The Richer Geek

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re diving deep into the transformative world of co-living with Grant Shipman, a leading authority in this booming real estate niche. As the founder of Livingsmith, Grant has achieved an extraordinary 97% lifetime occupancy rate and an average tenant stay of 25.2 months. He shares how a chance discovery and lessons from intentional living communities catapulted him from delivering pizzas to achieving financial freedom in just 15 months.

Discover what co-living truly means, why it’s not just "renting by the room," and how this model combines the best of single-family and multifamily investments. Plus, learn the essentials for creating healthy, thriving shared spaces and how you can turn your properties into cash flow powerhouses.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• The Basics of Co-living: Understanding the concept and its advantages over traditional rentals.

• Building a Thriving Co-living Community: Tips for fostering positive relationships among residents.

• Maximizing Your Investment: Strategies for selecting the right properties and optimizing rental income.

• Navigating Legal and Regulatory Hurdles: Staying compliant with local laws and regulations.

• Leveraging Technology: Tools and platforms that streamline co-living operations.

Resources from Grant

LinkedIn | The Livingsmith Podcast | LivingsmithPro.com | Co-Living 5 Day Challenge

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

On today’s episode of The Richer Geek Podcast, we have the extraordinary David Drebin, a multidisciplinary artist working in various art forms, producing limited edition works including Photographs, Lightboxes, Neon Light Installations, Diamond Dust works and more.

David shares his unique approach to empowering individuals to uncover their hidden potential. From his early days as a photographer to his current mission of inspiring others, he offers valuable insights into creativity, self-discovery, and the transformative power of human connection.

In this episode, we're discussing...

• The Power of Self-Understanding: David emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself as a foundation for understanding others.

• The Creative Process: He discusses the importance of fear and discomfort in the creative process, and how to embrace them to produce groundbreaking work.

• Unleashing Your Superpower: Learn how David helps people identify their unique talents and passions through insightful conversations and intuitive understanding.

• The Impact of Human Connection: Discover the transformative power of genuine human connection and how it can inspire and empower individuals.

• From Park to Broadway: The vision for a global, interactive platform to inspire and uplift.

Resources from David

Instagram | Website 

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we talked to Kevin White, co-founder of Exbo Group, a firm specializing in finance operations, strategy support, and M&A diligence for growth-stage companies. Kevin shares valuable insights on fundraising strategies, financial operations, and M&A diligence.

In this episode, we’re discussing...

• The Changing VC Landscape: Learn how the VC landscape has shifted post-pandemic, with a focus on profitability and cash efficiency.

• The Role of the Modern CFO: Discover the essential qualities of a modern CFO and how Exbo Group helps companies build strong financial teams.

• Fundraising Strategies: Gain practical tips on crafting compelling pitch decks and navigating the fundraising process in a challenging market.

• The Importance of Financial Discipline: Understand the critical role of financial discipline in securing investments and achieving long-term success.

• The Power of M&A: Explore the strategic advantages of mergers and acquisitions and how to execute them successfully.

• The Future of Venture Capital: Gain insights into emerging trends and opportunities in the VC industry.

Resources from Kevin

LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Jonathan Blau, founder and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a Long Island-based, fee-only registered investment advisory firm. Jonathan shares his expertise on behavioral finance and the techniques he uses to help clients make rational, well-informed financial decisions—even under stressful market conditions.

Jonathan breaks down the psychology behind wealth management, explaining why many investors struggle with emotional decisions and how he guides his clients to avoid common pitfalls. He shares powerful insights on the difference between currency and money, a fundamental concept that can reshape how you view wealth and investment.

Whether you're just starting your wealth journey or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can help you navigate financial decisions with confidence.

In this episode, we’re discussing…

• The distinction between "currency" and "money" and why it matters for financial planning.

• Emotional Investing is Harmful: Emotional responses to market fluctuations can lead to poor decision-making and significant financial losses.

• Focus on Long-Term Goals: Prioritize long-term financial goals over short-term market noise.

• Diversification is Key: A diversified portfolio can help mitigate risk and improve overall returns.

• Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a financial advisor to develop a personalized financial plan.

• Educate Yourself: Continuously learn about personal finance and investing to make informed decisions.

Resources from Jonathan

LinkedIn | Fusion Family Wealth

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Will Basta, an entrepreneur and co-founder of ACV Partners. He shares his background, insights into building e-commerce brands, and the secrets behind sustainable investment models. Discover how ACV Partners supports clients in creating profitable, multi-channel e-commerce businesses and the cutting-edge strategies that make them successful in today’s competitive digital marketplace.

In this episode, we're discussing...

• Is E-commerce really the new real estate? We'll explore the potential for building a passive income stream through online businesses.

• The Genesis of ACV Partners: Spotting the need for reliable infrastructure in e-commerce investments, Will and his co-founder launched ACV Partners to offer hands-off, sustainable investment opportunities for clients.Platforms and The The power of social commerce: Learn how leveraging influencers and micro-influencers can skyrocket your sales.

• Building a brand for an exit strategy: We'll discuss how to create a valuable E-commerce business that you can eventually sell.

• From office worker to digital nomad: Will shares his insights on achieving location independence through E-commerce.

Even if you already have a small E-commerce shop, this episode is for you! We'll discuss how ACV Partners can help you take your existing business to the next level.

