Codie A. Sanchez

Investing millions in Main St businesses & teaching you how to own the rest | HoldCo, VC fund, Founder

On a mission to create financially free and free-thinking humans.I founded a advisory and investment company called Contrarian Thinking that helps owners buy and scale businesses.Our newsletter has over 1M+ weekly readers, here → contrarianthinking.biz/liOur community has taught 9,000+ members biz buying, biz growing, and doing deals. We value experience over degrees.Betting on yourself over building someone else's dream.Main Street over Wall Street.My mission is less suits, more boots. Meaning: we the people holding the power… and the purse strings.🔗Join 1M+ others who get our free newsletter: contrarianthinking.biz/li🔗YouTube: @CodieSanchezCT🔗Instagram: @codiesanchez🔗Twitter: @Codie_Sanchez🔗Weekly business-buying newsletter Main Street Minute: contrarianthinking.biz/minute-li

Founder

We help free minds and build bank accounts.

Investing millions in Main St businesses & teaching you how to own the rest | HoldCo, VC, Founder | NYT best-selling author

My husband said five words to me that made my worldview flip on never missing a chance to see a loved one: “Measure in times, not years.”

We were debating whether to go home and see our family for Thanksgiving and my husband said...

If your parents are 65, it’s not 20 or 30 years you might have with them, it’s maybe 20 or 30 visits you get with them.

One in four Americans don’t live in the same hometown as their family. How would you change your decisions if you’d only get to see your loved ones for 20 or 30 more days?

You’d change everything to be with them, wouldn’t you? Same if it was six months. And yet when those days are separated by years we let them slide through our fingers.

Next time don’t count the years, remember the days… and treasure them.

3 harsh truths I've been thinking about a lot lately...

1. Most successful people I've met aren't that smart. They move fast, they take risk, they work a lot. That's it.

2. The world is run by C students & failed employees. You can't underestimate yourself.

3. Managing what you choose to sell, do and focus on is more important than how hard you work or how smart you are.

Example:

You can, for the next 40 years:

- Climb up the corporate ladder
- Grind for a mission you don't believe in
- Spend 50hrs/wk+ away from your family

All for a 401k and a white picket fence at the end to show for it.

OR

You can learn how to buy a business and:

- Own a cashflowing biz in your community
- Touch your work with your own two hands
- Disconnect your money from your time
- Spend more time on the things that matter
- Become one of the few... an Owner.

Ownership is not for everyone.

But it could be for you.

I don’t blame you if you're nervous to take the first step on your own.

If that’s you, I’m hosting an event that's just what you need to start acting on business-buying…

Get details & sign-up here → https://lnkd.in/g3V6NrTZ

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Arfan Iftikhar

A hard truth I've learned in business.

It's always who not how.

1. There's only so much time in the day.
2. There's always going to be someone smarter and better than you.

These aren't problems. They're levers.

Every time you struggle with an issue, don't try to figure out how to solve it. Instead, ask yourself what type of person could solve it for you.

You don’t have a HOW problem, you have a WHO problem.

Solve that and you solve everything.

↓ ↓ ↓

This is a strategy I think of as “stealing someone’s 10,000 hours.”

And I’m letting you take my 10,000 hours for free at my Main Street Millionaire Live Event…

I’ve bought & sold 20+ small businesses. I’ve failed a couple, scaled several, and I’m sharing a condensed version of how to buy a biz over 3 days. 

It’ll be beginner-friendly and perfect if you're still in your 9-5.

Save your spot here today → https://lnkd.in/g7mjjqYQ

My coworker got the promotion over me.

Numerically worse at the work. Great at politics.

I brought in deals. Fixed messes. Hit all goals

He was 10x better than me at managing up.

He got the title. I got “keep doing what you’re doing.”

It took 10+ years for me to click that most companies reward politics, not performance.

So I left. Started buying boring businesses and building my own thing.

Now I make many times what my old bosses did. No corporate games.

The best operators don’t usually climb the ladder. They are the ladder everyone else climbs.

Corporate optimizes for compliance. Owners optimize for competence.

If you’re elite at the work but trash at politics, don't give up, I was just like you.

Take the risk in 2026.

↓↓↓

If you want to learn how to buy a business in 2026 and become an owner, I’m doing this 3-day virtual workshop for you: https://lnkd.in/dYP5dr-T

21 tips to be the first gen wealth builder in your family:

1. The Law of Two Hours: 2 hours of dedicated work is worth more than most people’s 8 hours.

2. How to never fail with a business: Start as a side project. Keep your job. Use your salary to fund. Quit when you have enough cashflow.

3. It's not about time. It's about the F word. Focus. You don’t need 24 hours a day to build a business.

4. Think about your salary like a Silicon Valley investor. Treat every single dollar you give to your side business like an investor would.

5. Hope is not a strategy. “Pray like it’s up to God, but work like it’s up to me.”

6. You don't need more time, you need a deadline.

7. Decrease the time between having an idea and getting it done. Money loves speed. Poverty loves waiting.

8. Small & consistent beats big & sporadic. Long hours at a desk is counterproductive.

9. If you want to make more money, be more useful to people who have more money.

10. It is very hard to change the world when you are broke. So don't apologize for chasing money.

11. Nobody cares about your life...They think about you for one second and then think about themselves again. So you might as well do what you want.

12. You must be just dumb enough to believe in yourself, just smart enough to execute.

13. If you say you will do a thing, then actually do the thing. 90% do not do this.

14. No one is coming to save you. You want a better life, go build it.

15. You must learn to be disliked or you’ll find yourself stuck in a prison of other people's desires.

16. Tasting freedom can make you unemployable. Get that initial momentum, and watch your life start to change.

17. You are paid exactly as much as the problems you solve are worth. Bigger problems = bigger $$$

18. Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill the available time. Just because you quit your job doesn't mean you'll magically have all of these hours.

