DIY Your ROI: Creating Generational Returns with Resourcefulness and Smart Investment

In my two decades as a 10x entrepreneur and strategic investor, having built and acquired over 10 businesses with my own capital, I've observed a common misconception: that generating substantial returns on investment (ROI) requires relying on external "experts" or traditional, often opaque, financial institutions. My journey has been a testament to the opposite: the most profound generational returns often come from a "DIY Your ROI" approach – leveraging your own resourcefulness and making smart, direct investments.

I've built my wealth not by handing over my money, but by actively seeking, structuring, and optimizing opportunities myself. This isn't just a theory; it's the core of how I've built a diverse, resilient portfolio that generates generational wealth.

The Brain on Agency: The Power of Direct Action

Our brains are wired to feel a sense of agency – the feeling that we are in control of our own actions and outcomes. When it comes to our money, this sense of agency can be incredibly empowering. It activates the dopamine reward system when we successfully identify and act on opportunities, reinforcing positive financial behaviors. Conversely, passively handing over control can lead to a feeling of detachment and less engagement in our financial future.

"DIY Your ROI" cultivates this agency. It means taking direct responsibility, actively learning, and leveraging your unique insights to identify and capitalize on opportunities that others miss. This direct involvement often leads to not just higher financial returns but also a deeper understanding and appreciation of your wealth-building journey.

My Experience: Unleashing Personal Capital's Power

I've always believed that my best investment isn't in a fund I don't control, but in my own knowledge and ability to act.

For example, when I decided to get into real estate, I didn't just buy REITs or blindly hire a property manager. I immersed myself in learning about local markets, property valuation, and tenant management. My first real estate acquisition, a small multi-unit residential property, was entirely a "DIY ROI" project. I identified the property, negotiated directly, secured my own financing, and even managed the initial renovations.

The financial returns from that first property far outstripped what I could have achieved through a passively managed fund at the time. But more importantly, it taught me invaluable skills: due diligence, negotiation, project management, and direct asset management. These skills became transferable to future business acquisitions, allowing me to spot and capitalize on overlooked opportunities in other industries.

Another instance involved acquiring a struggling online business. Instead of bringing in a consulting firm or external marketing agency, I leveraged my own expertise in digital strategy, invested my own time in optimizing its operations, and redesigned its customer acquisition funnels. My "sweat equity" and direct involvement translated into a massive increase in profitability and value in a relatively short period, proving that personal effort and smart direct action can generate outsized returns.

Your Path to DIY Generational Returns 💲 

1. Invest in Your Knowledge: Before you invest money, invest in yourself. Learn about valuation, market trends, specific industries, and investment vehicles. Your brain is your greatest asset.

2. Seek Out Direct Opportunities: Don't just rely on publicly traded markets. Look for private businesses for sale, real estate opportunities, or unique direct investments that align with your expertise.

3. Leverage Your Unique Skills: What are your strengths? Is it negotiation, marketing, operational efficiency, or relationship building? Apply these skills directly to your investments to enhance their value.

4. Embrace Resourcefulness: Think creatively about how to acquire or fund assets. Can you use seller financing? Develop a new revenue stream within an existing business? Barter services?

5. Be Patient & Long-Term Focused: "DIY ROI" often involves a longer horizon and more hands-on effort initially. But the rewards – increased control, higher returns, and more robust assets – are perfect for generational wealth building.

6. Build Your Network: While you're "DIYing," you're not doing it alone. Cultivate a network of trusted advisors (lawyers, accountants, specialized brokers) who can provide expertise when needed.

For the ambitious woman in a high-powered corporate role, you're already generating significant income and possess a wealth of skills. Don't just hand over your hard-earned money for others to manage. Take agency. Learn the game. And start directly shaping your own financial destiny, generating outsized returns that truly build a legacy for generations.

Be emPOWERed 👑 

Tactical Advice: Identify one type of direct investment that interests you (e.g., a small business acquisition, a rental property, a specific online asset). Dedicate 30 minutes each day for the next week to researching it, focusing on how a non-institutional investor could identify and evaluate such an opportunity. The goal is to build your confidence and knowledge base for direct action.

Affirmation: I am a resourceful and intelligent investor. I actively create my own opportunities, generating powerful returns that fuel my financial freedom and lasting generational wealth.