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Episode notes

an Cassel hails from the distinctive region of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, an area known for its Amish community and pastoral charm. His upbringing in such a unique environment holds a special place in his life story, though it may not directly correlate to his professional journey. His narrative took a pivotal turn in the late 1990s when, as a teenager living through the dot-com boom, his parents presented him with a life-altering decision.

With $20,000 saved for his college education, they laid out the realities of his financial support, prompting Ian to weigh his future academic aspirations thoughtfully. This early lesson in financial responsibility and weighing the value of education against potential debt would be a cornerstone experience that shaped his approach to life and eventual career choices.

00:00 Lancaster, Amish country, limited college fund decision.

05:08 Lucky investment leads to full-time investor.

06:23 Rapidly learned microcap investing, founded Microcapclub.com.

12:45 Small businesses require independent research and conviction.

13:37 Microcap investing often misunderstood, less failure than assumed.

19:47 Scaling from microcap to macrocap requires structure.

20:47 Microcap investing offers small investors unique advantages.

27:00 Disconnect stock price from business valuation for advantage.

28:10 Averaging down can be a risky skill.

33:55 Focus on management ownership, valuation, and diligence.

37:36 Microcap investments require careful consideration of liquidity.

38:33 Testing smaller positions, adjusting based on performance.