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In this episode of the Invest In You podcast, Fredrik is joined by Chris Long, a real estate investor and entrepreneur specialising in highly profitable self-storage yards. Chris details his transition from the demanding world of carpentry and construction to the cash-flowing, low-overhead model of "dirt, fences, and gates". Drawing on his experience scaling his portfolio, Chris breaks down creative financing strategies, the power of SBA loans, and how to leverage AI to run a lean, highly productive real estate business. KEY TAKEAWAYS High-Yield Storage Yards: Converting simple dirt lots into fenced self-storage yards offers a highly predictable, low-maintenance cash flow model with minimal operational overhead. Creative Financing and SBA Loans: US-based investors can leverage Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to acquire existing businesses with only 10% down, lowering the barrier to entry. Repurposing Unused Space: Investors can generate instant equity and cash flow by identifying neglected land, such as unused gardens, and converting them into paid parking or storage spaces. AI-Powered Lean Teams: Real estate operators can replace large traditional teams by utilizing AI tools for deal sourcing, underwriting, and outreach, maximizing productivity. The Power of Persistence: A "no" is often just a stepping stone to a "yes," and maintaining relentless persistence is the ultimate formula for closing difficult off-market deals. BEST MOMENTS "You take dirt, you put up fencing, put up a gate, you rent it out and you make cash." "There's more money looking for people with deals than there's deals... eventually as an operator, we grow and then we have money we want to deploy." "You could do more with an Excel spreadsheet using AI than a high-rise building of people." "No, no, no means yes... that's the formula to success." HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GUEST Guest: Chris Long Instagram: @chrislongyards LongYards Storage Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-long-152b3988/ ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. COMMUNITY & CONTACT Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode of the Invest In You podcast, Fredrik sits down with Ted Lanzaro, a US-based CPA, real estate tax specialist, and author. Ted shares his extensive expertise on how real estate investors can use proactive tax strategies to save money and rapidly compound their wealth. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Ted discusses the importance of building the right professional team, leveraging US tax codes like the 1031 exchange, and the core concepts covered in his books, including his release on year-round tax planning. KEY TAKEAWAYS Tax Savings as an Investment Strategy: By proactively reducing tax liabilities, real estate investors can take those savings and reinvest them into more properties, creating a compounding cycle of wealth. The Importance of Proactive Planning: The worst time to ask a CPA about saving money on taxes is after a property has already been sold. Investors should consult their tax advisors before buying, selling, or renovating properties to ensure they are utilizing the best strategies available. Advanced US Tax Tools: Ted explains highly effective strategies for US investors, such as the 1031 exchange (also known as "swap till you drop") to defer capital gains, and using cost segregation studies to accelerate bonus depreciation. The Short-Term Rental Exception: Investors can potentially bypass standard passive loss limitations by operating short-term rentals (like Airbnbs) and materially participating in their management. Avoiding Real Estate Red Flags: When investing, it is crucial to avoid properties with negative cash flow, poor locations, or bad property management companies, as these factors can quickly ruin an investment. BEST MOMENTS "I tell people I sell money essentially, right? Because... I teach people how to save money on their taxes... they typically will end up saving, you know, five times, 10 times, 20 times what they actually pay me." "Call me before you buy a property, before you sell a property, and before you renovate a property." "We have an expression which is called 'swap till you drop'." HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GUEST Guest: Ted Lanzaro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedlanzaro/ Books Mentioned: The Tax Smart Landlord and Year-Round Tax Planning for Real Estate Investors ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. COMMUNITY & CONTACT Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and global business leader Dr. Hussein Rifai, dialing in from Australia, to explore the intricacies of global deal-making and cultural negotiation. Dr. Rifai shares insights from a four-decade career that spans shaping Ernst & Young's early supply chain practice in the 1990s to navigating complex international mergers and acquisitions. Drawing on his rich background—from growing up in Jordan with a family committed to justice, to leading the turnaround of Australia's iconic SPC Global—Hussein discusses the lessons that shaped his upcoming book, The Chaos Theorem, and his perspective on business, resilience, and success. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Essence of Investment Banking: Unlike traditional businesses that sell services or physical goods, investment banking treats the company itself as the primary product to be bought, sold, or merged. Cultural Nuances in Negotiation: Global deal-making requires adapting to different cultural styles, such as the directness of German business, the slow but ironclad trust-building in Japan, and the relationship-first approach in the Middle East. Navigating Last-Minute Changes: When negotiating in certain regions, such as India, buyers frequently attempt to alter terms at the eleventh hour, requiring sellers to remain adaptable and prepared for shifting documents. Embracing Global Perspectives: Traveling and working across different continents allows professionals to absorb diverse cultural values, ultimately making them mentally richer and more adventurous. Personal Accountability and Resilience: You are the only person capable of changing your life. Maintaining a constant flow of knowledge is essential for staying young and continuously improving yourself. BEST MOMENTS "The investment banking really is a group of people whose product is the company itself." "The only person that can change you, if you want to find him, look in the mirror." "I think knowledge is the elixir of life." HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GUEST Website: https://www.husseinrifai.com/ Book: The Chaos Theorem ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. COMMUNITY & CONTACT Podcast community: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠⁠ Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with automotive industry veteran and entrepreneur Dominic Genova to explore how to build a highly successful, trust-based business in a notoriously cutthroat industry. Dom shares his journey from working 17 years at Chrysler to building an $80 million dealership, successfully selling it right before the COVID-19 pandemic, and transitioning into a savvy commercial real estate investor. KEY TAKEAWAYS Building a Trust-Based Enterprise: In an industry plagued by bait-and-switch tactics and hidden fees, Dom built his dealership on radical transparency and treating customers fairly to create sustainable, long-term loyalty. Knowing When to Exit: After growing his enterprise to 87 employees and $80 million in annual sales, Dom successfully sold his dealership just one week before the COVID-19 shutdowns began. Smart Post-Exit Investing: Rather than relying on traditional financial brokers, Dom shifted his wealth into commercial real estate, securing triple-net leases with corporate tenants like Wendy's to ensure steady, reliable cash flow. Defining Your Life's Currency: Dom stresses that the ultimate goal of wealth creation is determining the true "currency" of your life—whether that is time, family, or travel—because simply chasing money will never be enough. Avoiding Industry Scams: Now a radio host and author, Dom dedicates his time to educating consumers on how to avoid being "snookered" by complex financing markups and dealership traps. BEST MOMENTS "If you can build an orchard and have apples come in next year, and then more apples get more apples... you have a sustainable customer base who will come back to you." "You need to figure out what the currency of your life is... if it's purely money, you're never going to have enough." "A life has little meaning except on the effect it has on other lives." HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GUEST Website: nononsenseroundtable.com Book: Don't Be Taken (Available via his website) ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. COMMUNITY & CONTACT Podcast community: ⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠ Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠

In this special milestone solo episode celebrating over 250 episodes of Invest In You, host Fredrik Sandvall reflects on the core lessons learned from speaking with millionaires, billionaires, authors, and entrepreneurs. Sharing six specific themes for building true wealth and freedom, Fredrik explores everything from the importance of trust to leveraging modern tools like AI to scale your success. KEY TAKEAWAYS You Are the Ultimate Asset: Investing in yourself is paramount because you only have one body and mind for a limited duration. This includes focusing on your health, energy, and knowledge. Trust as a Currency: Trust is foundational for building relationships and creates opportunities that money alone cannot buy. It acts as a bridge in sales and serves as the glue that bonds a team together. Building for the Future: Businesses should be designed with redundancy so they can succeed without the founder's constant presence. Implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensures tasks can be split among team members and increases the company's value. The Economics of Success: True success requires compounding effort over time. A major challenge for modern businesses and content creators is fighting to capture and retain audience attention. Multiplying Decisions with Tools: Utilizing systems and modern tools like AI can drastically improve the quality of your decisions and your work. Adding these operational systems makes administrative and analytical tasks significantly more efficient. Redefining Wealth: True wealth is defined by having the freedom to make choices regarding your time and relationships. Health is the ultimate wealth, as a sick person would trade everything they have just to be well again. BEST MOMENTS "We only got one body, one mind, and we're here for a limited duration on Earth so to speak, so make the best out of it." "I trust people until they choose I cannot, which means I'm exposing myself for good and bad." "If you're building a business, you're gonna leave the business sooner or later upright or lying down." "If you ask someone who's sick, they would trade everything for becoming well again." About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: ⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠ Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with real estate CPA, investor, and author Ted Lanzaro to explore how strategic tax planning can dramatically accelerate long-term wealth creation. Ted shares his journey from reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and acquiring his first rental properties to founding a specialized accounting firm and authoring books on real estate taxation.