19. If you're not currently doing whatever that thing is inside of you, you're not going to do it after you quit your job.

20. Startups are for masochists. If you want that life, I commend you. If you want a slightly less rocky path to ownership, buy a business instead of starting one.

And lastly, there are 2 types of people:

Those who build wealth through ownership. and those who work to make others wealthy.

The dividing line isn’t talent or luck. It’s action.

↓↓↓↓

P.S. If you have yet to take action in 2026 but are interested in becoming an owner...

Come to my business buying masterclass tomorrow. 

It's free. 90 minutes long. And walks you through how to find the right business for you.

Find all the details here: https://lnkd.in/g3V6NrTZ

I sometimes pinch myself. I don't deserve this life.

Knew nothing about finance.
Public schools.
Parents who worked nonstop.
Party school for undergrad.

But my family taught me about hard work, God, responsibility, and never quitting.

It makes no sense, except for the grace of God. Grateful.

I’m 39.

27 lessons I wish I learned in my 20s: 

1. As soon as you hit your 30s, you’ll understand... Your 20s actually suck. If you feel like it sucks right now, guess what? It’s supposed to. It gets better.

2. Your first job is like the DMV. Awful. Everyone’s mad. Nothing works. But the key is.. You are not supposed to stay there.

3. It is very hard to change the world when you are broke. So don't apologize for chasing money.

4. Meet everyone. Say yes to everything. You narrow the field later.

5. Do it all. Because you’ll die eventually and life will make you slow down. But up until then, eat the world.

6. You are not everyone’s cup of tea, that’s a good thing.

7. The most lucrative things you can do in your 20s: 1) learn how to invest, 2) apprentice in PE, real estate, or venture.

8. If they’re not interesting when you’re sober, don’t drink until they become it.

9. Never buy to impress. Being wealthy > looking wealthy… even when that first big-kid check hits your bank account.

10. The most important question you can ask yourself often: Does this bring joy?

11. Do favors, don’t take them. There’s often a hidden price.

12. If I was in my 20s, I’d try to work for one type of company… One where they reward outcomes not hours. Winning > running really hard for a really long time.

13. Seed is only as good as its soil. Where you live during your 20s matters. Take some time away from your hometown.

14. If you feel cynical about the world… I don’t blame you. But always remember the number one superpower for your generation is HOPE.

15. If you’re prone to loneliness and isolation.. do NOT work a remote job. A small team with sleepless nights and shared goals is a powerful thing.

16. Touch grass. A walk outside will be better for your brain than anything you find on your phone.

17. Burnout doesn’t come from working too hard. Burnout comes from working too hard, on things that don’t light you up.

18. Learn how to save now, but understand that saving isn’t what makes you rich.

19. If you want to make more money, be more useful to people who have more money.

20. You must learn to be disliked or you will find yourself stuck in a prison of other people's beliefs.

21. Most successful people I've met aren't that smart. They move fast, they take risk, they work a lot. That's it.

22. If old you doesn’t make you cringe, you haven’t grown enough.

23. Do something hard every day. Then watch that “something” evolve as you become stronger and stronger.

24. If you haven’t done it, you just have an opinion.

25. Marrying well is the biggest life hack of all. Marrying poorly is a costly path to misery. Choose wisely.

26. Working smarter not harder is a beautiful lie. You will not know how to work smart until you've worked very hard for an irrationally long time.

27. Take notes from old people… Waking up early, being married, reading books, going to bed at 10pm, and drinking less is actually amazing.

Ramota Oladejo

There’s no such thing as the right or wrong business.

There’s only the business that’s right or wrong for you.

One of the most common DMs I get is:

"Should I buy a laundromat, car wash, or storage units?"

But that's totally the wrong question to begin with...because everyone has different goals.

That’s why I created the Contrarian Deal Clarity Framework to help first time owners buy a biz.

You need to define 5 components:

1. Your Ideal Owner Experience

Saying “I want to leave my 9-5” is too wishy-washy.

To trade in your W2 form, your vision board needs to be specific on three things:

- Personal goals (do you want more family time or grind for yourself)
- Income goals (replace your $75k salary or build an empire)
- Business goals (be a hands-on operator or absentee owner)

2. Your Zone of Genius

Think of this as the intersection between:

- Passion (what you love)
- Skills & Experience (what you’re good at)
- Network (who you know)

Most people ignore this and buy businesses they eventually hate running.

Don’t be most people.

3. Business Size

It’s easy to fantasize about buying a Fortune 500 company.

But we’re not playing the billionaire game here.

As a first-time time buyer, look for micro acquisitions:

- <$1M cost
- $50K-$200K profits
- 1-3X multiples

Less competition, more opportunity, fewer headaches.

4. Profit

Remember...you’re not just buying a business for the sake of it.

Your acquisition MUST be an income stream that can cover:

1. Debt service
2. Operator salary (if relevant)
3. Growth/working capital
4. Your earnings

Use these two tests to evaluate if a deal is worth looking at:

The SOWS Test

Before I buy anything, I ask if the business is:

- Stale - Does the owner still use fax machines
- Old - Is it 5+ years old with repeat customers
- Weak - Does competition suck at marketing
- Simple - Can an 8-year-old could understand it

The more boxes it checks, the better.

The BRIT Test

Then I check to see if it’s BRIT:

- Buy - Must be a cashflow, not cash-suck businesses
- Resist - Recession-proof
- Increase - Can I raise prices (most owners undercharge by 30%)
- Tech - Can I add simple technology to improve it?

5. Industry

There are certain industries you should avoid for your first biz.

Think restaurants or hotels...

On the flip side, these are my favorite businesses for first-time buyers:

- Digital Businesses (build once, sell forever)
- Home Services (roof repair / lawn care)
- Professional Services (e.g CPAs)
- Real Estate Enhanced (laundromats/car washes)

Once you get clear on your Deal Box, you stop wasting time on deals that don’t fit your criteria and get closer to buying the biz that FEELs right.

↓↓↓

Want to go even deeper than this post did?...

Next week, I'm running a Masterclass breaking down exactly how to buy the perfect business for YOU. 

Check it out: https://lnkd.in/g3V6NrTZ

6 other traits of rich people no one tells you:

1. Rich people want you to sell them something.

2. Something 99% of rich people have in common: they own. Most often, they own businesses & real estate.

3. Most people complain about taxes, then pay them. Rich people study taxes then outsmart them.

4. In my experience, almost all successful people are competitive. More competitive you are, more likely you are to succeed.

5. Most rich people I know don't care about their title at all. Business owner > visionary, industry disrupter, startup CEO

6. You'll learn the most from asking rich people this question: "When did you almost lose it all? What did you learn?"

💥 For more like this, feel free to follow me → Codie A. Sanchez

Story from my dad today.

If you’re a business owner, it may hit you as deeply as it hit me...

He said, you know you’ve met another builder or doer when they’ve felt that flinch at the second Friday of the month.

My father has never bounced a check.

But he remembers this…

It was payday, his business was owed money, and they couldn’t bridge the gap between the two in time.

He could just picture the guys’ faces.

Those last two workers, who had done more than anyone else, stayed later than anyone else…

And they were about to be punished for that by not getting paid.

So he called up his banker, told him he needed a line of credit, and pulled out $100,000 give or take to make sure that every single one of their checks cleared.

At the time, my dad had a business partner who was a different type of guy.

He was the sort to make excuses, pay himself first, and not particularly care if everyone else’s checks cleared as long as he got his.

That partner has since had many businesses fail - and many more employees go without a paycheck.

And my dad has never in all these years had a business fail, or lost anyone a dime.

He often attributes his business success to the fact that he would never let his hardest working guys go hungry...

People will always be your biggest struggle and your greatest gift in business. Treat ‘em right.

↓↓↓↓

P.S. I’m hosting a free masterclass next week covering 4 practical growth levers that help maintain healthy cash flow and predictable payroll.

Sign up here (for free): https://lnkd.in/gSfvX_AF

Nish Thakker

If you have had:

• a terrible boss
• workplace ptsd
• a bankruptcy
• a huge failure

GOOD.

Chips on shoulders > easy roads.

The more you do hard things, the more you'll get what you want.

Because doing hard things, makes hard things easier.

If you're doing it right, the failure that leveled you last year, won't even register this year.

↓ ↓ ↓

If you're ready to seek out your next hard thing, let's buy a business this year ;)

Here's a list of 130 boring biz's I'd start with → https://lnkd.in/eGpHZtx3

You aren’t here to be liked.

You’re here to be respected.

Don’t be easy. Be hard.

Be righteous in what you do and believe.

Don’t be less for other people.
Don’t let them bend you or break you.
Don’t be a doormat walked upon.

Be a f*cking pointed nail… they’ll remember you.

If you’re bringing this energy into 2026, feel free to repost this.

And if the way you want to do it is by trading in your 9-5 for financial freedom without starting from scratch? Come to my Main Street Millionaire Live next month. 

All you need is determination & desire…. and 72 hours of your time.

You’re invited, just reserve your spot here → https://lnkd.in/gf6hPHdF

This is the hiring framework most small business owners never figure out:

Unicorns vs Donkeys

Unicorns = A players, high performers, self starters... aka, the person you WANT to hire for every role at your company.

Donkeys = B and C players, lacking initiative, unmotivated, task-oriented.

The truth every business owner knows but hates to face:

Donkeys are common.

Unicorns are rare.

Unfortunately, MOST people are donkeys. And as a smaller-level business, it's very hard to build the profit needed to attract unicorns.

So you're left with 2 options. You can either:

1. Build a business that can actively search for unicorns.

2. Build processes so good that donkeys can win the race.

Many problems in your business are a WHO problem. But you'd be surprised that solving the HOW often enables the people you have now to succeed.

Processes are your secret weapon.

Decrease the time between having an idea and getting it done.

Money loves speed. Poverty loves waiting.

How I like to start my week.

The 1 in 60 Rule:

↓ ↓ ↓

Feel free to follow me Codie A. Sanchez if you found this useful.

