0:02 Who [music] are you? And where are you going?
0:09 >> [music]
0:09 >> What do you want? Hello and welcome to People Making Money. I'm your host Kevin Bemel and I'm here every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time to talk about uh job hunting, starting and running a business, and building wealth. Uh and I haven't had a guest on this show for for quite a long time, uh but my my uh he really is like my brother, uh John Rubino is is with me today and uh it
0:45 it's it's a little bit coincidental cuz if you saw my show, I don't know, just maybe 2 3 weeks ago uh called uh Career Moats, I talked about the idea of how we sort of protect ourselves from the challenges of automation and AI. And I talked about things like stacking skills and that sort of thing. And and John and I were were talking and and I'm like, "What Wait a minute. You're you're you know, without my coaching
1:17 >> [laughter]
1:18 >> you're actually pursuing this strategy." So So So John is is is coming on the show today to talk about how he's built the financial side of his life. And I think this is a perfect opportunity to really see how these concepts work in practice. So So John, you know, thanks thanks for coming on the show. I really appreciate it. My pleasure, brother. Great to be with you. Always. Always. And and you know, you're always coaching me, whether it's uh active or passive. You're You're always got your hand on me, so I appreciate everything you've
1:53 done and continue to do as my brother and a mentor and a coach. So, thank you. Well, you you if if you can see, you know, behind John some of the relics of his Navy career. John and I were both both in the United States Navy. Um and and I I I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but when John retired from the Navy, I had the honor of flying out to Washington D.C. and to give the invocation and benediction at at the ceremony. It was it was at the Naval Museum, wasn't it? Yeah, the Navy Yard Museum. Yeah.
2:27 >> Navy Yard Museum, yeah. Yeah, I mean it it was amazing amazing time. And then, you know, John had a dinner afterwards and foolishly decided to hand me the microphone
2:39 >> [laughter]
2:42 >> But, you fit right in with the family, though. They loved you. Well, [laughter] you know, you you have you have a really great a great forgiving family, so. Thank you. But, you know, we could we could sit and reminisce and you know, for for days, but Yes, sir. So, John, you know, talk if you would first kind of conceptually how you how you saw the building of your financial life, uh you know, kind of post-Navy, right? Because in when you're when we're you were in the military,
3:17 it's it's you know, the kind of financial you don't do it for the financial opportunity. That's the bottom line, right? Yes.
3:25 >> Um but but post post-Navy, you've really been quite successful, I think, in in taking on the challenges of of building a professional life. So, so kind of like I said, talk big picture initially and then maybe we can dive in to some of the parts. Yeah, sure. I mean, you know, the time in the Navy was an amazing experience, as you know, serving and what what I learned through it and and all of the things that I was exposed to. I actually started chapter two now, which is what I'm doing now full-time post-Navy while I was in the Navy.
4:02 I learned about how to invest in real estate about halfway through my 20-year career. And I was able to get into that, you know, in that area, learn how to invest, learn how to put the numbers together, everything. Everything when it came to investing and it was great because the confidence I had during it while I was in the military knowing I had a paycheck coming in every 2 weeks, plus being an investor part-time was was awesome. And so I'm grateful I was able to do that. And then as my career continued to progress on the second half of my 20 years,
4:39 I focused more on the passive side of how to be an investor, how to look at projects and deals in real estate and other alternative investments to become more you know, competent, more courageous, more you know, anything in general that would make me feel better about it. And not only that, but from the active period of time when I was investing, you know, I was I grew a nice little nest egg there thanks to the investing I did. And so I used that as kind of like seed capital to get the ball rolling as a passive investor. So that part of the wealth was starting to
5:14 grow as I was in the Navy getting returns on that capital and and then learning more about the business of of passive investing. So that when I got to DC and I was here for my last 6 years serving in the Navy, I was actually able to stand the business up with about 3 years remaining on my Navy career commitment. And it gave me again that confidence to to explore that. Which turned out to be, you know, hugely successful. very grateful to the Lord for that, and it allowed me to really,
5:51 and you and I have had conversations about this numerous times at that point where I was like, "Kevin, what do I do? You know, should I get a a government job, even though their heads are down every day and they look miserable, or should I take the plunge in the business, you know, we're doing really well, and I and I'm doing it part-time, you know, I'm not doing it full-time." So, I think thanks to your and many others and their mentorship and their insights, I decided to do the business full-time, and and so fast forward 9 years from retirement, plus, you know, another 4 years while I was in the Navy, so we're 13 years into this business,
6:27 and I've had a lot of success built on the foundations of being an investor 20-plus years ago, starting the business partially while I was in the Navy, and growing the confidence of not doing it full-time as a business owner, as still an investor, and and a leader, and growing with so many amazing relationships that I've built obviously over the years. So, it's just compounded, you know, it's like an internal rate of return. It's compounding every year. It gets better and better. And so now my mindset has shifted to being the business owner of a company
7:03 that's, you know, raised over 44 million dollars on 33 projects, some of, you know, good numbers still executing. And so now the the mindset's shifting to, "Okay, what do I now want to really focus on that puts a smile on my face and gets me out of bed each day, and that, you know, brings in income, active income." And so that's where I've kind of shifted a bit. So, I'll take a pause there and Yeah, but I just want to I want to cuz it it it's interesting that um you started out in the Navy, which is, you know, you did you're earning your daily
7:38 bread, so to speak, right? Um and and then while still in the Navy, you started investigating and and eventually and at one point did kind of launch into a venture that was really more focused on wealth building. So, you had the the income portion kind of set by your Navy salary and then you you started focusing on wealth building as you started learning and making real estate learning about and making real estate investments. Right? And then that side kind of grew Um, and at some point it allowed you to
8:14 to earn an income. Um, but but probably with some limits on it, it sounds like. And so, now you're kind of Now that you've got built that up pretty robustly, now it looks like you're kind of swinging back to the income side and you're going to focus, you know, your your We really can't focus on more than one thing at a time. That that's a misnomer, right? And so, now your your focus is is kind of moving It moves back and forth as you you know, as you raise one and then the other and then the other kind of, you know, that that sort of
8:49 you know, that lifted that raising of the tides, so to speak.
