#357: From Ground Zero to 8-Figure Exit: How Jason Weimer Created a Warren Buffet-Style Capital Snowball Out of a Working Class Income

Today, we have a super fun episode! I met our guest, Jason Weimer, over 5 years ago and had the privilege of getting to know him and his big idea. Jason was in the early stages of founding a PE Firm that was people-centric and that also provided the double-digit returns typical of private equity.

The challenge? Jason came from a working-class family that didn’t have a pile of capital for him to “play around with.” Therefore, Jason had to spend tons of time educating himself about investments, risk, and different asset classes. Jason shares how he started Gratus Capital and managed to convince his parents to invest a modest amount of capital with him. Jason treated them as typical investors from day one. 

Jason walked us through his whole journey, offering us a masterclass on risk, return, and how to generate double-digit returns through buying, growing, and selling private companies.

You will hear how Jason switched gears from real estate and venture capital, finding his true calling in private equity. He believed in it and proved it could deliver returns that would make even Warren Buffet nod in approval. Jason's story of buying Espresso Partners and navigating a sea of challenges to scale it from 15 employees to 55, and then selling it for a whopping eight figures is worth the listen.

And here's why this episode is close to my heart - I've known Jason for years, and I've seen him prove that thinking and treating your company as a financial asset from day one can make a world of difference. His insights on decision-making in the business context are pure gold for anyone trying to create long-term value. I hope you enjoy this episode!

WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast

What You Will Learn

• How to think about risk vs. return as it relates to private equity, real estate, and venture capital. 
• How managing your business as a financial asset impacts operational decision making.
• The significance of a people-centric leadership style and focusing on service.
• How to weather unforeseen challenges, like loosing your largest customer, while keeping the business afloat.
• Insights into executing an effective exit strategy that not only rewards you but also takes care of your employees.

// Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.

Bio:

Jason is the founder and managing partner of Gratūs Funds.

Jason’s early inspiration to pursue a career in investments came from his grandparents. Having been through the Great Depression they knew and communicated the value of a dollar. While never achieving “accredited status,” when they eventually passed it was discovered that on a single income of no more than 17k a year that supported a family of six, they were able to pass on a meaningful financial legacy through a disciplined spending and investing approach.

Jason attended Bethel University in St. Paul, MN and majored in Economics and Finance. He now resides in the westside neighborhood of St. Paul with his wife and children.

During college Jason’s passion for investing grew.

Having heard about the Great Depression, and directly experiencing the booms and busts of the late 1980’s, the Dot Com bust of early 2001 and the Great Recession of 2008, Jason recognized how markets and financial events have a profound impact on each and every one of us, for better or worse, and made it his life’s mission to uncover the workings of the economy and markets.

After discovering the tried-and-true performance of alternative investments on this mission, Jason launched Gratūs Capital in the fall of 2008 to share the unique benefits of alternatives with others.

From its first real estate fund Gratūs has grown to now offer investments in private equity and other high yield loan products.

Interview Quotes:

13:25  - “Real estate’s great. It’s a great business. It’s a great way to create value, create wealth. But the operating business is where you can get to that double digit -type annual compounded returns if you know what you’re doing and obviously luck is a big part of that.” - Jason Weimer

15:34 - “If you're good enough at it, and you take it far enough, you end up with a business.” - Jason Weimer

26:27 - “If he can't figure out what the business is gonna do 10 years from now, he won't even look at it.” - Jason Weimer

31:23  - “The reason I like real estate so much is because it’s entrepreneurial but it’s also accessible.” - Jason Weimer

35:12  - “I like to apply my creativity practically and intensely.” - Jason Weimer

41:25 - “I love it when you just break it down like that you're just such common sense.” - Ryan Tansom

49:53 - “The whole reason I got put this whole idea together was really to be able to have enough resources to drive positive change in the world.” - Jason Weimer

01:18:30 - “I don't play, if I don't have a game to play, I don't bluff. But if I have a strong hand, I'll give it to you.” - Jason Weimer

01:21:44 - “You can’t grow a service business and suck at people.” - Jason Weimer

Links and Resources:

Gratus Funds

Intentional Growth™ Vision Board

Intentional Growth™ Online Training

Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services