This is what community is all about!
I joined the Contrarian Academy last September after wrapping up a season working for one of the big ski resort companies — the kind that rakes in billions every year while treating the people who make that possible as replaceable. I left feeling undervalued, overworked, and underpaid, and I knew it was time to build something of my own. My goal isn't just financial freedom for myself — I want to build a business that takes care of my growing family and, eventually, the people who work for me. Financial abundance shouldn't be reserved for people willing to use others to get it. It should be available to everyone. I haven't closed a deal yet — my wife and I are still actively searching for the right business for us. I've reviewed financials, signed NDAs, and looked at several opportunities along the way. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm optimistic it will in the near future, and I credit the Academy for giving me the frameworks and confidence to evaluate deals properly rather than rushing into the wrong one. The Monday Night Live calls are a goldmine — 90 minutes every week with a Deal Advisor walking through real deals at every stage, from initial analysis to closed transactions, with members sharing their own wins and lessons learned. The Deal Advisor Office Hours give you direct, specific answers to your own deal questions. What I love most is the community aspect of these live calls. The Socratic nature of the format means every participant brings their own knowledge and wisdom to the table. No question is too small or "stupid" — every interaction adds real value, no matter where you are in your journey. I've also noticed the platform and website have kept evolving since I joined — new tools keep getting added and the overall user experience has steadily improved. Attending Contrarian Camp in person this June took everything to another level. Getting to meet deal advisors and fellow members face-to-face — everyone from people just starting out, to those who've closed their first deal, to seasoned veterans of business buying — made the online community feel even more real and connected. So many people have made this experience what it is. Rylan Harvey (Head of Academy), Nick Carey, Hants White, and Stan Sanchez have all given me sharp, deal-specific feedback as coaches and advisors. Brittany Hill (Head of Member Success) genuinely cares about members beyond the transaction, and Sage Price brings incredible energy and expertise to the community. I also had a great conversation with Mike Bardawil, who shared real, applicable insight that stuck with me. And a shout-out to Shannan Hale and Ashleigh McNew for all the work behind the scenes that makes this community run so well. Worth every bit of the investment. Highly recommend to anyone serious about building generational wealth on their own terms.