Resources from Will

LinkedIn | ACV Partners | Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! In today's episode, we are joined by Eric Fiegoli, co-founder of Exbo Group. Since 2017, Exbo has supported over 50 growth-stage companies across industries like software, education, and healthcare. Eric shares his journey from being a senior product manager at Amazon to helping startups scale by offering financial, operational, and strategic expertise. Tune in to learn when to hire a CFO, the benefits of fractional CFOs, and how Exbo guides startups through fundraising and financial planning.

In this episode, we’re discussing…

• Eric’s career shift from Amazon to co-founding Exbo Group

• Financial Planning for Growth: Understand the importance of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for startups at various stages.

• The Role of a Fractional CFO: Learn how a fractional CFO can provide valuable expertise and support to growing businesses.

• Balancing Growth and Profitability: Discover key metrics to track and strategies to optimize for sustainable growth and profitability.

• Navigating the Current Economic Landscape: Get insights into the current state of the VC market and potential trends for 2025.

• Building a Strong Financial Foundation: Understand the importance of financial operations and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Resources from Eric

LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Nicholas Spezio, M&A advisor at Exbo Group, to explore the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for FinTech businesses. Whether you're a founder considering selling your startup or curious about the current M&A landscape, this episode is full of valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

Why You Should Listen:

• Are you wondering if now is the right time to sell your FinTech startup?

• Confused about how the current M&A environment is affecting valuations?

• Worried about navigating the complexities of financial due diligence?

In this episode, we also discuss:

• Uncertainty is Always Present: Learn how to adapt and embrace flexible deal structures to mitigate risks in M&A.

• Tax and Legal Support is Crucial: Navigate complex tax liabilities and negotiate favorable terms with expert guidance.

• Quality of Revenue Matters: Prioritize recurring revenue streams to achieve higher valuations in the sale of your business.

• Manage Seller Expectations: Understand current market realities and consider earnouts to maximize future growth potential.

• Financial Due Diligence Uncovers Risks: Identify potential tax exposures and negotiate settlements before closing the deal.

• Fractional CFOs for Founders: Offload accounting tasks and gain valuable financial insights by utilizing a fractional CFO.

• Right Buyer, Right Time: Focus on strategic alignment with buyers to ensure a smooth and successful exit.

Resources from Nicolas

LinkedIn | Exbo Group | Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we dive into the world of salon suite franchises with beauty industry expert Karen Kaminski, founder of Allure Salon Suite Consulting. Karen shares her unique journey from starting in the beauty business to launching and scaling private salon suite facilities across the USA. Whether you're an investor or a beauty professional, Karen offers insights on how the salon suite model provides a profitable, semi-absentee income opportunity. Listen in as she discusses key business strategies, site selection tips, and the booming demand for salon suites in the post-pandemic era.

In this episode, we're discussing...

• Recession-proof industry: Beauty services are essential and always in demand.

• Salon suite franchises offer a semi-absentee business model with high-profit potential.

• Karen Kaminski emphasizes the importance of selecting the right location and understanding local regulations for salon suite setups.

• Investors from various industries (not just beauty) are finding success in this business model.

• Salon suites cater to independent beauty professionals, helping them grow their businesses in a more flexible and profitable environment.

• Karen shares her method of reducing upfront investment costs by negotiating tenant improvement (TI) money with landlords.

Resources from Karen

LinkedIn | Allure Salon Suite Consulting | Karen's Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

We welcome back Jacob Vanderslice, Principal of VanWest Partners, a Denver-based real estate firm managing over $195 million in assets. Jacob discusses the challenges of today’s real estate market, from rising interest rates to shifting investor sentiment. He shares strategies for managing risk, the effects of market fluctuations on self-storage investments, and how VanWest uses conservative underwriting to stay resilient. Tune in for his insights on the state of real estate, the bid-ask spread, and the importance of conservative leverage in today's economy.

In this episode, we're discussing...

• Challenges in the Market: Jacob discusses the difficulties faced in capital raising due to rising interest rates and how they’ve impacted real estate transactions.

• Risk Mitigation: VanWest Partners takes a conservative approach to underwriting, ensuring their models account for possible market fluctuations.

• Investor Sentiment: The episode covers the shift in investor behavior, with many opting for safer investments like treasury bonds over riskier real estate projects.

• Bid-Ask Spread: Jacob highlights the gap between buyer and seller expectations, particularly in self-storage and other asset classes, as interest rates affect asset valuations.

• Self-Directed IRAs: Learn how investors can use self-directed IRAs to invest in private real estate vehicles and the tax implications of using retirement accounts versus cash.

Resources from Jacob

LinkedIn | VanWest Partners | Jacob's Email

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast. Today, we have Ben Fraser, CIO of Aspen Funds, discussing their unique approach to investing. Aspen Funds focuses on "Macro-Driven Alternative Investments," leveraging macro trends to identify opportunities across various asset classes.

In this episode, we're discussing...

• Aspen Funds leverages macro trends: They analyze the big picture to identify long-term tailwinds and invest in asset classes positioned to benefit.

• Investment diversification: They invest in a variety of asset classes including real estate debt, private credit, industrial development, and oil & gas.

• Oil & Gas as an Opportunity: While the current administration prioritizes renewable energy, Ben Fraser argues that limited supply and increasing demand will drive oil prices higher in the coming years.

• Impact of Inflation & Interest Rates: Ben discusses the potential for higher interest rates for longer and the implications for commercial real estate.

• Investing During Uncertain Times: While the market may be volatile, downturns can present opportunities for investors with a long-term perspective.

Resources from Ben

LinkedIn | Aspen Funds | Invest Like A Billionaire Podcast

Resources from Mike and Nichole

Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide