0:00Well, Paul, welcome to the Born or Made podcast. Great to be in Austin.
0:03It's great to have you here. Uh, a little less heat um today, but still a great day.
0:08Yes, it was 38 at my house this morning. I went out and ran here and it was about 50 and everybody was bundled up and thought it was cold and I'm like, this is the best weather ever.
0:16Yeah, I was uh wanting it to be warmer when I went outside to my gym. Um, yeah, an opportunity for perseverance and um yeah, discernment.
0:25Yeah. Well, thanks uh thanks for ordering the good weather for me. So, um, where were you born?
0:29Uh, so I was born in Denver, Colorado.
0:31Yeah. So, mountains, the cold.
0:35So, what brought you to Texas? I mean, you kind of did you stay in the Colorado area for a while or did you I mean, I would say that the times that I've moved has just been the Lord. Um, really I sold a software company in 2019, joined a $4 billion company six steps away from the CEO. 30 days in, hey, we're going to go another direction. Okay, sounds good. like just go to a different desk like let's talk about it. It was Tuesday at 1:30 and it was like this isn't like I'm not being letting go on a Tuesday. Typically it's
1:04Fridays like beginning or end of the month, right? Like you got to be you know you got to watch the calendars when you get those meetings. Um and it was just like this is interesting. a church I was going to in Denver, Red Rocks Church, basically opened a location out here like three, four months before and just through prayer discernment and a little bit of time was like, I think I need to go to Austin, but only if I have a job and a place to live. Um, and we can go through that story, but um, I ended up finding those things, but not to the level that I wanted to. Um, so I
1:32found like random serendipities on me moving. Paul in the Bible, right, traveled a lot, Paul in real life, um, has lived a couple places. um you know uh dated uh you know two girls kind of like long distance and was just like hey I think this might be the place to go. So um yeah that's kind of the story I follow.
1:51So you leave Denver is so you said you moved a bunch but did you go Denver to Austin or you going to go Yeah. So Denver um to Austin the uh that was early 2019. Official date was May 15th of when I actually moved my stuff. I was traveling back and forth for a little bit. Um but yeah, May 15th, 2019, Austin, Texas.
2:11No kidding. And so families all still in in Colorado or mixture. So um a beautiful story to share is that um through some of my wealth building um I've bought a number of short-term rentals and instead of like me being wealthy, it's more of think like a family office type mentality or more just like overall wealth and what is wealth really defined as? Part of that is family as well as relationships, you know, inviting other people along the way, not just me solo traveling the world with a bunch of money, right? No, no issue with that.
2:40But also, I found that's, you know, really lonely. So, what happened was um my debt to income ratio was tapped. I turned to my parents and said, "Hey, could we buy something together?" Uh, we ended up purchasing a property in Canyon Lake. That was in April of 2021 when just the prices swung 100 grand overnight. So you were buy did you buy during the swing up or did you buy just before or like I would say just before enough to um buy a property. Um and so meaning to say I kept inviting them
3:09along to the journey to say hey like what couch do you think and what what should this decorations be? Um I was also doing a full-time job. I was also part-time um building our oil and gas asset management company with my best friend and other business partner. So, I had several things going on. That was an opportunity for us to have different conversations. Oh, how are you doing?
3:28Oh, hey, can you do this by this date, this time? What do you think about this?
3:32There was also a lot of shipping logistics during that time. And so, it was like, oh, we love this table, but it won't get there for 3 months. Okay. So, a lot of those things, right? So, um, with the portfolio now, um, it just, uh, we we have those conversations. I even texted my parents earlier this morning on it. They don't need to be involved in everything, but I find that it's an opportunity for deeper connection. How that relates to my parents moving to Georgetown, which is about an hour outside of Austin.
3:59No, it will. I grew up in Leander, so I understand. Yeah.
4:02So, um it's a 55 plus community and I believe they will live a decade longer and it's because of that. Absolutely.
4:08So, they're in the Dell Webb community or used to be Dale Webb. I don't know what they're called now. So, um, a story to share is just like as they kept coming back to Candy Lakes, the intention was, hey, this is an investment property that I'll run and then when you want to come out and spend time, etc. You can be there. Exactly.
4:23Right. Like, man, we would love to come out here and be in Texas, things like that. Okay. How is this possible? Well, I don't know. Okay. They'll do some research, etc. So, they then found um that was the place for them. Um, I was like, hey, are you going to move to Canyon Lake? And they're like, well, it's a nice place, but like ah. So, um, meaning to say that, um, just to share like a piece of my own ego, I was like, "Oh, this could be a place for my parents to travel to, maybe retire, all these things." But it worked out better than I could imagine, right? Again, I believe they will live a decade longer
4:52because of that community. They walk two times a day. Um, it's my mom's birthday actually today, so I called her before. I know. Uh, she's 75.
5:00And, um, and a beautiful story of how Ivan, you know, came to be.
5:03And so, it's just that aspect of like they're now walking two times a day. part of me also doing 75 hard a bunch of times, right, which involves two workouts a day have kind of indirectly influenced them, maybe bullied them into, you know, walking. But it's it saved my dad's life. Um built up his lungs cuz he's walking and and doing some hills for sure. Yeah. Um he has terrible terrible asthma.
5:23Um and so again, there's all these aspects to say my parents moved here um from just random serendipity. Um I have older half brothers, one has since passed um and an older uh half sister. um they and all their kids are still in Colorado. So um it's great to be close to parents um and then family kind of across the country. So So those are your only siblings. Yep.
5:45So you haven't convinced her to move here yet, huh?
5:48Yeah. I mean they'll I would think stay in Colorado forever and always. Um some my sister might move to Florida, but the other thing is like nieces and nephews. I have three nieces um two nephews. Um where you know, who knows if they will.
6:02There's some statistic of people really don't move more than like 30 miles from where they like grew up type thing. I've definitely been the, you know, ugly duckling of sorts, right? That does the the weird offset things of um, you know, pure entrepreneur, all these different aspects. Um, so they may have some of that, but definitely not to my level of either spontaneously doing it right from a faith perspective or even just from a um, adrenaline piece or curiosity. So they'll go on trips, you know, here and
6:30there and do things um but not, you know, they've not moved or they've not moved to the levels that like I have. Uh I lived in the woodlands for about 6 months outside of Houston. Um I uh briefly lived in um Coachella Valley area in California, was going to work with a business partner and grow a short-term rental portfolio. That wasn't the best fit. I lived in Nashville for 14 months. Um I just moved back to This is all before you got here?
