Guide 2 the Grind

Over the last couple of decades the investing landscape has changed dramatically. From the dotcom era to bitcoin, it can be tough to keep up. But one thing holds true, those who are ahead of the curve, and had some foresight, have been able to make a ton of money. But how do you know which ones will be winners?I don't know about you, but I'm not much of a gambler. It's too damn hard to make money. I don't want to risk it on unfavourable odds. I'm a firm believer in the basic business principles that have stood the test of time. Strong leadership, a solid customer base, and of course… revenue. As flashy as something like NFT investing is, to me, if it doesn't make sense on paper, it just doesn't make sense. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” offers a unique perspective on modern investing with old school principles. Kyle Kuderewski is the Operations Manager for WebStreet. WebStreet offers passive investments in Web based businesses. They merge the old with the new to create an entirely new way for investors to diversify and take advantage of burgeoning areas of technology. It's a whole different way of looking at digital investing, you definitely want don't want to miss this episode.www.guidetothegrind.com

Since the dawn of time one thing has always captured our imagination. From Neanderthals sitting around a campfire, to Hollywood blockbuster movies, we are captivated by stories.  I used to work in the film business. I worked on tons of tv series and feature films. I can recall countless times that I watched directors and lighting technicians spend hours getting a scene to look just right, then spend only a minute or two actually filming. The one thing that always stuck with me in those moments was the thought that no matter how visually pleasing you make the scene, if the content is crap, nobody's gonna care.  An example that immediately comes to mind is the movie “Locke” with Tom Hardy.  The entire movie is just one person, Locke, driving somewhere in his car and taking phone calls. Not the type of movie that captures your attention with car chases and explosions, but I was totally enthralled by the story. I couldn't stop watching it.  Why is this important?  Because we as business owners are great at telling our customers every fact, figure, and detail about what we do, but very few of us tell the story of what we do, or how we can matter to our customers.  There's an old saying in the sales world… “Facts tell, stories sell”.  Yes, our clients need to know that our product or service is going to do what we say it's going to do, but why is it better for them to do business with us rather than our competitors?  It's the personal connection they create in their minds that keep them coming back to us. Now, you might think it's because we create a great relationship through our product and service, but that's not where it starts. It starts when they feel a reason to pick up the phone, or send an email.  How many people do you know that always vote for the same party regardless of the candidate? Or always drink the same coffee, even though the coffee sucks?  Or drive a Ford?  Or drink Coke?  What's the first thing that pops into your head when you think of these brands?  Any 80's kid can remember the polar bear commercials at Christmas. Is there a more heartwarming image?The best way to attract new customers is by creating an emotional connection with them immediately when they discover us. The easiest way to do this is to draw them in with a story.  But it doesn't have to be super complicated. One of the best “stories” I can recall in advertising are the Motel 6 ads. “I'm Tom Bodett, and we'll leave the light on for you”.  This is such a simple story, but makes us think of images of home, being a road weary traveler, and being welcomed by a friendly face.  It doesn't have to be a massive theatrical production, it just has to be good.  Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” understands this completely. Wayne Stanley works with fortune 200 companies and small businesses to help them understand what story they should be telling, and how to get that story out there. This conversation was truly a treat for me, and I'm super glad I had the chance to meet Wayne.  No matter what business you're in, you need to hear this!www.guidetothegrind.com

Have you ever had a great business idea and thought “If I only had the money”?We all know there are ways to get early stage business funding, but few actually understand it. I would definitely include myself in that category. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is Nathaniel Harding, the Managing Partner of Cortado Ventures. Cortado is a Venture Capital firm in Oklahoma City. They specialize in early stage development funding and have a whole range of programs for educating and coaching the CEOs they work with. Nathaniel walks us through both sides of the Venture Cap world from business selection and underwriting, to investor expectations and returns. If you've ever thought about starting a business that needs Venture Capital, this is a conversation you don't want to miss!www.guidetothegrind.com

An interesting realization that I've had while trying to craft this is, it's not easy to talk about charity. In fact it's downright uncomfortable.  There's a lot of psychological factors at play wherever you are on the spectrum of “being charitable”. If you don't give, you may feel guilty that you don't. Or you don't give enough, or if you do give enough you don't want to talk about it, so you don't seem like you're being “holier than thou”.  Regardless which bucket we fall into, we can all agree that giving is important. Whether it's time or money, there's folks a whole heck of a lot less fortunate than us out there.  But where do you start?  What are the tax benefits?  Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is John Bromley, CEO of Charitable Impact. Charitable Impact is designed to help individuals and companies make more knowledgeable charity contributions without having to do all the research themselves.  As well, they help folks realize the tax benefits without having to commit to a specific charity right away. It's a really interesting model, and one that's helped facilitate $1.2 billion of donations since its inception. www.guidetothegrind.com

Have you ever thought about a second career?I know, it's hard to think about giving up what you've spent so many years doing, but there comes a time where lifestyle begins to trump security. For corporate executives looking to transition into ownership, investors who understand passive (or at least semi-passive) income streams, or the average person looking to make a change and build something for themselves, franchising may be a great option. In recent months I've had my eyes open to new franchising models, and different ways of looking at the strategy as a whole. To me, the first thing that comes to mind is burger chains and coffee shops, but that's not what it is anymore. There's a whole world of businesses out there that have far better profit margins than food, and allow you to spend less time working on the business that something like a fastfood chain would require. Guiding us through the “matchmaking” process on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is the top franchise coach in the US, and founder of the Daly Coach, Kim Daly. Kim has been featured in a ton of media, including USA Today, and is recognized as the foremost expert in franchising today. You don't want to miss this!@thedalycoachwww.guidetothegrind.com

