In this insightful episode of The Investor’s Guide to Joy, Jay Bourgana seasoned entrepreneur and GoBundance member, shares powerful strategies for buying and scaling service-based businesses. From fire extinguisher compliance services to niche landscaping specialties and military base contracts, Jay breaks down how to spot high-margin opportunities, leverage SBA financing, and create synergy through smart acquisitions. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a growth-focused operator, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that reveal how to build profitable, sustainable businesses.

In this solo episode of The Investor's Guide to Joy, host Paul Graham unveils a powerful new direction for the podcast focusing on helping business owners scale without burnout, exit with clarity, and build lasting wealth. Drawing from his own journey through entrepreneurship, burnout, and breakthrough, Paul shares how his Octane growth group is empowering founders to break free from the grind and reclaim their freedom. If you're ready to stop surviving and start designing a business and life that truly work for you, this episode is your starting point.

Paul Graham and Trevor LaParl of Q1031.com discuss how the 537 Installment Sale Trust (IST) can serve as a powerful alternative or backup to 1031 exchanges, which often fail, leading to unexpected tax bills. Trevor explains how the IST allows investors to legally defer capital gains taxes and offers more flexibility than traditional exchanges, enabling them to invest in stocks, annuities, or refinance trust-backed notes for better returns. They explore how this strategy can apply to real estate, business sales, and even primary homes, providing a pathway to preserve wealth while maintaining control of assets.

They also cover how living trusts and installment sale trusts can be combined for effective estate planning, allowing high-net-worth individuals to defer taxes and build multigenerational wealth. Trevor shares examples of clients utilizing these strategies to manage rental properties, sell assets, and structure their estates. The discussion further explores the role of third-party administrators (TPAs) in trust management and the flexibility of note structures, helping investors safeguard their wealth while optimizing income streams and tax deferral strategies.

In this episode of the Investor's Guide to Joy, we dive into the wild, gritty world of land development with Greg Farricielli a real estate wizard who’s turned empty lots into over $100 million in sales. Picture this: a guy who looks at a patch of dirt and sees not just potential, but a paycheck. Greg, the mastermind behind the upcoming book Dirt to Millions: Mastering the Art of Land Development, sits down with us to spill the secrets that have made him a legend in the game.

It all kicks off with a crash course in land entitlements the magic moment where raw, untouched land becomes a builder’s dream. Greg walks us through the process step-by-step: securing legal rights, untangling title messes, and making sure water, power, and roads are ready to roll. By the time he’s done, that dirt’s practically begging to be turned into homes and builders are lining up to pay big for it.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - Introduction

01:49 - What Greg Does with Land

02:45 - Four Primary Land Strategies

05:43 - What are Entitlements?

06:54 - Keeping Pads or Exiting Entirely?

09:38 - Should Land Be a Side Investment?

10:57 - Land Risk Spectrum

13:49 - The Importance of Reserves

18:01 - Creative Use: Covered Land Plays & Leasing

19:49 - Owner Financing Risks

23:44 - Investing With Land Developers

25:48 - Greg’s Investment Policy

29:26 - Over-Entitling Can Backfire

32:03 - Ideal Reader for the Book

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Paul, uncovering pivotal moments that shaped his career and insights that inspire. From overcoming challenges to achieving success, Paul shares valuable lessons on perseverance, leadership, and growth. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with wisdom and motivation!

Highlights of the Podcast

00:00 – Introduction and episode overview

02:15 – Paul’s background and early career journey

07:30 – Major challenges and how he overcame them

12:45 – Key turning points in his professional life

18:20 – Leadership insights and strategies for success

24:10 – Advice for aspiring professionals

29:50 – Closing thoughts and where to connect with Paul

I’m sharing my raw journey through the 75 Hard Challenge—a mental fitness test that pushed me to grow into the best version of myself. In this video, I open up about the highs and lows, from pushing through grueling workouts and strict diets to overcoming moments of weakness on the road. I even share how traveling, life’s unexpected challenges, and yes, even a delicious fried treat almost made me lose focus. Join me as I reveal the personal lessons and mindset shifts that came from embracing hard challenges head-on, and discover if this journey might be the spark you need for your own transformation.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - Introduction to 75 Hard

01:50 - Paul's Personal Experience with 75 Hard

03:43 - The Core Lesson of 75 Hard

05:49 - Paul's 150-Day Journey & Lessons Learned

08:04 - The Five Tasks of 75 Hard

Ready to take control of your finances this year? In this video, I break down the 10 essential steps that transformed my financial life—from understanding my money to building passive income streams. Drawing from my own experiences of doubling my income in four years and bouncing back from going broke twice, I share practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you achieve financial freedom.

Discover how tracking my spending uncovered shocking habits (like the $3,000 I once spent on entertainment in a month!) and why I believe investing in yourself and others beats traditional stock-heavy advice. Whether you’re tackling debt, creating a budget that works, or building an emergency fund with a twist (hint: it’s more than just 3-6 months of cash), this video has you covered.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:01 - Understanding Your Money

01:16 - Developing an Abundance Mindset

02:51 - The Power of Unexpected Opportunities

04:38 - Budgeting for Success

06:16 - Building an Emergency Fund

10:00 - Paying Off High-Interest Debt

11:59 - Investing Wisely

13:32 - Becoming a Business Owner

14:57 - Seeking Financial Guidance

16:32 - Final Thoughts & Community Support

From watching Shark Tank as a kid to co-authoring a book with Kevin Harrington, this is my unexpected journey in entrepreneurship. Discover how a childhood promise to my mom and a chance meeting at a family office event led to Start Up to Stand Out, a book sharing actionable insights on building success, brick by brick.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:00 - The Unexpected Journey to Co-Authoring a Book

01:33 - Introduction to Family Offices & Kevin Harrington

03:30 - Meeting Kevin Harrington & The Dinner Invite

05:38 - Becoming a Co-Author with Kevin Harrington

07:41 - The Lego Mindset – Paul’s Chapter in the Book

09:27 - The Final Book – From Startup to Standout

11:42 - The Entrepreneurial Mindset & Giving Back

Every year, I take on a bold challenge to push my limits—this year, it's 100 YouTube videos in 100 days!

In this episode of The Investor's Guide to Joy, host Paul Graham sits down with Bob Boeshaar to tackle the often-daunting topic of taxes. Bob shares invaluable insights on navigating tax challenges, including how to avoid common pitfalls like poor recordkeeping and hobby losses, and provides practical tips for business owners, investors, and individuals facing audits or back taxes. The discussion highlights strategies for staying compliant, leveraging tax laws, and understanding your options for resolving tax debt, ensuring you can focus on achieving financial success and joy.

Whether you're a seasoned investor, a small business owner, or someone simply looking to better understand the IRS, this episode delivers actionable advice and key takeaways. From managing payroll taxes to addressing liens on properties and businesses, Bob’s expert guidance empowers listeners to approach taxes with confidence and clarity. Don’t miss this opportunity to demystify taxes and learn how to turn them into a tool for financial growth.

Highlights of the Podcast

00:07 - Introduction to Taxes and Joy

03:03 - Meet Bob Boeshaar

04:07 - Why People Don't Pay Taxes

07:59 - Audits and Recordkeeping

09:19 - Hobby Losses vs. Business Losses

18:35 - Types of Audits

27:12 - Liens and Asset Management

34:06 - Options for Tax Debt Resolution

37:03 - Key Takeaways for Investors

39:31 - Final Thoughts