The Lifestyle Investor - Investing, Passive Income, Wealth

Building and selling a company is hard—but managing wealth afterward is a completely different challenge.Jay Jacobs knows this firsthand. An OG member of The Lifestyle Investor Mastermind, and my very first Private Client, Jay founded RAPID Manufacturing in 2001 and grew it over 17 years into the world’s largest prototype sheet metal manufacturer and the second-largest prototype CNC machining business. RAPID’s success was fueled by leveraging modern technology—and after selling the company for 9-figures, Jay launched Paperless Parts to give other manufacturers access to the same kinds of tools. Today, Paperless Parts is the #1 quoting and estimating software in manufacturing, with $25M ARR.But even with all that success, Jay faced a new reality after his exit: the skills that made him a world-class entrepreneur weren’t the same ones he needed to protect and grow his wealth.As an entrepreneur, he was used to taking calculated risks, moving fast, and having full control over outcomes. As an investor, the rules were different—success meant slowing down, saying “no” more often than “yes,” and trusting others to be good stewards of his capital. The optimism and risk tolerance that served him in business could quickly become liabilities in investing.In this conversation, he shares how he made that transition—building a passive income stream to replace his paycheck, creating guardrails to avoid costly mistakes, and designing a life filled with impact, travel, and passion projects. You’ll hear the mindset changes that guide his decisions, the relationships that open up high-quality deal flow, and the lessons that can help you avoid the costly mistakes that wipe out fortunes.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why the skills that build a company aren’t the same ones that grow and protect wealth—and how to make the shift from entrepreneur to investor.2.) The strategy behind Jay’s leap from a 9-figure exit to building a $25M ARR industry leader in manufacturing software.3.) The lifestyle design strategies Jay uses to turn passions into profitable ventures and create unforgettable life experiences.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/252Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He was dying. They thought he wouldn’t survive. So they stole his $1B company.Adel Sayegh built a billion-dollar business from nothing—pioneering security tag technology, facial recognition, and GPS tracking. But while he lay on his deathbed battling pancreatic cancer, the people he trusted most betrayed him.They drained his accounts, forged documents, and used his assets to rack up debt. The result? A complete collapse of the empire he spent decades building.In this raw, emotional episode, Adel shares the true story of how he lost everything—and why he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. From surviving terminal illness to finding unshakable peace through his faith, this is one of the most unbelievable stories ever told on the podcast.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why Adel chose forgiveness over prosecution—even after being betrayed by his most trusted team members.2.) The hard-earned lessons from bootstrapping a billion-dollar company from his garage—and why he wouldn’t take the same approach today.3.) How faith—and unexplainable miracles—helped Adel survive terminal cancer and discover a greater purpose.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/251Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Jon Vroman, Founder of Front Row Dads, and Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, as they open up about the importance of fatherhood, marriage, and community. They share personal health struggles, highlighting how slowing down can lead to unexpected gifts. The duo discusses re-prioritizing family over career ambitions, emphasizing the hidden habits that hold men back. With heartfelt anecdotes, they explore the value of authentic connections and leading by example for the next generation.

What if you could stop chasing one-time sales and build a business that pays you again and again—predictably, reliably, and without the hustle? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Stu McLaren, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs achieve.As the co-founder of Membership.io and creator of The Membership Experience™, Stu is one of the world’s leading membership experts. He’s spent the last 16+ years helping entrepreneurs turn what they know and love into thriving membership businesses that generate recurring revenue and real freedom. And now he’s packed everything he’s learned into a new book called Predictable Profits.In our conversation, Stu breaks down what actually works when it comes to memberships—what keeps people around, what makes them leave, and how to build something that lasts. No fluff, no hype—just real strategies that actually move the needle.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) Why the membership model is the ultimate path to predictable profits—and how it can boost your business valuation, create lifestyle freedom, and unlock compounding revenue over time.2.) The success path framework that will give your members clarity and direction—so they avoid overwhelm, stay engaged longer, and actually get results.3.) How to 3x the lifetime value of your members by optimizing their first 30 days with one simple onboarding strategy.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/249Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jenny Wood, author of 'Wild Courage' and a former Google executive, shares her journey from corporate success to personal fulfillment. She challenges the notion that negative traits like selfishness and manipulation are weaknesses, framing them instead as tools for influence and growth. Jenny reveals nine unconventional traits that embody Wild Courage and discusses the importance of mindset shifts in overcoming fear. Her insights offer a fresh perspective on leadership, showing how embracing audacity can unlock opportunities and lead to a more fulfilling life.

Roy H. Williams, the "Wizard of Ads," has spent 40 years helping brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK achieve billion-dollar growth through authentic storytelling. He reveals that the key to powerful advertisements is reflecting the true identity of the founder or brand. Discussing emotional marketing, he emphasizes that identity—not logic—drives buying decisions. Williams shares how to embed authenticity in your marketing and identifies four fundamental human desires that should be incorporated into your ads for true connection.

Matt Earl Beesley is a Hollywood director known for his work on classics like Braveheart and Christmas Vacation. In this conversation, he shares his inspiring journey from an intern to a successful director, emphasizing the power of collaboration over ego. He also dives into his passion project in Texas, which explores themes of immigration and family dynamics. Beesley reflects on meaningful storytelling and the mindset shifts learned from industry legends, offering sage advice for pursuing one's craft while maintaining a fulfilling life.

Brett Swarts, Founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, shares his expertise in deferring taxes on appreciated assets. He reveals how the Deferred Sales Trust can enable investors to cash out without incurring capital gains taxes, unlocking financial freedom. The discussion highlights the limitations of 1031 exchanges and advocates for a flexible, strategic approach to tax mitigation. Brett empowers listeners with actionable insights to enhance wealth via effective tax strategies and investment planning.

You set out to build wealth, then realized your family was getting the leftovers.But it doesn’t have to be either-or, you can thrive in both.Today, I’m talking with Chad Willardson—wealth advisor to 8 & 9-figure founders, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and father of five—who’s figured out how to scale his wealth and stay fully present for his family. He runs a successful wealth advisory firm, owns multiple businesses, travels by private jet, and still makes it to his kids’ games.In this conversation, Chad reveals the exact frameworks he uses to buy back time, build lasting wealth, and prioritize what matters most—insights he expands on in his upcoming book, Fully Invested: Why Work-Life Balance Is a Total Lie.You’ll learn how he structures investments, leverages debt without stress, and designs a calendar around his life, not just his work.In this episode, you’ll learn: 1.) The habits and systems Chad uses to prioritize family without sacrificing growth2.) The “buy, borrow, die” strategy that Chad uses to grow his wealth tax-free3.) The real cost (and benefit) of buying a private jet4.) The “Right Brain / Left Brain” executive assistant system that saved his time and sanityShow Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/244Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today’s episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Wilson, founder of Family Office Club and Billionaires.com, shares insights gained from analyzing over 1,000 billionaire strategies. He reveals the mental models used by the ultra-wealthy to spot lucrative deals and emphasizes the importance of niche investing. The conversation explores leveraging AI for better investment returns and the role of family values in creating a lasting legacy. Wilson also highlights the power of community engagement and mastermind groups to enhance financial growth and accountability.