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My guest today is Joe Liemandt. Joe is the Principal at Alpha School and the founder of Triliogy Software and ESW Capital. He became the youngest member of the Forbes 400 in the 1990s before vanishing from public view for two decades—only to emerge with a $1 billion bet that he can make kids learn 10x faster using AI. Joe has built an AI tutoring system so effective that students at his Alpha School literally beg not to take summer breaks, achieving 2x learning outcomes in just 2 hours with standardized test results that compete with the best of them. We dive deep into why this could be the most valuable product he's ever built, his contrarian thesis that traditional SaaS is facing AI-driven obsolescence, and how his experience buying 100+ software companies prepared him for this moonshot in a trillion-dollar market that hasn't innovated in 200 years. For investors, this is a masterclass in deploying patient capital to rebuild broken systems from first principles, with insights on everything from regulatory moats to the intersection of AI and human psychology. As your excited skeptic, I push hard on the technology readiness, parental adoption hurdles, and whether this audacious vision can actually scale to a billion kids. Additionally, in a Colossus Profile released last week, our editor-in-chief Jeremy Stern reported, for the first time, Joe as the product guy behind Alpha School in a can't miss piece of writing. And now please enjoy my conversation with Joe Liemandt. Joe Liemandt's Colossus Profile by Jeremy Stern. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best(00:06:08) How Alpha School Is Revolutionizing Learning(00:12:47) Personalized Tutoring with AI(00:19:59) Measuring the Impossible: 2x Learning Outcomes(00:25:39) All Educational Content Is Obsolete(00:35:51) Motivating Students: The Key to Success(00:42:06) Life Skills Workshops: Real-World Lessons(00:47:47) The Key to Happiness: High Standards(00:52:33) The Role of Guides and Coaches(00:58:22) Feedback Loops and AI in Education(01:04:20) The AI-Powered Classroom Experience(01:18:06) From Self-Doubt to Limitless Learning(01:28:20) Challenges in Public School Systems(01:41:56) Gamified Learning and Technology(01:49:46) From Trilogy to Trillion-Dollar Markets(01:55:05) Why Software Companies Fail(02:01:21) Trilogy University(02:10:39) Lessons from Mentors(02:17:25) Pushing Limits and Finding Passion(02:27:12) Joe's Kindest Thing
Looking to invest your money and create wealth for the future? Then you'll want to listen to this recent interview that I just did with Kiana Danial, CEO of Invest Diva, WSJ & USA Best-Selling Author, and Wealth Management Expert. Kiana is a highly sought-after commentator, professional speaker and executive coach and has written numerous books including 'Invest Diva's Guide to Making Money in Forex' by McGraw Hill, 'Cryptocurrency Investing For Dummies' by Wiley, and 'Million Dollar Family Secrets', which received recommendations from The Secret's Bob Proctor and Fox Business's Charles Payne. In this episode, Kiana talks about how your money can work for you using her unshakeable wealth ecosystem. She also shares how she grew her business to a passive $500K/month & built a $6.72M portfolio in 3 years. Kiana is on a mission to create abundance for entrepreneurial moms so they can create abundance for others! If you're interested in learning more about Kiana's investment strategies and risk management toolkit, check out her masterclass at investdiva.com/masterclass. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take control of your financial future!In this episode, we cover: [00:04:03:08] A HUGE OPPORTUNITY for Wealth Creation [00:20:03:02] The Biggest Mistake Investor Make[00:06:57:17] Streamlining Your Business for Success[00:26:48:25] Learn to Invest Like a Pro: InvestDiva.com/Masterclass[00:41:45:11] The 4 Types of Millionaires[00:46:06:18] Happy Hustle Hacks [Health, Money, Entrepreneurship, Spirituality][00:57:29:29] Rapid-fire questionsWhat does Happy Hustlin mean to you? Kiana says when you have fulfillment by doing what you love.Connect with Kianahttps://www.instagram.com/investdivahttps://www.facebook.com/KianaDanialhttps:// www.tiktok.com/@kianadanialhttps://www.youtube.com/investdiva https://www.pinterest.com/investdivahttps://www.twitter.com/kianadanialFind Kiana on this website: https://investdiva.com/ https://learn.investdiva.com/ www.buildmorewealth.com Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a free copy of his new book, The Happy Hustle, 10 Alignments to Avoid Burnout & Achieve Blissful Balance https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Coursehttps://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventurehttps://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsors:If you're feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy's been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers. This ain't your average magnesium—it's got all 7 essential forms that your body actually needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all nightIf you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.99 Designs- Need a killer logo, stunning website, or next-level brand design?Stop DIY-ing and start delegating like a boss with 99designs by Vista! Neurable- If you're looking to level up your focus, productivity, and mental well-being all at once, do yourself a favor and check out Neurable. You get a special hookup—just use the code HAPPY at checkout and get $100 off.
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
How do billionaires think differently than the rest of us? Bob and Ben have spent over a year trying to answer that question as they wrote the Invest Like a Billionaire book. In this episode, they share their lessons – how billionaires approach debt, inflation and taxes differently. And we learn how we can all move from an “income statement mindset” to a “balance sheet mindset.”PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/
Most investors are playing the wrong game. Billionaires? They treat investing like a business. In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Bob Fraser—entrepreneur, investor, and author of Invest Like a Billionaire—to uncover how the ultra-wealthy think differently, avoid risk, and build generational wealth. From bouncing back after losing millions to structuring investments for tax advantages and family legacy, Bob shares the insider strategies that institutional investors and billionaire families use—but almost no one talks about. Whether you're an entrepreneur with cash on the sidelines, a franchise owner scaling up, or simply someone wanting to learn how to build lasting wealth, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won't hear from your average financial advisor. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Why billionaires treat investing like a business 02:05 – Spotting winners early & the power of resilience 04:47 – Bob's journey: dot-com boom to financial crash 06:30 – Why billionaires avoid the 60/40 portfolio trap 09:06 – The #1 mistake most investors make 12:38 – The overlooked superpower of private markets 17:02 – Liquidity planning & using lines of credit wisely 22:05 – Private credit: the most underused cashflow strategy 24:47 – Tax structures that can save millions 29:55 – Why you should always diversify outside your business 34:32 – Real estate cycles & how to spot good deals 39:42 – How smart investors evaluate deals beyond IRR 44:31 – Building generational wealth & family meetings 47:36 – Teaching kids (and grandkids) to steward money 50:23 – Where to get Bob's book Invest Like a Billionaire Connect with Erik Van Horn:
My guest today is Mark Bertolini. Mark is the former CEO of Aetna and the current CEO of Oscar Health. He shares one of the most extraordinary leadership stories I've encountered—surviving a catastrophic skiing accident that left him in chronic pain for 18 years while simultaneously leading one of healthcare's most successful corporate turnarounds. His personal experience navigating his son's life-threatening cancer battle and his own medical challenges fundamentally changed his approach to healthcare, leading to innovations in employee welfare that Wall Street initially questioned but ultimately celebrated. During his tenure at Aetna, Mark generated 652% total shareholder return by implementing revolutionary employee policies and is now applying these lessons at Oscar Health to disrupt the $4 trillion healthcare industry with a technology-first approach. We discuss the power of servant leadership, employer-sponsored insurance vs individual choice-based plans, and the horizons of healthcare. Please enjoy this incredible conversation with Mark Bertolini. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:04:52) Mark's Ski Accident and Recovery (00:07:54) Early Life and Career Beginnings (00:12:51) Leadership Philosophy and Career Highlights (00:19:03) Healthcare System Insights and Innovations (00:25:31) Oscar Health: Current State and Future Vision (00:42:06) Personal Stories and Eastern Belief System (00:51:57) Discovering the Healing Power of Yoga (00:57:21) Transforming Employee Benefits and Wages (01:02:41) Personal Journey Through Chronic Pain (01:08:10) Reflections on Business Success and Leadership (01:15:54) Joining Bridgewater and Transitioning Leadership (01:22:47) Leading Oscar Health and Future Goals (01:34:12) Enduring Hardships and Finding Purpose (01:32:34) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Mark
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Is your financial advisor keeping secrets from you? Well, not exactly. In this episode, we learn another key lesson from the Invest Like a Billionaire book: why the financial advising system is rigged against alts. Listen to hear why your advisor isn't able to give you the guidance you need, and figure out how to work the system in your favour. PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/
My guest today is Peter Lacaillade. Peter is the Chief Investment Officer for Private Investments at SCS Financial and has built one of the most respected private equity allocation platforms in wealth management, overseeing $50 billion for ultra-high-net-worth families and earning the same access as top-tier endowments. He shares how SCS's pooled vehicle structure enables them to compete with institutional giants for the best funds, avoiding the adverse selection that plagues most wealth platforms. Peter shares his investment philosophy across lower middle market buyouts, emerging independent sponsors, and early bets on category-defining managers like Thrive Capital and Shore Capital. We discuss what separates exceptional private equity managers, the evolution of the industry toward AI-powered strategies, and private markets going mainstream. Please enjoy this conversation with Peter Lacaillade. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:04:31) Advantages of Private Equity Over Public Markets (00:08:59) Talent Acquisition and Growth at SCS (00:10:28) SCS's Wealth Management Strategy (00:19:51) Challenges and Risks in Private Equity (00:26:06) The Future of Wealth Management (00:12:42) Trends in Private Equity (00:20:14) Challenges and Risks in Private Equity1 (00:22:58) Building Successful Private Equity Partnerships (00:26:06) The State of the Wealth Management Industry (00:35:07) Lower Middle Market Buyouts and Independent Sponsors (00:49:38) Introduction to Long Lake and Its Innovative Approach (00:50:21) AI-Powered Tools for Homeowners Associations (00:52:46) Permanent Capital Vehicles vs. Drawdown Funds (00:54:26) The Rise of Holding Companies (00:57:03) Emerging Trends in Venture Capital 01:05:44) The Role of Endowments and Liquidity Solutions (01:10:40) Jake and Frank's Partnership (01:13:57) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Peter
What do billionaires know about investing that the average person doesn't? In this episode, Paul Shannon sits down with economist, fund manager, and author Bob Fraser, author of Invest Like a Billionaire, to unpack the strategies, asset allocations, and decision-making frameworks of the ultra-wealthy. Bob explains why billionaires aren't chasing “hot” trends, they're looking for asymmetric risk-reward opportunities and sectors that offer long-term compounding. He shares how they think about diversification (and why it's not about owning a little of everything), why certain private investments are favored over public markets, and how billionaires position themselves to capitalize on economic shifts before they happen. You'll hear how Bob applies these principles in real estate, why he's watching specific macroeconomic signals right now, and the filters investors can use to evaluate opportunities like the ultra-rich — even without a billionaire's balance sheet. Key Takeaways: The mindset differences between billionaires and everyday investors Why the ultra-wealthy prioritize asymmetric risk-reward setups How billionaires view diversification vs. “diworsification” The role of private investments and niche sectors in their portfolios Economic indicators billionaires watch to stay ahead of market cycles How to apply billionaire-style investing principles at any scale Bob Fraser's current outlook on real estate opportunities Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any of the advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
We're back with another sneak peek into the Invest Like a Billionaire book! Bob and Ben join Ellis to share the secret killer of wealth – Volatility. They'll walk you through the math around why volatility is the enemy of compounding wealth, and what you can do about it. PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/
Bob Fraser is the co-founder and CEO of Aspen Funds, an investment firm offering alternative investments ranging from private equity, mortgage notes, oil & gas, and industrial. Bob is responsible for financial management, portfolio modeling, as well as systems and processes. Additionally, Bob is the co-host of the Invest Like a Billionaire podcast where he dives into the world of alternative investments and speaks with successful investors. On his show, he also discusses economic trends, including mega trends such as inflation, energy prices and deglobalization. His goal is simple, it's to empower others looking to explore less volatile investment opportunities, improving their portfolio's performance, and enabling them to become more financially secure. Aspen Funds: aspenfunds.us – for information on Bob's investment firm. Book link: thebillionairebook.org – to preorder Invest Like a Billionaire and access bonus materials. 02:55 – From dot-com success and loss to discovering the control and stability of private alternative investments. 05:00 – Buying distressed debt after the 2008 crash 09:15 – Why oil and gas is a contrarian play today 14:50 – Red flags in oil and gas investing and the importance of institutional-grade operators over speculative drilling. 17:00 – Aspen's focus on private credit and industrial real estate 23:55 – The book Invest Like a Billionaire—how billionaires diversify into private alts, lower risk, and achieve higher returns than traditional portfolios. Recommended Resources: Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club! If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team. Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com. Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast.
