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Dividend Stock Pick

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment May 21 0

I truly enjoy a good buying opportunity in the stock market. I invest for dividends, and one day my dividends will cover all of my living expenses. When my favorite stocks go down in share price, my starting dividend yield goes up (in other words, I reach financial freedom faster). Needless to say, I love a good buying opportunity (and these have been very rare in recent years due to the overall lofty stock market).

Dividend Investing For EveryoneLately, I have enjoyed buying shares of my favorite industrial companies, because they have been plagued with lackluster earnings reports and overall macroeconomic issues. Our strong economy and overall bull stock market is in its late stages, in my opinion. A recession and stock market crash is on the horizon, most likely, within the next few years. As leading indicators, some of my favorite industrials are starting to exhibit weakness. This is to be expected, as they are cyclical. Large B2B (business to business) purchases can be delayed, unlike a consumer purchase of Huggies Diapers by contrast.

Regardless of market conditions, I am always averaging into stocks because I am unable to perfectly time the market and I enjoy immediate cash flow. After all, I want the opportunity to tap into my dividend cash flow at any time. I solely invest for cash flow, and do not care about capital appreciation (although I do view long term capital appreciation as a proxy of solid company performance). Some of my favorite industrials are on sale right now and I am buying!

One of my favorites (in fact my #10 favorite dividend stock of all time) is 3M (ticker MMM). Over the past few weeks, I have truly enjoyed averaging into this industrial stock, with a rare 3.44% starting dividend yield and a PE (2019 forward) in the 17.58 range. And, these guys sport a 5-year dividend CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 11% (although I expect dividend increases to slow a bit over time). I expect to continue adding to my 3M position throughout 2019 as long as the share price remains low.

Everyone knows about my stake in 3M and my latest purchases from my 3M YouTube videos. However, there is another industrial stock that I have owned for years that is also a relative market value right now. (It’s not a top 10 favorite stock like 3M, and is a smaller position, although one I love.) It seems like nobody talks about this stock. It’s a smaller one, but a powerful one from a dividend standpoint (they have increased their dividends for the last 48 years, a track record only surpassed by 10 US companies). I’m talking about Leggett & Platt (LEG).

For those unfamiliar with Leggett & Platt, they produce white label beds, springs, and furniture. When you go to a hotel room or an office, for example, a good portion of the furniture are likely from Leggett & Platt (or at least assembled with Leggett & Platt parts). They are also involved in the automotive, aerospace, wire, rod, fabric, machinery, hydraulic cylinder, and specialty foam industries too. With their recent acquisition of Elite Comfort Solutions, a foam mattress company, Leggett & Platt has truly solidified themselves as a leader in the mattress segment. At the end of the day, everybody needs to sleep and everyone enjoys sleep so much more with a comfortable mattress. I do not see Leggett & Platt’s business going anywhere.

At a high level, there are five key reasons I absolutely love Leggett & Platt right now!

  • Reason 1: Their starting dividend yield is a sweet ($0.40 * 4) / $37.90 = 4.2%, a very solid starting yield in this market.
  • Reason 2: They recently raised their quarterly dividend from $0.38 to $0.40, an increase of 5.3%. Such an increase shows that management is very confident in the business, despite the macroeconomic issues. A shareholder-friendly company, they have increased their dividend for the last 48 years!
    • In the last 5 years, their dividend is up 33% or 5.92% per year on average (CAGR).
  • Reason 3: Looking at the average analyst estimate of $2.47 2019 forward EPS, I get a 2019 forward PE ratio of $37.90 / $2.47 = 15.34.
  • Reason 4: I originally initiated my LEG position at $29.43 per share back in 2013. At $37.90, I feel like we are getting into really low share price territory from a historical perspective. I love purchasing shares in 2019 in the $30s.
  • Reason 5: Dividend payout ratio is reasonable. At $1.6 per year, dividends represent 65% of EPS, providing the company sufficient buffer for the unexpected. (Worth noting: Management does want the payout ratio to reach 50%, meaning dividend growth will likely be a bit slower until the ECS acquisition is fully digested.)

Now, this business does not come without risk. From a size standpoint, their market capitalization is $4.96 billion. Overall in terms of my dividend stock portfolio, Leggett & Platt is one of my smaller positions. I like smaller companies because they provide diversification to the portfolio and have potentially more upside (easier to grow when you are smaller vs. larger). That said, smaller companies can sometimes be more susceptible to competitive forces and adverse M&A activity (hostile takeovers and private equity, for example).

Perhaps more than this, however, I am concerned about foreign competition. While Leggett & Platt has been in business since 1883 and literally invented the bedspring, one must always keep their eyes on lower cost alternatives from overseas in our now global economy. In fact, recent company releases even discuss a foreign "anti-dumping" matter they are currently working on. Due to their large patent portfolio, breadth of capabilities, and multitude of business units, however, I generally believe LEG has staying power.

I’d like to close out today’s dividend stock profile with some interesting metrics from Leggett & Platt’s 2018 annual report:

  1. This is a very high revenue (and lower net margin) business. Net earnings in 2018 were $306 million on $4.270 billion of sales! ($306 / $4,270 = 7.17% net margin)
  2. Revenue growth trends are nice. 2018 is up, in particular due to the ECS acquisition. However, even looking pre-acquisition (2017 vs. 2013) revenue has increased steadily each year and is up 13.4% in total.
  3. Earnings per share are up nicely in the 5-year period. Comparing 2018 vs. 2013, EPS is up 68.66%.
  4. Net cash provided by operating activities is a bit less "up and to the right" as compared to revenue and EPS (it’s a bit more up and down). That said, it has increased by 5.5% over the 5-year period. This will be a key metric to watch in upcoming annual reports.
  5. The balance sheet appears to be well-managed with assets exceeding liabilities (positive shareholder’s equity). It will be important to watch the balance sheet, however, now that the ECS acquisition has been completed. (I hope they pay down debt quickly, over the coming years.)
  6. Their business is very diversified! Following are sales by product line:
    • Bedding Group: 21%
    • Automotive Group: 19%
    • Fabric & Flooring Products Group: 17%
    • Work Furniture Group: 7%
    • Consumer Products Group: 11%
    • Home Furniture Group: 9%
    • Wire Group: 9%
    • Aerospace Products Group: 4%
    • Hydraulic Cylinder Group: 2%
    • Machinery Group: 1%
  7. LEG has a nice Patent and Trademark portfolio. The patents, in particular, create a competitive moat.
    • 1,427 patents issued
    • 598 patents in process
    • 980 trademarks issued
    • 143 trademarks in process
  8. Sales are geographically diverse, although I’d like to see even more international exposure.
    • USA: 63%
    • Europe: 12%
    • China: 12%
    • Canada: 7%
    • Mexico: 4%
    • Other: 2%

While Leggett & Platt will never be a core position in my 40-stock portfolio, I am so proud for it to play a supporting role. That’s why I went ahead and purchased more shares today at $37.90, and I’ll continue to look for opportunities to pick up more shares throughout the year. Ultimately, I believe in their diversified business, I love the exposure to industrials (I tend to be underweight in that sector), and I’m a fan of the 4.2% starting yield!

DISCLOSURE: I am long Leggett & Platt (LEG), 3M (MMM), and Kimberly-Clark (KMB). I own these stocks in my stock portfolio.

DISCLAIMER: All information and data on my YouTube Channel, blog, email newsletters, white papers, Excel files, and other materials is solely for informational purposes. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information. I will not be liable for any errors, omissions, losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights. I will not be responsible for the accuracy of material that is linked on this site.

Because the information herein is based on my personal opinion and experience, it should not be considered professional financial investment advice or tax advice. The ideas and strategies that I provide should never be used without first assessing your own personal/financial situation, or without consulting a financial and/or tax professional. My thoughts and opinions may also change from time to time as I acquire more knowledge. These are, as discussed above, solely my thoughts and opinions. I reserve the right to delete any comments for any reason (abusive in nature, contain profanity, etc.). Your continued reading/use of my YouTube Channel, blog, email newsletters, whitepapers, Excel files, and other materials constitutes your agreement with and acceptance of this disclaimer.

COPYRIGHT: All PPC Ian videos, Excel files, guides, and other content are (c) Copyright IJL Productions LLC. PPC Ian is a registered trademark ™ of IJL Productions LLC.

If I Could Only Own 1 Stock, This Would Be It

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Nov 29 1

Several subscribers recently asked about my favorite dividend growth stock of all time. Specifically, they asked which dividend stock I would own if I had to place all of my investment funds in one single stock. My answer is quite simple, as Johnson & Johnson (ticker: JNJ) is already the largest position in my portfolio. Today’s video explains why Johnson & Johnson is my favorite stock for dividends, complete with fundamental analysis.

Let’s Start With My Investing Video

Here’s What My Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Video Is All About

I get started in today’s video with some high level thoughts. Why do I like this stock so much? It really comes down to some high level concepts including:

  • Predictability (and stability)
  • Incredible margins (gross profit and operating)
  • Population trends (aging US population and growing global population)
  • More!

Next, I dive into my Johnson & Johnson fundamental stock analysis. Specifically, I discuss concepts including:

  • Revenue Growth: I really enjoy how revenue is up 25% comparing 2007 and 2017. I also like how revenue tends to grow predictably on a year-by-year basis. It’s like clockwork.
  • US versus international mix: International sales are getting close to representing 50% of this company’s mix.
  • Incredible Margins: Gross profit is at 66.8% (wow!) and operating profit is at 23% (both from the 2017 annual report).
  • Dividend growth: I invest for passive income and cash flow! I need to buy companies to put cash in my pocket, cash that can be used to pay the bills. Johnson & Johnson is a great example, as they’ve raised their dividend over 105% comparing 2017 to 2007.

Despite stellar fundamentals, it looks like Johnson & Johnson has a PE ratio in the 22.94 range right now (possibly a bit lower). (NOTE: I pulled this number when I originally filmed this video, back in April, 2018.) I backed into this number, since EPS is thrown off by one-time tax items. Certainly, the stock is priced for perfection, but it always seems to be! While I’m not buying this stock in 2018 (other than reinvesting dividends), I do want to buy more. I’m waiting for a correction, although I never expect a big one with this stock.

Of course, there are a few risk factors with JNJ. I close out discussing those potential risks:

  • Patent expiration and the need to always innovate in their pharmaceutical division.
  • Overall pricing of their products (the US health care system is broken).

Related Dividend Investing Videos On My YouTube Channel

Want to learn more about my dividend growth investing strategies? Here are a few popular videos on how I would hypnotically invest different sums of money.

  • If I were starting out all over again, here’s How I Would Invest $1,000 In Dividend Stocks.
  • Here’s How I Would Start Investing With $5,000 In 2018 and Beyond.
  • A very popular video on my YouTube Channel, here’s How To Invest $10,000 In Dividend Stocks.
  • Hypothetically speaking, Here is How I Would Start Over Again With $25,000 In Dividend Stocks.
  • Want to Invest $50,000 In Dividend Stocks? I think you’ll enjoy this video!

Disclosure: I am long Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). I own this stock in my portfolio.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed investment advisor, and today’s video (and blog post) are just for entertainment and fun. This video (and blog post) are NOT investment advice. Also, I’m not a tax advisor and today’s video (and blog post) NOT tax advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

All content on my YouTube channel is (c) Copyright IJL Productions LLC.

How I Know Which Dividend Stocks To Buy (At Any Given Time)

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Nov 19 5

I’m excited to continue sharing my favorite PPC Ian YouTube videos about dividend growth investing, right here on my blog. Today’s installment is an important video all about allocating capital to the stock market. With a portfolio of 38 dividend paying stocks (it was 37 at the time I filmed this video), I have many choices (existing positions) that I could build upon when adding more dollars. Learn how I look at the tradeoffs and make the right decisions!

Let’s Start With My Dividend Investing Video

Now, Let’s Jump Into The Philosophy Behind My Video

I own 37 dividend stocks in my stock portfolio. On any given month, I’m almost always averaging in (buying more shares). How do I know which stock(s) to buy at a given time? How do I invest my hard earned capital in dividend stocks, while looking at things both logically and emotionally? Today’s video shares my very strategy.

Before even starting, it’s important to recognize whether one is looking at a net new portfolio or an established one. While most of today’s video covers the strategy of how I buy stocks for my established dividend portfolio, I also discuss how things would differ for a newer portfolio.

Next, I dive into my personal pillars for success.

Pillar 1: I enjoy setting strategic buy order themes each year. Each January I pick a few stocks that I’ll focus on accumulating any given year. This year (2018), it’s Procter & Gamble and Kimberly Clark. My analysis is based on fundamentals. By setting the theme early in the year, I stay focused and determined. Next year (2019), I’ll be focused on My Core Stocks.

Pillar 2: When I invest in a new position to my established stock portfolio, I go "all in". Meaning: I will start with a small lump sum investment, and then I keep averaging in until my position reaches its desired size (and, at a minimum, my "full size" for a small position). I believe in good housekeeping and dislike 1-off positions in my portfolio.

Pillar 3: I’m always looking out for great investment opportunities. Since I own 37 stocks, several of them are always on sale at any given time. While I like to first focus on pillars 1 and 2, I will buy "on sale" stocks as well, when opportunities present themselves.

Pillar 4: Certain of my stocks fall into trading ranges, more or less. I like to place a small amount of capital in them, each time they hit the bottom of the trading range.

At the end of the day, this strategic framework keeps my investing vey logical and pragmatic. It keeps me focused on doing the right things, avoiding all the noise out there. It also, however, leaves some room for emotion which I think is actually important for dividend growth investors.

Related Dividend Investing YouTube Videos

As mentioned in today’s video, I have quite a few related videos to share with all of you! Following is my long list of related investing videos that you may want to check out.

First, let’s jump into videos that discuss hypothetical scenarios of starting all over again. Following are the ways I would start, if I were hypothetically starting over with different amounts of money!

  • Investing My First $1,000
  • Investing My First $5,000
  • Investing My First $10,000
  • Investing My First $25,000
  • Investing My First $50,000

Also mentioned in today’s video, here’s some info on my personal stock portfolio, on my small, medium, and large/core strategy. Learn about My Personal Asset Allocation.

Each year, I like to set strategic themes for my buy orders (pillar 1 of my strategy). This year, my strategic theme spans Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark. Learn all about my Dividend Investing Strategic Themes for 2018.

While I don’t buy many net new stock positions these days, when I do I’m all in. (In the sense that I will keep buying and averaging in until the position reaches full size.) Here’s a stock I just started buying, General Mills (pillar 2 of my strategy).

While I mainly focus on pillars 1 and 2 of my buy order strategy, I just can’t pass up a good opportunity. I also like to make incremental buy orders of dividend portfolio stocks that are "on sale". This year, I’m Buying Some Southern Corporation.

And, I’m Buying Realty Income Too.

Last, I want to share my recent analysis of Coca-Cola. While I own this stock in my portfolio (and it’s a core position), I won’t be buying more this year. It’s just not "on sale" right now, and it doesn’t fit my strategic pillars. That said, if I were hypothetically starting all over again with a net new portfolio, perhaps things would be different. Here’s My Coca-Cola Dividend Stock Analysis.

Disclosure: I am long Procter & Gamble (PG), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), General Mills (GIS), Southern Company (SO), Realty Income (O), and Coca-Cola (KO). I own these stocks in my portfolio.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed investment advisor, and today’s video (and blog post) are just for entertainment and fun. This video (and blog post) are NOT investment advice. Also, I’m not a tax advisor and today’s video (and blog post) are NOT tax advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

All content on my YouTube channel and blog are (c) Copyright IJL Productions LLC.

Of Course I Own This Dividend Stock: Coca-Cola (KO)

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Nov 13 0

Hey, everyone! Long time since I’ve posted here on my blog. Why? I’ve been completely focused on my job, family, and (in my limited spare time) Youtube Channel. These days, My PPC Ian YouTube Channel about dividend growth investing is flourishing (up to 16,000 subscribers and growing!). As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to start sharing some of my favorite YouTube videos here on my blog. I hope you enjoy this one about one of my favorite dividend stocks of all time, Coca-Cola (KO)! Do you enjoy investing in dividend stocks? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

My Coca-Cola (KO) Dividend Investing Video

Investing Video Description and Notes

Of course I own this particular stock in my dividend stock portfolio! It’s a big, blue chip company, one that has an incredible brand (perhaps the best ever). Margins are great (incredible), and it has staying power. And, of course, they raise the dividend consistently. In fact, since first purchasing shares in 2011, I’m already yielding 5% on cost. I’m talking about The Coca-Cola Company (ticker: KO).

After my recent Video Analyzing The Kraft-Heinz Company (KHC) and how I’m staying away due to the large controlling interest owned by Warren Buffet and 3G Capital, I started receiving a flurry of questions about Coca-Cola, perhaps Warren Buffet’s most famous investment. So, I just had to film this video to share why KO is quite different than KHC in my opinion.

Today’s video is a long one with a thorough fundamental stock analysis of KO and also high level insights about my personal investment philosophy. It’s a good one. Some highlights:

  • Learn about yield on cost and why I’m personally yielding 5% on my Coca-Cola stock.
  • Learn about Coca-Cola’s rich history of increasing dividends on an annual basis (quite aggressively).
  • See why it’s a good thing (in my opinion) that Warren Buffet is involved here.
  • Learn about their portfolio of brands.
  • See how I analyze their Annual (10-K) and Quarterly (10-Q) reports.
  • Learn about Coca-Cola’s underperformance (vs. the S&P 500 and their peer group) in recent years, and how I don’t really mind (it’s all about long-term perspective when investing for passive income).
  • See how refranchising and tax reform are really affecting Coca-Cola’s numbers.
  • Revenue, gross profit, operating income, income before taxes, and income after taxes are all down!
  • That being said, could Coca-Cola be turning the corner? Watch today’s video to find out!
  • Learn about Coca-Cola’s organic sales growth and their long-term refranchising vision (through my eyes, at least).
  • See why it’s really difficult to pinpoint a PE ratio here.
  • Am I a buyer of KO here? Watch the video to learn more!

While this is a long video, I invite you to hang in there. The investing insights, in my opinion, are worth the time investment.

Want to connect on Instagram? Please reach out!

Related PPC Ian Dividend Investing Videos

Discussed in today’s video, please find below links to other related dividend investing videos.

  • Here’s My Analysis of The Kraft-Heinz Company
  • Here are my thoughts on Socially Conscious Investing
  • Here’s My Weight Loss Story, and why I no longer drink soda (although I do drink beverages like Smart Water).
  • Here’s a link to my recent AT&T Stock Analysis

Disclosure: I am long Coca-Cola (KO). I own this stock in my portfolio.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed investment advisor, and today’s video (and related blog post) are just for entertainment and fun. This video and blog post are NOT investment advice. Also, I’m not a tax advisor and today’s video and blog post are NOT tax advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

All content on my YouTube channel and blog is (c) Copyright IJL Productions LLC.

My Favorite Dividend Stocks For 2018 and Beyond

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment May 21 0

It’s been a while since my last blog post! I have been busy at work on my PPC Ian YouTube channel, uploading two new dividend investing videos each week. A lot is happening in the stock market this year, with many of my favorite dividend stocks going on sale, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to share a new blog post about investing. Let’s dive into the dividend stocks I’m personally buying in 2018 (and beyond)!

My Second Favorite Dividend Stock of All Time: PepsiCo (PEP)

PPC Ian Dividends Yield On CostI have literally been waiting years for this stock to go on sale. Thankfully, it recently plummeted to a multi-year low of $97.51 and I am all over it at these levels. With their recent dividend increase of 15%, PEP now pays out $3.71/year (a starting dividend yield of 3.8%. It’s quite rare to experience such a high starting yield for this company, so I’m incredibly excited to be increasing my position right now. And, I hope it goes down more! I love being a dividend investor because I invest for cash flow and don’t really care about capital appreciation. In fact, the further PepsiCo declines, the higher my starting dividend yield (meaning more immediate cash flow).

I love PepsiCo for so many reasons including the following:

  • We all need to eat and drink
  • Diversification of revenue across many different foods and beverages
  • Strong exposure to the growing snack food category
  • Fabulous history of rewarding shareholders via dividends!
  • Products spanning fun for you, better for you, and good for you categories

Want to learn more about PepsiCo and my experience buying this company? Check out my recent YouTube video:

2018 Is Not The Time To Buy Oil Stocks (In My Humble Opinion)

Just a few years ago, oil companies were so out of favor. With OPEC flooding the market with oil and the price per barrel in the gutter, nobody wanted to touch oil companies. I took a contrarian opinion and took positions in supermajors at bargain basement prices. Fast forward to 2018 and the oil companies are doing great (so it’s certainly not the time to by now at inflated prices, in my humble opinion).

Lesson: This is how the stock market works. In fact, I just filmed a video about my experience buying BP at bargain basement prices, achieving a yield on cost upwards of 8% on certain of my lots purchased. You can learn more by watching my YouTube video:

Consumer Non-Cyclical Companies Have No Future

I am seeing history repeat itself here, although this time in the consumer non-cyclical sector. I love consumer non-cyclical stocks, they are the bread and butter of my portfolio. It just so happens that these companies are facing an incredibly rough 2018. PepsiCo is a great example. Others include Procter & Gamble (PG), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), and General Mills (GIS), all three of which I am purchasing in 2018 at bargain basement prices. (And, I believe further downside is in the cards.)

What’s happening here? I believe there are three factors placing pressure on these companies:

  1. With interest rates rising, income minded investors have other options. Dividend-paying stocks are not the only game in town anymore (as bonds become more attractive).
  2. Due to issues of scale, growing pains, and the overall Amazon effect, many of these companies are facing slowing revenue growth. While I believe revenue growth will resume, it could take some time. Fortunately for bargain shoppers like myself, most people cannot wait (especially stock market analysts) and these stocks are facing downward share price pressure.
  3. We are heading into an inflationary environment and the raw cost of producing consumer products is increasing, squeezing margins. Inflation is here, and these companies will need to optimize and innovate to keep high margins. Thankfully, they mostly have high margins to begin with and will weather the storm, in my opinion.

As a long-term dividend income investor (I solely buy stocks for cash flow), I love these types of opportunities, and I’m thankful to buy at progressively lower prices.

Want to learn more about my perspective on consumer non-cyclical companies having no future? Check out my recent YouTube video:

Want to learn more about two of my favorite stocks for 2018, Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark? Check out this YouTube video:

Want to learn about my brand new position in General Mills? Check out this YouTube video:

Worth noting, the starting yields on these three names are really great right now. PG is at 3.94%, KMB is at 3.81%, and GIS is at 4.40%. It does not get much better than that for such world-class consumer non-cyclical stocks, ones that have a history of consistently raising their dividends over the years!

I Love Utilities For Their High Current Yield

To close out today’s post, I want to add a note about utilities (especially regulated electric utilities). I love these types of companies because they are literally government-enforced monopolies (others cannot just come in and compete with them). And, they pay fabulous dividend yields (which are getting progressively better as these stocks face downward pressure).

As with consumer non-cyclical stocks, utilities are facing some pressure in 2018 due to rising interest rates. Utilities tend to carry a lot of debt, so rising rates could place pressure on margins. Moreover, rising rates give income-minded investors other investment opportunities.

That said, this is not the first time utilities have experienced a rising interest rate environment, and I am sure they will weather the storm via innovation and price increases.

This year, I’m buying Southern Company (SO) at a wonderful 5.21% starting yield. Want to learn more about my position in SO? Make sure to check out this YouTube video:

2018 Is A Great Year For Dividend Investors

I love being a dividend investor because I don’t worry about down markets. In fact, I look forward to them. 2018 is the most exciting year for dividend investors in quite some time, and I’m truly thrilled to be adding to my PEP, PG, KMB, GIS and SO. Are you a dividend investor? Which dividend stocks are you buying in 2018?

Want to learn even more about dividend investing? Make sure to check out my recent blog post about how I Invest For Dividends and Financial Freedom.

Disclosure: I am long PepsiCo (PEP), BP (BP), Procter & Gamble (PG), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), General Mills (GIS), and Southern Company (SO). I own these stocks in my portfolio.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed investment advisor, and today’s blog post (and related videos) are just for entertainment and fun. This blog post (and related videos) are NOT investment advice. Also, I’m not a tax advisor and today’s blog post (and related videos) are NOT tax advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

All content on my blog and YouTube channel is © Copyright IJL Productions LLC.

Interview: Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Mar 5 7

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that MentorBox is the platform I leverage to read, absorb, and take action upon two books per month! More than that, MentorBox is also a community of like-minded individuals who are all investing in themselves. Whether it’s via in-person meetups or the virtual Facebook Mastermind group, I always enjoy conversations with those in the MentorBox community.

Jonathon Kendall, Ian Lopuch, and Alex Mehr

Jonathon Kendall (COO of MentorBox), Ian Lopuch (PPC Ian), and Alex Mehr, PhD (CEO of MentorBox)

Each MentorBox typically includes a bonus lesson workshop. One of the workshops about five or six months ago was all about reaching out. The workshop discussed the theory behind reaching out and how it’s powerful to simply reach out each and every day, to those connections who could take your business and life to the next level.

This lesson helped me form a brand new habit, and I now routinely reach out to prospective connections. In fact, this lesson helped me land a mentor. It also helped me get in contact with both Alex Mehr, Ph.D. (Co-Founder and CEO of MentorBox) and Jonathon Kendall (COO of MentorBox).

It all started with an informal meeting and lunch, and my relationship with the MentorBox team has flourished ever since. (In fact, I have a variety of exciting updates that I’ll be sharing with all of you in 2018, as my collaboration with the MentorBox team is now at the next level!)

Today, because of reaching out, I have the opportunity and honor to interview Jonathon Kendall. One of the sharpest minds around and an incredibly successful entrepreneur and leader (at a young age), Jonathon’s story is sure to resonate with everyone here. His positivity, quest for knowledge, and ability to teach others is admirable. Without further ado, let’s give Jonathon Kendall a warm welcome!

Ian: Jonathon, thank you so incredibly much for being here today! Thank you for sharing your personal story, and the MentorBox story, with PPC Ian.

Jonathon: It’s a pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity.

Jonathon Kendall MentorBox Interview

Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

Ian: As one of the main faces behind MentorBox, everyone who’s a customer knows you well. Your leadership and interview style is second to none. Before we get to MentorBox, however, I want to learn more about you, the leader, entrepreneur, and student. What was college like for you? How did you get started in business, Jonathon? How has your life story unfolded?

Jonathon: I’ve always been a bit obsessed with reaching for outrageous goals. I clearly remember religiously practicing sit-ups in order to break my grade school record. In middle school I trained (wrestling) at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. In high school I competed at a national level in Speech & Debate. In college… You can see where this is going.

Gun to the head, the origin of all this was my mother telling me: "Jonathon. Where we live (Ohio), you will most likely be the darkest person in your class. And that’s okay. Good, even. But here’s the thing – if you do well – 'Jonathon' will do well. But if you screw up, it will be 'that Mexican' kid. So always remember, you not only represent yourself, but you represent your family: your grandma and grandpa who picked berries so that you would be able to live a better life, your sister, me and your father. What you do is not for you, it is for us."

My mother would say that the above exact wording is slightly off (the fishes are always bigger as the years pass, are they not?). Nonetheless, that’s how I remember it. My life has been a series of "proving myself" moments, that when aggregated, have resulted in my present position.

The details of my education are boring, I think. I read a lot of books. Went to college. Read more books. Etc. The difference (if there is a difference) is that I’m not-so-secretly obsessed with the meta-lessons of "learning how to learn", "habit formation", and "productivity", as much even, as I am with the hard-skills of marketing, product development, and management.

I’m almost allergically averse to "because that’s how it is." Like a physicist, I like unpacking everything all the way down as far as possible.

  • Why are we here?
  • What is right versus wrong?
  • What should we do?

These are my questions. And towards their answers: this is where my education, hopefully, is taking me.

Does that answer your question? 😊

Ian: Incredibly fascinating answer, Jonathon. That certainly does! You clearly have a passion for reading, Jonathon. How did you get started reading? How has your passion evolved over the years?

Jonathon: The first book I ever read that knocked me on my ass was "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo in 10th grade. I grew up in a family that valued education, but not so much reading. I know that sounds odd but this sentiment is common, I think.

"Get an education," parents say (while they watch television 5 hours a day).

…the consummate "do as I say, not as I do."
Alas, I didn’t grow up reading. I grew up being asked about my grades…but not about reading.

Nonetheless, sometimes it just takes the right book. The right idea. The right "aha" moment to wake us up from an intellectual slumber. For me, that was definitely Johnny Got His Gun.

It was banned. About war and death. About the efficacy of war. The definition of death. The importance of caring about what is actually important. It deconstructs honor, patriotism, the flag: the meaning of life.

Hence: "knocked me on my ass."

Thereafter I was hooked. Pretty much read everything I could get my hands on and still do. I’ve got through phases where I only read fiction, only read specific authors, only read non-fiction, only read philosophy, old books, contemporary, books about writing, books about books, short stories, and the longest novels ever written. The Russians. The Americans. The French.

Reading is like treasure hunting. Or gambling, even. Once you get that first big win…you’ll never stop looking.

There’s more to say, of course. There are books to deconstruct and theories to analyze. But reading doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated.

My reading motto is the same as Nike’s: just do it.

Ian: I really like that analogy of treasure hunting and finding big wins. Thank you so much for sharing. What are some of the greatest lessons you learned in your early (pre-MentorBox) days? What are the lessons that have helped shape your life strategy, and how did you learn these lessons?

Jonathon: After college I took a job with a startup in Guatemala that completely revolutionized my conception of reality. My mother says, "you came back a different person," and I trust her. Mothers know their sons.

In a word, what I learned was: gratitude.

The understanding that my life was cake. That my privilege, even though I came from a "poor" family, was profound. On account of my passport even. My native language. My education.

…profound.

I won’t get into the details because such platitudinal descriptions worship at the feet of actual experience. But suffice to say – it’s a whole different world down there. So much so, that it’s impossible for that frame not to permanently tattoo itself onto your psyche, forever.

Gratitude.

That’s the lesson which first changed my life.

Ian: While you’re now the COO of MentorBox, I was also incredibly impressed to learn that you were MentorBox’s first hire! How did you meet Alex Mehr, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of MentorBox? How did you even find out about MentorBox at the time? A busy serial entrepreneur and leader, I have to imagine it was difficult to get Alex’s time (let alone land the job as his first employee). What did it take? (As a side note: Many readers here are career oriented, so I believe your response to this very question will be a game-changer for the audience.)

Jonathon: I wanted to be a writer before I was good enough to be a writer: a classic chicken or the egg dilemma of being an artist…

How does one practice writing full time (what it takes to become good), without getting paid for it (what it takes to live)? How does one play that paradox?

Well I took Tim Ferriss’ The 4 Hour Work Week to heart, and moved to Mexico in order to take advantage of the dollar-to-peso translation. I’d work for 4 months in the US, living like a hermetic popper, saving all my money, so that I could give myself off the other 8 months of the year.

I thought of it like an athlete would.

If I wanted to win ("win" meaning: get paid to write) then I’d have to consciously practice. I’d write every day for hours. Ask for feedback. Read everything I could get my hands on. Deconstruct. Analyze. Watch. Listen. I took every class I could find. Basically everything and anything in order to maximize my efficiency.

Which is what brought me into the world of self-development.

  • Learning how to learn with Cal Newport and Barbara Oakley.
  • Habit formation with Charles Duhigg.
  • Motivation with Tony Robbins and Tim Grover.
  • Etc. Etc.

And so I created a system for myself – a daily routine that would (I hoped) lead me to being a professional writer.

…which worked.

I eventually took on clients full time, ghostwriting books for business leaders and professional athletes. Which, full circle, lead me to MentorBox…

I was just finishing up with a client, when I saw an ad Alex placed, needing writers for this new company out of San Francisco: MentorBox.

The rest is history. From there Alex and I built MentorBox into a giant.

Ian: While I believe most readers here know about MentorBox since I’ve been talking about it quite a bit here on PPC Ian, could you please give a quick overview of your product? I think it would be helpful for the audience to get a summary of MentorBox directly from the source.

Jonathon: Some people stick with the status quo. They live their lives like hamsters in a wheel. And that’s fine. If you want to simply "maintain," then by all means go ahead. No judgement from me.

But if you want to become the best version of yourself (for you, your family, and community) then the science is unequivocal: you must obsessively continue to learn. You must stay on the cutting edge. You must evolve. You must pursue greater and greater goals.

Which…we know.

So that’s not the hard part. The hard part is the HOW.

HOW do I constantly improve? WHAT do I learn? And from WHOM?

These are much more complicated (albeit important questions) and MentorBox answers them for you. We teach you what you need to know, taught by the best in the world in every field, in an incredibly efficient/automated system.

Ian: Thanks, Jonathon. Since you started at MentorBox, your career has grown and evolved. You have taken on more responsibility. If you don’t mind me saying, you are one of the youngest COOs that I know and have experienced a very fast-paced career. What has been your secret? Can you offer the audience the career tips and insights that have propelled you to COO of one of the most amazing startups around?

Jonathon: I think of my professional career as would an athlete training for an Olympic gold medal. What are my competitors doing? What are they not doing? What can I do today to get 1% better? What else can I learn? How can I improve?

It takes a complete shattering of one’s ego to live like this. I understand this and know that it’s difficult. It’s much easier to guard yourself against criticism. But unless you want to rely on luck, which I don’t, this relentlessness is my trick.
One of my favorite definitions of success is this: "Successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not." That, I think, sums it up quite nicely.

I’m where I am because I manifested my reality into existence.

Also…I may have gotten a little lucky too. 😊

Ian: I want to shift gears a little. I don’t know how you do it all, Jonathon. You read more books than anyone I know, you complete a multitude of interviews (and, believe me, I know how much work is involved to pull the off successfully), I understand that you like to run, and you have now taken an increased level of responsibility in the operations of MentorBox. On top of all of that, you have made it this far at a young age compared to most. What’s your time management secret? In life, sometimes it’s about the things you avoid. Anything you consciously avoid to keep focused and manage your time effectively?

Jonathon: I’ve created a bit of a forcefield around myself…

I have very few friends. I have very few activities I do or care about. I say NO to mostly everything. Which, I understand, is strange. But I think such laser focus is essential for creating an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling life: one which not only checks off the hedonistic boxes, but also is one that leaves a positive impact on the world.

  • I doubt Edison was worried about the next happy hour.
  • I can’t imagine Elon Musk feeling obligated to watch a television show.
  • I don’t think Michael Phelps hung out with bozos.

I tell myself this all the time: "Guard your energy, Jonathon. Guard your energy."

Because, here’s the thing, people who accomplish incredible feats are by definition, strange. They are unique. And so…I don’t worry about shutting out everything else.

Noise is noise, I say. I’ve got better things to do.

So that’s step one: cut out distractions.

Step two is a modified version of what Gary Keller’s The One Thing promotes: create a daily success list and do those things first.

I mean, really, I hate to be a bummer – but none of this is all that hard. If everyone who is reading this just actually DID the things they knew that they should do every day – they would be years/decades ahead of where they are now. The trick is, yes, to set the right schedule. But deep down in your heart of hearts, most people know what that "should" is. They know the list. But…

They just don’t do it.

So, I guess, I’ve just built up a habit of setting a very specific agenda every morning based on where I’m currently at, and then actively checking off those boxes. If you do this every day, your life will change in a flash.

Ian: You seem to have a thirst for knowledge. You seem to be on a quest! In your MentorBox video interviews, it seems like you are always trying to pull back the layers of life to uncover meaning. Have you always had this thirst for knowledge? How does it feel right now? Have you discovered the truth, or does it feel like your studies are just beginning?

Jonathon: I used to think that I’d eventually find "the answer" but now I’m equally as convinced that I won’t ever find it. Meaning: I think one of the meta-rules of life is that "it all depends." The devil, as they say, is in the details.

Because even some ethical rule as benign as "be kind" is contextual. Sometimes being kind is not the answer. Sometimes people need hard love.

Or how about compassion? Sure, but isn’t there a line? Even as a society – can we unconditionally forgive everyone in all contexts?

That may not be completely articulate, but I guess my point is to say that no I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules. I have rules, granted, that I live by. But I’m not religiously or dogmatically aligned with them.

If I’m proven incorrect, then I’m proven incorrect. That’s fine. Good, even. I seek out such revelations. So too should everyone, I think.

Though, if you’re interested, my current life mantra is: choose to choose. As in, don’t be passive. Don’t be a zombie. Know why you do everything you do. Be conscious. Make decisions. Be a decider not a reactor.

"Choose to choose."

Ian: I love your "Choose to choose" mantra, Jonathon. Thank you for sharing that! You also have a strength in teaching others. You have this ability to take complex concepts from books and, with the help of your white board, teach the audience in plain and simple-to-understand terms. How did you learn to teach others? How has your teaching style evolved over the years?

Jonathon: Practice.

I know it sounds cliché but it’s true. In high school I competed in Speech & Debate. Then in college I competed in poetry slam. After university I worked as marketing manager, then as a waiter for a very long time…

All of this is communication.

Until when, now, it is literally my job to teach: so I just apply the same intensity to it as I do to all things. I teach a class as often as I can and ask for feedback from my team.

  • How did I do?
  • What did I do wrong?
  • How can I do it better next time?
  • What should I have said?
  • Etc.

It’s not a from-the-sky gift, it’s that I’m obsessively and consciously trying to improve.

You can see that this is a theme by now. 😊

Ian: MentorBox keeps growing! Each and every day, I’m amazed at how quickly the MentorBox Facebook Mastermind group is growing. How has the product evolved since you started? Where do see MentorBox heading in the coming years?

Jonathon: I agree. It’s incredible. I’m so grateful every day for our growth. Truly…I tell the universe thank you every single day for our success.

It’s an honor and a privilege to teach our members.

As for the product: it began as a physical product and eventually evolved into the online platform we currently have. Now we also do consulting work, we hold monthly in-person roundtables, have started a marketing agency, and have cultivated an incredible VIP cohort as well.

We iterate quickly so depending upon when this is published we may have already moved on, but as of right now we’re translating MentorBox into Spanish for the Latin American market, and partnering with a few larger companies to fulfill their corporate L&D training for them.

Lots to do. Lots to learn.

Ian: MentorBox has changed my life for the better, without a doubt. That’s the reason I blog about it so much here on PPC Ian (and on my YouTube channel too). Any other success stories you’re able to share? I always enjoy hearing how others are growing and improving. Have any of your customers written in with their own MentorBox success stories?

Jonathon: One of my favorite stories is Tom Jones. He’s a professional endurance athlete and world champion kickboxer, who so persistently emailed our support team with praises, that we just had to meet him.

Like you (Ian), we eventually brought him in for a workshop called "Quit Proof."

Tom grew up in an abusive foster home and never had the opportunity to have a proper education. Never read, he said. "Just put one foot in front of the other." Which works for someone who ran across the US multiple times.

But there was always something lacking, he said. Until he became a MentorBox member…

The fact that we can touch the lives of unambiguously world-class performers, I think, is the reason why I love this story. To bring someone from negative to positive is one thing. To bring someone from good to great is amazing. But to take an elite world-champion performer to even greater heights: now that is truly special.

Ian: It all starts with a great culture. I truly see how Alex and you have fostered an incredible culture at MentorBox! Has this been a conscious decision? We have many folks reading who lead large teams (or even entire companies). Any tips for hiring, empowering, motivating, and growing employees?

Jonathon: I believe that everything in life is a fractal. Meaning: what works for an individual works for a couple works for a company works for a community works for a nation works for a world.

So (Extreme Ownership style) it starts and ends with Alex and I. How we behave is a guiding light for the rest of the team. If we take our mission seriously, so too will the team. If we value creativity and input, so too will the team. Etc. Etc.

So first off, my advice is to look in the mirror and get your own house in order before anything else. Clean your room. Exercise. Be kind. Think hard about why you do what you do. Align your values with your actions.

And then, and only then…

Will you be able to lead a team with any conviction.

After, it’s actually quite easy. Hire for strengths. Hire for values. Hire for energy. And be a human, not just a boss. The rest will take care of itself.

Ian: What’s your favorite book of all time and why?

Jonathon: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday (nonfiction) and On The Road by Jack Kerouac (fiction).

Ian: What quality do you most admire in great business leaders?

Jonathon: Purpose. I respect leaders who view that business is a tool, not an end.

Ian: The process of interviewing others on video is truly an art and skill. I know this first-hand, as a YouTuber. While my individual videos have been somewhat easy (they have improved over time, but they have generally come natural to me), I found that interview-style videos are a whole other ballgame. Can you offer any tips and strategies for those looking to get into the world of video (especially interviews)? How has your style evolved over time?

Jonathon: This applies to more than just interviewing but this is honestly the best advice I can give: overprepare.

Alex calls this bringing "overwhelming force."

When deconstructed, conversations are quite predictable. They start with breaking the ice, then move onto obvious surface level topics, then the two actors eventually drill down into maybe one topic, until finally, hopefully, reaching some meaningful endpoint "aha" moment conclusion.

You begin with "Hello my name is Ian, welcome to this edition of…" and you finish by talking about some personal detail of your life which hopefully illuminates a fundamental(ish) truth to life. Right? That’s how (good) interviews go.

So…if that’s the case. If we know that going into it. If we know that there is an equation. Why not bash the equation and get right into the good stuff as quickly as possible?

And the only way to do that…is to not ask the interviewee a series of banal predictable questions that no one cares about. And the only way to do that…is to earn their respect/trust as quickly as possible. And the only way to do that…is to show them that you took the time to dig in deep to their very personhood.

If you value them to begin with…they will reward you with trust…and that trust will manifest itself in the form of an incredible conversation.

In short: if you stay on the surface, so too will they.

Ian: I fun question for you, my friend. I personally found MentorBox via social media. (Your team’s social media marketing is second to none, by the way.) I was originally exposed to MentorBox via the Tai Lopez podcast (the other MentorBox co-founder along with Alex Mehr., Ph.D.). Then, I received ads promoting MentorBox on Facebook! Needless to say, I was immediately intrigued. I quickly signed up, and I think I’m one of your original customers from month two of the business. Alex, Tai, and your digital marketing team are true leaders in the social media marketing space. However, I have noticed that you personally take a different approach. And, I like that! You do not have as much of a presence out there on social media. Is there a reason for this? Is there a philosophy behind your lack of social media? Is it a time management thing? Would love to learn more about your strategy as it pertains to personal branding and social media marketing.

Jonathon: It’s a time management thing. Eventually I’ll probably take over the MentorBox branded social media accounts: teaching short lessons here and there. But for now (since Tai and Alex are already so powerful), it feels like a redundancy.

We look for paradigm shifts.

At some point, the micro optimization of me building out my own personal brand will completely make sense, but right now it’s unnecessarily redundant.

Ian: I truly believe that we all learn through challenge. Basically the words that Ryan Holiday shares in The Obstacle Is The Way truly resonate in the human experience, in my opinion. Have you faced any challenges in business and/or life? How have these challenges shaped you?

Jonathon: I think my biggest challenge was after I published my first book, The Evolution of Strangers. Before publishing, I thought "being published" was the answer to all my prayers. The clouds would part. Etc.

But that didn’t happen. In fact, many people told me the book was "well written" but boring and even a bit self-congratulatory. "Trying to be Kerouac." "You’re too young." "No one cares."

Which ultimately led me to fanatically pursue writing like an athlete.

So much so that I even lived in my car for months at a time, working 80 hours a week at seasonal restaurants, saving all the money I could so that I could take the rest of the year off to practice.

It was a bit of a self-imposed obstacle: but living in my car for three consecutive tourist seasons was a pretty intense decision.

Many of my friends didn’t understand at the time. But here I am. I knew what I was doing.

Choose to choose.

Ian: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Jonathon: Oh man. I used to love that question but now I couldn’t tell you. I’m just focused on the next task at hand – ever reaching for that 1% better every day.

Though gun to the head: in five years I want to be embarrassed by who I am now. I want to have become such a better version of myself, that my present manifestation is but a ghost.

And as such: I don’t think it appropriate to let this now version of me, who still has so much to learn, decide on behalf of my future, better self. In five years I’ll let future Jonathon decide. He’ll know better, I’m sure.

Ian: Where do you see MentorBox five years from now?

Jonathon: A revolution.

Ian: Jonathon, I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to connect with me and all of my PPC Ian readers today! It really means the world to us. I know you are a busy guy, and the knowledge you have shared is truly helpful and inspirational.

Jonathon: It was and is an honor.

Ian: If someone here at PPC Ian wants to learn more about MentorBox, what’s the best way to get started? As a related question, if someone here at PPC Ian wants to reach out to you, what’s the best channel for doing so?

Jonathon: The best way is to become a member and stay active on the mastermind group. It’s rare that I’m able to reply to direct messages since I receive so many these days, but I check the mastermind group every day.

Ian: Thanks again, my friend, for this interview and everything you and your team do to inspire. Wishing you all of the success in the world!

So there you have it everyone, I truly hope you enjoyed today’s interview with Jonathon Kendall, COO at MentorBox. Jonathon is an entrepreneur and leader to follow. His career has already flourished from the start, and I only see big things ahead for this leader. I am personally even more impressed with Jonathon post-interview than pre-interview. What an amazing story he has shared with us!

As you probably know by now, I love MentorBox, and I leverage this program to read two books per month. If you’d like to learn more, I encourage you to head on over to the MentorBox Website.

Also, if you’d like to see how a recent MentorBox book literally changed the game for me, you may want to check out my post covering My Favorite MentorBox Book So Far. Last, for those interested in seeing what it’s like to receive the physical MentorBox each month, I just uploaded a new video to YouTube featuring my very own MentorBox Unboxing.

Jonathon Kendall COO MentorBox

Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a MentorBox affiliate. If you purchase MentorBox via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support. That said, out of respect for the time and effort that Jonathon has invested in this interview, I have not included my affiliate link within the text of today’s interview. (I don’t want him compensating me for any new members/sales that may be generated directly from the hours he invested in sharing his insights and responses with everyone today.) The two text links to MentorBox within the text of this interview are non-affiliate links.

I Invest For Dividends and Financial Freedom

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Jan 28 8

I have always been obsessed with investments that pay cash flow. I’m talking about investments that pay me regular dividend checks (often in growing amounts) just to hold said companies. There is nothing more exciting in personal finance than when one sees their money working for them, while they sleep!

Check This Out These Are Dividend ChecksOver the last 20+ years, I have personally built a dividend stock portfolio with over 30 positions in world-class companies. My dividend portfolio is driving an increasing stream of passive income that gets larger with each year that passes. Whether we are in a bull market or bear market, I am always averaging into my favorite dividend-paying stocks, building my stream of passive income.

While my blog, PPC Ian, has roots in digital advertising and careers, I am now also spending considerable time sharing my passion for personal finance online. I have mostly accomplished this via my quickly growing PPC Ian YouTube Channel (now over 2,000 subscribers). However, I also want to start sharing some of my personal finance insights here on my blog too. After all, this blog is a reflection of me. At the end of the day, I think you will find that there are so many parallels between digital marketing and investing.

Today’s post introduces my passion for dividend investing. If you’ve been wondering about dividends and my personal strategy, this post is for you! Also, I’m thrilled to share some of my recent videos too.

What Is A Dividend?

Many publicly-traded companies choose to pay dividends. A dividend is a cash distribution from a company. When one buys stock in a company, they are a part owner in said company. Just for being a part owner, one gets a cut of the profits, in the form of cash dividends. Companies that pay dividends take a portion of their net income and literally distribute it to shareholders. Such companies, in my opinion, are shareholder friendly and truly care about their owners.

Many large blue chip companies, like Procter & Gamble (PG) and Kimberly Clark (KMB), pay dividends on a quarterly schedule. And, they have a track record of increasing dividends each year. This is where the real magic happens: One is handsomely rewarded (via an increasing stream of dividend income) for buying and then holding for years (or even decades) on end.

If one holds their shares in a brokerage account, dividends often show up electronically in one’s cash balance, as they are paid out. If one holds stock directly, with a transfer agent, dividends will either be sent in the mail (in the form of a check) or can often be automatically reinvested to buy additional shares of the issuing company.

At the end of the day, dividends are a form of income automation. One can either get a job and work for money (active income) or hold stock and receive dividends for doing nothing (passive income). My journey has been one of saving as much active income as possible and then converting it into passive income. (I save money from my job and then buy dividend-paying stocks, and have been doing so for a very long time.)

While one may think it takes thousands to get started, that’s just not true. In fact, I encourage you to check out my recent video about how I literally counted up loose change that was sitting around doing nothing, and converted it into a dividend stream of $30/year in perpetuity! That $30/year will now always be there, and will grow over time – how inspiring!

What Is Financial Freedom?

What is the end goal of all this income automation? At the end of the day, I aim to achieve the holy grail of dividend investing: financial freedom. This is the precise point where my stream of dividend income covers all of my living expenses.

Many dividend investors live extremely frugally and/or play geo arbitrage (they move to locations geographically that are cheaper) to achieve financial freedom quicker. (If expenses go down, it’s easier to cover said expenses, as less dividend income is required.) I totally respect everyone in the dividend community, and understand why this route is appealing. That being said, this strategy is just not for me. I enjoy living in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area and also enjoy some fancy things. As such, financial freedom will take me a bit longer than other dividend investors, and I am ok with that.

While financial freedom has the potential to totally change one’s life, how do I personally envision my future self? Honestly, not too different from my present self. I still plan on being a family man, blogger/vlogger, commercial real estate developer, digital marketer, and investor (of course). That said, I will likely utilize my freedom to up the bar with our philanthropy, travel a bit more (and cross some destinations off my bucket list), and spend even more time pursuing my passions. I truly believe that one has to stay busy and productive, even once financial freedom is achieved.

At its core, dividend investing is about investing in dividends and not stuff. As mentioned, I do enjoy some of the finer things in life. That said, I also need to keep it in perspective. Financial freedom is goal number one, and I think you’ll enjoy my recent video about this very topic.

Which Companies Pay Dividends?

It just so happens that some of the largest, most stable, and most notable brands in the world pay dividends. It’s a win-win since such blue chip companies tend to reward investors with dividend income while providing incredible stability. I like to think of it as the "sleep at night" factor. I never lose sleep owning dividend companies because (1) I’m in it for the dividends and not capital appreciation (although capital appreciation is a nice bonus) and (2) I’m confident in the long-term prospects of such companies.

Of course, not all dividend companies are great just because they pay dividends. This is where stock analysis comes into the picture. It’s critical to analyze each and every dividend stock candidate thoroughly before it is worthy of buying. That being said, this is the topic of another post, so please stay tuned. (Although, if you want to jump ahead right now, I do have a few videos on my YouTube channel covering fundamental stock analysis in depth.)

In my personal portfolio, I like representation from most major industries and sectors out there. Thankfully, I have found great dividend companies across the board. Following are some of my favorite industries: healthcare, consumer non-cyclical (think: food/beverage and basic goods), industrials, utilities, retail, restaurants, real estate (real estate investment trusts or REITS), technology, energy, transportation, and more.

Also worth noting; Dividends are not just a US-centric thing. Companies from all over the world pay dividends. It’s easy to gain international exposure via (1) US firms that do a large percentage of their business overseas and also (2) via ADRs (American Depository Receipts) where foreign-based firms trade on US stock exchanges.

Which Companies Do I Personally Like?

Want some examples? I’m personally buying Kimberly Clark (KMB) and Procter & Gamble (PG) this year. You may be familiar with Kimberly Clark because they produce such amazing brands as Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers. You may be familiar with Procter & Gamble because they produce Tide detergent and Gillette razors. Their products are literally throughout my entire house (and most houses in America).

I personally like these companies for 2018 because they are core holdings of mine (positions that I love and I see contributing a strong percentage of future dividend income). Moreover, they appear to be "on sale" right now. While I own over 30 stocks, I only buy a handful at any given time (those that are trading at discounted valuations). In other words: While others are running away, I like to buy. I think you’ll enjoy my new video highlighting my personal investment themes for 2018, with a focus on acquiring more KMB and PG.

How Can One Get Started?

As with anything in life, it all starts with research and education. I’m a swimmer and a runner. In fact, I just swam 3,000 yards the other day (took about one hour of continuous swimming). The first 500 yards were the hardest, as my muscles felt the most fatigue and strain getting warmed up. Then, as endorphins kicked in, the rest was easy. And, I probably could have gone further, but it’s important to pace oneself and conserve power for the next time.

Dividend investing is exactly the same. Those early days will be the most difficult, as one makes mistakes and learns the basics. However, after a while, it becomes reasonably easy. In fact, the biggest challenge experienced by dividend investors is one of patience and persistence. It literally takes decades of converting active income into passive income to reach financial freedom (unless one is starting with a phenomenal base). And, this is why it’s important to "pace oneself", just as in my swimming example.

Dividend investing is not a "set it and forget it" strategy. One is not just going to invest a lump sum of money. Rather, it’s a strategy of dollar cost averaging over time. One will typically buy stock (in small, bite sized quantities) at regular intervals. Because it’s a process, I personally believe it’s always best to get started sooner than later.

If one is interested in getting started, I have found that my video on How To Invest $10,000 is particularly helpful. The most popular dividend video on my YouTube channel, it seems like many investors just starting out have $10,000 seed capital. Learn how I would personally invest my first $10,000 if I were starting all over again in the following video.

Of course, it’s important to note that I’m just sharing my personal strategy here. I cannot comment on anyone else’s situation. At the end of the day, it’s important that each dividend investor develop their own, unique strategy. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you over on my YouTube channel!

Disclosure: I am long Kimberly-Clark (KMB) and Procter & Gamble (PG). I own both of these stocks in my portfolio.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed investment advisor. Today’s blog post and related videos are just for entertainment and fun. This blog post and related videos are NOT investment advice. Please talk to your licensed investment advisor before making any financial decisions.

All content on my blog YouTube channel is (c) Copyright IJL Productions LLC.

Angel Investing: My Experience With SAFE Agreements

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Jan 9 5

Happy New Year, everybody! Having placed three angel investments during a single year, 2017 was a big year for this investor. While I primarily invest for dividends and cash flow (via dividend-paying stocks and real estate), I now allocate around (but no more than) 10% of my portfolio to higher risk angel investments. While these investments can carry higher risk, they can also provide a massive source of capital that can later be re-deployed in more traditional cash-flow investments. It’s a way of investing in people I know and support, while supercharging my returns. And, I’m at the stage where this strategy (and exposure to risk) makes sense.

Ian Lopuch Carmel CAAs a side note, I recently wrote a blog post on My Angel Investing Strategy. If you have not read it yet, that post provides some great background on my overall angel investing strategy.

During 2017, two of my angel investments were very early stage ones. Meaning: I invested before an official valuation had even been placed on the company. (Typically, valuations for private companies are assigned during the first big institutional investment of around $6,000,000 or more.) Pre-institutional funding, many startups are choosing to go the SAFE Agreement or Convertible Note route. And, it makes sense because pegging a valuation and partaking in a traditional funding round can be very expensive for the company at such an early stage.

While I’m not an expert by any means, today’s blog post highlights my experience with these types of investments. I want to discuss what they are, how they work, and the pros/cons of investing in these types of early stage investments.

My Angel Investing Video

Before we even start with today’s post, I want to share a recent YouTube video that highlights many of the concepts discussed today. If you prefer video instead of reading, this video will definitely be for you. If you really want to learn these concepts, you may consider watching the video and reading the post!

What Are SAFE Agreements?

SAFE stands for Simple Agreement for Future Equity. Basically, when one invests in a SAFE Agreement, they do not own any equity in the company, yet. However, at some point in the future, the SAFE Agreement will convert into equity.

What Are Convertible Notes?

Convertible Notes are quite similar. A note is a debt instrument. Basically, the investor is lending the company money. Typically, interest rates are very low (the minimum required by law). At some point in the future, the expectation is that the note will be converted into equity. Convertible notes can operate in a very similar manner to SAFE Agreements.

Key Point 1: Get A Sense of Timing

When investing in SAFE Agreements and/or Convertible Notes, it’s critically important to understand timing of the equity conversion event. The whole goal of these investments is the conversion event into equity.

Typically, such instruments will convert into equity at the time of the first big institutional funding event (typically around $6,000,000 or more). As an angel investor, I exclusively invest in people that I know (very well). I get to know the operations of the company, and often become a partner of the company. The closer we are to the perceived equity conversion event, the better. In my modeling, I always add a buffer since conversion typically takes longer than anticipated. As a general rule of thumb, I like SAFE Agreements and Convertible Notes that have a perceived conversion event within the next year.

Worth noting, institutional equity financing sometimes takes longer than expected. I really like instruments that offer a failsafe. Some agreements will have a valuation cap that is used as the equity valuation should there be no equity financing within a specified amount of time. For example: If there’s no equity financing within x number of years, there may be a clause that just converts your SAFE or Convertible Note into equity stock pegged at y valuation. (Side note: Just make sure the valuation seems reasonable, based on all present data available.)

Key Point 2: Understand The Discount

With these types of angel investments, your money is not going to really grow until after the equity conversion event. Once the equity conversion event happens, my expectation is that I will earn several hundred percent (or more) return on investment. Until then, however, my money is essentially tied up.

Being tied up, I always want to get some type of reward. In my experience, this reward comes via the discount factor. Meaning: There will typically be a discount given to early investors at time of the institutional financing event. Let’s say a company raises x million at y per share valuation. If one’s SAFE or Convertible Note has a discount provision, the early investor will receive their equity stake at y per share minus the discount!

This is the reward for investing early, and allows one’s total dollar investment to generate more shares (than if one had waited and invested along side the institutional investor). As a rule of thumb, I expect discount factors to be in the 10% to 25% range, depending on level for risk and anticipated timing of the conversion event. In my experience, this is a reasonable level of return for one year’s time, in a higher risk angel investment.

Key Point 3: Understand The Valuation Cap

Valuation cap sometimes differs based on agreement. I want to offer two scenarios where valuation cap may enter one’s angel investing agreement.

Scenario 1: Runaway Valuation Insurance

Let’s say the perceived valuation of a company right now is quite low. Let’s say you’re getting in very early and it’s only worth a few million dollars or less. However, let’s say that the company grows quickly. By the time the instrument converts over to equity, let’s say hypothetical valuation is $100 million or more. If one’s discount factor is just 10%, one’s instrument will convert over at a $90 million valuation, hardly a good deal for the risk being undertaken! (And, hardly the upside that the investor should experience being an early supporter and advocate.)

Sometimes, valuation caps are used to protect investors in this very scenario. Let’s say there’s a hypothetical $10 million valuation cap. At time of the institutional funding, some agreements read that the conversion valuation is the lesser of (1) the valuation at time of funding minus the discount factor or (2) the valuation cap.

Scenario 2: No Institutional Financing Event

Let’s say several years have passed by without an institutional financing event. Meaning: No company valuation has been pegged. Some agreements read that, at a specified date, the SAFE or Convertible Note will convert into equity at the valuation cap. For this reason, it’s very key that one is comfortable investing at the valuation cap level, based on all information available and all due diligence performed.

Key Point 4: Avoid Buy Out Clauses

Investing in SAFE Agreements and Convertible Notes is risky business. It’s also an incredible amount of work. The goal of the work is getting in early and eventually owning equity for one’s hard work. (Of course, it’s also rewarding investing in those your truly care about.) As such, it’s critical to search such agreements for any potential buy out clause. Meaning: I typically won’t sign anything if the company has the right to simply buy out my agreement for the same amount I invested (plus a nominal interest rate). It’s just not worth my time and risk to invest in such instruments unless I have a very high level of confidence that the equity conversion event will happen.

Key Point 5: Be Prepared For Tied Up Money

Once someone invests in an angel investment, the money is tied up for a very long time. In fact, when I make such investments I assume I will never see the money again. If one is not willing to lose it all, such investments many not be the right fit.

In reality, I have never lost money on an angel investment, and my track record is impeccable. After all, I only invest in people and companies that I know personally. I’m quite picky. That said, I approach each deal with the same philosophy that I will not see my money for a long, long time, if at all. Of course, I never invest money in such instruments that I would need anytime soon (if ever). Building a business is hard work. It takes a long time. It takes even longer for investors to be rewarded.

Key Point 6: Make Sure You Are An Accredited Investor

When it comes to angel investments, there are two general types of offerings. The first class of offerings are under Rule 506(b), meaning the company raising funds is not actually advertising the investment opportunity. These are the types of opportunities that investors, like myself, literally find by reaching out and asking, "Hey, can I invest in your company." The second class of offerings are under Rule 506(c), meaning the company raising funds is able to actively market the investment opportunity. The company can actually reach out (via social media and other means) and advertise the investment opportunity.

Both 506(b) and 506(c) offerings require the investor to be accredited. However, 506(c) offerings require official verification of one’s accredited status (often by a third party service that specializes in such accreditation).

The key point here is to make sure that one is an accredited investor. If one is not, then angel investing is not going to be an option. However, there are a few hacks: (1) Become an "angel investor" by working at a company and earning employee stock options (this has been a hugely valuable strategy in my own career) or (2) start your own company. While it may seem like a bummer, these rules actually help safeguard investors from risk.

Key Point 7: Don’t Forget To Give Back

What’s the point of all this investing and money? At the end of the day, it offers financial freedom and opportunity. It offers the opportunity to pursue one’s dreams! Also, it offers the ability to give back and help others. I love giving back, and even created a website called Lopuch.org to journal our charitable contributions. The more one earns, the greater their responsibility to give back and help others. And, I think you will find that the act of giving back is actually more rewarding than even making the money!

Thanks for reading, and I wish you all the success in the world in your investing and beyond!

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed investment advisor and today’s post is not investment advice. This post is just for fun and entertainment. If you are going to invest in angel investments (or anything else), please consult a licensed financial advisor first.

MentorBox Book Review: My Favorite Book So Far

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 23 0

Those who have been following PPC Ian for a while know that I love MentorBox. A program co-founded by Alex Mehr, Ph.D. and Tai Lopez, MentorBox provides a truly unique self-education platform. As a paying customer, MentorBox got me reading again, and has me consuming and putting into action two books per month! These are books that are taking my life to the next level. I’m investing aggressively in my self-education.

MentorBox Mastermind Meetup

MentorBox Mastermind Meetup In San Francisco

Having written a variety of posts here on PPC Ian about MentorBox and having filmed a variety of video reviews on YouTube, I often receive questions about the program. One of my recurring questions goes like this, "Hey Ian, it seems like MentorBox offers a variety of books, mainly around sales, marketing, and professional success in business. However, I was wondering: Does the program also mix in books about other topics as well?"

Today’s post is a response to this very question. In short: Yes, MentorBox absolutely provides value above and beyond sales, marketing, and business. I’m on the physical box product and love the randomness of the books I receive spanning all different topics. As the most avid readers I know (including Tai Lopez, the man who reads a book a day), I truly enjoy how the MentorBox team chooses books for me each and every month. Most books are ones I would have never picked on my own – how amazing! (It’s this curation of books alone that provides a tremendous value in my life, but I’ve already covered that in length in my other reviews.)

You. Are. The. One. By Kute Blackson

Just recently, I received a book about spirituality called “You. Are. The. One.” by Kute Blackson. While I have enjoyed all of the MentorBox lessons that have come my way, this book is my favorite so far. In fact, I not only enjoyed the cheat sheet, study guide, nearly 2-hour video interview with Kute himself, but also read the book cover-to-cover. I don’t read all of the books in MentorBox, but I do from time-to-time when the topic really draws my interest.

An Adventure In Spirituality

I consider myself a spiritual person, increasingly so over the last few years. Spirituality has become an important component of my life, and one that I want to develop substantially. Spirituality brings comfort, motivation, big ideas, energy, caring for others, purpose, and so much more! As soon as I received this book, I knew it was going to be a great one!

Kute Blackson: The New Voice of Spirituality

Let’s start with the author. I’m really impressed with Kute Blackson. Not only is his message powerful, but his delivery is even more powerful:

  • Upon watching the video with Jonathan Kendall (COO at MentorBox) and Kute Blackson, you can clearly experience and appreciate the power of Kute’s delivery. Having grown up in a large church environment, Kute is a master of public speaking. In fact, for years he went to his father’s church in the middle of the night to practice preaching. I truly appreciate the preaching style of Kute’s delivery. He’s a pastor for the Internet generation.
  • Kute Blackson really has a larger-than-life presence. His approach is grounded in confidence, knowledge, power, and caring for others. MentorBox adds a completely new dimension to Kute’s work because the video allows us to all experience Kute’s presence (and this presence does not come across in reading the book alone).
  • It is a personal goal of mine to smile more frequently, so I really enjoyed seeing Kute’s smile throughout the video. Experiencing Kute’s smile and his ability to toggle between serious and happy topics is truly unique.
  • Kute’s life experience is incredible and is the source of his great wisdom. I suggest enjoying this book to learn how real-world challenges and life experiences have shaped Kute’s philosophy and timeless wisdom.

Lessons Learned From You. Are. The. One.

I cannot even begin to summarize this book, because the lessons are so incredibly bountiful and deep. However, I want to take this opportunity to share three of my favorite insights from You. Are. The. One. (and the accompanying MentorBox materials).

Lesson 1: Follow Your Authentic Self

Kute explains that we all have greatness encoded in our genes. Literally, he says, "YOU ARE THE ONE." We also all have gifts, passions, and dreams. We have everything we need!

The world does not owe us anything. Nobody owes us anything. Rather, we all owe the world our gifts. We are in a unique time in human history, and the world needs our gifts more than ever before.

It is no coincidence that one has a particular dream. It is not by accident. Your dream has chosen you. Go after that dream with everything you have. Make sure that your dream aligns with doing greater good for society. It’s time to serve others!

Lesson 2: Your Thoughts Are Not Who You Are

How many of you reading have negative thoughts come up from time-to-time? How about de-motivating thoughts, ones that tell you that you are not good enough or may never live the life you want? Reality check: Everyone has these thoughts. And, they are absolutely not real.

Kute explains that thoughts are completely different from who we are. They are a representation of our brains trying to be cautious and protect us, a relic from old times. We need to observe our thoughts, but we do not need to dwell on them. If a de-motivating thought comes up, it’s important to realize that it’s just a thought. And, it’s important to give it no power!

On a higher level, Kute asks us to challenge our entire way of thinking. Are there certain beliefs that we hold because of our conditioning? It’s important that we all seek our own truth. We should not allow our minds to take away our freedom and dreams.

Lesson 3: Spirituality Is Everywhere

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a long time, you may remember that I like to Pray While I’m Running. In a similar way, Kute explains that life is a meditation. Spirituality is everywhere. Spirituality should be a part of every moment of one’s life. There is no separation. Life is about enjoying the ordinary moments, and there is deep meaning in all moments.

Thanks MentorBox, For An Incredible Book On Spirituality

I truly enjoyed this book, and hope my review helps illustrate the diversity of titles and topics within MentorBox. (MentorBox is definitely not only about lessons in sales and marketing.)

Each year, I’m a big fan of giving holiday gifts to business partners, friends, co-workers, and family. The Five Minute Journal has been a favorite gift to give, and I always have a stack of them ready to go. In fact, I just handed out two Five Minute Journals last week!

I’m pleased to now have another go-to gift book, "You. Are. The. One." by Kute Blackson! I just ordered a stack, and look forward to giving these out as gifts too. This holiday season, I already have a list of friends and co-workers who will receive this book from me – how neat! (As a bonus tip: Whether I’m giving away The Five Minute Journal or You. Are. The. One., I like to take the time to write a heartfelt message inside the cover. It’s all about making gifts personal and meaningful!)

Say Thank You To PPC Ian – My MentorBox Affiliate Link

Ian Lopuch Mentor Box Stanford

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

Before I sign off for today, I want to let you know that I am an affiliate of MentorBox. What does this mean? When someone purchases via my affiliate link, the customer pays the same price, however I earn a commission. If you enjoyed my review today and plan on signing up for MentorBox anyways, I would be forever grateful if you signed up via My MentorBox Link (affiliate link). It would mean the world to me, and help keep the lights on here at PPC Ian.

Of course, you can always head directly to MentorBox as well. At the end of the day, I just want to see you thrive. I wish you all the success in the world!

Want To Learn Even More?

Want to learn even more about MentorBox? I have a variety of posts here, and YouTube videos too! I hope you enjoy all of them. Another fun recent one is My 15-Day MentorBox Challenge. Learn how I personally approach MentorBox each month, getting maximum time efficiency and results. On a related note, my other recent post Is MentorBox Worth It? (Of Course!) elaborates on my MentorBox process even more. I think you will enjoy these posts, as they mark the evolution of my own personal self-education strategy. Just beginning on your journey? My Original Mentorbox Review is a brilliant place to start, offering an overall review of the program and also several video reviews. It’s the hub of all things Mentorbox here on PPC Ian.

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a MentorBox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

My London Real Academy Review

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 12 3

About two and a half years ago, when I made the transition from the corporate world to full time entrepreneur and investor, I started investing heavily in my self-education. Historically, the bulk of my education has been formal (BS in Computer Science and Minor in Economics from Stanford University) and on the job (high-powered executive roles at successful Silicon Valley technology companies).

London Real Ian LopuchHowever, one day while watching Tai Lopez on YouTube, it hit me: I need to be investing (heavily) in my self-education via books. Time is scarce, but I need to make the time, I need to do it. So, I started reading and eventually discovered Mentorbox. (If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that I love Mentorbox and have thrived under that program, reading two books per month.) However, before Mentorbox was even invented, Tai Lopez brought me to London Real.

I wanted to learn more about Tai Lopez, this man who reads a book a day. I wanted to find out what he’s all about. So, I searched and found that Brian Rose interviewed him (several times) on London Real. Upon finding the London Real YouTube Channel and the London Real Academy, I was immediately intrigued. After enjoying London Real’s extensive free content for quite some time, I decided to sign up for the London Real Academy. Today’s post is a review of my personal experience. It covers exactly what this exciting program offers.

What Is London Real?

Let’s start with the man behind London Real. Mr. Brian Rose is an ex-banker, based out of London. US-born and educated, Brian left the US to pursue his banking career in London. Eventually, he achieved incredible success, but knew something was missing, he knew that banking was not his forever path. So, he took the entrepreneurial plunge and created London Real, a platform that educates others (like you and me) via interviews with the most interesting and brightest minds in our world.

A YouTube-centric business, London Real offers new interviews with amazing people each and every week, for free. Brian typically offers the first half of each episode on YouTube. Then, if you want to enjoy the rest, you can head over to his website (it’s free), and watch there.

If you’ve been following PPC Ian for a while, you know that I enjoy Mentorbox because the program curates the books for me. I love the element of surprise, I enjoy the diversity and unexpectedness of the titles chosen. In a similar fashion, Brian’s interviews are truly diverse. One week, he could be interviewing British boxing legend, Chris Eubank Sr. The next, he might be interviewing Alex and Mimi Ikonn, entrepreneurial leaders and creators of The Five Minute Journal (also one of my favorites). I’m a big believer that the best lessons come from unexpected sources. Without London Real, I would have never known some of these leaders. I would have never listened to their wisdom. London Real curates a diverse set of the best and brightest mentors out there, imparting their life lessons and wisdom. How amazing!

Enjoy London Real For Free

When I first got introduced to London Real via those Tai Lopez interviews, I enjoyed the program for free, for months. The amazing thing about London Real is it’s free. A huge wealth of knowledge is there for anyone, and that’s why Brian’s YouTube channel has so many subscribers.

As a side note, this business model really resonates with me. As a YouTuber myself, one that aspires to help as many people as possible, I do believe in the power of offering free content. My education from London Real has helped on my own broadcasting journey.

Get Even More With London Real Academy

One day, after learning so much for free, I decided to pay and give the London Real Academy a chance. More than anything, I viewed this as my opportunity to pay Brian Rose for his hard work. Regardless of what the Academy had to offer, I wanted to step up and say, "thank you". Of course, the London Real Academy exceeded my expectations.

As a paying member of the Academy, here’s what I enjoy the most:

  • Early access to upcoming London Real episodes. Brian uploads his latest work, before he’s had a chance to fully edit for general release. This is my favorite benefit of the Academy, and I enjoy the early access videos weekly. This alone is a huge benefit that pushes my self-education to the next level.
  • Access to the exclusive Facebook Group of like-minded entrepreneurs and individuals taking their lives to the next level. London Real attracts some of the coolest people around. While I haven’t made full use of the Facebook Group, I see this as an asset that could truly help during my entrepreneurial journey.
  • Weekly challenges (based on best practices from those interviewed on London Real) that push my comfort zone. Being an entrepreneur is all about challenging one’s comfort zone, and the London Real Academy provides a great platform for getting in the right mindset.
  • Bonus content such as Dan Pena’s exclusive seminars at the Ritz.

Some of My Favorite Episodes

My favorite part about London Real is that many of my favorite episodes are truly unexpected. London Real connects me with bright people and perspectives that I would have never found myself. Here are a few of my favorite episodes:

  • The True Geordie: When I first saw the thumbnail for this episode, I didn’t know what to expect. I saw a big, strong guy with tattoos. I assumed that he must be here on London Real to talk about weight lifting. How interesting that The True Geordie is one of the must successful YouTubers around, someone who literally started with nothing. His story is so incredibly motivating, and I have since become a True Geordie fan and follower. This is a quintessential example of how London Real connects me with amazing people who I would have never known about otherwise.
  • Chris Eubank Sr.: Another interesting one, I was not sure what to expect since I’m not big on watching sports. Being a British boxing legend, I assumed that Eubank would discuss his craft. And, he did. However, his message is so much larger! I learned about the importance of impeccable speech. Moreover, I learned a multitude of philosophical lessons on life itself. Mr. Eubank is a true student of life and taught me that, "Genius is obsession in one area."
  • Dan Pena: London Real also connected me to this interesting businessman who lives in a castle in Scotland. While he may come across a little strong at times and I don’t always agree with the language that he uses, Dan’s message sure is important: Get up and get stuff done. A no-nonsense kind of guy, Dan encourages everyone to be their personal best and push their limits. He argues that most of us are barely scratching the surface of our potential.
  • Alex and Mimi Ikonn: The Five Minute Journal literally transformed my morning (and nighttime) routine. I love this journal and it makes my life so much more fun, productive, and exciting. I also regularly gift The Five Minute Journal to friends, family, and business colleagues. I would have never known about this amazing journal if it were not for London Real. More than that, the episodes with Alex and Mimi have helped shape my perspectives on life and entrepreneurship. They are amazing!
  • Tai Lopez: When people see Tai Lopez in his garage with Ferraris and books, some are immediately intrigued. Others are immediately skeptical. You’ve seen his "in my garage" video, right? As a marketer myself, I truly respect Tai’s methods of attracting people to his message, because his message is empowering and needs to be heard (read more books and find mentors who can elevate your game). The London Real interviews with Tai Lopez provided a traditional, interview-based forum to really get to know the man who reads a book a day. These are some of the first London Real episodes that I enjoyed, and I’m still a Tai Lopez fan to this day.
  • Dorian Yates: I am very familiar with Dorian Yates, and most men who grew up during my generation are too! A legendary bodybuilder, Dorian’s interviews showed me the power of "going into the lab". Unlike some of his United States counterparts, Dorian did not live a flashy lifestyle. To the contrary, he was all about keeping a low profile and hard work. At times, he would isolate himself to fully focus on his craft. In life and business, this mentality can truly help at times, and I really enjoyed Dorian’s episodes on London Real.

The London Real Accelerators

London Real, in addition to their Academy, now offers Accelerators. These premium courses offer the student a one-on-one opportunity to partner with Brian and his team on specific areas of life. So far, Accelerators offered include the Business Accelerator, Broadcast Yourself Accelerator, Life Accelerator, and Public Speaking Accelerator. While I have not had the chance to try a London Real Accelerator yet, I hope to at some point in the future. While these are more expensive courses, they offer the ability to really take one’s game to the next level (in a huge way).

Thank You, Brian and Team

I wanted to close out by thanking Brian and the London Real team. My experience has been truly wonderful and London Real has been a truly important piece of my self-education puzzle. London Real has also played "connector" role in leading me to other sources of information (and people) who have helped me tremendously.

I am so excited about the future, because I know that London Real will keep evolving and getting better. A closing tip for everyone reading: This weekend, instead of watching your normal TV programs with friends and family, consider London Real instead. It will teach you new skills, give everyone topics to talk about and debate, and elevate everyone’s game!

Affiliate Disclosure: Right now, there is no affiliate program (to my knowledge). However, I hope to be an affiliate of London Real at some point in the future.

Image of Ian Lopuch © PPCIan.com

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About PPC Ian

Ian Lopuch (PPC Ian)Hi, I'm Ian Lopuch, also known as PPC Ian. I'm an Idaho-based real estate developer and investor, with an incredible passion for dividend stocks (and investments that provide true passive income for the long-term). In fact, I have built a portfolio of 37 positions that will one day pay for all of my living expenses. I enjoy blogging here about my passion for cash flow investing, while also sharing some other business and digital marketing insights from time-to-time.

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