Have you ever wanted to invest in companies before they go public? Companies like SpaceX for example? In this episode of the Money Seed Podcast, Gabe interviews Mike Ivancie, Chief Marketing Officer at Upmarket, about alternative investments and how Upmarket is democratizing access to these opportunities for accredited investors. They discuss the nature of alternative investments, the selection and due diligence process, the impact of AI on investment strategies, and the pros and cons of investing in private versus public markets. Mike also shares insights on popular investment products, unique strategies, and the fee structures associated with private market investing. https://www.upmarket.co/

Mike may be reached at mike@upmarket.co

Takeaways
- Alternative investments include hedge funds, private equity, and pre-IPO companies.
- Accredited investors have access to unregistered securities.
- Upmarket simplifies access to private investments by breaking down large shares into smaller pieces.
- The investment selection process involves identifying trends and evaluating opportunities.
- AI is a significant trend influencing investment strategies and market dynamics.
- Private market investing comes with unique risks and challenges, including liquidity issues.
- Investors need to consider fees, valuations, and market conditions when investing in private equity.
- SpaceX remains a popular investment choice among accredited investors.
- Unique investment strategies, such as life settlements, can provide diversification.
- Upmarket offers resources and tools to help investors navigate private market investments.

In this episode, we speak with Mike Andes, founder and CEO of Augusta Lawn Care, who shares his journey from aspiring surgeon to successful entrepreneur. Mike discusses the challenges and strategies involved in scaling a landscaping business to over 150 locations, the innovative pay-for-performance compensation model, and the importance of building complementary businesses.

Mike outlines realistic expectations for franchisees and emphasizes the value of recurring revenue over one-time projects. Mike shares insights from his books and his vision for the future, including the potential for robotics in the landscaping industry.

Mike has a big presence on YouTube via his channel https://www.youtube.com/@MikeAndes

Mike’s book Millennial Millionaire: The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Breaking Out of the Middle Class is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Millennial-Millionaire-Entrepreneurs-Breaking-Middle/dp/0692743030

Takeaways
- Having a large vision helps attract talented individuals.
- The transition from working in the business to managing it is crucial.
- Franchising can provide a scalable model for growth.
- Pay for performance aligns employee incentives with business success.
- Recurring revenue is more sustainable than one-time projects.
- Building a community around your business fosters loyalty and growth.
- Investing in systems and procedures is essential for scalability.
- The right mindset and culture are key for franchisee success.

Bitcoin 2.0 is here! Crypto trailblazer and advocate John Gotts, a founding member of Digital Gold (DGD), joins the Money Seed Podcast to introduce DGD. John explains the concept of DGD as a new cryptocurrency that aims to address some of the challenges faced by Bitcoin, such as high transaction costs, speed, skewed distribution, and volatility. He discusses the unique features of DGD, including its “Proof of Participation” model, which encourages community involvement and fair distribution.

Most importantly, John and Gabe do a screenshare to do a live demo of how to acquire the DGD wallet, and how to send and receive coins.

The conversation also touches on the vision for DGD as a practical currency for everyday transactions, its goal to achieve parity with Bitcoin, and the potential for a strategic reserve of Bitcoin to back the value of DGD. In this conversation, John Gotts discusses the intrinsic value of Digital Gold (DGD) and its potential to revolutionize the cryptocurrency landscape. He explains how to acquire DGD, the future of digital transactions, and the global expansion of the project. The conversation also touches on the regulatory response in various countries, the potential for DGD to be traded on major exchanges, and the importance of self-custody in cryptocurrency. John emphasizes the need for community engagement and education to overcome barriers to adoption.

**WARNING: All crypto products are speculative. This is not financial advice. DGD is not (yet) traded on major crypto exchanges such as Coinbase**

To learn more visit https://digitalgoldx.com/?promo=MoneySeedGabe and download your wallet today!

Takeaways
- Digital Gold aims to be the money Satoshi envisioned.
- DGD is built on Bitcoin's code but uses “Proof of Participation”.
- Transaction fees in DGD are minimal compared to Bitcoin.
- DGD aims to facilitate everyday transactions easily.
- The goal is to reach parity with Bitcoin's market cap.
- Proof of participation encourages community involvement.
- DGD's transaction speed is significantly faster than Bitcoin.
- The system is designed for fair distribution of coins.
- A strategic reserve of Bitcoin could back DGD's value.
- DGD aims to provide inflation-adjusted savings for users. DGD has intrinsic value linked to Bitcoin and user transactions.
- Digital Gold aims to be as ubiquitous as Apple Pay in the future.
- The project is gaining traction in over 40 countries without major marketing efforts.
- DGD could replace USDC and USDT as a stable currency.
- Acquiring DGD is straightforward through digitalgoldx.com.
- Self-custody is crucial for security in cryptocurrency.
- Community engagement is key to spreading awareness and adoption.
- The project aims to reach 100 million users by 2026.
- Barriers to adoption include the unfamiliarity with self-custody wallets.
- John Gotts has extensive experience in the cryptocurrency space, advocating for DGD's potential.

Luis Belmonte shares his five decades of experience in real estate, discussing various investment strategies, the importance of understanding market trends, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in the industry. He emphasizes the significance of being prepared for economic downturns and offers practical advice for new investors looking to enter the real estate market. Known by the nickname “Lowball Luis”, Luis shares his insights on successful negotiation. Additionally, Luis discusses his books that provide insights into real estate investment and negotiation strategies. An industry veteran, Luis has bought, sold, developed, built, and managed every type of real estate investment possible.

Luis Belmonte is a founding partner of Seven Hills Properties and among the founders of AMB Property Corporation (now Prologis), where he ran the development program ($250 million per year) and supervised management of assets in the Western United States.

Luis’ books include:

Street Dog Negotiator https://www.amazon.com/Street-Dog-Negotiator-Trenches-Negotiation/dp/B0D47M5PSH

Street Dog MBA
https://www.amazon.com/Street-Dog-MBA-Luis-Belmonte-ebook/dp/B0BBPN2D1C

Street Dog Manager
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Street-Dog-Manager-Business-Negotiation/dp/B0DPN9P33M

Real Estate 101: A Guided Tour of the Business With an Industry Veteran
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Estate-101-Business-Industry-ebook/dp/B07Y7NGFRS

Street Dog Investor is Luis’ next book and will be released in 2025.

Takeaways
- Understanding market trends is crucial for successful investing.
- Recessions can present unique opportunities for savvy investors.
- New investors should assess their comfort level with property management.
- Indifference in negotiations can lead to better outcomes.
- Replacement costs are a key factor in real estate transactions.
- Investing in real estate requires a strong understanding of cash flow.
- Louis emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes.
- The real estate market has changed significantly with technology.
- There is more funding available for small entrepreneurs today.

Retirement expert Larry Jacobson shares his journey from corporate CEO to sailing around the world and now coaching others on how to navigate retirement. He emphasizes the importance of planning not just financially, but also in terms of finding purpose and fulfillment in retirement. Larry discusses common mistakes retirees make, the significance of identity and social connections, and the myths surrounding retirement. He also highlights the value of volunteering and mentoring as ways to stay engaged and satisfied in this new phase of life. Larry Jacobson is a Certified World Class Speaking Coach, a TEDx Presenter, Retirement Lifestyle Coach, Inspiring Speaker, & Award-Winning Author. https://larryjacobson.com/

Check out Larry’s free course entitled “Sail Into Retirement” at https://buoytraining.com/sail-into-retirement/

Larry is the author of “The Boy Behind The Gate”, a book about his experiences sailing around the world. https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Behind-Gate-Publisher-Press/dp/B004RTMVSY

Takeaways
- Retirement planning should include both financial and personal aspects.
- Many retirees struggle with boredom and a lack of purpose.
- It's crucial to think about what you are retiring to, not just from.
- Volunteering and mentoring can provide fulfillment in retirement.
- The happiest people often have the least material wealth.
- Retirement is an opportunity to redefine your identity.
- Planning for retirement should start well before the actual retirement date.
- Many retirees feel lost after leaving their careers and need guidance.
- “Elderpreneurs” are a growing demographic in the business world.