My guest today is Andrew Milgram. Andrew is the founder of Marblegate Asset Management, an alternative investment firm that invests in credit opportunities and special situations. He joins me to discuss his unique approach to distressed investing in the middle market, revealing how middle market EBITDA has declined 20-25% since 2019, creating what he calls the "K-shaped economy." His investment stories are legendary, particularly his $600+ million bet on NYC taxi medallions, which we go into in great detail. We discuss Marblegate's approach to negotiation, sourcing deals directly from hundreds of regional banks, and understanding the human element in distressed situations. Please enjoy this conversation with Andrew Milgram. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:04:58) Understanding the K-Shaped Economy (00:07:08) Middle Market Challenges and Data Insights (00:16:56) Distressed Investing Explained (00:25:06) The Taxi Medallion Investment Story (00:46:46) Navigating New York's Taxi Medallion System (00:47:17) Building Relationships with Regulators and Unions (00:50:22) Taking the Taxi Operation Public (00:51:26) The Future of Autonomous Vehicles and Medallions (00:54:30) Investment Strategies and Risk Management (00:58:41) Negotiation Principles and Human Drama (01:11:55) Personal Reflections and Formative Experiences (01:17:22) The State of the American Economy (01:23:29) Insights on Private Credit and Equity Markets (01:30:39) Future of Asset Management (01:33:16) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Done For Andrew
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
The Invest Like a Billionaire book is almost here! For all of August, we're bringing you sneak peeks into the key points in the book, and diving deeper into some of the topics. This episode, Bob and Ben join Ellis for a conversation about the end of the 60:40 portfolio, and the advent of The Swensen Model. Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/
Book a call to see if we can help you achieve your goals in less time with less risk: http://bit.ly/iwc15podcast Have you ever wondered where the ultra-wealthy are putting their money to build more wealth? Today, you're going to find out how to invest like a billionaire. In this episode, Cameron Christiansen and Anthony Faso are joined by Bob Fraser, co-founder of Aspen Funds and author of the upcoming book Invest Like a Billionaire: Unlocking the Wealth Secrets of the Ultra-Rich. Bob dives into the world of alternative investments (alts) and the secrets that billionaires have been using for years to achieve higher returns with less risk, and how you can apply these strategies even with a smaller portfolio. Bob also gives practical tips for finding the right investment sponsors and discusses why it's never too early to start thinking like a savvy investor. Tune in to learn how to break free from the traditional stock market mindset and start building wealth with smarter, safer investments today. In This Episode: - Introduction to Bob Fraser - Private investment alternatives (alts): The secret to higher returns - The importance of financial education in achieving long-term wealth - What makes Bob's book different from other financial books? - The myth of diversification and why it's failing average investors - The risks involved with investing in public and private markets - Evaluating private investment deals and selecting the right sponsors - The power of real estate and private credit in building wealth - Recommended portfolio allocation for the millionaires - Bob's advice on how to get started with alternative investments Resources: - Invest Like a Billionaire: Unlocking the Wealth Secrets of the Ultra-Rich by Bob Fraser - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3W2SNDS - Join the Infinite Wealth Study Group - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/qC3sAWg6PhHYpRAs/ - Check our Online Course - https://infinitewealthcourse.com/home - Buy Becoming Your Own Banker by R. Nelson Nash - http://bit.ly/BYOBbookIWC Connect with Bob Fraser: - Website - https://aspenfunds.us/ and https://bobfraser.org/ - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobfraser10/ Connect with Anthony or Cameron: - Website - https://infinitewealthcourse.com/home - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/infinitewealthconsultants/ Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute financial advice. Always consult a licensed professional for financial decisions. This episode is sponsored by a podcast show partner. We may receive compensation if you use links or services mentioned in this episode. The hosts may have a financial interest in the programs or services mentioned in this episode.
In this episode, Stig Brodersen speaks with David Fagan, a successful entrepreneur and investor, about the powerful overlap between building businesses and investing in public markets. They explore why business owners often think differently about diversification, dividends, and risk—and how habits, friendships, and clarity of purpose shape long-term success in both business and life. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 05:35 – Why some business owners often become better investors through firsthand experience with risk, volatility, and capital allocation. 14:57 – The blind spots business owners have when they enter the world of investing. 23:09 – Why you might shift your attitude toward dividends after experiencing firsthand how brutal capitalism is. 28:30 – David shares the daily habits that help him stay grounded, including exercise, reading, and reflection. 35:49 – A different take on “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”—and the tradeoffs of seeking higher-caliber peers. 37:51 – Why financial independence raises deeper questions about purpose, relationships, and long-term alignment in life and work. 59:06 – When (and how) to go into business with friends: lessons from real stories about incentives, equity splits, and mutual expectations. Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passionate value investors for a retreat in Big Sky, Montana. Learn more here. Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Listen to our interview with David Fagan about Buffett's favorite business book. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Hardblock AnchorWatch Cape Intuit Shopify Vanta reMarkable Abundant Mines HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
Most investors follow the same advice and end up with average results. The wealthiest investors play by a different set of rules. In this episode, you'll learn exactly what they are.Today, Russ and Joey sit down with economist, investor, and author Bob Fraser to unpack the wealth-building strategies of the ultra-rich. Bob reveals why now is a critical time to rethink traditional investing advice and what accredited investors are missing out on.From generating true passive cash flow to identifying undervalued opportunities in sectors like energy, Bob shares insights straight from the billionaire playbook. He also challenges the overreliance on financial advisors and empowers listeners to take ownership of their wealth strategy.Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode sheds light on the mindset, models, and moves that separate average portfolios from extraordinary ones.Tune in to discover how billionaires see the market and how you can too.Top three things you will learn: -What billionaires do differently-How to generate more passive income-The type of investment opportunities to consider nowAbout Our Guest:Bob Fraser is the co-founder of Aspen Funds, a fund management company focused on alternative investments. He is responsible for financial management, portfolio modeling, as well as systems and processes, designing and deploying Aspen's scalable, state-of-the-art back-end platform.Bob is also involved in several entrepreneurial initiatives, including book publishing, financial consulting, and co-hosting a podcast called Invest Like a Billionaire, where they discuss strategies of the ultra-wealthy and interview successful investors and alternative investment experts.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute financial advice. Always consult a licensed professional for financial decisions.This episode is sponsored by a podcast show partner. We may receive compensation if you use links or services mentioned in this episode.The hosts may have a financial interest in the programs or services mentioned in this episode.Connect with Bob Fraser:-Website - https://www.thebillionairesummit.com/ and https://www.thebillionairebook.org/Book Your Free Passive Income Game Plan Session:-https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/freecallThe Lifestyle Investor Podcast:-https://lifestyleinvestor.com/podcast/Want to raise millionaire kids? Watch how Sharran Srivatsaa — former Goldman Sachs banker turned entrepreneur and investor — is building a generational wealth system with his kids, step-by-step. -https://go.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/millionaire-kidsTurn Active Income Into Passive Income:-https://wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/piosWealth Without Wall Street New Book:-
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Join us for a summit on August 8th to celebrate the launch of the Invest Like a Billionaire book coming this fall!Register at https://www.thebillionairesummit.com/summit
Neste episódio do Canary Cast, Izabel Gallera, sócia do Canary, conversa com Felipe Abramovay, cofundador e CEO da Pilar, empresa que está construindo uma nova infraestrutura para o mercado imobiliário brasileiro com os corretores no centro da estratégia. A Pilar nasceu com uma tese diferente: em vez de competir com os corretores por demanda, decidiu colocá-los no centro da estratégia, oferecendo tecnologia, curadoria e suporte para que eles operem de forma mais eficiente e colaborativa. No episódio, Felipe compartilha sua trajetória de analista de investimentos no Canary até a decisão de fundar sua própria empresa, os aprendizados na transição de investidor para empreendedor e os desafios de escalar um modelo complexo que combina tecnologia, operação e comunidade em um setor tradicional como o imobiliário. Durante a conversa, Bel e Felipe exploram: O papel da confiança, curadoria e cultura para ativar e expandir rede de corretores de alto padrão em São Paulo; O lançamento do Pilar Homes, marketplace B2C da empresa, e os novos desafios desse modelo; A expansão geográfica para outras cidades e os aprendizados ao replicar a operação; Os principais erros e acertos da jornada empreendedora e a importância de construir um modelo próprio de gestão; A visão de futuro para o setor imobiliário, mais distribuído, mais tecnológico e centrado nos profissionais. Ouça agora e descubra como Felipe e todo o time da Pilar estão transformando o mercado imobiliário a partir de uma tese que valoriza o corretor como peça-chave para um ecossistema mais eficiente, tecnológico e que gera valor para todos os atores da cadeia. Convidado:Felipe Abramovay é cofundador e CEO da Pilar, uma startup que está redesenhando o setor imobiliário brasileiro com foco em corretores autônomos, tecnologia e comunidade. Antes de empreender, foi analista de investimentos no Canary. É formado em Administração pela FGV e em Direito pela PUC-SP. Apresentação:Izabel Gallera é sócia do Canary, fundo de venture capital early-stage que investe nos principais empreendedores de tecnologia da América Latina. Desde 2017 no time, Bel acompanha de perto founders desde os primeiros passos da construção de suas empresas até o momento de alta escala. Destaques do episódio:00:01:00 – Introdução e trajetória profissional antes da Pilar00:06:20 – Da ideação à formação da tese: o começo da Pilar00:11:50 – Construção da rede de corretores e evolução do produto com o Pilar Homes00:17:30 – Conquistando a confiança e a demanda dos corretores e os desafios novos na construção do Marketplace B2C00:18:30 – Os corretores como peça central para o modelo de negócio e o desenvolvimento de uma cultura centrada nessa comunidade00:20:00 – Por que a Pilar optou por iniciar as operações no segmento de imóveis de alto padrão00:21:45 – Desafios da expansão do tíquete médio00:22:50 – Sobre tamanho de mercado e diferentes avenidas de expansão. 00:23:50 – Aprendizados da expansão geográfica em Curitiba00:27:10 – Outras possibilidades para Pilar seguir escalando00:29:20 – O mercado competitivo que a Pilar está inserida00:32:00 – Visão de futuro: expansão, novos produtos e impacto no ecossistema00:34:00 – Métricas e a tração da Pilar até aqui00:36:10 – Os maiores erros e acertos da jornada empreendedora00:39:30 – Recomendações de conteúdo e conselhos para quem quer empreenderConteúdos indicados no episódio:Livros "The Secrets of Sand Hill Road" de Scott Kupor Livro essencial para entender como funciona o venture capital no Vale do Silício. Foi o primeiro livro que ele leu ao entrar no Canary e o ajudou a entender o que é uma empresa “venture-backable”. "A República Tecnológica" de Alex Karp (CEO da Palantir) Livro provocativo que aborda o propósito de empreender, o papel da tecnologia na sociedade e reflexões filosóficas sobre o papel das empresas na geopolítica e inovação. Felipe destaca que não é um livro “receita de bolo”, mas sim provocador e valioso. Podcasts Acquired com Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Podcast sobre a história de grandes empresas, modelos de negócios e decisões estratégicas. Invest Like the Best com Patrick O’Shaughnessy Episódios com investidores e empreendedores que exploram temas como estratégia, construção de produto e capital allocation. 20VC (The Twenty Minute VC) com Harry Stebbings Podcast clássico no mundo de venture capital, trazendo conversas rápidas com fundadores, investidores e operadores. Newsletters / Outros Term Sheet – da Fortune Newsletter que compila rodadas de investimento e negócios no ecossistema global. Felipe menciona que assina há anos e gosta de acompanhar para ver o que está acontecendo no mundo. Glossário de termos em inglês citados no episódio: Marketplace – Plataforma digital que conecta diferentes agentes (como corretores e compradores) para facilitar transações comerciais. B2B (Business to Business) – Modelo de negócio em que uma empresa vende produtos ou serviços para outra empresa. No contexto da Pilar, refere-se ao marketplace operado entre corretores. B2C (Business to Consumer) – Modelo de negócio em que uma empresa vende diretamente para o consumidor final. Pilar Homes é o braço B2C da Pilar. Supply – Oferta ou fornecimento. No episódio, refere-se aos imóveis ou corretores disponíveis na plataforma. Demand – Demanda. Refere-se à busca de compradores por imóveis na plataforma. Go-to-market – Estratégia de entrada ou expansão de produto em um mercado, incluindo definição de canais, público-alvo e comunicação. MVP (Minimum Viable Product) – Produto mínimo viável. Versão inicial de um produto com funcionalidades básicas para validar sua proposta com usuários reais. Pipeline – Fluxo ou funil de oportunidades. No episódio, usado no contexto de análise de investimentos no Canary. Track record – Histórico de desempenho. No caso da Pilar, usado para avaliar a reputação e experiência dos corretores que entram na rede. Bypass – Prática de desintermediação, quando um corretor tenta fechar uma transação diretamente, burlando a rede. Asset-light – Modelo de negócios com baixa dependência de ativos físicos. Break-even – Ponto de equilíbrio financeiro de uma operação. Benchmark – Referência de mercado ou padrão de comparação. Search fund – Veículo de investimento criado por empreendedores para buscar, adquirir e operar uma empresa já existente. Cold reach (Cold InMail) – Abordagem fria a contatos no LinkedIn ou e-mail, sem relação prévia. Founder – Fundador de uma startup ou empresa. Funding – Captação de investimento. Venture-backable – Termo usado para descrever empresas com perfil atrativo para receber investimentos de venture capital. Playbook – Conjunto de boas práticas, estratégias e processos operacionais documentados. Roadmap – Plano de execução e evolução do produto ou da empresa ao longo do tempo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
