Ride Your Money Wave

On today's podcast, I sat down with Mohamad Farran to talk all things success and real estate.  Mohamad frankly talks about growing up underprivileged, the invaluable lessons his mom taught him, and the financial mistakes he made in his early twenties.  We later shifted to talk about his side hustle - selling real estate - and what advice he has for any buyer.  He goes in depth, answering one of our podcast listener's question about buy on a land contract.  This podcast got more philosophical than either of us planned, and that is a good thing.  Hope you enjoy.

On this podcast, I sat down with Rachel Benefield, who built a loyal, online community of readers as she worked through her first book, Between the Vows.  Ultimately, her manuscript was read over 50,000 times before she published her first book at the age of 23.  Our conversation talks about what it takes to write a book, the value of offering your true voice and self, and how success attracts more success.  Be sure to check out her book!

On today's podcast, I sit down with David Poytinger, founder and owner of three of Milwaukee's hottest attractions.  9 Below is a DIY mini golf course bar, where you build your own hole and play against other teams who built their own holes, with adult beverage in hand, of course.  He and his wife, Marla, also started Axe Bar, an axe throwing bar.  Lastly, they also own and operate Splash Studio, a painting studio where guests a guided by an instructor and paint a scene.  David and Marla do this while also balancing family life with their two children.  What is so interesting about this interview is David went from a German Literature major at Kalamazoo College to working at a holistic healing center to receiving his MBA to finally opening up these businesses.  He credits their success largely to two things: learning how to negotiate and hard work and dedication.  David offers up some great insight regarding negotiations as well as some memorable business one-liners that had me reaching for pen and paper.

Today, I sat down with Ryan Bowles, an alumnus of Grand Valley State University who went through two rejections and twelve rounds of interviews to get a job at Goldman Sachs in Chicago, where the acceptance rate is less than 3% of applicants.  In this podcast, Ryan talks about everything from how he actively and effectively builds and maintains his network to interview techniques and body language tips.  We talk about the role that reputation plays in success and creating opportunities for yourself.  His level of success and insight into career-oriented success is incredible, especially seeing that he is only 22 years old.  This one is definitely worth listening to and taking notes along the way.

Taylor Ingles and her husband Paul are $500k in student loan debt...and they aren't worried about it!  Why?  Between his career, her knowledge as an accountant, and her growing side hustle (www.tayloringlesphotography.pixieset.com) they have a plan to pay it down while still saving for retirement.

Powerball hit an all-time high of $1.6 billion dollars with no winner.  Today, I asked my wife what she would do with that money?  Before she could answer, I answered my own question!  I used an extremely rough ball park of after-tax, lump sum of $400 million.  The answers were insightful into how money changes or exemplifies what is there and how to go live your best life.

Austin Schafer is a self-proclaimed introvert.  He dropped out of college, put his entire life savings into buying a utility truck, and started a company delivering and building high-end fitness equipment.  He has grown the busines to multiple employees and is looking to start his next business venture.  This show it full of insight regarding discipline, fitness, finances, and more.

I had a student ask me, "What advice would you give us?"  My answer was blunt, honest, and accurate.  Listen in to see what I said.

Today, I saw an advertisement for a mortgage company stating that they will lend you up to 99% of the value of the home.  Read: 1% down.  I just about cried.  Last time I saw this was 2007.  I explained to my students why this was a bad idea and why you need to understand the rules of the game before you step out onto the field.

While teaching my students this week, I thought of an analogy that is worth sharing.  I ask you the question, "what type of sailor are you?"