When I first got started in sales I was encouraged to start reading and listening to personal development greats like Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar. I remember how much this expanded my mind in the first few years. I learned new philosophies for business and life, but one quote always stood out to me. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears”To me it was a saying without meaning. Because it hadn't been proven to me… yet. Looking back now I can see that I've been blessed with many teachers along the way. Some taught me a lot, some a little. Some stayed for years, and some faded away almost as quickly as they appeared. But I learned from all of them. At this stage in my life I still listen to the teachers I had early on, but their messages aren't mind blowing as they once were, for the simple fact that I've applied most of what I've learned from them. Yes I've grown as a person because of it, but I was ready for the next level. That's when a new teacher appeared. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is Archie Merigold, the epitome of an entrepreneur. In the 80's he gave up a good job to start a business. After finding massive success with that he began investing in real estate and eventually got into land development. I've had the good fortune to connect with Archie in my personal life, and I'm learning a ton from him. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss this interview. www.guidetothegrind.com

The hardest thing about being an investor is learning. For the average Joe venturing into the world of investing to say that it's overwhelming is a huge understatement. I know for myself I've been in the financial world for over a decade, and I still learn about new strategies and tactics all the time. It's one of the reasons I'm so grateful we have Guide 2 the Grind. We get to meet so many brilliant professionals.As we wrap up 2023, and the 3rd season of doing the show, I'm super excited about the coming year. We've learned so much this year, and have some pretty big things planned for the near future.… and one massive announcement I'll get to after I talk about our last guest for season 3. Kyle Mowery is the Managing Director of Grizzly Rock Capital in Chicago. They're a small cap equity fund that invests in publicly traded companies. On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” Kyle talks about his due diligence process, where he's seeing opportunity in the market right now, and how you can mimic his process no matter what level of investor you are.Happy New Year!!Oh yeah…  the big announcement…Jonathan and I have been working for the last few months on our brand new “MORTGAGE HACKER” course. We've taken all of the best strategies we've learned and made them accessible to everyone that either owns a home, or is thinking about buying one in the near future. We show you how “Hack Your Mortgage” by using a few key strategies the bank won't tell you about. You'll learn the 3 secrets of how to keep your payments low, and how to be debt free in half the time. We'll be hosting a LIVE event this coming Wednesday night at 7pm. Best of all… it's absolutely FREE. All you have to do is go to www.guidetothegrind.com to learn more about it, and get registered for the event. Have a great New Year and we'll see you there!www.guidetothegrind.com

As we approach the end of our third year doing this podcast, I look back on all of the great guests, and the multitude of strategies they've shared. We've met some incredible people, and learned so much.  But none of them have been able to make investing as simple as this guest.  Most of the time we're speaking with folks who've been in the investing world for a decade, maybe even two, but never have we had the opportunity to chat with someone that has the breadth of knowledge you can only acquire from over 40 years in the business.  In the last 4 decades we've seen both the best and worst of times. The market cycles have ebbed and flowed more than a couple of times, and understanding what happens at each stage of those cycles is paramount for investors today.  Admittedly you only need to study the history of these cycles to understand them, but there's one thing that can only be achieved by living through them… clarity.  Clarity can only be gained through proper perspective, and it takes an intimate knowledge of all of the information available to have that perspective.  Steve Selengut is a man that's been in the investment business for over 4 decades. He's seen the rise and fall of markets, the forging of new ones, and protected his clients through all of it. We're fortunate to have him as our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”.  Have a listen to this fascinating episode as Steve breaks down his strategy for investing in close ended funds, and totally blows my mind with just how simple investing really is.  (BTW… this is our most popular episode so far!)  www.guidetothegrind.com

It's refreshing in an era of Robin Hood pump n' dumps, Forex Traders, and so called Crypto experts, to hear someone say that preservation of capital is far more important than making a quick return. Chris Vermeulen is a Technical Trading expert who teaches his students the slow and steady path to financial independence. Ever since Chris' dad lost everything they had in a land deal gone wrong, his focus has been on building a strong financial foundation that will last long after he's gone. Creating a true legacy for his kids and beyond. Have a listen to how Chris approaches investing in today's market on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. www.guidetothegrind.com

“Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome”Clint Eastwood, Heartbreak RidgeNo guest we've had on the show embodies this more than our guest on this episode. Gary Hibbert is a real estate entrepreneur which I can say from personal experience has a massive heart, and truly cares about other people's lives. I first met Gary through a random phone call back in 2015. Since then I've had the great pleasure of attending his meetups, learning from him and his team, and breaking bread together. Gary's journey to success has not been an easy one. But with every challenge he's found a way to “Improvise, adapt, and overcome”. Have a listen to this extremely candid conversation with one of the principled people I've had the pleasure of meeting in the investment world, Gary Hibbert, on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. www.guidetothegrind.com

As we approach the end of our 3rd season, I look back and think about all the guests we've had. Some have been back a couple of times… some never showed up the first time. But on this episode we have my all time favourite guest, not just because he's an expert in the Crypto space, but because he's become a true friend, even though we've never met in person. The more time I've spent with Zach, the more fascinated I am by his faith, knowledge, and depth of character. Yes it's a bit of a bro-mance.And one of the reasons I'm so grateful to connect with such an abundance of great guests on our show. Have a listen to the conversation we have with Zach Morrow, covering everything from Crypto to mindset. It's one of my absolute favourite conversations. (Yes I know I say that a lot, but I mean it every time)Check out this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” with Crypto expert Zach Morrow. www.guidetothegrind.com

Every once in a while we have a guest that has so much great insight to share that JT and I barely have to speak. Preston Brown is one of those guests. He's a serial entrepreneur with over 18 operating businesses, a college drop out, and makes nearly $200M dollars a year. So he's got few insights to share. LolHave a listen to our conversation, or should I say, lesson with Preston Brown on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. www.guidetothegrind.com

We all know the market is terrible, the sky is falling, and we should all probably just give up on trying to get ahead. …at least if you listen to the news. But there's opportunities in every cycle of the market, and it's no different today. Think about the “go-go 80's”. They were some of the most prosperous times the western world has ever known. Yet mortgage interest rates were in the high teens and low twenties. How can that be?Are we looking back on those times through rose coloured glasses, or is it that higher mortgage rates don't mean the end of the world?Yes there are absolutely some folks that are gonna get screwed over by the rates. And yes there will be some folks that can't afford to stay in their homes. But the antidote to the poison being spewed by most major news outlets is simple……education.See the market is cyclical. About every 12 - 15 years the market corrects. Those that are educated know this and can prepare for it. Those who don't either seek education, or get swallowed up by the changing tide. One entrepreneur that stands out in this market is our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. Shannon Robnett has been in the real estate world as a developer, realtor, and syndicator of investments for nearly 30 years. He's seen how the market cycles shift, and he's been able to keep his head above water, and the heads of his investors, through all of it. Have a listen to some of the strategies Shannon uses to underwrite his projects, and the education he shares with his investors to keep them growing toward their goals no matter what the market is doing. www.guidetothegrind.com

