshooting technical issues.
SD Tech Franchise Opportunity: SD Tech recently launched a franchise program. This allows individuals to leverage their existing business development skills and SD Tech's proven model to establish their own IT support business.
No Prior Tech Experience Required: While some technical knowledge is helpful, SD Tech franchisees don't need to be experts. The ideal candidate is someone with strong sales experience and the ability to build relationships. Training and support are provided by SD Tech.
Resources from Shane
LinkedIn | SD Tech | 6 Tech Traps That Can Stop Your Start-up
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Ever wish you could predict market movements? Today on The Richer Geek Podcast, we explore how AI can spot hidden signals in the market. Andrew Einhorn, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of LevelFields, joins us to reveal how AI can identify events that impact stock prices. Learn how to leverage AI for smarter investing!
In this episode, we're discussing...
Introduction to LevelFields: Learn about Andrew Einhorn's journey from an epidemiologist to the CEO and co-founder of LevelFields, an AI-driven FinTech application designed to streamline investment research.
AI in Investment Research: Discover how LevelFields leverages AI to automate and simplify the process of investment research, enabling investors to identify opportunities quickly and efficiently.
Event-Driven Analysis: Understand how LevelFields focuses on event-driven analysis, monitoring US stocks 24/7 to find events that significantly impact share prices, while ignoring irrelevant noise and opinions.
Case Studies: Hear examples of how identifying events such as dividends, buybacks, and market trends can lead to significant investment opportunities, illustrated by real-world scenarios like the rise of coal companies during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Market Manipulation and Bias: Learn how LevelFields cuts through market manipulation and biased information, providing users with clear, data-driven insights that help them make informed decisions.
Future of AI in Investing: Explore the potential future applications of AI in the investment world and how it can make sophisticated financial strategies accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of expertise.
Resources from Andrew
LinkedIn | LevelFields AI
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we are joined by Mark Murphy, CEO of Northeast Private Client Group and a renowned expert in financial planning and wealth management. He explains the importance of building multiple income streams and designing a life with intention. Discover the principles of cash confidence, the significance of investing in your money-making endeavors, and the importance of creating both paychecks and playchecks. Learn how an entrepreneurial mindset and strategic collaboration can transform your financial future. Plus, explore Mark's book, 'The Ultimate Investment,' and uncover the secrets to achieving financial freedom.
In this episode, we’re discussing:
- Cash Confidence: Importance of maintaining liquid assets or reliable income streams to navigate financial challenges.
- Money Machine: Investing in one's business to generate a significant return on investment.
- Paychecks vs. Playchecks: Differentiating between income-generating assets and expendable assets for financial stability.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Emphasizing strategic planning and financial engineering to create multi-generational wealth.
- Collaboration Over Isolation: Working with a team of financial experts to optimize wealth management.
- Transformational Language: Using impactful, memorable language to reinforce financial strategies and principles.
- Invest in Yourself: Continual self-improvement and education to advance career and financial goals.
- Diversified Asset Classes: Understanding the significance of various asset classes beyond traditional investments.
Resources from Mark
Email | Northeast Private Client Group | Contact number: 973-422-9140
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we have Byron Wolfe, founder of CFOAF, sharing unparalleled tax benefits and insider tips to help you master business financial principles. With Byron's expertise in hospitality real estate and real estate investment, you'll discover strategies to maximize your average return on investment and position your business for long-term success.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Understand common early business mistakes and how to avoid them
- Leverage unmatched tax benefits to save your business money
- Optimize your cash flow for better financial stability
- Learn the importance of focusing on profitability
- Maximize your average return on investment (ROI)
- Implement strategic financial planning for sustained growth
Resources from Byron
LinkedIn | CFOAF
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we have Kim Daly, one of America’s top franchise consultants, host of Kim Daly TV on YouTube, author, speaker, thought leader, and franchising expert.Kim shares insights on how to break free from the corporate grind, the benefits of franchising, and how to find the right franchise. If you're stuck in your nine-to-five and dreaming of owning a franchise, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Franchise vs. Entrepreneurship: Understanding the benefits of franchising, including systems, processes, and support that reduce the risk of failure compared to starting a business from scratch.
- Importance of Leadership: The success of a franchise is heavily dependent on strong, experienced leadership within the franchise system.
- Matching Process: Using a franchise consultant like Kim Daly to match your skills, goals, and lifestyle preferences with the right franchise opportunity.
- Economic Resilience: How franchises can thrive during economic downturns due to strong leadership and adaptive business models.
- Scalability: The importance of scalability in franchising to achieve financial success, often requiring multiple units or locations.
- Predictable Revenue Models: Focusing on franchises with membership models for predictable and consistent revenue.
Resources from Kim
LinkedIn | The Daly Coach | Kim Daly TV
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Joining us today is Anmol Singh, whose journey began at Brunel University in London, where he started his path to success. By the age of 22, he had already amassed a significant fortune. Anmol is a renowned consultant in the Trading and Investing Industry, having achieved great success through his firm, LiveTraders, established in 2015. Under his leadership, LiveTraders has earned the #1 spot in Trading Education for three consecutive years. With a rich history of leadership and appearances in Forbes and the International Business Times, Anmol continues to educate and inspire traders worldwide.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Start Young and Stay Curious: Anmol began his trading journey at 18, driven by curiosity about the stock market. His early start allowed him to accumulate knowledge and experience, emphasizing the importance of starting early and staying curious.
- Importance of a Trading Plan: Anmol stresses the need for a well-defined trading plan, including entry and exit points. Trading without a plan often leads to emotional decisions and losses.
- Understanding Market Volatility: Recognize that market volatility is normal and driven by human emotions of fear and greed. Long-term investors should avoid reacting to daily market fluctuations.
- Diversification and Risk Management: Allocate the majority of your investments to stable, long-term options like the S&P 500, and keep a smaller portion for speculative ventures. This strategy balances potential high returns with safety.
- Avoiding Emotional Trading: Emotional trading is a common pitfall. Having a predefined plan helps mitigate emotional decisions and keeps you on track with your investment goals.
- Live Trading Transparency: Live Traders offers a unique educational experience by trading live, allowing students to learn from real-time successes and mistakes, fostering a realistic understanding of trading.
Resources from Anmol
Twitter | Instagram | Live Traders | Prepping for Success: 10 Keys for Making It in Life
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome to another episode of the Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're joined by Nic DeAngelo, President of Saint Investment Group. Nic is a wealth of experience in real estate investing, having managed a portfolio exceeding $206 million. His insights into fixed income funds and triple net leases are invaluable for investors seeking stable and flexible investment options.
Nic also shares strategies for navigating economic uncertainty and leveraging AI in investment decisions. This cutting-edge knowledge will help you enhance your investment portfolio.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Institutional-Grade Real Estate Insights: Nic shares his experience managing over $200 million in assets, offering listeners valuable insights into institutional-grade real estate investments.
- Understanding Fixed Income Funds: Discover the benefits of fixed income funds, especially for high earners and those looking for more stable and flexible investment options.
- The Power of Triple Net Leases: Learn about the advantages of triple net leases for landlords and investors, including the structure and benefits of having high-credit tenants.
- Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Nic discusses the impact of inflation, interest rates, and political factors on real estate investing, providing strategies to mitigate risks and leverage opportunities.
- Utilizing AI in Investment Strategies: Explore how AI is transforming investment strategies, from underwriting to market predictions, and how it can enhance decision-making processes.
Resources from Nic
LinkedIn | Instagram | Saint Investment Group
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to have Peter Curk, CEO of ICONOMI, a leading digital asset portfolio management platform. Peter shares his journey from marketing to leading ICONOMI. Tune in as we explore navigating the volatile world of cryptocurrencies, assessing your digital investments' health, and adopting strategies for long-term growth without getting lost in the hype.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Introduction to ICONOMI: ICONOMI is a secure, FCA-registered digital asset portfolio management platform.
-
Crypto Investment Strategies:
-
Importance of choosing regulated and compliant platforms.
- The need for liquidity in the crypto market to avoid risks.
-
Emphasizing long-term investment and avoiding emotional trading decisions.
-
Bitcoin vs. Altcoins: Understanding the unique position of Bitcoin as a store of value versus the technological advancements of other cryptocurrencies.
-
Practical Investment Advice:
-
Set clear investment goals and strategies before investing.
- Implement automated profit-taking and stop-loss rules to manage volatility.
-
Diversify investments within the crypto market, considering instruments like ETFs and liquid staking.
-
Educational Resources: ICONOMI offers a rich learning section for beginners and professional traders alike.
Resources from Peter
LinkedIn | ICONOMI
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Confused by the crypto craze? Wondering about the legality of Bitcoin and other digital currencies? In this episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tonya Evans, a law professor and expert on intellectual property.
She offers insights for curious investors interested in getting started with crypto safely and provides valuable resources for further education. Dr. Evans also discusses her book, "Digital Money Demystified," which aims to separate fact from fiction in the world of crypto and empower investors to make informed decisions.
In this episode, we discuss...
- Understanding the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
- Exploring safe strategies for crypto investment
- Gaining insights into the legal and regulatory landscape of digital assets
- Discovering valuable resources for crypto research and education
- Learning how intellectual property (IP) intersects with the world of digital money
Resources from Dr. Evans
LinkedIn |Digital Money Demystified |Cryptokitties, Cryptography, and Copyright
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome to another episode of the Richer Geek Podcast! Join us as Mark Hebner, founder and CEO of Index Fund Advisors, Inc. (IFA), presents a comprehensive 12-step guide to mastering index fund investing. Explore the benefits of passive investing, pitfalls of active trading, and the significance of diversification and risk management. Gain insights on aligning your portfolio with long-term financial goals using Nobel Prize-winning research and practical advice to optimize your investment strategy. Ideal for individuals seeking to shift from speculation to education in their investment journey.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Understanding Index Funds: Learn how passively managed index funds outperform speculative investments over time by optimizing risk-adjusted returns.
- Investing Philosophy: Discover Mark Hebner's mission to replace speculation with education in investing, emphasizing the importance of benchmarking performance against index funds.
- Risk Management: Gain insights into the Nobel Prize-winning research that shows diversification through index funds reduces risk while maintaining expected returns.
- Challenges of Active Investing: Explore the pitfalls of active investing and day trading, likening it to gambling, and understand why a long-term, passive approach is more effective.
- Role of Brokers: Uncover the tactics used by brokers that prioritize their earnings over client returns and why working with a fiduciary advisor is crucial.
- Historical Performance: Understand the long-term performance of various indexes, including the S&P 500, small-cap, and value companies, and their implications for future returns.
- Behavioral Finance: Recognize the psychological aspects of investing, including the addiction to trading and how to overcome it by adopting a structured, educated approach.
- Practical Advice: Practical steps for investors to determine their risk tolerance and align their portfolio with long-term financial goals using index funds.
Resources from Mark
LinkedIn | Index Fund Advisors | Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Paul Bianco, founder and CEO of Graphite, to discuss a recent change in tax regulations that could significantly impact software companies, especially those with a large engineering team. We'll explore the details of the new law, its potential consequences, and some potential strategies to mitigate the tax burden. We also explore the broader challenges faced by entrepreneurs in today's economic climate. Paul Bianco, formerly a Director at ff Venture Capital, brings his expertise to shed light on how this new regulation might impact your startup.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Complexity of tax laws for startups
- Importance of strong accounting team
- New Regulation: Companies must amortize R&D employee salaries over 5 years (US) or 15 years (offshore).
- Impact: This increases taxable income for software companies with high engineering costs.
- Potential Mitigation: Consultation with tax accountants and R&D tax credits
- Bonus Tip: Follow your gut instinct and prioritize attention to detail
Resources from Paul:
Email | Graphite | LinkedIn
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we have a fan favorite returning: Brett Swarts, Founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, an exclusive Deferred Sales Trust Trustee, and host of the Capital Gains Tax Solutions podcast. In this episode, Brett shares insights into common strategies for handling taxes with real estate transactions, demystifies the workings of a deferred sales trust, and discusses who it’s a good fit for and who it’s not. Plus, learn about Brett's best-selling book "Building A Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan," which topped the charts on Amazon in the Real Estate Wealth categories.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- Overview of tax deferral landscape in 2024
- Potential changes in tax laws and implications for investors
- Understanding the role of Deferred Sales Trusts in wealth preservation
- Exploring strategies for diversification and liquidity
- Debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding tax deferral options
- Case studies illustrating successful implementation of Deferred Sales Trusts
- Combining 1031 exchanges with Deferred Sales Trusts for optimal results
- Building a comprehensive capital gains tax exit plan for long-term wealth preservation
- The significance of flexibility and freedom in tax planning strategies
Resources from Brett:
LinkedIn | Capital Gains Tax Solutions | Expert Tax Secrets
Building A Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan by Brett Swarts
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richard Geek Podcast. Today, I sit down with Michael Frew, a software engineer who pivoted his career to acquiring online SaaS companies. Frew discusses his journey from corporate burnout to becoming a successful entrepreneur who now enjoys the freedom of running his own portfolio of businesses.
In this episode, we're discussing...
- Frew's transition from traditional software engineer to online business owner through acquisitions.
- The benefits of acquiring established businesses compared to starting from scratch.
- How to identify and target suitable businesses for acquisition.
- Due diligence considerations for software acquisitions, including financial metrics and team expertise.
- The concept of "buying momentum" and taking over operational businesses.
- Warning signs to watch out for during the acquisition process, such as unrealistic profit margins.
Resources from Michael:
Michael Frew | LinkedIn
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today we're joined by Taylor Loht, a real estate investor and host of the "Passive Wealth Strategy" podcast. Taylor specializes in multifamily and self-storage properties across markets like Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. Through syndication, he raises capital for strategic property acquisitions, emphasizing value-add strategies to boost net operating income and property value.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
Taylor's Background
- Graduated from college and initially moved into stock market investing, inspired by "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham.
- Shifted focus to real estate after recognizing the potential in property ownership.
Lessons from Taylor's First Syndication
- Invested passively in two C class apartment complexes.
- Faced challenges with property manager mismanagement and legal disputes.
Shift to Multifamily and Self Storage
- Transitioned from C class to B class multifamily properties due to unexpected expenses in older properties.
Self Storage Investment
- Seized opportunities to acquire and modernize facilities previously owned by older generation "mom and pops."
Key Terminology in Passive Investing
- LP (Limited Partner): Passive investor with limited involvement and risk.
- GP (General Partner): Active operator responsible for sourcing and managing deals.
- 506B vs 506C: Different SEC exemptions with distinct rules on advertising and investor qualifications.
- Preferred Return: The initial return distributed to LPs before profit sharing.
- Profit Split: Typically a 70/30 or 80/20 split between LPs and GPs after preferred return.
Resources from Taylor:
Instagram | Passive Wealth Strategy | NT Capital | Invest With Taylor
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today we have Drew Breneman. He launched his first business at 14 and a successful internet venture in high school. By 19, he bought his first rental properties with online earnings, earning him a spot on HGTV as an emerging real estate star. He earned a BBA in Real Estate & Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Founder of Breneman Capital, co-founder of The Blackhawk Investment Group, LLC, and creator of Dwelle, Drew's diverse real estate experience spans from working with national development firms. As host of the Breneman Blueprint Podcast, Drew simplifies complex financial topics, making him a go-to speaker on multifamily real estate, risk assessment, and market insights.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
Building a Real Estate Mindset: Drew discusses the importance of developing a long-term vision and avoiding the get-rich-quick mentality prevalent in real estate.
Market Selection & Specialization: Discover Drew's strategy for identifying top MSAs and high-growth locations within them, ensuring strong tenant demand and appreciation potential.
Beyond the Fix & Flip: Learn why Drew prioritizes value-add deals with renovation opportunities and stable cash flow over quick flips.
The Power of Location: Explore how Drew leverages location data to pinpoint properties with the most significant upside potential.
The Current Market Shift: Gain insights into Drew's perspective on the rising interest rates and how they impact cap rates and investment strategies.
The Chicago Deal: Dive deep into Drew's current investment opportunity in Chicago, offering a projected 6% cash-on-cash return and long-term appreciation potential.
Resources from Drew:
LinkedIn | Breneman Blueprint Podcast | Breneman Capital | The Blackhawk Investment Group
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast!
Calling all electric vehicle owners! Are you tired of range anxiety and limited charging options, especially if you live in an apartment? Well, fret no more! Today, we have a game-changer for you. Joining us is Aaron Lieberman, CEO of Buzze, a revolutionary app that's building a community-powered EV charging network!
Buzze is like Airbnb, but for EV charging! In this episode, we'll discuss how Buzze can:
- Solve your charging woes: Find convenient stations near you, anytime.
- Open EV ownership to all: Live in an apartment? No problem! Buzze empowers everyone to go electric.
- Build a greener future: Reduce your carbon footprint and join a sustainable community, one shared charge at a time.
Here's what makes Buzze so exciting:
Buzze Concept: Buzze facilitates the sharing of EV chargers among neighbors, addressing the challenge of home charging for renters and homeowners alike.
Aaron's Inspiration: We'll hear Aaron Lieberman's personal journey of owning an EV and the realization that many face obstacles in installing chargers at home.
Convenience for Hosts: Hosts can earn money by listing their chargers on the Buzze app, requiring minimal effort to set up and manage.
Convenience for Drivers: Drivers can easily locate and reserve nearby chargers through the app, avoiding the complexities of public charging networks.
Safety Measures: Buzze ensures safety and security through verification processes for both hosts and drivers, along with protection against damages or theft.
Community Building: Buzze fosters community engagement by connecting neighbors through EV charging, promoting sustainability and entrepreneurship among hosts.
Resources from Aaron:
LinkedIn | Email | Buzze
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. I'm happy to introduce Dan Haberkost, CEO of Front Range Land, who started his real estate investing journey at the age of 16. Dan has managed to build an impressive real estate business & portfolio that allows him the freedom to live & work where he wants well within his 20s.
In this episode we're discussing...
- How Dan got started in real estate (managing rentals at 16!)
- Why "low and no money down" strategies may not be realistic
- The different niches within land investing (including Dan's specialty, horizontally developed land)
- How to make high cash-on-cash returns by buying and selling land
- How joint ventures (JV) can help you get started in real estate investing
Resources from Dan:
Dan Haberkost | LinkedIn | Front Range Land | The Big Picture Blueprint Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
What makes Yotis Tonnelier's journey into capital raising truly exceptional? How has his unique blend of Belgian heritage and American culture shaped his approach? This week on The Richer Geek Podcast, explore the insights of Yotis Tonnelier, founder and CEO of YOBE. From managing investments for HRH Prince Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to launching a consultancy dedicated to trust and transparency, Yotis has been a driving force in redefining industry benchmarks. Join us as he shares expertise on navigating the capital raising landscape, fostering success for founders, and maintaining ethical standards in an often challenging industry.
In this episode we're discussing...
- Yotis Tonnelier's background: Yotis shares his journey from Belgium to Miami and his experience working with HRH Prince Al Saud's family office in Europe. He highlights his transition to the U.S. and founding YOBE to address the need for trustworthy investment opportunities.
- YOBE's Mission: YOBE assists unique founders in raising capital through transparent methods and passionate dedication. They operate a syndicate of investors who invest in exclusive projects aligned with their values.
- Challenges in Investing: Mike and Yotis discuss the challenges investors face, including the overwhelming amount of information and the prevalence of scams in the investment landscape.
- Due Diligence: Yotis emphasizes the importance of due diligence for investors, suggesting platforms like Crunchbase for researching investment opportunities. He stresses the need for transparency and thorough analysis of documentation before investing.
- Opportunities for Founders: YOBE offers services to founders seeking to raise capital, providing guidance and connections to potential investors. They prioritize credibility and transparency in their partnerships.
- Future Plans: Yotis discusses YOBE's plans to launch a fund to accommodate investors interested in participating in multiple deals. They aim to raise $20 million to support founders and expand their investment opportunities.
Resources from Yotis:
LinkedIn | YOBE | Email | Newsletter | Book a 1-on-1 Meeting with Yotis
Resources from Mike and Nichole:
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast. Today, we have Spencer Hilligoss, CEO of Madison Investing - a real estate investment club with bespoke, curated real estate deals. Spencer founded Madison Investing with a singular mission — to help busy, successful professionals invest passively, secure their most valuable asset of all time.
In this episode we're discussing...
- His background:
Spencer's transition from tech to real estate was fueled by a quest for autonomy.
- Importance of passive investment:
Strategic planning crucial for attaining financial independence.
- Building wealth and freedom:
Investing in passive income streams allows individuals to build a life they don't need a vacation from.
- Time compression and goal Setting:
Long-term goals require efficient planning to accelerate wealth accumulation.
- Madison Investing and investment opportunities:
Madison offers multifamily investments for limited partners.
- Core principles of investing:
Aligning investment goals with personal objectives is paramount.
Spencer advises revisiting core principles to define capital goals.
- Connecting with Spencer Hilligoss:
To learn more about Madison Investing and explore investment opportunities, visit madisoninvesting.com and request an invitation.
Resources from Spencer
Madison Investing | LinkedIn
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | REI Words | Nic's guide
Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast today. We have Kyle Stoner, he's an experienced entrepreneur with a proven background in building and leading high-performing cross-functional teams. In 2018 he launched Adobe Technologies, IT Technologies DBA, and unrealestate.com. That's what we're going to focus on. It's an end-to-end online real estate marketplace.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- [1:21] Kyle's Background and Journey
Kyle shares his background as an automotive engineer, Wall Street experience, and transition to entrepreneurship.
Co-founded three companies, including Pangea Money Transfer and Alpha Lead.
Recognition of the need for a dedicated platform in the real estate market.
- [3:51] Unreal Estate Platform
Overview of unreal estate.com as an end-to-end online real estate marketplace.
Flat fee structure, online listings in less than 15 minutes, and licensed nationwide.
Comparison with competitors, highlighting flat fees and integrated services.
Efficiencies and productivity gains through remote agents and automation.
Discussion on partnering with local agents and technology for showings.
- [10:46] Efficiency and Productivity
Increased productivity of agents on unrealestate.com compared to traditional real estate agents.
Appeal to investors, private equity firms, and individuals due to lower fees and streamlined processes.
Advantages in liquid markets where properties sell quickly.
- [15:56] Funding and Investors
Discussion on the funding round and openness to discussions with smart investors.
Mention of current investors, including Morgan Stanley and mortgage companies.
- [20:45] Future Developments
Teaser about an upcoming groundbreaking feature related to granular data on new transactions.
They are aimed at real estate investors and data enthusiasts.
- [21:46] Legal Landscape
Acknowledgment of lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors regarding commissions.
Positioning of unreal estate.com with an emphasis on transparency.
- [23:48] Connecting with Kyle Stoner
Kyle's social media presence: @KWStoner on Twitter.
Email for potential investors: kyle@unrealestate.com.
Resources from Kyle
YobeConsulting | LinkedIn | Unreal Estate
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic’s guide | REI Words
The richer geek is coming back to you and we are proud to introduce the land geek. We've had this guy on before. He's the pre-eminent Person for selling raw undeveloped land. His name is Mark Podolski. He is considered the country's most trusted foremost authority on buying, and selling that raw, undeveloped land. And today we're going to discuss his journey into why he does it, why he sells it, why he leases it, and why raw land compared to other types of land. He's been doing this for over 20 years. He has a company Frontier Equity Properties, which is an A-plus-rated BBB real estate company.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- [2:19] His background
Mark Podolski introduces himself and talks about his transition from a corporate job to full-time raw land investing.
Highlights the success of his initial land transactions and how it led him to pursue land investing full-time.
- [4:21] Cash flow strategy
Explains the process of buying raw land, often from financially distressed sellers, and selling it quickly for a profit.
He discusses the cash flow model, where he asks for a down payment and sets up monthly payments to create passive income.
- [10:02] Mitigating Risks
Emphasizes the importance of due diligence to avoid overpaying and mitigate risks in the raw land business.
Highlights the avoidance of areas with potential environmental issues or Superfund sites.
- [13:02] Diversification and Creative Land Use
Encourages creative approaches to land use, such as partnerships with tiny home manufacturers, ventures, or recreational uses.
Advises diversification in markets and exploring opportunities in up-and-coming areas.
- [15:46] Automation Tools
Shares essential tools like LGPass.com and GeekPay.io for automation in land investing.
Recommends using tools like Airtable and Zapier for operational efficiency and marketing.
- [17:35] Finding Buyers
Discusses marketing strategies, including targeting neighbors, using platforms like Craigslist and Facebook, and leveraging specialized land websites.
Encourages leveraging existing buyer lists for successful transactions.
- [22:17] The Land Geek Website and Resources
Invites listeners to explore The Land Geek website, offering free resources like a wholesaling course and a book called "Dirt Rich."
Outlines different learning options, from DIY courses to one-on-one coaching and done-for-you solutions.
- [25:50] Working with The Land Geek
Describes various ways individuals can work with The Land Geek based on their time and capital, including flight school, one-on-one coaching, and done-for-you solutions.
Encourages interested accredited investors to reach out directly for more information.
- [29:06] Connecting with Mark Podolski
Instruct listeners to find more information by Googling "The Land Geek" or "Mark Podolski."
Invites them to connect on LinkedIn and reach out via email for specific inquiries.
Resources from Mark
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Real Estate Content Marketing: Best Ideas For 6 Real Estate Niches - (reiwords.com)
Hey, everybody, welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek Podcast. On today’s episode, we have Jim Sheils, a real estate expert with extensive knowledge in the Build-to-Rent niche. He’s a partner at Southern Impression Homes, a company that specializes in building rental portfolios in Florida’s high-growth markets for individual investors and institutional buyers, in addition, Jim is the co-owner/co-founder of 18 Summers, providing family education services to entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to strengthen their family relationships while succeeding in business.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
· [1:13] Jim and Jamie Sheils background and partners at Sothern Impression Homes
A company specializing in building rental portfolios for investors.
· [2:08] Overview of Southern Impression Homes
Jim provides an overview of Southern Impression Homes, focusing on building rental portfolios for individual investors and institutional buyers, particularly in Florida.
· [2:37] Build-to-Rent Strategy and Property Types
Jim explains the build-to-rent strategy, focusing on durable construction and avoiding the "three-year curse" common with older properties.
Discusses building single-family homes, duplexes, and quads to provide options and better cash flow.
· [4:38] Market Focus and Property Sizes
Highlights the importance of market focus and discusses property sizes ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 square feet, aiming for affordability below the median
· [8:16] Target Investors and Tenant Demographics
Talks about attracting middle-management, high-paying professionals, police officers, teachers, and families with two incomes.
Emphasizes affordability for both buyers and renters.
· [9:27] Process for Investors and Construction Financing
Jim explains the process for investors, highlighting that they do not need a construction loan.
Offers an in-house financing program at 4.75%, providing options for investors.
· [17:26] Long-Term Investor Perspective
Discusses the investor perspective, indicating that many investors prefer to stay for the long term due to increasing cash flow and property stability.
· [18:09] Introduction to 18 Summers Program
Shifts to discussing Jim's 18 Summers program, focusing on helping business leaders strengthen family connections through innovative frameworks.
· [18:43] Importance of Family Board Meetings
Describes the Family Board Meeting strategy to strengthen family connections through one-on-one time, intermittent tech fasting, and meaningful communication.
· [22:05] Conclusion and Where to Find Jim Shields
Wraps up the podcast, providing information on where to find more about Jim Shields and his programs
Resources from Jim
JJPlaybook.com | Instragram Southern Impression Homes | Jim Sheils Instagram | LinkedIn |Facebook SI HomesFL | YouTube Southern Impression Homes | 18 Summers: Podcast for Parents
Other Resources
Application underwriting for tenants: RentZap
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic’s guide
Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast, we have Charles Carrillo. He's the founder, and managing partner of Harborside Partners, he has been actively involved in over $200 million worth of real estate transactions since 2006. That is a lot of stuff, and under 20 years, he carries extensive knowledge and renovating, and repositioning multifamily, and commercial real estate. And he also invests in ATM's early-stage tech. And we'll get into some of that.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
• [1:36] Charles Carillo's Background
Started investing in real estate in 2006, initially with a three-family house, followed by various residential and commercial properties.
Actively involved in renovating and repositioning properties, particularly in multifamily and some commercial real estate
• [4:37] House Hacking
Charles explains house hacking, a strategy where you live in one unit of multifamily property and rent out the others.
Recommends utilizing FHA loans for 3-4 unit properties with a low down payment.
Emphasizes the financial benefits of living almost rent-free while building equity
• [7:15] Lessons from Self-Managing
Charles discusses the challenges of self-managing lower-class properties.
Stresses the importance of buying better properties in better areas for long-term success.
Highlights the significance of treating tenants fairly and building good relationships for successful property management
• [11:09] Pros and Cons of Self-Management
Charles talks about transitioning from self-management to third-party management.
Advocates for finding a balance, utilizing third-party management for operational efficiency while still being hands-on with key decisions.
