In this episode of the Collective Genius Podcast, I sit down with Ken Majmudar, a longtime member of our CG community and one of our distinguished CEO members. Ken's journey is anything but traditional—born in India, Ivy League-educated, and an expert in public securities and investment management. We dive into his recent trip to Argentina, his deep curiosity for emerging opportunities, and how he transitioned into real estate investing. Ken shares incredible insights about his background, how life experiences shape investment philosophy, and what it really takes to build partnerships based on integrity.

If you're looking to learn how non-traditional paths can still lead to massive success in real estate and business—and how being endlessly curious can open doors you never imagined—this episode is for you.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] Introduction

[1:25] Ken's recent trip to Argentina and what sparked his interest in their economy

[3:17] Why Javier Milei's economic philosophy caught Ken's attention

[5:01] Ken's approach to investing in Argentine companies through public securities

[6:28] Ken's immigrant story and upbringing in Jersey City, New Jersey

[8:01] Academic journey: From Columbia University to Harvard Law School

[10:01] Transition from law to investment banking and early career reflections

[13:04] Founding Ridgewood Investments and building a business over 22 years

[19:12] The role of early passions in shaping a career in finance and investing

[21:05] How Ken recognized real estate as an opportunity alongside public markets

[26:00] Investing in REITs and transitioning to direct real estate investments

[29:32] People first, project second, structure third: Ken's investment philosophy

[34:00] Evaluating character and integrity when choosing real estate partners

[38:15] Lessons from early real estate deals: understanding cycles and leverage

[41:12] The real risk of leverage and how market downturns reveal weaknesses

[42:08] How a chance series of events led Ken to discover Collective Genius

[46:00] The power of masterminds and lifelong learning

[51:00] Why Ken values CG as much for the people as for the financial benefits

[53:36] Key lessons on investing in yourself and building better businesses

5 Key Takeaways

1. Curiosity can lead to unexpected and lucrative opportunities, even in unfamiliar places like Argentina.

2. Success in real estate and investing comes down to people first, deals second.

3. Real estate markets are cyclical, and understanding leverage is crucial for long-term success.

4. Investing in yourself, communities, and lifelong learning can exponentially grow your business.

5. Serendipity often rewards those who are open-minded, willing to take leaps of faith, and ready to build meaningful relationships.

Links & Resources

• Learn more about the Collective Genius: TheCGPodcast.com

• Book Mentioned: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

• Book Mentioned: 10x is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Closing Remark

Thanks for tuning in to the Collective Genius Podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation with Ken Majmudar, make sure to rate, follow, and share the show. Your support helps us reach more ambitious real estate entrepreneurs. Stay curious and keep scaling your business with Collective Genius.