One of the biggest problems we're seeing right now is that buyers just don't qualify for enough money to buy the homes they want. Banks have really tightened their lending restrictions, and the stress test isn't giving them enough buying power.But is the market really as bad as everyone thinks?Truly, I don't know. Here's what I do know… Everyone hates change, and nobody is happy with the way it is. At the root of it, that's what's happening right now, change. It doesn't mean the market is bad though. What it does mean is that we've gotten used to ridiculously low mortgage rates, and they couldn't stay that way forever. They had to rise at some point.The biggest problem is the cost of housing. Houses are just too damn expensive for most to afford. We simply aren't producing enough homes to keep up with our immigration. Not to mention the international students and migrant workers that come here looking for a place to live. So… all this being said, how can folks get a leg up in this market?There are always going to be opportunities in any market, and that's exactly what we're talking about on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. The Equity Assist Program is helping first time homebuyers qualify with a 20% down payment. It's a co-investment program that's counting on the appreciation of the homes they co-invest on, so there's no extra monthly payment, and folks are saving on insurance fees and even land transfer tax. Sounds too good to be true right?That's exactly what I thought when I first heard about it too, but have a listen to what Jonathan's discovered and I'm sure you'll be as fired up as I was. www.guidetothegrind.com

When most people think of franchising its fast food joints and coffee shops that come to mind first. And anyone that's owned this kind of business will tell you, it's not easy, and it's not a 9-5 kinda lifestyle. But what if there are franchises that offer passive, or at least mostly passive income?On this episode of "Guide 2 the Grind" we're talking with Bob Bernotas. Bob helps folks create an exit plan from their corporate backgrounds, and buy franchises that offer mostly passive income. Have a listen to this different way of looking at franchising. www.guidetothegrind.com

Have you ever felt unfulfilled in your personal and/or professional life?The struggle to find significance in our day to day can be subtle, but it underlies everything we do. For some the motivation to keep going is derived from their family and sense of duty to them. For others it can be a lot more challenging to define. What makes you feel like you have purpose in life?What holds us back from finding it?On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” we sit down with Xpansive Warrior founder, and a good friend of mine, David Pineo. David's own journey of self discovery has led him to Costa Rica, and to form Xpansive Warrior. A men's personal development group focused on processing past traumas and understanding how men can contribute to society while finding fulfillment in what they do. It's a fascinating conversation, and there are definitely some cathartic moments as we talk about our own journey's of loss and redemption. You don't want to miss this one. www.guidetothegrind.com

It's no secret that homeownership is becoming out of reach for a lot of first time homebuyers.But does that mean they're going to have to rent forever?Our guest on episode 128 of “Guide 2 the Grind”, Franco Perez, proves that there's always opportunity in real estate, no matter what the market is doing. By shifting his client's focus away from buying their "dream home” right off the bat, and being house poor, he's able to show them that there's a far more affordable way to start building equity. Mobile homes.We're not talking about the stereotypical images that most folks conjure up when you mention trailer parks. These are purpose built mobile home parks that are already central to most major cities. And there's a ton of opportunity for first time homebuyers to get into the market. This strategy helps folks start building equity years sooner!Don't miss this fascinating conversation.www.guidetothegrind.com

Have you ever hit one of your goals, felt the immediate rush, and then thought it isn't all it's cracked up to be?I learned early on that having goals is great, but achieving them can kinda suck...   ...if you don't have the next one already lined up.  In Proverbs there's a great quote that says;              “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”Like anything, real estate investing can become tedious, and even boring, if you're not challenging yourself. Running a successful real estate business is incredible, but stagnation can bring down even the most passionate investor.  That's why I'm super happy when I get to talk with folks like our guest on the show today.  Charles Carillo started as an individual investor and is now dealing with “syndicated multi-family, value add investing.” His strategy for buying “B class” apartment buildings and fixing them up to “A class” is yielding great results, and even better returns for his investor partners.   On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”, have a listen to how Charles has continually grown his real estate business, and kept the same passion he's had since the beginning. www.guidetothegrind.com

When I first got into sales (well over a decade ago now) I remember my mentors talking about building relationships. I remember learning all sorts of “tactics” to endear myself to people, but it always felt fake. Deep down I knew there was more to it. Relationships come down to one very simple concept: caring about other people. John Maxwell said it best when he said “People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”This is a hard and fast rule that I choose to live my life by, and it's not easy. Relationships take work. You need to answer the phone when someone needs help moving. You have to listen to people's problems. And you have to really want to do it. Even when it sucks. But the rewards for your effort are exponential. I learned this a few years ago when I moved out of Toronto back to my hometown. Toronto was great, and I have some incredible friends there. But we were always so busy that we rarely got a chance to see each other. Moving back to a slower pace of life, and being surrounded by family showed me just how much it means to have relationships in my life. Money is great, trips, boats, and all of the luxuries that it can afford. But it's the relationships you have, and the depth of those connections that make life truly rich. (Like chocolate cake, not the money kind)Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is the embodiment of this ethos. Rob Dundas is a Realtor in the Niagara Region, and he runs his business heart first. Everyone one of us can benefit from the way Rob runs his business, and his life. www.guidetothegrind.com

When I was a kid one of my all time favourite shows was the Fall Guy. If you're old enough to remember it, what could make for better tv than a Hollywood stuntman who fights crime in his spare time. And how cool was that truck?As I got older, there seemed to be less magic in the world. And of course I knew that a show like that wasn't real. But there are real stuntmen in the world.Randy Butcher is well known and well respected stunt coordinator with decades in the film business. He's worked one hit shows like Flashpoint and Mayor of Kingstown, and huge blockbuster movies like Suicide Squad. I've known Randy for about 15 years now, and I'm happy to say that he's our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. It takes a ton of confidence to be competent in the stunt game, and he shares with us some of the strategies he's used to keep him and his team safe over the years. www.guidetothegrind.com

Ya know, every once in a while you meet someone that's so impressive, and such a high achiever, you can't help but be in awe of their personal power. On this episode of “Guide to the Grind” we sit down with the CEO of Highness Capital, Amana Manori. Amana is a lawyer, an exempt market dealer, and manages up and coming artists. The story of how she moved out on her own at a young age, and worked  her way up to owning two very successful businesses is nothing short of remarkable. You'll definitely want to have a listen. www.guidetothegrind.com

In a world of divided opinions, and people unwilling to hear the merits of their opposition's arguments, more than ever, the ability to make a new decision based on new information shows a certain level of maturity, and intelligence. That's exactly what happened to me after speaking with this week's guest. For years I've thought that trading in stocks was a risky and pointless endeavour. After all, there's no physical asset backing them up like there is with real estate or gold. I'm happy to say, I couldn't be more wrong. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is stock trading expert Jason Brown. Jason built up a six figure trading account in just ten months, by using his student loan. Some would say this was high risk, but Jason is happy to prove those folks wrong. He's completely self-taught, and now shares his strategies on channelling patterns, options trading, and shorting stocks with anyone that wants to learn. You can find Jason at www.thebrownreport.com, or have a listen to this episode to learn more. www.guidetothegrind.com

The world of real estate is extremely competitive. If you've tried to buy a house anytime in the last five years or so you already know this. So how do you get ahead when the market is so aggressive?  By playing in the sandbox that very few others are in… or even know about… vacant land.  Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is Brent Bowers, one of the leading experts on vacant land investing.   Brent went from serving in the US military and never having enough time to spend with his family, to being completely time and financially free within just a few short years. Now he teaches others exactly how he's built a residual income that has completely transformed his life, and lives of the people he cares about the most.   Join us as Brent shares the exact details of how he broke free of the work-a-day life, and the strategies he's using to show folks how to do the same. www.guidetothegrind.com

My favourite thing about doing this show every week is, I get to interview really intelligent people that are using some pretty avant garde strategies to help people make real returns on their money. This week however, I totally get to geek out on our guest's strategy. I've been passionate about pooled mortgage strategies for a long time. I believe it's the best chance the average person has to make a decent return in a truly passive real estate investment, while having it secured against a real asset - property. Heather Dreves is the Director of Funding for Secured Investment Corp, a US based company using pooled mortgage investments to create steady, better than the market, returns for their clients. On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”, we talk with Heather to understand the differences between the Canadian and US pooled mortgage funds, and folks are using their registered funds to take back their returns tax free. You can't afford to miss this conversation.Also... here's a link to Heather's free book - *Download the Free Book*www.guidetothegrind.com

With all the changes in the market lately there's been a surge of folks seeking private financing. The trouble with that is, the private lending space is way more vast and diverse than most people realize.There's everything from highly regulated mortgage investment entities, lawyers, and somebody's Uncle Joe who all seem to be in the arena. But they are all VERY different. On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”, Jonathan and I have an in depth conversation about the private lending world, and how to make sure it's the right solution for the right borrower. www.guidetothegrind.com

Every once in a while we're fortunate enough to have a guest that takes us outside the limits of our normal conversations and thinking. This week's guest is one of those. We had a great conversion with Terrie Schauer, author the #1 Best Selling book, “Mindful Landlord”.Terrie is a 3 time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion, and holds a PHD. She maps out for us the mental processes she used to accomplish the achievements, and how she now applies them to her REI business. Have a listen to this unusual, and enlightening conversation on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. www.guidetothegrind.com

Hey *|FNAME|*,In a changing market it's important folks tend to look at more alternative investment solutions. Ones that can ride the ebbs and flows of the market, while creating a predictable return. But where do you look?Maxwell Nee is our guest on this episode of "Guide 2 the Grind". He specializes in luxury investments in wine and whiskey. A truly recession proof asset class, that until now, hasn't been widely available to the general public. You'll definitely want to listen to this captivating conversation as we explore the most interesting, and tasty, investment class we've had the privilege of learning about in the three seasons we've been doing the show. www.guidetothegrind.com

No matter what's going on in the market, someone is always making money. As the market ebbs and flows, what was making money may not be now, but that opens up doors in other areas. But how do you find them?There's no real trick to it. It takes a lot of time and effort to study all the different facets of the markets you invest in. Real estate happens to be my area of study, but even when crypto took a nosedive before Christmas, I know people making 15 - 25 percent returns during a crashing market. The secret to knowing where the opportunities are is hard work. Yours, or team up with people who've already done all of the leg work for you. Today we sit down with one of the top Realtors with Condos.ca to figure out exactly where the best timing in the market is right now… and it's surprising. Don't miss this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” with Marlow Singh. www.guidetothegrind.com

By now we're all aware of the massive advancements that have been happening in the Artificial Intelligence space. Whether you're afraid SkyNet is about to come online, or a college student using Chat GPT to write your next term paper, we know that AI is  changing the world in a massive way.One of the most fascinating fields to me is video content. For years I've been using a system I call “Creating My Client” to create an avatar of my ideal client before I ever start a marketing or content campaign. It's not a quick process. I get really deep into the psychographics and demographics of the ideal person I want to work with. I give them a name, a family (or not), a backstory, and really try to learn the psychology of the person I most want in my business. This helps me make sure that every piece of content I release stays on message and speaks directly to that person.This is mostly because it's darn near impossible to know what someone is thinking when they're watching a video... or reading an email. Until now…EmotionTrac is a new AI based software that's changing the game completely!This software, after obtaining permission of course, uses the front-facing camera on their test audience's (150M+) device to read the micro expressions on their face, and measure engagement with videos. It uses something called FACS or the Facial Action Coding System developed by Paul Ekman to read the small releases and contractions in our facial muscles. It's really fascinating stuff, and our face really does give away our every emotion. It's just happening so fast that we aren't aware that we're registering it. Realtors, lawyers, filmmakers, marketers, and dozens of other communication based industries are using EmotionTrac to get real  emotional data about their video content before they put it to work in their respective fields.Today we sit down with Aaron Itzkowitz, the CEO of EmotionTrac. Check out this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”, and have a listen to how this software could revolutionize some of the biggest industries in the world. www.guidetothegrind.com

It seems all you hear about the real estate market lately is doom and gloom. Every time you turn on the news you're being bombarded with messages that the sky is falling, mortgage rates are higher than they've been in years, and the whole “bubble” is about to collapse. But it's a huge load of malarkey. The truth about these changing times is, yes some people are going to feel real pain in the very near future, and for others it couldn't be a better time to buy. The most recent buying frenzy happened in no small part because of the historically low interest rates. Everyone wanted in while the lending market was cheap. But those who didn't get properly educated before signing up for the largest purchase of their lives are going to feel the pain of higher rates… unless they prepared for future possibilities. See, no one should be buying a home at the top of their affordability bracket when the rates are as low as they've been. Even with the “stress test” on household income a lot of people are feeling the crunch of variable rates over the last six months, and they're now extremely cash poor with mortgage payments in some cases being double what they were less than a year ago. For folks in that position I fear there's no easy answer, aside from selling their current home and downsizing, or moving to a cheaper region. However… for the first time in years we've seen a normalization in the real estate world. Yes sales have slowed, but only back to a point of sanity. Buyers actually have time to shop and make decisions now. Let's not forget as well that even though rates are higher, in a lot of areas home prices have come down, so the math works out to be more or less the same. At the end of the day mortgage rates aren't nearly as important as we've been led to believe they are. A quarter of a percent difference on rate equates to maybe a $15 or $20 a month difference on your payment. It's not huge. What really matters though are the conditions. What's the price if you have to break your mortgage for some unseen reason? Is your mortgage portable? What's your pre-payment option? If you don't have the right conditions for your unique situation, and don't have the right contingencies in place, it could cost you waaaay more than a rate that's gone up a couple of percent. Here to talk all about what's going on in the mortgage market on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is the Chair of Mortgage Professionals Canada, Veronica Love. As the top dog of Canada's mortgage industry association she has first hand knowledge of what's happening in the sector, and directly consults with government policy makers. You'll definitely want to hear insightful views on what's happening in the market.www.guidetothegrind.com

First things first… Happy New Year! We're kicking things off right for 2023.   This single most important skill to master in business, and life in general, is creating strong and meaningful relationships.   Though networking isn't something you can get a diploma in, some folks seem to possess PHD level abilities in the  cultivation of power connections.I assure you though, it's no accident.   This is a learned and practiced skill. One that's far too often overlooked.   Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is a Master at the art of creating relationships.I had the good fortune to meet him at an event back in 2016, and thanks to his skills we've become friends since. Tom Chenault is one of the most successful network marketers on the planet, with over 1,000,000 distributors in his organization. He hosts the longest running home based business radio show in the world, and has a massive, commanding sphere of influence.  You absolutely need to hear what Tom has to share.   www.guidetothegrind.com

Right now the media is flooded with all sorts of experts giving their opinion on the market and what's happening. Some say it's good, some say the sky is falling. The one thing nobody seems to be talking about though is the psychology behind what's happening. Though people generally only think about numbers when they picture the markets in their minds, behind all of those numbers are people, and those people are making choices based on their current psychology. I'm talking about behaviour and the thought processes behind that behaviour. So what makes someone invest or not invest?There's all kinds of sub-categories we could explore, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to fear. See, we like to think that we're rational and logical beings, but that typically only comes into play once the decision is already made based on emotion. Most people “go with their gut” and justify their choice later based on their view of the facts. (Or at least the story they tell themselves)Either you fear missing out on an opportunity, or fear losing your money, which is in turn, losing the opportunities that money can afford. Your definition of “risk” is the deciding factor. And we hope that that risk doesn't lead to the most self-destructive emotion of all… Regret. Have a listen to JT and I on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” as we explore some of the behavioural psychology behind investing, and who the right type of investor is to take advantage of current market conditions.www.guidetothegrind.com

www.guidetothegrind.com

Despite what the media is propagating, there hasn't been a better time in recent history for first time home buyers to get into the market.Yes interest rates are higher than they've been in well over a decade, but purchase prices have also come down massively. This dichotomy of higher interest and lower pricing means that the affordability has remained the same, but the barrier to entry is significantly lower.On this episode of the “Guide 2 the Grind”, we're talking with experts in the Greater Toronto housing market, expert Realtors Belinda Lelli and Suzanne Stephens. Their opinion on the state of the market is entirely different from what's been in the news as of late. You definitely need to hear this engaging conversation. www.guidetothegrind.com

Have you ever heard of the concept of “Infinite Banking”?  I certainly haven't. That is until we had Russ Morgan of “Wealth Without Wall Street” on the show.  Russ and his team specialize in the re-education of most folks' thoughts around money and how they view investing. The strategies are simple, yet revolutionary in their ability to create truly passive income.  Russ asks, “What percentage of your income today is truly passive? Is it ten percent, fifty percent? It's only when our passive monthly income is equal to our monthly expenses that we truly become financially free.”  There's a ton of value in today's episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”, with Russ Morgan. www.guidetothegrind.com

It's no secret that we're in changing times. Economically, socially, and politically the world is pretty darn uncertain right now. The one thing I know however is when the world doesn't know what's going to happen next, there's always opportunity. Whenever there's a downturn in the economy, there's also problems that need to be solved. And if you're the one that comes up with the solutions to those problems, there's a lot of money to be made. After all, any great business is just offering a solution to a problem, or in different terms, fulfilling a need. The trick however is being nimble enough to pivot. See, real estate is always a good investment long term. The trend has always been upward over a long enough period of time. But in an evolving market, what's the best real estate strategy to get behind?Unfortunately there's no easy answer. The amount of statistics and data needed to understand all of the options available is overwhelming. Where do you even start?Thankfully there are people and companies out there that specialize in doing all of that leg work. And the one commonality that I see with all of them is that they focus on one strategy and completely master it before moving on to anything else. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is a Principal at VanWest Partners in Denver, Colorado, an investment fund focused on Self Storage. Jacob Vanderslice is a textbook example of someone that has mastered his niche, knows the metrics inside and out, and truly has his finger on the pulse of the market. You need to hear his POV on where the market is trending. www.guidetothegrind.comwww.guidetothegrind.com

For me, today's topic is one of the most fascinating strategies in real estate. If you've spent any time researching the world of real estate, you've no doubt heard all sorts of gurus talking about buying houses with no money down. I can't tell you how many times I've heard speakers telling folks they can learn their “No Money Down secret at an exclusive 3 day event for the low cost of just $40,000”. Hurry while supplies last… insert eyeroll emoji here. I always knew it was possible, but had no idea how to go about it. I mean, sure, you can find an investor to JV with you, and flip a home, or BRRR it, but there's little chance they're going to do that with someone that has no experience. So how do you get started if you don't have the money or the experience to get in?It appears that wholesaling may be the answer. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is Rafael Cortez. Rafael is a real estate broker, and expert wholesaler. He walks us through his system for making on average $20 - $30k on homes that he doesn't even buy. Have a listen to this master of the wholesaling niche. Check out www.guidetothegrind.comwww.guidetothegrind.com

One of the most common objections I hear to why people don't invest in rental properties is, “I don't want to fix toilets, or get calls in the middle of the night to change a lightbulb”. While repairs and maintenance are a part of the real estate investor's world, it's a small price to pay for the ability to control the outcomes of your investment. More importantly, you don't have to be the person dealing with those things. No matter what, you're going to need people to help you in any real estate investment. So why not build a team, and spend the time up front to make sure you're surrounded with the right people? No more dealing with leaky toilets or lightbulbs. That's your property manager's job. Our guest on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” is Dustin Heiner. Dustin has built a massive real estate investment business by following one simple principle - Set up the business first!Dustin is full of great energy, and we had a fascinating conversation with him. www.guidetothegrind.com

My favourite thing about the real estate world is the mavericks. The outliers that do what others either don't know about, or are unwilling to do. Today's guest is the hallmark of such investors.  I met Jonathan a little over ten years ago. Even though we didn't do business together right away, he continued to weave in and out of my life over the next decade. (which is appropriate given that his last name is Weaver)  Fast forward a few years and I ended up working with Jonathan at a mortgage brokerage. The concepts and ideas that I learned from him back then, are what drive my business today. He's been a pivotal character in the direction of my life, and someone that challenges the way I think every time we speak.  A few years ago he did the opposite of what everyone else was doing and sold his home in Toronto to buy a trailer park out in the middle of nowhere. Or at least most Torontonians interpretation of it.  Since then he's been able to create a monthly cashflow that exceeds what most make in a year, and increase the value of the property more than ten fold!  You'll definitely wanna to listen to Jonathan Weaver on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”.  

You know, when I was a younger man, I thought insurance was the most boring subject on the planet. I always harkened back to the line in John Prine's “Illegal Smile”,  “all my friends have become insurance salesmen”. But I didn't truly understand just how powerful the right insurance game plan can be. See, making money isn't just about working hard and hoping to get rich. We're taught that there's virtue in hard work, and I'm sure there is, but hard work alone won't make you wealthy. I know plenty of really hard working guys that are broke. It takes a plan and a whole butt load of discipline to break through the income barrier of  “financially free”. Then, once you've broken that ceiling, It's about protecting what you have and creating a legacy for the generations that come after you. Insurance is the key player in that stratagem.On this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind” our good friend, Financial Advisor, Melanie (Money Mama) Rousseau is joining us to talk about some of the lesser known, more advanced strategies available in the insurance world. You need to hear what she has to say. 

Positioning is one of the most important, yet least examined, parts of human interaction.  Every time we pick up the phone to call a prospect, or try to convince our significant other to do what they don't want to do, or even when a child is asking for something from their parent, someone is the “F-U” or “Alpha” position, and someone is in the “Beta” position.Let's take a look at this in the simplest of terms, a child asking their parent for something like ice cream when it's getting close to dinner time. The parent is in the Alpha position, because they have something the child really wants. Now the only way that the child is able to convince their parent to give them ice cream before dinner, is to give the parent something they want in return. Kids are the best at this by the way, because they don't have the fear of what others may think to hold them back. If being cute doesn't work, they start to ask “why”, and the inevitable “because I said so” comes next. Depending on the child and the parent relationship this can escalate to crying and yelling, and temper tantrums… until one side gives in.  Here's the thing, the struggle only occurs when the Beta side (the child)  isn't getting what it wants. So they try to bargain, then deploy emotional tactics, then finally launch an all out assault on the senses with their temper tantrum in an effort to figure out something that the Alpha side really wants. In a lot of cases the Alpha side gives in because they'd rather have peace and quiet, and the ice cream seems a fair exchange for that.  Let's flip this and apply it to a sales situation. A lot of sales people, especially newer ones, think that the prospect they're calling is in the Alpha position. I mean let's face it, we've all had those crappy cold calls where someone was super rude, or downright mean. (Back to those childhood tactics.) But a great salesperson knows instinctively that they're in the Alpha position before they ever pick up the phone.  Here's why… belief.  If you don't believe that what you're selling is the best damn sprocket that's ever been produced in the history of sprocket production,  then you need to find the best sprocket maker and go work for them.  If the product or service you sell isn't the best there is, at least in your mind, and doesn't provide the most value for the customer, then there isn't much point in selling it.But let's say you truly believe that it is, wouldn't you want people to know about it?  In fact, wouldn't you be doing the world a disservice by not letting your potential customers know about it? Wouldn't they love to save money, save time, and look great doing it?  That belief alone puts the sales professional in the Alpha position long before the prospect is ever contacted. It's a solution to a problem they have, and you're simply letting them know that you can solve it for them.  It's funny how when problems are made apparent, the solution becomes more valuable than money.  Here's an example… you know you should do regular maintenance on your vehicle, but you've been putting off an oil change for a while. Then, the car breaks down. You were too busy or didn't have the money to get the oil change done, but now that the problem has come front and centre, you figure out how to come up with the extra money to get the car fixed, and the oil changed while it's there.  A great salesperson knows they're in the Alpha position right from the beginning of the call, and helps the prospect realize they're in the Beta position by being great at understanding their prospects' problem, and showing them how they can fix it.  

Do you listen to the news?Years ago one of my mentors taught me to go on a “low information diet”. I was a junkie too. I'd get up in the morning, turn on the computer, and pull up the local 24 hour news channel. I felt so plugged in…… and stressed out. Do you know that when 9/11 happened, people halfway across the continent were getting treated for PTSD, even though they were nowhere near the towers when they collapsed? They saw the event broadcast so many times, over and over again, that it affected their mental health. News today has become a competitive bloodsport for your attention. The more doom, gloom, grime, and gore they can show in ultra high definition, direct to your living room, the better. One of the most poignant examples of this as of late, is the rise in interest rates. If you're listening to the news, it's armageddon. But what are the people actually in the trenches doing the work saying about it?That's exactly why we brought on one of our good friends, expert Realtor, Andrew McAllister, to tell us what's really going on in the world of real estate. Not from some talking head on TV, but from a super successful professional who's out in the market every day. Get your information from a true authority in the space, Andrew McAllister, on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. 

Nowadays the term “comfort zone” seems like a cliche. Every wannabe youtube motivational speaker over uses the term, and most people have no real concept of how their comfort zone actually works. It's not enough to tell someone they “have to get out of their comfort zone”, they need to actually understand what it is, why it exists, and how it functions.  What it is is fairly simple… on the surface.  It's a psychological barrier of perception that's been set up by your mind.  I remember the first time I realized that my mind had created an artificial barrier for me. I was at a leadership summit with a bunch of business colleagues, and some of us went to a high ropes course.  I wasn't afraid of heights at all, so that never factored into my decision to go. In fact, just a few years earlier I'd gone skydiving, and absolutely loved it.  But something funny happened once I got up on the ropes.  Fear  The kind of fear that paralyzes you, and keeps you from taking the next step. You know the kind where your palms start getting clammy, and you start to sweat just standing there?  Long story short, I overcame the fear with logic. I was wearing a harness, and I mean it was in a tourist attraction in Orlando, the worst that could happen was I'd fall ten feet onto some kids playing arcade games. It'd suck more for them than me.  But the experience put me on a path to understanding where this irrational fear had come from, and how it crept in so slowly that I hadn't noticed it until I came up against that barrier… hard.  So why does it exist?  The comfort zone is one of the oldest survival instincts we're born with. It's written in our genetic code. Originally the comfort zone kept us from leaving the comfort of the cave at night, and venturing out into the darkness where big scary beasts could eat us.  That doesn't happen a whole lot these days.  So how does this fear creep in and take up mental real estate?  From the age of about 18 - 28 our lives get set up as we enter into “the Real World”. Once we're out of school, most people stop expanding their minds. Days seem to be pretty routine, and we don't venture much outside of our normal schedules. This becomes our cave, and new experiences become the thing that might eat us if we step outside the cave.  It's pretty messed up if you think about it, but it's an evolutionary leftover.  The good news is, we don't have to live by this fear.  Running up against the edge of your fear/comfort zone on a regular basis is the only way to push that fear barrier back. It's like working out a muscle. The more you do it, the easier it is.  One person who exemplifies this way of living is Sunil Chillar. Sunil worked his way up from being a factory worker, to starting his own investment fund. By pushing the edge of his comfort zone on a regular basis, he's able to achieve massive success, not only for himself, but also the team members who work with him.  Learn all about his journey and how he overcame his barriers on this episode of the “Guide 2 the Grind” podcast.  Check it out here.

Times are getting a wee bit crazy.  Inflation is stupid, gas prices are outta hand, and interest rates are on the rise. If you listen to the news… the sky is falling.  Are we in a time of flux?  Yes.  Is it the end of the world?  Of course not.  No matter what the financial climate, there's always going to be opportunity when there's change. Yes there's a whole lot of people that are going to be behind the financial 8-ball in the next little bit, but not everyone. See the problem lies in doing what everyone else is doing.  Most people have no strategy to adjust to times of flux. The worst thing you can do is nothing. Hoping it gets better ain't gonna work, and doing what you've always done is not going to get you the same results it used to, when the world is changing around you.  So what's the answer?  A better strategy.  You see, Jonathan and I knew this change was coming. It was predictable if you knew what to look for. We didn't know when, but we knew it would come. When times of rising interest rates happen, people get cash strapped, and in dire circumstances can even lose their houses. But this doesn't have to be the way things go down.  We've been quietly working on a system to show folks just like you, how to pay off their mortgage in half the time, and save HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in the process. (That doesn't even include the equity they build while they're doing it.)  You absolutely need to listen to this week's episode of the "Guide 2 the Grind” podcast. Jonathan talks about this Mortgage Mastery strategy, and how you can make the bank's rules work for you.  Check it out here.Get your FREE VIP ticket herewww.eventbrite.ca/e/366006544427/?discount=VIP

Every now and then someone close to me does something so extraordinary that I'm both humbled, and honoured to call them my friend. Today's guest is one of those people. Melanie Rousseau works in the mortgage and life insurance fields, she's a master networker, has one of the best smiles you've ever seen, and is a single mom to two beautiful kids. You'd think that would be enough to keep her busy, but Melanie also has a massive heart and when she was called to called to serve, she set everything aside, and made the decision to help her friends who've been working with Ukrainian refugees fleeing into Bulgaria. Warning… this episode is a bit of a tear-jerker, but you absolutely need to hear this harrowing tale of human compassion and connection, on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”. 