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Proactive vs. Reactive Tax Planning: Consulting a real estate-focused CPA before buying, renovating, or selling a property allows investors to structure transactions strategically, rather than trying to mitigate heavy tax burdens after a closing. Unlocking Value via Cost Segregation: Rather than depreciating an entire building over 27.5 years, conducting a cost segregation study isolates 5-year and 15-year components to accelerate tax deductions using bonus depreciation. Short-Term Rental Strategy for High Earners: High W-2 salary earners faced with passive loss limitations can utilize short-term rentals (average stay under 7 days with material participation) to deduct real estate paper losses against ordinary income. Wealth Compounding with 1031 Exchanges: The "swap 'til you drop" strategy allows investors to defer capital gains taxes indefinitely by reinvesting sale proceeds into properties of equal or higher value, eventually passing assets to heirs with a stepped-up tax basis. Risk Management in Financing: Debt serves as a powerful multiplier for growth when paired with cash-flowing assets and fixed financing, whereas short-term adjustable-rate bridge loans can jeopardize portfolios during market downturns. BEST MOMENTS "I tell people I sell money essentially... I teach people how to save money on their taxes; they pay me for that service, but they typically will end up saving 5, 10, 20 times what they actually pay me."  "Every person's situation is unique... There's really no one-size-fits-all set of universal tax strategies."  "If you just show up with a shoebox full of receipts, no organization, no system, no proactivity... you are going to overpay your taxes dramatically."  "Debt is like fire. You could use it to warm yourself or you can get burned by it."  "Buy and wait, don't wait and buy." HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedlanzaro/ https://landmarkcpagroup.com/ About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik welcomes Certified Financial Planner and podcast host Mark Willis to discuss what it truly takes to achieve financial independence and build lasting wealth. Drawing from his experience graduating during the 2008 recession, Mark challenges traditional financial advice on debt payoff and explains why becoming your own source of financing changes everything.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on the X-Factor: Long-term financial peace relies on three core priorities: Efficiency, Control, and Safety (ECS). Become Your Own Source of Financing: Simply paying off debt with cash returns you to net zero while banks keep the profits; learning to act as your own bank preserves liquidity and opportunity cost. Transition from Operator to Investor: Most entrepreneurs accidentally buy themselves an demanding job; true business freedom comes from moving from owner-operator to owner-manager, and ultimately to owner-investor. Prepare the Heir, Not Just the Estate: Sustainable generational wealth requires educating children about money, taxes, and stewardship early on—preparing the kids for the money, not just the money for the kids. Leverage Strategic Tax Moves: The ultra-wealthy minimize tax drag by buying appreciating assets, borrowing against them tax-free for liquidity, and passing them on through a stepped-up basis. BEST MOMENTS "We can either just throw money at the problem... and be under the thumb of the banker for years to come, or we can do what I did, which is become the banker yourself."  "A banker is a fellow who will lend you his umbrella when the sun shines, but wants it back from you as soon as it starts to rain."  "Don't do what banks tell you to do with your money... instead, watch what they do with their money, and just do that instead with yours." "We don't just want to prepare a bunch of money for the kids; in equal measure, we need to prepare the kids for the money."  "If you follow the herd, you're going to get slaughtered. Sometimes it's okay to zag if everybody else is zigging." GUEST INFO: Mark Willis Certified Financial Planner and owner of Lake Growth Financial Services  Visit kickstartwithmark.com for a free 15-minute strategy session Check out: Not Your Average Financial Podcast About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with serial entrepreneur and M&A advisor Mark Hartman, author of The Sweat Equity Payday. Drawing from 15 years of scaling and exiting his medical claims cost-containment firm, as well as over a decade advising lower-middle-market business owners, Mark shares what it takes to transform a business into a sellable, highly valuable asset.