Venture Capital Explained: How Founders Raise Funding, Attract Investors, and Build Exit-Ready Businesses | Scott Kelly

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Scott Kelly to dive into:

- Venture capital and early-stage startup funding

- How founders attract investors and prepare for fundraising

- The impact of AI on startups, investing, and modern entrepreneurship

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/sQ50xMNKJRo&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode, Garret sits down with venture capitalist and startup accelerator founder Scott Kelly to break down how venture capital really works, beyond the headlines and television portrayals. Drawing from decades of experience spanning investment banking, multiple successful exits, and startup acceleration, Scott explains how founders can position themselves to raise capital, scale strategically, and ultimately build businesses designed for successful exits.

The conversation explores the realities of early-stage investing, including the differences between angel investors, venture capital, and private equity. Scott shares practical insights into what investors actually look for, why relationships matter more than pitch decks alone, and how founders should prepare months before they ever ask for funding. Listeners also learn why valuation is more negotiation than science and how strategic investors can bring far more than just money to a company.

Garret and Scott also dive into today’s rapidly evolving investment landscape shaped by artificial intelligence. Scott explains why AI is transforming startup economics, lowering barriers to entry, and raising expectations from investors at the same time. The discussion highlights how founders can leverage AI not only as a product but as an operational advantage.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur considering fundraising, an investor exploring venture capital, or a business owner curious about how startups scale and exit successfully, this episode delivers a clear, practical education on modern venture investing and the mindset required to win.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Build relationships with investors 6–12 months before raising capital

• Validate your product before seeking funding whenever possible

• Choose strategic investors who add expertise, not just money

• Understand that venture investing is high risk with asymmetric rewards

• Use AI to accelerate execution and improve business efficiency

• Focus on strong founders-great teams attract capital more than ideas

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Venture capital vs angel investing explained

• How startup funding actually works behind the scenes

• Preparing founders for investor pitches and due diligence

• Strategic investors and equity negotiations

• Differences between venture capital and private equity

• Building businesses with exit strategies in mind

• AI’s impact on startups and fundraising trends

• Investor psychology and fear of missing out (FOMO)

• Startup success stories from pitch events

• Relationship-driven fundraising strategies

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

venture capital, startup funding, angel investing, startup investing, raising capital, entrepreneurship podcast, startup exits, AI startups, venture capital explained, private equity vs venture capital, founder mindset, investor relationships, startup pitch strategy, early stage startups, VC investing, startup growth strategy, business scaling, startup accelerator, fundraising strategy, AI entrepreneurship

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and Guest Background

Garret introduces Scott Kelly, founder of Black Dog Venture Partners, and sets the stage for a deep dive into venture capital and startup growth.

[00:00:15] – Scott Kelly’s Career Journey: From Wall Street to Startup Exits

Scott shares his early finance career, investment banking experience, and multiple successful startup exits during the dot-com era.

[00:01:44] – Building and Selling Early Internet Businesses

Lessons from launching online companies in the early internet boom and recognizing exit opportunities early.

[00:03:25] – Why Founders Should Start with the Exit in Mind

How professional investment thinking shapes entrepreneurial decision-making from day one.

[00:04:43] – Parallels Between the Dot-Com Boom and Today’s AI Revolution

Scott explains similarities between early internet adoption and the current AI wave.

[00:07:39] – Launching Black Dog Venture Partners and Supporting Early Founders

How Scott transitioned into helping early-stage companies fund, scale, and prepare for growth.

[00:08:56] – Venture Capital vs Angel Investing Explained Simply

Breaking down funding stages and how early investors differ from traditional VC firms.

[00:10:21] – When Entrepreneurs Should Start Raising Capital

Why having a sellable product matters more than just an idea.

[00:11:40] – Finding the Right Strategic Investor for Your Startup

How industry alignment and relationships can outperform pure financial backing.

[00:12:47] – Equity, Valuation, and Negotiation Realities in Startup Funding

Understanding ownership tradeoffs and investor influence.

[00:15:22] – Investing in Venture Capital: Risks, Returns, and Expectations

What investors should evaluate before committing capital to funds or startups.

[00:17:04] – A Real Startup Success Story from VC Fast Pitch

How a one-minute pitch turned into a multimillion-dollar exit.

[00:18:28] – Preparing Founders for Investor Meetings and Due Diligence

Why preparation and relationship building determine fundraising success.

[00:20:29] – Top Reasons Entrepreneurs Pursue Venture Funding

Scott’s framework for deciding whether raising capital makes sense.

[00:24:10] – Inside VC Fast Pitch Events and Investor Selection

How curated investor audiences increase real funding outcomes.

[00:27:01] – Venture Capital vs Private Equity Differences

Ownership structures, investment strategies, and evolving industry lines.

[00:30:05] – Risk Profiles and Returns: VC vs Private Equity Investing

How investors choose between asset classes.

[00:32:16] – Traits of Fundable Founders in 2025

Why execution speed and adaptability matter more than ever.

