Invest in You

Fredrik Sandvall, Ivan Sandvall, Charlie Sandvall
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Invest in You is a global podcast where Fredrik Sandvall shares ideas and conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and operators. The show explores investing, entrepreneurship, AI, and personal development with a focus on long-term value, ownership, and clear decision-making. Occasionally joined by his sons, Charlie and Ivan, the podcast blends experience with a next-generation perspective. The goal is simple: help you think better, act with intent, and build a life and portfolio that compound over time.

  1. 3d ago

    The Everywhere Millionaire: Why Main Street Beats Silicon Valley

    Fredrik sits down with economics professors Eric and Owen to unpack the data-driven reality of modern wealth from their book, Everywhere Millionaire. Drawing from a decade of analyzing Treasury Department tax records, they reveal that America's true financial heavyweights aren't celebrity tech founders, but operators of everyday, unglamorous private businesses. Get their book here - https://www.everywheremillionaire.com/ Owen Zidar is a Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. Before joining Princeton, he served as a staff economist at the Council of Economic Advisers and worked as an assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Eric Zwick is the Joel F. Gemunder Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University and a B.A. from Swarthmore College. His research focuses on the intersection of public policy and corporate behavior, particularly concerning income and wealth inequality. Key Takeaways The Hidden Wealth Pool: There are roughly 3 million closely held business owners in the U.S. with a net worth exceeding $5 million. Collectively, their wealth eclipses the Forbes 400 by more than an order of magnitude. Boring is Profitable: The most lucrative ventures are frequently mundane, ranging from auto dealerships and beverage distributors to specialized clinics and gutter manufacturers. Acquisition over Invention: You do not need to invent a massive tech platform to succeed. Acquiring an existing, profitable "main street" business from a retiring founder is a highly effective path to the top 1%. Move Slow and Make Things: True wealth creation is a slow build, often taking decades of reinvesting profits and compounding industry experience rather than seeking an overnight Silicon Valley exit. Best Moments "Most people are focused on a small handful of billionaires and just miss the ocean of entrepreneurs for a few people." — Owen "One thing that's contrary to the conventional wisdom in Silicon Valley that you need to move fast and break things... we say you need to move slow and make things. It takes decades often for a lot of these stories." — Owen About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠⁠ Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠⁠

  2. Sep 3

    Billionaire Habits and AI Multipliers: A Gen Z Guide to Leveraging Success

    Fredrik sits down with his oldest son, Ivan, to unpack the mechanics of momentum, the cognitive cost of "doom scrolling," and why the absolute best time to grind is when you are already winning. Drawing from their experiences interviewing billionaires and navigating financial markets, they explore how to build compounding success across business, fitness, and daily life. Key Takeaways Capitalize on Momentum: Never coast after achieving a goal; success compounds and generates self-sustaining motivation. Audit Your Information Diet: Ditch brain-overloading short-form content. Focus on long-form learning and apply a single piece of actionable advice immediately. Embrace Boredom: Intentionally disconnecting from all digital consumption for a full day forces a mental reset that frequently sparks high-leverage business ideas. Best Moments "The best time to work hard is probably when you're winning because at that point you build on yourself and your own momentum, and you might get twice as much done in that month or that year." — Ivan "Spend a single day basically not looking at your phone at all and not consuming anything and be bored for one day... your brain will first calm down and then you'll start daydreaming and from nowhere you'll get a random amazing idea." — Ivan About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: ⁠https://bit.ly/4jxF94k⁠  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall⁠

  3. Aug 20

    The Real Definition of Ambition with Hugo Brooks

    In this episode, Fredrik is joined by author and former design consultant Hugo Brooks to unpack the true meaning of ambition and success. Hugo shares his fascinating journey from feeling "useless" in school to building highly successful design consultancies, only to realize he felt like a passenger in his own highly driven life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ambition is a Neutral Energy: Ambition isn't inherently good or bad. It is a powerful driving force that, if left unexamined and undirected by your personal values, can lead you to a destination you never actually wanted. The Trap of the "Next Goal": High-achievers often treat goals like doors—they spend ten years walking toward them, pass through in two seconds, and immediately look for the next door. It is critical to pause, recognize the journey, and celebrate your team's successes. Redefine Your Own Success: Too often, we drive our "cars" onto a crowded highway, blindly trying to overtake others without asking where the highway actually leads.  Adopt an "Island Hopping" Strategy: Rigid five- or ten-year plans are increasingly obsolete in our fast-paced world. Instead, build flexibility into your business by treating growth like island hopping—setting a general direction, exploring the immediate next stop, and adapting your strategy as you learn. True Growth is Human Capital: Society is obsessed with growth, which is almost always equated with money.  BEST MOMENTS "I often describe a large part of my life as being like a passenger in my own highly driven life." "Ambition is really completely neutral. It's about how you apply this important energy... Because ambition can cure world hunger, and ambition can cause World War III." "The moment of passing across that line takes a few seconds... But you might have spent 10 years trying to get to that point. That was where your lived experience was." "We're a culture that's obsessed with growth. And nine times out of ten, when we say growth, we mean money. But the truth is that the real value of growth is in human capital." "I genuinely thought it was about investing myself in the business that would bring me the success. That's what I thought the phrase meant." GUEST LINKS www.hugobrooks.com/ About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

  4. Aug 16

    Rethinking Wall Street: Why Conventional Investment Advice Fails

    In this episode, Fredrik sits down with Theodore Hicks, a registered investment advisor and author of Evidence-Based Investing. Drawing from over two decades of financial experience, including navigating the dot-com bubble and the 2008 global financial crisis, Theo breaks down why conventional financial advice and Modern Portfolio Theory often fail investors during real-market drawdowns. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Importance of "Sell Discipline": Everyone knows the phrase "buy low, sell high," but few practice the discipline of actually trimming winning positions to lock in gains and mitigate portfolio risk. The Reality of Portfolio Math: Recovering from market drawdowns is asymmetric: a 50% loss requires a 100% gain just to break even. Protecting capital on the downside is far more effective than trying to catch up later. Salespeople vs. Portfolio Managers: A large portion of the retail finance industry consists of sales professionals driven by product commissions rather than trained managers actively hedging risk. Strategy-Based Diversification: True diversification isn't just owning different stocks; it involves diversifying entry and exit strategies, rules, and risk guardrails to withstand bear markets. Wealth and Health are Intertwined: Accumulating financial wealth is meaningless if you lack the physical health to enjoy it, play with future generations, or pursue your life goals. BEST MOMENTS "We have to trim every once in a while... You actually have to have that sell discipline."  "I'm trying to give people permission to question what they hear from the news media, the financial news media, Wall Street, etc."  "The majority of the people that are managing money for retail... they're not trained portfolio managers, they're trained sales professionals."  "In order to win the poker game, you got to survive each hand."  "A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from others."  GUEST LINKS Theodore Hicks  https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore2hicks/ https://www.theodorehicks.com/ Book Evidence-Based Investing  About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

  5. Aug 11

    20 Years of Startup Lessons: Decoding the Business Lifecycle

    In this milestone episode of Invest in You, Fredrik reflects on two decades of experience helping startups scale from initial launch all the way to IPOs. Using the 30 episode titles from the TV series StartUp as a strategic framework, Fredrik breaks down the raw realities behind every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Brutal Market Realities: Up to 90% of startups fail within their first five years. Founders must evaluate whether the personal and financial risks align with their long-term goals before launching. Early Funding Bets on People: Seed round funding and angel investments are rarely about a fully proven business model; investors are primarily backing the founder's capability, execution, and integrity. Pivoting as a Growth Strategy: Market disruptions—such as rapid shifts in AI technology or changing consumer habits—require flexibility. Pivoting isn't a failure; it is a necessary adjustment to align with market demand. Growth Does Not Equal Value Creation: Rapid user acquisition and aggressive growth tactics can destroy unit economics if they are not supported by clean financial management and sustainable cash flow. Legal Diligence Protects Control: Founders must scrutinize every agreement they sign. Giving away too much equity too early or agreeing to adverse terms can lead to losing control of the company entirely. BEST MOMENTS "Seven in 10 or up to nine companies in 10 fail in the first five years... so before you start up your startup, think about: is it worth it?" "Money doesn't buy evidence, it doesn't buy lifestyle, it is just the money to get off the ground." "An angel investor is always more than a check. Never think about them as just a check, because then you lose their interest." "A pivot doesn't necessarily mean failure. It means redevelopment, rethinking... using the reality screaming out at you to change direction." "Growth isn't automatically value creation." About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

  6. Jul 10

    The Era of Vibe Coding: How AI is Changing Productivity

    In this episode Charlie and Fredrik dive deep into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. Moving beyond the basics of simple chat queries, they explore the concept of "vibe coding," a revolutionary approach where individuals act as directors, guiding AI agents to build complex applications without needing traditional programming skills.  KEY TAKEAWAYS AI is a Permanent Shift: Unlike passing internet fads, AI is fundamentally changing productivity. It is too deeply integrated and useful to disappear, representing a permanent shift in how we think and operate. Vibe Coding Democratizes Tech: You no longer need to be a seasoned software engineer to build apps. By directing AI tools like Claude, individuals can "vibe code" and orchestrate full applications through natural language and iterative feedback. Local AI Offers Ultimate Control: Running local AI models on your own hardware allows for massive context windows and zero subscription fees. It keeps your data secure while creating a personalized "second brain" that intimately understands your files. Leverage is the Ultimate Advantage: AI acts as a massive force multiplier. It allows a single person to do the work of an entire team by automating tedious tasks like email outreach, research, and documentation. Massive Market Shifts are Underway: The traditional software industry is experiencing a squeeze due to AI-driven efficiency, while upcoming, massive AI-integrated IPOs are poised to heavily disrupt the market landscape. BEST MOMENTS "AI is here to stay, it's the same as the dot-com bubble or the internet, people thinking that it’s going to die out... That’s not the case. This is going to be here to stay, it’s too useful to remove basically." "Instead of programming yourself, you are more like a director and you let the AI program for you." "With AI, you can leverage other people's knowledge. You can leverage time. You can leverage systems to simplify things. And you can leverage the ability to delegate with even having a team." "I'm just about to depart from having worked on helping the world in conflict situations for some time... I can't wait to be full-time in business again and just... work with AI as a multiplier." "You do not need to be a rocket scientist. Even if you know how to make a rocket, make things easier." The Abyss of Finance  https://amzn.to/44OQBC7 TO CONNECT WITH CHARLIE  https://www.linkedin.com/in/csandvall/ About the Podcast Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k  Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/⁠  Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

  7. Jul 5

    Is SEO Dead? How AI Search Is Changing How Clients Find You | Cameron LiButti

    Is SEO dead, or evolving faster than you can keep up? Fredrik sits down with Cameron LiButti of SpeedView Marketing to reveal how entrepreneurs and professionals can turn visibility into revenue — without wasting money guessing where to spend it. Cameron went from engineer to marketing founder, and now helps doctors, lawyers, and other high-value professionals win clients in crowded markets. He shares the exact framework for deciding where to invest first — starting with relationships before ad spend — and why chasing every trend burns budget fast. The conversation turns to how AI search is reshaping how clients find and choose who they trust with their money. Cameron reveals which industries already get 40-50% of new business through AI search, and why AI optimisation builds on SEO rather than replacing it. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start With Relationships, Not Ads: For local or early-stage businesses, real-world networking beats social media for winning first clients. Audit Before You Spend: Study competitors, define your unique position, and invest where ROI is highest — don't try to do everything at once. AI Search Builds on SEO: A fast, well-optimised website is still step one. YouTube, Reddit, and LinkedIn visibility increasingly shape how AI tools cite and recommend businesses. Know Your Audience First: Whether AI-search optimisation is worth it depends on whether your clients are actually using AI to search yet. Find the Winnable Gap: Skip the biggest, most competitive terms. Target smaller, less-contested opportunities you can actually rank for. Get Agent-Ready: As AI agents start booking and filling forms on clients' behalf, your website and CRM need to be machine-readable, not just human-friendly. BEST MOMENTS "Networking is where you should start" — get into the market and talk to people before spending on ads. "Don't just do it all" — being selective about where you invest is usually the fastest path to success. "Being consistent longer than other people are willing to be consistent" — the throughline behind both client results and personal success. TO CONNECT WITH CAMERON https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-libutti-bb131a66/https://www.bidviewmarketing.com/ LINKS Website: https://www.speedviewmarketing.com ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie. Listeners in 155+ countries. Community & Contact Community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

  8. Jul 2

    Carl Allen — Creative Deal Making, Seller Psychology & Building an M&A Empire

    In this episode, Fredrik interviews Carl Allen, a veteran business acquirer, M&A coach, and founder of Dealmaker Wealth Society, about the art and psychology of buying businesses. Carl shares his journey from Wall Street to becoming one of the world's most prolific acquisition entrepreneurs, having completed over 500 transactions across three decades. He explains why understanding seller psychology — not just financials — is the real key to closing deals, and how he's built an AI-powered "clone" of his own decision-making to scale his coaching to tens of thousands of students worldwide. The conversation dives deep into practical deal structuring: SBA financing mechanics, why paying all cash up front is rarely the smartest move, and how creative, no-money-down deals can benefit both buyer and seller. Carl also opens up about running his private equity portfolio through delegation rather than day-to-day operating, pursuing a doctorate at the University of Miami in his mid-fifties, and the personal disciplines — health, recovery routines, and Lego — that keep him performing at a high level. KEY TAKEAWAYS Seller Psychology Over Spreadsheets: Carl's research found that roughly 80% of sellers don't cite money as their top priority when selling — they want a "safe pair of hands" to protect their legacy, employees, and customers. Understanding this motivation lets buyers structure smarter, often cheaper, deals. Never Pay All Cash at Closing: Deferred consideration, seller financing, and structured payouts reduce buyer risk, improve tax outcomes for sellers, and often allow for a higher headline price than an all-cash offer. SBA Financing Fundamentals: A typical SBA 7(a) deal involves roughly 10% buyer equity, 80% bank financing, and 10% seller carry-back (held on standby for at least two years). Loan delinquency on deals over $1M is under 1%. The "Two Offers" Negotiation Strategy: Presenting a seller with two structured options — a slow, all-cash offer versus a fast, higher-value creative deal — leverages binary decision psychology to move negotiations forward. Owner vs. Operator: Carl attributes much of his success to staying strictly in his "zone of genius" (deal-making, numbers, and marketing) and partnering with operators to run the day-to-day of his portfolio companies. BEST MOMENTS "A safe pair of hands to continue my legacy" — on what sellers actually want. "You never, ever, ever pay all the money up front." "The brain works in binary — yes or no." "Every deal, every conversation... will teach you something." CARL ALLEN Free training: trainwithcarl.com Book: Creative Dealmaker — available on Amazon and Audible YouTube: @CarlAllenOfficial (100,000+ subscribers) ABOUT THE PODCAST Invest in You is a global podcast where entrepreneur and investor Fredrik Sandvall shares practical ideas and conversations with founders, investors, and operators. Episodes focus on investing, entrepreneurship, and building long-term control and freedom. Occasionally joined by his sons Ivan and Charlie, the show offers both experience-based insight and a next-generation perspective. Listeners in 155+ countries tune in to think clearer, act smarter, and build with intent. Community & Contact Podcast community: https://bit.ly/4jxF94k Fredrik Sandvall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandvall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FredrikinLondon/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FredrikSandvall

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About

Invest in You is a global podcast where Fredrik Sandvall shares ideas and conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and operators. The show explores investing, entrepreneurship, AI, and personal development with a focus on long-term value, ownership, and clear decision-making. Occasionally joined by his sons, Charlie and Ivan, the podcast blends experience with a next-generation perspective. The goal is simple: help you think better, act with intent, and build a life and portfolio that compound over time.

Information

  • Creator
    Fredrik Sandvall, Ivan Sandvall, Charlie Sandvall
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Fredrik Sandvall