My guest today is Ramtin Naimi. Ramtin is the founder of Abstract Ventures, one of the most talked-about seed funds in Silicon Valley. What makes Ramtin's story so compelling isn't just his firm's remarkable track record—including early investments in Rippling, Solana, and dozens of unicorns—but also the unconventional path he took to get there. From running a hedge fund straight out of high school to filing for bankruptcy at 24, then bootstrapping his way to building a $2 billion AUM venture firm using AngelList and relentless hustle. Our conversation begins in an unexpected place—the art world—where Ramtin has become a sophisticated collector, learning from mentors like Michael Ovitz about market dynamics that surprisingly mirror venture capital. We dive deep into how the art world actually works, and Ramtin explains how these lessons about "masterpieces" apply directly to identifying power-law companies in venture. We go deep on his approach to early-stage investing and how he built Abstract as a co-investment vehicle alongside firms like Sequoia, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz. We explore his portfolio construction model, his philosophy on dilution-sensitive founders, and why he takes upwards of 30 pitch meetings per week to build his "frame of reference." We discuss why Abstract has the highest graduation rate from seed to Series A among all seed funds, and how this competitive advantage compounds over time. This is his first time telling his story, and we discuss the power of pattern recognition, relentless work ethic, and the unique opportunities available to those willing to start from scratch in Silicon Valley. Please enjoy this great conversation with Ramtin Naimi. Colossus Review Profile: Ramtin Naimi For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:40) Learning from Mentors and Starting to Collect (00:08:50) Parallels Between Art and Venture Capital (00:12:57) Challenges in Art Collecting (00:20:45) The Role of Status in the Art World (00:25:00) Who Makes the Most Money in the Art World? (00:28:19) Abstract Ventures: Early Stage Investing (00:42:34) Starting a Venture Capital Firm from Scratch (00:43:12) Overcoming Bankruptcy and Early Struggles (00:50:34) Evaluating Technical Capabilities and Momentum (01:02:53) Competing for Deals and Building Relationships (01:15:25) The Role of Brand in Venture Capital (01:22:39) Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings (01:28:40) Starting a Hedge Fund and Learning Hard Lessons (01:31:26) Transition to Venture Capital (01:37:19) Building Abstract and Family Life (01:52:03) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Done For Ramtin
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
How do you build a strategic alternative asset portfolio? Most investors just jump at the first deals presented to them from their network. But in this episode, Ben lays out a strategic plan when building an alt portfolio, optimizing for long term yield and growth. In this episode, Ben is joined by Ellis Hammond, Aspen Fund's Vice President of Capital to dive into The Wealth Pyramid. Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
What does it take to reinvent yourself, and your business — at the highest level?In this episode, I sit down with Dan Martell: entrepreneur, investor, and best-selling author who's gone through one of the most impressive personal and professional transformations in recent years.In the past 18 months, Dan's gone all-in on building his personal brand and media presence, and the results speak for themselves.But this isn't a conversation about social media. It's a deep dive into the strategic, operational, and mindset shifts required to scale with precision and purpose.We explore:How to reposition your brand and business to play a bigger gameThe power of subtraction: what Dan cut to unlock focus and performanceThe difference between audience and influence, and how to build bothHow to align your calendar, energy, and team around your next chapterThe role of identity in building a business that lastsWe also talk about the real cost of growth: letting go of the old version of you, publicly committing to uncomfortable goals, and doing the deep work most people avoid.Whether you're leading a business, building a brand, or stepping into a new version of yourself, this episode is a masterclass in alignment, execution, and evolution.Follow Dan Martell:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmartellWebsite: www.danmartell.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danmartellFollow Me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackdelosaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jack.delosaTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro02:15 – Burn the Old You07:02 – Social Media Is the Ultimate Personal Development Tool16:30 – Invest Like a Billionaire23:00 – Clever Beats Complex28:03 – God, Growth & Generosity34:18 – The Power of Subtraction41:05 – No Is a Full Sentence43:43 – Influence = Reach x Reputation
Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. Brad Jacob's simple principle of "think big, move fast" is one I think about often. Brad's resumé is remarkable. He has founded seven companies, all of which are billion-dollar or multibillion-dollar businesses. He has done 500 M&A transactions and raised $30 billion of debt and equity capital. Currently, he is the Executive Chairman of XPO, a commercial trucking company that he started in 2011 and has grown into one of the largest logistics businesses in the world. He is a true force of nature, and I hope you enjoy his episode. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by WorkOS. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit WorkOS.com to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:02:11) Identifying key factors in a market before investing (00:05:07) Gleaning insights from early acquisition experiences (00:08:43) Delving into the seller's mindset during a business sale (00:12:51) Weighing pre-built against organic growth strategies in acquisitions (00:17:20) Defining the elements of an ideal business (00:22:49) Engaging constructively with Wall Street (00:24:36) Discussing the substantial buyback of XPO shares (00:28:16) Ambition as a recurring theme in entrepreneurial success (00:30:17) Emphasizing the need to facilitate team agility (00:32:35) Highlighting the joys of post-acquisition integration (00:36:09) Drawing lessons from Ludwig Jesselson's principles (00:40:34) Comparing the risks and rewards of early versus late adoption (00:44:09) Reflecting on errors made in trend analysis (00:48:59) Strategies for implementing new technologies in enterprises (00:51:59) The significance of thought experiments in strategic decision-making (00:56:00) Recalling transformative events from his early years (00: 57:22) Outlining what makes a meeting 'electric' (01: 01:53) Sharing experiences with exemplary leadership (01:05:02) Strategies for maximizing team potential (01:07:37) Deciding the right time to step away from a business (01:08:58) Unveiling unexpected challenges in entrepreneurship (01:18:45) Philosophies for leading a fulfilling life (01:21:04) Finishing How To Make A Few Billion Dollars (01:22:53) The kindest thing anyone has ever done for Brad
My guest today is Zach Dell. Zach is the co-founder and CEO of Base Power Company. Base is a modern power company building a reliable and affordable home energy service powered by distributed batteries. We explore one of the most underappreciated machines in our world: the electrical grid. Zach walks us through the complex world of electricity infrastructure and explains why the 100-year-old grid is woefully unprepared for the explosion in demand coming from AI, electric vehicles, and industrial electrification. Base's approach involves creating a distributed network of home batteries that provide backup power to customers while serving as grid resources, elegantly solving infrastructure bottlenecks that plague traditional utility-scale projects. We discuss energy as the fundamental enabler of human progress, scaling distributed energy assets, and the vertical integration strategy driving Base's unit economics. Please enjoy my conversation with Zach Dell. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by Arcana. Arcana is the world's most advanced portfolio intelligence platform, trusted by institutional investors managing trillions in AUM — including market neutral, long-short, long-only, and capital allocators. Arcana enables portfolio managers, risk teams, analysts, and CIOs to drill into exposures and idio, construct optimal portfolios, and decompose performance at incredible granularity. Visit arcana.io to request a demo and learn more. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Introduction and Show Overview (00:05:06) Understanding the Electrical Grid (00:09:10) The History and Evolution of the Grid (00:09:51) Regulation and Deregulation in the Energy Sector (00:18:25) The Importance of Energy in Human Progress (00:28:41) Base's Innovative Energy Solutions (00:38:25) Economic and Operational Insights of Base (00:44:31) Understanding Electricity Market Variability (00:45:01) The Boom and Bust of Battery Economics (00:48:43) Battery Technology and Chemistry (00:50:56) Global Battery Manufacturing Landscape (00:54:06) Capital Markets and Financing Strategies (00:59:56) Vision for the Future of Energy Technology (01:02:30) Personal Journey and Entrepreneurial Insights (01:09:48) Lessons from Influential Leaders (01:16:52) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Done For Zach
In this Topical Tuesday episode, I spoke with Bob Fraser who is the chief macro strategist of Aspen Funds. He's also a former tech founder and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and he's the author of - "Invest Like a Billionaire - Unlocking the Billionaire Model". Be sure to tune in if you're interested in learning about: Why the traditional 60/40 portfolio is outdated and how it's failing today's investors How billionaires allocate capital The limitations of public REITs vs. private real estate syndications Practical advice on how everyday investors can get started with alternatives and avoid common mistakes To your success, Tyler Lyons Resources mentioned in the episode: Bob Fraser The Billionaire Book Interested in learning how to take your capital raising game to the next level? Meet us at Capital Raiser's Edge. Learn more here: https://raisingcapital.com/cre
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Bronson Hill had a quick come-up from a salary job to a full time passive investor and capital raiser. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing, and he's learned some really important lessons along the way about how to be strategic about your path and create a framework to vet deals. In this episode, Bronson opens up about his portfolio, which includes some surprising asset classes. Check it out. Check out Bronson's first book, Fire Yourself https://bronsonequity.com/how-to-fire-yourself/Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
Title: What They Don't Tell You About Raising Capital (Until It's Too Late) with Ben Fraser Summary: In this episode of the Invest Like a Billionaire podcast, host Ben Frasier interviews Seth Bradley, the Chief Legal Officer at TribeVest and an experienced securities attorney. They discuss Seth's transition from a big law background to becoming a passive investor and then an active capital raiser, detailing the steps involved in his journey. Seth shares insights on private placements and syndications, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal documents such as Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs) and operating agreements. The conversation also highlights key trends and shifts in capital raising, particularly the emergence of the fund-to-fund model, which allows passive investors to leverage their networks without taking an active role in deal management. Furthermore, Seth talks about the services provided by TribeVest to simplify the investment process for both passive investors and new fund managers. They touch upon the current state of the alternative investment market, discussing the advantages and opportunities available amid economic challenges. Links to listen and subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/155-moving-from-passive-to-active-investor-feat-seth/id1587171662?i=1000652125962 Links to watch and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiRq38II33s&t=1047s Bullet Point Highlights: Seth Bradley's Journey: Transitioned from big law to passive investing, and now to active capital raising. Understanding Legal Documents: Importance of critically reviewing PPMs and operating agreements as an investor. Red Flags in Investments: Identifying key terms and clauses in legal documents that can affect investor rights and returns. Fund-to-Fund Model: Insights into how new capital raisers can operate without needing to be actively involved in deals. TribeVest Services: Overview of how TribeVest supports fund managers with a streamlined legal and operational framework. Market Trends: Discussion on the evolution and current opportunities within the alternative investment space. Advice for Investors: Encouragement to dive into the market now to capitalize on upcoming opportunities as conditions stabilize. Transcript: hello future billionaires welcome back to another episode of the invest like a billionaire podcast today's guest is Seth Bradley very fun to talk with him he's friend of mine for several years and he's the chief legal officer at tribe vest which is a really cool company if you haven't heard of them we actually had their CEO and founder on about a year ago but they're kind of doing a really new cool push that I'm going to talk about in a sec but his background he's a big law Securities attorney spent a lot of time in kind of corporate world transition really to kind of becoming a passive investor invest a lot of syndications so he talks a lot about his journey making that transition kind of going to generate passive income Financial Independence but then he's actually shifted back to becoming an active Capital Riser and he's seen a lot of people make this transition that been investing for a little bit and now want to kind of activate their Network and some of the stuff they're doing at Tri bestest is making this really really easy for people so it's a really cool interview we kind of hit a lot of his journey from his perspective as a Securities attorney what are some of the big things you got to focus on when you're reviewing legal documents what are the red flags yellow flags Etc and then he kind of shares a little bit about some of the things and the trends going on in the kind of private placement syndication and capital raising worlds that if you haven't heard about some of these ideas you definitely want to tune in and listen because it's pretty cool I'm seeing the same thing on my side of things so you're going to enjoy this episode he's a very very sharp guy and a lot of great insights that he shared I think you're going to love this episode please enjoy this is the invest like a billionaire podcast where we uncover the alternative investment and strategies that billionaires use to grow wealth the tools and tactics you'll learn from this podcast will make you a better investor and help you build Legacy wealth join us as we dive into the world of alternative Investments uncover strategies of the ultra wealthy discuss economics and interview successful investors looking for Passive Investments done for you with and funds we help accredited investors that are looking for higher yields and diversification from the stock market as a passive investor we do all the work for you making sure your money is working hard for you in alternative investments in fact our team invests alongside you in every deal so our interests are aligned we focus on macr driven alternative Investments so your portfolio is best positioned for this economic environment get started and download your free economic report today welcome back to another episode episode of the invest like a billionaire podcast I am your host Ben Frasier and joined by a very exciting guest Seth Bradley I've know Seth for several years he is the managing partner at Ray's law and the chief legal officer at tribe vest and uh Seth and I have done some business over the years and different things he's an attorney and uh a very experienced Securities attorney and even has his own podcast called the passive income attorney podcast and so he comes with a really unique perspective both being an entrepreneur investor as well as an attorney