8:52 >> Right. Good balance, making sure things are balanced out well, and you're absolutely right. It's shifted to more of the two-pronged approach like active income based on my skill sets, the things I love to do, the things I enjoy doing that have made me successful in the military and as a business owner, with my investors and my network, right? So, there's a there's a skill set there that I've recognized over the last year that hey, I I've got something that I can bring that would be something I can earn income on, right? And grow my passive and grow grow my active and potentially
9:28 passive income. And then I've got the wealth building side with the business and then other ventures that are going on behind the scenes, but I know are growing and and making wealth for me. Mhm. So So, if you would talk about that that skill set because Look, I I know you. So, I know what your skills are, but I think for for the viewers and listeners getting a you know, an actual picture of how you've stacked your skills uh it's not obvious. I think the
10:04 one of the hardest things for us to do is to understand ourselves, right? It's easier for me to look at you and go, "Hey, I see, you know, A, B, C, and D." right? Cuz I'm I'm outside of you. So, talk to us about that that skill set stack that that you know, again that I had talked about a few weeks ago in the episode that I did. Yeah, sure. I mean, first and foremost, God has a plan, right? And so, I think when you look back at your life over 10, 20, 30 years, however old you are, like us, we're getting older. I know I am. You look great. Um but when we look back, we say, you know, "Hey, the last 20 years
10:40 um God has put something in my heart that it's allowed me to be successful." And so, like and and I'm and I've got the grace to be able to continue to do it. So, it's like, "Wow, this is amazing." So, when we actually take a step back and instead of always looking forward, which is what we tend to do as type A personalities, performance-driven professionals, it's always nice to sit back and look behind you a little bit, too, to see how well and and what got you to where you're at. So, when I did that exercise a couple of times, I recognized that, "Hey, I've got this skill set of being, you know, an investor, an educator, a coach, a
11:17 mentor, a consultant." I had all these things that I knew I could do because I've done it for the last 20 years successfully. So, now it's kind of like I'm transitioning to taking that skill set and monetizing it, you know, to make it something that I enjoy doing and I get to get paid for that, right? Taking care of the people that have an interest in learning more about how to invest in real estate, how to be a business owner, how to think about operations when it comes to projects and managing those, how to communicate with your investors. What
11:53 are the products that need to be produced for an investment opportunity? How do I market to a group of You know, so all these different skill sets, I started just putting those together. I know we're going to talk about AI, but I started putting those together and and making like a nice capabilities document to show like, "Hey, these are the things I know I can do." And then let's drill up and say, "Where would I capture these under a business title, right?" Fractional COO, investment advisor, investor relations, project manager. So now I started recognizing that. And then the wheels really started turning
12:29 because then I was like, "Wow, you know, who else is doing this out there in the world and how well are they get How well are they at it and what are they getting paid to do it?" And then that's where my eyes really popped out and I recognized that, "Hey, I love doing this stuff and I can do it well and first and foremost bring a quality product and service to people, but then I can get paid for that." And so it really was an amazing discovery to see how all of that came together by stopping and looking behind me a little bit from where I was to where I am now. Yeah. So, talk if you would about at least some of
13:06 the the very specific skills you you you realized you had and where you where where or how you developed those skills. Cuz again, I think this is this is the hard part for a lot of people is is is that part of the discovery, right? I I have these What are the skills that I have the you know, it's one thing to say okay I have the skills to invest well in real estate okay but what do you see those as being for example where did those where did those skills come from how did you develop them and I because
13:41 it kind of sounds like they were being developed and you weren't really aware Yeah.