6:57No, no, no. This is just like my own story. So this is like 2019 2021 Woodlands um 24 20 yeah 24 um uh California I was in Costa Rica for a month but that was just more of a fun thing. Um and then Nashville I started in October of 2024 moved back to Austin January of 2026 and then a girl I've known over a decade lives in Washington DC. Um and you know
7:26we kind of reconnected. I remember that. Yeah, I remember that.
7:29And so I was like, "All right, like I've always felt like she was the girl." And so I was like, "All right, we're just going to like go for it, right? This makes no sense cuz I just moved back to Austin in the most beautiful place I've prayed for and kind of a dreamhouse uh for the past 3 years. And I I learned so much and you know, we're such great friends and and you know, still to this day, but um yeah, relationship and and beyond that just isn't the best fit for us." But again, it's just been an opportunity of hey, like this is you know what's keeps coming up. just taking
7:58advantage of it, right? And what a great op what a great thought process and action and and um capability not just for my own life but for others where it's just like like leaning into that fear or overcoming or going around the fear or is it really fear or is it just like who you're meant to be, right? Um and almost like facing yourself in the mirror and it's like no, I would be the type of man and person who would do these types of things for these, you know, people um with, you know, no result, right? Um, so that is to say
8:27that's my moving journey of sorts.
8:29So, do you feel like you've always been led in these places like God has led you there or do you feel like you probably pushed it and then God said, "Yeah, you weren't listening. Come back over here."
8:41I would say it's um, yes, it's been the Lord. It's a matter of how much I've recognized his hand in it.
8:48Um, how much I've shared on it and the idea of like glory for him in that process. Nashville over the span of six months I've tw 12 different random occurrences of different people or situations of to move there and it was just like a this just makes sense. Um and and that is you know not necessarily faith right faith is doing something like unknowing but it just got to the point where it's just like did you ever get in trouble as a kid and you're just like a I shouldn't have done that like your character was kind of compromised.
9:16It kind of came that where it's like I just knew I needed to leave Austin. I didn't know where. Tried California wasn't the fit. When I was in California, they're like, "Let's go to Nashville for CMA Fest." And I was like, "No, screw you guys. I came here for this." I was like, "Well, but I also do have a bunch of credit card points. It would be fun to go." All these things, right? Um, so that's how, you know, Nashville came to be. But what I'll say very succinctly is like I found there's definitely a like relationship, you know, with the Lord and kind of confirming what I'm doing or thinking.
9:44But then there's this idea of like frogger faith and the idea of just like, "No, I'm just going to go do this." And it's like, why? Well, such is faith. It's not known. It doesn't make sense.
9:53Um it's it just it just it's faith, right? Peter, you know, getting out of the boat. Um he was faithful for a little bit um and then, you know, started sinking, right? Yeah. So, um so it's those things that um you know, there have been times where, you know, eyes, right, have have kind of come off Jesus or just the ability of what is it daily, not just like holistically. Um and then the other thing to say is like is it to the same level of depth, right?
10:19So when I moved to Nashville, I was planning on changing careers. Had the best conversations with the best companies. They were just like, "Yeah, we'd love to, you know, connect with you as things come up." And I I would love to work here. We're in very different boats. Very different thoughts for sure.
10:33And so it's just like, "Hey, you know what?"
10:36And I um I had a parable about this that I posted on YouTube. I I have since taken it down, but this idea of a buffalo smelling roses in a tornado. So if you know about buffaloos, when there's storms, they run through them, right? M but this idea of like did I learn the right things through the storm or did I just run through it? Especially for someone who's done I've done 75 hard like I said a number of times um not yet been a marathon or tri triathlete right like the greater Austin community has but it's recognizing like did I do the
11:06right things? Did I learn the right things? And and doing the right things I get hesitant on because then I might get too analytical on things but did I learn the right things? Am I aware that there are roses on the path, you know, to and through the storm, right? So, that's what I've then taken where it's not just doing the action. It's also um being the person through the process and being, you know, slow to it and knowing when to maybe push on the gas, right? If you're a car guy, right? When to push on the gas, when to shift, when to use the e
11:35bra, right? the people who go the fastest mile and or track, whatever it might be, um they use the brake. I was at the Porsche the America schools in Atlanta, Georgia. I was just like, "What do you mean you you I'm just going to take off the gas." Like, "No, you got to break." That's right. Smooth is fast.
11:52Exactly. So, that that is just a completely different life for how I can think and operate. And as someone who's very analytical, it's a daily battle on what who am I serving? How am I showing up? How are things coming to be? Am I making something up? Am I thinking? Am I hoping? What are these things um but slowing down, staying focused? And um doing even less to achieve even more, right? Um is key.
12:21Yeah. I I struggle with all of those things. Obviously, I'm a lot older. Is um I pray a lot about open the door, close the door, don't leave it cracked.
12:31Because I tend to stick my head in there for sure. And then I get in there. Oh, you know, cuz I like flashy, right? I like shiny things. So, I get the shiny, you know, shiny object syndrome, right?
12:41And so, I'm really working on I've got a couple of guys helping me now where I stay hyperfocused on the three things right now, not 10. And it's actually, it's like you said, putting the brakes on actually makes you faster.
12:55Yeah, it's more peaceful. Um, the past two weeks I've been in Nashville, Chicago, uh, hosted an event here in Austin with over 100 entrepreneurs. It's definitely been go- go. Um, and yeah, I was even telling you I hosted the um Austin chapter for Gobundance locally.
13:10And [clears throat] there's physical rest, there's mental rest, but I've also been focusing on like soul rest. Like this idea of if I looked at my five-year vision, what does that look like today? Right? And I've realized there's several things I'm doing kind of today or in this, you know, season that I'm like, this is not the highest and best use for myself. And not from a sense of ego, but just like I can help more people. And by not doing these things, I'm not helping more people, but more importantly, I'm not, you know, staying in my zone of genius.
13:37And I say more importantly because I've also been on this mental shift on yes, I do want to help people, but if I'm only and solely focused on helping people, I will lose myself in the process. And I'll be more focused on others than I am myself. And then who am I when someone doesn't, you know, respond or buy or whatever it might be? And it's just like I am then me. So, as you talk about like opening doors, closing doors, etc. I absolutely agree. Um, and I'd be curious like do you just wait for things to happen or are you maybe like proactively
14:07asking, right, to say, "Hey, we haven't heard back from you for this, you know, deal or, you know, on dinner or something like that. I'm getting the impression of this. Am I understanding like the right thing?" I'm increasingly trying to do that more and better and and being comfortable with that process. Otherwise, I get passive, right? Right.
14:24And I have a tattoo on my left wrist about, you know, tibidness that I'm reminded of uh daily, especially when I don't wear watches. Um but yeah, curious like what what comes to mind for you if you're like kind of proactive or reactive or how do you approach some of those?
14:38So um I am working on being proactive now.
14:41Cool. Aren't we all? Um, I've been very reactive for the last 40 years of business. Sure. And I am that's hence the COO, the fiscal alliance guy is trying to slow everything down, put a plan in place and then acquire based on that, not just like, oh, that's a great idea and go after it.
15:01So for me, I've been a reactionary guy forever and it just doesn't work. And now that I'm slowing down and being proactive, my calm and my sense of peace has really come more centered. Yeah. And I feel really, really good about that.
15:15You know, business is still hard right now because I'm in housing.
15:19But I just have a much different piece now because now I've kind of slowed down. I have a plan and that seems to work right now for me. And I because I did not know this. I'm a visionary.
15:30And I did not know this till just six months ago.
15:33Incredible. And I hired I wrote I read the book uh Rocket Fuel. Yep.
15:38And you got to have an integrator and a visionary. Well, when you're a visionary and you're trying to run a business, you wonder why your business doesn't grow. It's because of you.
15:45Now, I've hired these guys that are integrators and my life has just gotten. I'd be like, "Hey, this is what I'm thinking. Hey, that's a good idea." They come back go, "Here you go."
15:54Or me, be like, "Man, that's a great idea." And be like, "Oh, that's a great idea. Oh, that's a great idea."
15:59Now I'm like, "Here's what I think." and then they come back to me with a fix and I'm like this works.
16:04So me it's I'm not being reactionary being more visionary type really helped.
16:09You also have that like ability though.
16:11So that's a big thing that I'm uh component on is like you have the ability of when things are hard it can get done. That bull just needs to be dragged to the ground and across the line. I had this issue with the event I hosted um where it's just like like their their help like I had some some people help on the like logistics side but it wasn't like an integration sort of side. So I was then doing a lot of um of these detailed sort of pieces and kind of being the integrator too. And it's just like it is just what it takes.
16:36But that ability to recognize like hey when there are gaps or when you know you do need to again kind of the car analogy do those one of those three pieces that is then I think the difference maker of what is the multiplier versus just the you know addition right so do you think you're a visionary or do you think you're an integrator?
16:52So if I recall the numbers um I am a uh 82 integrator and 75 visionary. I would think they would add up to a hundred. I'm not sure why they don't. But what I found is that sometimes I can spin my wheels. I'm not good at zero to one. Um I it's I'm too analytical all these things. I'm a growth integrator side.
17:11Yeah. Yeah. So like I'm a growth hacker. Um and so when I have something and have data around it and it's like this is what works, how all these things then it can be optimized, right? reducing cost, increasing lifetime value, um additional product offering, how we're going about getting customers unique experiences that are more emotional than necessarily, you know, monetized, etc.
17:32Um 0ero to one is is difficult, but that's integration. That's integration what you're talking about there.
17:38Correct. Yeah. Okay.
17:39It's just it's more of like when um what I've specifically found is like when I'm going 0 to one, I have this idea, then I'll like talk to a couple people um but I may not do the best on the integration like 100%. So I'll get like 60 or 80% and it'll be really good, but it won't cross the line. And so the thing is that the vision may not come fully to be right. Imagine when you go to the eye doctor and you like don't fully see the letters. You kind of just guess. That is like one challenge. Um, and the other piece is like you might need to kiss
18:09more frogs. And just this idea on like, oh, I talked to like 10 people and it's not going to work. Talk to a hundred. Well, that's a lot of work.
18:18And so that's another piece too where it's like, you know, staying the course. And that's why, you know, even for when you're on my podcast, right, the, you know, the D's, right? And just being, you know, consistent. Um, that is then really how things come to be, right? Um, is through, you know, not focus on the outcome, but on the consistency of it.
18:36and seeing it. Um, that can be certainly challenging when when you're in like a business sense. Fitness sense, you go to the gym, you know, you see some results, you don't, and then eventually just kind of like hits. Business I found is just a completely different, more difficult aspect because when you're like, hey, I'm trying to pay this bill or support family, like there's more emotion to it.
18:54And there's also more emotion on validation. Oh, they don't like my idea. No, you just aren't solving their problem or you aren't communicating it well enough for them to understand like how does it help them verse, oh, I did this. Oh, I made this. Do you want to buy it? Very different pieces.
19:08And I've also found it's a very different heart posture, right? Sales versus service. Hey, what would you need for to be true in order for you to be successful with this? Tell me more about that. Oh, so actually you need more of this and this. So, actually, we don't have that kind of service or piece. So, like, it was great meeting you. Like, hope you have a great day. Well, I don't know. I like you. Like, how could we work together? Like, I I'm um you know, that's a very different conversation.
19:33Absolutely. Which one do you want? A, B, or C? Well, I don't know. I need to think about it. Think about what? Like, you should do B. Well, I'm not sure.
19:39Like, and there's different objections or feelings or needs or all this different stuff. Um, I've specifically found that recently with people who are like trying to grow through acquisition, whether it be like a business or like a search firm. They have very different needs. And so, like one specific product is not going to, you know, work with them. But that is such is life and even just relationships in general of like what um by no means married but this idea of like what do you need this week to be you know successful or what is one thing that I could do today um that would really you know light up your day
20:09or that you know you would feel really more connected to me. Oh honestly and I've had Mary Ben kind of share this story honestly you could just like take out the trash and then just like ask me how my day is later.
20:21That's pretty easy. I yes ma'am you know yeah um but you know yes customer those sort of things too.
20:28So [clears throat] tell me more about some of your new events that you've been doing these couple we talked about earlier.
20:32Yeah. Yeah. So um I've always been a collaborator connector of people. Um and so the event I hosted on Tuesdays a couple days ago um was at a place called Petrol Lounge. It's a 30 plus thousand square foot facility here in Austin, Texas, greater Austin, Texas. and um has over 300 luxury exotic cars, the coolest things you could ever think of. And um we just had an amazing event.
20:54We had about 100 people come out. Um I curated it for seven, eight, nine figure business owners. The intention on who is Austin's best business owners. And if they're able to meet with other entrepreneurs and business owners who are the best, like if they have that servant heart, they will then help more of, you know, Austin and effectively like the domestic US and really the world. And so that's just who I'm really focused on in all areas of business is servant leaders who are seven to nine figures um and really supporting them with unique experiences um incredible
21:24connections and just different perspectives. So for example um again going on the the three kind of caller analogy I had people uh pick one of three colors and it was are you accelerating? Are you growing through acquisition? Are you shifting gears?
21:38Maybe you are um you know looking at focused on more profit or tax like you just something's got to like change or that e break which is just you know the the different you know aspect um which just like another side of of the business right how do you like slow down you know more um those were you know kind of the three you know pieces um and the e break was more on the wealth side so it's like are you slowing more down maybe like in your business per se but you're still focused
22:06more on like legacy So, what does legacy actually look like, right? Is it, we talked about this, like giving it down to maybe one of your children or is it maybe, you know, selling and then starting a nonprofit or these different aspects, but um you're actually looking to accelerate in in overall life, but it looks like you're slowing down, right?
22:23Um so, that was really interesting because people were able to see is break more of an evaluation.
22:28It it's more of a think of a um and there's kind of a book around this, but the second climb, right, of like what is my purpose? Um what is the second mountain like type aspects where it's like I've I've done the things I have the money and also what's next um is it for you know creating a charity donating um again you know yesterday with go abundance we were talking about five-year visions and I was like what what are your children's fiveyear visions well I don't know okay well you may not want to give them just lump sum
22:56of cash or distribution depending on how your entity structures and trusts are but maybe they want to buy and I gave a random example of like a horse farm maybe they want to you know, a horse farm and and run like an equestrian um service for people with disability or I don't know these things. And in their mind, they're like, "Oh, I'm going to go please this case dad to go be this profession to make a bunch of money and then maybe in 20 to 40 years I'll be able to finally live my dream." Like what if the dream could be, you know,
23:24today or in the next five years, right?
23:26And that idea of legacy for their like heart, you know, and kind of continuing that, right? and aligning more of like your entire your initial family and then you think of clan so your um sons and daughters their family right and then you think of tribe which are then their sons and daughters that to say like what does the legacy of our entire family come to be and it's how it's continued so think of like um a domino effect of like you kind of pass or a torch right where you pass it and it's not
23:54necessarily a typical patriarch of like we are this family we are going to do this for the next 50 years you will do this because you're this name, right?
24:02But it's more of like continuing, you know, where, if you will, the Lord leads them, right? Um, part of this also comes from um the Green family, if you're familiar with them, who run Hobby Lobby.
24:11Um, yeah. So, I was um around them about two months ago. Um, and they talk about what does our legacy look like 10 generations from now?
24:21What does the business look like 50 years from now? And they're thinking that far.
24:26Yeah, man. I'm just trying to get through the next three years.
24:30Absolutely. And it it that's amazing. I've never really You started saying some stuff like that. I'm like, I never really thought about my grandkid. I mean, everything I do is motivated by my grandkids.
24:40But I've never asked them, you know, I'm kind of figuring out what they're wanting to do, but even like you were talking about the farm or, you know, buying a, you know, doing their deal now instead of waiting when they're 60.
24:51Yeah. This is how to do it now. You know, with this, you know, give me a proposal of what it would be like for this. Okay. Tell me. Hey, you know, I'm not going to fully fund this unless this and this or hey, here are the conditions or stipulations or the idea of um of the puppy typically when there's young kids.
25:07Okay, we'll get a puppy, but like you got to take the trash out every day for 30 days.
25:11Um and they do it and they're like, "All right, puppy." And you get the puppy and then you end up taking care of it.
25:15Yeah. Um so, you know, how can those, you know, be true? What are those maybe like safeguards? Um what's that opportunity, etc. uh one of my nieces wanted to become a tattoo artist and at one point I was going to fly out to Denver and and I forget what tattoo it was but I was like hey just like you know do something for me how can I support you right and they might that might give them enough courage to continue as well as you know collapsing timelines right hey I'll be there you know next month could we you know do something whatever that might be verse oh yeah when you do it and maybe
25:44potentially possibly etc when does when do those things happen right um those aren't intention set those aren't goals you and I know that, right? How do you collapse timelines? Um, but even and again, this is just fresh in my mind because the gobundance event yesterday, but it's between now and Thanksgiving, right? So, we're at kind of the end of October.
26:03What needs to be true? What do you need to get done based on your five-year vision? How are you going to show up for Thanksgiving? Is your phone going to be off? Is it going to be in another room?
26:13Are you going to help with the mashed potatoes? Are you like, what is that? I think legacy is you know either eternally or you know you know for the rest of your life. Five years is obviously that piece and there's a component of how those you know intertwine but also just what is that like in the next month and how are you living in the next month so that is aligned with that fiveyear vision and kind of bringing it to today sort of collapsing timelines. Um there's I mean this Bible piece but just um 1
26:42Corinthians you know 13:4 right love is patient love is kind all these different aspects. Um, I've personally written a eulogy because it it's given me a completely different perspective of how I show up every single day. Verse five-year vision is very much like outcome based. If I were to take love for every single time it's referenced, you know, in that um scripture and I replaced it with myself, was Paul patient? Was Paul kind? Was he did he not envy? Did he not boast? Well, I don't know except that one thing. So,
27:12that's how I want to show up in like the dayto-day. And so then I think about it's Q4, you know, busiest time of the year. Let's do it. Let's hit it.
27:19Accelerate. Focus through the door. Not even checking if it's unlocked, right?
27:24But then what does that look like for Thanksgiving, right? Um what does that look like for additional holidays? What does that look like as it continues?
27:30What does that look like even daily?
27:31That's also where I've looked at, you know, schedule or the things I'm doing and it's like, yeah, not that or less of that or that needs to change. Elevated, delegated, or eliminated. Um, and so not to say this is how I live every single day, but you know, it's been fresh in my mind. It's like, dang, like, you know, that that is interesting especially for Thanksgiving because oftentimes we push so hard to it and then that's our relaxing time and so we may not even be present during that time, right? Or it well maybe and it also shifts what we
28:00need to focus on. Okay, I actually really need to focus on this one thing such that um that can be done so then I can relax. these other things are they maybe not shiny objects. They might still need to be get done, but they may not be like the thing, right, that gets, you know, revenue across the line or what have you or hey, I would actually maybe like to let this employee go um be, you know, type things like it really just gets hyper tactical in theory and then it's just almost like a to-do list um to then be more, you know,
28:30physically, emotionally, and spiritually just present. Um so there's not, you know, weights or um yeah, just things on your mind.
28:38Yeah. I feel like I'm always doing today.
28:41But even like hearing you say like 50 years, which obviously I'll be long gone. Um that kind of stresses me out hearing that cuz I never I think about I'm just trying to fix these things today. But if you start looking way out Sure, man. You really got to start laying the seeds today.
28:58Such as such as leadership too, right?
29:01And and the idea what you're even doing right now, right? Commendable. Most people kind of don't, right? the idea of like surrender where it's like oh I'm going to hire someone who knows better and more than I do to take the torture or to do it and it's less of like here's how you do these things to example COO here's how you do these things I need these things done go do them hey no so I was actually and from their point hey I was actually looking at this and this is what I'm seeing you know this type of you know revenue is actually really hurting us you know it's less than all
29:29of our other channels okay so should we cut it I would recommend we cut it but only in 90 days after we do these these additional things. Yeah, sure. Sounds great. Like awesome job. High five.
29:40Right. So that like heart posture change that I think is where at least I see the 50 years from now where it's again kind of that torch to others and not necessarily that it's on me because I don't want a lot of things on me. I want to be board of advisor level, right?
29:53That that's where I'm best at. Um but in order to do that, then I need to have the right trust, the right team, the right system, and I can, you know, be in and integrate um and and vision with it too. But really, it's just who might be, you know, stuck in a corporate role who really has that vision to continue something beyond what I can or different than I can, who really wants to thrive in the housing market, you know, chaos versus, you know, just the um the battles and things that you've experienced where you're like, ah, not this again. Okay, let's, you know, go
30:23through it. But that's also where, you know, companies stagnate, right?
30:26Especially as they're going from 2 to 20, 5 to 50. Like, those are just completely different animals. requires a different person, different amounts of energy, experience, etc., but also a different team. Um, it's a team. I mean, there's no doubt that that was me for 25 years.
30:42And then I realized I'm like, "Oh my gosh." Like I I mean, it only took me 25 years. I mean, I think I tell people all the time, I'll do more in the next 20 than I did the previous 60.
30:52And then I also believe that now for the first time, I have a great vision for where I'm going to be in the next [clears throat] three to five years.
31:01But then I start thinking what you said 50 years then I'm like oo okay that's totally different because I wouldn't think about all I think about are my grandkids but what about their kids you know because you know a wise man leaves an inheritance for his family right certainly children's children and but it's not about money it's about a lot of things right but something you said earlier has been on me for since I was here last friend of mine asked me this surrender.
31:26So, I did a speech on Tuesday night about that. And one of the things was surrender. Yeah.
31:31Afterwards, one of the guys, really good friend of mine comes goes, "What does surrender mean to you?"
31:35And I'm like, "Okay." And I had to think about it for a second because I'm thinking about like everything like give it to the Lord. Give it to the Lord. Give it to the Lord.
31:44Mine was that first thing I thought was I need to stop worrying.
31:48That's my That's the first thing I think about is surrender my worry.
31:53And what is your surrender? You know, that's what everybody's surrender. Yeah.
31:57Is slightly different. And that was the first time somebody actually came back and asked me that. I'm like, I don't know.
32:03I was just think like s I'm just trying to put everything at the foot of Jesus.
32:07But it's really, if you ask me, it's the worry, the anxiety, the stress of Yeah. There's something along the lines of like you can't like worry or be fearful um and like believe at the same time.
32:19And so it's just like it's faith, right? I mean, you don't you don't So then when I hear that, I'm like, I don't have the faith.
32:26The biggest thing that's um helped me, which is also an affirmation for me to continue to do, um there's a book called The Promise Principle. In it, it essentially talks about how we should um come from prayer from a sense of gratitude, meaning that Lord, thank you for giving me the strength and the courage and the perseverance to go through this difficult and un time and unknown time. You are the lamp to my feet. I will continue to faithfully go you know through this path uh regardless of what you know emotions and thoughts come to be um you know I let let your
32:55you know spirit run through me right that is to say it's already within us right even you know it's a a future book I'll release the investor's guide to joy to joy is actually an oxymoron and irony because it's actually of joy joy is one of the fruits of the spirit right um and so that ability to instead be like oh you know show me the signs do the saying, "Show me the burning bush." That was my prayer in 2019. Show me the burning bush and I will go. Well, truly in scripture, it actually wasn't like burning. It was kind of just
33:25smaltering and and it wasn't super obvious, but you had to look. You had to be aware and you had to believe and recognize that like when it was, you know, starting to smoke that that's actually like what it was. It was a a sign, right? So it's having this like awareness being you know uh awakened and patient and um you know just at peace and at presence you know with him to then be able to recognize those things
33:52verse again just like always on um always on go mode and and things like that. Um but yeah that's just what I've need to continue doing is like having the the faith in things. Um there's another quote I'm kind of thinking in the background where it's just like um continue to pray for um the ridiculous and you will find out that it'll become and the miraculous will come cuz that like who am I to say it's only going to be this like when we look at math we look at an equation right and I love
34:21saying this idea 1 plus 1 equals 2 absolutely without a shadow of a doubt it definitely does four n you couldn't you couldn't really convince me a different perspective would be 1 plus 1 equals 11 it's the same numbers, same aspect. I'm looking at it differently.
34:36And so it's like what can also be true, right? So as I think about, you know, kids, kids, kids, kids, right? It's also like what does that torch look like? One thing I've battled with, you know, again, not married, don't have kids, is is my legacy myself or is my legacy the children of which they will continue on and they will be maybe um make heaven more known and alive on earth than than I did, right? Not that that's a competition, but it's just more of like do they have the right tools, skills, knowledge, resources to continue to, you
35:05know, have, you know, the the torch that they take and that they have the light upon their feet, right? And they're, you know, guided to um what the Lord has for them and not just, you know, what their, you know, desires are, right?
35:17Yeah. One becomes one, two become 11 in theory, right? 1 plus one. You think about that. That's how you multiply it. So, um I thought about this when you So, you prayed a bunch about the burning bush is what you said, I think. Um did you ever see the burning bush?
35:34Did you? Would you do?
35:35Um so, so when I moved from Austin or sorry, uh Denver to Austin, um I was very conditional and said, "Hey, I will faithfully go if two things are true. There's a place to live and I have a job."
35:47A really amazing thing I've learned about prayer is also being specific with it. If you pray for socks and you get tube socks, how can you be disappointed?
35:57Um and and this idea of like um uh this or something better or even better than I could imagine. Again, I'm thinking of a two. Hey Lord, I'd love to have a, you know, $2 million business. Lord might have 20 for me, right? And I might not be the CEO. I might be, you know, something, right? So who am I to deny what the Lord can do, right? And that sort of like aspect again, the ridiculous and miraculous. So what tactically happened is um I in undergrad was in a business and a um uh social
36:25Greek fraternity. I posted on u both of the uh Facebook pages, hey I'm coming down to Austin. Who do I know? Let's hang out. Short story to say the alumni president of the UT chapter here allowed me to stay in his house. Um and there's a funnier story around that of he thought one of our fraternity brothers knew me better than he really did. I really only met this guy, Alex, like once. And Alex was like, "Paul's awesome." Yeah. And so Josh, who's here in Austin, was like, "Oh yeah, okay.
36:52Paul's awesome. He can stay in my house." And I was there and he was like, "You didn't actually really know Alex?"
36:56Like, "No." He's like, "And you're in my house." Like, "Yeah, thanks Josh." Um, good good man. But um, uh, but just it's amazing how the people around us can drastically transform our lives, right?
37:07Whether it be, you know, a job or business or things like that. And so the idea of like the Lord gives us everything, you know, we need. So I'm constantly looking at like who's around me who can you know um who not how is another book right but who can do this for me who can do this with me who can do this you know kind of along alongside me coach mentor or even give me a resource like it's all there it's just you know really exploring that and the idea of like relationship capital not just investment capital um on the job front I was very much like
37:36no I um uh have to have you know cushy software job right um especially as you know just leaving the previous company, just got that taste of going from startup to cushy job to 30 days and and transitioning. And I had a friend of a friend who lived here. We got along well. She worked at 24-hour fitness. Um I worked at Enterprise and they're like, "Hey, we kind of like your experience.
37:58We know you're just going to be here for a couple months as you look. Like, do you want to, you know, come? We need some help. You could be at the front desk." I was making 725 an hour front desk part-time. Humbling, but also, you know, kept me sane. uh gave me you know focus and the ability to like you know continue. So this idea of like yeah I need a job and I need an amazing place to live.
38:19The intention was cushy software job and like you know corner room or you know top level like beautiful type thing.
38:26Front desk minimum wage.
38:28Yeah for sure. So it's like but that taught me several things right that also gave me the opportunity to explore Austin a ton of which you know I part or at some point was like an unofficial tour guide. And I was like, "Oh, you should go here. Do this." Like, "How long have you lived here?" Like, "Oh, 7 months." Like, "I've been here two and a half years and I haven't heard of some of these places." Like, okay, do you want to go here? Like, thank you for sharing. Also, like, we're trying to make a decision. And so, it's just amazing how in the unknown how things,
38:55you know, can happen. Um, and truly, me meeting the Green family was in Washington DC at the Museum of the Bible. And so by, you know, exploring dating again, right, in Washington DC, right, we almost met up, but um we're here now. And so how amazing is that? I was then more willing to go to Washington DC to the Museum of the Bible because oh also, you know, I could see her. And so it may not be again the reason of why we think and did we learn the right things in it? Um and there's,
39:24you know, been a beautiful story for me this year, her this year, a number of other things in life. And it's just being a good steward of, you know, the time, talents, and treasures, you know, that we have, right? And it's not the outcome piece of like is is this, you know, um person going to do this? Is um this, you know, vehicle going to do this? Is this location going to do this?
39:46And that's very like outcome focused of which we may miss the middle, right? We may miss the roses during the storm.
39:52Maybe there's not a storm. Maybe it is, you know, things are blown over. but also did we learn the right things of which what a great testimony to others right I can then confidently share some of the things that I've um expressed where it's just like yeah like be specific on your prayers right um and not limit yourself it's not just oh Lord I pray for 30k you know months Lord I pray for at you know this is what I'm thinking but show me you know what I can truly come to be right um and be wise
40:20like Solomon or um you know with the travel and and the ability to go through, you know, difficult experiences like Paul, like you know, the courage like David, like all these different aspects that um, you know, I may feel insignificant. Moses was hesitant on leading for sure.
40:38And yet he did, right? Staffs turned to snakes, seas parted. Um, and so it's it's more of living the energy like from the Lord and have him come through us where it's like absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, this will come to be this or something better.
40:54and just like going through with that energy. That's a different level of um I mean excitement, experience, peace in a lot of ways as well because it's not me doing the thing. It's the Lord doing the thing and it's for his glory and again the people along the way, right? Again, the story that I get to share about my parents. I've had people move back home or spend more time with their parents or or do you know whatever because of some of those things and that's just, you know, part of my testimony. I'm just saying words, but it resonates with people in a different way. Right? As we
41:24go out of here, I'm actually going to record a short form video to share of how my mom, she was previously married for 15 years, just like my dad. Um they're, you know, significant others, you know, separated. Um they found each other in um uh Bible study, basically got married in 6 months, have been together, Lord help me, like 34 years.
41:43Um I by the grace of God am here because of my mom's faith. She spent six years in two miscarriages to have me.
41:52Um, she had me when she was 41. And so that's also an amazing thing to share with other women where it's like, hey, there might still be time now. Like I don't I don't know the plans and the things, but just like it might take more faith and it might take more patience.
42:06How much more enough? Like the Lord will what's the Bible verse? But just like in the Lord's timing effectively, right?
42:14It's like, well, is it yet? Is it yet?
42:16It's like, well, if you keep focusing on like where you're at compared to where you're going, again, the roses or even like how you're going about that journey, you might miss opportunities for when your, you know, shirt is tugged and someone needs you to to help them, right? Or to pick up your mat and go.
42:33It's also been a great thing of selling some of my stuff and downsizing. It's like, pick up your bat and go. And it was like, yeah, Washington DC it is. Absolutely. Um, and through that absolute faith, I met like certain people who are doing certain things in the faith community or political community. Again, the Green family, etc.
42:49I'm actually meeting with them again early November. I got invited um to go to OKC um Oklahoma City um to their headquarters to be around them for two days.
43:01What a great company. I mean, they're right there with Chick-fil-A.
43:04Yeah. you wouldn't you wouldn't know it.
43:06Funny enough, for as as um for for the billionaires or or others that I've been around, I very much just do a human approach. Um I was in their boardroom again for this event um and sharing a little bit about, you know, book or or even the idea for them, right? What is your torch? Like you have the Museum of the Bible. It's a 30 400 430,000 foot facility. it costs 221,000 a day to operate and they want to try to have it free for everyone, right? That
43:36sort of vision, right? Um meaning to say that I asked them like, you know, is the Museum of the Bible a location or are you kind of like the Olympics, right?
43:43Kind of taking a torch and like expanding it all. It's like it's absolutely a torch and we want some of you to like do that. So maybe that's why I got invited. I asked a good question.
43:50I don't I one of the guys I emailed him and I was like oh like is this for everyone or me or like he hasn't responded so we're just going to we're just going to go and see but that is just like a different aspect right and that sort of torch like for others as we think of then life business legacy etc and business is just a conduit of service if you go into someone's house right as a plumber hey do you also need this fixed how else can I serve you what helps you today like I'm a man of faith like is there anything I can pray for right um and not to push anything on
44:20someone, but just to say, "Hey, like I'm wearing a blue vest." That's just a fact. I'm a man of faith. That just is.
44:26Um it's it's amazing the types of conversation, rooms, experiences. But what I'll conclude and say with that story is I went up to them after I was like, "Hey, I really appreciate that. I would love to, you know, support you in any way and I was just really moved by some of the things you shared and did.
44:40Like, could I get a picture with you?"
44:41Oh, absolutely. Truly, if I would have known like where they're at and what they're doing, I mean, they're 10 11 figure family. um I have a photo with them and it was just a hey like your shoes untied right hey could I take a photo with you absolutely you wouldn't know and so it's that level of I don't even know if it's humility but it's just they're humble it's humble it it's you can you can feel it like you you know how you can
45:10like feel someone when someone's anxious absolutely I'm trying to think of like can you could I feel their humility I I would say like their level of humility and and others that I've found is is just a sense of peace. It's just they are who they are. I've met you know I mean Richard Branson's another, you know, notable name and and there's a number of others I've met who may not be as notable, not to discount them, but just not to list off, you know, people with abundant wealth that I've had the pleasure of interacting with, but it's just it just like is like Richard loves
45:40playing tennis and um uh playing chess.
45:44You play chess. um and kite surfing and mountain biking. That dude is in such fit shape. Like it's absolutely incredible. I did a a road bike thing with him on all these hills and stuff. I like I I don't I I don't get it how to do it. It's such fit shape. It's also kind of a skill to use like a bike in that sort of way, but it's just such a very different level, right? Um but that is to say like they're just at peace with themselves. They're truly authentic. And yes, I think that's
46:13humility. Um, but again, I'm thinking of it's like operating from themselves and they're not trying to um reduce themselves, right, for the sake of other people of how they might judge or look at them, but they just are. We have wealth. You do, too. Well, yeah, but we're very different.
46:28Okay, we are, but we're also, you know, humans, right?
46:32Left foot or right foot? How do you put on your pants first? Right.
46:35So, yeah, we all I mean, we're all the same. I mean, at the end of the day, we're all leaving here the same way. 100% dead.
46:42Yeah. Um, matter what you got.
46:44Two things that are promised are death and taxes and you can reduce taxes.
46:47Um and so, you know, in some of those rooms or with some of those people, it just it just is. Um and that's kind of why, you know, the Tuesday event came to be where it's just like I had some family offices. I had, you know, a number of different people. Um and people I did no name tags, no um company name.
47:05Oh, yeah. No, I met Oh, I didn't I didn't know he runs this notable company. That's amazing. We were just talking about, you know, running around the lake. Awesome human connection.
47:17You still put one foot in front of the other for sure.
47:19Some of us are just faster than others.
47:20Yeah. And some of us hop. Um uh but meaning to say that like Yeah. So I'll do kind of these quarterly events most likely nationally. Um different conversations I'm having with people. Um but just an additional way for you know people to connect with unique experiences um to you know help me and others kind of connect and facilitate the idea of if if I um and this is kind of like a mission of mine. If I can help servant leaders grow their companies they will then help and serve more people. Um and a servant leader is
47:49someone who wants to help more people.
47:51They don't need to be of faith. And I find that those who are not yet but are a servant leader eventually kind of do. Especially once you get kind of like about eight figures, you're kind of like, well, what's my purpose? What else? What is legacy? What, like you're mentioning, right? What what do my sons and daughters, my grandkids like look like?
48:08What do they need? Um, and time, talent, and treasure, right? Not just leaving that, but what does that is that I this idea of a horse farm um or whatever it might be, but it's like, okay, great.
48:19So, you want this thing, but like what would that be? And and who would that be for? And how would you talk about that to your kids? Well, grandpa, I'm 8 years old. Well, okay. Like, what if, right?
48:30Kind of that childlike, you know, dreaming. Um, I'm just a big component, too, of like talking to children like as they're adults. That was also just my frustration growing up where um, you know, I tried to apply for a patent when I was 8 years old. My mom said no, which I didn't get. Why else we would go there? I was like, we need 40 grand. Let's do this. Man says 40. Let's go.
48:48Wow. This has been a great learning opportunity. It's like to to to do this. Um, and so, you know, inspiring those things within children. Um, and a random note that I'll just say kind of full circle of how the the benefit of doing that is um I had the pleasure of co-uh authoring a book with Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank.
49:07And I had my parents come to the book signing because like why else, you know, parents to they should totally come.
49:12Some people were like, "Oh, I should have brought my parents too." Like maybe you should have, right?
49:16But it was really cool because we have a photo. My mom and I used to uh watch like Shark Tank, right? And so it was a full circle moment there of like my mom inspired me to do some of these things, right? grace be like I'm here today because of her, right? Um and her faith.
49:29And so some of those little moments inspiring children or children's children or just like people even employees. We talked about that too yesterday. What is your employees five-year vision? Oh, I have no idea. I have no idea what their goals are.
49:43I read a book about that the other day.
49:46Yeah. And so that is then the ripple effect and the magnification of like why do you really have a business? It's a container for, you know, stewarding wealth and giving service in I mean, you're responsible for hundreds of people. You may only have 30 employees, but they all have spouses and children and stuff like that.
50:02Grandparents, parents, whatever.
50:04You have a direct impact on them and we don't take that I don't think we take it serious enough.
50:10I've seen how um one of my employees, for example, um he's like, "Hey, I want to find ways to make more income. Tell me more about that." Well, you know, I think it's like mom lost some of his pension or something like that, right?
50:21Um and he's like, I'm, you know, want to provide to give that to her. He's also helping his sister through school.
50:26Okay. Like you you have a lot of stuff on your plate. Okay. What what do you want? What are you trying to do? Well, hey, if I could just make a little bit more, I could get a two-bedroom and that would be like the most exciting achievable thing. And so, meaning that's where his like lid is, right? Verse Launchpad, you know, well, what would that be if you, you know, had a five- bedroomedroom house and you could host dinners or something? I mean it's his own life right but my point is sometimes we can give ourselves lids or we feel like the lids are and sometimes the asking or you know again what would need to be true
50:56how could this be possible I'd love to learn more on this take more you know responsibility on ideally you're also compensated for that too but that's just a personal thing um like those things are then magnification on you know truly like embodying that sense of abundance and purpose um and not just a sense of lack lack in a sense of knowing. I love knowing. I'm an analytical engineer mind. I want to know. I want to understand, which is great in some seasons, right? But also not all time.
51:24Just like we were talking about with, you know, um the ability to be more peaceful and more focused in all seasons. And sometimes you need to grab that bull, right? Um so having that like ability to do both is um I think really where um I mean yeah, there's just that beautiful sense. I mean even Jesus did he did incredible miracles and also did simple things.
51:46Yeah. Yeah. And he hung around the guys like us.
51:50So how do we uh on listen to your amazing story? I mean you're very inspirational. You maybe should think about preaching I think too by the way.
51:58Do you um how do we get in touch with you? How do people get a hold of you?
52:01Yeah. Um I have a little bit of Billy Graham in me.
52:04Um and so uh so thank you for that. Um so I I'm mainly on LinkedIn right now.
52:11Um, but I mean I have a goal between now and the end of the year of doing a 100 short form piece of content. Um, so that'll be done across, you know, all channels. Um, but I'm really leaning into YouTube on the idea of acquisitions, taxes, and exits and not necessarily the tactical stuff, but more of the idea of things, right? The oneplus 111 framework, right? Or even here are the five reasons that you need to change your CPA.
52:36So, are do you have a handle on uh YouTube yet? Um I do. We're in the process of changing it. Right now it's taxes and exits, but we might we're playing with the do we add acquisitions or Yeah, exactly. Yeah, LinkedIn's kind of my um source of truth that people can kind of find. But so truly my team's done a really great job of doing different SEO. Um and that way it's kind of like omniresent. Um so that way, you know, if you like short form or long form or need more this or that, you can be there's some channels that I'm a little bit more faith forward. There's
53:05some that are more, you know, fitness forward. Um, and so, you know, by all means, searching my name will certainly find me. Um, and a big thing that I love, I love hearing from people, right?
53:15In the age of social media and AI, it's great to be like, "Hey, I listen to your podcast. Here's maybe a takeaway." Maybe just say, "Hey, I listen to your podcast." Right? That's amazing because otherwise, like, we don't we don't know.
53:26Um, and we can't connect. We can't like amazing. Thank you. Like, you know, what what are you working on? How could I help? Think of you, pray for you, things like that. We then have that connection.
53:35So, um, you know, I also live in Austin, so maybe you can find me here, right?
53:39I'm here in Austin, unless I'm on a plane. Um, but yeah, Paul H. Graham is who I am and I branded that way intentionally, um, because it's just who authentically, you know, I I am and how my parents named me. And there are other Paul Grahams, if you're familiar with Y Combinator, etc. Um, but I want to show up authentically as myself. And even when I meet people, hey, Paul Graham, great to meet you. Oh, first name, last name. Absolutely. Certainly. I know who I am and who I serve. Right.
54:06Okay. So, the question we've all been waiting for. So, do you think you were born so far or do you think you were made born?
54:16Born people are always so like they really are. I mean, every time I get these guys I had I did some podcast up in Stanford a couple of months ago and like five of the six that day were born and I never had that.
54:29So, it'll be interesting to see if you start the trend today. But, yeah. Yeah, you definitely I mean you're definitely got the confidence. It feels like you were born that way and you've been able to maintain that. So great great message especially I mean again from my like share of my mom where it's just like I I have not been I have one t-shirt that I seldomly wear but allergic to mediocrity, right? It's a very aggressive shirt.
54:50Um but it's so true where it's just like you were created for a specific reason. And I think what I'll what I'll conclude to say is um my late brother passed unfortunately from alcoholism a couple years ago. It's how I started 75 heart etc. Um and I find there's the you know dismal deeds of like divorce, distraction, um disillusion or drunkenness, right? That keep men from their purpose.
55:11And so then it's to say like if you believe that you were born to do something, you will always find a way or make a way.
55:17Um and you'll be forged through that process, right?
55:20Um but I think if you always have, we kind of talked about northstar. If you always have some sort of northstar, you'll know that there's something um and you know, some of those distractions or other things like may not be as appealing because it's like no, this is not helping who I'm meant to be. I was born for something. Again, maybe it's for myself, maybe it's for yourself, maybe it's for your keen or for, you know, those around you, but there's some sort of purpose.
55:45Um but again that's just my perspective and and story from you know all the things that you know I've shared and and how uh how I'm continuously to be here on this earth right day by day. So well Paul H Graham Yes sir.
56:00Thank you for being on the Born or Made podcast. Really enjoyed this. Thank you.
56:03You bet my friend. Great to meet you in person.
56:05I know. Knock it off. Thanks. You bet.
56:08Good thumb up. That's good.
