#94 - Fail Fast, Succeed Faster: Wealth-Building and Investment Strategies with Christian Schiller

Passive Income Pilots

In this episode, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson sit down with Christian Schiller, an accomplished investment banker with a wealth of experience buying, selling, and evaluating businesses. Christian shares his investment journey, including lessons from early failures, how he refined his investment strategy, and why knowing your limits is key to success. He breaks down the role of investment bankers, explains how pilots and high-income professionals can benefit from understanding private equity and alternative investments, and emphasizes the importance of building a strong network. Whether you're interested in public markets, private equity, real estate, or improving your financial strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice and insights tailored to investors at all levels.

Christian Schiller is a seasoned investment banker and Managing Director at Cascadia Capital, specializing in helping clients buy, sell, and evaluate businesses. With over two decades of experience, Christian has developed a keen eye for identifying opportunities and building strategic relationships in the investment world. A proponent of "know, like, trust" as the foundation of investing, Christian has refined his personal investment philosophy through a mix of private equity, venture capital, and operating company investments. Beyond his professional achievements, Christian is an avid traveler, family man, and advocate for a well-balanced life.

Show notes:

(0:00) Intro

(0:56) Christian’s early investment failures

(2:15) What investment bankers do and why it matters to pilots

(4:15) Christian’s philosophy on prioritization and life balance

(9:59) Key lessons from evaluating businesses

(15:42) Learning from failures: 26 out of 27 investments gone wrong

(19:25) "Know, like, trust" as a personal investment strategy

(26:30) Investing in operating companies vs. real estate

(32:25) Finding wealth managers with alternative investment access

(43:19) Favorite ways to generate passive income

(45:45) Outro

Connect with Christian Schiller:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianeschiller
• Email: [e-mail]

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*Legal Disclaimer*

The content of this podcast is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, and do not reflect those of any organization they are associated with, including Turbine Capital or Spartan Investment Group. The opinions of our guests are their own and should not be construed as financial advice. This podcast does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are advised to consult with their own legal or financial counsel and to conduct their own due diligence before making any financial decisions.