13:47 >> that you were developing these skills and I think that's true for most of us. Yeah it is you're you're absolutely right we kind of roll in the direction that kind of takes us to where you know it goes right so I mean to take your words and kind of look at how I was taught you know my dad always used to tell me you got book smarts and street smarts right and then as I got older and I got into the military and I started meeting people I started realizing my network is actually my net worth right and so and it was a it was a gene passed through my family because being from the large Italian family
14:23 which you got a chance to meet a lot of them we were so tight and and a lot of them are successful in business because they knew how to take care of their customer. They treated their customer better than they did their family. Their customers were inviting them over for dinner on a Friday night opening a glass of a wine having a bottle of wine with them. That relationship is is unbelievable and it's a livestock so that was the genealogy I came from and so I it resonated with me. I mean I used to watch my mom talk to people on the street she didn't even know my father would be like there she goes again. So I
14:58 got that from mom and I got that from mom's family but I also had the business ideas and savvy from dad that was just inside of me. So when I was in the military I obviously what resonated around my friends in the military who would talk about business who would talk about hey investing and talk about hey we want to do some extra things we could do yeah we got the qualifications we know how to fly the airplane we could do all that but we've got some time. So, instead of playing golf every day, let's start talking about things like businesses. So, I started building tribes. I put some tribes together with my really, really close buddies, you know, five or six of them at a time, and
15:33 we just started talking about stuff. And again, it just it imprints on you. You start learning more. You're you're you're hearing it every day. So, that walked me through becoming, you know, and harnessing and shaping me God was shaping me into this thing, and it's allowed me to, you know, continue to be successful. And it's really those relationships because you come across different people in life. You know this better than me. You have leaders in the military, you have friends and peers that you're like, I want to be just like that person, and I sure as heck don't want to be like that person, but I'm going to learn from both, right? I'm going to take the skills, and then I'm
16:08 going to take everything that I can from both of them, but I'm going to be more that person rather than that person. And so, that exposure, you know, we always talked about soft skills in the military. That's That was huge. But being an a business owner, being someone that's getting into this period of learning more is see where you've been, who do you know, and how are those people and those experiences shaping you? That's so huge, Kevin, and that's what it's done to me. Being around, you know, my business partner David, he's been a business owner for 30 years. So, when you're around a person like that, and that that energy, that juice is
16:43 flowing into you, and given your skill sets, you're now becoming more of a skilled crafted person, and you're getting these skill sets cuz you're open to it. And you've got the trust of those people that they want to share it with you because they know the type of person you are. And I'm not saying that as a proud person. I'm just saying that that that's me. I love people. I love helping people. So, that it that introduces a side of trust. When people trust you, forget about it. I mean, it's like the kitchen sink comes out. Right. Right. So, it sounds like part of
17:21 the development of your skills, the development of your success, it it it it it was it's attributable attributable to at least two things. One is um
17:33 >> [clears throat]
17:33 >> you you chose to immerse yourself in or create and immerse yourself in an environment that would support the kind of things about which you wanted to learn and would support the development of the skills that you thought you needed on the one hand. And then on the other hand, at least temporarily, you you said, "Well, look, you know, I'm going to I'm like you said, I'm I'm not going to play golf. I'm going to I'm going to do this other thing that has this long-term financial benefit. I mean, I don't
18:10 particularly enjoy playing golf, but you know, for people who play golf, like that's it's very enjoyable. Um but you know, there was some you know, sort of postponing of gratification as we say, right? For for the longer good. Yes, absolutely. I couldn't agree with you more. That's exactly smartly and masterfully said. Because, you know, real estate was the was the mechanism, the vehicle, the conduit, but it took everything that I already had and I've learned and I continue to learn and it allowed me to do it through real estate as a business owner.
18:47 But it it, you know, it may have been a school teacher, who knows, but like, you know, it's real estate and that's where I find, you know, the joy that I have based on the skill sets I've learned and I've continued to grow and the education never ends, you know, the reading the books and the articles and studying and and me and just doing the academia stuff, but it's really the relationships and the and the people that bring in different ideas, right? I mean, one of my buddies says that if you're the smartest person in the room, then find another room, right? Because you don't ever want to be that smartest person. You don't want to feel like, "Oh, I'm I
19:23 made it. I don't need to do it anymore." No, you're always going to be learning. You're always going to be learning. And you brought up a good point before, too, and another great statement. Is and I had to learn this hard way is you can't dig a hundred holes one foot deep. You you dig one hole a hundred feet deep. One of my friends taught me that. And he's so right because the more you can focus on that one hole, the more you're clear, the more you're focused, the more you know, and the deeper you're going until you hit that hole. And that's been a huge uh help for me mentally, physically, and psychologically as a business owner because you and I are the same. We go
19:58 out want to do a million things, but sometimes it's too much. You got to focus on that one thing that's going to be a success. And that's where I've kind of gotten to now in my life where I know what that one thing is. Gary Keller and Jay Papasan wrote an amazing book called The One Thing. And that book has changed my life because it's the one thing that you can do that makes everything else better. Right. So, let's I want to I'd like to delve into what you talked about in terms of um building relationships. And and you would you attributed it I I think not
20:35 necessarily tongue in cheek to you know, genetics, your mom stopping people in the street, that kind of thing. And and perhaps, you know, there is a genetic component to it. Uh what what it what thoughts do you have for people who, you know, they don't have that genetic quality? And cuz you know, it's it's it's interesting. I wouldn't put either of my parents in the category of they just sort of, you know, stop strangers in the street. But I I used to listen to my mother talk about my paternal grandfather and he was
21:10 the kind of guy he'd walk into a room of strangers and by the end of the evening, he was everybody's friend, right? So, I don't know. Maybe maybe there is a genetic component for me as well, although I never really thought about it perhaps until just now. But, I think most of most people I meet, they struggle when they think about starting and building relationships. Sure. Give us Give us some thoughts on that because from from what I've seen of of your professional life, you're you're pretty intentional about building relationships. You're While you may have
21:46 this sort of proclivity for it, um you're not just sort of sitting back and saying, "Okay, I'm just you know, these relationships are going to develop while I just, you know, watch TV."
21:56 >> Yeah, no. They're not passive by no means. Exactly. Um you know, you went back to how I love golf, which I do. Uh love the sports cars. I love my church. You know, I would say that anybody that is maybe a little hesitant to to be around people, maybe a little more introverted than extroverted, whatever it is, find what you like. Find what you love. Find what you're excited about. Find what you like to do. You may like to be a chess player. Uh you may like to Whatever you do, right? Identify those things and then go find groups and people that are just like you who love those things
22:31 because you're going to probably most and most likely align well with those people. You're going to have a good conversation and most importantly, you're going to be yourself. And when you're yourself, everything is is good because you can enjoy. You don't have to worry. I don't have to show off. I don't have to be prideful. I don't have to be kind of guarded, right? Because you're around the same people. Whether you If you love to go to church functions and go to church functions, that's where you're going to meet great people. So, find those areas you feel comfortable with. I don't really I'm not really good at uh cliff diving or I'm not really good at
23:06 you know the chess club stuff. So, I wouldn't go necessarily as a primary to something like that. I would focus more on the golf guys and the church groups and stuff that I like. And so, it's kind of a two-pronged approach. What do I like? And then how do I find people in that same area that I like? And I guarantee you you will and when you do you're going to meet some great people and you're going to be yourself and grow some great relationships. So, and then once you're in that environment, so let's say you're you know you're you're out on the links or or maybe you're in the you know you're at the 19th hole afterwards or you're at
23:42 a church event. So, Okay, now you're there, right?
23:46 >> Yeah. Um what do you do? Like like walk up to a stranger or what happens? Yeah. Yeah, a lot of people struggle with that, right?
23:56 >> Sure. Sure. It's it's really a it's it's a blockage. Me too. I I do as well. When I go to a new conference for the first time or a first event or a new location and I'm meeting new people, I'm always a little hesitant. So, one of two things will happen. Either someone will come up to you or you'll get the courage to go up to someone and just have a conversation. And and you know next thing you know it's a well what do you do? And what do you do? And then you start talking and then oh let me get your business card. I'd love to talk to you more or hey I've got a buddy that's doing exactly what you're doing. I think you guys would gel really well. People like to help people. I'm sorry. Uh just 90% of the people out there want to help others. And so, I almost I'm willing to
24:32 guarantee that anybody that takes that plunge and just says hi or or just you know is at an open table and they see somebody walking up and they wave and make eye contact. Maybe there's a name tag. Whatever it is. Um yeah, you know and if it's it's even better if it's a if it's a group that's led by someone who you can contact and just ask, you know, hey what kind of people are going to be there? How do people usually connect? And they'll give you some great insights like, "Hey, yeah, give me a give me your paragraph of what you do for a living or what you're what you're looking for in this group and I'll make sure the members know when you come who you are
25:08 and they'll talk more to you." Right. So, yeah. So, put you on the spot here a little bit, but Absolutely. How many times when you've been in those kinds of situations and maybe, you know, you you sort of screwed up your courage and walked up to someone and, you know, introduced yourself? How many times did those people say to you, "Who the heck are you? Get away from me." Um never. Never. Not in person. I've gotten a couple of people on the phone where I try to tell them something and they're like, "Yeah, I'm not interested, buddy. See you later." That's fine. But never has anyone in person or virtually, you
25:46 know, kind of been like that. And and if God forbid there ever was and I would just say, "Okay, have a good day." You know, just kind to them and then you just go to the next person or or whoever you're talking to. So, I don't look at that as I I look at that as more of um something on that on their end, not me. And and not to again, not to be prideful, but just that's, you know, something different. Yeah.
26:10 >> Yeah. I've never experienced that. I hope I never do.
26:13 >> [laughter]
26:13 >> And I asked the question a little bit tongue-in-cheek as you might have guessed cuz, you know, look, it's the same thing for me, right? I'm I'm pretty shy. It doesn't seem like it doing these shows, but in an environment like that, my shyness comes out and and it really can be difficult to walk up to a stranger, right? We all have that fear of rejection and yet I've never, you know, in all the decades that I've been, you know, doing such things, I've never had somebody reject me. Uh not in a business context.
26:45 >> Not a business, yeah. Yeah.
26:46 >> [laughter]
26:47 >> Well, and that's, you know, you bring up a good point too. Like, I I watching my wife. We'll be married 24 months and uh 24 years in in May and it's like I love watching her cuz she is more timid than I am and I see that sometimes in my kids that they have a little bit more of her timidity than I than me. And so but when I see her herself and she's with people, she is like you know her. She's like forget about it. She's throwing the coffee table off the and she starts dancing at a New Year's Eve party. But when she's with somebody, people she does know, she's very quiet, reserved, a little taken back. She doesn't take the plunge. She's with me, she knows she's
27:22 got to. Other than that. But yeah, you know, it's it's interesting observing your spouse or your significant other or someone who's a close friend and see how they react, too. Yeah. And that's the other point. Bring someone you know to those groups. You know?
27:36 >> Right. Right. And and double team it like like Tom Cruise and Tony Edwards in Yeah, that's right. Like pretend I don't know you and you don't know me and we get there. Let's kind of do maybe more people come, you know, it's a good strategy. Yeah, you might end up with uh can't even think of the actress's name.
27:53 >> [laughter]
27:53 >> Yeah, Kelly McGillis, you know Kelly McGillis. I remember her, my friend.
27:58 >> [laughter]
28:00 >> It's it's it's an out movie, you know, for us as Yeah, that was really good. Did you join the Navy? Let's take a quick break and we'll talk some more. Yes, sir. When life brings unexpected changes, managing inherited property shouldn't add to your stress. Magnum Property specializes in probate and trust real estate management. We handle the complexities while you focus on what matters most. From property maintenance to tenant relations, from legal compliance to maximizing value,
28:35 we're your trusted partner through every step. Magnum Properties Inc., turning property challenges into peace of mind. Call us today at 213-264-4396 or visit magnumprops.com. So, okay. So, you know, we we we've talked about you know, kind of the movement between generating income, building wealth, kind of, you know, moving back and forth between those as you raise each side. And we've talked about the centrality of of relationships
29:12 as really the foundation for either either one, you know, generating any income, building wealth. So, talk to us now about maybe some of the mechanics that that you used in in you know, as you put it, sort of coming to these revelations about, you know, what is your one thing and and how then you were you were able to, you know, use that discovery to focus your life perhaps differently than you had before. Yeah, [snorts] the last three years have
29:47 been really exciting because I've been able to um be introduced to some amazing opportunities where it would allow it allowed me to take some these skill sets that now matured where I feel, "Hey, this is this has got some great, you know, revenue potential." And so, I was uh introduced to a couple of brokerages uh for real estate agents and um I was brought in to help teach them and show them how to invest possibly in real estate. And so, that was the original intent, but I I soon realized that a lot
30:23 of them were having trouble with a lot of the basics. And not not speaking down to them at all, but just realizing that some of these folks have never built a budget spreadsheet or a net worth spreadsheet or they don't understand like a lot of some of the basics. So, we've got to start with some foundational things because I can't be teaching them about the penthouse stuff and the the fourth the fourth floor stuff if there's no foundation first second floor third floor. So it kind of shifted then to more of the foundations then getting into the foundations of investing then getting into the more advanced stuff. And so that again opened
31:00 the door to the potential of exciting stuff cuz I love that stuff, right? That's stuff that you know I enjoy doing. My wife can't stand it but I do the budgets. I do all that. So I've got a lot of that skill set. So that helped uh shape things a bit and then um I was introduced to an amazing gentleman last May and he and I got together had some really good coaching sessions where he kind of explained to me, "Hey, you're sitting on something huge here where you could really be a a facilitator, an educator, a coach and uh and help folks across the country that want to learn more about educating themselves on how
31:36 to be a passive real estate investor, how to be a syndication expert, capital, how to be a developer, but being in that world, all right? So that again God's little whispers in my ear and um I've you know I I'll say this uh kind of honestly, I've just fallen in love with the the abilities of AI and how I can leverage AI to really really help me uh and and put things into um a way that I want them and and some of it's a little intimidating cuz it's actually doing it than I've even thought of but
32:11 at the same time it's really allowed me um the ability to put a lot of these things in on paper and and build um like these road maps, build these capability statements, build these things that now are like, "Wow, I can advertise this because it's on paper. It shows people what I've done and what I do." And so that AI technology um leveraging that has really revolutionized the last 3 years worth of what I've done, which is now been a shift to the coaching, the education,
32:46 the consulting, and the advising as I continue to run my business as as the chief operating officer, and that continues to be my primary, but now the efficiency of that technology, I now built an ability to go out and leverage all those skills we've discussed in my world and take that to the marketplace. And it's like, holy cow. This is unbelievable. Like, it's amazing. And I can I can show folks, and I've already started getting connections and people that want to leverage those services. And so that gives you even more courage, you know, you're going down that one
33:21 hole and you're going beyond 100 ft, and you're striking more oil. And so that has been a game-changer. And uh, again, I talked to people, and you probably do too, that are very intimidated by AI, but I think what people need to recognize is that AI is an efficiency tool. It's not a tool to do everything. Um, that's how I use it, you know, and and that's how I see a lot of businesses use it. Um, so yeah, I think that's been really a a way to take the last 3 years and turn it into something now that I've branded to bring to the marketplace.
33:56 So, dig into this, if you will. How How's What What's one specific way that you you use AI um, to to get out these So, and I'll give you an example. So,
34:10 >> Sure. these shows that I do, right? So,
34:14 >> [clears throat]
34:14 >> I have a body of knowledge that I've built up, body of, you know, knowledge, skills, and experience that I built up over, you know, four decades or maybe more. Uh, and but sometimes I'm trying to think of, you know, show ideas, and it's it's it's tough, right? And so I but I can go to, you know, Chat GPT or or proximity and say, "Hey, give me 20 ideas for shows on wealth building that, you know, that that are complement, you know, the following skills or or experiences that
34:50 I have." You know, 10 seconds later, I have that list. And I can pull out the ones from them from you know, from that list that that sound interesting to me. And then I can and I can use that tool, that same tool to help me develop those ideas into actual shows, right? So, I've got all the knowledge and such, but but if I had to spend my own time organizing my thoughts, you know, that's probably minimally a couple of hours.
35:26 And and what what, you know, Chat GPT can do in, you know, less than a few minutes. So, again, we we've talked about this, you know, from time to time, but I'm curious to have you give an example. Yeah, I mean, before disclosure, I think everyone should at least try what's out there. There's so many different systems. You have Claude, Perplexity, Copilot, you know, Gemini, Chat GPT. So, you know, explore with them. Try them. See which one you like, but I use Chat GPT for about 80% of what I do. And if
36:04 if I'm working on projects, I'm working on deliverables, I that's my that's my tool and I'll explain that. But if I'm wanting to find people in my area that are aligned with me or people specifically, I use Gemini. Gemini's a better tool that I use for people. And Chat GPT does everything else. So, I've got a pro version. It costs 20 bucks a month, which is highway robbery from the standpoint that I should be paying it $2,000 a month minimum. And I've got 15 virtual avatar agents that work for me. Mhm. And each one is focused in a certain area.
