Before I became the Founder and CIO of Capital Innovations, before my work was featured in , and long before I wrote , I was the youngest of five kids growing up south of Pittsburgh. My worldview wasn't shaped in a classroom; it was forged at the family dinner table.
When you hear names like Jeff Bezos or Warren Buffett, you probably think of online retail or the stock market. But they are also some of the biggest landowners in the country. It makes you wonder: why are some of the smartest business minds in the world buying up millions of acres of land? What’s so great about it?
Let's face it: the old career path of working one secure job for decades and then retiring comfortably on a pension is becoming a relic of the past. The reality for most people today is that retirement might mean a significant drop in living standards, with many facing the risk of poverty. This makes the idea of creating another source of income less of a luxury and more of a necessity, especially when you're already .
There's a common belief that to succeed in business, you need to appeal to the largest possible market. But the truth is, there are riches in niches. Consider the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, which held a convention for over 300 professional Santas—a niche within the already specific Santa niche. Every industry association, from national speaking groups to local chapters, represents a focused market ripe with opportunity for someone.