This Routine Will Change Your Life

How to never fail with a business:

- Start as a side project
- Keep your job
- Use your salary to fund
- Don't use debt
- Quit & go all in ONLY when enough cashflow

15 years of biz & life lessons in <500 words:

↓ ↓ ↓

1. Marrying well is the biggest life hack of all.

2. Be the type of person who reaches out to others... when you don't need something.

3. The greatest muscle you can build is urgency.

4. Most successful people move with this mindset: Entitled to nothing, willing to earn everything.

5. Pray like it's up to God. Work like it's up to you.

6. You don't need more time, you need a deadline.

7. The success you are looking for is waiting for you in the work you are currently avoiding.

8. Biographies of billionaires teach you more than self-help books.

9. Your lack of focus will kill you before your competitors ever get a chance.

10. Winning isn't an accident, it's earned.

11. Underrated superpower: Just dumb enough to believe in yourself, just smart enough to execute.

12. Complexity makes you seem smart. Simplicity makes you money.

13. Surround yourself with owners, the conversation is just different.

14. The more you learn about money, the more you realize most of us play with Legos while the really rich play chess.

15. Beginners do too much. Pros do only what's needed.

16. Underperformers want ease. Midperformers want credit. Winners want pressure.

17. Your most expensive mistake will be a "who," not a "what."

18. If you've survived this far, the odds are actually are in your favor.

19. The formula is: keep going after it gets hard.

If you liked this post and you're NOT signed up for my newsletter... you're seriously missing out. Get it here → https://lnkd.in/ggN9g-BX

The greatest muscle you can build is urgency.

Shrink your timelines...

When you say next quarter, push for next 60 days.

When you say next month, push for 2 weeks.

When you say next week, push for 24 hours.

Not everything will get done on the new timeline, but you'll build a habit that will make you more successful than other people.

Decrease the time between having an idea and getting it done. Everything changes.

↓ ↓ ↓

If you want to push forward serious financial goals in 2026, you should look into this…

It’s live event on what I think is the single greatest skill you could learn this year to change your financial future forever.

It’s called a 3 day live event called Main Street Millionaire where we’re going deep on exactly how to find, buy, run, and scale a profitable small business.

If this sounds remotely interesting, save your spot here → https://lnkd.in/gf6hPHdF

The #1 killer of businesses is bad cashflow.

15 other harsh business truths for you:

1. The greatest muscle you can build is urgency. Bureaucracy is business poison.

2. Decrease the time between having an idea and getting it done. Everything changes.

3. Never sacrifice reputation in the name of business. You can always start another company. You can never create a new reputation.

4. Long-term games and long-term people compound. Resist shiny objects.

5. Hire smart people, pay them well, set them up for success... Then leave them the hell alone.

6. “There’s nothing worse than being sick, fat, tired and trying to run your business.” - Dana White

7. The highest ROI investment founders & owners can make is in themselves. Health shapes mindset. Mindset shapes action.

8. You're better off learning negotiation than financial modeling. Business is less spreadsheets than words.

9. The best business of all time has only you, a computer, and the send button.

10. Every additional employee increases complexity. Hiring is a last resort.

11. The best advice comes from those just a couple steps ahead of you. These people still vividly remember the problems you're facing today.

12. Sell painkillers, not vitamins. There's more money in needs than wants.

13. No discounts. Compete on value, not price. Any biz with $$$ can enter your market and bleed you out. Differentiate beyond commodity.

14. A happy customer is the most powerful marketing. Prioritize reviews. Humans are social animals.

15. If no one thinks you’re crazy, you’re too late. If everyone thinks your idea is good? Even worse. Outsized returns lie in non-conformism.

↓↓↓↓

P.S. I'm running a free masterclass for business owners (next week).

What we'll cover? 4 growth levers to increase cash flow in your biz. 

Grab your spot here (for free): https://lnkd.in/gSfvX_AF

Steven Yeh, EIT

7 Years in Pharma until I Escaped the 9 to 5 | I Help 249+ People Build Financial Freedom ($29.3M+) by Passively Investing in Multifamily Real Estate

Concerned with the sobering reality that you're not on track to provide for your family.

No one to turn to develop a strategy to help. I get it, and that's why I am here for you.

Everywhere you look, people appeared to have mastered their finances, and yet no one talks about money or helps. 

Being in this situation is confusing.

In 2015, I was confused.

I had an average income...

and a high expense lifestyle. 

I viewed it as normal.

I was not on track.

Why do I share this?

Because it's a honest, simple and powerful realization that most people don't reach.

This reality is true for a lot of us, irrespective of income.

I say this backed by anecdotal evidence.

Everyday I help people redefine their relationship with money. 

I've done it for 277+ people. 

Making them $14.9M+ since 2018.

Growing their net worth by $31.9M+.

And the average client has a similar story. 

Looking to make money, but doesn't know where to start.

And no time to figure it out.

And so, I help people build financial security.

Using the tips and tricks that I've done for myself. 

I help people that are: 

- Tired of paying too much in taxes
- Confused with how to manage their investments
- Unsure how to grow their business
- Flustered with the myriad of options   
- Overwhelmed with where to start

Nothing is more important to me than adding value to those around me. This is why I actively work to understand pain points and how to turn them into the foundation for people to scale. 

What I do isn't for everyone. If you think we might be a good fit, contact me:

📞 https://calendly.com/mustafal/15min

📧 ml@velocecapital.com

Disclaimer: Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results and investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. There are no guarantees in any investment. Content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Any forward-looking statements or forecasts are based on assumptions and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements.

Before investing, carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment product or strategy. Each investor's financial situation and investment objectives are unique, and the information contained herein may not be suitable for all investors. Prospective investors should consult with a financial or legal professional to determine the appropriateness of any investment in light of their individual circumstances.

Mustafa Ladha

Here’s the crazy thing about personal finance

Sometimes it’s illogical 

Here’s what I mean

I have a client that’s living rent-free.

And he wants to give it up.

He sold his home in New Jersey

Moved to Texas, 

And invested with me.

His investments make him ~$56,000/year.

Passively.

His rent is ~$48,000/year.

His portfolio covers his housing — and then some.

Now he wants to pull everything out and buy a house, all-cash.

Sounds illogical.

Or smart...

Depending on your perspective 

On paper, it's a downgrade.