36:39 So, I've got my insurance agent. I've got my CPA. I've got my uh legal reviewer, not preparer, reviewer. I've got my due diligence expert. I've got my wealth building avatar. I've got my uh wealth building uh coaching avatar. So, I've got all these different avatars that I built by talking to it. And then, I've got all like you, I've got all the resident knowledge of documents and and products, PDFs, presentations, decks, whatever that I built, and I put that into the configuration piece to be a lot of the
37:14 brains. And so, now I have a tool that not only I've spoken to that it's built itself, it also uses a lot of the tools that I've had over the years now as a lot of its genealogy, if you will. So, that when I work with it, it's it's referencing all of that as part of its brains to help, you know, help me. So, like you said, about 2 weeks ago, I spent a full week on building this new uh mine new um occupation, new income growing system that I have. And in 1 week, I probably did 5 months
37:50 worth of work in 1 week from what that thing was able to help me with. Right. And what was nice about it was I knew what I wanted, but it really made what I wanted better from a time efficiency and product delivery. But, I had to go in and make tweaks and make some changes and and she's got to be a you got to be a filter, like we talked about. You got to be a filter. You can't just take it what it says. And then, when you're building based on sources, you want to use quality sources. Like, so I use quality sources when I do a real real deal, and my model that I built is using commercial real estate brokerage sites
38:26 that not not Reddit or what's on Facebook, you know, as that's quality sources that I still check and I ask for links to so I can go and do my own independent due diligence. So, it's really powerful from this stage of my life as I grow this active income because it's put together everything from resumes, cover letters, um you know, pricing plans, um it's even told me, "Hey, you want to make it an introductory pricing plan? Let's go with this versus what I said here." And it's just making it better refinements. And then it starts to get to know you better, like you said, and it starts asking you questions that you
39:01 didn't even think of, and it's like, "Oh, yeah, that's a great idea. Why don't we do that? But let's do it like this." I don't give it too much autonomy. But like, you know, I I I'd put barriers and borders around it, but it it's just, Kevin, it's it's just an amazing tool. And when you read out there that venture capital funds are are integrating it into 80% of their business, private equity 77% of its business, uh other seed capital firms 72 to 75%, it's it's being integrated, not used. It's being brought in as veins and arteries to the company's body. And it's it's it's amazing.
39:37 Um and I and I say that as someone that still respects it and and limits it, but at the same time uses it because of the time, right? Like I can run my business full-time and do this with the help of my my AI virtual assistants and still be able to spend time with my family at 5:00 at the end of the day. Yeah. Right? I mean, it it it I and I agree with you 100%. Um you know, like I in the in the I've mentioned the the show I did a few weeks ago a couple of times already.
40:13 I think that people's fear of AI is is It's I mean it's look it's natural to fear the unknown, right? Which is why I think your advice to just start using them is so important. Because I I I also when I first was hearing about them like, I'm never going to use these things. They're awful. You know, this is the end I mean I was I didn't catastrophize to the point
40:39 >> Right. I got it. I got it. Right. But the fact of the matter is I had no idea what they were. But then when I started actually using them And it's like, okay, well, this is all right. I mean it's you know, it's fine. It's it's You know, semi-benign, right? Um but then as I saw the the potential it had for making my business life more productive. I wouldn't say it makes it easier, but it does make it more productive.
41:08 >> Right? That's really where it it you know, it it made its impact. Yeah. No, I agree. What got me over the edge real quick is that I got together with a good friend of mine, brother in in Christ, and we we had lunch and and he talked to me about it. And I said, Joe, I would love to jump on and on a Zoom and and see how you do this. He's like, yeah, absolutely. Let's do that. And so when we did that, I said, would you mind if I record it? He said, sure. And Kevin, after that hour, my mouth was like this. And I said, Joe, I should write you a check for $5,000 for this video. He's
41:44 like, nah, you just keep it. And going through that video and watching it and watching it and watching it and watching it, I was just like, wow, this is this is amazing. And this was about a year and a half ago, and he and I have some great conversations. But what I've done is I've shared it because it's like this is a powerful technology, and it's just giving more credibility to the reputation I have with helping people, and I want people to use it because I want them to feel comfortable with it, and that's the way we're going. It's like when email came out, eventually you had to use it, you know? Yeah. It's that's that's where we're going. Yeah. Yeah. So,
42:20 look you fancy yourself an older guy, but you're you're not.
42:25 >> [laughter]
42:25 >> You're you're a middle-aged guy at at the most.
42:27 >> Okay. I qualify as an older guy. But but but my my point in bringing that up is is you know, look, we we've we had a lot of experience in the you know, sort of analog business world. You know, before you know, AI became you know, the thing. Yeah. You know, there look, there's a whole generation or generations of younger people who maybe they're immersed in technology. So, you know, they're they're probably better on you know, a computer or a you know, or a what do you call it, an iPad you know, than you and I will ever be,
43:02 right? Sure. But by the same token, um they don't have the kind of legacy business knowledge that we have, right? So, if if they're using or they're wanting to use an AI to enhance their professional life, I I could imagine that that you know, they're much less confident in their ability to really know, "Hey, am I getting good stuff from you know, chat GPT or Claude or whatever?"
43:32 >> So, what thoughts do you have for you know, perhaps younger people who they're maybe they're just you know, somewhat recently out of college. They're just starting out on their professional journey. I know think your daughter, right, just graduated undergrad, right?
43:50 >> undergrad. undergrad. So, if you were talking to your daughter, what would you tell her about this um that that would probably be different than cuz her experience is going to be different than the experience you and I have, right? Right.
44:04 >> Well, we won't use my daughter cuz she's brilliant. She can beat me at Boggle every time we play, but um and she's she's pretty smart kid. She's going to be a physical therapist. So, she's on her path. But, I still I still talk to her. But, let's talk about my older son, you know, him Jack. He's a second year student in college studying business. Uh about 2 months ago, we started saying hey I said to him, "Hey buddy, let's let's jump on a Zoom once a week for an hour. Let's talk about you. And and let's cuz it's like I feel like we're at a point and listen, I'd take your hair any day of the week, so you know, don't don't say I'm not too old. Um we get together once a week for an hour on Zoom
44:39 and it's awesome, Kevin. It's awesome because exactly what you're saying, he has got that tech-savvy stuff going on, but he's looking up to his dad, which to me is I cry when I think about it. Um he even told me one day, "I'm just so proud of you this and that." But, that's another story. But, we meet and he just he and I just talk about business, right? He's a second year kid getting his business degree. I'm like, "Buddy, get on LinkedIn. Get your profile going. Look for people at Hamden, Sydney. Align with them. They're in business. If you get a mentor, I'm happy to be your mentor, but you don't always want to listen to your dad. You didn't listen to me when you were a kid. You're going to probably want to listen to somebody else, right? But, those sessions have
45:16 been amazing. And like if I could replicate that session and do that with every kid across the country who's 20 to 30 to 35 40 years old, I would because the the joy I have with him is I would love to replicate that. So, a lot of you're right, a lot of kids need mentors. They need people that they can look up to who have that experience, especially people in the fields they want to study, right? Especially in those fields that they want to be successful in the industries. If I could go back 30 40 years and and have that mindset, oh my goodness gracious. Forget about Elon Musk, right? And move over. I mean, that
45:51 mindset, that thought process would have changed me. But, I'm not going to regret that cuz I'm now I'm bringing my legacy to my family. So, those sessions with my son have been amazing and he's loved it. And so, I would say again, get a mentor. And kids today, I mean it's like kids, but people today can get their hands on stuff by going on to YouTube and looking it up and and watching a 20- or 30-minute video, right? Trust, but verify. But at the same time, you can learn so much. And, you know, to be at our stage of life, right? We've got that business savvy, we've got those skill sets. And if we can be like those young
46:28 guns, maybe not as great or as balanced as they are, but have a little bit of that, we we become, you know, in a good way, dangerous because we've got both of us both of the best worlds there. The point is funny because when I was working at the staff with the Navy, they used to always have like 75% civilians, but they had to have 25% military. And why was that? Because the military guy was the war fighter. They brought the operational readiness, the mission the mission savvy to the table that the civilian needed to write the policy, to write the instructions, you know, write the budget because the military person
47:04 was the one out there who was the war fighter. So, it's like, yeah, you got to immerse yourself in both those worlds. Well, I I mean, you know, and and I wasn't thinking about that when you when you when when I asked you the question, but yeah, you know, that mentorship portion is is the critical portion for younger people. And and it's it's it is it can be tough to find a mentor. I know for myself, I look, I love my dad, um but he was he was not in business. Um and nor was my mother. Um and and so, especially for someone who wants to be in business, um
47:41 you know, you may need you may need to look beyond your family. You may need to reach out to others, right? And and LinkedIn really is a tremendous resource. I I think it's I think people just don't understand the you know, the ability to to reach out to people there and it comes down to something you mentioned toward the beginning of the show which I think bears repeating and that is probably 90% of the people want to help, you know, want to help other people. I mean, it's it's it's it's sounds so cliche, but
48:17 to reach out to someone and say, "Will you help me?" Most people are want to say yes. Yeah, absolutely. And and that's why I like telling my son Jack and I would tell anybody who's at that point where they're just starting out or they want to transition is, you know, if you do that, find people again, the chess club, the college you went to, the baseball team you follow, whatever it is, or the companies you like in the areas and and start finding those people on LinkedIn and connect with them. And then ask them out for a cup of coffee on you and bring your resume with you and a cover letter. You start having a great conversation and say, "Hey, I would love
48:52 for you to keep me in mind if you know of any positions that are open." And then they say, "Well, why don't you send me your resume?" I definitely will and there you go. So, that's the door that gets you here in a job search in here. So, you're already above and beyond. Right. But just from a personal professional development, from a wealth building, from whatever you want, it's there's a lot of wealth and and a lot of resources there on that side. I agree. I love Instagram, too. I've been connecting with amazing people on Instagram. Um so, social media is very powerful, um but again, stay in that one hole because if you try to go and do everything, it
49:28 it it's tough. It's tough. I speak from experience. Yeah, and and again, I think you bring up a good point because, you know, social media has been taking a lot of uh hits, you know, lately um with the, you know, the case with uh Meta and and all of that and and and You got it. you know, setting all that aside, used as a tool Mhm. for for a very specific purpose. I you know, I agree with you. Social media can be very very powerful. I know for me my my