gives him some really unique insights in this space of kind of private placements alternative Investments and super excited to have on the show so Seth thanks for coming on man Ben appreciate it man we finally got around to to recording this really really appreciate it man yeah it was kind of fun because we reached out a couple years ago and uh we're we're gonna do something that never worked out and then all of a sudden you're ready to do the podcast tour and Pops back up three years later so hey let's do good I'm I'm gay man so looking forward to doing this now so give a little bit of uh context for your background uh for those who maybe aren't familiar with you and just kind of what you do in kind of the areas of expertise that you focus on as an attorney sure man so I worked in big law for about seven years um most recently at a top three globally ranked Law Firm um as a real estate started out as a real estate attorney made my way over to Securities um at that point um I started kind of getting that you know mo as most entrepreneurs do that feeling like you want to do something else you don't want to have all these bosses you want to get out there and do your own thing um but you know I'd worked pretty hard to get where I was so I wanted to make sure that I knew what I was getting myself into um I'd already been working with Real Estate Investors and folks like that as my clients um started talking to them started talking to some of the partners in my in my firm about how they invest what they do um really Lear learned about you know passive investing um and making my way kind of to the equity side and that's really where I my journey began as a passive investor in in syndications so I invested in a number of those um and also invested actively you know I kind of did the the Bigger Pockets uh you know path where I listened to Bigger Pockets I did a you know house hack I did fix and flips I did buy and hold single families things like that as well as past investing in larger Investments um and at that point I realized hey I've got this network of attorneys and other folks that I can raise capital from so I made my way from passive investor to active investor man so you've done done the the full circle here I love it so started Big Lot and your bio says you Clos billions of dollars in real estate transactions over the past decade so you've you've seen a lot of deals um I'd be curious because you know a lot of people that maybe newer to real estate investing newer to Alternative investments in general and just the world of private placements they kind naturally think hey the only way I can do it is you know the Bigger Pockets path which is a great path if you want to go and you know do it actively and have a second job so to speak where you go and buy your own real estate and and fix it up or work with contractors to fix it up but you went straight into syndications which in a lot of ways uh fits better for uh people that are working professionals and you know don't want to necessarily trade time for wealth building already have a great income uh generator through the their job or their business and they want to just redeploy that into syndications so what was kind of the journey for you understanding the world of syndications and really with your background um insecurities law and how did you kind of get comfortable with that and what was the Journey For You diving head first into syndications early on yeah I mean you really have to have skills uh money or time that those are the three things you can really offer right so it depends on how much of each one of those you have as to what your investment profile should look like and what you should get started in um I was actively wanting to participate in deals from the get-go but I did already have exposure from my real estate uh real estate practice to syndications and and watching other people raise Capital knowing that those types of Investments are out there so I think I had an advantage there because prior to that I had no idea the only thing I knew was kind of that Bigger Pockets path it's like okay well house hack into a single family or dup or a duplex and then rent the other side out and then Fix and Flip This or wholesale that um I didn't really know about syndications other than through um my my law practice so I think I had that Advantage um get getting that exposure and being able to transition to that quicker yeah talk a little bit about I mean your podcast is called passive income attorney and your your big goal is passive income and what was really kind of the idea behind that or why was that your primary goal and what does that mean to you yeah I mean the idea behind that was to be passive and I think we kind of as entrepreneurs we go back and forth I think we all want to end up on the completely passive side eventually but sometimes you don't get there as quickly if you don't go on the active side for a little bit and I think I'm I'm seeing that a lot myself I did that I started investing passively and now I went to the active side as an active syndicator as a fund manager raising capital and participating in deals even on the operational side um because you can accelerate quicker that way if you the more time and effort that you put in the faster you can accelerate now a lot of folks out there especially pive investors listening if their doctors dentist lawyers they don't have time for that so they need to invest passively that's probably the best use of their time because their highest and best use of their time is in their career being a doctor a dentist a lawyer an engineer where they're making a lot of money in their active income it doesn't really make sense that for them to start a fix flip business or wholesale business or even a syndication business really out of the gate until you figure out what what you want to do it makes more sense to take that active income put it into passive investment vehicles that don't take any time away from your practice Yeah I love that what' you say there's you you one of three things skills time or money right and so one of those you're going to be trading to generate more passive income or wealth and wherever you're at in the Spectrum and where you're willing to kind of trade for for that invest I love that it's very uh makes a lot of sense so talk a little bit you know I want to get to what you said this in the minute kind of transitioning kind of bluring the line of going back and forth between passive and active I think this is really interesting I've seen the same Trend but before we get there you know a lot of a lot of our listeners you know that are maybe newer to syndications newer to passive investing they um get a little bit shell shocked when they see a PPM or a set of legal docs to review for a deal and they they don't know what should I be focusing on what should I be looking for what are potential red flags or yellow flags and you know from your perspective and I'm sure you probably saw a lot of things early on they like okay that's interesting or um you know making that transition you already had a leg up uh given your background but what are some kind of key things that you know maybe even coming into it you already had a leg up but now even 10 years later down the road have learned and things that you said you know hey this is way more important than I thought it was originally from from a pure passive standpoint because I think that's a roadblock for a lot of people yeah yeah and you know it's intimidating right when you get that first PPM which is going to have exhibits to it and the exhibits are going to be an operating agreement subscription agreement maybe um maybe some marketing materials a business plan things like that you're looking at at least a 100 page document maybe it's 200 pages and if you're not a lawyer and used to looking at 100 page documents that is intimidating you're like what am I supposed to do this is going to take me you know this is like a month's worth reading if I'm actually going to read this thing and really most past investors don't read it um but you should I mean you should at least start reading them um because it gets it gets easier and easier to read because they're all going to be very similar they're all going to have a similar structure and similar pieces and things to look out for I think one really important thing and you might not be able to do this the first time but you can start um kind of thinking about it but just really matching the PPM to the oper room because the PPM should really be um kind of a a summary so to speak of the operating agreement because the operating agreement is the meat of what's actually going to be the the terms uh within that LLC within that investment and at the end of the day if something goes wrong or not even goes wrong but if there if there's some sort of um agreement or disagreement that needs to be figured out you're going to look at the operating agreement not necessarily the PPM to figure out uh what the next step is what is the mechanism for fixing this problem so you know just making sure that the people PM accurately reflects what the operating agreement says is very important and and then taking a step further that the operating agreement and the PPM match what the lead sponsors are telling you let's say in the marketing materials or the webinar like just making sure that there's a clear picture between all the marketing materials the webinar um and the legal documentation is really important and sometimes if it doesn't make sense or there are certain terms that don't match up you know maybe they're not as meticulous as they should be and you need to look elsewhere that that's a really important thing to look out for um kind of coming back to your question you know when when you're first starting as a passive investor all you're really looking at is the returns right you're comparing kind of your projected returns in this deal to your projected returns in this other deal and you might get a 2% more irr return projected in this one than that one so you're going to go with this one but at the end of the day those are just projections right those are just projections and those can be manipulated those are based on assumptions from the lead sponsor and those are not the most important things the most important things are the the sponsor and their track record what they've done how they've performed um and you know the market and the deal itself but just those projected returns can be manipulated so that's really you know it's important at the beginning or at least you think it's important and then later on you become a more um wiy vet in passive investing you'll realize it's not as important as as as some other things like hey are your fees aligned things like that like what are the Voting Rights like how what if something happens and the manager is doing a terrible job how can you possibly get them out like what are those mechanisms um what are the mechanisms for a capital call when things go wrong what what happens those are the those are the more detailed things and the nuances you need to look at as a past investor rather than just looking at the projected returns that's a lot of lot of good nuggets right there you just listen to that skip back a few minutes and listen to it again because that's really good I think you're so right right if it just it can feel intimidating to look at a 100 page 200 Page document and where do I start but just start at the beginning just start reading it it just got to skim read it skim read it and just the more you get familiarized with um these different document sets the more they all kind of seem similar over time and you can kind of notice the the things that are common among different deals and then you also kind of notice the things that pop up as oh that's kind of unique or that that's kind of different than what I've seen in other deals and that's maybe outside of the norm um and just kind of getting familiarized with it you're going to pick up a lot on it but I think you hit a few of the sections that I think are really important that a lot of people kind of glaze over because if you're getting just looking at the here's the irr projection here's where turns are going to be like you said there's uh a lot of assumptions that go into what those numbers are derived from and you know I always come back to my banking background you know risk adjusted returns right because every element of uh every deal you know whatever return you're projecting there's different levels of risk and if you're you know taking a lot more risk in a particular deal or strategy or structure the same level of return it's it's not Apples to Apples right and so understanding what that is from a deal standpoint but there's also risks uh some of the points you made within the legal structure and so he's saying go straight to the operating agreement as a starting point because that's ultim timately what's going to govern the the deal and the mechanisms for potentially firing the sponsor as a manager or like you said the capital call and the waterfall section understanding how does do profits flow through the entity and what are the splits between them what are some things that maybe 10 years down the road now invested I don't know how many deals you've invested in passively but you look back you're like oh man you know what I I read that section and you know I kind of knew that maybe was a little outside the norm but I was so excited about the deal didn't really wasn't too concerned about it now looking back like oh man now that was that was a good learning experience because now you know maybe I can't vote out the manager or you know different things that you would say looking back are more important that maybe you put weight on in the front end and maybe some examples of um you know especially right now I think a lot of a lot of deals that people invested over the past few years you know unfortunately are requiring Capital calls or are kind of headed in a direction that may not be good and um you know maybe it's the fault of the operator maybe it's not but if it is a fault of the operator What mechanisms do you have and what voting rights do you have as a passive investor and talk a little bit about that because I think that's going to be very relevant especially over the next few years is sure certain older deals are kind of not hitting the projections they thought originally yeah I mean I think I already touched on most of them from a high level but like for instance um voting out the manager like if the manager is doing something um fraudulent or misrepresented what they were doing or you know really just doing a terrible job is probably not a reason enough to get them out but it could be um if it gets to a certain certain point um but that's really one thing to to look for to see like what the mechanism is like does it take a unanimous Vote or does it take a majority vote or does it take a majority or super majority of each share class each membership class within the LLC so it it and typically they're set up so it's really difficult to get the manager out right because the lead sponsor is going to be the manager and they're the ones that are going to be making all the decisions and they don't want to lose control so they wanted to make it as hard as possible um and still make it legal um to stay in that seat and not get voted out so you know you will see some pretty onerous um Provisions within the operating agreement to be able to get them out but there should be a reasonable way to do it whether that's a super majority vote perhaps that's that's reasonable so super majority vote um in the event of a misrepresentation fraud you know any sort of like bad boy act by the the manager or if their bad performance reaches the level of you know negligence or something like that there just needs to be a mechanism to get them out that's that's just one example when you had mentioned Capital calls as well so Capital calls it's like what is the mechanism when the LLC or or the syndication needs additional operating expenses to survive what what is the mechanism to do that like can is the first step to actually do a capital call and is that Capital Call Mandatory meaning that the investors have to participate um on a proat a basis or that's not typical so if you that's one thing to look out for if it is mandatory that you do and and if you don't then you're basically out or you lose uh you know an unreasonable amount of your Equity if you don't participate then perhaps that's a red flag right like if you don't participate um well I should say the capital call should be optional and if you don't participate that's okay um but you will most likely be watered down your Equity will get watered down on a prata basis rather than something above a pro basis right so that's an example you're saying of if it's required which is uncommon right that that's that's a red flag potentially um or if you get diluted a higher than the proat mount is another another negative and you're exactly right I mean I think you know part of this is when you're when you're investing passively you're you're giving up control of of operating the deal to the sponsor right is so that that's kind of the the trade-off is you're hiring experts you're investing with experts that hopefully know what they're doing so that you don't have to be doing the day-to-day stuff and so it can be difficult to replace managers and and uh you know have uh impactful voting rights uh that can change the outcome unless there's fraudulence or negligence but I think it kind of goes to the point too of understanding what these kind of parameters are and what's normal and then also like I think you can pick up a lot of what you're saying and just the congruence between PPM the operating agreement the the offering memorandum the webinars and um and then really the alignment of Interest right because if ultimately if the sponsor stands to lose alongside the investors if they're not just getting rich just off of fees and you know does they don't have a whole lot of skin in the game then ultimately it might not be you know a great deal but if they have a lot of lot skin in the game and even if it's written in these certain ways it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad a bad investment so okay love it get a little bit in the weeds there for for some people and if this is you know um newer to you I I definitely encourage you um to just start this you know opening up the bpms or reading them and you're going to pick up a lot by doing that and then just ask questions right and I think it's a great thing too that if you're reading the PBM and reading operating agreement to ask questions of the sponsor and that's usually pretty indicative of one how well do they know their own documents and to how willing are they uh to address certain questions that maybe maybe concerns to you right and I think you can actually get a really good sense of um how they and how they respond of of what that interaction is going to be so love that thanks for some of that Insight Seth I'd love to shift a little bit uh you mentioned something earlier I I wanted to come back to is you you kind of you have said before you the future of capital raising is kind of Shifting and evolving and I think a lot of people are realizing and I've seeing the same thing too right I'm a a coach and you know masterminds for Capital risers and this fun to fund model is becoming very popularized and people that maybe think oh I'm not really a capital Riser or you know that's that's not my you know what I've learned to do went to school to do or whatever or realizing hey actually I've been investing passively for a while I have a pretty great Network because I'm around a lot of accredited investors I've done enough to kind of know a good amount and I can actually turn this into a business right and so talk a little bit about what the fun to fund model means and maybe someone that's in that boat where what you said is I think I'm gonna go 100% passive but then you know you're also learning a lot along the way and you have a a network that maybe you can activate and also raise capital and get get paid to do it compliantly that's right and and you said it and I'm seeing it time after time where past investors they invest in a number of deals and and you know folks that are investing in these deals typically have a little bit of money and they probably have friends that have money as well and their their friends start asking them about the deals that they're investing in um and they start thinking hey you know what what can I can I get paid can I have a is there a business here that I can develop that I can build um by bringing in all my friends and family that might also be wealthy might be able to put these These funds together um and invest in the deal together um you can certainly do that but you start to run into lots of Securities lots of rules and regulations that some people know about and some people don't you'd be surprised uh um that you know you see people out there raising capital in ways that they shouldn't do it um but what's great about the fund of funds model is that you know you're not a what's called a CP so you're not an active partner with the lead sponsor that's kind of the I'll call it the old way and I you know I've been saying that the CP model is dead just to kind of put it out there that um you know we shouldn't be raising Capital with lead sponsors and then not doing anything else not participating in deal and and having an active role if you're a true cgp you need to have an active role in in the deal and that's kind of what deters um passive investors and doctors and dentists and lawyers and people like that that already have a career they don't want to take an active role right like they don't want to do the asset management or manage the property manager or talk to tenants or anything like that and that's where the fund of fund solution comes in the fund of fund solution is really creating another syndication or another fund um that invests into the lead sponsor syndication or fund and that's where the name fund of fund comes from now traditionally the issue with that is well it does come with responsibilities for the fund manager they they have to put the deal they have to put their own fund together they have to put their cap table together open a business banking account form an LLC get a Securities attorney um you know manage their investors manage their distributions do taxes all those sorts of things and so it turns into an active business and on top of that it's expensive because we are creating a second syndication a second fund to invest in that uh lead sponsor Target Fund um so that's the the problem that's always been the solution the fund of fund has always been the right solution but those problems that I just mentioned are why it hasn't been widely adopted but you're seeing a big shift in the market as we're able to provide a more affordable option and a and a solution to bringing all those different services that a fund manager would normally have to go out and get themselves and putting it into a package yeah that makes a lot of sense and so like we said we're seeing the same thing where people are um they've been investing they they like what they're doing they have their friends and their family asking about the different deals they're doing and then they have thought well hey I mean that's I can make money doing this and what most people have done historically is cgp model and for those that are unfamiliar with that is basically you raise money directly into the lead sponsor syndication or entity and then you get uh granted certain General partner shares for doing that but and you're the you're the attorney so I'm I'm gonna say at a very high level as I understand it by by doing that you are um uh well you can't raise money and get paid for it unless you're a registered broker dealer unless you're General partner and uh are continuing to operate the uh the deal the business and have an active role in it but most people that are just raising capital or just want to raise Capital as um you know on the side of what else they're doing that's not a realistic expectation so what what we've seen I'm sure you probably see a lot more than me is these different uh uh folks that are raising capitalist cgps and then you know this this new SP has about 10 different CPS on the list on the roster here and it's pretty hard to make an argument that they're all actively participated in managing the deal because you just don't need that many people right if it's the same deal and so then you kind of run into compliance risk and you just you don't want to mess with that I mean that's that's just let's leave it there and so the fun of fund model has always been around it's basically you create your own fund and as your own fund manager you're exempt from um uh some of these uh securities issues to basically raise capital from your investors into your fund then that fund invests into the uh kind of the mothership fund or the the lead sponsors fund and by doing that you um you know it's you're in the in the you're not in the gray area anymore where it can kind of be um maybe not great from a compliance standpoint and the challenge as you mentioned though is it can be expensive maybe it's a little complicated to know how toell up and I'm not really a professional fund manager how what do I know um but that's that's what you're doing now at triest and we've had Travis Smith on the podcast before so if you haven't listened to that episode um it's probably a year or so ago we'll put the put the link in the show notes because it's a um a great episode talking about tribe vest and what what you guys are doing really trying to from my perspective simplify the access and the kind of backend back office functions of um both for Passive investors and for fund managers to continue to increase access to more to more deals so talk a little bit about kind of what you guys do at at tribe vest and to kind of help people um you know both from a passive standpoint that's want to direct the investors past investors that don't really want to do it as a business but then also kind of the new fund manager programs that you guys are putting together to help people that want to kind of activate their Network want to you know use this as a way to make money and um do it without having to be an expert in all the the backend side of things absolutely at at Trio I'm the chief legal officer for tri best I help create the fun to fun product that we have out there right now it makes it simple TurnKey and affordable for anyone to really start a capital raising business um all those things that I mentioned before opening your business bank account um starting your LLC drafting your offering documents um getting your EIN onboarding your investors creating your cap table doing your distributions doing your taxes all those things you normally have to put together and find different uh platforms and different people like attorneys and CPAs to help you out and put those put the the fund of fund together we do that we put it in a fund of fund we call it a fund of Fund in a box it's really a Lego block that you can use and invest in a deal like with Aspen if Aspen has a fund you can create your own fund you try best bring in your five or 10 uh best friends that want to put in some money you can carve out a piece for yourself so you actually get paid a fee a front maybe you get paid a fee um during the uh hold period and then perhaps you get a percentage of the equity on the back end so it can be a very lucrative business for someone to get started and because triest makes it so easy to do it meaning put all these different services and things together for you it it really anyone can do it yeah that's so cool and we we've worked with you guys and have seen it in action and you know to say f Fund in a box sounds almost uh trite because it sounds like can you really do that but it's it's cool because you guys have have solved it and and not only have you solved it but it's also pretty cost- effective right I think one of the big challenges with the fun of fund is generally you can invest if you kind of pull Capital together in a fund you can invest at better terms with a sponsor so you can have a little more margin that you can kind of get paid from and your investors still make the same returns um but if you have a lot of legal costs a lot of ongoing um kind of portal and back office expenses and tax returns everything else then it gets kind of expensive and eats away at the margins that you know you're hoping to to use to pay yourself so you guys have kind of Crea a really streamlined um kind of off-the-shelf product that can fit majority of of offerings and make it pretty easy right that's right it gets really difficult to make it work that's again the fund of fund like we've talked about it's always been a solution it's just really expensive and really hard to put it together um especially for someone that that isn't a professional Capital Riser um that just wants to put together $500,000 a million a million5 something like that it it it doesn't even make sense cost wise in the old way of doing it you're going to pay a Securities attorney minimum of like let's say 15,000 maybe 20 maybe $25,000 to put one of these together maybe even more I used to work at a big Law Firm where it cost $75,000 it's crazy the expenses that add up and that's just the legal piece that doesn't include all the back office administration things that we talked about doesn't include um engaging with a CPA to do your taxes it doesn't include all those things that's just the legal cost by itself and tribe best has made it super inexpensive to be able to do this and to be able to do it time and time again so it works with a $500,000 raise it works with a million dollar raise you don't have to raise $20 million to make it work from an affordability standpoint yeah that makes sense so do you guys also have like any kind of education or different coursework to help people that are you may want to make the transition of like yeah I think that that sounds like something I could do I my friends are always asking me what what I'm investing in and it wouldn't be that hard to go get five 10 friends to go and invest and create a fund and you know but they just don't they've never done it before they never thought about it till just now so right you guys have I know you're really more given the solution but do you also have like any kind of education or do you have resources you guys can point people to to learn more about what does it look like to you know what what's what's the process you have to go through to um kind of go from idea to actual uh you know making a fund yeah yeah I'll tell you we don't have any formal legal or sorry formal educational things out there at the moment but we are working on that um but we have made it so simple that we can jump on a zoom call with anyone that that's in is potentially interested in being a capital raiser and putting together a fund of fun and walk you through a pitch deck and it should be pretty clear what you need to do because we handle basically everything you you put together your investors you put together your terms and how you're going to get paid and then we'll be able to do kind of all that back office all that legal all those things that you don't want to know or don't want to do we handle all it yeah makes sense awesome well kind last question I just love to get your insights on just the market in general for Alternatives and and private placements and you've obvious been in this space for over a decade and we've been in the space for about 11 years now as as an operator and it just feels I mean it's it's already been the amount of capital that's kind of come into kind of private Equity into real estate into private placements in eneral it's totally shifted the game but it also feels like we're still kind of early Innings right it still feels like people are just discovering this for the first time and and even the conversation we're having of you know um activating people to raise Capital right in a compliant way that's just an easy way because you guys are creating a system that just reduces friction to continue to increase more Capital to come into the space like do you feel the same thing are you seen I know there's kind of some potential proposed regulation to you know increase the requirements for accreditation and you know there's always a battle going back and forth on on that but what's kind of your sentiment just at a broader level of just the alternative kind of private placement space in over the next 10 years yeah I mean I'm I'm bullish right like we're we're kind of in a little bit of a lull right now um you'll hear that capital's a little bit harder to come by investors are holding on a little bit tighter um but that's because there's actually deals out there right now I mean said right now is actually a great time to invest right now is a great time to invest because prices are are depressed a little bit um investors are a little bit reluctant to invest um there are less buyers in the market because a lot of them are getting kind of washed out um but there are some properties coming online through foreclosures through things like that this is where you know when you talk about during good times you're like oh man I cannot wait until there's blood in the streets and I'm going to pounce on it I'm want to pounce on those opportunities that time is right now it it's not it's not you're you can be waiting on the sideline for years and you're gonna you're gonna miss it it's right now right now is the time to to figure out how to invest how to raise Capital how to do deals how to make them work because right now it's difficult to make them work that's that's the truth of it right now is the time to act and you're going in five years from now for instance you're going to look back to this time and say man I wish I would have got started because we're we're we're going to be in the upswing again very soon totally no I was just uh I was a one of the guys I follow who's been in real estate for a long time he was talking and reminiscing about he bought uh I think he said three dozen single family homes between uh 2009 and 2011 right and he's held on to them since then and you know looking back he's like the only thing he wishes he did was buy more right because it's but at that point it was you know everything was on sale everyone was like real estate's over and it's it's so hard to be contrarian I think it's Warren Buffet this said be uh you know fearful when everyone else is greedy and greedy when everyone else is fearful right it it's it's a simple idiom that makes sense but it's really hard to do and right now we're kind of in that that time where investors are reticent there's a lot of pressure on deals right now that's kind of creating a great buy opportunity you know we're seeing I know you're seeing it and uh you know I think I agree with you I think it's a great time to be to be jumping in right now and uh Seth thanks so much for coming on man what's what's the best way for folks to get a hold of you and learn more about uh your law firm uh raise law and try vest if they want to learn more about what that looks like for sure uh the best place where I keep all my links is Seth Paul bradley.com um you'll have links to try best there links from my uh law firm and social media it's all posted on there okay we'll put that in the show notes and definitely appreciate you coming on today set it awesome all right Ben appreciate it [Music] [Applause] [Music] man Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiRq38II33s&t=1047s https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mNnwsv2fs/ https://aspenfunds.us/private-credit- https://www.investwithaspen.com/free-economic-report https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwfraser/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-funds/ https://www.instagram.com/aspenfunds/ Seth Bradley's Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
In this powerful follow-up episode, Curtis May welcomes back seasoned investor and educator Fred Moskowitz to dive deeper into the world of note investing. You'll learn how to stop thinking like a borrower and start acting like a bank—using private notes to build steady, secured income and true financial control. Highlights Why note investing beats traditional rentals (without the 2 AM toilet calls) How to use Self-Directed IRAs to fund note purchases tax-free Key metrics to evaluate before buying a note Where to source quality performing and non-performing notes The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them) Why the next 5 years could be a golden age for private lending Whether you're a passive investor, real estate professional, or just tired of Wall Street volatility—this episode will show you how to "Be the Bank."
My guest today is Alan Waxman. Alan is the co-founder and CEO of Sixth Street, one of the most unique investment firms with a "go anywhere, do anything" mandate across asset classes, geographies, and time horizons, and over $110 billion in AUM. He describes his journey from CIO of Goldman Sachs' Special Situations Group and the frameworks he brought with him to lay the foundation for Sixth Street. Alan details their famous investments like Spotify and Airbnb during challenging periods, their innovative sports partnerships with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, and their $30 billion "TAO" vehicle that allows them to write billion-dollar checks while keeping individual fund sizes matched to opportunities. We discuss hiring people without egos, enabling a truly multi-strategy approach, and Sixth Street's "face the tiger" philosophy. Please enjoy this great conversation with Alan Waxman. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:04:57) Introducing Alan Waxman and Sixth Street (00:05:58) The Formative Goldman Sachs Years (00:10:21) Unitizing Risk and Return (00:14:23) Facing the Tiger: Sixth Street's Culture and Values (00:34:51) Spotify and Airbnb: Case Studies in Investment (00:39:20) Ambitious Investment Strategies (00:40:40) Strategic Partnerships in Sports (00:41:23) Navigating COVID with Airbnb (00:43:36) Risk and Return Analysis (00:46:56) Investing in Sports and Live Entertainment (00:52:23) Developing Investment Themes (00:55:29) Balancing Leadership and Investment (00:57:30) The Importance of Culture (01:10:33) Future Self and Long-Term Vision (01:15:09) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Alan
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Jim Pfeifer was a financial advisor working with clients invested in traditional stocks and bonds. Then he got into passive real estate investing – and he has a lot to say about why financial advisors can't or won't push real estate. He's now built a hugely diversified passive portfolio and built a community helping others do the same. Check out Jim's company at passivepockets.com.Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
Where does your money sleep at night, and is it working for the kind of world you want to live in? Jennifer Kenning was managing the wealth of high-net-worth families by day and volunteering with unhoused communities in Los Angeles by night. That contrast raised a question that's stuck with her ever since: What if capital could be a force for good, without giving up returns? Now the CEO and co-founder of Align Impact, Jennifer leads a registered investment advisory firm managing over $750 million. Jennifer joins Sarah Lockwood to talk about values-based investing, conscious capitalism, and how we can all, regardless of portfolio size, be more intentional about where and how our money is working. Jennifer explains why impact investing isn't charity, how ESG works (and where it falls short), and the practical steps anyone can take to align their investments with their values. She shares examples of funding solutions in climate change, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, and why investing in women and underrepresented founders creates ripple effects that go far beyond profit. She also reflects on her leadership as the outgoing president of EO Colorado, the power of servant leadership, and how Align's commitment to being a B Corp shapes the way they do business. If you're an entrepreneur rethinking how your capital is allocated, or simply curious about whether your investments align with your intentions, Sarah and Jennifer's conversation will help you take a more conscious, empowered role in shaping your financial impact. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Jennifer Kenning's Path to Impact Investing 03:15 Breaking the Myth: Do Values-Based Investments Sacrifice Returns? 07:34 How Align Measures Real-World Impact 10:29 Aligning Your 401(k) and Business Capital With Your Values 18:07 Why Align Impact Became a Certified B Corp 22:11 Bringing an Impact Lens to EO Colorado 25:15 Leading Peers and Evolving as a Servant Leader 30:05 Defining the Hopeful Pioneer and Investing for 2030 35:45 Staying Grounded: Purpose, Practice, and Long-Term Vision 38:06 Advice for Founders Committed to Conscious Capitalism 39:39 Empowerment Through Financial Awareness Links Connect with Jennifer Kenning: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennkenning/ Website: https://www.alignimpact.com/ Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/ Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
My guest today is Caryn Seidman-Becker. Caryn is the Chairman and CEO of Clear. She bought the company out of bankruptcy for $6 million in 2010 and built it into the identity platform millions use in airports and stadiums today. Her Wall Street background investing in Apple, Amazon, and Priceline taught her to recognize when products become platforms, which shaped her vision for Clear as the "definitive secure identity platform" far beyond travel. Caryn shares the gritty early days of literally hunting down hardware in airport storage facilities and rebuilding the entire business from scratch. She embodies an incredible "bias for action." We discuss turning around a business, scaling a platform, and why she believes your face will soon be your key to everything. Please enjoy my conversation with Caryn Seidman-Becker. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Arcana. Arcana is the world's most advanced portfolio intelligence platform, trusted by institutional investors managing trillions in AUM — including market neutral, long-short, long-only, and capital allocators. Arcana enables portfolio managers, risk teams, analysts, and CIOs to drill into exposures and idio, construct optimal portfolios, and decompose performance at incredible granularity. Visit arcana.io to request a demo and learn more. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:43) The Vision for CLEAR (00:09:08) From Wall Street to CLEAR (00:13:42) The Origins of CLEAR (00:14:23) The Bankruptcy and Rebirth of Clear (00:34:41) Building the Business Model (00:47:46) The Future of Airport Innovation (00:48:33) Investing Insights and Strategies (00:52:17) The Importance of Free Cash Flow (00:55:26) Biometrics and Privacy Concerns (00:59:40) Expanding Clear's Vision (01:04:13) Personal Mission and Genetic Screening (01:12:28) Leadership and Company Culture (01:14:23) Future of Technology and Identity (01:25:38) The Kindest Thing Anyone's Ever Done For Caryn
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Jim Maffuccio, a co-founder of Aspen Funds, has been through some seriously challenging cycles. On the podcast, he and Ben get into how he rebuilt after two catastrophic wipeouts – and what he's learned so it won't happen again. He shares his CSI-like strategies for vetting sponsors today, and how he decides which deals go forward, and which he's now turning down.Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
My guest today is Jens Grede. Jens is the co-founder and CEO of Skims, the shapewear and clothing brand he co-founded with his wife Emma Grede and Kim Kardashian. Our conversation left my head spinning. Jens has this remarkable ability to be both creative and commercial. He puts brilliant frameworks into plain terms and knows consumer like the back of his hand. Jens explains how pop culture is the only remaining hack to the consumer economy in our fragmented media landscape and describes today's cultural shift as "clamoring for comfort" in uncertain times. We discuss individual voices trumping institutions, moving at the speed of culture rather than corporate planning cycles, and why big brands will increasingly win. Please enjoy this fascinating discussion with Jens Grede. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:18) The Power of Pop Culture in Business (00:09:28) The Role of Individuals vs. Institutions (00:11:27) Cultural Shifts: From Hip Hop to Country (00:18:36) The Resurgence of Fallen Brands (00:24:33) The SKIMS Origin Story (00:33:42) Building a Strong Product and Brand (00:36:14) The Partnership with Kim Kardashian (00:49:18) Effective Content Creation in Popular Culture (00:50:55) Decision Making in Real-Time (00:51:35) Leveraging Popular Culture for Brand Success (00:57:28) The Role of Networks and Individual Voices (01:14:38) The Future of Status and Digital Influence (01:16:20) Investing Insights and Long-Term Views (01:20:39) Scaling SKIMS and Future Plans (01:23:52) Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth (01:29:49) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Jens
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
How does Aspen decide what deals to jump for, and which to turn away? In this new series, Deals We Didn't Do, the leadership team is bringing you behind the scenes on how we make those calls. In this episode, Ben and Bob Fraser, Ellis Hammond and Jim Maffuccio go over a recent Rescue Preferred Equity Fund or “Bail-In Fund” they turned down. They walk through how you can calculate if these kinds of private credit deals might pan out, and what are red flags to look out for.Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
What if you could stop chasing deals and start collecting payments like a bank? In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Patrick Franz, founder of Note Investor University, to explore the power and potential of note investing—an often-overlooked strategy that's changing the game for savvy real estate investors. Patrick pulls back the curtain on how owning mortgage notes can create more security, scalability, and true passive income than traditional rentals or flips.Whether you're tired of toilets, tenants, and turnover or just looking for smarter ways to grow your portfolio, this episode is packed with insight. We talk about the difference between owning real estate and owning the paper behind it, how to find and evaluate notes, and how you can leverage private capital to build a cash-flowing note portfolio—even if you're brand new to the space.Timeline Summary[1:18] - Patrick Franz explains what note investing is and why most real estate investors haven't explored it[2:56] - Key differences between real estate investing and buying promissory notes[5:03] - A side-by-side comparison of the landlord model versus the lender model[10:06] - How buying notes at a discount creates instant equity and above-market returns[13:51] - Understanding the secondary mortgage market and how to legally step into the bank's shoes[17:08] - Where to find notes and why sourcing them isn't the hardest part[20:03] - Why notes are safer and easier to pitch to private lenders than rental properties[22:21] - The magic of amortization and why it benefits note holders over time[24:28] - How third-party servicers manage the process and make it truly passive[27:12] - How to work with Patrick and what Note Investor University offers[29:35] - Real success stories and what's possible within just 12 months of learning and applying note investing strategiesKey Takeaways1.You don't have to own the property to profit from real estate – owning the debt can be even more powerful.2.Note investing offers instant equity and stable, predictable cash flow, often with double-digit returns.3.Notes are easier to pitch to private lenders because they are safer, backed by real estate, and not subject to market fluctuations.4.You can scale your portfolio using OPM (other people's money) once you master the process and build your expertise.5.Financial freedom is achievable within 36 months with the right note investing strategy and education.Links & Resources•Schedule a call with Patrick: calendly.com/thenotementor•Learn more about Simple CFO: https://simplecfo.com •Contact David Richter and Simple CFO: https://rei.simplecfo.com/scheduleacall•More about David Richter: https://join.simplecfo.com/david•Want David on your podcast? Contact us at: john@simplecfo.com •Browse notes: paperstac.com•Financial clarity and coaching: simplecfo.comIf this episode opened your eyes to a smarter, more secure way to invest in real estate, follow, rate, and review the Profit First for ROI podcast. And don't forget to share it with a friend who needs to hear this. Let's help more investors make profit a habit in their business.
Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. Charlie Songhurst is a brilliant strategist, accomplished executive, and prolific angel investor. This episode is one of my all-time favorite conversations, not just on the podcast, but period. Please enjoy this timeless discussion with Charlie Songhurst. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by WorkOS. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit WorkOS.com to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:01:25) Stack ranking the vices of power, money, and fame (00:02:41) Memorable response to the stack ranking question (00:03:13) Best scenario to explore this stack ranking concept (00:03:55) Other ways to rank founders (00:04:44) Quick look at this career (00:05:16) Time at Microsoft (00:06:03) Features he looks for in startups (00:10:55) Managing the declining curve of productivity (00:14:55) Why founders are often unique people (00:14:57) Jeff Gramm Podcast Episode (00:15:04) Aliens, Jedi & Cults (00:09:43) How early entrepreneurs need to make recruitment a serious part of their work (00:23:06) How successful founders win the best candidates (00:25:27) The East Coast vs. West Coast investment strategies (00:30:40) When it's time to bring in quantitative factors into early stage investing (00:34:36) The markers that pop up in companies that hit (00:37:22) Boring but successful investments (00:39:28) Investor aesthetics (00:41:29) Characteristics of investors that he believes are important to success (00:42:57) Impacts of Covid and some of the permanent changes that have happened as a result (00:47:49) Investing opportunities in the local community (00:49:13) His take on cryptocurrencies (00:53:47) Most misvalued asset in the world (00:55:16) Investing opportunities in Europe (00:57:34) Make up of his 483 investments (00:57:58) Matt Clifford Podcast Episode (00:59:17) Curation as a skill (01:01:54) Timing and startup success (01:05:11) Kindest thing anyone has done for him
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Ben Fraser, Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Funds and co-host of the Invest Like a Billionaire podcast. They explore how billionaires think differently than millionaires—focusing on growing balance sheets through private market investments rather than just income. Ben explains the dangers of income creep, critiques the limitations of traditional financial planning, and advocates for strategic investing outside Wall Street. They also discuss reshoring trends driving industrial growth, the shifting meaning of retirement in a world of longer lifespans and AI, and what true financial freedom looks like. Ben Fraser Current Role: Chief Investment Officer, Aspen Funds Based in: Kansas City, MO Say hi to them at: https://thebillionairebook.org – Pre-order his upcoming book Invest Like a Billionaire https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com – Listen to his podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benwfraser Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE. Terms and conditions apply. Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join psychology expert Bright Dickson and money guru Brian Ford as they revisit favorite tips from the show that cover one of the most important money topics: investing. Bright and Brian replay their top clips from popular episodes covering topics like:• How investing can help you grow your money and lead to a more secure financial future. • Common reasons people don't invest—and why you should consider investing. • One of the easiest ways to start investing.• Top takeaways from the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement that are applicable to anyone.
My guests today are Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, who you might know as The Chainsmokers. We explore their fascinating evolution from scrappy DJs to global superstars to serious venture capitalists with their fund Mantis. Drew and Alex share how the same high-touch, relationship-driven approach that built their music empire now defines their investment philosophy. Their framework for backing founders mirrors their artistic process: they invest in obsessive individuals who will pursue their vision regardless of external validation, much like how they've remained authentic to their sound despite industry pressures. We discuss parallels between creative iteration in music and venture investing, particularly around managing failure, maintaining intentionality in an age of abundance, and the importance of taste as a differentiating factor. Please enjoy this fascinating discussion with The Chainsmokers, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by Arcana. Arcana is the world's most advanced portfolio intelligence platform, trusted by institutional investors managing trillions in AUM — including market neutral, long-short, long-only, and capital allocators. Arcana enables portfolio managers, risk teams, analysts, and CIOs to drill into exposures and idio, construct optimal portfolios, and decompose performance at incredible granularity. Visit arcana.io to request a demo and learn more. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:06:16) The Creative Process Behind Songwriting (00:07:33) Exploring the Emotional Depths of Music (00:11:50) Navigating the Music Industry and AI (00:17:45) The Importance of World Building in Music (00:21:27) Finding Your Creative Itch (00:35:04) The Chainsmokers' Journey and Work Ethic (00:40:37) The Business Side of the Chainsmokers (00:45:43) Venturing into Tech and Investments (00:51:39) The Evolution of Mantis (00:53:11) Overcoming Celebrity Investor Stereotypes (00:55:20) Supporting Founders Like Record Labels (00:57:26) The Art of Collaboration (01:04:02) The Grind to Success (01:13:49) Investing Insights and Evolution (01:26:39) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done for Drew and Alex
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Tait Duryea has always loved two things: flying planes and building financial freedom. He's built a life that combines these two elements, and he's helping other commercial pilots achieve the same success he has in alternatives. In this episode, he tells Ben how he decides if a deal is ready for liftoff, how he thinks about risk assessment, and how he's getting from Point A to Point B on his own financial goals. Find Tait's podcast at https://passiveincomepilots.com/ and his firm at https://www.turbinecapital.vc/ AND check out Turbine Capital's e-book on oil & gas investing https://shorturl.at/4r9zU Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ Check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
My guest today is Jay Hoag. Jay is the co-founder of Technology Crossover Ventures, known as TCV, which pioneered the growth investing category and has backed legendary companies like Netflix, Spotify, and Expedia over three decades. Jay explains how macro factors like regulation have become unexpectedly central to technology investing. He offers his contrarian take on today's market, arguing that consumer internet represents significant opportunity while most investors chase SaaS and AI deals. We discuss investing in new technology versus commercialization, TCV's evolution from cold-calling to AI-powered sourcing of 11 million companies, and their three-person unanimous investment committee structure. Please enjoy my conversation with Jay Hoag. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:18) Market Conditions and Investment Opportunities (00:06:57) Consumer Internet Businesses and AI (00:09:04) Technology Commercialization Challenges (00:11:30) Public vs. Private Market Dynamics (00:15:32) Growth Investing and Competitive Dynamics (00:22:34) History and Resilience of TCV (00:26:32) Understanding the Firm's Investment Lifecycle (00:27:06) Evolution of Sourcing Strategies (00:28:33) The Role of Data Intelligence in Sourcing (00:29:41) Internal Investment Process at TCV (00:34:31) Challenges and Strategies in Long-term Investments (00:41:15) Reflections on the Investment World (00:43:48) Personal Insights and Final Thoughts
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
Darrell Gargala started investing in real estate as a way to stay busy after retiring from the Air Force. But it's become a passion, and he's even bringing his kids into the fold. In this episode, he shares how he's built up a 7 digit real estate portfolio, why he keeps his projects active, and how he's passing on this knowledge to his kids.Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
My guest today is Dinakar Singh. Dinakar is the founder and CEO of Axon, the family office successor to TPG-Axon, which was a successful global long-short hedge fund. We wanted to share his story on Father's Day to honor the person and the dad that Dinakar is. He shares one of the most extraordinary stories at the intersection of finance and medicine I've ever encountered. This conversation explores the highest-stakes investment themes—timing, concentrated conviction, exceptional team building, and deploying resources toward outcomes that matter most. I will let him tell you his story. Please enjoy my conversation with Dinakar Singh. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:06:17) The Diagnosis and Initial Reactions (00:07:29) Understanding SMA and the Scientific Challenge (00:09:15) The Drive to Fund Research and Find a Cure (00:14:10) Building a Virtual Company for Drug Development (00:19:02) Breakthroughs and the First Approved Drugs (00:24:16) Personal Reflections and the Impact of the Journey (00:40:25) Challenges in the Biotech Industry and Future Hopes (00:46:43) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Dinakar
My guest today is Bill Gurley. Bill was the general partner at Benchmark Capital. He joins me for his sixth time on Invest Like the Best with his most comprehensive market analysis yet, examining the realities reshaping venture capital. Bill tackles the uncomfortable math underlying today's venture returns, with companies staying private for far longer. He also walks through why no one—from GPs to LPs to founders—has proper incentives to mark assets accurately, creating a system-wide coordination problem. And, we dig into the investment implications of AI as a platform shift, ranging from evaluating AI revenue quality to international competitive dynamics. Bill offers crucial perspective on playing the game both as it exists today and as it may evolve. Please enjoy my conversation with Bill Gurley. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by Arcana. Arcana is the world's most advanced portfolio intelligence platform, trusted by institutional investors managing trillions in AUM — including market neutral, long-short, long-only, and capital allocators. Arcana enables portfolio managers, risk teams, analysts, and CIOs to drill into exposures and idio, construct optimal portfolios, and decompose performance at incredible granularity. Visit arcana.io to request a demo and learn more. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:23) State of the Union: Venture Capital Edition (00:07:58) The Rise of Mega VC Funds (00:09:38) Zombie Unicorns: The Overvalued Giants (00:17:29) The IPO and M&A Market Stalemate (00:24:08) The AI Wave and Its Impact (00:26:03) Private Markets and LP Liquidity Issues (00:29:57) The Future of Capital Markets (00:37:49) Advice for Founders in a Changing Landscape (00:39:27) The High-Stakes Game of Capital Battles (00:41:35) AI: The New General Purpose Technology (00:42:57) Challenges and Opportunities in AI Revenue Models (00:44:37) The Role of Founders in the AI Revolution (00:46:44) The Impact of Time and Liquidity on Venture Capital (00:50:35) Navigating the Future of Venture Capital (00:58:45) International Dynamics in the AI Race (01:13:58) Advice for Founders in the AI Era
Invest Like a Billionaire - The alternative investments & strategies billionaires use to grow wealth
David Shaw has 25 years of massively successful investing and entrepreneurship behind him – but he wishes he started even earlier. From a decade of W2 slogging, he ditched the pay cheque in favour of big swings, and it worked in his favour. In this episode, he tells Ben why he opts for A-class properties, the value of time in compounding wealth, and the entrepreneur's secret weapon: scalability.Check out David's podcast https://burnyourboatswealth.com/ Find out more about the podcast at https://www.thebillionairepodcast.com/ and PREORDER the Invest Like a Billionaire book at www.thebillionairebook.org/ And check out Ben & Bob's company and invest along at https://aspenfunds.us/
Today, we are dropping a special episode in the Invest Like the Best Feed. 50X is back, a fan favorite series from Will Thorndike and the team at Compounding Labs. Will's book, "The Outsiders," is one of the best business and investing books that you'll find. You'll hear him continuing his work in the hosting chair as he looks in detail at investments that have appreciated at least 50-fold.Season two features Asurion. Colossus is excited to partner with Will as he sits down with the management and investors behind this legendary investment. We kick off this special drop with a short interview that I did with Will on everything he learned studying this business, followed by the full three-part series. Learn more and dive into our research at 50xpodcast.com —- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. — This episode is brought to you by Oberle. Oberle is a specialty insurance brokerage providing insurance services to search funds, independent sponsors, family offices, and private equity firms. Oberle supports its clients with a comprehensive insurance due diligence covering a wide range of items, including commercial insurance, Employee Benefits, key person life insurance, and reps and warranty coverage. Additionally, Oberle has a thriving personal lines practice, designed for entrepreneurs seeking a higher-level service and expertise when it comes to insuring one's home, vehicles, and valuables. If you're interested in connecting with the Oberle team: https://oberle-risk.com/50x — This episode is brought to you by System Six, a searcher-owned outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services firm that has been a great partner to us at Compounding Labs. With the right modern tools and a strong team, System Six will eliminate headache for you and give you time back so you can focus on growing your business. Whether you're a CEO or CFO stuck in the weeds, or an investor trying to support your CEOs and portfolio companies, reach out to hello@systemsix.comand mention the podcast for your first month of ongoing bookkeeping free. —- 50X is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of 50X, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Follow us on Twitter: @50Xpodcast | @joincolossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to 50X (00:04:52) Patrick interviews Will Thorndike (00:18:16) The Early Days (‘95-‘01) with Kevin Taweel (01:24:44) The Flywheel Era (‘01-‘07) with Kevin Taweel (02:24:32) Retracing the Path to 100 times 50x with Irv Grousbeck
My guest today is John Zito. John is the Co-President of Apollo Global Management. He shares how they've quietly built one of the most important financial institutions of our time, originating over $250 billion annually. John's thesis on the convergence of private and public markets - and Apollo's positioning to capture 100% of client portfolios rather than just alternatives allocations - offers a fascinating glimpse into where institutional investing is heading. We discuss the cultural and strategic elements that drive John, Apollo's merger with Athene, the idea of artistry at scale, and the evolution of capital markets. Please enjoy my conversation with John Zito. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:55) The Rise of Apollo and Credit Markets (00:08:05) Innovations in Asset Management (00:11:42) The Role of the US in Global Capital Markets (00:15:26) The Future of Asset Management and Investment Strategies (00:21:03) The Impact of Interest Rates on Investment (00:25:27) Apollo's Business Model and Growth (00:25:17) The Changing Landscape of Private Markets (00:46:03) Apollo's Culture and Vision (00:47:54) The Importance of Company Culture (00:52:52) The Future of Private and Public Markets (00:57:50) Building a Great Origination Platform (01:02:03) Exciting Deals and Personal Stories (01:14:47) The Role of AI and Future Opportunities (01:22:16) Maintaining Company Culture Amidst Change (01:24:06) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For John
Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. In the midst of her transition to OpenAI, we are spotlighting the force that is Fidji Simo. She is the former CEO of Instacart and grew up in a small town in the South of France and was the first person in her family to graduate from high school. Since then, she has had a dazzling career with stops at France's leading university, eBay, and Facebook. Fidji spent the better part of a decade at Facebook where she led the Facebook App before joining the online grocery platform, Instacart, in mid 2021. We talk about Fidji's consumer product experiences, Instacart's role within the grocery ecosystem, and delve into her personal philosophy on leadership. Please enjoy this wide-ranging discussion with Fidji Simo. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by WorkOS. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit WorkOS.com to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:03:51) Comparing her experiences with Facebook and Instacart (00:06:22) The dimensionality of creating great consumer products online (00:07:50) How Instacart uses AI now and her advice to other companies who are ready to incorporate AI into their business (00:15:41) What being a pragmatic technologist means to her (00:18:02) Influences in younger years that led to her career path in technology (00:21:00) The landscape Instacart seeks to build and how major key players within the industry are involved (00:27:09) Data algorithms and their role in helping consumers (00:29:24) Scale around the original core business (00:32:12) The functional difference between Instacart shoppers and delivery drivers (00:34:59) Issues with fully automated grocery store facilities (00:37:32) Insight into working with brands and consumer brand loyalty (00:43:16) Her vision for the future of Instacart (00:46:58) The possibility of becoming the major software platform for most retailers (00:49:34) Her principles for capital allocation (00:52:34) Common misperceptions about Instacart from prospective investors (00:54:21) Her philosophy of seeing the magic in team members (00:56:46) Expanding knowledge while managing a complex business environment (01:01:01) When she felt the most helpless in her career (01:03:46) Insight into generative AI and how it could shape the online grocery experience (01:08:00) The role of content and its importance for businesses like Instacart (01:11:10) The future of AI personalities and customizing your shopping experience (01:12:35) The kindest thing anyone has ever done for her
My guest today is Graham Weaver. My guest today is Graham Weaver. Graham is the founder of Alpine Investors, a large private equity firm targeting an interesting market inefficiency. Alpine focuses on the thousands of $20 million revenue businesses whose baby boomer owners want to retire, but lack succession plans. Alpine buys companies and installs 28-year-old military veterans and top MBA graduates as CEOs, leveraging 25 years of intellectual property on how young executives can successfully run established businesses. Alpine's CEO-in-training program is now the most applied-to job at Harvard, Stanford, and Kellogg business schools. We discuss the past, present and future of their unique approach. Please enjoy my conversation with Graham Weaver. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:13) The Journey to Private Equity (00:06:59) Early Influences and Personal Growth (00:09:54) The Power of Wrestling and Rowing (00:11:45) Choosing Your Path and Making Decisions (00:14:48) College Goals and Rowing Success (00:18:05) Lessons from Early Business Ventures (00:26:24) Founding Alpine and Early Challenges (00:34:46) Core Beliefs and Talent Development (00:39:07) Fun Board Meetings and Team Dynamics (00:40:42) Platform Building 101 (00:44:08) Talent and Training Programs (00:49:12) Employee and Customer Engagement (00:52:27) Financial Outcomes and Asymmetric Returns (00:55:52) Incentivizing Young CEOs (01:00:26) The Role of Emotional Intelligence (01:02:45) The Alpine CEO in Training Program (01:03:40) Teaching at Stanford and Influential Mentors (01:07:58) Helping Students Find Their Passion (01:10:22) Visualizing Your Future Self (01:11:19) Scalability of Coaching (01:12:15) Personal Growth Through Teaching (01:16:16) The Role of Executive Coaching (01:24:45) Lessons from a Bad Deal (01:31:50) Daily Routines and Success (01:36:13) The Future of Private Equity (01:35:24) Unleashing Heroes at Alpine (01:38:09) The Journey of Building Alpine (01:41:31) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Graham
My guest today is Gustav Söderström. Gustav is the Co-President, Chief Product Officer & Chief Technology Officer at Spotify. Gustav lets us behind the scenes on how Spotify thinks about the future of audio and video, and what leadership lessons he's learned from making mistakes and taking risks in a rapidly changing technological landscape. He shares fascinating insights on their synchronized team structure and how they have positioned themselves as "the R&D department" for the entire music industry. We discuss their integration of AI, their unique "bets board" process for allocating resources, and how they've evolved from a music service into a multimedia platform with over 650 million users. Please enjoy my conversation with Gustav Söderström. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:27) Spotify's Journey Through Technological Shifts (00:06:28) The Impact of Generative AI on Consumer Products (00:09:36) AI in Coding and Productivity (00:11:11) Consumer Engagement and AI Playlisting (00:14:43) Strategic Frameworks and Decision-Making at Spotify (00:19:39) The Bets Process: Structured Innovation (00:31:11) The Future of AI and Business Models (00:44:31) The Future of AI and Inference Costs (00:46:21) The Concept of Computronium and Infinite Computing (00:47:02) David Deutsch and the Beginning of Infinity (00:48:55) The Power of Explanations and Human Understanding (00:54:03) Spotify's Free Tier and Consumer Needs (00:56:45) Spotify's Relationship with the Music Industry (01:03:03) The Rise of Podcasting and Audiobooks (01:15:45) Personal Interests and Continuous Learning (01:20:32) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Gustav
My guests today are Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff. Rick and Royce are Harvard Business School professors who teach their students how to search for, acquire, and run small business directly after graduation. It has been almost a decade since our first conversation, and unlike many past interviews that have become outdated due to technology or market changes, the core principles they shared about entrepreneurship through acquisition remain remarkably relevant today. They explore fascinating developments in the search-fund ecosystem, including the bifurcation between funded searchers targeting larger companies and self-funded entrepreneurs finding success with smaller businesses. Rick and Royce share their accumulated wisdom on what makes a company worth buying, why the "magic is in the multiples," and how their students consistently achieve impressive returns through patient, value-oriented business acquisition. Please enjoy my conversation with Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to Ramp.com/invest to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by AlphaSense. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at Alpha-Sense.com/Invest and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by Ridgeline. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to ridgelineapps.com to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:23) Changes in the Small Firm Acquisition Space (00:06:52) The Impact of SBA Loans on Acquisition Entrepreneurship (00:08:55) The Evolution of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (00:10:09) Risk and Return in the Search Fund Model (00:13:38) The Role of Investors in Funded and Unfunded Searches (00:19:33) Criteria for a Good Acquisition Target (00:28:36) The Growing Popularity of Self-Funded Searches (00:43:21) Challenges and Red Flags in Small Firm Acquisitions (00:49:47) Exploring Margin Expansion and Growth (00:51:02) The Impact of Practical Teaching in Business Education (00:52:12) Keys to a Successful Business Class (00:53:30) The Role of Theory in Practical Business Education (00:55:29) Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Business (00:57:46) Capital Allocation in Small Businesses (01:00:50) Advice for Aspiring Business Searchers (01:03:45) Value Creation and Business Lifecycle (01:08:20) Deciding to Leave Private Equity (01:11:20) The Future of Higher Education in Business (01:16:06) Ongoing Relationships with Former Students (01:18:45) Favorite Business Cases to Teach (01:24:46) Encouraging More People to Pursue Business Ownership