[00:34:28] – AI’s Impact on Startup Creation and Funding Trends

How artificial intelligence lowers startup costs while raising investor expectations.

[00:36:47] – Should Every Startup Use AI? Investor Perspectives

Why AI adoption is becoming a competitive necessity.

[00:38:54] – The Future of Venture Capital and Emerging Technologies

Scott shares thoughts on AI, innovation cycles, and where investing is heading next.

---

## 👤 About Scott Kelly

Scott Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, a startup accelerator that helps early-stage companies fund, scale, and exit successfully. With a background in investment banking and experience taking technology companies public, Scott has founded and exited multiple startups across retail, fintech, and entertainment. He also hosts VC Fast Pitch, connecting entrepreneurs with active investors worldwide, and works closely with founders and angel investors to build scalable, investment-ready businesses.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/sQ50xMNKJRo&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://blackdogceo.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogceo/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**

Bankruptcy Recovery: Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13, Creditor Pressure, and the 341 Meeting (with Debtor Attorney Barry Levine)

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with {{Guest Name}} to dive into:

- Bankruptcy as a financial recovery tool for individuals and small business owners (with a focus on Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and the real process behind filing).

- How creditor collection pressure escalates (calls, letters, collection agencies, lawsuits) and the trigger points where bankruptcy becomes the fastest way to stop damage (automatic stay, wage garnishment, bank levies, foreclosure).

- Proactive financial protection and risk management: understanding assets/exemptions (including Massachusetts homestead), avoiding common DIY mistakes, and planning before “the s___ hits the fan.”

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/LsIXjXbqw8M&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong sits down with Barry Levine, a debtor’s attorney with 45 years of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate bankruptcy and financial distress. Barry breaks down what bankruptcy actually is: a legal process designed to deal with overwhelming debt, and in many cases, a practical reset rather than a personal failure. He also addresses why the word “bankruptcy” carries so much shame for people, even though the reality is often far less dramatic than the fear.

Barry demystifies the key differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, including how income thresholds can force higher earners into Chapter 13 and why Barry prefers Chapter 7 when it is available. He explains what happens after you file, including the 341 meeting, and why clients often walk out relieved once they see how straightforward it is in most “assetless” cases. Throughout the conversation, Barry emphasizes that for many filers, the anxiety is worse than the reality, and that most people’s everyday possessions have little liquidation value.

Garret and Barry also dig into the real-world warning signs that finances are spiraling: struggling to make minimum payments, tapping payroll withholdings, falling behind on secured debts, and seeing banks or credit card companies tighten limits. Barry outlines the typical escalation path creditors take and highlights the “automatic stay” as a major turning point that can stop wage garnishment, bank account attachments, foreclosure actions, and other collection efforts. They also touch on SBA loans from the COVID era, personal guarantees, and the often-missed fact that SBA debt can be discharged in bankruptcy.

The episode closes with a candid look at the current economic climate, why filings have surged since January 2024, and Barry’s perspective on what “winning” looks like: watching clients leave the process smiling and relieved, knowing they can move forward with their lives.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Reframe bankruptcy as a financial recovery tool, not a personal failure

• Understand the difference between Chapter 7 (fast discharge) and Chapter 13 (multi-year wage earner plan) before you choose a path

• Watch for early warning signs like minimum payment struggles, shrinking credit limits, and missed secured debt payments

• Use the “automatic stay” strategically to stop wage garnishment, bank levies, foreclosure actions, and escalating collection pressure

• Get clear on what assets are actually at risk by learning exemptions (including homestead protections) and documenting what you own

• Avoid DIY legal decisions that can backfire: the anxiety is worse than the reality, but the paperwork must be accurate

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Barry Levine’s background: 45 years representing debtors

[00:04:16] – Bankruptcy, defined in plain English

[00:05:10] – Why filings surged since January 2024

[00:06:09] – The psychology: shame, fear, and “it’s only money”

[00:08:26] – What the 341 meeting is really like

[00:09:19] – Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13: speed vs being “frozen in place”

[00:09:35] – The line that matters: “four months from now you’d get your discharge”

[00:13:38] – Collections escalation: from nudges to lawsuits

[00:16:40] – The real trigger points: foreclosure, garnishment, bank levies

[00:17:05] – Automatic stay: what it stops immediately

[00:20:40] – Warning signs for founders: taxes, COD, credit limits

[00:32:34] – SBA personal guarantees and what bankruptcy can clear

[00:36:43] – AI risks: fake citations and modern legal scams

[00:46:41] – Winning: clients smiling after the 341 meeting

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Bankruptcy basics and financial recovery law explained in plain English

• Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13: timelines, eligibility, and trade-offs

• What to expect at the 341 meeting and why most people feel relieved afterward

• How creditor collections escalate: calls, letters, agencies, lawsuits, judgments

• Automatic stay and how it stops creditor actions immediately after filing

• Asset risk, exemptions, and Massachusetts homestead protection

• Warning signs for households and entrepreneurs before finances spiral

• SBA loans, personal guarantees, and post-COVID small business failures

• IRS liens, statutes of limitation, and time-barred debt realities

• AI, scams, and why legal shortcuts can create serious risk

---

## 🔍 PODCAST DISCOVERY TOPIC PHRASES

Chapter 7 discharge timeline, Chapter 7 four months discharge, bankruptcy lawyer interview, 341 meeting explained, automatic stay explained, stop wage garnishment, creditor lawsuit timeline, small business debt warning signs, SBA personal guarantee bankruptcy, unpaid withholding taxes risk, foreclosure pressure options, financial reset after bankruptcy

---

---

## 👤 About {{Guest Name}}

Barry Levine is a debtor’s attorney with 45 years of experience representing individuals and businesses through bankruptcy and financial distress. Based in the Boston area, Barry focuses on helping clients understand their options, protect what matters, and move through the bankruptcy process with clarity, including the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, creditor collection escalation, and how legal protections like the automatic stay can stop wage garnishment, foreclosures, and other high-pressure actions.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/LsIXjXbqw8M&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://levinebankruptcylawyer.com/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**

Private Equity in Health & Fitness: How M&A Is Reshaping the HALO Sector

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Pete Moore to dive into:

- Private equity and mergers & acquisitions in the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors) sector

- How institutional capital scales health, fitness, and wellness businesses

- Valuations, roll-ups, and exit strategies for multi-unit operators

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/eqNE-CrTOS8&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode, Garret Wong sits down with Pete Moore, Managing Partner at Integrity Square, to unpack how private equity and M&A are transforming the health, fitness, and wellness landscape. Pete shares his journey from investment banking and Harvard Business School to becoming one of the most active dealmakers in what he calls the HALO sector: Health, Active Lifestyle, and Outdoors. The conversation explores why capital structure, scale, and professionalization matter for operators who want to compete against institutional-backed brands.

Pete explains how Integrity Square helps founders move from proven local concepts to scalable platforms by connecting them with private equity, debt capital, and executive talent. He breaks down how EBITDA multiples work in practice, why businesses in the $3–$20 million EBITDA range attract institutional interest, and how platform acquisitions differ from venture-stage investments. Listeners gain a clear understanding of how private equity evaluates risk, growth potential, and unit economics across health clubs, med spas, supplements, and recovery concepts.

The discussion also dives into roll-up strategies, consolidation trends following COVID, and why aging ownership in the fitness industry is accelerating deal activity. Pete offers candid insights into why some roll-ups succeed while others fail, highlighting operational discipline, compliance, and repeatable unit economics as critical factors. Throughout the episode, he reinforces a bigger mission behind the capital using entrepreneurship and investment to fight loneliness, obesity, and diabetes by building businesses that create community and improve health outcomes.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Understand why private equity focuses on businesses with proven EBITDA and repeatable unit economics

• Learn how M&A helps founders scale while preserving personal net worth

• See how roll-up strategies work in health clubs, wellness, and consumer fitness brands

• Recognize the difference between venture capital risk and private equity growth capital

• Identify why consolidation in the HALO sector is accelerating post-COVID

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Private equity fundamentals in health and fitness

• M&A strategy for multi-location operators

• EBITDA multiples and valuation drivers

• Roll-ups and platform acquisitions

• Venture capital vs private equity investing

• Scaling health clubs and wellness brands

• Institutional capital and growth funding

• Consolidation trends in the HALO sector

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

Private equity, M&A strategy, Health and fitness investing, HALO sector, EBITDA valuation, Business roll-ups, Fitness industry consolidation, Wellness investing, Institutional capital, Entrepreneur growth, Health club investing, Supplement industry, Private equity deals, Scaling businesses, Investment banking

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and why this conversation matters for health and fitness entrepreneurs

[00:00:23] – Pete Moore’s background and the origin of the HALO sector

[00:01:53] – Defining HALO: health, active lifestyle, and outdoors explained

[00:03:16] – The bigger mission: fighting loneliness, obesity, and diabetes through business

[00:04:23] – Pete’s early life, athletics, and the mindset that shaped his career

[00:06:10] – From investment banking to Harvard Business School

[00:07:43] – Entering the fitness industry through Gold’s Gym

[00:11:17] – What happened to Gold’s Gym and lessons from brand evolution

[00:15:30] – EBITDA explained and why scale matters to investors

[00:16:06] – Why private equity targets $3–$20M EBITDA businesses

[00:19:48] – Valuation multiples in health clubs and wellness businesses

[00:22:20] – Unit economics and why Planet Fitness-style models attract capital

[00:25:03] – Growth concepts, franchise models, and emerging wellness trends

[00:26:03] – Roll-ups and consolidation in the post-COVID fitness industry

[00:29:20] – How private equity firms create platforms and exit strategies

[00:32:27] – Why there’s more capital than companies to buy

[00:35:37] – Supplements, consumer brands, and when VC becomes private equity

[00:37:45] – Why Pete founded Integrity Square and the value of specialization

[00:39:25] – Closing thoughts and next steps

---

## 👤 About Pete Moore

Pete Moore is the Managing Partner of Integrity Square, an investment banking firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises within the HALO sector: Health, Active Lifestyle, and Outdoors. With a background in investment banking, private equity, and a Harvard Business School education, Pete has spent decades helping fitness, wellness, and consumer health companies scale through institutional capital and strategic growth.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/eqNE-CrTOS8&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://www.integritysq.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteymo/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

Synth Equity Investing: Unlimited Upside With a 15% Downside Floor (SNTH ETF)

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Larry Kriesmer and Bernard Surovsky to dive into:

- Defined-risk investing using Synth Equity® (options + Treasuries) to limit downside while keeping equity upside.

- Why Measured Risk Portfolios launched the MRP SynthEquity ETF (SNTH) and how it differs from their SMA strategy.

- Risk psychology, sequence of returns, and how limiting drawdowns changes long-term outcomes for investors and retirees.

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/DgEZu6J-ck4&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode, Garret sits down with Larry Kriesmer and Bernard Surovsky, the long-time business partners behind Measured Risk Portfolios, to unpack a simple but rare idea in investing: define the downside first, then let the upside take care of itself. They explain how their Synth Equity® approach uses a foundation of short-duration U.S. Treasuries paired with an options engine designed to maintain exposure to the S&P 500’s long-run growth—while targeting a maximum loss of roughly 15% over a rolling one-year period.

Larry and Bernard walk through why most investors underestimate how damaging large drawdowns are (and how long recovery actually takes), and why they believe “diversification” often fails investors at the exact moment it’s supposed to protect them. Instead of trying to predict the next crisis—or chasing the next shiny asset class—they focus on a structure that’s intended to be resilient across market regimes. The conversation highlights the math behind loss mitigation, the behavioral side of staying invested, and why confidence and survivability matter more than being “right” about the next headline.

They also share the story behind launching their publicly traded ETF - MRP SynthEquity ETF (Ticker: SNTH) - including the distribution advantages versus separately managed accounts, the real costs and compliance demands of running a fund, and why they believe an ETF format makes defined-risk investing accessible to a much broader audience.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Define your maximum tolerable drawdown first—then build the portfolio around survivability

• Use sequence-of-returns thinking: avoiding big losses can shorten recovery time dramatically

• Don’t confuse “diversified” with “protected”—correlations often rise during real crises

• Separate “structure” from “forecasting”: you don’t need a crystal ball if your downside is engineered

• Match risk to real-life needs: retirees and near-retirees can’t afford multi-year recovery cycles

• Consider accessibility: ETFs can remove onboarding friction and lower minimums versus SMAs

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Synth Equity® strategy overview: options + Treasuries for defined-risk equity exposure

• Why the firm chose a ~15% rolling one-year downside target

• SMA vs ETF: customization, onboarding paperwork, and investor access

• SNTH ETF launch economics: cost to launch, scale requirements, and ongoing compliance

• Options as an “engine”: asymmetric payoff and portfolio rebalancing logic

• Sequence of returns and why drawdown control matters near retirement

• Remote culture and building trust in a service business

• Why market timing and hindsight “backtests” mislead investors

• How credibility shifts with a NYSE bell-ringing / public fund structure

• Defining success: investor protection, trust, and purpose-driven impact

---

## 🔍 Keywords

Synth Equity, SNTH ETF, MRP SynthEquity ETF, Measured Risk Portfolios, downside risk management, defined risk investing, options strategy, S&P 500 exposure, sequence of returns, drawdown control, capital preservation, wealth management, retirement risk, market volatility, Treasuries strategy, separately managed account, SMA vs ETF, modern portfolio theory, investor psychology, risk-adjusted returns

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Welcome + two guests on one episode: why this conversation matters for investors

[00:00:29] – Bernard’s origin story: South Africa to U.S. financial services and partnering with Larry

[00:01:10] – Larry’s background: growing up in Saudi Arabia, boarding school, and an unusual career pivot

[00:03:04] – From “good at math” to creative problem-solver: how Larry’s mindset shaped the strategy

[00:05:57] – Bernard’s pivot from construction to finance—and the early days that built the partnership

[00:07:08] – The partnership playbook: respect, veto rights, and “nothing happens unless we both agree”

[00:10:12] – What Measured Risk Portfolios looks like today: team structure, growth, and remote hiring

[00:12:06] – Remote work done right: expectations, culture, and the weekly “around the water cooler” call

[00:17:40] – The big shift: why they launched a publicly traded ETF and what problem it solved (SNTH)

[00:19:38] – What it really costs to launch an ETF: upfront expense, monthly carry, and hitting scale

[00:22:27] – SMA vs ETF: customization vs accessibility—and why “accredited” isn’t the gate here

[00:26:16] – The core promise: engineered downside limits (about 15%) with uncapped upside potential

[00:28:12] – 2008 “trial by fire”: why limiting losses changes the recovery timeline

[00:30:05] – The math investors ignore: how losses compound and why time is the one thing you can’t get back

[00:33:10] – How the options sleeve works: asymmetry, rebalancing, and building a safer “ballast” over time

[00:35:34] – Staying invested through volatility: why market timing fails real people in real life

[00:39:33] – The danger of hindsight models: building “solutions” only after the crisis already happened

[00:45:01] – Trust and credibility: what the ETF and NYSE visibility changed for the firm

[00:49:08] – Bricks-and-mortar vs remote: professionalism, client confidence, and service-business perception

[00:54:07] – Advice for business owners after an exit: protect capital without getting crushed by inflation

[00:56:23] – Crystal ball question: why they’re agnostic about the next big trend—and how that shapes decisions

[01:00:06] – Custom risk levels in the SMA: dialing risk up or down based on capacity, not headlines

[01:04:05] – “Winning” defined: Larry’s personal story about trust, prevention, and protecting families

[01:07:15] – Bernard’s definition of success: using education to break cycles of poverty

[01:07:59] – Closing remarks + where listeners can learn more

---

## 👤 About Larry Kriesmer and Bernard Surovsky

Larry Kriesmer (CLU, ChFC) is the Chairman and Chief Compliance Officer of Measured Risk Portfolios, a fee-only registered investment advisor founded in 2007 and known for its proprietary Synth Equity® approach to risk-managed equity exposure. Bernard Surovsky (CFS) is the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and co-founder. Together, they bring decades of experience in financial services and options-based strategies, and they oversee the publicly traded MRP SynthEquity ETF (SNTH) - built to seek long-term capital appreciation while targeting defined downside risk over a rolling one-year period.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/DgEZu6J-ck4&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://www.measuredriskportfolios.com/

• LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-kriesmer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-surovsky-24ab413/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**

How I Bought My First 5 Rental Properties in 6 Months With Almost No Money

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** recorded a Solo Podcast on the following topics:

- Building a real estate portfolio from scratch

- Creative financing and early BRRRR strategies

- Beginner investor mindset and execution speed

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

{{YouTube Link with Hitchcock Hack}}

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode, Garret breaks down the exact story behind his first five real estate deals and how he built a rental portfolio in just six months while still in graduate school with almost no money. Starting with a $4,600 duplex purchase, Garret walks listeners through the real challenges, mistakes, and lessons learned from renovating distressed properties, managing early tenants, and navigating creative financing.

Listeners will hear how vendor takebacks, lines of credit, relationship-building with lenders, and speed of execution allowed him to keep acquiring properties even without traditional income or perfect credit. Garret also shares why learning construction basics by “holding the flashlight” became one of the most valuable skills in his investing journey.

This episode is both motivational and tactical, showing new investors what’s possible when action replaces hesitation. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a starving student laid the groundwork for a portfolio that eventually scaled into thousands of managed units.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Take action before you feel fully ready

• Use creative financing when traditional mortgages aren’t available

• Learn basic renovation skills to increase deal profitability

• Focus on speed of execution and opportunity timing

• Build relationships with lenders and industry professionals

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Buying rental properties with little money

• First duplex and triplex investment strategies

• BRRRR-style refinancing tactics

• Vendor takebacks and creative financing

• Beginner renovation learning methods

• Scaling rental portfolios early

• Investor mindset and execution discipline

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

real estate investing, rental property investing, BRRRR method, beginner real estate investor, creative financing real estate, duplex investing, triplex investing, house hacking, passive income real estate, property portfolio growth, landlord education, real estate Canada, Garret Wong, Property Playbook, My First Keys

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and book bonus context

[00:02:10] – Buying the $4,600 duplex

[00:10:45] – Renovations and early landlord lessons

[00:18:30] – Refinancing and first BRRRR-style deal

[00:24:40] – Triplex purchase with vendor takeback

[00:30:20] – Third duplex acquisition

[00:36:10] – Fourth property and house hacking

[00:42:05] – Fifth deal and A-class neighborhood strategy

[00:49:10] – Final lessons and investor mindset

---

## 👤 About Garret Wong

Garret Wong is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Wong Capital and Upper Edge Property Management. With over 29 years of experience, Garret has built and managed thousands of rental units across Canada. He is the author of The Property Playbook and host of the Investing to WIN and My First Keys podcasts, where he teaches investors how to scale portfolios without burnout.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** {{YouTube Link with Hitchcock Hack}}

• Guest Website: https://garretwong.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garret-wong-33197913/

• Additional Resources: https://my-first-keys.mn.co/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**

Real Estate Burnout, Residual Income, and Redefining Success With John Tsai

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with John Tsai once again to dive into:

- Real estate burnout and sustainable success

- Residual income and modern brokerage models

- Leadership, integrity, and contribution-based growth

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/wVGOwSgtq4E&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Investing to WIN Podcast, Garret Wong sits down with real estate executive and coach John Tsai for an honest conversation about burnout, rejection, and what winning truly means after decades in the industry.

