Category: Investments

From Prison to a Path 2 Redemption with Lester Young (Ep.21)

From Prison to a Path 2 Redemption with Lester Young (Ep.21)

Once you enter the prison system, a stigma becomes a part of your life no matter where you go or what you try to do. 

Why aren’t prison systems trying to change that?

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Lester Young, renowned author and Re-Entry Expert Coach. Lester shares his life in prison, the ways he has created opportunities for himself once released, and the mental and physical obstacles faced by those who have been incarcerated.

Lester discusses:

  • How one moment can change your entire life
  • How he reclaimed himself despite everyone else
  • The definition of being paid under the table 
  • The stigma of incarceration
  • Why programs benefiting inmates aren’t encouraged within the prison system
  • The foundation of Path2Redemption
  • And more!

Connect with Lester Young:

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About Our Guest:

Lester Young Jr. is a native of Hilton Head Island, SC. At the age of 19, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole until 20 years had been served. Entering prison without the proper education was Lester’s biggest struggle. With the support of family and friends, he was able to obtain his G.E.D. and then later enroll in a Business Management Course (via mail) as a student at Ashworth College. 

Lester began drawing attention from prison chaplains, correctional officers, as well as wardens for the interest he expressed in NOT only educating himself but encouraging others to educate themselves as well. 

With permission from the warden, Lester began meeting with Chaplain Gerald Potoka to create templates, course outlines, programs, and classes to instruct and mentor those incarcerated along with him. This is where the idea of “Path2Redemption” was born.

Some Hard Truths About Law Enforcement with Deon Joseph (Ep.20)

Some Hard Truths About Law Enforcement with Deon Joseph (Ep.20)

Law enforcement plays an essential role in keeping everyone safe. 

But who would want to become a police officer if the entire system is labeled racist?

This week, Brent Mekosh is joined by Deon Joseph, a law enforcement consultant, and an LAPD Officer with over 25 years of experience. Deon shares the changes in public perception of law enforcement due to technology, specific events, and weakened laws.

Deon discusses:

  • How the perception of police officers has changed overnight
  • The fall of belief in law enforcement
  • The difference between police officers and other careers 
  • Ways the law has negatively impacted police officers and their job
  • The lack of future for law enforcement
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Deon Joseph:

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About Our Guest:

Officer Deon Joseph is a law enforcement consultant who has worked for the LAPD for over 25 years, twenty-three of those years in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row community. From patrolling the streets or providing a shoulder for the community to lean on to meeting with public figures and advocating for change, Deon is all about creating an environment for the homeless and those trying to reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction.

A Deep Dive into Multi Family Housing and Real Estate in Arizona with Bill Hahn (Ep.19)

A Deep Dive into Multi Family Housing and Real Estate in Arizona with Bill Hahn (Ep.19)

Phoenix, Arizona, has grown to become one of the most active deal velocity states, increasing both the number of transactions and the cost of rent. 

This is good and bad for the state.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Bill Hahn, executive vice president of Northmarq. Bill unveils the real estate market,  dissecting the impact of rent increases and financing options on the current market.

Brent and Bill discuss:

  • Ways rent impacts housing options for local residents
  • Loan options for multifamily investors
  • The role of  insurance companies when it comes to multi-family real estate investments
  • How downtown Phoenix has changed within the last few years
  • And more!

Connect with Bill Hahn:

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About Our Guest:

Bill Hahn is a senior vice president with Colliers International and a senior member of the Colliers HSK Multifamily Specialists team. Utilizing his extensive market knowledge of multifamily assets and their ever-changing transaction market, Bill develops strategic plans for the disposition and acquisition of properties and portfolios. His extensive knowledge base and industry expertise lead to successful and tailored real estate solutions for the team’s clients. Bill has 30 years of experience in the commercial investment real estate market, which includes managing the operations and strategic planning for a 35-agent commercial real estate office in Phoenix, Arizona. 

A Conversation on Baby Goods & International Production with Ashley Andrews (Ep.18)

A Conversation on Baby Goods & International Production with Ashley Andrews (Ep.18)

Since the world has reopened shipping routes, the cost of transporting products has dramatically increased. 

In this episode, Ashley Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of Tiny Twinkle, joins Brent Mekosh to explore the baby goods industry and her journey as a businesswoman. Ashley details how the pandemic shutdown has impacted supply and transportation costs between China and the US.

Ashley discusses:

  • Her experience as a businesswoman in China
  • How she started in the baby goods industry
  • Why freight costs have increased since 2019
  • Advice she would give to her younger self 
  • And more!

Connect with Ashley Andrews:

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About Our Guest:

Ashley Andrews is the Chief Executive Officer of Tiny Twinkle. A U.S.-based company focused on creating high-quality, safe products for babies and parents. Based in Arizona, Ashley uses her keen sense of business and creative eye for Tiny Twinkle’s silky soft swaddles, silicone bibs, teething products, and dishware for babies.

Looking Back To Predict The Future (Ep.17)

Looking Back To Predict The Future (Ep.17)

Reviewing history reveals consistent trends in why events happen, how long they last, and what starts the upward swing. 

And with this same information, experts can look forward and predict how future events unfold.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh dives into history’s reflection on current events. Brent shares his personal experiences along with some world history to compare our relationship with inflation, money, and the economy.

Brent discusses:

  • How his experience in Zimbabwe changed his perspective on financial markets
  • The limitations of world economies
  • Why certain government solutions have failed to solve inflation 
  • The biggest difference between the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • And more!

Resources:

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Steel is at the Heart of a Renaissance in US Manufacturing with Jeremy Flack (Ep.16)

Steel is at the Heart of a Renaissance in US Manufacturing with Jeremy Flack (Ep.16)

Long gone are the days of smokestacks in manufacturing steel. 

Our current technology allows us to access environmentally conscious productions along with tools to reduce carbon emissions.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Jeremy Flack, the founder and CEO of Flack Global Metals. Jeremy unpacks the steel manufacturing industry while revealing the changes to steel production and how technology has helped develop environmentally-conscious steel in the modern world.

Jeremy discusses:

  • The history behind steel manufacturing
  • The role of exportation when it comes to companies producing their products
  • Ways steel is produced
  • The environmental changes to manufacturing
  • And more!

Connect with Jeremy Flack:

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About Our Guest:

Jeremy Flack is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flack Global Metals (FGM). FGM is an innovative domestic flat-rolled metals distributor and supply chain manager, an international commodities trader, and a global hedge fund. As CEO, Jeremy has been an industry leader in bringing the physical steel market and the derivatives markets together within one organization. FGM is the first flat-rolled metals distributor business platform to combine physical material with financial futures to create certainty for its customers as well as FGM itself.

Buying Insurance For A Lifetime of Possibilities with Robyn Haun (Ep.15)

Buying Insurance For A Lifetime of Possibilities with Robyn Haun (Ep.15)

There are many preconceived notions about what insurance can and should cover.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by Robertson Ryan and Associates’ Robyn Haun. Robyn explains the details around insurance purchases focusing on specific scenario coverage you may not have thought about. She also provides examples of insurance coverage while sharing tips for first-time insurance buyers.

Robyn discusses:

  • How your location impacts coverage requirements
  • What you as a homeowner are liable for 
  • Exclusions in personal property coverage
  • The latest insurance for digital and identity theft
  • And more!

Connect with Robyn Haun:

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About Our Guest:

Robyn Haun is a Phoenix native who studied elementary education in college. While attending school full time, she had a part-time job filing paperwork at a local insurance agency in Arizona. Upon graduation, Robyn parlayed her love of education into insurance and has since moved up from filing insurance papers. She now educates affluent clients about their personal insurance protection.

Robyn spent 15 years at the 6th largest agency in the nation and most recently worked at the 3rd largest agency in the nation. She understands the diverse needs of highly successful clients. Throughout her 25 years in the industry, Robyn has built strong relationships with premier insurance companies such as Chubb, AIG, Pure, Safeco, Travelers, and Cincinnati. She has earned her CISR designation and is very close to earning her PRIMA certificate.

A Conversation On Global Decision-Making with Sami Chowdhury (Ep.14)

A Conversation On Global Decision-Making with Sami Chowdhury (Ep.14)

From pandemic-related videos going viral in China to many outraged at NATO’s refusal to include Ukraine and the shook of countries still doing business with Russia.

What are these decisions about? Why are these being made? 

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by the director of Royal Capital in Bangladesh, Sami Chowdhury. Together, they explain how these conflicts reveal the truth of those in power, diving into the lack of food in China and the economic and political impact of global decisions made in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Sami discusses:

  • How the current Chinese government differs from past  governments
  • Reasons India continues trading with Russia
  • The impact of removing Russia from the global financial system
  • Why does Russia refuse to let Ukraine join NATO
  • And more!

Resources:

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The Curvature of Commodities with Pierre Lapan (Ep.13)

The Curvature of Commodities with Pierre Lapan (Ep.13)

When you think of commodities in the current market, you first think of oil and wheat due to Russia and Ukraine. What you may not think about are commodities such as fertilizer and their future impact.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by the President of General Holdings, Pierre Lapan. Together, they explore the current commodities impacted by Russia and Ukraine while revealing the impact of decreased exports from Russia and Ukraine on farmers and the agricultural industry.

Pierre discusses:

  • How decreased imports of fertilizer will impact future crops
  • The geopolitical ramifications of the current gas market
  • The truth about gold as a commodity 
  • How other metals are fairing in the market
  • And more!

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Maximizing Life Insurance For You And Your Beneficiaries with Steven Moore (Ep.12)

Maximizing Life Insurance For You And Your Beneficiaries with Steven Moore (Ep.12)

Life insurance policies can provide peace of mind and monetary benefits to individuals and their beneficiaries.

In this episode, Brent Mekosh is joined by the Vice President of Highland Capital Brokerage, Steven Moore, to unveil all things life insurance. Steven recounts the variety of reasons someone would buy life insurance, its use as a death benefit and cash accumulation, and how to divert a portion of your life insurance policy towards long-term care.

Steven discusses:

  • The difference between maximizing death benefits and maximizing cash accumulation
  • The impact of the emerging market crisis on life insurance growth
  • Life insurance protection when facing lawsuits
  • How to contribute a portion of death benefits toward retirement planning
  • And more!

Connect with Steven Moore:

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About our Guest:

Steven J. Moore, CLU®, serves as a Vice President for Highland Capital Brokerage.

Steve joined Highland in February 2008. He is responsible for assisting financial advisors in meeting the wealth management needs of their trusted clients, and he focuses on insurance-based strategies.

With 25 years of experience, Steve has extensive knowledge of the companies, products, and sales techniques available within the life insurance industry. Before joining Highland, Steve was a Regional Estate Planning Consultant with Morgan Stanley. His planning expertise Includes estate and charitable strategies.

Steve graduated from The University of Washington and is a Chartered Life Underwriter®. He holds the following FINRA licenses: Series 7 (General Securities Representative) Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination).