Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-report

Everything you need to know about turning art into a real (and risky) investment strategy.

Carlos Cardenas is a Private Wealth Advisor at Austin Wealth Management, bringing over 20 years of experience in alternative asset management. His background spans commercial real estate, technology, and healthcare ... but with a particular passion and expertise for the most alternative of asset classes: the fine art market.

Carlos spent nearly two decades in Paris, where he worked as a private art dealer and advisor, collaborating with leading institutions like Christie’s,

Sotheby’s, and the Picasso Family Office. His rare blend of financial acumen and art world savvy allows him to help clients navigate both traditional and nontraditional investments with insight and creativity.

Here’s what we talk about:

• What makes a banana duct-taped to a wall worth $6 million — and what it says about the art market.
• Carlos Cardenas shares how he went from private art dealer in Paris to advising wealthy clients on fine art investing.
• Why art can offer 8–12% returns — but only in a narrow slice of the market.
• How to start investing in art (even with less than $10K) — and when it becomes a serious wealth play.
• The real reason most people lose money in art — and how to avoid rookie mistakes.
• Passion, status, and profit: the three reasons people buy art (and why you need all three to succeed).
• Inside the elite world of art fairs, private dinners, and collector circles — and why art collecting is a powerful networking tool.
• Fractional ownership, tax loopholes, art-backed loans, and other financial hacks of the ultra-wealthy.
• How NFTs and digital authentication could transform the future of art investing.
• Why collecting art might just be the emotional outlet you didn’t know your money needed.

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
• Austin Wealth Management https://austinwealthmgmt.com/
• Carlos's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carloscardenastx/
• Carlos's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chicobeef/?hl=en

Sponsors:

• Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/
• Achieve your dream body with https://www.dailybodycoach.com/moneywise
• Thinking of selling your company? Don’t leave millions on the table check out https://www.promissory.com/moneywise

Chapters:

• The $6.2 Million Banana & Art Market Hype (00:00)
• The Story of Art Collector Eli Saka (01:27)
• Meet Carlos Cardenas: Art, Wealth, and Passion (03:22)
• Art as an Investment: Returns & Blue Chip Art (04:44)
• Building an Art Collection & Diversification (07:06)
• Why Most Art Investments Don’t Pay Off (09:36)
• Reducing Risk & The Importance of Provenance (12:15)
• Big Wins, Big Losses, and Market Speculation (18:19)
• Fractional Ownership, Masterworks, and Modern Strategies (22:44)
• The Emotional Value of Art & Is It Worth It? (30:23)

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.

You Host - Jackie Lamport

• Not really the host, but the producer.
• Wrote this sentence.

Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-report

Inside Alex Hormozi’s decade-long climb from $0 to $200M+.

Here’s what we talk about:

• A transparent breakdown of his $200M+ net worth: $95M in liquid assets, $100M+ in illiquid equity
• The Gym Launch explosion: from near-bankruptcy to $42M in distributions and a $31M cash sale by age 31
• Why selling made him feel poorer, and why he’ll never cut off his “cash flow firehose” again
• Launching Acquisition.com the day after his exit to build a “forever business” using capital, skill, and leverage
• His high-yield side plays: hard money lending, minority equity deals, and how he’s made six figures a month in interest alone
• Lifestyle spending habits – including losing a $20M Vegas dream home
• Why most founders shouldn’t bank on an exit, and the slim statistical odds of selling successfully
• The mindset shift he’s working on now: being in a better mood regardless of success, stress, or circumstances

Sponsors:

• Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/
• Achieve your dream body with https://www.dailybodycoach.com/moneywise
• Thinking of selling your company? Don’t leave millions on the table https://www.promissory.com/moneywise

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Alex Hormozi's newest book, $100M Money Models, launches at a live virtual event Saturday August 16th. Register free: https://register.acq.com

The book will teach you how to get more customers to spend more, in less time, over and over again, ultimately eliminating cash flow as a constraint to growth of any business.

Chapters:

• (1:22) Alex Hermozi’s Net Worth & Background
• (3:49) How Alex’s Assets & Where He Invests
• (5:28) Alex’s Fitness Philosophy
• (6:10) College Years & Early Ambitions
• (10:18) First Venture: Defense Contracting, Then Entrepreneurship
• (13:20) Building Gym Launch & Selling for $60M
• (31:47) Lifestyle, Spending Habits, Plus a Wealth Mindset
• (38:43) Personal Growth & Finding Fulfillment
• (40:02) The True Value of Success & Seeking Validation

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Sam Parr

• Founder of Hampton, a private, highly vetted community for high-net-worth founders.
• Previously sold his last company for tens of millions.

Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-report

Chuck Yates rode the wildest wealth rollercoaster: $150M up, $82K down, now back at $20M. In oil & gas private equity, he made (and lost) fortunes and never flinched. For Chuck, money’s just part of the story. Mindset is everything.

Here’s what we talk about:

• How Chuck went from $150M to $82K and why he wasn’t phased
• What it’s like to build wealth in the high-stakes world of energy PE
• The absurd economics of buying a plane
• How he managed to tour with celebrities
• Why your relationships matter more than your balance sheet
• The mindset shift that came after divorce, getting fired, and starting over
• How Chuck accidentally became a podcaster and ended up co-founding an AI startup
• Why self-worth shouldn't be tied to net worth and how Chuck redefined success on his own terms

Sponsors:

• Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/
• Achieve your dream body with https://www.dailybodycoach.com/moneywise
• The best phone system for teams at http://www.openphone.com/moneywise

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Chapters:

• (0:00) Chuck's Bold Introduction
• (3:01) Living Comfortably with $20 Million
• (3:25) The Rise in Private Equity
• (6:36) Early Career and Entry into Energy
• (10:41) The Wild World of Oil & Gas
• (13:12) Personal Life Changes and Divorce
• (13:46) The Van Halen Plane Era
• (22:50) Getting Fired and Hitting Bottom
• (31:22) The Comeback: Digital Wildcatters and AI
• (35:52) Life Philosophy and Values

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-report

Amber Lee was literally brought back to life, and then decided to start over.

Here’s what we talk about:

• After a near-death experience in 2020, Amber finally launched her dream matchmaking business from the hospital.
• She bought her mom a house and moved to Puerto Rico, prioritizing freedom over wealth.
• Year one: $1M revenue. Now: $3M+ with fewer clients and higher margins.
• Matches high net worth and high profile clients, with fees from $65K to $1M.
• How matchmaking for the wealthy works.
• Why successful women struggle to date, and why confidence matters more than cash.
• A billionaire fell for a $200K-a-year locksmith… proof that values matter more than money.
• Why fear, not logic, leads many high achievers to sabotage relationships.
• How unrealistic checklists and surface-level filters ruin real connection.
• Tips for finding love without spending six figures on a matchmaker.
• The right partner can make you richer, healthier, and happier.

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/

Chapters:

• (0:00) Amber's Near-Death Experience
• (4:31) Early Career and Path to Matchmaking
• (7:36) The Car Accident That Changed Everything
• (13:02) Building a Multi-Million Dollar Matchmaking Business
• (14:18) Inside the World of High-End Matchmaking
• (25:29) Why Successful People Struggle with Relationships
• (29:09) Advice for High Net Worth Singles
• (35:50) The Benefits of Finding the Right Partner

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

** Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-report

Santiago Aparicio built a $500M company, then faced a choice: step away or die.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Santiago shares his $22M net worth and the breakdown.
• He rents instead of owning real estate to keep life flexible.
• Spends freely on watches and Porsches, but says they are assets, not expenses.
• Grew up in Colombia with wealth but strict spending limits, which fueled his drive.
• Joined Rappi early, then co-founded Fitpal, before chasing bigger ideas.
• Built a payroll company from zero to $500M/year fast, but felt miserable.
• Constant comparisons made him feel like a failure despite success.
• Ignored health issues until he developed a severe heart condition.
• Family forced him to choose: company or life.
• Walked away while the company was thriving, leading to an identity crisis.
• Now working with Bryan Johnson on health tech at Blueprint.
• Says success comes at a cost, and many founders hide how miserable they really are.

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Chapters:
(01:34) Santiago's Financial Breakdown
(04:09) Luxury Spending Habits
(05:10) Early Life in Colombia
(08:37) Entering the Startup World
(10:37) The Rappi Journey
(13:29) Building FitPal
(17:14) The Y Combinator Playbook
(19:18) The Goalposts Keep Moving
(24:44) The Fleeting Joy of Success
(26:46) Aggression and Overwork
(28:47) Health Scare and Realization
(34:13) Stepping Down and Identity Crisis
(40:47) Reflections on Sacrifice and Success
(43:43) Challenging Hustle Culture
(47:31) Working with Brian Johnson

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report

How Ronan Berder accidentally built a consulting agency, scaled it to 8 figures, and sold it, despite never enjoying the work.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Why Ronan stayed in China running a business he didn't love, and the deep sense of duty he felt to his team.
• Walking away from an opportunity to follow his passion in order to focus on scaling the business that already had momentum (despite not enjoying it).
• Navigating two failed acquisition attempts before finally exiting for 8 figures.
• The surprising anticlimax of selling his business and realizing… nothing really changes.
• His brutally honest reflections on burnout, entrepreneurship, and why he feels most alive under pressure.
• A transparent look at his current investment portfolio, from fixed deposits to high-conviction plays in AI and Bitcoin.
• Why Ronan says success comes down to discipline, stubbornness, and grit, not genius or perfect strategy.
• How it feels to finally focus on his true passion.

Sponsors:

• Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Chapters:

(01:08) Ronan's Current Life in Singapore

(03:02) Transition to Coding and Open Source Projects

(09:39) Early Life and Career Beginnings

(11:47) Starting a Business in China

(17:43) Growth and Realizations in Business

(21:19) Living a Minimalist Life

(22:24) Balancing Work and Personal Life

(24:23) Business Challenges and The Impact of COVID-19

(28:27) The Final Push and Burnout

(29:36) Selling the Business

(32:05) Life After the Sale

(38:55) Financial Management Post-Sale

(41:35) Reflecting on the Journey

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report

Jay Berard’s never sold a company, but with $2.5M in cashflow and $10M net worth, is he confidence-rich or risk-blind?"

Here’s what we talk about:

• His early days: a Craigslist job ad, 100% commission, no safety net… and a one-way ticket from Winnipeg.
• Jay’s net worth: ~$10M, mostly liquid, mostly public equities, and why he values his business equity at zero.
• He makes ~$2.5M/year in personal cash flow, but keeps fixed expenses surprisingly lean.
• Why he turned down acquisition offers and sees more value in control than an exit.
• From saving every penny to flying business class to how his spending evolved with his mindset.
• Why “rich” should mean more than just money and how he’s redefining wealth on his terms.
• What a “big life” really means and the tension between comfort and growth he’s wrestling with today.

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Chapters:

(01:19) Jay's Financial Philosophy

(05:07) Personal Cash Flow and Lifestyle

(06:32) The Concept of Safety Net

(12:50) Early Career Struggles and Successes

(17:48) The Role of Fear and Anxiety in Success

(21:35) Struggling with Consistency

(22:12) Deep Work and Self-Improvement

(25:20) Revenue Journey and Business Growth

(32:19) Balancing Work and Personal Life

(35:49) Defining Success and Living a Big Life

(38:42) Future Goals and Business Aspirations

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

Jackie breaks down exclusive data from 127 millionaire founders inside Hampton, revealing how motivation, money management, and mindset evolve as net worth grows, from $1M to over $100M.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Why financial security stops being a motivator after $50M—and what takes its place
• The "F*** You" number: What real numbers show is the threshold for total financial freedom
• Wealth allocation shifts: Crypto disappears, bonds and real estate dominate at the ultra-high end
• Surprising insights into monthly cash burn, and how spending changes (or doesn’t) across net worth tiers
• Take-home income jumps dramatically past $50M—especially at the $100M+ level
• Time vs. money: Wealthier founders are working fewer hours, but that doesn’t guarantee happiness
• What motivates founders at every stage—and why some feel lost after hitting their big number
• Real quotes from founders like Brian Johnson and Alex Peykoff on why they build, invest, and spend the way they do

$50M is when founders stop caring about money entirely. Want to see what other millionaire money secrets we uncovered in the full report? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/
  
  

Chapters:

• (00:29) Survey Insights: Wealth Allocation and Trends
• (01:02) Understanding the Respondents
• (03:09) Motivations and Milestones of Millionaire Founders
• (04:13) Case Study: Bryan Johnson's Unique Motivation
• (05:47) Financial Security and Lifestyle Changes
• (08:47) Money Management: Crypto, Bonds, and Real Estate
• (10:46) Cash Flow and Spending Habits
• (16:14) Work-Life Balance and Happiness

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

You Host - Jackie Lamport

• Not really the host, but the producer.
• Wrote this sentence.
• Older than I appear, I promise.

127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report.

Andrew Wilkinson became rich in his 20s — but early wealth came with hard lessons. In this episode, Andrew opens up about:

• How he went from buying everything he wanted to nearly going bankrupt in 2008
• The emotional rollercoaster of building and losing wealth while still young
• What it's actually like to cross the nine-figure mark
• Why luxury spending doesn’t always bring happiness
• How wealth impacts family, friendships, and personal identity
• His thoughts on giving back, donating money, and the real ROI of generosity

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:21) Meet Andrew Wilkinson: Early Success and Challenges
(02:38) The Reality of Wealth: Lessons Learned
(03:14) Building Businesses: From Design Agency to Diversification
(06:54) The First Big Sale: A Turning Point
(09:28) Spending Habits: What Worked and What Didn't
(20:39) The Impact of Wealth on Family and Relationships
(23:00) The Complexity of Doing Good with Money
(27:02) Conclusion: Reflections on Wealth and Happiness

Sam Parr
Founder of Hampton, a private community for 7-figure founders. Previously sold his company, The Hustle, to HubSpot for tens of millions.

127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-report

Jess Chan scaled to 7 figures fast, then tore it all down. Today, she’s worth ~$10M, spends less than ever, and says profit > revenue every time.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Jess hit $40K/month as a freelancer, then walked away to build her agency, Longplay.
• Why chasing $1M in revenue nearly burned her out, and what she did to rebuild.
• The shift from ego-driven growth to sustainable, profitable business.
• How embracing feminine leadership transformed her company and her life.
• Her net worth is ~$10M, but her monthly spend has dropped to ~$6K.
• The underrated skill: learning how to spend money well.
• Why contentment and ambition can coexist and how chasing more can actually cost you.
• Jess’s financial setup: super simple. Mostly ETFs. Barely checks it.

Cool Links:

• Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/
• Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Jess Chan's Journey
(00:58) Early Revenue Chase and Freelancing
(02:03) Building and Scaling Long Play
(02:55) Challenges and Burnout
(04:42) Rebuilding and Stabilizing
(06:14) Shifting Focus from Revenue to Profit
(08:20) Embracing Feminine Leadership
(15:03) Redefining Wealth and Success
(19:37) Breaking Free from Business Metrics
(20:21) Childhood Reflections and Entrepreneurial Drive
(22:09) The Unexpected Path to Entrepreneurship
(27:41) Transparency in Financial Success
(31:57) Personal Finance and Contentment
(37:00) Balancing Ambition and Contentment

This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.

Your Host: Harry Morton

• Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.
• Co-parents a cow named Eliza.