50:04 platform of choice is is really LinkedIn. I mean, I do a few things on Facebook and Instagram and such. But for
50:10 >> I agree with you. LinkedIn is 90% of the professional cuz it's just a such a great tool. I agree I agree with you. Yeah. Another thing that you brought up that I want to emphasize is, you know, if if a young person went to college or you know, even went to high school you know, inevitably there are you know, previous graduates who have you know, gained success and you can find those people on LinkedIn and because you have that connection, you know, they they will be even more
50:46 likely to want to help you. Same same if you have any kind of thing like if you were a former military. For sure. I know this cuz I've done this myself. Former people formerly in the military, they are very likely to connect with you. So, any kind of affiliation that you have, you can meet people on LinkedIn who have that affiliation and and they can you know, look for people who are 10, 15, 20 years ahead of you. You know, you'll find your mentor there. Yeah, Kevin, you know, I try to do every day and it's on my calendar and I would suggest that folks do this and again,
51:21 this is from the one thing book is you should put an hour a day aside to do what's called time blocking. And so, and that's your time. That's you time, right? That's not your business time. That's not pay the bills time. That's not take the dog out for a walk time. It's you time. And so, that one hour is really personal and professional development to grow your wealth, grow your whatever whatever you're focused on. And again, it goes back to that one thing, right? So, for me it's I'm really excited about this new venture. I'm really excited about bringing this to the marketplace. So, that's my that's my time block each day for 1 hour. And so,
51:56 as more as the more I can do that, it's going to make things better for me all around, right? And and that's really important. I think your listeners should should try to do that. And if they say, "Well, I don't have an hour a day." I say, "Sure you do. If you're watching 2 hours of Netflix a night, you got an hour." So, you know what I mean? And and again, it's it's it's [clears throat] a it's a sacrifice. It's a discipline. It's a habit. You got to build that. Atomic Habits and and the one thing says an average of 65 days if you do something disciplined, it becomes a habit, right? So, that that's what you got to do. And you deserve it cuz you know and I know
52:32 in the military, we do a great job for the service, but when we leave the service, it's going to still be there and they're going to do a great job. At some point, you got to say, "Hey, I got to start thinking about myself a little bit. Be a little selfish. It's okay. Don't feel bad about it." Well, and you know what? I I we're we're we're actually out of time, but that's a great it's a great point to end on because I know I to this day I struggle with that, right? Well, if I'm if I'm focusing on myself, I'm being selfish, but but indeed we we need to take that time for to examine our lives, to examine what we're doing, and to
53:08 understand where we want to go and how to get there. So, great great great point.
53:14 >> Yeah, maybe another another conversation. Yeah, yeah. Great minds think yeah yeah yeah, great minds think alike, right? And one day both of us will have a great mind. Well, John, thanks so much for for talking with me today. I think very very powerful ideas that that you shared. So,
53:34 >> Hey, man. I would do this with you every day if we could.
53:36 >> [laughter]
53:37 >> I know, right? So, I'm going to do a quick wrap-up. We'll we'll talk offline in a moment. So, you two folks, you know, I think that you you know, this John really is just the living embodiment, frankly, of so much that I that I talk about on this particular show. He he he has, you know, married together the idea of of you know, job hunting, starting and running a business, building wealth. All of that comes together into our
54:12 sort of a um an ecosystem in our lives. And and it takes some time. You can see from John's story that this wasn't something that was sort of born fully, you know, fully op- um operating, but but he he worked on it. And and he was, you know, disciplined about it, yes. Um he had help from great people, for sure. Um but most of that it wasn't it wasn't happenstance. It It came because John took the time to figure out what he wanted from life, and then he went out
54:49 and looked for it, made I I know from from, you know, the years that we've been friends, he made a lot of mistakes, but he also kept at it and and and here he sits today. So, uh you know, as as as kind of an icon of of you know, what I would hope that that you would all build for yourself, you know, John John stands at the the the you know, the tip of the pyramid there. So, um I'll I'll put John you know, with your permission, I'll put your contact information
55:19 >> absolutely. Please. And if anybody wants to reach out anytime, I'd love to have those conversations. So, please do. Thanks, Kevin. I thank you for those kind words. I really appreciate that. Yeah, for sure. So, for those of you who are watching on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or listening, if you if you just look down into the show notes, you'll find John's contact information. I'm also going to put a I'll put a link to your to your LinkedIn profile as well so people can check that out cuz we talked about LinkedIn so much. For sure. Uh just just real quickly befo- before we sign off. So,
55:54 um remember my my full slate of shows. Monday These are all all the times are at Pacific time. 10:00 a.m. Monday morning Trust and Estates Weekly, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday mornings Business Lessons from the Military, 10:00 a.m. Wednesday mornings is People Making Money, and then every other Thursday at 5:00 p.m. is my show Jiggers Is Place. We have a cocktail and a schmooze. So, lots of opportunities for us to be together during the week. I hope you'll join me again. If you liked the show, um please please leave a comment or maybe consider
56:29 sending it to someone you know who maybe is kind of struggling with some of these issues. And and I know I know John would love as well as I would love to have the opportunity to help more people. And in my case, perhaps, you know, gain another subscriber. So, uh think about that. And and if we all help each other, look, that's that's what's going to make the world uh the the the place a better place for us all to live. So, John, one last thank you for for being my guest today. My pleasure. Signing off as I always do, Marie Darling, you are my bell. Courage