Emphasizes the value of building relationships with reliable contractors, especially handymen.
• [17:27] Scaling and Transition to B-Class Properties
Charles shares the pivotal moment of transitioning to B-Class properties from C-Class for better resilience, control, and predictability.
Underlines the significance of having a solid management system and the ability to scale when working with investors.
• [18:08] Importance of Personal Project Experience
Advises against jumping into syndications without personal project experience.
Encourages investors to gain hands-on experience, learn from mistakes, and prove their ability to manage properties effectively before seeking investor funds.
• [20:46] Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Charles recommends having a minimum viable product and showcasing a successful self-funded project before pursuing syndications.
Stresses the value of demonstrating competence to potential investors through personal experience.
• [23:27] Where to Find Charles Carillo
Charles provides information on how to connect with him.
Website: Harborside Partners
• [24:56] Podcast and Coaching
Charles hosts a podcast with strategy and interview episodes available on the website.
Offers coaching services, providing one-on-one guidance.
Resources from Charles
Harborside Partners | YouTube | Facebook | Charles Carillo LinkedIn | Charles Carillo Facebook | Instagram
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic’s guide
Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast. Today we have Blake Hutchison. He's the CEO of flippa.com flipa.com. It is the world's largest marketplace to buy and sell online businesses. He leaves the teams to build-out a product empowering exit and ownership for business owners and entrepreneurs globally. before running Flippa, Blake held leadership roles across multiple fast-growth tech businesses, across e-commerce and SaaS.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
· [3:13] Blake's entrepreneurial journey and background
· [5:31] Overview of Flippa as the top marketplace for buying and selling digital assets
· [6:46] Criteria for selling a blog or online business on Flippa
· [9:49] Importance of age, revenue, and traffic in selling digital assets
· [10:13] Discuss the "buy, fix, and hold" strategy
· [13:16:] Services and deal room on Flippa for business buyers
· [16:09] Importance of market research and analysis before buying a business
· [18:03] Insight into building and scaling businesses today
· [23:42] Book recommendations: "Black Box Thinking" and "The Hard Thing About Hard Things."
Resource from Blake
Flippa | Blake Linked In
Resource from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic’s guide
Today we have Adam Littlefield. This guy has been in PropTech for a long time. He's been with companies like Invitation Homes, Zillow Fellow, he leads a real estate Operations Team now, at investment.com. We'll get into that a little bit. He's the senior vice president of real estate. He has a proven track record of success in the REIT, Single-family rentals, iBuyer spaces. They're concentrating on some short-term rentals. And He's highly skilled and leading the acquisition, renovation asset management of hundreds and hundreds of properties.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- [3:23] His Background
Adam shares his background in PropTech, real estate operations, and his journey from construction to business in real estate.
- [3:23 - 5:58] Exploring PropTech and Fintech
Adam discusses his experience in PropTech and fintech, working with companies like Invitation Homes and Zillow.
The conversation moves towards fractional investing and the birth of investment.com.
- [6:20 - 9:39] Fractional Investing with Investment.com
Adam explains how investment.com allows individuals to invest in real estate for as little as $100.
The discussion includes regulatory aspects like Reg D and Reg A+, making investments accessible to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
- [10:11 - 14:32] Short Term Rentals and Regulations
Focus on short-term rentals (STRs) and the challenges related to changing regulations in different cities.
Adam emphasizes the importance of due diligence in understanding local regulations before investing in STRs.
- [15:49 - 21:40] Investment.com Portfolio and Future Plans
Adam details the current properties available on investment.com, including oceanfront and wine country short-term rentals.
The conversation expands to plans, including diversification into single-family rentals, multifamily, hospitality, private equity, and more.
- [21:49 - 23:40] How to Invest with Investment.com
Adam provides information on how listeners can invest through investment.com, mentioning the iOS app, upcoming website revamp, and the Learning Center for Education.
Average expected returns are discussed, aiming for 8-10% on current short-term rental products.
- [23:40 - end] Closing and Contact Information Adam shares his contact information, including LinkedIn, and encourages listeners to explore investment.com for opportunities.
Resources from Adam
Investment.com
Resources from Mike
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic’s guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek. It's been a while since I've talked to hotels, so I thought I would bring the lovely Nichole on to ask me some questions about changing franchises. That's been a very popular conversation piece on why you would switch it what are the headaches? And what does it take to do it in some of the questions that influenced me to choose a different franchise?
In this episode, we’re discussing…
· [1:28 – 3:45] Introduction and Motivation for a Hotel Franchise Change
Mike bought a hotel and realized the need to change franchises for better market share.
Motivation: Increasing reward members from 20 million to over 100 million.
· [4:05 – 5:58] Hotel Franchise Agreement and Negotiation
Initial franchise agreements range from 5 to 20 years.
· [5:58 – 8:51] Negotiating break fees with specialized attorneys for franchise transitions.
Considerations when choosing a new franchise.
· [9:19 – 12:44] Transition Process and Overlapping
Challenges of running two different systems during the transition.
It is negotiating with both old and new franchises simultaneously.
Overlapping issues with reservations and back-end systems.
· [16:52 – 19:03] Positive Impacts of Hotel Franchise Change
Positive outcomes: Increased market share, better rewards programs, and direct bookings.
I was switching from a small to a global franchise for improved support.
· [19:22 – 23:08] Key Lessons Learned for Potential Franchise Switch
Hire a contract attorney for negotiation.
Do thorough due diligence, consider multiple franchises, and negotiate terms.
Patience during the process and understanding the positive impact in the long run.
· [23:38] Closing and Preview
Advice not to get frustrated during the process.
A sneak peek into future episodes and updates.
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gatewaype | Nic’s guide
Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast, we have a returning guest just because he's so special with us. We have Brian Davis, SparkRental.com. He's a real estate investor, personal finance writer, and founder of Spark Rental. He owns fractional shares in over 1500 units. And he's a real estate and personal finance expert. Everyone knows these names in the US News World Report bigger pockets and go bacon rates.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast, today we have Stefan Von Imhof. Stefan is the co-founder and CEO of Alts.co. He’s a huge fan of alternative investing and has a strong background in alternative asset analysis and valuations. Prior to co-founding Alts.co, Stefan was Head of Product at Flippa where he created Flippa’s Due Diligence Program.
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Today we have Bob Bernotas. Meet Bob, one of the nation’s top franchise consultants, who is passionate about helping people achieve the greatest level of satisfaction and success through franchise ownership. With years of experience guiding clients toward top-performing franchise brands, Bob provides personalized guidance and support throughout the entire process of franchise exploration. Whether you’re looking for an exit strategy from corporate life or a semi-passive opportunity, Bob is here to help you find your perfect match and create a brighter future.
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Cody Bjugan is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor and a 20-year veteran land developer on projects across the United States, with a lot of experience in acquisitions and entitlements of OFF-MARKET raw land that has development potential. He is the founder of VestRight, a company he created to share his knowledge and make a difference in people’s lives by teaching them how to put together land acquisition deals and reaping the rewards. Cody is achieving his mission of Purpose, Impact, and Fulfillment by helping to change the lives of those willing to adopt new business models.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek Podcast. Today we're going to try something different, something new. Joining us today is Jeffrey Madoff, Founder & CEO of Madoff Productions, Adjunct Professor at Parsons School for Design, Author of “Creative Careers”, Executive Producer & Playwright. Jeffrey’s drive to tell unique stories has culminated in “PERSONALITY, The Lloyd Price Musical”, a play he wrote and is producing about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legend, Lloyd Price. It premiered at People’s Light Theater in Pennsylvania in March of ’22, garnered great reviews, and played to sold-out audiences. Personality opens at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago in June of 2023.
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Today we have Joseph Woodbury. He is the founder, CEO of neighbor.com. It's a marketplace to disrupt in the $500 billion self-storage industry. Now, before he click this off, it's not another regular Self-Storage podcast, you guys need to listen in. He's raised more than 65 million funding participation from the world's top investors including Andreessen Horowitz, and the creator of Airbnb, Uber stock X. And Door Dash. Joseph and his team have grown neighbor’s user base to cover all 50 states with more storage options than any other storage company
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Today we have Brett Schwartz, he is an entrepreneur, cre investor,podcaster, capital gains tax deferral expert, deferred sales trust educator/trustee, and CA multifamily broker. He is the Founder of the Capital Gains Tax Solutions, Founder of Commercial Realty Apartment Advisors and Host of the Capital Gains Tax Solutions Podcast. Each year, he equips hundreds of business professionals with the Deferred Sales Trust tool to help their high net worth clients solve capital gains tax deferral limitations.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast today we have Richard Flentge. He is the formerco-host of EVTV: a worldwide webcast and privaterenewable energy research facility. As a journalist reporting the rise of the electricvehicle, Tesla, and solar technology, he hascovered the introduction of new vehicles, Teslabattery technology and solar innovations.
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With us today is Preston Brown, a serial entrepreneur, multiple 8-figure business owner, and expert in disruptive innovation and profitably scaling companies. With 18 successful businesses that generate $200 million or more each year in gross revenues, Preston has advised hundreds of CEOs and entrepreneurs on how to grow and scale their companies. He’s also a sought-after speaker with a passion for sharing his insights and expertise.
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Welcome back to another episode of the Richer Geek podcast, today we have David Sillaman. He’s nationally recognized speaker and expert on opportunity zone funds. He is currently responsible for developing over $15 billion opportunity zone funds (Over 70 of them), helping GP/Sponsors raise $750 million and is recognized as a top 25 fund manager and top 10 opportunities zone fund expert in the country. He's a recognized expert on the Forbes real estate Council and consults with multiple government agencies on opportunity zone fund business advocacy across the country.
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With us today is private label expert Ashley Kinkead, the mastermind behind thousands of third-party products sold on Amazon today. Ashley has inspired countless people and entrepreneurs around the world with her skills and strategies to build full-time online empires from the ground up. Founder of Private Label Mastery, host of a top-ranked Amazon FBA podcast and author of Million Dollar e-Com Secrets: How I Went From an Unfulfilling Corporate Job to a High-Income, Extraordinary Life on My Laptop, there’s no other woman currently in the industry who’s worked with more 6, 7, and 8-figure Amazon sellers than Ashley Kinkead.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek, today we have Bronson Hill. Bronson is the founder and CEO of Bronson Equity and has raised over $20M for real estate investment. He is a general partner in over $150M worth of real estate around the US.
He is an authority on apartment investing and is continually putting out new content to help educate investors and help them achieve financial freedom.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. And today's episode we have Dave Wolcott. Dave started his career by serving the country as a Captain in the Marine Corps. In 2000 he and his wife brought triplets into the world which inspired him to challenge traditional financial planning advice. Today, Dave is an author, podcast host, and the Founder and CEO of Pantheon Investments and he's passively investing in Superior real estate, which a lot of us do hold alternate assets, which we'll get into. And most importantly, he wants predictive cashflow, tax efficiency, and upside potential.
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Today we have Patrick Yip. He's an industry expert Insider. He serves as the Director of Business Development for APMEX. APMEX is one of the largest retailers of physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium, and has sold over $15 billion in product over its 20+ year history. OneGold is a fast growing online precious metals platform that has processed over $750 million in transactions during its first three years in business.
Mr. Yip joined APMEX in 2011 and has held roles in Merchandising, Sales, Project Management and Business Development. He played a key role in the company’s 250%+ growth on marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon and Walmart.
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Today we have Matthew Leising. He's the co-founder of decentral, it's a media company, committed to telling the stories of the founders, builders and visionaries who are creating a decentralized economy and Internet experience. It should be extremely interesting to talk to Matt.
He's been a reporter for 17 years, he worked for Bloomberg News. And he's been covering crypto and all that stuff since 2015 as one of the first mainstream journalists to understand what the breakthrough of blockchain technology could mean for finance, culture and industry in general. Matt has recently released a special edition of his book, Out of the Ether: The Amazing Story of Ethereum and the $55 Million Heist that Almost Destroyed It All. Out of the Ether has been optioned and is in the process of being turned into a documentary series.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast. Today, we're going to get into some strategic risk alternatives as far as you know, helping us save some money for those unexpected times, our guest Clay Ogden, in his role as National Business Development Manager, he does it all as he interacts with business owners and advisors to identify risk management strategies.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek, something a little different for you. Today we have Jinan Glasgow George, she has spoken about IP in front of the UN Economic Commission for Europe and been a featured speaker at IP conferences in India, Italy, France, South Africa, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, as well as New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Research Triangle Park in the USA.
She is a Forbes contributor, author of the new book The IP Miracle, and has advised the Senate Small Business Committee and several Congressional offices on IP and cryptocurrency.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast, today we have Fred Moskowitz. Fred got a little book, it's called The Little Green Book of note Investing, we're gonna talk a little bit about some note investing, some other ways that you can perhaps get into passive income streams. And so, we're just gonna talk about some fund management and all sorts of things.
Investing in Mortgage Notes, Unconventional Investment Strategies: Alternative asset investing, real estate, & Cash Flow Investments.
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I have the pleasure today to introduce John Burley. Now, John comes from the world of Wall Street. He looks at money investing completely different from anyone else. And I can attest to this. He concentrates in the real estate sector. He's founded his private equity company back in 1989. And he's raised over $600 million dollars. He's done 1000s upon 1000s of real estate deals and specializes in cashflow.
He was in a position to retire at age 32. But he kept going because the guy's one of those triple A personalities. And he does for public events right now. He still runs his private equity group. He loves to share his model with the success rate of his unprecedented his students have raised over $10 billion for their own deals.
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Today we have David Vernich. He's a commercial lender is three decades of experience in the baking industry. And like a lot of us, he partnered with other investors and decided to purchase real estate and begin his journey to generate passive income. You know, I know a lot of you are thinking about that. You're thinking man, what can I do? How can I generate some of that passive income? Well, David now owns more than 100 homes in Tennessee. And he's passionate about helping others, we want to talk a little bit about his journey. And his new book: “Middle class to millionaire”
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. I'm proud to have on this episode Salvatore Buscemi. He, as author of three books, he's done a lot in industrial, what we're going to talk about one of his book’s legacies, investing legacy, and what it is where he's going to explain how 1% Invest, what kind of assets what gives him legitimacy? And what's the difference between them and the rest of us that are trying to get to where they're at.
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Hello everybody, welcome back to another episode of the richer geek, I am happy and pleased to have Jeff Johnson. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1982 and has many longstanding clients. These relationships — built on mutual trust and a deep understanding of his clients’ goals — feel far more like family than business to Jeff. So, it’s no surprise the importance he places on helping clients make smart money decisions that align with their responsibilities and goals.
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Bill is a career tech CEO with multiple exits, including an IPO. He worked at Greylock as a venture capitalist and, after selling his marketing tech company Silverpop to IBM, he shifted roles to help lead IBM’s global strategy for their CEO and SVPs.
He spent the last few years creating media ventures in climatetech. He started with a TED talk which grew into the #1 ranked podcast on renewable energy. His new book, Freeing Energy, is a practical guide for disrupting and democratizing energy.
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Welcome back to another episode of the Richer geek podcast. Today, I'm happy to have Micah Fraim. Micah is a crypto and NFT obsessed CPA. We need some of those, especially in today's world of non-regulation, I should say, but he's also a bestselling author. And featured in NASDAQ Forbes and money.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek Podcast. Today we have another techie or ex techie, that has decided that he may make him a little bit more money a little more freedom in real estate.
Sief Khafagi is a real estate investor who has helped thousands diversify into RE after spending nearly 5 years at Facebook where he built the 2nd largest engineering organization across the world. 1000+ hires later, it hit him: a company’s most important asset is its people.
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Welcome back to another episode of the Richer geek podcast. Today, we're going to change it up a little bit. It's been a while since we've given you an update on the hotels. I've brought my lovely wife, Nichole. She's going to interview me, give me a few questions. And we're going to spend the next half hour or so. Giving you an update on hotels.
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Welcome back everybody to another episode of the richer geek podcast, today I am pleased to discuss all things crypto and a very interesting take on crypto in dealing with children, Will Rush, who is the CEO and founder of Stack.
Stack, is a crypto investing platform designed to make modern finance approachable to teens. Built at the cross-section of video game culture and financial education, Stack is reshaping an entire generation’s approach to digital assets, NFT’s, and blockchain tech.
Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. I'm happy to have on our podcast, Louis O'Connor all the way from Ireland. He's the founder and principal of strategic metals invest. They're the only industry supplier in the world to offer private investors the option to purchase and profit from owning strategic metals.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. We're happy to have Grace Mills. With us today she's going to take a new advertising platform and introduce it to us. She has been the “secret weapon” behind REI Radio since the program launched. Grace’s main focus is to help professionals find their voice within their industry. She has worked with investors and agents from all over the United Sates, perfecting the art of radio marketing.
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Lauren Hardy is a real estate investor with a “People First” approach to business. Investing in hundreds of properties in her career, Lauren has the unique reputation of being a “virtual investor” having not lived in many of the states she’s invested in. Lauren has been able to persevere in extremely competitive markets by constantly following the market changes, being flexible and willing to move market territories when needed.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. We’re happy to have Jeff Sekinger. He’s a seasoned CryptoCurrency Hedge Fund manager who is passionate about helping investors invest confidently into Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency. Jeff serves as the CIO for Boron Capital’s Digital Large Cap Cryptocurrency investment fund. He and his partners have created triple digit returns and consistently outpaced Bitcoin. Jeff also leads a private inner circle mastermind that helps educate over 1000 investors on how to navigate the crypto markets. Today I am excited to pick his brain and hopefully give you the insider track on how to successfully produce strong returns in cryptocurrency investments.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. We are very happy to have Stuart Leo. Stewart has 15 years of corporate experience, the background and consulting, leadership management and strategy. He's an innovator and visionary. He's the founder and CEO of waymaker.io. Waymaker is an intelligent business management platform that helps leaders build a better business in 30 days.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek. We are very happy to have Stuart Leo. Stewart has 15 years of corporate experience, the background and consulting, leadership management and strategy. He's an innovator and visionary. He's the founder and CEO of waymaker.io. Waymaker is an intelligent business management platform that helps leaders build a better business in 30 days.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Today’s guest Christopher Nelson is a 2 x IPO Technology Executive, real estate investor, author, speaker, and the Co- Founder of Wealthward Capital. Christopher helps educate technology employees on how to invest their time and money, so they can grow their careers, build wealth, and make an impact.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Today’s guest Christopher Nelson is a 2 x IPO Technology Executive, real estate investor, author, speaker, and the Co- Founder of Wealthward Capital. Christopher helps educate technology employees on how to invest their time and money, so they can grow their careers, build wealth, and make an impact.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast. I am very happy to have with us all the way from England. Matthew Stibbe. And he is a serial entrepreneur, marketing maven. I'm not sure what he doesn't do. But he’s very good at marketing campaigns. He is the current CEO of Articulate Marketing, which is a UK marketing agency specializing in the tech sector. And he was also the CEO of intelligent games. So, he's not only a tech person, but he's a gamer. He was the founder and CEO of a 70-person computer game company where he designed games for Lego produced two games based on Dune.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast. I am happy to have Ryan Shaw. If you are ready to start building your real estate portfolio and aren’t sure how to consistently find profitable deals that make rather than cost, you money and find high quality tenants who don’t punch holes in your walls or start a pot farm in your garage – real stories by the way – then Ryan can help you.
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Pleased to have Matt Fore. He’s a part time real estate investor based out of Nashville, Tennessee. In his professional life he has spent over a decade in sales and sales leadership positions at one of the largest tech companies in the world. When he's not working or investing in real estate, he enjoys reading, training for Ironman triathlons, and convincing his brother that he is the favorite twin. I know that all our listeners will enjoy that.
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Today we have Zack Morrow , he’s a seasoned Real Estate and Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund manager who is passionate about helping investors invest confidently into alternative asset classes like Blockchain Technology, Cryptocurrency, and specific sectors of Real Estate. Zach serves as the VP of Investor Relations for Boron Capital’s family of investment funds, whose teams have created triple digit returns and consistently outpaced Bitcoin. Today, I am excited to pick his brain and hopefully give you guys the insider track on how to successfully produce strong returns in cryptocurrency investments.
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Today, we have Travis Smith, he’s the Founder and CEO of Tribevest, a platform that makes it easy to invest as a group and do deals together in as little as 48 hours. He started his career with Morgan Stanley but realized the most direct path to wealth and financial freedom wasn’t as an individual. The path is as a group, as a tribe. Travis is obsessed with building a platform that standardizes, streamlines, and ultimately de-risks group investing. He won’t stop until every single-player deal on and off the internet is an opportunity for a multi-player experience.
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Today we have Mark Basa. He's the Global Brand and Business Manager for Hokk finance. And it's an early crypto evangelist. That's what Mark is. And he's got a decade of experience and expertise that establishes him as a thought leader in creating and building crypto brands. Welcome to the show, Mark.
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Today's guest is none other than Johnny Wolf. which is elevating the home sharing concept to a new level.
Johnny Wolff is the CEO and Founder of HomeRoom Coliving – one of the fastest- growing coliving companies in the United States. After starting his career as a financial analyst in Silicon Valley (EA, SanDisk, Guidespark), he relocated to Austin, Texas to pursue real estate investing fulltime. His love for real estate investing and living with roommates motivated him to start HomeRoom in 2017, after an unusually terrible Craigslist roommate experience. In 2020, HomeRoom boasted 99% on-time rent payments, full occupancy, and zero evictions. Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Today’s guest, Brent Bowers, is an investor and coach with a focus on buying and selling vacant land. As an Army Officer with over 8 years of service, Brent was spending a great deal of time away from his family, and he knew he needed to make some changes to be more present with his wife and children. Brent began investing in real estate to support his family while having more time to spend with them. In a short period of time, Brent was able to expand his business, hire a team, and (most importantly) spend quality time with his family while still working hard and helping others. Brent now helps other investors learn the ins and outs of buying land. Welcome to the show, Brent!
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Today’s guest, Jesse Krieger, is the co-founder and Chief Content Officer of PowerFan.io where the mission is to empower authors, creators, and fans to connect and conduct commerce in valuable new ways!
Jesse brings a great deal of experience with content creation to his role at PowerFan, having signed two publishing deals on two different continents and navigated the world of becoming a bestselling author twice. It has been his honor to work with 500+ authors to achieve their dreams of writing and publishing a book, and he is now excited about helping content creators leverage NFTs and blockchain technology to better reach their audience.
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Today’s guest, Jacob Vanderslice, is Principal at VanWest Partners, a Denver-based real estate investment firm focusing on the acquisition and management of self-storage centers and other opportunistic real estate throughout the United States. VanWest has established a track record with over $195mm in real estate assets. Jacob and his partners’ success is driven by a commitment to delivering an expertly executed, adaptable strategy with an institutional investment approach. Welcome to the show, Jacob!
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I'm very pleased to have David Garofalo. Mr. Garofalo has served as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the board of directors of the Company since August 2020.
He has worked in various leadership capacities in the natural resources sector over the last 30 years. Prior to joining the Company, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Goldcorp Inc., a gold production company headquartered in Vancouver, until its sale to Newmont Corporation in April 2019. Prior to that, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Hudbay Minerals Inc. from 2010 to 2015, where he presided over that company’s emergence as a leading metals producer. Previously, he held various senior executive positions with mining companies, including Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and a director of Agnico-Eagle Limited from 1998 to 2010, and as treasurer and other various finance roles with Inmet Mining Corporation from 1990 to 1998. He was named Mining Person of the Year by The Northern Miner in 2012 and Canada’s Chief Financial Officer of the Year by Financial Executives International Canada in 2009.
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Today we have Galen Hair is the owner of insurance Claim HQ. It is a property-casualty insurance attorney firm that operates in more than seven states. And what they do is they help families rebuild their homes and businesses. They've dedicated their practice to fighting for the rights of policyholders when they experience a loss, a lot of us don't realize that we actually have someone that can voice and help us. So, I think this will be extremely exciting in some good content.
Galen M. Hair is a persistent and aggressive litigator licensed and has clients from all over the world. He established a reputation for getting the job done both within and outside the courtroom early in his career, with substantial wins both at home and across the country and an excellent record of positive results. He focuses not only on the litigation in front of the client but the long-term personal and business effects that his clients' issues will cause.
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Today, we're happy to have Max Porterfield. Max is the CEO President and Director of Callinex Mines. And what we're going to talk about today is just a little bit about the economy supply chain, what they're doing and how the world is reacting to mines and what it is that he's seeing in the macro and microeconomics of, of the whole system and the business. And I think it'd be very interesting for our listeners to have what Max says.
Mr. Porterfield is well-known in Canada’s metal market. A graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Max has over ten years of experience in natural resources and finance; he previously worked with Brazil Resources Inc., Uranium Energy Corp., and U.S. Global Investors. Max has a vibrant and charismatic personality that comes across in his interviews. He is passionate and LOVES what he does.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek Podcast. Today. We're excited to have Alastair Still, he's the Chief Executive Officer of the mining company, which is called GoldMining Inc. He's a mining industry professional with over 25 years of experience, including working for major gold miners such as Newmont Gold Corp, place or dome and Kinross Gold. He's worked within Canada and internationally in a variety of leadership roles, including corporate project development, mine operations, and he spent over 10 years in corporate development, having served as Director of Corporate development with Newmont Corp. And recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer for GoldMining.
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Welcome back to another episode of the richer geek podcast. I'm happy to have this week I have Joey Mure and Russ Morgan. They are founding partners of “Wealth without Wall Street”.
Russ Morgan is known as “The Idea Guy.” Russ began his professional career as an investment advisor in 2004 after graduating from Auburn University — a slight foray from 10-year-old Russ’ dream of becoming a professional baseball pitcher. Russ started IBC in 2009, and eventually went on to found Wealth Without Wall Street in 2015. Russ' mother was an enormous inspiration for him growing up.
Joey Mure, Founder, and Partner at Wealth Without Wall Street bring impact, integrity, and generosity to the company every day. He hopes to be remembered as a lover of Jesus, devoted husband, and faithful father. Despite dreaming, around age 10, of becoming an orthopedic surgeon, Joey was in the mortgage business for 11 years before moving to finance in 2014.
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Jim Pakulis is the CEO and Chairman of Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc. Boosh provides a healthy,100% plant-based, non-GMO, gluten-free alternative to comfort foods. Jim has over three decades of experience working with public and private entrepreneurial companies in a variety of emerging sectors and has developed a unique eye for identifying small emerging publicly traded companies and quickly scaling them.
Jim is passionate about being in the plant-based sector because simultaneously it helps individuals eat healthier foods, decreases the butchering of animals, helps the planet by re-structuring farming resources for sustainable purposes, and helps to preserve the depleting water sources. In Jim’s spare time he co-founded an animal rescue non-profit where he has helped save over 1,000 animals from being euthanized and found them loving homes.
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I'm very happy to have Myles Gage with us today. He's the co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer of Rapunzl Investments. It is a mobile application that allows individuals to simulate stock portfolios for you utilizing real-time market data.
Myles has been an advocate for encouraging young people to invest in the stock market given his exposure to learning about it in elementary school where he won stock trading competitions and even got to hold Warren Buffet's wallet once! Myles began his career as a credit analyst at CIBC. He and his co-founder, Brian Curcio, realized that ordinary investors have paid a price to learn to invest — and that price typically was real money ending up in Wall Street’s pocket. Rapunzl was founded to provide an unparalleled investing education through fun (and free) investment competitions with scholarship and cash prizes.
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Joining us today is Mike Silvestrini, co-founder and managing partner of Energea, a renewable project developer and retail investment platform that is focused on emerging and frontier markets. Mike took his FIRST company, Greenskies Renewable Energy, to a nearly half-billion-dollar valuation before selling and is now focused on connecting investors to renewable energy projects and developing renewable energy around the world.
He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa, as a small enterprise development officer. Since then, he has returned to Africa on many occasions, including several excursions to admire Africa’s incredible wildlife through his volunteer work for Big Life and to support small-scale African businesses through a U.S. State Department-led program.
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We have Shahar Abrams. And we are going to talk with Shahar about crypto. And I think everyone has questions.
He’s passionate about helping his clients form, plan, and execute effective crypto investment strategies hand-tailored to their personal and financial goals.
Shahar Abrams is a former blockchain industry professional with experience leading enterprise blockchain deployments at IBM. He is one of the few people to straddle the “traditional” enterprise blockchain world and the more well-known public-blockchain space also referred to as crypto.
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Bob Fraser is on a mission to help investors take advantage of one of the most effective and overlooked avenues of real estate investing: residential mortgage notes. As Founder and Principal of Aspen Funds, Bob has purchased more than 1,000 mortgage notes earning double-digit annual returns without the risk and volatility of traditional investing options.
With Aspen Funds, Bob uses his 20-plus years of experience in finance to oversee the company’s mortgage note portfolios. A Magna Cum Laude graduate in computer science from U.C. Berkeley and former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award-winner, Bob often makes bold, contrarian predictions about the economy and technology, most of which have already come true.
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Welcome to another episode of the Richer Geek. We're happy to have Chad Willardson. He is the President and Founder of Pacific Capital and is a Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. Before founding Pacific Capital, he spent 9 years at Merrill Lynch, where he ranked in the top 2% of over 16,000 Financial Advisors nationally. Chad is the author of the Best Selling Book: Stress Free Money: Overcome These Seven Obstacles to Find Financial Freedom.
Chad is passionate about financial education and believes that with the right tools and resources, people can be empowered to make smart money decisions. He loves to help people organize their financial life, clarify their goals, and make decisions that lead them to a successful and fulfilling life. A native of Orange County, CA, Chad and his wife of 17 years live in Corona with their five children.
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Today, we welcome Joe DiSanto. He spent his childhood riding BMX bikes, breakdancing, and memorizing 80’s movies, but the carefree days of youth wouldn’t last long. By 13 he was working as a busboy, helping his recently-divorced mom, and picking up some of his own tabs. A valuable lesson was learned: If you don’t deal with your money, your money will deal with you. From that point on, he made it his mission to learn everything he could about making smart money moves.
It paid off. By age 30, Joe had wiped out $70k in student loans, bought his first house, and started a post-production company in Los Angeles. Over the next decade, the company grew to 30+ employees with over 5 million in annual revenue, while producing two critically-acclaimed documentaries and an Emmy-winning HBO series. During this time, he and his wife also transacted on 15 residential and commercial real estate properties. But nothing had a more life-changing impact than the birth of their son.
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Today we welcome Jonathan Hung, and to set the tone ladies and gentlemen I'm not sure that there's a place to graduate that Jonathan hasn't graduated from. He has several degrees from the University of Southern California, London School of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the best schools.
Jonathan Hung is a transformative Los Angeles angel investor and venture capital partner who believes in a bright future for businesses seeking to broaden their horizons in North America and Asia. In support of this mission, he serves as Co-Managing Partner at Unicorn Venture Partners and Senior Venture Partner and Head of Due Diligence at Expert Dojo providing a hands-on approach to supporting companies by offering his strategic expertise and operations management.
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Landon and Teria Harris are the perfect team. They have mastered the art of divide and conquer when it comes to their land investment business, Creekside Developments. After spending some time rehabbing single-family homes and realizing it was not for them, they have found their perfect niche as land investors.
They both began land investing in 2019. Within a year, they were able to build a successful land business and replace Landon’s income. They are currently working to double their passive income in 2021.
Landon and Teria currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia. When not working in their land business, both enjoy working out and traveling as often as they can. They are proud parents of four adult sons and enjoy every minute they can visit with them.
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Scott Melbye is a 36-year veteran of the nuclear energy industry having held leadership positions in major uranium mining companies as well as industry-wide organizations. He serves as Executive Vice President of Uranium Energy Corp., a U.S. uranium mining and exploration company, and Chief Executive Officer of Uranium Royalty Corp., the first and only pure-play uranium royalty and streaming company in the uranium industry.
Mr. Melbye was formerly the Chair of the Board of Governors of the World Nuclear Fuel Market and is currently President of the Uranium Producers of America. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and serves as an Advisor to the Colorado School of Mines, Nuclear Engineering Program.
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I'm happy to welcome Ryan Giollito. Ryan is a CPA tax partner with Foley and Giollito. And I wanted to bring on Ryan because it's very important to know that you can't just have a regular CPA, you need to have someone that wants to sit down with you and wants to give you some advice
Foley and Giollito spend more time than any other CPA does to save their clients tangible tax dollars. 100% of their resources are allocated to achieving the absolute best results for their clients. As a result, they typically save their clients more than 3 times what a normal CPA would.
Most CPA firms offer little to no helpful guidance outside of tax season. They believe they have a better way of doing things, where they provide guidance throughout the entire year to optimize each and every one of their client’s business and personal tax situations, on a customized basis.
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Today’s guest Douglass Lodmell is Managing Partner of Lodmell & Lodmell, P.C., one of the nation’s leading Asset protection Law Firms. Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, Douglass stood out at an early age as one of the brightest minds of his generation. Douglass’ law firm is responsible for protecting over $4 Billion in client assets. Douglass spends much of his time teaching, speaking, and leading thousands of business owners, corporate executives, investors, and other professionals who have often worked most of their lives to accumulate a wealth of various types, including real estate and securities.
Asset Protection works by removing the economic incentive for a person, and that person’s attorney to pursue you in a court of law. The best way to protect your assets is to take legal steps to make you unattractive to potential predators. Since 1997, Lodmell & Lodmell has helped to protect and preserve the assets and wealth of thousands of clients nationwide.
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Today’s guest, Chris Larsen is the founder and Managing Partner of Next-Level Income. Chris has been investing in and managing real estate for over 20 years. While still a college student, he bought his first rental property at age 21. From there, Chris expanded into development, private-lending, buying distressed debt as well as commercial offices, and ultimately syndicating multifamily properties.
He began syndicating deals in 2016, has raised more than $15 million, and has been actively involved in over $150 million of real estate acquisitions. Chris is passionate about helping investors become financially independent.
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Today we welcome David Meyer. He's the managing principal of Meyer Wilson and the national law firm that he founded to represent investment fraud victims and their fight against deceptive brokers. Meyer Wilson is one of the nation's leading investment fraud firms recovering millions of dollars for clients throughout the last 20 years. He's currently the president of two Bar Association's named one of the best lawyers in America and he's been also named twice lawyer of the Year by publication in this practice, area, and location.
Now, what are security investment fraud attorneys, stockbrokers, and financial advisors, who have a duty to recommend investments that are appropriate and beneficial for you based on your specific circumstances? Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. A lot of times they act on it for their own benefit. And some of the things they do or unauthorized trading, excessive fees, churning Ponzi schemes, and more. We're going to talk about what we can do and how we can fight back. Also, we’ll be discussing his number one Amazon bestseller, the investor protector.
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Today we welcome Rachel Marshall and Bruce Wahner. Rachel is the co-founder and chief financial educator and content strategist of the money advantage. She's known for making money simple, fun, and doable. Bruce Wahner is the lead advisor of the money advantage where he designs and communicates individualized solutions that help their clients increase cash flow, and help with financial control.
Now, what is the money advantage? It's a team of financial freedom architects, for wealth creators, you have a three-step roadmap to maximize your money by keeping more of what you make, protecting it, and turning it into cash-flowing assets. Their family office model brings you the concierge service usually reserved for the ultra-wealthy, a team of licensed professionals to coordinate every part of your financial life. This includes strategies for cash flow, long-term tax reduction, estate, and business legal planning, creative whole life insurance strategies if you want an alternative investment.
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Today we welcome Ian Ippolito, he’s the founder and head of an alternative asset investing club called the private investor club. Now, what is alternative asset investing? Not only can you invest in real estate, private debt, private equity, venture capital, but did you know that you can invest in litigation finance? and even music royalties, the private investor club is the premier choice if you're looking for a different way to invest. The club has 4500 plus members with over 8.3 billion in investable assets. This place gives investors access to high-quality deal flow, detailed due diligence, and a special deal that they couldn't find on their own. Now, he has been featured in USA Today, Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journal realtor.com, curved, and more.
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Today we welcome Jonathan Feniak. He's an attorney and partner at Colorado LLC Attorney.com. In this position, he helps business owners at nearly every level, and in nearly every industry with asset protection, estate planning, and business formation.
The reason I brought Jonathan in all the other different types of podcasts that I've had, I've talked about having a team and having an attorney, a good attorney, is part of your team that you will need whether you invest passively or actively whether you're a general partner, limited partner, whether you own a business, a reputable attorney is part of your team.
Despite being an attorney today, Jonathan will readily admit that he never planned on becoming one. And unlike other supposedly “accidental” lawyers, Jonathan has the track record to prove it. Look over his backstory and you’ll see that law is actually his third career.
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Today we welcome Gil Baumgarten, president of Segment wealth Management, Gil is a 36 year veteran of the investment industry. In 2010, he jumped off the Wall Street brokerage train to start Segment, a fiduciary firm where the interests of the client and the firm could align. He is a multi-year recipient of the Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in America distinction by Barron's and as a newly published author with his first book launching in May titled “Foolish”: How investors get worked up and worked over by the system. We'll talk about the game stop short squeeze and, and ugly truth: Wall Street still has a hidden agenda.
After 20 years of working in big brokerage firms, Gil escaped the shadows of Wall Street to start his own RIA fiduciary firm so he could advocate for his client’s best interests without a firm’s agenda breathing down his neck.
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Today, the Richer Geek is proud to introduce the land geek. Mark Podolski, he's widely considered to be the country's most trusted and foremost authority on buying and selling raw, undeveloped land. Today, Mark will share his journey into the world of buying, selling, and leasing raw land as an investment. He has actively invested in real estate and raw land for almost 20 years and has completed over 5000 unique transactions during that time.
Mark has been actively investing in real estate and raw land and has completed over 5,000 unique transactions. Mark’s company, Frontier Equity Properties, LLC, is an A+ rated BBB real estate company. Mark has achieved this level of success largely due to his core business philosophy – “Happy Customers Guaranteed.”
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Today we welcome Aaron Norris, whose real estate career started at five years old fixie houses his father's split business. After living in New York City for almost a decade he joined the family's hard money business as a mortgage officer and researcher. Today he's the Vice President of market insights for PropertyRadar.
He speaks and writes nationally on trends and the power of public records that helps Main Street compete with Wall Street. You'll find his works on forbes.com. Think realty magazine and bigger pockets. We're going to concentrate today on this wonderful software called property radar. This software allows you to research residential and commercial properties using enhanced public records data. You can connect with owners by phone, email, mail, in person, and online.
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In today's episode, we welcome Hugh Odom. He's a former AT&T attorney, and the founder and president of vertical consultant, a telecom consulting firm that has provided consulting advice for companies like Walmart, McDonald's, Disney, and governmental institutions like the United States Postal Service; New York Housing Authority; Veteran Affairs; the City of Atlanta and the City of Charlotte.
Hugh can share the evolving story of how the telecom industry has and will become more crucial based upon the COVID-19 pandemic. And the new normal that will result after COVID has run its course, as the founder and president of vertical consultants who wants to demystify not only what is being reported in the news. But what is going on behind the scenes inside companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T Mobile. He has been a resource in many newspapers, podcasts, radio shows, and blogs for years.
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Joining us today is Kris Benson, is the Chief Investment Officer of Reliant Investments, a subsidiary of Reliant Real Estate Management and one of the top 25 commercial self-storage operators in the U.S. in 2019. Reliant has completed over $650,000,000 in self-storage acquisitions and dispositions in the past 5 years and recently completed Reliant Self-Storage Fund I, a $50,000,000 equity fund focused on self-storage acquisitions in the southeastern U.S.
Kris is part of the investment committee at Reliant and helps to develop institutional quality self-storage investment opportunities for accredited investors.
Kris’s investing goals have always been about changing the paradigm of trading time for money in order to have time for more of the things we love to do. Likewise, investing in real estate has been Kris’s steadfast path to passive income and he is passionate about inspiring others to change their mindset around investing for their future.
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Joining us today is Chris Arnold, who has closed over 2,500 real estate deals using a marketing channel that is very effective but frequently overlooked, radio. In his 15 years of working in real estate, Chris has perfected a method of micro-targeting the exact audience he is looking for and then creating explosive radio spots that result in prospects approaching him to buy their homes. This marketing channel brings inconsistent and highly motivated sellers with virtually no completion!
Most recently Chris has launched his REI Radio coaching program. This program is designed to teach real estate investors the Marketing stream that everyone knows about NO ONE is doing!
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
If you thought about quitting your day job and getting into real estate investing. Our next guest is a must to listen.
Leka Devatha moved to the US from India 13 years ago. She quit her corporate job at Nordstrom in 2014 and started Rehabit Homes, Inc. It's a company focused on residential redevelopment.
She has now flipped over 40 homes and has expanded her focus to include land development, additions, acquiring long term rentals both in state and out of state. Her strength is finding creative exit strategies on every deal.
She also serves as an advisor on the board of Certain Lending, a FinTech company based in SF. She enjoys inspiring and motivating other entrepreneurs to build successful businesses. And she's even co-authored a book.
Today's guest founded a company that provides a really interesting approach for homeowners to unlock the equity in their homes. And coming soon, investors can invest through this platform as well. The overall concept is called Home Equity Contracts.
Matthew Sullivan is the CEO and founder of QuantmRE he's a serial entrepreneur. He's also the founder and president of a Crowdfunding real estate company called crowdventure.com. He's the author of headfirst, a roadmap for entrepreneurs, and the host of hooked on startups podcast.
Matthew is a man on a mission to help homeowners get cash from their equity with no interest or monthly payments. He has helped hundreds of homeowners use their home equity to pay off expensive credit cards, remodel, pay college tuition fees, etc. without taking on extra debt.
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What are your thoughts on investing passively in the office space? If you thought like me, that offices were falling out of favor due to COVID? We are mistaken, offices in the right demographic and area are thriving and ripe for the picking. Brian Adams is going to let us know the details on why Excelsior Capital is investing in offices.
He has 10 years of experience in Real Estate private equity and has advanced knowledge in best practices for strategic real estate investing.
Prior to forming Excelsior Capital, Brian co-founded Priam Properties (an institutional Real Estate Private Equity Sponsor) in 2010 and provided leadership and direction for the firm in connection with capital markets, investment management, and investor relations.
Brian served as a member of the Board of NextGen Advisory Faculty for the Institute of Private Investors/Campden; a program designed to support next-generation family members in preparing the following generation for the responsibility of being a steward of family wealth.
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In today's episode, we're welcoming back Kenny Rose. He's a renowned franchise expert in this field. He's featured in Forbes, ABC American Express, The Hustle, Market Watch, and other publications, his media reaches over 220 million people.
Founder of Semfia Franchise Brokerage and FranShares, Kenny Rose is the go-to source for franchise investing knowledge.
He's going to be talking today about his latest company Fran Shares. This allows you to passively invest in a portfolio of professionally managed franchises in minutes, with no fees.
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How many of you have ever needed to hire a general contractor? Whether you're building or renovating? If you're working full time, this can be a daunting and most frustrating experience.
How are they doing their job? Are they keeping within your budget? Are they even showing up?
Paul Dashevsky and John Grishpul are here to help. They are the co-founders of Great builds, a completely free service that matches homeowners with top general contractors that have gone through a rigorous 10 step vetting process. They even stay by the client side, from the initial call to finishing remodel to ensure everything runs smoothly.
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We are continuing our series on diversifying your portfolio through passive investing. Today we're going to talk about win-win investing.
Martin Saenz of CO founded bequest funds with the dual purpose of helping investors grow their wealth and helping mortgage borrowers stay in their homes through mortgage note investing. Who wouldn't like to make passive income while helping people stay in their own homes?
Martin brings social good into smart investing. Martin is a Managing Partner of Bequest Funds. Renowned as a thought leader in the mortgage note investment industry, Martin is generous with his first-hand expertise, to the benefit of his many clients and followers.
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We try to highlight all the different ways you can diversify your portfolio, especially if you're still working.
If you were seeking a way to gain passive income with a high yield, you'll want to check this episode out.
Jonathan Tuttle fund manager at Midwest Park capital, where he provides accredited investors with exclusive access to high yield investment in the mobile home park vertical. You may have never thought about investing in mobile homes.
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If you're still working, your 401K in your IRA probably won't be enough for retirement. I've always believed in diversifying your portfolio. Now, let me ask you a question, how would you like to diversify by owning a piece of the internet? A turnkey 100% hands-off investment into the next generation of superfast internet.
Today’s guest Wally Wright will let us know how you can diversify with great returns by owning a piece of the internet. Mr. Wally is the general manager of spectrum link a high-end high-speed wireless ISP while he boasts a career as a consultant in private equity sectors that spans nearly 40 years.
Wally has generated over $250 million in revenue by investing in a wide variety of industries, including the gold and silver futures market, startup technology companies, fine art, securing private funding for IPO’s, and the Wi-Fi internet broadband industry.
In addition to his investing in business prowess, Wally is an accomplished Ferrari, race car racer, and a member of the Mississippi Valley State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Today's episode is about the concept of, if you want a vacation home, or you want a specific type of car or anything else that you are really looking to, to aspire to have, but you don't think that you can afford it. What is a way that you can actually have it? Today's guest, Steve Sassman, went out and did that with his Tesla.
He always loved tech. And the more he read about Tesla, he became obsessed with them, which is I can attest to that. And he had to get creative to find how he could afford one which led him down this path and adventure where he's used PR, marketing and the sharing economy to own his Tesla.
And I found out it was an older Tesla. It had 200,000 miles on it at the time. He told me how he drove across the country. He just went into all of this detail of all these things that he did with his Tesla. And so, I just could hear the passion as I mentioned. And so, he ended up giving me a business card which I then found out that he basically had this Tesla which he also rented on Turo, and he also leveraged for Uber for being a driver.
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The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected real estate investing tremendously as more companies were forced to shut down physical stores, hotels, office spaces, and other establishments to comply with health protocols and social distancing.
Today’s guest believes so. Licensed attorney, real estate broker, and financial advisor, David Blatt believes that 2020 can be still seen as a positive year to invest in real estate because a lot of opportunities have been opened up due to the pandemic.
David Blatt is the CEO of CapStack Partners, an NYC based company focused on helping real estate clients find debt solutions, including project financing, loan sales, and syndications, and loan workouts and restructuring.
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Can one become a conscious being while accumulating wealth? Today’s guest - financial planner and Buddhist - Jonathan K. DeYoe, says yes! Growing wealth mindfully is even what everybody needs in this money-focused world.
Jonathan is a California-based fee-only financial planner, the founder of DeYoe Wealth Management, an advocate of financial literacy, and the best selling author of Mindful Money, a one of a kind financial planning guide that teaches you how to save money, invest, pay off debt, fund your retirement, and pursue your dreams of financial bliss, in a mindful and conscious way.
Join us as he discusses how he developed his own philosophy of financial planning, how the practice of mindfulness and Buddhism can be applied to it, and why financial literacy is important for everyone to know.
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It’s been 8 months since COVID-19 hit the United States and the NBA canceled their season. And while I recorded a few unedited episodes to share what was happening with our hotels, in today’s episode we share a full update as well as some changes with the podcast.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
- The steps Mike took immediately in March and April just as our hotels were gearing up for our biggest season and COVID-19 shut down travel.
- Leveraging the reduced occupancy timeframe to complete a remodel.
- What steps Mike continues to take today to navigate this challenging time.
- Which areas are performing well and which are challenged?
- Are there any hotel deals right now?
- What advice Mike has for someone looking to get into hotel investing.
- Podcast transition.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Uri Robinson, Co-Founder of Robinson Consulting Group, LLC, A2I Foundation, Inc. Brockwood Foundation, Inc, Perkins & Robinson Investment Group, Investor, and an Independent Life Insurance Agent, also owns a company selling college students and frat members greek apparel, beads, and t-shirts online.
In this episode, Uri and I chat about running an e-commerce online business while working on tech and balancing the responsibilities in handling multiple ventures. He also shared with me his three powerful pieces of advice on how to start an e-commerce business during a global pandemic.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Amanda Han is the Assistant Managing Director of Keystone CPA Inc., a tax consulting and accounting firm that has been providing first-class tax strategies for Fortune 500 companies for more than 38 years. With over 18 years’ public accounting experience in the Lead Tax Group, Amanda has developed her specialization in real estate, self-directed investing, and individual tax planning for clients.
In this episode, Amanda shared to me the tax benefits in real estate investing, turning personal expenses into a legitimate tax-deductible item, using depreciation and 1031 exchange to defer tax, the effects of tax reform law in real estate investments, the benefit of the Opportunity Zone, and some tips on hiring the perfect tax advisor for real estate investors.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
What if there’s an alternative way that will allow you to sell a property or investment property while continuing to defer your capital gains and your depreciation recapture?
That’s the topic of this episode’s guest, Brett Schwartz, the Founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions and the host of Capital Gains Tax Solutions podcast. His company aims to help people defer capital gains tax on the sale of their highly appreciated assets, do away with the 1031 exchange, and save time so that they can create and preserve more wealth.
Brett’s experience includes numerous Deferred Sales Trusts, Delaware Statutory Trusts, 1031 exchanges and $88,000,000 in closed commercial real estate brokerage transactions. He’s an active commercial real estate broker and investor with brokerage experience and ownership in multifamily, senior housing, retail, medical office, and mixed-use properties. He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker who holds Series 22 and 63 licenses. He lives in Roseville California, with his wife, Melanie and their 5 children.
In our talk, Brett shared his beginnings, how he came up with the transformational wealth plan, how his process works, and how this alternative way of deferring capital gains is entirely legal.
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Today’s guest migrated to the US with just 180 dollars in his account. Still, in only five years, he was able to source deals worth more than 40 million dollars and has recently closed on an $11,500,00 deal, a 160-unit apartment building in Houston, Texas, with his multifamily investment syndication firm, Dwellyn.com.
While working full time in tech, Ola Dantis, Founder and CEO of Dwellynn.com was able to build up his success in the real estate investing space by networking with the right people and learning the real estate investment business. He continues to exceed his investor’s returns by focusing on value add deals in metropolitan cities across the United States.
Ola shared with me how he started in real estate investing, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Today's guest was originally a white-water rafting guide teaching people how to navigate dangerous rivers and lakes. Wanting to have more intellectual challenges in his life, he ventured into the stock market.
Now, he teaches and mentors people around the world on setting up automated trading systems for the stock market.
Professional stock trader Laurens Bensdorp is the founder and CEO of Trading Mastery School and the bestselling author of “The 30-Minute Stock Trader” and his newest book, “Automated Stock Trading Systems.”
He mentors a small group of people who want to have automated trading systems that work in bull, bear, and sideways markets.
Laurens and I talk about how he switched his career to stock trading, how he developed his own stress-free automated trading system and how his approach smoothly copes with uncertain times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Today, we’re talking about an alternative retirement investment tool other than the 401k or self-directed IRA. Our guest has been a professional investor for more than 20 years with the purchase of his first rental house he charged on his VISA. That move snowballed into 150 rental houses in less than 5 years.
Like everybody else, he lost big time in the 2008 economic crisis. But, in just less than five years, he reclaimed his wealth, and now, he is on his mission to free 1 million people from the shackles of financial bondage.
Damion Lupo is a professional investor and best-selling author of 10 books on personal finance, investment, and retirement strategies. He pioneered over 50 companies including the eQRP® - the ultimate investor retirement tool that allows individuals to take control of their retirement money and invest it in real assets like Real Estate, gold, and crypto WITHOUT GETTING HIT WITH UBIT. Interesting fact, he also founded his own martial art, Yokido®.
Damion and I talk about his beginnings, the challenges he faced, lessons on investing he acquired over the years, and how he created eQRP® as a retirement investment option for everyone. He also shared how this financial strategy works, its difference with 401k and IRAs, how to set it up, and who are those qualified to avail of it.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast
Today we’re digging into a more technical and less glamorous topic - but it’s a crucial one if you are serious about having a business. We’re talking all about forming legal entities like Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and corporations to protect yourself and your real estate & business assets.
Michael S. Brady is an attorney with over 25 years of experience representing clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions, as well as a wide variety of business transactions and commercial litigation matters.
In this episode Michael walks us through a couple scenarios for owning a real estate business and things you need to think about for your legal entity’s structure. We also talk about the differences between LLCs and corporations, when you may want to work one-on-one with a lawyer instead of just using something like Legal Zoom, and some of the contingencies you need to plan for when setting up your business.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Humans are hard-wired to care about things when we hear them in the context of a story. Today’s guest has learned that first-hand while making his signature creative, engaging content for himself and for other entrepreneurs. Now, he’s using his skills to help run virtual summits and workshops to help other entrepreneurs carry on as we all continue to adjust to life during COVID-19.
Moby Hayat is an entrepreneur and content creator who helps other businesses and entrepreneurs share their stories. He is the host of the Fire Show Podcast, creator of the 2 Week Content Bootcamp, and host of the Online-First Summit 2020.
Moby takes us through his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his time working in tech at Dell while waiting to get his green card in the USA. We chat about his time working at a startup accelerator, how COVID-19 has changed the job landscape for so many of us, and how he is using his talent for making content to help other people and build his own business.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Although today’s guest originally did have his own business, that isn’t how he advises his clients to make money now. Instead, he focuses on teaching people how to harness the power of compound interest to build wealth in the long term.
Curtis Ray is a money scientist and bestselling author. He's the founder and CEO of SunCor Financial and an expert on Maximum Premium Indexing, a new and highly profitable spin on the indexed universal life insurance plan. His latest book is The Lost Science of Compound Interest.
Curtis and I talk about his entrepreneurial experiences and how he got into being a money scientist. He also walks us through compound interest and why it’s so powerful, despite a lot of people not using it to its full advantage.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I met this week’s guest by chance while on vacation, and he has such an interesting entrepreneurial story and mindset that I had to have him on the show.
Braun Mincher has been a successful entrepreneur for over 25 years in a diverse variety of business ventures. Since 1996, he has focused on being a leader with telecommunications and VoIP technologies. He leads several related telecom entities which specialize in Telecom Consulting, Hosted Voice-Over-IP (VoIP), and highly advanced IP-PBX phone systems for multi-location business enterprises and call centers nationwide.
Braun and I chat about how he decides what business to get into next, why he’s so passionate about financial literacy, and how he deals with problems and setbacks in business. This one is all about the entrepreneurial mindset, which is the foundation for any successful business.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Last episode we chatted with Alex Caputo about his experience owning a franchise in the fitness industry. He has recently pivoted away from fitness and into a totally different and fascinating market - waste management - so I wanted to share his story and the reasons behind that shift.
In this episode Alex and I talk about why he invested in car washes with a couple business partners after he sold his Orangetheory franchises. He then talks about the processes of finding a new business to work on, why he is so excited about his opportunity with Smash My Trash, and what he considers before jumping into a new business.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’ve talked about franchises on the show before, but this time we’re talking about the whole process - from purchasing to running to selling - with someone who has done this in the fitness franchise space.
Alex Caputo has worked in a variety of Technical Sales roles and found that he was also drawn to entrepreneurship. Because he was passionate about fitness, he got started with Orangetheory fitness franchises which he successfully sold and transitioned into car washes.
Alex and I talk about how his wife introduced him to Orangetheory and why they decided to open their own franchise. He shares some advice about knowing your strengths and weaknesses as business partners and the pros and cons of owning and operating this kind of franchise. And Alex and I discuss the reasons they sold their franchises even though they were still doing really well.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I recently spoke with a legal expert about crowdfunding platforms that work in industries outside of real estate, and he connected me with this week’s guest and his platform: Honeycomb Credit.
George Cook is the Co-Founder and CEO of Honeycomb Credit, a Pittsburgh-based investment crowdfunding company that allows anyone to lend money at competitive rates to locally-owned small businesses.
In this episode George tells us about the loss of community banks in the US and how platforms like Honeycomb Credit can fill the gap in supporting small businesses. We discuss regulation crowdfunding, some of the businesses Honeycomb has helped support, and how the platform is helping investors and small businesses during COVID-19 and beyond.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Commercial real estate investing piques many people’s interest, but can seem a bit intimidating from the outside looking in. Thankfully there are platforms like Crowdstreet that can help new commercial investors understand the process and get started.
CrowdStreet is a real estate investing platform that gives investors direct access to individual commercial real estate investment opportunities, allowing you to review, compare, and personally choose the deals that meet your own investment criteria.
Brent Hieggelke is the Chief Marketing Officer of Crowdstreet and a high-growth tech marketing executive focused on start-up and early category innovators and disrupters.
In this episode Brent and I talk about how Crowdstreet got started, what it’s like doing a deal through the platform, and what new commercial investors need to know to start diversifying their investment portfolio.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
You might remember the mini-series we did on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) a few months ago. Today we’re adding another episode about ADUs, this time about a novel approach to design and construction. Here to talk about the pros of pre-fab ADUs in California is Saliq Hussaini!
Saliq Hussaini is part of Shilo, an ADU start-up in the bay area & Los Angeles. Shilo works with prefab components to provide factory-level precision and unit installation in half the time of traditional construction.
Saliq and I talked about how Shilo is innovating in the ADU industry and why pre-fab construction can be a great way to save time and money when building an ADU. We talk about what it’s like to work with his company, what you need to consider about your local laws before building, and how ADUs can help increase affordable housing stock.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I know quite a few people who have invested in the vacation rental industry and advertise their properties on big OTA platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com. But a lot of vacation home owners are frustrated by the big guys’ approach to refunds, booking revenues, and fees.
Michael Kugler is a software engineer who invented VeeCal automated software back in the late 1990s. The sales he made from that company (which he still owns) allowed him to buy a resort in Branson, Missouri along with short term rental condos. Along the way, he was offered the opportunity to buy a lucrative URL - www.Vacation.Rentals -and jumped at the opportunity.
Michael and I spoke about his newest project - Vacation.Rentals - and how it is aiming to improve the vacation home experience for travelers and homeowners alike.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’ve talked about all kinds of businesses in other episodes of the podcast, and for some of those - like a barbershop, a franchise, or a restaurant - you’re going to need a physical retail location. So I wanted to dig into what you need to know if you’re looking to rent a retail space to get your business up and running.
Eddie Gonzalez was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He especially prides himself in knowing the Central Phoenix area and his passion for service, which serves as an important attribute in putting his commercial real estate clients above all else.
Eddie provides tips on the process of finding a retail space for your business and what to look for in an agent. We talk about why you need a solid business plan before you do anything else and what you need to know about spending to improve your leased space.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Final regular unedited update during COVID-19. Wednesday normal episodes will continue and the podcast is almost 1 year old!
If you’re interested in expanding your real estate investment portfolio, you might be considering the option of getting into commercial or multifamily real estate. This can be an excellent strategy for building wealth, but it’s not as straightforward as simply scaling up your current business - there’s a lot more you need to know about, including commercial funding.
Greg Martin is a Commercial Banker at BB&T Bank, now Truist. With over 14 years of banking experience he is an entrepreneur’s insider to the banking industry. Greg is the creator of The Entrepreneur’s Banker brand and is a certified Profit First Banker (1 of 2 in the world).
Greg and I discuss some of the differences between owning and managing commercial versus single-family real estate and what you need to know about funding. We also talk about some of the strategies you can use to secure funding and why it’s essential for you to have a great team in place as you make the jump into commercial real estate.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Weekly update during COVID-19. 6 reasons why being in our hotel niche is a good thing right now.
Today I’m sharing some crucial information about legal structures for businesses that I really wanted to share a lot earlier. I’ve finally found the perfect person to talk about this important topic in a way that is not only interesting, but will also convince you that now is the time to get all the legal ducks in a row with your side business.
Jennifer Gligoric is the co-founder and COO of Leafy Legal Services and host on Leafy Podcast. Jennifer has been helping entrepreneurs and real estate investors get started for the last 20+ years.
Jennifer and I talk about different legal structures for your side business and why it is essential to your long-term success to determine your structure as soon as possible. We also discuss the importance of anonymity, the protection different legal structures can give you, and what you need to know about business loans and credit.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I always love chatting to fellow tech people who are finding creative ways to fit entrepreneurship into their lives. Today’s guest is balancing a full-time position in tech while also running two convenience stores, an industry I am always excited to learn more about.
Sarok Shareef is an IT Sales Executive who has always had an interest in entrepreneurship. He purchased an existing convenience store and learned so much during his first year about operations and team management. About a year later, he took all those lessons and developed a second retail concept leveraging the lessons from his first store to jump-start success with his second location.
Sarok and I talk about why he wanted to get into owning convenience stores specifically and what it was like buying an existing business. He shares some of the challenges he’s encountered with inventory, personnel, and finding the deal in the first place. And we discuss what he would do differently if he were to do it all again as well as what he loves about his new, second convenience store in a different part of town.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
If you want to grow your wealth, you have to have systems and processes in place to help you keep track of it in the first place. We talked about this in episode 48, and today we’re hearing from another accounting expert who has some tips to make your bookkeeping simple, easy and consistent.
Meryl is a Chartered Accountant who specializes in cloud accounting software Xero. She founded Bean Ninjas in July 2015 with $1,000 following Dan Norris's 7 Day Startup methodology. Now 4 years later the company operates in the US, UK and Hong Kong and has a distributed team of 15 people.
Meryl and I talk about why it’s so important to keep good records from the beginning of your business - even if you only have one rental property. We also chat about what Bean Ninjas does for clients, how to effectively keep track of your receipts, and what you need to know about how to use your accounting software.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on our business and the businesses of past guests.
There’s a good chance that there is a financial recession (or even depression) coming our way as the coronavirus continues to reshape the world. I want to keep providing information that’s relevant to you right now, so this week we have a return guest on the podcast to talk about how to prepare for and overcome the recession.
Chris Miles, the Cash Flow Expert and Anti-Financial Advisor, is a leading authority teaching professionals and entrepreneurs how to quickly free up cash, and increase passive income today. He's an author and podcast host, and has a proven reputation with his company, Money Ripples, getting his clients fast results.
Chris and I run through five tips you can use right now to get your finances ready to face a recession. We talk about the importance of staying calm, why you should make sure you have liquid cash, and how you can use your creativity to solve problems and make some extra income.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
March 28th update on the current situation impact our hotels and resources during this challenging time.
There’s more that goes into wealth-building than simply making money. To build real wealth and financial freedom in the long run, you have to become a great steward of your money. Today we’re chatting with a guest who has completely overhauled her approach to both personal and business finance. Now, she helps other people do it, too.
Krisstina Wise is a real estate mogul, Millionaire Coach and creator of several multi-million dollar businesses including Goodlife Luxury, The Paperless Agent and most recently, WealthyWellthy. She is also an international speaker and the award-winning author of the Amazon Bestseller Falling for Money, a romance novel for your bank account.
Krisstina and I talk about her money journey and how she learned everything she needed to know about personal finance after some difficult times for her family. We then talk about the two facets of money she teaches as a coach, why we need systems and tools to build our wealth, and how she helps clients organize their money so it is always working toward achieving their goals.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Short update on the current situation impact our hotels and resources during this challenging time.
We have an awesome guest returning to the show today to chat with us about franchises: Kenny Rose! Last time, Kenny introduced us to the world of franchising and why it can be such a great way to build wealth. In this episode, he’s telling us about 7 of the hottest franchises for 2020 and what to keep in mind if you’re interested in getting into each industry.
Kenny Rose is one of the world's experts when it comes to franchise investing, having been featured on ABC, in an Amazon Best Seller, and is the top writer on franchising on Quora. His company Semfia is a franchise brokerage educating investors on the franchise industry and matching them up to the fastest growing brands available based on their goals, budget, and long term goals.
In this episode, Kenny and I talk about what’s trending in franchises right now and which industries he’s keeping an eye on. We discuss barbershops, fitness classes, food franchises, and even eyelash extensions.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’ve talked to several people on the show about turning their expertise into an online business, but today’s guest has a particularly amazing story. This episode is another example of what we hear over and over from successful entrepreneurs - that when you know and do something really well, other people will be willing to pay you for your help!
Jitendra Chouksey is a founder from India. His company Fittr started as a WhatsApp group 6 years ago where JC helped people get fit for free. When he realized he could make many more people fit, he started Fittr in 2016. Since then, Fittr has transformed the lives of 100,000+ people, provided jobs to 350+ people, and is now a $13m company without any marketing. They are totally bootstrapped and have a community of 800,000+ fitness enthusiasts.
In today’s episode, JC and I talk about the birth and growth of Fittr and the story behind its huge success. He discusses starting the business while working full time in tech, why he never planned to make money from getting people fit, and how Fittr has grown almost entirely from word of mouth.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’ve talked to several people on the show who have built businesses around skills and knowledge that would be easy to take for granted. Just because something is easy for you - like building a website, public speaking, or getting a job interview - doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone else. So why not share your expertise and build a thriving business while you’re at it?
Shey Harms has been a computer programmer in the corporate world for the past 30 years. She’s had 5 different podcasts and created a few dozen websites for herself and clients. She is now focused on helping people who want to change the second half of their lives by teaching them the tech skills they need to start or grow an online business through her podcast and business academy.
In this episode, Shey and I talk about how she got her start in tech and how she’s built an awesome business by helping people. We discuss creating a business that fulfills a need, how she decided to help people learn much-needed tech skills, and what’s next in her business.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Writing a book can be a great way to increase your wealth in the long run. Not because your book itself will necessarily make a lot of money, but because a book can be a perfect calling card no matter what industry you are in. Writing a book about your story, expertise, or strategy can help you position yourself as an authority in your field and open up a lot of other doors.
So what do you need to know to write, publish, and promote your book successfully?
Lindsey Smith is an author, literary agent, and founder of One Idea Press. Lindsey has worked with large corporations to develop courses, hundreds of writers to help them launch their books, developed TEDx talks, and produced large scale conferences with incredible missions.
In today’s episode Lindsey tells us all about the process of publishing, whether you want to do it yourself or get a traditional publisher. We talk about how to figure out what your “beyond the book” goal is, how to decide between self vs. traditional publishing, and why you have to be ready to promote your book once it comes out.
If you’re interested in this topic and want to learn more, you should check out the workshop Mike and I will be hosting on how to buy a hotel. You can find all the details here!
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
It seems like everyone is writing a book these days, and there’s a good reason for that. Writing a book can be one of the best ways to put yourself out there as a leader in your industry, but writing, publishing, and promoting a book is no small task.
Mike Pell is recognized as a world-class designer and industry thought leader. His new book “The Age of Smart Information” details how the fundamental nature of information is transforming due to combination of AI + XR. He currently leads Design for The Microsoft Garage, the company’s official outlet for curiosity-fueled project explorations, worldwide.
In this episode, Mike Pell and I are talking about his career in tech and how it inspired him to write several books. We talk about traditional vs. self-publishing, some of the big challenges of the book-writing process, and what the promotion commitments are once you’ve finished your book.
If you’re interested in this topic and want to learn more, you should check out the workshop Mike and I will be hosting on how to buy a hotel. You can find all the details here!
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I received a question recently from a listener that inspired the topic of today’s episode. This listener had some questions about buying and running a hotel that I realized Mike and I didn’t cover back in episode 30. We wanted to answer these specific questions and give you a little more insight into what it takes to buy a profitable hotel and how to make it a solid asset in your investment portfolio.
Mike is joining me today to help answer these questions and share his experience as well.
In this episode Mike and I talk about whether buying a hotel is a happy medium between buying a property and buying a business. We also answer questions about the kinds of returns you can expect if you buy a hotel, how you should use your money before buying a property, and what to consider when looking for a good deal.
If you’re interested in this topic and want to learn more, you should check out the workshop Mike and I will be hosting on how to buy a hotel. You can find all the details here!
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
So many would-be entrepreneurs want to start a side business but aren’t sure what to do. But most of us have skills and experiences that we take for granted every single day - skills that other people would love to learn and apply to their own lives. This is exactly the approach our guest today took to start his successful side business, which is now his full-time career.
Davis Nguyen is the founder of My Consulting Offer, an online community site that helps people get jobs in management consulting. He started My Consulting Offer as a side-project and eventually grew it to an over $100K per month business.
Davis is such an inspiring speaker and entrepreneur, and he is really generous in this episode as he shares the many lessons he’s learned from starting and growing his businesses. We talk about his path to entrepreneurship, how to validate your business & market, and why it’s so important to him to give back to others through his work.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
When new entrepreneurs start a side business - whether that’s buying real estate, owning an online store, or doing physical labor outside their 9 - 5 job - they often don’t know how much organization and management goes into making that venture successful. Today we’ve got a fantastic guest on for all of you who want to step up the efficiency and efficacy of your side business - especially if you’re into tech!
Adolphus Gwynn is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and former Army Officer serving as an Airborne Infantry Ranger in the Army in Operation Desert Storm, Korea, and the 82nd Division. He left the military after 10 years and began working in the IT industry. He is currently an IT Executive, but what I really wanted to talk to him about is his extensive experience as an investor in successful side businesses.
Adolphus starts by telling us about the four side businesses he’s owned and why he wanted to become an investor after leaving the military & joining the tech world. He then dives into the details about his barbershop and trucking company, both of which have been profitable and fascinating investments. He also shares some great advice about starting a business and using your project management skills to make sure everything works as smoothly and profitably as possible.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
One of the most common complaints I hear in the real estate world is that it feels almost impossible to find good property managers. This is especially frustrating when you want to simply be the investor for a property, not dealing with day-to-day issues that a landlord or property might handle. Today’s guest is hoping this frustration will soon be a thing of the past with the help of technology.
Steve Rozenberg has owned a 39-unit apartment building and over 40 single family homes. He is a commercial Airline Pilot who became an investor after 9/11 threatened his "secure" livelihood. Now he teaches others about the business of real estate and how to be a smart investor. He is also working with property management company Mynd, which is using tech to make the rental experience better for owners and tenants alike.
Steve and I talk about his journey into investing, common mistakes he sees real estate investors making, and what he learned from some of his big mistakes early in his investing career. We also discuss how tech can help you become a better investor, how to find (and vet) a great property manager, and how Mynd is combining real estate experience with tech to change the property management industry.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
When people hear the word entrepreneurship these days, they tend to think of tech startups, Silicon Valley, and huge companies. But this isn’t a viable - or even desirable! - path to entrepreneurship for most people. For most of us, a small business that we can run alongside our full-time job is a better way to get started with entrepreneurship.
Nick Huber is here today to talk to us about creating your own Sweaty Startup. Nick is the founder of Storage Squad and Storage Squad Self Storage. He’s also the host of the Sweaty Startup Podcast, where he shares tons of resources about starting a business, entrepreneurship, and the advantages of having a sweaty side business.
Nick and I talk about what a sweaty startup is, how to start one without quitting your full-time job, and why they are such a great way to gain more control of your time in the long-term. Nick shares some of his favorite businesses and talks about why businesses that require some physical or in-person labor are often overlooked by would-be entrepreneurs.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
This is our last episode about ADUs (for now), and this time we’re focusing on what you need to know about construction before you get started. We’re heading back to Denver to talk about ADUs in this show, but there are some great tips here no matter where you’re building an ADU.
Our guest today is Sarah Senderhauf. Sarah is the Sales Manager for L&D Construction and has been specializing in ADUs for 3 years. She has also been in the real estate business for 15, and has a wealth of knowledge to share about building ADUs that are beautiful, functional, and won’t break your budget by surprise.
Sarah and I talk about the costs, timelines, and obstacles you can expect when building an ADU. We also discuss the increasing popularity of ADUs in Denver, why they can be a great housing solution, and why financing ADU construction can still be tricky. Sarah also shares some of the biggest roadbumps her clients experience while building an ADU, including zoning, size restrictions, and cost.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Happy New Year, everybody! Our first episode of 2020 is part 3 of our mini-series on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This time, we’re talking about the difference between detached and attached ADUs and the unique quirks of ADUs in the Seattle, Washington market.
Our guest today is Ben Anderson, a software engineer with a life-long passion for personal finance. He recently purchased his first house hack - a single family home with an ADU in Seattle, WA. Ben strives to balance his professional and financial pursuits with his passions for the double bass and circus arts.
In this episode, Ben shares insights about purchasing his first ADU. He talks about why an ADU made more sense than a traditional multifamily property, how laws in Seattle have changed, and how he found his information about ADUs. Ben also talks about what he would do differently if he had to do everything over again.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Last week we heard from a Denver-based realtor about her experience building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). In part 2 of our mini-series on ADUs, we’re hearing from an engineer in the Southern California area who also chose this unique method of house-hacking: Matthew Forrest.
Matthew received his B.S. Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University in 2014. Since graduating, Matt has been in a variety of roles for the downstream businesses of oil & gas companies in Southern California. In 2016 Matt was introduced to a podcast that sparked an interest in real estate that has grown to a passion for working with ADU development and multifamily syndication.
Matthew and I are chatting all about his experience building an ADU and what the obstacles and triumphs have been throughout the process. He shares how he heard about ADUs, why it can be so hard to find information about them, and what he learned in the planning and building process.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’re kicking off a mini-series today that’s all about ADUs. An ADU is an Accessory Dwelling Unit - basically a bonus dwelling on your property that’s separate from the main residence. I wanted to dive into this interesting little investing opportunity for you, so today’s guest Kassidy Benson is here to tell us all about her experience with ADUs in a busy rental market.
Kassidy Benson focuses on working with investment minded millennials and their baby boomer parents buying in Denver city center neighborhoods. She is a skillful negotiator, strong client advocate, informed on market trends, and an expert in Accessory Dwelling Units.
In this episode, Kassidy and I talk about how she learned about and became interested in ADUs. She also discusses the challenges she’s encountered, why she’s been educating her neighbors on this opportunity, and how you can start investigating whether this investment might work for you, too.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Today we’re doing something a little different and blending our usual talk about entrepreneurship with some discussion about a topic that could save your life.
Dr. Ruchir Sehra is a seasoned technology and medical entrepreneur dedicated to researching and developing disruptive technologies to improve people’s lives. His latest company, Resonea, advances the science of sleep health to improve your performance, safety, and quality-of-life. Nearly 80% of the population struggles with its sleep.
In this episode, my husband Mike joins us to talk about his experience with DROWZLE and sleep apnea before we’re joined by Dr. Ruchir Sehra. Dr. Sehra and I then dig into what sleep apnea is, how it can affect your health, and why it’s so important to get diagnosed and treated as soon as you can. We also talk about medical technology and apps and how he and his company Resonea are revolutionizing sleep health.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
You’d have to be living under a rock to avoid all the hype around hemp, CBD, and cannabinoid products that has spread across the country in the last few years. There’s a ton of interest in this space, and of course, a ton of opportunity for investment, too.
Zane Gray started growing hemp outside of the USA to import to doctors for medical research. With the passing of the first Farm Bill in 2014, he began growing hemp in America and extracting oil to create products for different companies. Now, his niche is white-labeling for businesses that want high quality Cannabinoid products.
Zane and I geek out about the science of cannabinoids, how they can affect the body, and why the industry has boomed so strongly in the last seven or eight years. We also talk about some of the questions you should ask if you’re interested in investing in hemp and important things to keep in mind in this space.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
I’ve found in my interviews for The Richer Geek that once someone has the entrepreneurial bug - whether they are born with it, or they get bit by it later in life - it tends to take them into all sorts of interesting businesses. That’s the case for today’s guest, who started her entrepreneurial pursuits in real estate and short-term rentals and has since transitioned into building a really successful e-Commerce business.
Melissa Nesbitt works full time leading a Customer Engagement team at SAP and at 29 years old is within reach of financial independence.
In today’s episode, Melissa and I are talking mostly about her 6-figure e-Commerce business and how she’s built it up from scratch. She walks us through the early days of keeping product at her house and labeling everything herself to today’s business with a product team, prep facility, and social media presence that keeps loyal customers engaged.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Sometimes Mike and I like to update you on what’s going on in our business, and we have some exciting news today: we just closed on a new hotel property! We thought this would be a great opportunity to walk you through what the process was like, from finding the property initially all the way through day 1 of new management.
In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Mike about the step-by-step process that helped us close on our newest investment. We’ll talk about how we found the property, how we chose it over some other options, and the differences in a deal like this versus regular multifamily.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Most of us are told that to save for retirement, we have to put our money into a 401K or other investment account and trust our financial advisor and the market to make the returns we want. It’s no wonder that many people believe that they don’t have enough knowledge to be a good steward of their own money.
Russ Morgan and Joey Mure are the co-founders of Wealth Without Wall Street, where they help create strategies for generating passive income without relying on Wall Street.
In this episode, Russ, Joey and I talk about how and why they founded Wealth Without Wall Street, their favorite strategies for passive income generation, and what myths about financial freedom they find themselves busting on a regular basis.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Stefan Von Imhof is the Head of Product at Flippa.com, where online businesses are bought & sold. Prior to that he founded an Ecommerce retailer, which he ended up selling on Flippa in 2012. He later held product roles at Citrix, lynda.com (which was acquired by LinkedIn), and HG Insights, before joining Flippa in 2019.
Today Stefan and I are talking all about buying and selling businesses online and what you should be looking for in your next part time business. We chat about how Flippa works, what kind of support they offer for business buyers and sellers, and the different kinds of businesses you can buy.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Today we're chatting with Todd Neilson, an IT professional focused on cyber security. He's worked for major software companies such as IBM and Computer Associates and he also started his own security consulting firm which he recently sold to a private equity group. Todd has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and has owned and operated a bulk candy business, dollar stores and is actively engaged in real estate fix and flips.
In this week's episode, he's sharing some of the big lessons he's learned from each of his entrepreneurial ventures and what he would encourage other would-be business owners to do.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’re going through the stories and approaches of three people today. One owns a barbershop, a trucking company, and six rental properties; one invests in pre-settlement law and ran a successful eCommerce business; and one was a successful franchise owner for a popular exercise company. Each of these entrepreneurs has their own way of accumulating wealth, and each of them is inspiring and innovative.
Listen to today’s episode for a shot of motivation to create a passive income stream that works well for you. There are also some practical tips that will help you no matter which path you choose to pursue. You can create additional income while you’re still working your day job in tech, and there’s no shortage of creative ways to do so.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
When it comes to investing your hard-earned money, it often feels like there is a lot of conflicting advice out there. Should you put money into your 401k or IRA, or should you invest in real estate? Is there a good way to increase your monthly cash flow and secure your financial future? According to today’s guest, a lot of the traditional advice we’ve been taught about saving and investing isn’t the path to more cash flow and greater financial freedom.
Chris Miles, the Cash Flow Expert and Anti-Financial Advisor is a leading authority teaching professionals and entrepreneurs how to quickly free up cash, and increase passive income TODAY! He's an author and podcast host of The Chris Miles Money Show, has been featured in US News, CNN Money, Entrepreneur Weekly, and has a proven reputation with his company, Money Ripples, getting his clients fast results.
Chris and I talk about why he left his job as a financial advisor and eventually created Money Ripples. We chat about why he calls himself an anti-financial advisor, why much of the traditional advice about saving & investing doesn’t actually get great results, and how he helps clients maximize their cash flow.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Jake Stenziano is the best-selling author of Wheelbarrow Profits. Gino Barbaro is an investor, business owner an entrepreneur. Together, they co-founded JakeandGino.com, the only multifamily real estate investment education company that teaches investors the three pillars of sound apartment investing: Buy Right, Manage Right, and Finance Right.
Jake, Gino, and I talk about how they started their business and made sure that they were a right fit to become business partners. We talk about why they invested in multifamily property right away, how they’ve steadily increased the number of units they own, and how they’ve added education and property management to their wheelhouse as well.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Today’s topic, the ROBS 401k program, is one that I would have loved to know about myself a couple years back. To talk about ROBS and whether it might be the right fit for you, we’re joined by Storm Miller.
Storm Miller is a National Account Manager with Benetrends Financial. Benetrends is focused on helping entrepreneurs live their dreams and succeed in business ownership. With 35+ years of expertise and a dedicated team of over 80 experts, Benetrends offers a wide array of funding vehicles and solutions for entrepreneurs.
Storm tells us all about the ROBS (Rollovers for Business Startups) 401k program and how it allows you to use retirement funds to set up or purchase a business. Storm and I discuss some of the requirements for participating in this program, why it’s become a go-to option for people buying franchises, and how you can use the ROBS 401k program to diversify your investments.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Today’s guest has cleverly combined her software and engineering background with her family’s vacation rentals and come up with a clever solution for short-term property owners and managers. It’s a clever piece of software that can make the short-term rental experience more enjoyable for everyone!
Nicole Kato has been a working in the hotel & hospitality space for 7+ years. Nicole started her career working for the Disney Parks and eventually became a property manager in Destin FL.
Nicole and I begin by talking about how and why she and her family started investing in short-term rental properties. We talk about her early career, how she transitioned into the hospitality space, and some of her experiences (good and bad) as a short-term property owner. And Nicole talks about the software she created, Puddy, which provides guests with up-to-date information about their vacation rental while giving hosts peace of mind throughout the process.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
If you’re thinking about jumping into the short-term rental market, it can be useful to hear from someone who’s just taken that leap themselves. Today we’re lucky to have Skyler Whorton with us, because he’s recently become the owner and operator of a spectacular Airbnb himself!
Skyler Whorton and his partner Madison are passionate about creating a unique travel brand and luxurious destinations for people to enjoy. Their short term rental The Ollie Scottsdale is a gorgeous property in Scottsdale, Arizona that has been designed to evoke a beautiful, restful, one-of-a-kind desert experience.
Skyler and I talk about why he and his partner decided to buy a short-term rental property and how this decision has played into their collective strengths and interests. We also talk about what they’ve learned so far, how they’ve selected products to feature at The Ollie, and how they’ve taken a different approach to managing their property.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
We’re continuing our miniseries on short term rentals this week with another fabulous guest, Nicole Herman! If you’ve ever looked on Airbnb, VRBO, or another short term rental marketing platform, you probably noticed the huge range of options available - from sparsely furnished rooms with one pillow to luxurious, beautifully designed homes. It’s no surprise that those aesthetically appealing places get booked more often - so are you maximizing your short term rental’s bookability, beauty, and revenue?
Nicole Herman has been a professional interior designer for over 12 years, working with local boutique restauranteurs, five-star luxury hotel clients and many well-known and internationally recognized brands. She was inspired by the growing trend of the hospitality world colliding with the residential world. Through The Social Home, Nicole is using her wealth of knowledge from her Hospitality background to help hosts optimize their properties by turning them into their very own Tiny Boutique Hotels.
Nicole and I chat about her career as an interior designer and what inspired her to start working with owners of short term rentals. She talks about her design process and how she works with clients to create an inviting space that people can’t wait to book. We also discuss the many reasons to hire an interior designer and why it’s an investment that doesn’t need to break the bank & can pay huge dividends.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Short term rentals have become even bigger players in the real estate investment world with the rise of platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. These flexible properties can bring in a lot of extra income, especially if you own properties in a popular vacation destination. There’s an art to making good money with your short term rental, and today we have an expert here with us to explain where and how you can make the most of your Airbnb.
Carissa Vivirito brings over 17 years of real estate and digital marketing experience to her business. Her deep love for empowering people, proven marketing expertise, and hands-on personal experience as a buyer, seller, investor, landlord, interior designer, and general contractor make her an expert in the short-term rental space.
Carissa and I talk about why short term rentals have become such a popular investment and vacation option and what to look for when you want to buy one. We discuss marketing and making your listing stand out, managing the property, and how to protect yourself and your assets.
Carissa shares tons of practical, actionable advice with us today - and even though she is based in Arizona, a lot of her recommendations could be applied to any short term rental.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
If you’ve ever been hit with a big tax bill, you know the feeling of wishing you’d done more to protect your investment income. We had this experience somewhat recently when we chose not to do a 1031 Exchange - which we’re talking about today - and instead paid taxes on our capital gains from a big property. You can bet that we wished we’d pursued the 1031 Exchange route!
Greg Schowe is a 16 year real estate veteran versed in Commercial, Investment and Farm transactions. He’s a sought after speaker and trainer on the topic of 1031 Exchanges throughout the Midwest. He’s here today to share his expertise about 1031 Exchanges and why they can be such a powerful tool for building your real estate wealth.
Greg and I start off by defining 1031 Exchanges and talking about how to do this. We talk about the necessary participants in a 1031 exchange, why you need to have a trusted qualified intermediary, and some questions you should ask this player. Greg shares the rules of 1031 Exchanges, the numbers you need to remember, and why finding a replacement property in 45 days can be challenging.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
There are so many people out there running side-hustles and building wealth outside the hours of their 9-to-5 day job. I found out recently that one of my peers is a longtime property manager and now real estate investor, so of course we had a chat about all things investing. Thanks to his years of experience, our guest Michael McCullough has some incredibly helpful advice for finding the best property manager for you and your investments.
Mike McCullough begins by sharing a bit about his background and how his family’s generational interest in property introduced him to the industry as a young man. We then talk about why it’s important to have a property manager who incorporates the owner’s perspective, some of his experiences with managers as an investor, and what to keep in mind when you’re looking to hire a property management company or individual.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.
Dmitriy Fomichenko is the founder and president of Sense Financial Services LLC, a boutique financial firm specializing in self-directed retirement accounts with checkbook control. He began his career in financial planning and real estate investing in 2000, owns multiple investment properties in various states, and is a licensed California Real Estate Broker.
Dmitriy is an expert on solo investment options, and today we’re doing a deep dive into the solo 401k investment vehicle. We talk about who might benefit from investing in a solo 401k, why it’s such a good option if you do any work for yourself, and the requirements for investing in one. We also discuss the timeline for opening a solo 401k and why it’s such an excellent option if you’d like to make alternative investments.
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Dave Van Horn is the President and CEO of PPR Note Co. a holding company that manages several funds that buy, sell, and hold residential mortgages nationwide. Dave’s expertise is derived from over 30 years of residential and commercial real estate experience as a licensed Realtor, Real Estate Investor, and Fundraiser.
In today’s episode, Dave explains what real estate notes are and why they’re his chosen passive investment vehicle. He shares the benefits of notes, some cons to be aware of, and talks about what his business does for its clients who want to diversify their passive investing portfolios. We also discuss current trends in the note market, how notes fluctuate with the real estate market, and why notes can be a more liquid investment option than properties themselves.
Find complete show notes and more information at therichergeek.com/podcast.