He'd be trading an income-producing asset that pays him

For a non-income-producing asset that has taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

On the other hand 

He's swapping cash flow for certainty.

And I get both sides of the story

There's real peace in knowing nobody can raise your payment, 

Nobody can foreclose, 

And you don't owe anyone a dollar.

That peace is real.

But most people chase "debt-free" without pricing what it actually costs:

1. Less monthly flexibility.
2. Slower compound growth.
3. Fewer options if life changes.

The right question isn't "Should I buy a house cash?"

It's "What am I buying... and what am I giving up?"

Because if your investments already pay for your lifestyle, 

Selling them might feel safer 

While quietly trapping you.

Freedom isn't just owning something outright.

It's what that ownership empowers you to be able to do.

If you're thinking about using a big cash pile to buy a house outright, DM me "CASH."

I'll help you see what you're really trading.

From 9–5 to Financial Freedom | Helping 277+ People | Generated $14.9M+ in Passive Income & Increased Net Worth by $31.9M+ | Learn How You Can Too

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Here's what no one tells you about money

Chasing money keeps you broke.

In 2016, I got my first "real" job.

Prestigious company.

$42,000/year.

I was 22 and obsessed with one question:

How do I help people at scale?

Here's what didn't help

Comparing myself to people making more.

Because comparing doesn't give you a plan.

Doesn’t give you actionable steps. 

It just gives you anxiety.

So I took advice from someone 2–3 steps ahead of me:

"Optimize for growth, not salary."

Life changing advice.

It can seem simple 

But it changed everything.

I spent nights learning to underwrite real estate deals.

Took calls with investors and real estate professionals

Reviewed 100s of opportunities before finding the right one... before saying yes.

Built relationships with people who saw potential, not a resume.

Within 5 years, my income and trajectory looked completely different.

Here's what drives me:

The fulfillment of actually helping people where it matters most...

Building financial stability 

Helping people build wealth 

So they don't have to trade their time for money.

This passion led me to create passive real estate opportunities.

Help 277+ investors make over $14,900,000+ passively.

It also pushed me to teach personal finance in a simple, real-world way.

I'm not a financial advisor.

I'm not from a finance background.

I'm just someone who built it for himself — and now helps others do the same.

If you're early in your career and feel behind, here's the shift:

Stop asking "How do I earn more than them?"

Start asking "What skill would change everything for me in 12 months?"

Questions like this built my career.

It can build yours too.

If you want my simple framework for growing income + building wealth without making your life more stressful

Comment or DM "GROWTH"

Most people don't lose trust because they ‘mess up.’

They lose it because they show up with an agenda.

On my podcast, Joshua Wilson said something I’ll remember:

Love is spelled T-I-M-E.

Not gifts. Not words. Not ‘checking in’ when you want something.

Time.

And honestly.....this applies to business even more than people admit.

Because a lot of ‘relationship building’ is just a nicer outfit for the same thing:

Hunting

If your warmth disappears the moment they don't buy...
If your follow-ups only happen when your pipeline is dry…
If the ‘care’ is tied to a transaction…

That wasn't a relationship.

That was a strategy.

And people feel it.

Not because they're cynical.

Because humans are wired to notice when they're being used.

Time is the receipt.

It proves intent.

You can't fake it.
You can't shortcut it.
You can't ‘value add’ your way out of manipulation.

Real trust gets built in moments that don't benefit you immediately:

When you follow up and there's nothing to sell.
When you help without keeping score.
When you show up the same way whether they buy or not.

So I use one filter before I reach out to anyone:

Would I still show up if they never bought?

If the answer is no…

I either change my approach, or I stop calling it a relationship.

Trust builds slowly.

And then it compounds.

What's your tell when someone is building a real relationship vs chasing a sale?

Here’s what no one tells you about money 

The most expensive thing my work costed me wasn't money.

It was bedtime with my kids.

I was home.

But I wasn't there - mentally.

Laptop open. 

Slack pinging. 

Mind on scaling.

My daughter would say goodnight.

I'd mumble something back without properly looking up.

That's not presence. 

That's proximity.

Your kids won't remember every lesson you taught them.

They'll remember whether you were there.

Not every rule.

But how safe they felt around you.

Not every explanation.

But whether you were patient when they were struggling.

Presence builds a kind of security no textbook can replace.

After helping 277+ investors build passive income, I've noticed something:

The ones who stay committed aren't just chasing a number.

They're chasing a lifestyle.

One client used to miss bedtime three nights a week.

Now his passive income give him peace of mind.

He crushes it at work.

And has the security to be home by 6.

Same job. 

Same title. 

Different mindset.

That's what financial freedom actually buys.

Not stuff. 

Not status.

Time with the people who matter most.

If you're earning well but still missing moments that matter DM me "PRESENCE"

Let's build a financial structure that gives you back your time.

Here’s what no one tells you about risk...

And how it made 180k evaporate 

Every decision carries risk 

And usually the only way to understand that is to experience it

Here’s what I mean 

Two weeks ago, 

I shared why relentless learning separates those that build wealth from everyone else.

This is what happens when you skip it.

There is a clear, consistent pattern:

Investments are calm. 

Returns are steady.

People stop paying attention.

Then something shifts.

A project underperforms. 

Rates change. 

Suddenly the investor is scrambling.

Googling terms they should've understood before they invested.

Asking questions they should've asked 18 months ago.

One investor I know fits this exactly.

Smart guy. 

High earner. 

Made his first few investments without much diligence.

Things went well. 

He got comfortable.

Then one investment went sideways.

He didn't understand the capital stack. 

Didn't know he could lose money.

Didn’t know that his investment wasn’t collateralized.

Lost $180K.

Now he studies everything. 

Obsessively.

This experience costed him $180K and 3 years of missed growth.

The strategic investors 

The ones who build wealth the fastest

They don't wait for pain to teach them

They learn from other people’s mistakes, saving time and money.

They find the right mentors, people with the experience to see around corners. 

They learn when things are good - because that's when you can think clearly.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this truth over and over...

Reactive learning is the most expensive kind.

You pay, in dollars and time.

Are you learning proactively - or waiting for a painful lesson?

DM me "PROACTIVE" if you want to talk about building a process to strategically grow

The beliefs I grew up with nearly broke me.

As a son of immigrants, I was molded to believe:

1. Hard work is the only path forward
2. Taking breaks is weakness
3. Whatever I do isn't good enough

These beliefs built my career.

They’ve helped me scale beyond what I thought was possible. 

But, they also created blind spots.

I reached a point where I'd come home exhausted

But I didn’t understand why

I wasn't doing physical labor.

I was just thinking all day.

Eventually I learnt what was going on...

I was experiencing decision fatigue.

Your brain actually gets tired from making too many choices.

I dismissed it at first. 

Sounded soft.

But the evidence was hard to ignore.

I was home with my kids but not actually present.

My body was there.

My mind was still solving problems.

I started watching people I respected - high performers who seemed to have more hours in the day than I did.

They weren't working harder.

They were protecting their thinking time.

In 2025, I made one change:

Time blocking, doing my most draining tasks first thing in the morning.

LinkedIn content creation? 
I hate it.

So I do it at 6am before my brain has a chance to resist.

Then I take a break to be present for my kids' morning routine.

This shift helped me serve an extra 42+ people last year.

It helped create over $3.7M in value for clients.

And I got to watch my kids eat breakfast without checking Slack.

Retraining your brain isn't fun.

Addressing blind spots feels uncomfortable.

But the compound effect is unreal.

Were you raised to believe rest is weakness?

I'd love to hear how that shaped you.

Comment below or DM me.

If it triggers you, it's probably the truth.

If two missed paychecks would break your life, you are not okay.

You are in danger.

I'm talking about you, reading this on your lunch break or in the car.

Check yourself:

Your salary lands......and within days it's gone to rent, fees, debt, stop orders

Your chest tightens when HR sends a 'quick calendar sync'

You tell yourself it's fine, I'll fix it later - and another year disappears

From the outside, everything looks polished.

But if your salary stopped for 60 days, what happens?

-Do you start swiping credit cards to survive?
-Do you call family to borrow just until things settle?
-Do you downgrade your kids' school, your plans, your life?

That's not bad luck.

That's a system built on one weak pillar.

And here's the brutal part:

You don't control that pillar.

One decision in a room you're not invited to.....and your stability is gone.

After helping 277+ people generate $14.9M+ in passive income,

I've seen this pattern too many times.

-The fix isn't another budgeting app.
-It isn't spending less this year.
-It isn't waiting for a bigger bonus.

The fix is building income that keeps coming when your salary doesn't.

One client came to me exactly like this - high earner, two weeks of runway.

18 months later: $6,200/month in passive income from real estate.

Same job. Same salary. Completely different foundation.

You don't need 20 doors.

You need enough passive income that:

-One HR email
-One health issue
-One we're going in a different direction

…doesn't flip your whole life upside down.

If this feels uncomfortably accurate, don't just scroll.

DM me ENOUGH.

I'll help you:
→ See exactly how exposed you are today
→ Work out how many calm months you truly have
→ Map one practical, hands-off real estate path to actual stability

Two paychecks shouldn't be the difference between your life and chaos.

Here’s the dangerous truth that most people don’t realize 

Most people don’t burn out because they’re working too hard.

They burn out because they’re watching everyone else.

Andrew Coleman shared something on my podcast that I keep replaying:

If you focus on your journey and helping others hit their goals...

...you stop caring about unhealthy competition.

And you start building something real.

Your uniqueness is your strength.

This is the piece we skip.

We think the ‘edge’ is a smarter strategy.

But the real edge 

The one nobody can copy is

Your lived experience.

A mix of:

-what you’ve been through
-what you’ve learned the hard way
-who you’ve helped

The standards you refuse to drop

Comparisons make you feel behind.

But behind who?

-Someone with different goals.
-Different responsibilities.
-A totally different starting line.

I see this constantly in investing.

People compare returns.

They change their strategy too early.

They chase noise.

They reset the clock.

And they call it ‘being proactive.’

The people who build real wealth do something boring:

They choose a plan that fits their life.

They execute consistently.

They ignore the scoreboard.

They let compounding do the heavy lifting. 

That’s how 82+ clients made 29.74%+ over 2 years

Andrew Coleman - appreciate the timely reminder. 

It’s simple. 

And it’s real.

If you’ve ever caught yourself comparing…..

What helped you get back to focusing on yourself

Focusing on how you help people

Comment below or DM

Here’s the simple reality most people ignore...

2025 was the year you learnt

2026 is the year you take action.

Most people don't lack information.

They lack implementation.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this too many times:

Another year passes.

More articles. 

More "I should really do something about this."

Same position in December as January.

Not because you're lazy.

Because planning feels like progress.

Spreadsheets built, but never used to make a decision.

Notes on opportunities, but no actual capital deployed.

Real progress is usually 20% planning, 80% action.

One client spent all of 2024 researching.

Zero investments.

In January 2025, she made one decision.

Asked the right questions.

Took a modest first step.

3 hours of planning. Then she took action.