In this episode of the Money Seed Podcast, host Gabe interviews Avery Carl, a short-term rental expert who shares her journey from a traditional job to becoming a successful real estate investor with a portfolio of 250 homes. Avery discusses the different types of short-term rentals, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the role of regulations in the industry. She also introduces her company, The Short Term Shop, which helps investors navigate the short-term rental market, and shares insights on setting expectations for new investors, analyzing potential returns, and utilizing data for success. Avery concludes by discussing emerging markets and her upcoming book, 'Smarter Short-Term Rentals.'

Avery may be reached through: https://theshorttermshop.com/

Avery’s first book Short Term Rentals Long Term Wealth is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Short-Term-Rental-Long-Term-Wealth-Properties/dp/1947200445

Her second book Smarter Short-Term Rentals is also available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Short-Term-Rental-Strategy-Out-Hosting-Competition/dp/1960178709

Takeaways
- Understanding the market is crucial for successful investments.
- There are three main types of short-term rentals: metro, fly-to, and regional drivable markets.
- The Short Term Shop helps investors buy and manage short-term rentals.
- Investors should expect to put in work to see returns.
- A minimum of a 10% gross rent multiplier is a good benchmark.
- Data from multiple sources is essential for accurate analysis.
- Regulations are necessary for the short-term rental industry.
- Avery's new book focuses on optimizing short-term rental management.

Returning guest Ahuva Gruen joins the Money Seed Podcast to discuss the critical intersection of personal and business finances. Ahuva is a fractional CFO who has insights on her clients’ business and personal finances. Ahuva discusses the critical intersection of personal and business finances, she emphasizes the importance of financial awareness, budgeting strategies, and the necessity of savings and emergency funds. Ahuva also covers the significance of understanding insurance needs, improving credit scores, and effective tax planning. The conversation highlights that personal and business financial health are interconnected and that good financial habits are essential for long-term success.

Ahuva's company, AG Financial Services, offers financial consulting and can be reached through LinkedIn or her website.

Ahuva may be reached through:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahuvagruen/
https://agfinancialcpa.com/

Ahuva’s previous appearance: EP122 https://youtu.be/xQXEa1TEn2o

Takeaways
- Awareness is crucial in both personal and business finances.
- Mixing personal and business finances can lead to confusion and financial strain.
- Budgeting helps in making informed financial choices.
- Savings and emergency funds are essential for financial security.
- Understanding insurance needs is vital for protecting assets.
- Good debt can be beneficial, while bad debt can be detrimental.
- Improving credit scores is a continuous process that requires attention.
- Regular tax planning can help save money and avoid surprises.
- Both partners in a relationship should be aware of financial matters.
- Discipline in spending leads to better financial outcomes.

Chad Olivier, CEO of the Olivier Group, who specializes in financial planning for medical professionals. They discuss common financial misconceptions among doctors and dentists, the importance of structured financial planning, and effective retirement strategies. Chad shares insights on building a successful financial planning business, transitioning from a financial planner to a CEO, and maintaining work-life balance. The conversation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive financial plan and the importance of community engagement in business growth.

Chad may be reached through: https://www.oliviergroup.com/

His two books are:

What Medical School Did Not Teach You About Financial Planning

https://www.amazon.com/Medical-School-Teach-Financial-Planning/dp/1432709704

The Resourceful Dentist: A Guide to Financial Success

https://www.amazon.com/Resourceful-Dentist-Guide-Financial-Success/dp/1478795271

Takeaways

- Doctors and dentists often have significant student loans.

- Financial planning should start slow to avoid mistakes.

- It's crucial to have a diversified investment strategy.

- Retirement accounts alone may not be sufficient for wealth.

- A bucketing strategy helps manage investments effectively.

- Market conditions require adaptive investment strategies.

- Building trust in the community is vital for business growth.

- Persistence is key in building a successful business.

- Engagement in community activities can lead to business opportunities.

- Work-life balance is achievable with proper planning.