My Worst Investment Ever Podcast Bryan Clayton – Remember That New Things Bring New Risks
BIO: Bryan Clayton is CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, an online marketplace that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals.
STORY: Bryan learned about Bitcoin from an employee who claimed to be a miner. He invested $10,000 without further research. Their Bitcoin wallet was hacked six months later, and he lost his entire investment.
LEARNING: Don’t do anything unless your whole heart and soul are in it. Understand all the risks you’re exposed to before getting into something new.
“There is no one move on the chessboard that wins the game. There are no shortcuts; it’s always a build-up to the win.”
Bryan Clayton
Guest profile
Bryan Clayton is CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, an online marketplace that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals. Before starting GreenPal, Bryan founded Peachtree Inc., one of the largest landscaping companies in Tennessee, and sold it in 2013. Bryan’s interest and expertise are related to entrepreneurship, small business growth, marketing, and bootstrapping businesses from zero revenue to profitability and exit.
Worst investment ever
In 2012, Bryan got to know about Bitcoin through one of his employees, a Bitcoin miner. The employee explained to Bryan the theory of Bitcoin and what it was. Bryan thought cryptocurrencies were pretty cool, and he was interested in investing in this invisible money.
Bryan invested about $10,000 into Bitcoin. Six months later, his employee was in panic mode. Bryan learned that their Bitcoin wallet had been hacked and all their Bitcoin stolen. So, Bryan’s $10,000 went to zero just like that.
Lessons learned
- Don’t do anything unless your whole heart and soul are in it.
- You have to get into the game to understand and learn how to mitigate risks.
Andrew’s takeaways
- If there were a fast way of getting rich, everyone would do it.
- New equals risk, so understand all the risks you’re exposed to.
Actionable advice
Dedicate time to work on yourself while you’re working on and in the business of investing.
No. 1 goal for the next 12 months
For the next 12 months, Bryan’s goal is to achieve 50% business growth.
Parting words
“Don’t let risk scare you to stay on the sidelines. Get in the game because only when you’re in the game can you win.”
Bryan Clayton
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Connect with Bryan Clayton
Andrew’s books
- How to Start Building Your Wealth Investing in the Stock Market
- My Worst Investment Ever
- 9 Valuation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Transform Your Business with Dr.Deming’s 14 Points
Andrew’s online programs
- Valuation Master Class
- How to Start Building Your Wealth Investing in the Stock Market
- Finance Made Ridiculously Simple
- Become a Great Presenter and Increase Your Influence
- Transform Your Business with Dr. Deming’s 14 Points