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Exit Planning is Good Business Planning: Preparing for succession, whether driven by choice or the "5 Ds" builds operational strength and protects enterprise value. Pass the "Kidnap Test": A sellable business must run without the owner's continuous presence; if critical tasks like payroll or primary client communications collapse when the owner steps away, buyer risk increases significantly. De-Risk Key Dependencies: Buyers purchase transferable revenue and profit. Businesses must eliminate single points of failure across key suppliers, vital employees, and concentrated customer accounts before going to market. Unreported Cash Destroys Valuation: Off-the-books cash cannot be proven during due diligence. Additionally, hiding cash artificially skews cost metrics against industry benchmarks, drastically reducing the overall company valuation. Clean Up Books and Working Capital Early: Establishing clear financial records, formalizing employee manuals/procedures, and understanding working capital requirements years in advance prevents mid-deal retrades and closing friction. BEST MOMENTS "Exit planning, succession planning is good business planning. I can't say that enough... Man makes plans, God laughs."  "Buyers of businesses are buying transferable revenue and transferable profits after the seller is gone, and hopefully without disruptions from employees and vendors."  "In God we trust, everyone else prepare for due diligence."  "Cash is not king in mergers and acquisitions when we're doing valuations. Cash is king when you're writing the check to buy the business."  "Small business, medium-sized business ownership is the key to wealth. You can create and drive your own destiny by being a business owner."  GUESTS LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhartmann https://www.hartmannrhodes.com/ TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-diegelmann-8a79861/  warren-wise.com About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with Michael Diegelmann, founder of Warren Wise, to explore the transformation of capital markets through artificial intelligence. Michael breaks down how synthetic AI value investors analyze corporate reporting to give CEOs and CFOs unbiased, 360-degree financial feedback before stepping into the public eye or talking to investors.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Preparation Saves Millions: A lack of financial preparation and poor understanding of internal data costs companies millions during capital raising, M&A, or IPO processes. Match Narrative to Financial Reality: Corporate storytelling quickly crumbles under scrutiny if key financial indicators such as cash conversion do not support management's claims. Leveraging Synthetic Investors: Platforms like Warren Wise use AI model frameworks to simulate value investors, flagging risks and patterns in financial reports without bias. AI is Reshaping Investor Relations: As buy-side firms and institutional investors adopt AI agents to analyze filings instantly, corporate investor relations must adapt to automated, speed-driven market analysis. Stock Exchanges as Growth Platforms: Viewing an IPO as a long-term financing tool for business growth leads to sustainable success, whereas treating it solely as a founder exit strategy often leads to failure. BEST MOMENTS "You need to understand what your numbers mean to other people... You need to know prior to handing out the information what they think."  "The lack of preparation costs you millions, especially when you work on the capital markets."  "The stock exchange is only a means to an end... those who used it as a financing platform won." "Understand your numbers, because your numbers don't lie."  "Traveling is not a reward for working. It's homework for living." TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-diegelmann-8a79861/  warren-wise.com About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

Fredrik sits down with economics professors Eric and Owen to unpack the data-driven reality of modern wealth from their book, Everywhere Millionaire. Drawing from a decade of analyzing Treasury Department tax records, they reveal that America's true financial heavyweights aren't celebrity tech founders, but operators of everyday, unglamorous private businesses. Get their book here - https://www.everywheremillionaire.com/ Owen Zidar is a Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. Before joining Princeton, he served as a staff economist at the Council of Economic Advisers and worked as an assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Eric Zwick is the Joel F. Gemunder Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University and a B.A. from Swarthmore College. His research focuses on the intersection of public policy and corporate behavior, particularly concerning income and wealth inequality. Key Takeaways The Hidden Wealth Pool: There are roughly 3 million closely held business owners in the U.S. with a net worth exceeding $5 million. Collectively, their wealth eclipses the Forbes 400 by more than an order of magnitude. Boring is Profitable: The most lucrative ventures are frequently mundane, ranging from auto dealerships and beverage distributors to specialized clinics and gutter manufacturers. Acquisition over Invention: You do not need to invent a massive tech platform to succeed. Acquiring an existing, profitable "main street" business from a retiring founder is a highly effective path to the top 1%. Move Slow and Make Things: True wealth creation is a slow build, often taking decades of reinvesting profits and compounding industry experience rather than seeking an overnight Silicon Valley exit. Best Moments "Most people are focused on a small handful of billionaires and just miss the ocean of entrepreneurs for a few people." — Owen "One thing that's contrary to the conventional wisdom in Silicon Valley that you need to move fast and break things... we say you need to move slow and make things. It takes decades often for a lot of these stories." — Owen About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠⁠ Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠⁠

Fredrik sits down with his oldest son, Ivan, to unpack the mechanics of momentum, the cognitive cost of "doom scrolling," and why the absolute best time to grind is when you are already winning. Drawing from their experiences interviewing billionaires and navigating financial markets, they explore how to build compounding success across business, fitness, and daily life. Key Takeaways Capitalize on Momentum: Never coast after achieving a goal; success compounds and generates self-sustaining motivation. Audit Your Information Diet: Ditch brain-overloading short-form content. Focus on long-form learning and apply a single piece of actionable advice immediately. Embrace Boredom: Intentionally disconnecting from all digital consumption for a full day forces a mental reset that frequently sparks high-leverage business ideas. Best Moments "The best time to work hard is probably when you're winning because at that point you build on yourself and your own momentum, and you might get twice as much done in that month or that year." — Ivan "Spend a single day basically not looking at your phone at all and not consuming anything and be bored for one day... your brain will first calm down and then you'll start daydreaming and from nowhere you'll get a random amazing idea." — Ivan About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: ⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠

In this episode, Fredrik is joined by author and former design consultant Hugo Brooks to unpack the true meaning of ambition and success. Hugo shares his fascinating journey from feeling "useless" in school to building highly successful design consultancies, only to realize he felt like a passenger in his own highly driven life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ambition is a Neutral Energy: Ambition isn't inherently good or bad. It is a powerful driving force that, if left unexamined and undirected by your personal values, can lead you to a destination you never actually wanted. The Trap of the "Next Goal": High-achievers often treat goals like doors—they spend ten years walking toward them, pass through in two seconds, and immediately look for the next door. It is critical to pause, recognize the journey, and celebrate your team's successes. Redefine Your Own Success: Too often, we drive our "cars" onto a crowded highway, blindly trying to overtake others without asking where the highway actually leads.  Adopt an "Island Hopping" Strategy: Rigid five- or ten-year plans are increasingly obsolete in our fast-paced world. Instead, build flexibility into your business by treating growth like island hopping—setting a general direction, exploring the immediate next stop, and adapting your strategy as you learn. True Growth is Human Capital: Society is obsessed with growth, which is almost always equated with money.  BEST MOMENTS "I often describe a large part of my life as being like a passenger in my own highly driven life." "Ambition is really completely neutral. It's about how you apply this important energy... Because ambition can cure world hunger, and ambition can cause World War III." "The moment of passing across that line takes a few seconds... But you might have spent 10 years trying to get to that point. That was where your lived experience was." "We're a culture that's obsessed with growth. And nine times out of ten, when we say growth, we mean money. But the truth is that the real value of growth is in human capital." "I genuinely thought it was about investing myself in the business that would bring me the success. That's what I thought the phrase meant." GUEST LINKS www.hugobrooks.com/ About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode, Fredrik sits down with Theodore Hicks, a registered investment advisor and author of Evidence-Based Investing. Drawing from over two decades of financial experience, including navigating the dot-com bubble and the 2008 global financial crisis, Theo breaks down why conventional financial advice and Modern Portfolio Theory often fail investors during real-market drawdowns. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Importance of "Sell Discipline": Everyone knows the phrase "buy low, sell high," but few practice the discipline of actually trimming winning positions to lock in gains and mitigate portfolio risk. The Reality of Portfolio Math: Recovering from market drawdowns is asymmetric: a 50% loss requires a 100% gain just to break even. Protecting capital on the downside is far more effective than trying to catch up later. Salespeople vs. Portfolio Managers: A large portion of the retail finance industry consists of sales professionals driven by product commissions rather than trained managers actively hedging risk. Strategy-Based Diversification: True diversification isn't just owning different stocks; it involves diversifying entry and exit strategies, rules, and risk guardrails to withstand bear markets. Wealth and Health are Intertwined: Accumulating financial wealth is meaningless if you lack the physical health to enjoy it, play with future generations, or pursue your life goals. BEST MOMENTS "We have to trim every once in a while... You actually have to have that sell discipline."  "I'm trying to give people permission to question what they hear from the news media, the financial news media, Wall Street, etc."  "The majority of the people that are managing money for retail... they're not trained portfolio managers, they're trained sales professionals."  "In order to win the poker game, you got to survive each hand."  "A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from others."  GUEST LINKS Theodore Hicks  https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore2hicks/ https://www.theodorehicks.com/ Book Evidence-Based Investing  About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this milestone episode of Invest in You, Fredrik reflects on two decades of experience helping startups scale from initial launch all the way to IPOs. Using the 30 episode titles from the TV series StartUp as a strategic framework, Fredrik breaks down the raw realities behind every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Brutal Market Realities: Up to 90% of startups fail within their first five years. Founders must evaluate whether the personal and financial risks align with their long-term goals before launching. Early Funding Bets on People: Seed round funding and angel investments are rarely about a fully proven business model; investors are primarily backing the founder's capability, execution, and integrity. Pivoting as a Growth Strategy: Market disruptions—such as rapid shifts in AI technology or changing consumer habits—require flexibility. Pivoting isn't a failure; it is a necessary adjustment to align with market demand. Growth Does Not Equal Value Creation: Rapid user acquisition and aggressive growth tactics can destroy unit economics if they are not supported by clean financial management and sustainable cash flow. Legal Diligence Protects Control: Founders must scrutinize every agreement they sign. Giving away too much equity too early or agreeing to adverse terms can lead to losing control of the company entirely. BEST MOMENTS "Seven in 10 or up to nine companies in 10 fail in the first five years... so before you start up your startup, think about: is it worth it?" "Money doesn't buy evidence, it doesn't buy lifestyle, it is just the money to get off the ground." "An angel investor is always more than a check. Never think about them as just a check, because then you lose their interest." "A pivot doesn't necessarily mean failure. It means redevelopment, rethinking... using the reality screaming out at you to change direction." "Growth isn't automatically value creation." About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

In this episode Charlie and Fredrik dive deep into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. Moving beyond the basics of simple chat queries, they explore the concept of "vibe coding," a revolutionary approach where individuals act as directors, guiding AI agents to build complex applications without needing traditional programming skills.  KEY TAKEAWAYS AI is a Permanent Shift: Unlike passing internet fads, AI is fundamentally changing productivity. It is too deeply integrated and useful to disappear, representing a permanent shift in how we think and operate. Vibe Coding Democratizes Tech: You no longer need to be a seasoned software engineer to build apps. By directing AI tools like Claude, individuals can "vibe code" and orchestrate full applications through natural language and iterative feedback. Local AI Offers Ultimate Control: Running local AI models on your own hardware allows for massive context windows and zero subscription fees. It keeps your data secure while creating a personalized "second brain" that intimately understands your files. Leverage is the Ultimate Advantage: AI acts as a massive force multiplier. It allows a single person to do the work of an entire team by automating tedious tasks like email outreach, research, and documentation. Massive Market Shifts are Underway: The traditional software industry is experiencing a squeeze due to AI-driven efficiency, while upcoming, massive AI-integrated IPOs are poised to heavily disrupt the market landscape. BEST MOMENTS "AI is here to stay, it's the same as the dot-com bubble or the internet, people thinking that it’s going to die out... That’s not the case. This is going to be here to stay, it’s too useful to remove basically." "Instead of programming yourself, you are more like a director and you let the AI program for you." "With AI, you can leverage other people's knowledge. You can leverage time. You can leverage systems to simplify things. And you can leverage the ability to delegate with even having a team." "I'm just about to depart from having worked on helping the world in conflict situations for some time... I can't wait to be full-time in business again and just... work with AI as a multiplier." "You do not need to be a rocket scientist. Even if you know how to make a rocket, make things easier." The Abyss of Finance  https://amzn.to/44OQBC7 TO CONNECT WITH CHARLIE  https://www.linkedin.com/in/csandvall/ About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall