Next Level 324: How Art Became a $60 Billion Asset Class with Maria Brito

Maria Brito has spent 17 years advising private collectors on art, facilitating over $200 million in transactions along the way. Before art, she was a corporate attorney who graduated Harvard Law School after immigrating from Venezuela, working 20-hour days at a New York law firm before deciding it wasn't the life she wanted.On this episode of the Next Level Income Show, Maria joins Chris to make the case for art as a real, if unconventional, asset class: how it earned that status in the 1970s, the tax benefits of donating a long-held piece to a museum, how art market returns stack up against the stock market, and thetrue story behind the $500 million sale of a painting nobody can fully verify was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.Maria Brito is the author of the award-winning, best-selling book How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas Into Gold.You can learn more about Maria at: www.mariabrito.com

Todd Dexheimer started as a high school teacher making $30,000 a year. In 2008 he bought his first foreclosures because the math worked, even when everyone around him said he was crazy to buy into a crashing market.On this episode of the Next Level Income Show, Todd joins Chris to make the case that bigger deals are actually easier to buy and run than small ones, and walks through the senior housing rollercoaster that took his cash flow from $250,000 in year one to negative by year three: what COVID, staffing shortages, and inflation did to cause it, and how becoming a true operating company turned it back around by late 2023. They also cover why he hired his first business coach, and where he sees the best opportunities in multifamily and senior housing over the next 5 to 10 years.Todd Dexheimer is Principal of Endurus Capital and VitaCare Living, and hosts the Pillars of Wealth Creation podcast.Get your free copy of How To Be Financially Free by Forty at nextlevelincome.com/financialfreedombook, or book a call with our team at meetings.hubspot.com/ccampbell28.

Every day, 11,000 Americans turn 65, and roughly 1 in 10 of them owns a business with no plan for what happens next. On this episode of the Next Level Income Show, Chris Larsen sits down with Kris Benson, Partner at Blue Line Ventures, to unpack the largest transfer of small business ownership in U.S. history: an estimated 8 to 10 million businesses expected to change hands over the next decade.Kris walks through his own path from medical device sales to real estate to self storage to buying B2B service businesses directly from retiring founders, why these companies often trade at a fraction of what a comparable real estate deal would cost, and what separates a business worth buying from one to avoid. If you've built wealth through real estate and want a non-correlated way to put capital to work, this conversation is a clear-eyed introduction to an opportunity most investors never see.Learn more about the Blue Line Ventures partnership at nextlevelincome.com/blv, or schedule a call with our team: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ccampbell28

One thing about the current real estate cycle caught me off guard, and today I'm breaking down exactly what I found.For years I've tracked where we are in the roughly 18.6 year real estate cycle: seven years up, a mid-cycle slowdown, another seven years up, then a four year reset. That pattern has held since the 1850s. But when you overlay inflation on top of housing prices, the picture changes. Nominal prices kept climbing, but real prices actually peaked back in 2022.In this episode, I walk through how I track this cycle, the indicator I'm watching most closely right now, and what it means for the types of properties and investments we're making at Next Level Income today.In this episode:- The 18.6 year real estate cycle, and the four phases that make it up- Why land prices, not building prices, are the real signal to watch- The surprising twist when you overlay inflation on housing price data- The recession indicator I'm watching most closely right now- Why we like "being the bank" in this part of the cycle, and what that looks likeGet a free copy of my book, How To Be Financially Free by Forty: https://nextlevelincome.com/financialfreedombookWant to talk through where you stand in this cycle? Book a free call with our team: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ccampbell28This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice.

More than a decade ago, Tim Delaney bought his first small business, a fifty-year-old wine and liquor store in Buffalo, NY, with almost no experience and very little cash down. Today he owns that store and the plaza it sits in, and he helps other people do the same.In this episode, Tim joins Chris to break down exactly how he structured those two deals, including negotiating 90% seller financing down to a 4% interest rate, and how he used one business as leverage to fund a $120,000 roof replacement on the other. They also dig into why an estimated 5 to 10 million small businesses will change hands or close in the US over the next five years, and what that wave of retiring baby boomer owners means if you're looking to buy.Tim is the host of the Business Buying for Financial Independence podcast. Take his free Buyer's Profile quiz at powerofbiz.com/nextlevelincome.Get your free copy of How To Be Financially Free By Forty at nextlevelincome.com/financialfreedombook, or book a call with our teamat meetings.hubspot.com/ccampbell28.

What separates wealthy investors from the middle class when it comes to building long term financial success? In this episode, Lane Kawaoka shares the mindset, strategies, and investment principles that have helped him build a real estate portfolio of more than 10,000 units across the United States while helping thousands of investors create passive income without the challenges of active property management.Lane’s journey began in a traditional engineering career. Armed with a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Construction Management and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, he followed the conventional path of earning a good salary and saving diligently. However, he quickly realized that relying solely on a paycheck would not create the financial freedom he envisioned. Instead, he turned his focus toward investing in cash flowing real estate, ultimately leaving his engineering career behind to pursue wealth building full time.Throughout this insightful conversation, Lane explains that one of the biggest differences between the rich and the middle class is not income, but investment strategy. While many people focus on saving money and investing in traditional retirement accounts, wealthy investors prioritize acquiring income producing assets that generate consistent cash flow and appreciate over time. They understand the importance of leverage, tax efficiency, and building businesses and investments that continue working even when they are not.Lane also discusses how busy professionals can invest in large multifamily real estate without dealing with the headaches commonly associated with rental properties. Through his Hui Deal Pipeline Club, investors gain access to carefully selected opportunities where Lane personally invests alongside them, creating alignment and confidence throughout the investment process. His approach allows professionals to benefit from institutional quality real estate while avoiding the responsibilities of managing tenants, maintenance, and repairs.Since launching his investment platform in 2016, Lane and his team have helped acquire more than $2.1 billion in real estate through the syndication of over $200 million in private equity. Along the way, more than $45 million has been distributed back to investors, demonstrating the long term potential of disciplined real estate investing when combined with careful underwriting and experienced management.The conversation also explores the mindset shifts necessary for escaping the rat race. Lane emphasizes that financial freedom is built through education, intentional decision making, and surrounding yourself with experienced investors who have already achieved the results you seek. Rather than chasing quick wins or speculative investments, he encourages listeners to focus on creating predictable, sustainable wealth through proven systems.As the host of the Top 50 investing podcast, The Wealth Elevator, Lane is passionate about making sophisticated wealth building strategies accessible to hardworking professionals. His mission is to help people move beyond financial uncertainty by understanding how the wealthy think about investing and by providing practical guidance that anyone can begin implementing.Whether you are just beginning your investment journey or looking to expand an existing portfolio, this episode delivers valuable insights into building passive income, creating financial independence, and adopting the investment principles that have helped successful investors grow lasting wealth. If you are ready to learn how the rich invest differently than the middle class, this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast is one you will not want to miss.Resources & Links🌐 https://thewealthelevator.com/Fill out the form to receive Lane’s book: https://forms.gle/8iPojCHpgjZoLMN7A

Building wealth is about much more than finding the right investment opportunity. Long term financial success is rooted in mindset, supported by strong systems, and sustained through meaningful relationships. In this episode Chris sits down with seasoned real estate investor, advisor, and educator Christina Suter to discuss how creating the right foundation can help anyone achieve financial freedom through real estate investing.With years of experience helping thousands of aspiring and experienced investors, Christina has developed a practical approach that goes beyond buying properties. She believes that real estate is not simply a vehicle for creating income, but a tool that empowers people to align their financial goals with their personal purpose. Throughout the conversation, she explains why success begins long before signing a contract or analyzing a deal.One of the key topics explored in this episode is the importance of mindset. Christina shares how limiting beliefs, fear of failure, and uncertainty often prevent individuals from taking the first step toward building wealth. She explains that developing confidence comes from education, preparation, and consistent action rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity. By adopting a growth mindset, investors can overcome setbacks and view challenges as valuable learning experiences.Resources & Links🌐 https://www.christinasuter.com/🌐 https://www.livearichlive.info/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalsuter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchristinasuter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealChristinaSuter/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RealChristinaS_/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-breakthrough/id1522180469

What if you approached your health the same way a successful CEO runs a thriving business? Every decision matters, every system works together, and long term success depends on consistent leadership rather than quick fixes. In this episode, Chris sits down with human performance expert Justin Roethlingshoefer to discuss what it truly means to become the CEO of your own health.With more than 20 years of experience helping high performers optimize their physical and mental well being, Justin has worked with professional athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders who understand that sustainable success starts with a healthy foundation. His mission is centered on empowering people to take ownership of their health so they can maximize their purpose and live out their God given mission.Throughout the conversation, Justin explains why many people struggle to achieve lasting health despite having access to more information than ever before. Rather than chasing the latest diet trends or relying on temporary solutions, he encourages listeners to focus on understanding how their body functions and to use objective data to guide better decisions. When individuals learn to measure what truly matters, they can identify the root causes of health challenges instead of simply treating symptoms.Resources & Links🌐 https://www.holyhealth.org/🌐 http://ownitcoaching.com🌐 http://holyhealthbook.comGiveaway: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13YkzYLgGq-ZJXW8rReGqg7Yc9nCmfT3y?usp=sharing

When most people think about retirement investing, they picture traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. But what if your retirement account could be used to invest in real estate, private equity, private lending, or other alternative assets? In this episode Chris sits down with Nicole Capurso and Jason Prezant from Madison Trust Company to explore how Self-Directed IRAs are changing the way investors think about retirement planning.Nicole Capurso serves as Madison Trust’s Senior Strategic Relations Executive and has spent more than five years educating investors on the opportunities available through Self-Directed IRAs. Alongside her is Jason Prezant, a Self-Directed IRA specialist known for his commitment to exceptional client support and helping investors navigate the retirement investing process with confidence.Throughout the conversation, the guests explain the key differences between traditional retirement accounts and Self-Directed IRAs. While conventional retirement plans often limit investors to publicly traded securities, Self-Directed IRAs allow eligible investors to diversify into alternative investments, including real estate, private equity, promissory notes, and other private market opportunities.Resources & Links🌐 https://www.madisontrust.com/sponsors/Email: [email protected]: (845) 415-5393Giveaway: $125 Credit Towards Their New Account – First Investment Placed For Free! Account Application Fee Waived

Resilience is often forged in life’s most difficult moments. For Nick Prefontaine, a devastating snowboarding accident at just 14 years old became the defining event that transformed his perspective on life, success, and personal growth. In this inspiring episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, Nick shares how he overcame unimaginable challenges and turned tragedy into a mission to help others unlock their full potential.Nick’s journey began with what seemed like an impossible setback. After a life threatening snowboarding accident left him in a coma, doctors warned his family that he might never walk, talk, or eat independently again. Faced with overwhelming uncertainty, his future appeared bleak. Yet Nick refused to let those predictions define his life. Through relentless determination, rehabilitation, and an unwavering commitment to taking one step at a time, he gradually rebuilt his life.Rather than allowing adversity to become his identity, Nick used it as fuel. His recovery taught him that success is rarely achieved through giant leaps. Instead, meaningful progress comes from consistently taking the next right step. This philosophy ultimately became the foundation of the STEP System, a practical framework designed to help people overcome obstacles, regain confidence, and move toward their personal and professional goals.Resources & Links🌐 http://www.nickprefontaine.com/🌐 http://smartrealestatecoach.com/