Building Wealth With a Focus On Financial Independence

I was building wealth solo—and it almost backfired. You see, I did everything “right” after college… ✅ Landed a great job at Ernst & Young ✅ Saved diligently ✅ Started investing in a 401(k) But I still felt like I was missing something. Here are 5 risks I faced on my wealth-building journey—and how I overcame them: 🔻 RISK #1: Idle Savings I thought saving was enough. My money sat in a low-interest account while inflation ate away at its value. ✅ SOLUTION: I pushed past my fear and started learning. While working in accounting, I educated myself on pre-tax/post-tax investing—and started with a 401(k). It was my first leap. 🔻 RISK #2: Unused Distributions Even after I started investing, my dividends and mutual fund distributions just...sat there. ✅ SOLUTION: I discovered dividend reinvestment and the concept of “dividend aristocrats.” I let compounding do its magic. 🔻 RISK #3: Tax Drain As my income grew, so did my tax burden. Uncle Sam took a bigger bite each year. ✅ SOLUTION: I tapped into my tax accounting background and began investing in multifamily real estate. I discovered how real estate can grow wealth and offer tax advantages. 🔻 RISK #4: Asset Oversaturation My portfolio became too heavy in one asset class—apartment complexes. ✅ SOLUTION: I learned to diversify across asset types: self-storage, mobile home parks, hospitality, and beyond. 🔻 RISK #5: Real Estate Cycles The economy doesn’t stand still. Real estate has cycles—and that means risk. ✅ SOLUTION: I began exploring non-cyclical alternatives to protect and grow my family’s wealth during downturns. Then something clicked... 💡 Most of my high-income peers—tech leaders, finance pros, engineers—had never heard of these strategies. So I founded SAMO Financial LLC to help others learn what I wish I’d known sooner: You don’t need to go it alone. And you can build lasting wealth outside of Wall Street. 🟦 Curious how to turn earned income into passive income streams? 🟦 Want your money to work harder than you do? Post "Let’s talk" in the comments. I coach professionals through this exact journey—no jargon, no pressure, just clarity. What’s the biggest obstacle holding you back from diversifying outside the stock market?

How I’d Build Wealth Differently, If I Were Starting Over If I could rewind 20 years and start fresh, Here’s exactly what I’d do to build wealth more intelligently: 1. Invest in Myself First. I’d focus on learning high-value skills like sales, leadership, and personal finance before chasing investments or promotions. 2. Build a Tax Strategy Immediately. I’d work with a CPA or strategist to ensure I kept more of what I earned instead of giving it away to taxes unnecessarily. 3. Prioritize Time Over Money. I’d invest in systems and tools to free up my time so I could focus on relationships, health, and bigger opportunities. 4. Network with Intent. I’d join mastermind groups, attend industry events, and actively build relationships with people who are where I want to be. 5. Seek Expert Guidance Sooner. I wouldn’t wait to work with advisors who understand tax planning, investing, and legacy building. For years, I thought earning more was the key—until I realized keeping and growing my money was the real game-changer. Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll level up your finances faster than you thought possible. Ready to create a plan to keep more, and grow your wealth? Let’s talk.

The secret to building generational wealth isn't starting from scratch. It's combining these 3 asset classes strategically: I've acquired 7 companies since 2006, building a $16.5M revenue portfolio. But the real wealth isn't in businesses alone - it's how you combine different asset classes to create exponential growth. The wealthiest people understand this formula. They don't just pick one asset class - they strategically combine three: 1. Business Assets The foundation of wealth building. When you buy an existing business, you get: • Both tangible and intangible value • Working systems and processes • Proven cash flow from day one • Established customer base 2. Real Estate Timing is critical here. Wait until your business generates consistent cash flow, then: • Use that cash flow to acquire strategic properties • Leverage physical assets as collateral • Create stability in your portfolio • Build long-term appreciation 3. Intellectual Property This is what separates the wealthy from the ultra-wealthy: • Patents, trademarks, content • Passive income generation • Unlimited scaling potential • No physical limitations The magic happens when you combine these assets correctly, they multiply each other: • Business cash flow funds real estate investments • Real estate provides collateral for expansion • IP creates new opportunities for both But there's one important thing you must not forget... Don't try to do everything at once. Start with one business. Get it generating consistent cash flow. Then expand strategically into real estate and IP. The framework I've shared isn't theory - it's exactly what I've done to build sustainable wealth that: • Generates consistent cash flow • Appreciates over time • Can be passed down generationally You don't need to start from scratch. In fact, buying an existing business is often the fastest path to financial freedom.