By December 2025, she was generating $4,100/month in passive income.

Same person.

Same knowledge.

Different year.

Because she finally took action.

You don't need the perfect strategy to start.

You need a step that's proportionate to where you are right now.

Here's the math that should bother you:

Every month you wait is $400-$800 in passive income you'll never get back.

Not "might miss."

Will never get back.

12 months of "I'll start next quarter" = $4,800-$9,600 gone.

Not lost to a bad investment.

Lost to no investment.

That's the cost of waiting.

And it compounds — against you.

So here's my ask:

Stop researching. 

Start a conversation.

DM me "Action" and I'll send you the exact 3 questions I ask every new investor.

Takes 3-10 minutes to answer.

But it'll show you whether you're actually ready — or just comfortable planning.

December 2026 is coming either way.

The only question: Will you be in the same spot?

Here’s how I made investors ~15.73% last here
 
This is something I don’t talk about
 
And there are a few reasons why
 
1. I don’t want you to assume you’ll make money
2. I don’t want you to assume making money is easy
3. I don’t want you to walk into things without understanding the risk
 
A few years back I launched a fund
 
A fund is basically when people pool their money to invest into something together
 
Think of a partnership
 
Everyone wants to invest in real estate
 
Some people don’t know how
 
So, they partner with someone that can do it for them (me)
 
The fund was a 506(b)
 
For most people this legal designation is useless
 
The reason why I mention it is that it’s open to accredited investors
 
And 35 non-accredited investors
 
The people that invested in this fund are everyday people:
 
1. They’ve never invested in real estate before
 
2. They probably don’t know what the word ‘accredited’ means
 
3. They’re looking to invest on an all cash basis
 
The 3rd point is unique
 
There are certain people that want to make money without leverage
 
This fund is actually built for those people
 
The fund has made 14%+ each year for ~3+ years
 
Imagine investing $100,000 in 2022
 
And it growing to $148,154.40 by the end of 2025
 
48% growth in 3 years
 
Awesome, but honestly
 
Here’s the legal disclaimer
 
This is just an illustration
 
If you want to see actual performance reach out and I’ll send you the information
 
The point here isn’t how people are making a lot of money passively
 
The point is actually what I mentioned last week
 
Wealthy people are disciplined
 
Making 14%+ feels amazing
 
But if you’re doing it year after year it can get monotonous
 
Discipline isn't flashy. 
 
We’re not investing in real estate to be flashy
 
We’re investing in real estate to build financial freedom
 
If you want to join the 277+ people scaling
 
Comment or DM

You don't need another strategy, you need clarity...

Here’s what I mean

On Friday I asked a simple question

A question I’ve asked over 277 people

How do you make investment decisions

I recently asked a 21 year old making 250,000+ a year

His brutally honest response was that he follows his gut

This 21 year old makes more than everyone in his family

High income.
Smart.
Serious about building wealth.

And completely honest about the chaos behind his choices.

The Friday poll had 4 options:

- Research deeply and decide
- Follow a trusted mentor/advisor
- Copy friends/colleagues
- Gut feel / FOMO

In real life

Most portfolios are a blend of all four.

A little research.
A little "my friend made money in this."
A little "my advisor said it's good."
A little "I don't want to miss out."

That's how people end up with:

A crypto position they don’t understand.

An angel investment because their friends said it was the next best thing.

A "passive" property that became a second job.

Different assets.

Same root problem: no clarity.

Here are the 3 questions you need to ask 

Before any new investment

𝟭. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 building 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺?
Not "does it sound exciting?"
Does it actually support the life I'm building?

𝟮. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁?
If you can't explain the model simply, you're borrowing conviction.

𝟯. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗺 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 — 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆?
Many "great returns" stop being great once you price in stress and hours.

Same person.
Same income.
Completely different decision process.

If your portfolio looks more like "friend / mentor / FOMO" than you'd like to admit...

You don't need more noise.

You need a filter you can trust.

Want help pressure-testing your next investment decision?

DM me "INVEST"

We'll walk through it together.

Here’s what you don't realize

FOMO kills more portfolios than bad markets.

The people who quietly build wealth don't have a secret strategy.

They have habits most people skip.

After making 277+ people $14,900,000+, here are the three behaviors that repeatedly show up:

𝟭) 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
They do the boring things

Reviewing their numbers monthly.
Honoring commitments even when it's inconvenient.
Sticking to a plan when it's no longer exciting.

Discipline isn't flashy.

But it’s at the heart of how people aggressively scale.

𝟮) 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲
They time block

Create space to think without noise.

Good decisions rarely happen when you’re stuck in the beautiful chaos of life

Family, back-to-back meetings and late-night commitments.

A few protected hours a week changes the quality of choices over years.

𝟯) 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
They keep learning even when things are working.

Not from panic.

From respect for how quickly the world can change.

The best investors I know read more when they're winning, not less.

You don't build these skills in a weekend.

You build them one decision at a time.

Which one do you need to work on most?

Drop it below — sometimes naming it is the first step.

If you want help building these habits into your investing approach,

DM me "HABITS"

Here’s what most people don’t realize

You're probably wasting time learning about investing 

Here's what to do instead.

Not more threads.
Not more podcasts.
Not more "passive income" ideas.

You don't need more information.

You need to take action.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, I've seen this pattern hundreds of times:

Smart professionals who've consumed everything.

But still haven’t invested.

Or they’re stuck at one investment.

The issue isn't discipline or laziness.

It's that they lack conviction

They’ve never felt certainty.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 investment 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 scary.

Your brain screams:

What if I lose everything? 

What if I'm missing something?

What if I need to "research a bit more"?

You reread everything.

You draft questions, delete them, then ask anyway.

You almost pull out twice.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 investment 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿.

You know the process.

You know what it feels like to invest and wait for your investment to make you money.

Fear is still there.

But it's no longer the driving force.

𝗕𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀.

You stop asking: "Is investing safe?"

You start asking: "Does this investment fit my plan, my risk profile, and help me build freedom?"

One client — high earner, had two weeks of savings— made his first investment in 2022.

Took him three weeks to pull the trigger.

By his third investment, he was in within 48 hours.

3 years later: $5,100/month in passive income.

Same person. Completely different operating system.

You're no longer consuming information about investing.

You're operating like an investor.

That shift isn't bravery.

It's momentum.

And momentum compounds faster than money.

So here's the hard question:

If someone looked at your last 12 months, would they see a person thinking about l investing — or a person who became an investor?

There’s a subtle but powerful difference.

If you're earning but still on the sidelines, DM me "MOMENTUM"

I'll help you define a realistic first position.

The best time to start was yesterday. 

The second best time is today.

Speak soon

The best salespeople talk less than you think.


Silence isn’t awkward. 

It’s empowering. 

It gives you the information you need to help.

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀 dropped this on the podcast 

And it's a powerful insight that will help you scale

Last year someone came to me ready to invest.

Had the capital. Had the stability. Said all the right things.

But something felt off.

So instead of selling or pitching, I asked questions.

Turns out he was about to go through a divorce. 

Didn't actually have the access to money he thought he had. 

He was looking for a distraction, not an investment.

I told him no.

Not "not right now." Just no.

He was confused. Maybe frustrated.

But setting up an investment opportunity for him would've been the equivalent of financial and personal malpractice.

It would have been wrong.

Most business owners are taught:

Get into as many inboxes as possible.

Push the offer.

Handle objections.

Close.

That's a transactional approach to life, it’s transactional selling.

It might make money in the short term. It rarely builds trust in the long term.

Consultative selling sounds different:

"What's the real problem you're trying to solve?"

"What have you already tried?"

"Is this actually the right move for you right now?"

Sometimes the honest answer is:

"No, I'm not the right person to help you."

The fastest way to lose trust is to push a solution to a problem someone doesn't have.

Or worse — to a problem they're trying to escape from.

You don't need more aggressive conversations.

You need cleaner intentions and better questions.

And if you want an honest conversation about whether passive real estate is even right for you, DM me "FREEDOM."

If I can help, I'll show you how.

If I can't, I'll tell you that too.

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

Here’s something crazy you can implement in 2026.

You can acquire customers for $0.

Not a hack.

A strategy.

Become a micro-influencer before you launch the thing you want to sell.

I was talking about this recently with Domingo Valadez and it clicked.

AI already made building products easier than ever.

So the moat isn’t the product anymore.

It’s distribution.

And distribution comes two ways:

1. Pay for it (ads, partnerships, sponsorships)

2. Build it organically (free)

Most people default to option 1.

They launch first.

Then scramble for attention.

The smarter play?

Start posting now.

Share what you’re learning.

Document your thinking.

Help real people solve real problems.

Every post is a free lottery ticket.

Every follower is a potential customer.

Every piece of content compounds.

The founders who win won’t just outbuild the competition.

They’ll out-distribute them.

Start today. It costs nothing.

I started in 2024 on LinkedIn.

I focused on financial literacy.

Since then, I’ve watched people completely redefine their relationship with money.

Along the way, I’ve helped people invest passively in real estate.

I’ve helped people make money in their sleep.

That started with simple posts.

When will you start?

How will you help people?

Comment below or DM me if you want to:

1. Get clarity on your money
2. Explore how passive real estate can fit into your plan
3. Or just share where you’re at right now.

Co-Founder & CEO @ Homebase | Helping real estate sponsors close deals faster

One investor made 15.47% last year.

Another lost $280K.

The difference wasn't intelligence.

It was which levers they pulled.

Mentorship. 

Skills. 

Opportunities. 

Consistency.

Four different words. 

One common thread:

Money rarely grows just from working harder.

It grows when you pull the right levers, strategically.

After helping 277+ investors generate $14.9M+ in passive income, here's what I've seen:

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
Helps you avoid mistakes you don't even see.

One client skipped a "great" deal after a 15-minute call with me. 

That deal went sideways 8 months later. Saved him $75K.

The most expensive lessons are the ones you could've skipped with the right guidance.

𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
Make you more valuable in whatever environment you're in.

Not just technical skills 

Knowing how to evaluate deals, read operators, and ask the right questions.

One client had zero investing background. 

She learned these skills. 

Last year she made 15.47% annualized. 

Passively.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
Position yourself to see opportunities others never get access to.

The person who lost $280K had access to capital. 

The person who made 15.47% had access to the right deal flow. 

Capital that isn’t invested strategically won’t grow and create financial freedom.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
Stops all of that growth from evaporating when life gets hard and uncomfortable.

One investor I work with has made 12 investments over 4 years. 

No home runs. 

Just steady 14-21% returns, compounding quietly every year.

One good decision doesn't build wealth. 

A hundred boring ones do.

Most people don't fail because they lack potential.

They get stuck trying to do everything alone, without structure, in too many directions.

The ones who build wealth?

They stack the right levers and stay patient.

Which lever do you need to focus on most right now?

Drop it below or DM

Growth starts when you know where you stand

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Most high performers don’t realize what they’re trading until something breaks.

Curious what it is for you right now

Right now, which do you feel you’re sacrificing more?

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The Battle

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