One of my all time favourite sayings is a quote by John Maxwell that reads “None of us is as smart as all of us”.  We're all susceptible every now and then, some of us more now than then, to believing that our opinions are facts. And there's nothing that causes more conflict than two sides that absolutely know they're right and that the other side is wrong.  Back when I used to work in the film business I had an opportunity to learn from a very well established Producer. I'll always remember something he told me about making movies. He said that he never wanted the Writer, the Director, and the Producer to be the same person. You always get a better product when there's more people that have creative control.  I do my best to think like this all the time. I'm always open to learning about new ideas and paths to making the world a better place, but like everyone I'm sometimes a slave to my own opinions…  … and I love when I'm wrong. Everybody knows somebody that won't shut up about Crypto.  This is probably one of the reasons that it's taken me so long to spend any sort of real time learning about it. Kind of a “I don't hate the band, I just can't stand their fans” type scenario. But when the right person, with the right track record, takes the time to explain it, we all tend to listen with different ears.  We loved our first conversation with Zach Morrow, the VP of Customer Relations at Boron Capital, so much that we had to have him back and take a much deeper dive into the realm of CryptoCurrency.  This hedge fund is taking steps to create some of the “gold standards” in the future of the Crypto investing world, and they're doing it in a huge way. Have a listen on this episode of “Guide 2 the Grind”  Every time we speak with Zach, it just leads to more questions, and I have to say… I'm very happy to learn just how wrong I was about the Crypto investing world.  

I believe gratitude is one of the most powerful mental states that humans can achieve. It's only when we take time to truly appreciate where we are in this moment, and the journey we've taken to get here, that we understand how much we're capable of. So from both Jonathan and myself, I want to say THANK YOU. When we started producing content (Real Investment Property Income podcast), we really did it with the intention of having fun, and providing as much value as possible to anyone who took the time to listen. Here we are a year and half later doing our 100th episode. The first hundred have been an amazing journey. We've had some incredible guests on the show. We've laughed, we've cried, and we've learned so much from everyone we've had on the show, and from everyone that's reached out to us along the way. We've created some fantastic relationships both personally and professionally, and sadly lost one of my best friends along the way. (Trif Chaitas Eps. 51 & 52, rest in peace my brother) But through it all, what meant the most to us was you. I'm so thankful for all the emails of encouragement and gratitude that we've gotten. Every time someone reached out to let us know they're listening, and learning, and getting real value for the time they invest with us, that's what's really touched me along this journey. So… with that… we're expanding to bring even more value to you. Content has to evolve or it grows stale, so we're bringing experts in other areas of success and investing knowledge. Along with this expansion, we're changing the name of “Real Investment Property Income” to…“Guide 2 the Grind - Money, Mindset, Momentum”We had to take a minute to say thank you and express our gratitude, and we've got some great stuff lined up for the next 100 episodes. and from the bottom of our hearts… Thank you!

Have you ever thought about raising investor capital?  This typically follows one of those “good problem” moments. You know the kind where a unique opportunity pops up, you don't have enough capital to do it on your own, and it's time to level up your investing career?  We've had some really great guests on the show over the past year and a half. We've spoken with hedge fund managers, developers, Realtors, all different kinds of investors, and many of them have had watershed moments in their careers where they were forced to level up and start using investor capital.  Out of all of those guests however, we've never had one teach us their formula for raising that capital… ...until now.  Marcin Drozdz is an active real estate investor, with an extensive background in private capital markets. He began his career quite young, and rose to the top quickly. Taking what he learned from those early years raising capital for other people, Marcin has created a step by step guide to raising Investor capital aptly named “How to Raise Capital for Real Estate - 5 Day Challenge”.  Geoff has actually taken the 5 Day Challenge and got huge results immediately.  There's a high demand for Marcin to attend speaking events, he has one coming up in Toronto with Kevin O'Leary. He and his investor group own multi-family properties in the US, he runs the M1 mastermind group, and on top of all of that he's a new father. I know you're going to get a huge return for your time invested in today's episode of the “Real Investment Property Income” podcast.  Check it out here.One more thing, if you want to connect with Marcin, his email address is marcin@marcindrozdz.com

One of my favourite things about doing the podcast is all of the incredible guests we get to meet. We've met all kinds of fascinating people at different points in their journey as investors and entrepreneurs. The most interesting part, to me, is the progression people have made on their path to where they are now. Joe Evangelisti is no exception. He started out doing fix and flips… a lot of them. He and his partner finally got to the point where they felt maxed out with where they were going, and needed to make a shift. That's what led Joe to the storage space and the company he's built around the lifestyle he was missing. After all, what's the point in building a successful company if it doesn't give you time with the people you love?Learn about Joe's journey and his unique strategy on this episode of the “Real Investment Property Income” podcast. 

What do you think of when you think about being by the lake?For me it's sepia toned memories of rope swings, family dinners, and endless summer afternoons. ... I can practically smell the BBQ as I write this. One thing is for certain, if you've ever spent time living by the water, you understand the emotional pull that lifestyle has on you. Scott Freerksen and Christine Mosier know this pull better than most. They've not only made it their lifestyle, but a massively successful business as well. This dynamic team has become the foremost authority on lakeside living in the US, so much that even Hollywood Location Scouts use their website and listings as a resource for shooting locations. Chris and Scott are the total embodiment of the Lakeside Living ethos, using the “campfire test” for new partners to ensure that they attract the right people. Learn how Scott and Chris intentionally create their reality, and shape the world around them with their philosophy,  on this episode of the “Real Investment Property Income” podcast.

I remember when I first started in Real Estate, it was such a massive subject. The first couple of years were really  about trying to piece together all of the different strategies, finding what I liked, and more importantly, what I didn't like. Heck, let's be honest….. Most of that time was spent just trying to learn the lingo and not look stupid when I was networking. But a funny thing happens along the way when you're intentionally seeking knowledge, you get it. By being around the right people, learning the market you're in, and really diving deep into areas of specialty, something magical happens, and you achieve what seemed so daunting in the beginning. Today's guest on the “Real Investment Property Income” podcast is a perfect example of that. Karl Krauskopf started flipping houses in his spare time, and now has a stable of investors with a big appetite for his project expertise. Karl's value-add strategy around Seattle specific opportunities truly highlights the value of learning as much as you can about the market you're in, mastering it, and expanding.