John shares his journey from grinding solo agent to leading thousands of agents globally, including his time as President of eXp Realty Canada. Together, they break down the emotional toll of real estate, the myths around success, and why most agents struggle despite flashy social media appearances.

The discussion explores residual income, leadership through contribution, AI leverage, and why integrity, not hustle, is the foundation of long-term fulfillment. This episode challenges listeners to rethink success, money, and the role of purpose in building a life worth winning.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Recognize burnout before success blinds you

• Embrace rejection as a requirement for growth

• Build residual income through contribution, not recruitment

• Leverage AI to free time, not replace relationships

• Redefine success beyond money and titles

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Real estate burnout and mental health

• The 95/5 rule explained

• Residual income vs commissions

• Leadership and team scaling

• AI in real estate operations

• Integrity-driven success

• Revenue share models

• Purpose-led entrepreneurship

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

real estate burnout, residual income, real estate leadership, John Tsai, exp realty, real estate coaching, ai in real estate, sales mindset, team building, entrepreneur success, integrity in business, real estate investing, podcast for realtors

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and background

[00:02:30] – John Tsai’s real estate journey

[00:05:40] – The hidden grind behind real estate success

[00:09:00] – Rejection, resilience, and the 95/5 rule

[00:13:30] – Burnout, health, and family costs

[00:18:00] – Redefining success and purpose

[00:21:20] – Residual income explained

[00:27:00] – eXp Realty revenue share breakdown

[00:34:00] – Leadership and contribution

[00:38:00] – Team structure and EOS

[00:45:00] – AI, efficiency, and human connection

[00:52:40] – Final definition of winning

---

## 👤 About John Tsai

John Tsai is a real estate executive, coach, and former President of eXp Realty Canada. With nearly two decades in the industry, John has led organizations of over 1,400 agents across multiple countries, built high-performance teams, and coaches agents on sustainable growth, leadership, and purpose-driven success.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/wVGOwSgtq4E&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://www.thealigngroup.ca/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tsai-78b96512/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

Donor Advised Funds Explained: Smarter Charitable Giving with John Bromley

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with John Bromley to dive into:

- Donor Advised Funds and modern charitable giving

- Charity law, donor transparency, and tax-efficient philanthropy

- Building a culture of proactive giving in Canada

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/IeoHX5uDtIw&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong sits down with John Bromley, Founder and CEO of Charitable Impact, to explore how donor advised funds are reshaping the charitable landscape in Canada. John shares his journey from corporate finance into the world of charitable finance and explains why most charitable systems are built for organizations—not donors.

The conversation breaks down how donor advised funds work, why separating the act of giving from the act of allocating donations creates better outcomes, and how donors can become more intentional with their philanthropy. John also explains the realities of charity law, fundraising costs, and why transparency and donor education are critical to rebuilding trust in the sector.

Garret and John dive into the cultural challenges around giving, including why Canadians are donating less over time, how proactive giving can change that trend, and why teaching children to give through initiatives like charitable allowances could shape the future of philanthropy. This episode offers a thoughtful, educational look at how smarter giving leads to stronger communities.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Understand how donor advised funds simplify and improve charitable giving

• Learn why proactive giving is more effective than reactive donations

• Discover how tax efficiency can increase long-term charitable impact

• See why transparency and donor education matter in philanthropy

• Explore how teaching kids to give builds future generations of donors

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Donor advised funds explained

• Charitable Impact’s donor-first model

• Charity law and compliance in Canada

• Fundraising costs and donor trust

• Tax planning through charitable giving

• Cultural barriers to philanthropy

• Teaching children to give through charitable allowances

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

donor advised funds, charitable giving, philanthropy canada, charitable impact, charity law, nonprofit finance, tax efficient donations, donor psychology, fundraising strategy, giving back, financial education, impact investing, charitable allowance, canadian charities

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and guest welcome

[00:01:14] – John Bromley’s background and Charitable Impact

[00:06:49] – What charity law actually is

[00:10:18] – Why most giving is reactive, not proactive

[00:12:49] – Charity outreach and fundraising realities

[00:19:31] – What donor advised funds are

[00:22:39] – How investments work inside donor advised funds

[00:26:50] – Making giving part of your financial life

[00:29:13] – Why Canadians are giving less

[00:33:30] – Cultural and psychological drivers of giving

[00:41:19] – Transparency, trust, and donor objections

[00:43:39] – Charitable allowance for kids

[00:48:48] – Defining success and winning

[00:50:08] – Final thoughts and closing

---

## 👤 About John Bromley

John Bromley is the Founder and CEO of Charitable Impact, a donor-centered giving platform designed to help Canadians manage and enjoy their charitable lives. With a background in corporate finance and deep roots in charity law, John is a leading voice in modern philanthropy, focusing on donor advised funds, transparency, and long-term community impact.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/IeoHX5uDtIw&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://www.charitableimpact.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbromley/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

Emotional Intelligence for Men: Redefining Success at Home and Work

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Mitchell Osmond to dive into:

- Emotional intelligence and masculine leadership

- Marriage, communication, and relationship breakdown in high performers

- Work-life integration, burnout prevention, and redefining success

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/fTuEGv2Ws9Y&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong speaks with Mitchell Osmond, founder of the Dad Nation Podcast, about the hidden emotional challenges many high-performing men face behind professional success. Mitchell shares his personal transformation from burnout, debt, and near-divorce to building a thriving marriage, health, and mission-driven life.

The conversation explores why men often struggle to articulate emotions, how masculine wiring prioritizes doing over being, and why success at work can unintentionally create emotional disconnection at home. Mitchell introduces practical frameworks like success filters, shared vision planning, and redefining leadership inside the family.

This episode is a powerful reminder that winning isn’t just about income or productivity. True success is measured by presence, connection, and building a life worthy of imitation - both at work and at home.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Redefine success beyond money and productivity

• Understand why men struggle with emotional language

• Replace work-life balance with work-life integration

• Create shared vision with your partner

• Measure success at home intentionally

• Surround yourself with accountability and mentorship

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Emotional intelligence for men

• Masculine vs feminine communication needs

• Marriage strain among entrepreneurs

• Burnout and identity

• Success filters and priorities

• Fatherhood and presence

• Leadership beyond business

• Preventing emotional disconnection

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

emotional intelligence for men, marriage advice, entrepreneur burnout, work life integration, fatherhood leadership, masculine growth, personal development, business mindset, relationships and success, mens coaching

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction and guest background

[00:05:10] – Mitchell’s personal turning point

[00:12:30] – Masculine wiring and emotional intelligence

[00:18:50] – Marriage tension and work pressure

[00:25:10] – Defining success at home

[00:31:20] – Burnout, balance, and trade-offs

[00:38:10] – Accountability and support systems

[00:45:00] – Emotional connection frameworks

[00:51:00] – Final insights and resources

---

## 👤 About Mitchell Osmond

Mitchell Osmond is the founder and host of the Dad Nation Podcast and a coach specializing in emotional intelligence, marriage restoration, and leadership development for high-performing men. Based in Calgary, Mitchell helps entrepreneurs and professionals reclaim their health, relationships, and purpose while maintaining success at work.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/fTuEGv2Ws9Y&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://www.dadnationco.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-osmond-5a07a210a/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**

Alternative Investments & Private Credit: How Smart Investors Build Recession-Resilient Wealth

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Patrick Grimes to dive into:

- Alternative investments and private credit strategies

- Litigation finance and medical receivables investing

- Portfolio diversification and recession resilience

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/zXbe33KswBc&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong sits down with Patrick Grimes to unpack how high-net-worth and institutional investors think about alternative investments and private credit. Patrick shares his journey from corporate engineering into full-time investing, including the lessons learned from major losses and how those experiences shaped his focus on non-correlated assets.

The conversation explores how private credit functions across real estate debt, litigation finance, and medical receivables - asset classes that continue to perform regardless of economic cycles. Patrick explains why banks are retreating from certain lending segments, how accredited investors can step into that gap, and what proper due diligence looks like in complex alternative strategies.

This episode is a masterclass in modern portfolio construction, highlighting why resilience, cash flow, and downside protection matter more than speculation in today’s investing landscape.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Understand how alternative investments reduce portfolio volatility

• Learn why private credit thrives when traditional lenders retreat

• Discover how litigation finance and medical receivables work

• See how non-correlated assets protect wealth during downturns

• Avoid common pitfalls new alternative investors make

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Alternative investment fundamentals

• Private credit strategies

• Small-balance commercial real estate lending

• Litigation finance mechanics

• Medical receivables funding

• Accredited investor due diligence

• Recession-resilient asset allocation

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

alternative investments, private credit, litigation finance, medical receivables, accredited investors, passive investing, wealth preservation, non correlated assets, portfolio diversification, recession resilient investing, private debt, investing strategies, financial education

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction

[00:01:40] – Patrick’s background and early investing lessons

[00:04:00] – Real estate as an allocation, not a strategy

[00:05:45] – What private credit actually is

[00:08:10] – Medical receivables explained

[00:11:20] – Litigation finance and mass tort cases

[00:15:35] – Due diligence in alternative investments

[00:17:35] – Investor sentiment and market volatility

[00:21:40] – AI disruption and resilient industries

[00:31:40] – Roll-ups, risk, and fundamentals

[00:35:35] – Advice for new alternative investors

[00:45:15] – Defining success and winning

---

## 👤 About Patrick Grimes

Patrick Grimes is an alternative investment expert and founder of Passive Investing Mastery. A former robotics and automation engineer, Patrick transitioned into full-time investing after studying how high-net-worth individuals allocate capital. He now focuses on private credit strategies across real estate, litigation finance, and medical receivables, helping accredited investors build resilient, non-correlated portfolios.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/zXbe33KswBc&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• https://passiveinvestingmastery.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricksgrimes/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow on Instagram**

https://www.instagram.com/garretwongofficial/

Fractional COO Strategies for Scaling, Turnarounds & Business Exits with Ashish Gupta

In this episode of *Investing to Win*, host **Garret Wong** sits down with Ashish Gupta to dive into:

- Fractional COO leadership and business turnarounds

- Scaling small and mid-sized businesses for sustainable growth

- Company culture, hiring, and remote team performance

…and the powerful lessons entrepreneurs, investors, and operators can use to level up their business, leadership, and thinking.

🎥 **Prefer watching the conversation? The full video is available on YouTube:**

https://youtu.be/ksevGclt4cY&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

This creates a richer experience with facial expressions, visuals, and deeper engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, operator, or someone exploring new pathways to financial freedom, this episode delivers practical, no-fluff insights you can take action on immediately.

---

## 🔥 Episode Summary

In this episode of Investing to Win, Garret Wong sits down with Ashish Gupta, a former Apple executive, tech entrepreneur, and founder of Scale Up Exec, a fractional COO firm working with companies on turnarounds, plateaus, and rapid growth. Ashish shares his remarkable journey from co-founding an early wireless charging technology acquired by Qualcomm, to running large-scale manufacturing operations at Apple, and eventually transforming distressed businesses into profitable, scalable organizations.

Ashish breaks down what truly drives successful business turnarounds, including how to diagnose operational breakdowns using KPIs, when difficult staffing decisions are unavoidable, and why culture is the ultimate accelerator or constraint on growth. He also explains why most founders stay trapped in day-to-day operations and how a properly structured fractional COO engagement can unlock both profitability and peace of mind.

The conversation also dives deep into hiring, remote workforce strategy, leadership fit versus A-player labels, and how founders can objectively evaluate whether their teams and seats are aligned with their business stage. Ashish offers a rare mix of operational precision and inner leadership philosophy, emphasizing that true success begins with clarity, execution, and inner stability.

---

## 🎯 Key Takeaways

• Diagnose business health using clear KPIs before making major decisions

• Design culture through defined values and observable behaviors

• Right-fit hiring matters more than A-player labels

• Turnarounds often require fast, uncomfortable staffing changes

• Remote teams demand stronger communication and self-drive

---

## 🧠 Topics Covered

• Fractional COO services

• Business turnaround strategy

• Scaling operations for growth

• Exit planning and acquisitions

• Company culture design

• Leadership and management styles

• Hiring remote teams

• KPI dashboards and metrics

• Founder burnout and renewal

---

## 🔍 SEO Keywords

fractional COO, business turnaround, scaling business, company culture, leadership strategy, remote teams, founder burnout, operational excellence, KPI dashboards, business exits, acquisitions, distressed business recovery, entrepreneurship, consulting services, management systems

---

## ⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00:00] – Introduction & Guest Welcome

[00:02:15] – Ashish’s Tech Startup Journey & Qualcomm Exit

[00:06:45] – Timing, Innovation & Market Readiness

[00:09:27] – Building to Sell vs Building to Operate

[00:11:37] – Buying Distressed Businesses vs Healthy Companies

[00:16:44] – Culture, Leadership & Team Realignment

[00:21:38] – A-Players vs Role Fit

[00:23:27] – Founding Scale Up Exec

[00:28:52] – Turnaround Triage & KPI Dashboards

[00:33:33] – Staffing Cuts & Financial Recovery

[00:37:26] – Remote vs In-Person Teams

[00:40:44] – Hiring & Communication Testing

[00:43:13] – Growth Without Goals

[00:46:59] – When to Hire a Fractional COO

[00:47:18] – Defining Success & Winning

---

## 👤 About Ashish Gupta

Ashish Gupta is the Founder of Scale Up Exec and a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur, and fractional COO. He previously co-founded a wireless charging technology company acquired by Qualcomm and held senior operations leadership roles at Apple managing large-scale manufacturing and supply chains. Ashish specializes in business turnarounds, scaling operations, leadership development, and culture transformation across a wide range of industries.

---

## 🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• 🎥 **Watch the YouTube version:** https://youtu.be/ksevGclt4cY&list=UULFRs3SSmwVFbR2QEjIDqU0Ug

• Guest Website: https://scaleupexec.com/

---

## 📘 Recommended by Garret

**Get Garret’s bestselling book *The Property Playbook*: https://a.co/d/3Ww0si0**

Build wealth without burnout using the systems that scaled over $1B in managed assets.

---

## 🌐 Stay Connected

**Join the My First Keys Community:** https://my-first-keys.mn.co/landing/

Weekly landlord education, walkthroughs, systems & support.

**Follow**